What do you think?
Rate this book
Words of Christ in Red
The Holy Church of Sacred is rotting from within, and Pastor David Ingram’s mission is to restore it. Young, charismatic, and hot-tempered, David moves with his husband and young son to Sacred, Georgia to preach God’s Word. Following the mysterious, brutal death of the former pastor, David has been tasked with healing the fractured congregation.
God is watching.
Eli Parsons leads the dissidents within the church. The Parsons founded the church, Eli’s blood deep in the faith. He hates David for his unashamed sexuality, for stealing his church—and for seeing through his facade, into the secrets Eli keeps. Secrets like the grotesque, nude figure of Christ in Eli’s basement and the suffering at the core of Eli’s worship.
Eli’s presence in the faith strains David’s belief, not only in his God, but in what shape he takes. Words turn to violence, and God’s watchful eye is all that keeps David from losing himself in righteous fury and sacrificing everything he’s built.
When David is pushed to the breaking point, he must choose—be the better man, or sate his thirst for bloody justice as the dark shape of God watches.
God is watching.
Eli Parsons leads the dissidents within the church. The Parsons founded the church, Eli’s blood deep in the faith. He hates David for his unashamed sexuality, for stealing his church—and for seeing through his facade, into the secrets Eli keeps. Secrets like the grotesque, nude figure of Christ in Eli’s basement and the suffering at the core of Eli’s worship.
Eli’s presence in the faith strains David’s belief, not only in his God, but in what shape he takes. Words turn to violence, and God’s watchful eye is all that keeps David from losing himself in righteous fury and sacrificing everything he’s built.
When David is pushed to the breaking point, he must choose—be the better man, or sate his thirst for bloody justice as the dark shape of God watches.
- GenresHorror
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2025
2 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Robbie Dorman
19 books88 followersRobbie Dorman believes in horror. Conquest is his first novel. When not writing, he's podcasting, playing video games, or petting cats. He lives in Texas with his wife, Kim.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 11, 2025
I also had to shorten this review.
As of July 10, 2025, this is my favorite read of the year.
A gay pastor, his husband, and their son arrive in the Deep South to preach at the Sacred Church and are met with resistance.
This isn’t just a story about religion and faith. It’s about the people broken and burned by it. About those who hide behind scripture and those erased by it. It’s about how we weaponize belief and what’s left after the damage is done.
And maybe I didn’t understand it all. Maybe this is me reaching for something that can’t be neatly defined. But that’s what made this book so powerful and terrifying. It invites questions without offering comfort.
Who’s allowed to interpret faith? Who gets to speak for God? What happens when belief, identity, and trauma become so entangled you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins?
Dorman doesn’t take sides; he lets contradiction breathe. We see people from BOTH sides of faith: using it to justify cruelty, clinging to it for survival, and trying to make sense of a world where the teachings they grew up with no longer hold.
Religious or not, we’re human, and we all carry something: guilt, anger, hope, confusion, or love. Because what is faith, really? A belief system? A shield? An excuse? When do we stop using it to justify who we are and start questioning what it actually means?
We worship. We break down. We cling to anything that makes us feel less alone. And when we pray, if we pray, is it connection? Delusion? Both? Neither? That duality isn’t a flaw. It’s the most human thing there is.
This book doesn’t tie anything up with a bow. The ending is abrupt and unsettling on purpose. Because when your core beliefs are shattered, there’s no clean resolution. Just the raw, lingering question:
What now?
What’s the truth?
Can we live without knowing?
Is God here in this room?
Yes. No. Maybe. Maybe not.
March 19, 2025
Holy. F***ing. Shit.
March 16, 2025
One of the reasons that this book won my attention was the cover, I've always loved religious paintings event though I'm not a religious person at the moment, I grow up in a very Christan house so maybe that´s why this book called me from the very beginning, religious trauma it's my favorite trope.
David is a gay pastor, he have been hired in this small town in order to replaced the last one who just died, he sees this like an opportunity to find a place to settle with his husband and son, what he doesn't know is how much violence he can face when some of the assistants of the church find his queernes sinful.
Through different POV we know the differents angles of the story, David the pastor, Eli who's conveinced that God is talking and guide him to reform the church and take it away from the "devil" ones, Tommy the 15 year old kid who's the son of Eli, and a few others who are part of this church congregation.
This book is violent, grotesque but also beautiful, when we are living in a time that rights are taken away from minorities and people are spreading hate, there is always people like David, Zeke or Anna who are ready to protect those who needed, the author do a very good job with the characters, I loved that David use verses from the Bible to defend against attacks, and his sermons were beautiful. Eli in the other side was a horrible and wicked character, I'm sure (sadly) that this type of persons exists.
The end for me was not what I expected, it felt like a few pages were missing.
I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange of a honest review.
David is a gay pastor, he have been hired in this small town in order to replaced the last one who just died, he sees this like an opportunity to find a place to settle with his husband and son, what he doesn't know is how much violence he can face when some of the assistants of the church find his queernes sinful.
Through different POV we know the differents angles of the story, David the pastor, Eli who's conveinced that God is talking and guide him to reform the church and take it away from the "devil" ones, Tommy the 15 year old kid who's the son of Eli, and a few others who are part of this church congregation.
This book is violent, grotesque but also beautiful, when we are living in a time that rights are taken away from minorities and people are spreading hate, there is always people like David, Zeke or Anna who are ready to protect those who needed, the author do a very good job with the characters, I loved that David use verses from the Bible to defend against attacks, and his sermons were beautiful. Eli in the other side was a horrible and wicked character, I'm sure (sadly) that this type of persons exists.
The end for me was not what I expected, it felt like a few pages were missing.
I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange of a honest review.
May 9, 2025
I couldn’t put it down - A frightening glimpse into what our world is becoming
Dorman created a fantastic and realistic story of where we could be (perhaps are) within our world today. Honest people, believing in their truth just didn’t fit a vision of what a selfish man believed was right.
The story quickly grabbed me and I couldn’t stop reading. Two days later the book was done and I was left with so many thoughts of what is happening around us today.
This book is incredible. It left me with so many thoughts, both disturbing and insightful.
Awesome writing Robbie!
Dorman created a fantastic and realistic story of where we could be (perhaps are) within our world today. Honest people, believing in their truth just didn’t fit a vision of what a selfish man believed was right.
The story quickly grabbed me and I couldn’t stop reading. Two days later the book was done and I was left with so many thoughts of what is happening around us today.
This book is incredible. It left me with so many thoughts, both disturbing and insightful.
Awesome writing Robbie!
April 4, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC!
This book was at its best when highlighting the horrific aspects of Christianity (the brutality of crucifixion, the emphasis on suffering and physical torture as spirituality) -- there are certainly many aspects of both organized religion and the Bible that lend themselves to horror, especially body horror. But I'm just baffled as to why a gay man would pursue a career in an institution that actively promotes homophobia. I understand that he wants to help others see that God isn't synonymous with hatred and that the source text doesn't actually support their bigoted beliefs, but given the tepid reaction of the church administration during both his bullying at seminary and GUN-TOTING COUP later on, I'm not sure what he sees in the institution to be saved.
This book was at its best when highlighting the horrific aspects of Christianity (the brutality of crucifixion, the emphasis on suffering and physical torture as spirituality) -- there are certainly many aspects of both organized religion and the Bible that lend themselves to horror, especially body horror. But I'm just baffled as to why a gay man would pursue a career in an institution that actively promotes homophobia. I understand that he wants to help others see that God isn't synonymous with hatred and that the source text doesn't actually support their bigoted beliefs, but given the tepid reaction of the church administration during both his bullying at seminary and GUN-TOTING COUP later on, I'm not sure what he sees in the institution to be saved.
May 23, 2025
Dear Lord. May you deliver me from evil.
WARNING: do not read this review. I kind of lost my shinola here and probably didn't spend enough time talking about the actual book. Sorry. Short-text: it IS a really good book, full of shock, danger, and disgusting actions by our fellow man meted out in abundant quantities. Dorman is a very talented young writer and I expect very good things from him for years to come. This one really hit me on a visceral level. Yes, I did have a stiff drink before I finally put it down last night… but to be fair, I needed something to wash the mood stabilizers down with!
The world now red, he stared into the eyes of Christ.
AHEM… if I may: According to the American Psychological Association website: "Anger is an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong. (On one hand) anger can be a good thing. It can give you a way to express negative feelings, for example, or motivate you to find solutions to problems. (On the other hand) excessive anger can cause problems. Increased blood pressure and other physical changes associated with anger make it difficult to think straight and harm your physical and mental health."
We are at war. Make no mistake.
Now I wanted to include a more rational explanation for anger at the beginning of my review of Robbie Dorman's latest release "Words of Christ in Red" in large part that the book has left me very, very angry. We're talking Incredible Hulk levels of "you wouldn't like me when I'm angry", um, anger. But please, do not think this is a weak attempt on my part to criticize what Dorman has accomplished here (I'll get to that later, he guffawed trying to release some of the building tension). No, no, no this is just the reaction I felt throughout this tale of zealotry, corruption, hatred and worse. I mean, I've had books make me laugh from the front cover to the end, books that made me cry repeatedly (Albert Camus was an intense dude, y'all!), and a number of other reactions obviously. But I have never read a book that had me so pissed off after my first day of reading that I literally had trouble sleeping that night and woke up early just to finish and get this rage session somehow behind me!
I won’t hurt you. God is watching… But I want to.
I think in many ways what Dorman has unintentionally accomplished (no, I'm not brash enough to think he wrote this book FOR me) is find one of if not the biggest triggers I apparently have. OK, I don't do well with sexual assault, hitting women or gods know, killing pets. But this one, well, wowzers. If there's one thing I simply cannot abide it's the "holier than thou" types that have taken over far too much of "democratic" civilization, picking and choosing which passages they want to believe in based on what they themselves want out of life (did I grow up near Georgia and in the Deep South? Why, yes, yes I did!)! One only has to pick up the newspapers these days just to see all these folks that love to flaunt their gold crosses or Star of David pendants or whatever while they steal from the poor to give to the rich, making sure to step on the necks of the needy and otherwise less fortunate across the globe. Seriously, do not get me started because I believe even goodreads has a word limit!
Through sacrifice, you’ll understand. Through suffering, you’ll see Heaven.
If I can use another convenient internet quote, "Today, 176 million Americans claim to be Christians - 69% of the population. Yet, only 6% of U.S. adults - which is 9% of those identifying as Christians - possess a biblical worldview, believing the Bible to be accurate and reliable, among other convictions." Think about that. Just think about then how many of these folks are constructing their own version of "faith and virtue", especially with the time honored practice of picking and choosing which directions they should follow! "Thou Shalt Not Kill"? OK, easy peasy, don't want to go to jail, gotcha boss! But wait, what about shellfish? We're not only not supposed to eat them but DETEST them (good ol' Leviticus y'all!). And mixed fibers in our clothing? Well, technically that's supposed to cover wool and linen mixes, what with polyester still being several hundred years away ... but still! MY!!! preacher says it's bad so neener neener!
Why do you hate me? Because the answer isn’t the Bible.
And then there's the one that I think Dorman handles so well (hint: it's not the bit about homosexuality though he knocks that out of the park). Namely: Love Thy Neighbor. No, it doesn't say anything about love thy neighbor IF AND ONLY IF they go to your church or have the same skin color or even if they don't worship the exact same son (or daughter or none of the above) of god that you do. The fact is that this instruction clearly tells us, nay, orders us to love EVERYONE EVERYWHERE. No, no further discussion. That's. It. Well, certainly then in this fictional wee town outside of Buttlick, Florida, you just no that won't do. And that, brothers and sisters, is when the crocodile poop really starts hitting the fan in this story.
You twist the words of the Lord. You pollute this holy space with your sinful ways!
I'll begin to end things here with a quote I took from a friend on social media. She is what I would consider VERY RELIGIOUS even though we disagree on many aspects of same*. This came up after watching the US Congress AGAIN taking away support of everything from meals for hungry children, healthcare for the elderly and even injured military veterans, ad infinitum someoneum shootem pleaseus… OK, where was I? Oh yes, my friend said that while she and Jesus were "tight", that she had a complicated relationship with others that called themselves Christians. It was only that she felt they should perhaps find a new title to go with as their behavior certainly didn't match up with her interpretation of Christ's teachings in any way, shape or form. Like we say in the South: we'll I'll be...
I have the gun. I make the rules. This is my church. Not yours. Leave.
But to conclude (finally!) about what I thought about the book (book? What book?). Again - noting this was my third (3rd for those of you who can't read) offer by this author - the imagination and execution of the plot blew me away. This was no less creepy than the mysterious occurrences in Antarctica or freaky haunted hockey mascot-slash-demon that terrorized an entire city with its blood thirsty murder spree. Granted, those previous books didn't have me looking for my old Louisville slugger to go out and take a few practice swings with but Dorman definitely remains firmly on the "Must Read" shelf of authors I will be continuing to check out. I do wish he'd get a an asshole or two in his beta reading team to help tighten up some of the typos (never ask just friends, those folks are probably too nice!). But certainly the wee bits that popped up didn't take away from what I would consider a powerful modern day look at a scenario in many ways similar to "Mississippi Burning". But dammit, no: even this long-winded, rambling review hasn't calmed me down. Shit. Anyway 4 1/2 stars, good stuff. Stay angry. Stop voting for jerks! Sigh… go in peace. Amen.
Do you feel God out here, faggot?
*In the interest of full disclosure: I'm not necessarily a fully licensed atheist (even scientists have our questions!) though I'd give the agnostics out there a good run for their money. Cards on the table: I do believe a man named Jesus existed and I do think he had some good things to say. I say that even though I believe the "Good Book" itself is a plagiarized fantasy story cobbled together from other 'pagan' religious texts that existed in that region and from even as far away as what was then Persia or even what we call Pakistan today. Ignoring that its writers simply loved the control factor of the bits they "kept" (resurrection, virgin birth, etc. etc.), I would also point to the fact that it has been re-written so many times it resembles nothing like the first copy of at very least some of the New Testament, which was finished decades after Jesus supposedly died (mortally speaking naturally).
I also can't say I've had any good experiences over the years attending various churches and would also add that the biggest bigots I know are all "devout Bible thumpers"! Myself, having married a Catholic, well my disgust at the wanton wastefulness of these big churches when they could literally solve many of the worlds ills makes me physically sick. I mean, why not sell the gold kept in one small storage closet in the Vatican and feed Africa for a year, am I right?
WARNING: do not read this review. I kind of lost my shinola here and probably didn't spend enough time talking about the actual book. Sorry. Short-text: it IS a really good book, full of shock, danger, and disgusting actions by our fellow man meted out in abundant quantities. Dorman is a very talented young writer and I expect very good things from him for years to come. This one really hit me on a visceral level. Yes, I did have a stiff drink before I finally put it down last night… but to be fair, I needed something to wash the mood stabilizers down with!
The world now red, he stared into the eyes of Christ.
AHEM… if I may: According to the American Psychological Association website: "Anger is an emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has deliberately done you wrong. (On one hand) anger can be a good thing. It can give you a way to express negative feelings, for example, or motivate you to find solutions to problems. (On the other hand) excessive anger can cause problems. Increased blood pressure and other physical changes associated with anger make it difficult to think straight and harm your physical and mental health."
We are at war. Make no mistake.
Now I wanted to include a more rational explanation for anger at the beginning of my review of Robbie Dorman's latest release "Words of Christ in Red" in large part that the book has left me very, very angry. We're talking Incredible Hulk levels of "you wouldn't like me when I'm angry", um, anger. But please, do not think this is a weak attempt on my part to criticize what Dorman has accomplished here (I'll get to that later, he guffawed trying to release some of the building tension). No, no, no this is just the reaction I felt throughout this tale of zealotry, corruption, hatred and worse. I mean, I've had books make me laugh from the front cover to the end, books that made me cry repeatedly (Albert Camus was an intense dude, y'all!), and a number of other reactions obviously. But I have never read a book that had me so pissed off after my first day of reading that I literally had trouble sleeping that night and woke up early just to finish and get this rage session somehow behind me!
I won’t hurt you. God is watching… But I want to.
I think in many ways what Dorman has unintentionally accomplished (no, I'm not brash enough to think he wrote this book FOR me) is find one of if not the biggest triggers I apparently have. OK, I don't do well with sexual assault, hitting women or gods know, killing pets. But this one, well, wowzers. If there's one thing I simply cannot abide it's the "holier than thou" types that have taken over far too much of "democratic" civilization, picking and choosing which passages they want to believe in based on what they themselves want out of life (did I grow up near Georgia and in the Deep South? Why, yes, yes I did!)! One only has to pick up the newspapers these days just to see all these folks that love to flaunt their gold crosses or Star of David pendants or whatever while they steal from the poor to give to the rich, making sure to step on the necks of the needy and otherwise less fortunate across the globe. Seriously, do not get me started because I believe even goodreads has a word limit!
Through sacrifice, you’ll understand. Through suffering, you’ll see Heaven.
If I can use another convenient internet quote, "Today, 176 million Americans claim to be Christians - 69% of the population. Yet, only 6% of U.S. adults - which is 9% of those identifying as Christians - possess a biblical worldview, believing the Bible to be accurate and reliable, among other convictions." Think about that. Just think about then how many of these folks are constructing their own version of "faith and virtue", especially with the time honored practice of picking and choosing which directions they should follow! "Thou Shalt Not Kill"? OK, easy peasy, don't want to go to jail, gotcha boss! But wait, what about shellfish? We're not only not supposed to eat them but DETEST them (good ol' Leviticus y'all!). And mixed fibers in our clothing? Well, technically that's supposed to cover wool and linen mixes, what with polyester still being several hundred years away ... but still! MY!!! preacher says it's bad so neener neener!
Why do you hate me? Because the answer isn’t the Bible.
And then there's the one that I think Dorman handles so well (hint: it's not the bit about homosexuality though he knocks that out of the park). Namely: Love Thy Neighbor. No, it doesn't say anything about love thy neighbor IF AND ONLY IF they go to your church or have the same skin color or even if they don't worship the exact same son (or daughter or none of the above) of god that you do. The fact is that this instruction clearly tells us, nay, orders us to love EVERYONE EVERYWHERE. No, no further discussion. That's. It. Well, certainly then in this fictional wee town outside of Buttlick, Florida, you just no that won't do. And that, brothers and sisters, is when the crocodile poop really starts hitting the fan in this story.
You twist the words of the Lord. You pollute this holy space with your sinful ways!
I'll begin to end things here with a quote I took from a friend on social media. She is what I would consider VERY RELIGIOUS even though we disagree on many aspects of same*. This came up after watching the US Congress AGAIN taking away support of everything from meals for hungry children, healthcare for the elderly and even injured military veterans, ad infinitum someoneum shootem pleaseus… OK, where was I? Oh yes, my friend said that while she and Jesus were "tight", that she had a complicated relationship with others that called themselves Christians. It was only that she felt they should perhaps find a new title to go with as their behavior certainly didn't match up with her interpretation of Christ's teachings in any way, shape or form. Like we say in the South: we'll I'll be...
I have the gun. I make the rules. This is my church. Not yours. Leave.
But to conclude (finally!) about what I thought about the book (book? What book?). Again - noting this was my third (3rd for those of you who can't read) offer by this author - the imagination and execution of the plot blew me away. This was no less creepy than the mysterious occurrences in Antarctica or freaky haunted hockey mascot-slash-demon that terrorized an entire city with its blood thirsty murder spree. Granted, those previous books didn't have me looking for my old Louisville slugger to go out and take a few practice swings with but Dorman definitely remains firmly on the "Must Read" shelf of authors I will be continuing to check out. I do wish he'd get a an asshole or two in his beta reading team to help tighten up some of the typos (never ask just friends, those folks are probably too nice!). But certainly the wee bits that popped up didn't take away from what I would consider a powerful modern day look at a scenario in many ways similar to "Mississippi Burning". But dammit, no: even this long-winded, rambling review hasn't calmed me down. Shit. Anyway 4 1/2 stars, good stuff. Stay angry. Stop voting for jerks! Sigh… go in peace. Amen.
Do you feel God out here, faggot?
*In the interest of full disclosure: I'm not necessarily a fully licensed atheist (even scientists have our questions!) though I'd give the agnostics out there a good run for their money. Cards on the table: I do believe a man named Jesus existed and I do think he had some good things to say. I say that even though I believe the "Good Book" itself is a plagiarized fantasy story cobbled together from other 'pagan' religious texts that existed in that region and from even as far away as what was then Persia or even what we call Pakistan today. Ignoring that its writers simply loved the control factor of the bits they "kept" (resurrection, virgin birth, etc. etc.), I would also point to the fact that it has been re-written so many times it resembles nothing like the first copy of at very least some of the New Testament, which was finished decades after Jesus supposedly died (mortally speaking naturally).
I also can't say I've had any good experiences over the years attending various churches and would also add that the biggest bigots I know are all "devout Bible thumpers"! Myself, having married a Catholic, well my disgust at the wanton wastefulness of these big churches when they could literally solve many of the worlds ills makes me physically sick. I mean, why not sell the gold kept in one small storage closet in the Vatican and feed Africa for a year, am I right?
April 8, 2025
There are some amazing things happening in this book, and also some inconsistencies on a craft level. I agree with other reviewers who found the ending too abrupt.
First, the good stuff. Hats off to anyone who trusts his audience enough to interweave deep theological debates into a Southern Gothic gore-fest. Christianity IS bloody and kinky. The book's main villain, Eli, goes mad because he can't accept his Jesus fetish and instead must moralize and project it outward as an apocalyptic battle for his church. David, the new gay pastor, is a fascinating character, because his commitment to self-sacrificial love is at war with his barely-contained rage at a lifetime of facing homophobia. Though his values are better, in some ways he's got a split personality like Eli's, and he knows it all too well.
As both main characters struggle to distinguish God's voice from their shadow impulses, we are treated to some visionary and sensual passages of writing. You will never think of wood glue the same way after reading the painfully erotic scene where Eli tries to repair his statue of the tortured Christ. So much sweat and ooze! David takes his own journey into the underworld with the help of hallucinogenic mushrooms from a swamp-dwelling wild man in the congregation.
The ending piled up a larger body count than "Hamlet". David's descent into violence reminded me of the country song "Coward of the County". I was disappointed that we don't find out how he copes with the consequences, legally or spiritually. It felt to me like the story abandoned its theological nuance and tension at the end, in order to have a Hollywood showdown.
The gorgeous passages cited above were oddly juxtaposed with writing that was flat and functional, with too many redundant dialogue tags. David's spouse and child had no personality development.
I admire this book's ambitions so much. Genre fiction and the novel of ideas do mix! I hope that the author's next work has more consistent literary polish because I am looking forward to more of his reflections on faith in action.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First, the good stuff. Hats off to anyone who trusts his audience enough to interweave deep theological debates into a Southern Gothic gore-fest. Christianity IS bloody and kinky. The book's main villain, Eli, goes mad because he can't accept his Jesus fetish and instead must moralize and project it outward as an apocalyptic battle for his church. David, the new gay pastor, is a fascinating character, because his commitment to self-sacrificial love is at war with his barely-contained rage at a lifetime of facing homophobia. Though his values are better, in some ways he's got a split personality like Eli's, and he knows it all too well.
As both main characters struggle to distinguish God's voice from their shadow impulses, we are treated to some visionary and sensual passages of writing. You will never think of wood glue the same way after reading the painfully erotic scene where Eli tries to repair his statue of the tortured Christ. So much sweat and ooze! David takes his own journey into the underworld with the help of hallucinogenic mushrooms from a swamp-dwelling wild man in the congregation.
The ending piled up a larger body count than "Hamlet". David's descent into violence reminded me of the country song "Coward of the County". I was disappointed that we don't find out how he copes with the consequences, legally or spiritually. It felt to me like the story abandoned its theological nuance and tension at the end, in order to have a Hollywood showdown.
The gorgeous passages cited above were oddly juxtaposed with writing that was flat and functional, with too many redundant dialogue tags. David's spouse and child had no personality development.
I admire this book's ambitions so much. Genre fiction and the novel of ideas do mix! I hope that the author's next work has more consistent literary polish because I am looking forward to more of his reflections on faith in action.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2025
Words of Christ in Red by Robbie Dorman is a brutal horror novel about the conflicts between two sects of the same religion in a small southern town. On one side there is Eli, a traditional conservative Christian who wants to take the town's church back to its roots and on the other is David, a gay pastor from a bigger city who is invited to take the place of the town's deceased pastor.
The story is fast paced and interesting and it kept me turning pages. The villain is so deplorable it's easy to hate him and all the cast of characters that have his back - in particular Bronson, the town sheriff - but it's the characters on the good side that really kept me invested. David's relationship with his husband and son in particular felt well developed and real, and really showed the human side of what was happening in this town. David in particular, as the central character, was incredibly well-rounded. The exploration of his flaws and how he progressed from a young man into the adult pastor he became lent a lot of depth to the story.
The side characters in this story are strong as well. From Laurie, the former pastor's wife, to Zeke, a reformed drug addict, it's easy to see Dorman's exploration of religious trauma and how it can impact a community. This is especially true for Tommy, Eli's gay son, who is struggling with his own identity and what it means both for his faith and his family. Through David's steadfast belief in God and goodness, Dorman is able to right a lot of painful wrongs done to some members of the community, at least for a little while.
The only thing that felt off to me about this book was how abrupt the ending was. I would have liked to have seen the aftermath of the final showdown between the two sides, but it ends rather abruptly with no telling what happens after the credits roll.
This is a good read for horror buffs or anyone looking to explore their own religious traumas, however I will say this book really pulls no punches.
Thanks to Robbie Dorman for writing this book and providing me with an advanced copy to read.
The story is fast paced and interesting and it kept me turning pages. The villain is so deplorable it's easy to hate him and all the cast of characters that have his back - in particular Bronson, the town sheriff - but it's the characters on the good side that really kept me invested. David's relationship with his husband and son in particular felt well developed and real, and really showed the human side of what was happening in this town. David in particular, as the central character, was incredibly well-rounded. The exploration of his flaws and how he progressed from a young man into the adult pastor he became lent a lot of depth to the story.
The side characters in this story are strong as well. From Laurie, the former pastor's wife, to Zeke, a reformed drug addict, it's easy to see Dorman's exploration of religious trauma and how it can impact a community. This is especially true for Tommy, Eli's gay son, who is struggling with his own identity and what it means both for his faith and his family. Through David's steadfast belief in God and goodness, Dorman is able to right a lot of painful wrongs done to some members of the community, at least for a little while.
The only thing that felt off to me about this book was how abrupt the ending was. I would have liked to have seen the aftermath of the final showdown between the two sides, but it ends rather abruptly with no telling what happens after the credits roll.
This is a good read for horror buffs or anyone looking to explore their own religious traumas, however I will say this book really pulls no punches.
Thanks to Robbie Dorman for writing this book and providing me with an advanced copy to read.
April 19, 2025
Robbie Doorman’s Words of Christ in Red is a blistering, blood-soaked meditation on faith, power, and the demons that wear holy faces. Set in the suffocating, judgmental heat of Sacred, Georgia, this southern gothic thriller rips apart the façade of righteousness to expose a core of rot, obsession, and dangerous belief.
At the heart of the novel is Pastor David Ingram—a man as complex as the church he’s been sent to save. Young, passionate, and unapologetically gay, David walks into a hornet’s nest of whispered prejudice, theological decay, and one very determined adversary: Eli Parsons, heir to the church’s legacy and guardian of its darkest secrets. Their clash is inevitable, and Doorman turns that tension into a spiritual and psychological powder keg.
Eli is not just a bigot hiding behind Bible verses—he’s something far more unsettling. The grotesque Christ in his basement, the whispered suffering behind his rituals, and his unwavering gaze on David all point toward a horror that’s as metaphysical as it is human. The church becomes a battleground not just for doctrine, but for souls—and maybe something older and crueler than God Himself.
Doorman’s prose is lyrical and sharp-edged, laced with dread and desperation. The novel dances on the edge of religious horror and psychological thriller, grounded by its flawed, fiercely human protagonist. David’s inner struggle—to lead with grace or fight with vengeance—is both deeply personal and profoundly theological. When he’s finally pushed to the edge, the choices he faces feel less like a climax and more like a revelation.
Words of Christ in Red is not for the faint of heart. It’s raw, unflinching, and spiritually provocative—less a sermon and more an exorcism. But for those who can stomach the darkness, it’s a powerful, unforgettable exploration of what happens when faith becomes a weapon and righteousness turns to wrath.
At the heart of the novel is Pastor David Ingram—a man as complex as the church he’s been sent to save. Young, passionate, and unapologetically gay, David walks into a hornet’s nest of whispered prejudice, theological decay, and one very determined adversary: Eli Parsons, heir to the church’s legacy and guardian of its darkest secrets. Their clash is inevitable, and Doorman turns that tension into a spiritual and psychological powder keg.
Eli is not just a bigot hiding behind Bible verses—he’s something far more unsettling. The grotesque Christ in his basement, the whispered suffering behind his rituals, and his unwavering gaze on David all point toward a horror that’s as metaphysical as it is human. The church becomes a battleground not just for doctrine, but for souls—and maybe something older and crueler than God Himself.
Doorman’s prose is lyrical and sharp-edged, laced with dread and desperation. The novel dances on the edge of religious horror and psychological thriller, grounded by its flawed, fiercely human protagonist. David’s inner struggle—to lead with grace or fight with vengeance—is both deeply personal and profoundly theological. When he’s finally pushed to the edge, the choices he faces feel less like a climax and more like a revelation.
Words of Christ in Red is not for the faint of heart. It’s raw, unflinching, and spiritually provocative—less a sermon and more an exorcism. But for those who can stomach the darkness, it’s a powerful, unforgettable exploration of what happens when faith becomes a weapon and righteousness turns to wrath.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
This is a bloody religious horror novel set in a small town where competing factors wage a war for control of the church.
A gay pastor takes his first leadership role in a small town church in Georgia. He and his husband along with their young son see it as an opportunity to heal and unify the residents after the death of the former pastor..
But there are others who see this as a sin against God and a sin against themselves and all they hold sacred. And they're not above using extreme measures, in the name of God, to rid their town of the evil they believe is homosexuality.
From the brutal first chapter we know that this will not end well and this book has a spark of tension throughout which builds in waves until the horrific climax.
This novel sets two religious factions against each other. One clearly serves the God of the old testament, full of fury and fire. The man leading this side is formed of antiquated ideas and resists any progressive changes. But the sheriff is on his side allowing for violence and bloodshed to run freely.
The ending is a chaotic, brutal, gore filled event. It does end rather abruptly though. It felt jarring. But I still loved the story and definitely felt that it amplified events which are readily apparent in todays society but with more blood and gore! I highly recommend this if you want a good religious horror story between good and evil.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
A gay pastor takes his first leadership role in a small town church in Georgia. He and his husband along with their young son see it as an opportunity to heal and unify the residents after the death of the former pastor..
But there are others who see this as a sin against God and a sin against themselves and all they hold sacred. And they're not above using extreme measures, in the name of God, to rid their town of the evil they believe is homosexuality.
From the brutal first chapter we know that this will not end well and this book has a spark of tension throughout which builds in waves until the horrific climax.
This novel sets two religious factions against each other. One clearly serves the God of the old testament, full of fury and fire. The man leading this side is formed of antiquated ideas and resists any progressive changes. But the sheriff is on his side allowing for violence and bloodshed to run freely.
The ending is a chaotic, brutal, gore filled event. It does end rather abruptly though. It felt jarring. But I still loved the story and definitely felt that it amplified events which are readily apparent in todays society but with more blood and gore! I highly recommend this if you want a good religious horror story between good and evil.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
April 3, 2025
Oh my god (literally)
Words of Christ in Red is a religious horror novel about two sects in rural town fighting over control of the church. One faction is more progressive, lead by the openly gay pastor David who has just moved to town and accepted the pastor position after the last pastor's mysterious accident. The other is more 'traditionalist' (I don't like using that word for this but I can't think of another one in this context), lead by local Eli who wants the church to return to how it was before the church became more progressive.
This novel is a suspenseful, non-stop thrill ride from the beginning that culminates into a blood-soaked event. The story is amazing and kept my attention the entire time. With characters that are fascinating to read and get to know and short chapters that are easy to digest considering that some of the subject matter is a little heavy.
I also think that some of the discussions around religion and religious institutions was interesting to read, considering the state of religion in the world today and the sort of crossroads we're at in terms of progressive views and more traditionalist views. Bringing into question how we interpret ancient religious text in a modern society.
I literally can not recommend this novel enough. I'm shocked at how much I loved this, and how fast it climbed my ranking for favorite horror novels. I will be keeping an eye out for this author's future works for sure!!
*Thank you to Netgalley for gifting me a copy of this ARC. This review is entirely my own thoughts*
Words of Christ in Red is a religious horror novel about two sects in rural town fighting over control of the church. One faction is more progressive, lead by the openly gay pastor David who has just moved to town and accepted the pastor position after the last pastor's mysterious accident. The other is more 'traditionalist' (I don't like using that word for this but I can't think of another one in this context), lead by local Eli who wants the church to return to how it was before the church became more progressive.
This novel is a suspenseful, non-stop thrill ride from the beginning that culminates into a blood-soaked event. The story is amazing and kept my attention the entire time. With characters that are fascinating to read and get to know and short chapters that are easy to digest considering that some of the subject matter is a little heavy.
I also think that some of the discussions around religion and religious institutions was interesting to read, considering the state of religion in the world today and the sort of crossroads we're at in terms of progressive views and more traditionalist views. Bringing into question how we interpret ancient religious text in a modern society.
I literally can not recommend this novel enough. I'm shocked at how much I loved this, and how fast it climbed my ranking for favorite horror novels. I will be keeping an eye out for this author's future works for sure!!
*Thank you to Netgalley for gifting me a copy of this ARC. This review is entirely my own thoughts*
March 16, 2025
📿⛪️🙏𝕲𝖔𝖉 𝖎𝖘 𝖜𝖆𝖙𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌🙏⛪️📿
"𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮'𝓼 𝓷𝓸 𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓱𝓪𝓽𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮"
A church divided.
A congregation damned.
The Holy Church of Sacred is in need of a new Pastor after their last one tragically died in an accident, this is where Pastor David and his family come in, and move in to preach the good word of Jesus Christ.
But how can a gay man lead a church? Isn't that a sin? That was what the patriach of the small town, Eli, thinks, and his influence and delusions run heavy in the town. And he is not happy, not one bit, and he will do anything to get "his" church back.
This was such a thought-provoking, fast-paced, cruel, and engulfing read! I started it and finished it all within 24 hours. It was heavily cinematic while reading. The passion and rage within the pages were palpable. Living in a small town in the middle of SC and having been raised Catholic, this was very relatable in some of the hypocrisy that sometimes comes with sins. And the extremes of being a follower vs. a fanatic.
(Fun fact, I used to teach Sunday school)
If you enjoy a small town horror or religious, read this book right here for you.
I would love to thank NetGalley and Robbie Doorman for allowing me to read and review this e-book ARC. Can't wait to add to my bookshelves!
"𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮'𝓼 𝓷𝓸 𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓱𝓪𝓽𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮"
A church divided.
A congregation damned.
The Holy Church of Sacred is in need of a new Pastor after their last one tragically died in an accident, this is where Pastor David and his family come in, and move in to preach the good word of Jesus Christ.
But how can a gay man lead a church? Isn't that a sin? That was what the patriach of the small town, Eli, thinks, and his influence and delusions run heavy in the town. And he is not happy, not one bit, and he will do anything to get "his" church back.
This was such a thought-provoking, fast-paced, cruel, and engulfing read! I started it and finished it all within 24 hours. It was heavily cinematic while reading. The passion and rage within the pages were palpable. Living in a small town in the middle of SC and having been raised Catholic, this was very relatable in some of the hypocrisy that sometimes comes with sins. And the extremes of being a follower vs. a fanatic.
(Fun fact, I used to teach Sunday school)
If you enjoy a small town horror or religious, read this book right here for you.
I would love to thank NetGalley and Robbie Doorman for allowing me to read and review this e-book ARC. Can't wait to add to my bookshelves!
November 14, 2025
I can’t tell you how much I appreciated the messages in this book. A pastor moves with his husband and their son to a new town, so that he can assume the role in a local church. A little over half of the congregation welcomes him and his family with open arms. The rest are hateful and homophobic, due to their narrow interpretations of the scriptures. What starts out as a tense severance within the flock eventually erupts into all-out war.
On one hand, Dorman highlights the problematic groups of Christians who twist the teachings to justify hate and glorify suffering. But on the other hand, you have some wonderful characters who source their faith from a place of love.
Regardless of what you believe now, if you grew up in a small town church like I did, you’ll probably get something out of this book.
As always, check your triggers. The last few chapters get pretty intense.
On one hand, Dorman highlights the problematic groups of Christians who twist the teachings to justify hate and glorify suffering. But on the other hand, you have some wonderful characters who source their faith from a place of love.
Regardless of what you believe now, if you grew up in a small town church like I did, you’ll probably get something out of this book.
As always, check your triggers. The last few chapters get pretty intense.
December 23, 2025
The Holy Church of Sacred is rotting from the inside out. With generations of history in the church, Eli Parsons can’t stand to see traditions or ideologies changing. When David Ingram, a gay pastor, comes to the small Southern town, there will be Hell to pay.
The only question is: whose Hell is coming?
As a holy war rages between both sides, we see the vastly different ways the faithful experience God, each of them suffering sinners in their own ways.
Brutal and thought provoking, the horror in this story is not paranormal, rather psychological and sociological.
Of what horrors are men capable when they believe that they are righteous?
Richly developed characters wrestle with the nature of faith itself, forced to reckon with their own violent natures.
The only question is: whose Hell is coming?
As a holy war rages between both sides, we see the vastly different ways the faithful experience God, each of them suffering sinners in their own ways.
Brutal and thought provoking, the horror in this story is not paranormal, rather psychological and sociological.
Of what horrors are men capable when they believe that they are righteous?
Richly developed characters wrestle with the nature of faith itself, forced to reckon with their own violent natures.
April 2, 2025
This book is amazing and shows how people can use the same text to come down on two completely different sides. Both David and Eli use the Bible to guide their actions. The difference is, Eli focuses on the pain and suffering while David focuses on the love and sacrifice. Robbie Dorman does an amazing job of presenting these two men and the length they will go to. Heartbreaking, gut wrenching and all too believable in today’s times. Such a great book!
Thank you to the author for the review copy!
Thank you to the author for the review copy!
May 6, 2025
Words of Christ in Red by Robbie Dorman is a book that needs to be read. It’s unrelenting and powerful. There is a certain beauty in its pages akin to Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass. Never have I hated a character quicker than I did our main antagonist and his lackey.
It’s hard to say much about this without giving it away. It’s a book about the weaponization of faith. It’s a book about choices. Will faith be used for selfishness or selflessness? What distances will someone go for their belief?
Bravo.
It’s hard to say much about this without giving it away. It’s a book about the weaponization of faith. It’s a book about choices. Will faith be used for selfishness or selflessness? What distances will someone go for their belief?
Bravo.
July 7, 2025
I think this was technically my first experience with the subgenre of religious horror, and wow did it pack a punch. Dorman delivered a powerful and twisted tale of zealotry, intolerance and the fight for the soul of a small southern congregation. Extremely (and uncomfortably) well written, but certainly not for the squeamish. Readers willing to persist through the valley of the shadow of gore and religious trauma, will find their faith in Dorman well placed as he shepherds them to the promised land of horror.
February 18, 2025
Words of Christ in Red is a bloody parable for troubled times while still managing to be a lot of fun to read. Dorman exposes the horror found in the underbelly of what Flannery O’Connor called the ‘Christ-haunted South,’ and he does so with a carefully crafted story that provides the kind of thrills and chills we have come to expect from a modern master.
April 17, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 for the book itself, rounded up for an authentic depiction of pigs that I've been missing from the majority of horror books I've read over the past several months. What a cathartic ending 🩷
3.5 for the book itself, rounded up for an authentic depiction of pigs that I've been missing from the majority of horror books I've read over the past several months. What a cathartic ending 🩷
December 10, 2025
Words of Christ in Red is definitely a page turner! Dorman tackles heavy and important topics with ease. I loved the protagonist, hated the antagonist (as one should) and was engrossed in the world Dorman built which was relateable but also one that I hope eventually disappears. I highly recommend this book!
October 28, 2025
One of my favorite books I’ve read this year. It was my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be the last. The main antagonist is one of my favorites in a long time, and one scene in particular broke my damned heart.
July 8, 2025
A repressed small town is broken down the middle when a new preacher comes to take over and repair their fractured congregation.
David Ingram, his husband and small child are transferred to the sweltering town of Sacred, Georgia. His mission is to take over the local church after the previous priest died under dubious conditions. Ingram soon learns that he has his work cut out for him, not only facing up against the deep seated bigotry within the members of the church but a particular zealous parishioner, Eli Parsons.
This book was a super quick read in that it keeps you hooked easily with it's ever increasing intensity. Dorman creates a Sunday service that I wouldn't mind attending with David's preaching and the tension in this book is thick enough to cut with a knife. All this leads to a dramatic action packed conclusion. I'm very glad I was offered the chance to read this book by Dorman as he's clearly a very entertaining author.
David Ingram, his husband and small child are transferred to the sweltering town of Sacred, Georgia. His mission is to take over the local church after the previous priest died under dubious conditions. Ingram soon learns that he has his work cut out for him, not only facing up against the deep seated bigotry within the members of the church but a particular zealous parishioner, Eli Parsons.
This book was a super quick read in that it keeps you hooked easily with it's ever increasing intensity. Dorman creates a Sunday service that I wouldn't mind attending with David's preaching and the tension in this book is thick enough to cut with a knife. All this leads to a dramatic action packed conclusion. I'm very glad I was offered the chance to read this book by Dorman as he's clearly a very entertaining author.
June 23, 2025
I grew up going to white evangelical churches in the 1990s. It was the time of chastity rings, abortion clinic bombings, grooming of children for abuse, and other atrocities. At the time though, all the bad stuff was pretty well kept quiet, and as a child and then teenager, I was mostly just left with the feeling that I was a terrible, sinful, inherently evil creature destined for eternal torment. Fun.
This excellent book captures the feel of the evangelical church and drops a bomb right in the middle of it. The story of a gay pastor that takes over a church in the south, this book explores so many issues surrounding religious trauma and the self hate it attempts to cause.
It’s also an engrossing and horrific story, with many characters that I will remember for a long time, and even more imagery that is burned into my brain. This is a must read for anyone that has experienced the kind of hate that can only come from Christian love. It comes out April 18th.
This excellent book captures the feel of the evangelical church and drops a bomb right in the middle of it. The story of a gay pastor that takes over a church in the south, this book explores so many issues surrounding religious trauma and the self hate it attempts to cause.
It’s also an engrossing and horrific story, with many characters that I will remember for a long time, and even more imagery that is burned into my brain. This is a must read for anyone that has experienced the kind of hate that can only come from Christian love. It comes out April 18th.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews