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The Priest and the Devil: Line of duty, meets the Exorcist...
A relentless, nerve-shredding thriller where 'Line of Duty' meets 'The Exorcist'. Conrad Jones at his absolutely darkest
On the rain-slicked, shadow-drenched streets of Liverpool, an ancient evil is waking up, and it’s leaving a trail of blood.
**THE PRIEST AND THE DEVIL**
In the quiet sanctuary of St. Jude’s presbytery, the brutalised body of Father Cork is discovered. Tied to a bath, broken, and barely clinging to life, the priest has been subjected to a horrific, systematic beating. But this was no ordinary robbery. The walls are smeared with cryptic symbols, and the air hangs heavy with the scent of sulfur and terror. Father Cork’s final, terrified whisper before slipping into "The Devil did it...."
Hours later, the horror escalates. A second victim is found in the bedroom. This time, the victim didn't survive. The casualty lies naked and dead from gunshot wounds, meticulously arranged at the dead centre of a painted, nine-angled star, the infamous *Order of Nine Angles* sigil used in the darkest corners of sinister, esoteric satanism.
Detective Inspector Alec Ramsay is a man of logic, grit, and cold, hard evidence. But as the bodies begin to mount and the local community paralyses with fear, the crime scenes defy rational explanation. Desperate for answers and tracking a killer who seems to vanish into thin air, Ramsay is forced to strike an uneasy alliance with Dave Simmons, a cynical paranormal investigator with a haunted past of his own.
Simmons recognises the signs this isn't just murder. It’s a ritual. A countdown. Someone is trying to open a door that should remain forever locked, using the city's bloody history as the key.
As Ramsay hunts a flesh-and-blood monster through Liverpool’s criminal underworld, Simmons tracks a spiritual predator through the shadows. With the line between the holy and the profane completely shattered, both men are dragged into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. They must unmask the killers or face an ancient, unrelenting malice that threatens to consume the entire city.
"A relentless, nerve-shredding thriller where 'Line of Duty' meets 'The Exorcist'. Conrad Jones at his absolutely darkest."
On the rain-slicked, shadow-drenched streets of Liverpool, an ancient evil is waking up, and it’s leaving a trail of blood.
**THE PRIEST AND THE DEVIL**
In the quiet sanctuary of St. Jude’s presbytery, the brutalised body of Father Cork is discovered. Tied to a bath, broken, and barely clinging to life, the priest has been subjected to a horrific, systematic beating. But this was no ordinary robbery. The walls are smeared with cryptic symbols, and the air hangs heavy with the scent of sulfur and terror. Father Cork’s final, terrified whisper before slipping into "The Devil did it...."
Hours later, the horror escalates. A second victim is found in the bedroom. This time, the victim didn't survive. The casualty lies naked and dead from gunshot wounds, meticulously arranged at the dead centre of a painted, nine-angled star, the infamous *Order of Nine Angles* sigil used in the darkest corners of sinister, esoteric satanism.
Detective Inspector Alec Ramsay is a man of logic, grit, and cold, hard evidence. But as the bodies begin to mount and the local community paralyses with fear, the crime scenes defy rational explanation. Desperate for answers and tracking a killer who seems to vanish into thin air, Ramsay is forced to strike an uneasy alliance with Dave Simmons, a cynical paranormal investigator with a haunted past of his own.
Simmons recognises the signs this isn't just murder. It’s a ritual. A countdown. Someone is trying to open a door that should remain forever locked, using the city's bloody history as the key.
As Ramsay hunts a flesh-and-blood monster through Liverpool’s criminal underworld, Simmons tracks a spiritual predator through the shadows. With the line between the holy and the profane completely shattered, both men are dragged into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. They must unmask the killers or face an ancient, unrelenting malice that threatens to consume the entire city.
"A relentless, nerve-shredding thriller where 'Line of Duty' meets 'The Exorcist'. Conrad Jones at his absolutely darkest."
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2026
About the author
Conrad Jones
230 books411 followersConrad Jones is a best-selling thriller writer with 30 thriller novels.
The Anglesey Murders 10 books
The Soft Target Series 6 books
The Detective Alec Ramsay Series 6 books
The Inspector Braddick Series 4 books
The Journey Series 3 books
Cuckoos on the Mersey
18 of his books are available in audio and his novels have been translated into six languages.
He is always keen to talk to readers and writers alike, jonesconrad5@aol.com
FaceBook Conrad Jones Author
Twitter @ConradJones
The Anglesey Murders 10 books
The Soft Target Series 6 books
The Detective Alec Ramsay Series 6 books
The Inspector Braddick Series 4 books
The Journey Series 3 books
Cuckoos on the Mersey
18 of his books are available in audio and his novels have been translated into six languages.
He is always keen to talk to readers and writers alike, jonesconrad5@aol.com
FaceBook Conrad Jones Author
Twitter @ConradJones
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 28, 2026
Atmospheric but, very disturbing!
When I was young I used to enjoy Dennis Wheatley and his books about Satanism. They always ended with a dire warning that readers should never be tempted to follow the 'left hand path'. This book followed a similar model, although it was far more horrific than anything conjured up by Mr. Wheatley.
For the first two thirds of the book I had it down as a solid 5 star read but then it became somewhat disjointed (in my opinion).
This was a very dark story, involving Satanic groups operating within the very fabric of the city of Liverpool. A difficult read and one that conjured up many disturbing images. Please be warned!
When I was young I used to enjoy Dennis Wheatley and his books about Satanism. They always ended with a dire warning that readers should never be tempted to follow the 'left hand path'. This book followed a similar model, although it was far more horrific than anything conjured up by Mr. Wheatley.
For the first two thirds of the book I had it down as a solid 5 star read but then it became somewhat disjointed (in my opinion).
This was a very dark story, involving Satanic groups operating within the very fabric of the city of Liverpool. A difficult read and one that conjured up many disturbing images. Please be warned!
August 2, 2026
another great read from mr jones
Absolutely brilliant, couldn’t put it down. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all his books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. Well done
Absolutely brilliant, couldn’t put it down. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all his books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. Well done
August 8, 2026
Giving me goosebumps again. The descriptions in this book make the hairs on my arms stand on end. Sick!
The 44 Brick Street recap was a bonus... makes me want to read the set again...
The 44 Brick Street recap was a bonus... makes me want to read the set again...
August 4, 2026
Solid and intriguing - but maybe a bit short
I quite enjoyed this. The book is certainly dark and there were topics I found hard to read however overall it flowed well and was engaging. I did however feel it ended very abruptly almost as if a third of the story has been cut off with a single chapter revised ending.
My other concern is unfortunately common to Kindle novels - the editing was less than exemplary with multiple typos which would have only taken a semi-literate reader one read to correct
I quite enjoyed this. The book is certainly dark and there were topics I found hard to read however overall it flowed well and was engaging. I did however feel it ended very abruptly almost as if a third of the story has been cut off with a single chapter revised ending.
My other concern is unfortunately common to Kindle novels - the editing was less than exemplary with multiple typos which would have only taken a semi-literate reader one read to correct
October 18, 2026
A very good read
I would recommend it downoaded this as a "what to read next" it turned out to be a very good read indeed, a secret organisation, of satanic people and the crimes they do to children and adults
I would recommend it downoaded this as a "what to read next" it turned out to be a very good read indeed, a secret organisation, of satanic people and the crimes they do to children and adults
August 17, 2026
the rest and the devil
Another fantastic book from Conrad Jones
A real page turner that will keep you up at night
Gives you a lot to think about
Another fantastic book from Conrad Jones
A real page turner that will keep you up at night
Gives you a lot to think about
August 8, 2026
A disturbing read but well written and enjoyed as it came together .
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews