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Preacher #1
The Preacher
The unforgetable hero who once saved souls...and now deals death
A mysterious, one-eyed stranger wanders into Farewell, New Mexico, a dusty border town rife with corruption. He's known only as The Preacher, an ex-Priest, ex-Special Forces commando, and now a professional gambler who has given up on his own salvation...but is determined to find justice for a murdered Vietnam vet...even if it means taking on the entire, God forsaken town.
A mysterious, one-eyed stranger wanders into Farewell, New Mexico, a dusty border town rife with corruption. He's known only as The Preacher, an ex-Priest, ex-Special Forces commando, and now a professional gambler who has given up on his own salvation...but is determined to find justice for a murdered Vietnam vet...even if it means taking on the entire, God forsaken town.
382 pages, ebook
First published July 1, 1988
291 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Ted Thackrey Jr.
9 books3 followersTed Thackrey, Jr. (1918–2001), the editor, associate publisher and general manager of the New York Post, whose stepmother was Dorothy Schiff, later worked as a reporter for The Wichita Eagle in Wichita, Kansas, before joining the Los Angeles Examiner in the 1950s. He went on to the Los Angeles Times in 1968, where he eventually became a rewrite man. He died in July 2001.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 9, 2019
Wow! Absolutely great! You get a hardboiled one-eyed professional poker player who runs around in a preacher’s black outfit. Oh, and he’s also a kung fu loving Vietnam Ver. You have poker games, Murder (maybe), con artists, Bunco men, and the great Southwest. It feels like an old western, but it’s not. This is one overlooked little gem!
March 25, 2018
This audio book took me entirely too long to finish through no fault of its own. I normally listen to audio books on my walks and winter isn’t really conducive for such excursions. But every time I was outside I really enjoyed listening to it. And I don’t even like poker. And this book has a lot of poker. But it’s also a murder mystery set in a small town and solved by a character known as Preacher, no relation to the comic book/tv show guy, although similar attires. The main thing here though for me wasn’t the card games or even the suspense, I just really enjoyed the writing and the narration. I’ve never heard of or just heard either the author or the narrator, but this was a great introduction. Looks like a first in series too. This audiobook was offered to me gratis from publisher in exchange for a review and this is it. Recommended.
April 30, 2016
The opening chapter of this book is possibly the best I have ever read. It snaps the reader to attention and introduces most of the major characters in depth, while driving hard action. The plot includes suspense, violence, intense relationships, love and heartbreak. An ever-present poker game serves up the knowledge and sensitivity the Preacher uses for his life. His backstory fills in through the book, ensnaring the reader into a close relationship with and understanding of the man. The plot is full of surprises and keeps the pages turning. The ending was more emotional than surprising. This book could be used in a course on creative writing as an example of the right way to do things.
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February 26, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (2/26/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
THE UNFORGETABLE HERO WHO ONCE SAVED SOULS…AND NOW DEALS DEATH
A mysterious, one-eyed stranger wanders into Farewell, New Mexico, a dusty border town rife with corruption. He’s known only as The Preacher, an ex-Priest, ex-Special Forces commando, and now a professional gambler who has given up on his own salvation … but is determined to find justice for a murdered Vietnam vet… even if it means taking on the entire, God forsaken town.
AN EDGAR AWARD FINALIST
Blurb:
THE UNFORGETABLE HERO WHO ONCE SAVED SOULS…AND NOW DEALS DEATH
A mysterious, one-eyed stranger wanders into Farewell, New Mexico, a dusty border town rife with corruption. He’s known only as The Preacher, an ex-Priest, ex-Special Forces commando, and now a professional gambler who has given up on his own salvation … but is determined to find justice for a murdered Vietnam vet… even if it means taking on the entire, God forsaken town.
AN EDGAR AWARD FINALIST
April 14, 2018
Very well written novel. The author’s philosophy on several subjects comes out at various points. His thoughts on banks and bankers was excellent. His philosophy on corporations and unemployed was also very well written.
This was written in the late 80’s and the technology of the day shows through. The Preacher is a poker player, but the game in the book is 7-Card Stud, not the more popular Texas Hold ‘em.
Also, given when this was written versus when it was transcribed into Kindle format, one would think the author’s errors would have been corrected. Ford Camaro?
This was written in the late 80’s and the technology of the day shows through. The Preacher is a poker player, but the game in the book is 7-Card Stud, not the more popular Texas Hold ‘em.
Also, given when this was written versus when it was transcribed into Kindle format, one would think the author’s errors would have been corrected. Ford Camaro?
September 12, 2016
I loved this book. It has a timeless western feel but is set in the modern day in New Mexico. Preacher is a seminarian who dropped the priesthood after Vietnam, fled to the mountains and then became a professional poker player. There is so much more to all that but….read the book. You won’t be disappointed.
The book starts out strong and never flags for one minute. It is one of those books you desperately want to get back to reading. The opening scene is a poker game and it introduces almost every major character that will play a role in the book.
The story is great fun. There is action. There is a horrible Deputy Sheriff. There is humor. Black humor. There is a love interest that is not overly gooey. In fact, it’s not gooey at all and the female characters are as strongly written as the male characters. Preacher is someone you want to read more about and I have to say, I was devastated when I read that the author had passed away.
Without giving too much away, the story is about a small town and the cover ups perpetrated by the wealthy movers and shakers. Preacher is called in by a fellow seminarian and now town priest who believes there are hijinks afoot and that a fellow Vietnam Vet and town helicopter pilot, was killed even though it is being called suicide.
This is worth finding, buying and reading. Regardless of price.
The book starts out strong and never flags for one minute. It is one of those books you desperately want to get back to reading. The opening scene is a poker game and it introduces almost every major character that will play a role in the book.
The story is great fun. There is action. There is a horrible Deputy Sheriff. There is humor. Black humor. There is a love interest that is not overly gooey. In fact, it’s not gooey at all and the female characters are as strongly written as the male characters. Preacher is someone you want to read more about and I have to say, I was devastated when I read that the author had passed away.
Without giving too much away, the story is about a small town and the cover ups perpetrated by the wealthy movers and shakers. Preacher is called in by a fellow seminarian and now town priest who believes there are hijinks afoot and that a fellow Vietnam Vet and town helicopter pilot, was killed even though it is being called suicide.
This is worth finding, buying and reading. Regardless of price.
May 9, 2016
Pretty good book. The first of a short series. The Preacher is an ex-priest, ex-soldier, who has found his calling as a professional poker player. He's been called to the town of Farewell, NM by an old friend from his priesthood days to help uncover what caused one of the local citizens to possibly commit suicide leaving his business and loving family behind.
August 12, 2016
Felt like a mish mash of Lee Child and Joe R Lansdale.
At first I thought that the Preacher character - an older war veteran who roams the country playing poker and has a history full of secrets - felt too much like Jack Reacher - another old veteran who roams the country. But then I learned that Preacher came out the previous decade.
At first I thought that the Preacher character - an older war veteran who roams the country playing poker and has a history full of secrets - felt too much like Jack Reacher - another old veteran who roams the country. But then I learned that Preacher came out the previous decade.
September 10, 2017
I am so sorry to say I just did not get this book at all. The sermons. The sermons. The sermons. Reminded me of falling asleep in church when I was young. I had difficulty with the time period. Not my cup of tea.
February 27, 2019
“Preacher” begins with a chapter that quickly involves the reader in a story type that will be familiar to anyone who has watched the classic western “ Shane” or movies like “ Bad Day at Black Rock. A stranger shows up in town , gets involved in someone’s problems and raises hell, kicking ass and taking names. In Mr. Thackeray’s hands the old western is given a new twist.
A thin man dressed in a black suit arrives in Farewell, a small town in New Mexico, at the invitation of an old friend, a minister, who asks his to investigate the death of a local citizen, “Pres” Prescott. Prescott an experienced pilot with a helicopter crop dusting business that had recently hit tough times. Clients had been lost, contracts cancelled, aircraft damaged, and lines of credit called in. Everything he owned was heavily mortgaged. Then, on a clear day, his chopper crashed, killling him. Accident maybe, suicide maybe. The minister thinks neither and wants Preacher to investigate.
What is different about the novel is that the stranger is, or was, an Episcopalian minister. He is no longer, having resigned after the death of his wife. Now he is a professional poker player and he makes a good living at it. He is very good at reading people while showing no emotion himself - a great thing for a player or an investigator. Preacher is an enigmatic and a very interesting character. As the novel goes along, his background and character are revealed as he becomes more involved with the locals, who are a bit enigmatic themselves. Without revealing too much, the main thing to remember is the maxim, Follow the Money”.
Things do get a bit complicated, but just at the right time a nasty brute of a villain comes into play, a direct contrast to a bunch of local loser toughs who are no match at all for the well-practiced martial arts of Preacher. There is some love interest that shows up to soften things a bit, with other citizens keeping to keep the plot boiling.
The novel , free on Amazon and I Books is a good entertainment. There are two other novels in the series, and, I understand, a film was made of this one, starring Powers Boothe. This book was written some years ago, which I did not know, and the author died in 2001. Therefore, the war referenced is Viet-Nam, there are no cell phones, let alone smartphones and PCs were big, heavy things. There is a love scene, but no graphic sex, and there is some violence as local toughs get what they did not expect from Preacher. There was one egregious error, at least to me. Preacher arrives in Farewell in a rented Ford Camaro. Nope, Chevrolet made them, still does,I think.
Recommended as a well written , brisk crime novel for fans of the genr3 to,enjoy.
A thin man dressed in a black suit arrives in Farewell, a small town in New Mexico, at the invitation of an old friend, a minister, who asks his to investigate the death of a local citizen, “Pres” Prescott. Prescott an experienced pilot with a helicopter crop dusting business that had recently hit tough times. Clients had been lost, contracts cancelled, aircraft damaged, and lines of credit called in. Everything he owned was heavily mortgaged. Then, on a clear day, his chopper crashed, killling him. Accident maybe, suicide maybe. The minister thinks neither and wants Preacher to investigate.
What is different about the novel is that the stranger is, or was, an Episcopalian minister. He is no longer, having resigned after the death of his wife. Now he is a professional poker player and he makes a good living at it. He is very good at reading people while showing no emotion himself - a great thing for a player or an investigator. Preacher is an enigmatic and a very interesting character. As the novel goes along, his background and character are revealed as he becomes more involved with the locals, who are a bit enigmatic themselves. Without revealing too much, the main thing to remember is the maxim, Follow the Money”.
Things do get a bit complicated, but just at the right time a nasty brute of a villain comes into play, a direct contrast to a bunch of local loser toughs who are no match at all for the well-practiced martial arts of Preacher. There is some love interest that shows up to soften things a bit, with other citizens keeping to keep the plot boiling.
The novel , free on Amazon and I Books is a good entertainment. There are two other novels in the series, and, I understand, a film was made of this one, starring Powers Boothe. This book was written some years ago, which I did not know, and the author died in 2001. Therefore, the war referenced is Viet-Nam, there are no cell phones, let alone smartphones and PCs were big, heavy things. There is a love scene, but no graphic sex, and there is some violence as local toughs get what they did not expect from Preacher. There was one egregious error, at least to me. Preacher arrives in Farewell in a rented Ford Camaro. Nope, Chevrolet made them, still does,I think.
Recommended as a well written , brisk crime novel for fans of the genr3 to,enjoy.
May 3, 2019
I’d never read a mystery by Ted Thackery, Jr., but the concept of a protagonist who is a former priest and current poker player intrigued me, as did the back cover blurb. Known only as the Preacher, he travels to the small town of Farewell, New Mexico at the request of old friend and priest, Jake Spence. Jake is worried that another friend’s died under suspicious circumstances despite the official ruling of a helicopter accident. In his search for the truth, the Preacher faces a fair bit of violence and some quirky characters with dark secrets.
The Preacher himself is one of the most complex, fully rounded characters I’ve come across in a mystery. Unlike many loners with a lot of emotional baggage, he doesn’t drink or smoke, preferring to keep his mind sharp for the high-stakes games. Backstory is deftly woven into the plot showing snippets of his difficult past. The Preacher also has some pretty interesting and somewhat mysterious friends who help with whatever he needs. Just enough is revealed about them to make me want to learn more.
As I know very little about poker, the pages describing the game in detail weren’t as riveting as confrontations with the locals. There are a lot of emotionally damaged people in this book, and as hard as the Preacher wants to avoid being sucked into their drama, he very much is. It all makes for a compelling and entertaining read.
The Preacher himself is one of the most complex, fully rounded characters I’ve come across in a mystery. Unlike many loners with a lot of emotional baggage, he doesn’t drink or smoke, preferring to keep his mind sharp for the high-stakes games. Backstory is deftly woven into the plot showing snippets of his difficult past. The Preacher also has some pretty interesting and somewhat mysterious friends who help with whatever he needs. Just enough is revealed about them to make me want to learn more.
As I know very little about poker, the pages describing the game in detail weren’t as riveting as confrontations with the locals. There are a lot of emotionally damaged people in this book, and as hard as the Preacher wants to avoid being sucked into their drama, he very much is. It all makes for a compelling and entertaining read.
March 5, 2020
Beyond excellent
I have to start with this: Do not come to this book expecting what the summary offers. The Preacher is not Jack Reacher, nor is the author Lee Childs. The Preacher is a broken man, broken by things that this book makes clear are beyond his control. The Preacher is a man who, when asked, will do everything he can to make things right, but by his own admission is no hero.
To say I enjoyed this book would be underselling it. I stayed up late, read through meals, and puzzled about finding time to dig into it further. Much of what makes it good though is the internal dialogue, the struggle of our narrator/lead character, to solve a problem thrust into his path.
I do caution the reader that, if you seek a happy ending, this book might leave you empty. The Preacher gambles with money and ultimately with lives, and he does not always win. But the "game" is every bit as thrilling as anyone could want.
If I have one complaint, it's that the author assumes knowledge of poker, it's rules and it's language. The book flows well but, during the poker games, it feels off-putting to have to guess at what things mean.
Going to find and read the sequels....assuredly
I have to start with this: Do not come to this book expecting what the summary offers. The Preacher is not Jack Reacher, nor is the author Lee Childs. The Preacher is a broken man, broken by things that this book makes clear are beyond his control. The Preacher is a man who, when asked, will do everything he can to make things right, but by his own admission is no hero.
To say I enjoyed this book would be underselling it. I stayed up late, read through meals, and puzzled about finding time to dig into it further. Much of what makes it good though is the internal dialogue, the struggle of our narrator/lead character, to solve a problem thrust into his path.
I do caution the reader that, if you seek a happy ending, this book might leave you empty. The Preacher gambles with money and ultimately with lives, and he does not always win. But the "game" is every bit as thrilling as anyone could want.
If I have one complaint, it's that the author assumes knowledge of poker, it's rules and it's language. The book flows well but, during the poker games, it feels off-putting to have to guess at what things mean.
Going to find and read the sequels....assuredly
October 26, 2017
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this, so imagine my surprise when I LOVED it! Preacher is certainly one of the most unique characters that I've come across in a long time. He's an ex-preacher who is now a professional poker player and a detective that kicks butt when the need arises. Oh, and did I mention that he has only one eye? Surrounding him was a very interesting cast of characters, good and bad alike. The writing was fantastic and I especially enjoyed the dialogue. Shawn Compton was the perfect voice for Preacher and did a very good job overall. I can definitely see this as a series and I hope that the author continues Preacher's story. The Preacher was a great listening experience and I would recommend it.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.
March 3, 2019
A well-eritten, gripping story of small-town skullduggary and murder... Preacher is a professional poker player called to investigate a death in New Mexico, where the victim had been playing in a wekly poker game and may have been cheted.
Preacher is a Viet Nam vet, a former priest, a man who gave up a commision in the Army and then enlisted to go into combat, and the owner of a small town in Northern California that acts as a refuge for PTSD sufferers... Of whom Preacher is one. His injury cost him his eye.
It was not until I finished this book that I read about the author, a former LA Times writer, who died in 1991. The references to "Nam, or Viet Nam, are current for his time, but are echoed by todays PTSD sufferers from the middle East wars...
Ted Thackery was a hell of a writer...
Preacher is a Viet Nam vet, a former priest, a man who gave up a commision in the Army and then enlisted to go into combat, and the owner of a small town in Northern California that acts as a refuge for PTSD sufferers... Of whom Preacher is one. His injury cost him his eye.
It was not until I finished this book that I read about the author, a former LA Times writer, who died in 1991. The references to "Nam, or Viet Nam, are current for his time, but are echoed by todays PTSD sufferers from the middle East wars...
Ted Thackery was a hell of a writer...
August 6, 2024
Considering how long it took me to finish this might be one indication of how I enjoyed book 1 of the Preacher series. However, I did choose this book on a very valid reason.. former man of the cloth, former armed forces member, professional poker player (even though I know less than nada about the game) I will say that what I think MIGHT of held me up was the narrator’s voice (Audible) & the pacing in general. Maybe this series is a slooow burn type read, then again it might pick up in book 2. Time will tell.
March 26, 2019
I got this as a free download from Bookbub, and pretty much got my money's worth. A former priest, given to invoking Eastern philosophical practices to help him win at poker, become a detective when a former colleague asks for his help. He solves the mystery, of course, wins the poker match, of course - the only thing he doesn't do is get the girl, because she's dead. Nothing about this book would entice me to read about the further exploits of the title character, free download or not.
July 30, 2020
This is an oldie but goodie. Enjoyed the storyline of a troubled veteran who is moving through life dealing with the traumas of his past and a vocation he can’t leave in the past. In this story he is asked by an old friend for help and winds up in the middle of a small town scandal that includes murder.
October 26, 2020
Its an attention holder. I didn’t particularly care for the sermon. I found it distracting. But that aside , it takes twist and turns. Keeps you guessing.
I didn’t particularly care for the sermon. I found it distracting. But that aside , it takes twist and turns. Keeps you guessing.
I didn’t particularly care for the sermon. I found it distracting. But that aside , it takes twist and turns. Keeps you guessing.
August 28, 2024
It started out strong but didn't finish strong in my opinion.
The cover of the ebook and the first chapters made me feel this was set in the old wild west. There was a mention of a car dealer and I wondered if it was a typo and should have been card dealer. But nope, this was set in contemporary times.
The cover of the ebook and the first chapters made me feel this was set in the old wild west. There was a mention of a car dealer and I wondered if it was a typo and should have been card dealer. But nope, this was set in contemporary times.
September 25, 2017
Hope the rest of the series is as good as this one.
If you enjoy Jack Reacher, or Noah Wolf. This book is for you. Just have plenty of time set aside, because you start reading it'll difficult to stop.
If you enjoy Jack Reacher, or Noah Wolf. This book is for you. Just have plenty of time set aside, because you start reading it'll difficult to stop.
March 3, 2019
A true thrill
Reading this story reminded me of the joy of reading my parents books a look at a different time. It shows that the beast known as man doesn’t change just the scene and trimmings do. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers!
Reading this story reminded me of the joy of reading my parents books a look at a different time. It shows that the beast known as man doesn’t change just the scene and trimmings do. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers!
March 30, 2019
Excellent read
One of the few books I have read in awhile where I was tempted to.purchase others by this author.
His characters are unique as are his location descriptions. One of the few books I could not wait to come back to in some time.
One of the few books I have read in awhile where I was tempted to.purchase others by this author.
His characters are unique as are his location descriptions. One of the few books I could not wait to come back to in some time.
April 3, 2019
An Excellent Simple Read
This work is a well crafted story. The narrative is easy to follow. The characters are complex and yet understandable and relatable. The work is timeless. This is a great evening read that is worth the time.
This work is a well crafted story. The narrative is easy to follow. The characters are complex and yet understandable and relatable. The work is timeless. This is a great evening read that is worth the time.
June 21, 2020
When playing a high stakes game you better play it close to your vest.
A very interesting plot with interesting and believable characters. This book isn't your fast moving shoot them up thriller but I found the story very interesting and a welcome change of pace. The main character I found to be almost a anti hero who plays his cards right to his vest. I highly recommend this series.
A very interesting plot with interesting and believable characters. This book isn't your fast moving shoot them up thriller but I found the story very interesting and a welcome change of pace. The main character I found to be almost a anti hero who plays his cards right to his vest. I highly recommend this series.
November 24, 2020
It look like it was going to be a good read but turn out to a lemon for. Just couldn't get into it. I'll give another chance later on. Some times when a book doesn't work for ya is to set aside and try it at a later date.
September 5, 2017
Excellent book. The main character is the old Western prototype hero, with modern sensitivity and self-questioning below the surface. Can't wait to read the followup.
January 14, 2018
The Preacher
An average story. Not as good as some but better than others. A good mystery with a few twists. Too much discussion of poker hands.
An average story. Not as good as some but better than others. A good mystery with a few twists. Too much discussion of poker hands.
February 18, 2018
Interesting and decent read.
An interesting and decent read. Old west values in the modern Southwest. A little heavy on the country images but still good.
An interesting and decent read. Old west values in the modern Southwest. A little heavy on the country images but still good.
June 9, 2018
Preacher
What an amazing twist to a murder story to have a poker playing preacher be the good guy and also the tough guy hope there's more to come
What an amazing twist to a murder story to have a poker playing preacher be the good guy and also the tough guy hope there's more to come
September 24, 2018
You should like poker and philosophy to read this. There are pages and pages that have the protagonist going in circles in his head with a homespun, drawling slang.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews