What do you think?
Rate this book
Veritas: A Paranormal Thriller
John Raptor (author of the controversial and provocative Hell High and Trigger Warning) VERITAS.
Contains Strong Violence, Language, and Sexual Content.
Special Agent Pillar LaPorte goes to Hell, North Dakota, to investigate the Mark of the Beast two victims—one burned alive, the other with his face slashed open—both marked with 666. Teaming up with her is Father Adam Harris, a local priest who is part of a group called Veritas (Latin for "Truth"), which investigates miracles, stigmata, and demon possession. Pillar suspects a local Mormon Bishop is responsible for the murders, but Adam believes it may be something more a demon, or possibly, God.
Blood. That’s the second thing I notice aside from the priest. Red sticky blood drying brown, flaking on the floor; the blood on the body—still warm, congealing.
A razor lies next to a limp, pale hand, the blade dripping. Chunks of flesh, skin, and hair stick to the razor edge.
“Looks like he took too much off the top,” the priest says.
I stifle a small chuckle, but I’m not amused.
This is my crime scene.
He turns to me. Muddy brown eyes. High cheek bones. Strong body beneath that coat. He would probably be a good screw. You know, if he wasn’t married to Jesus.
“You want to see something really scary?” I swear he smiles as he turns the body over so the bloody face stares back at me. The forehead is missing, sliced completely off. No skin, no muscle. Cut right to the bone.
I grimace.
A number is carved into the exposed 666
“You know that number?”
I nod. “Yes. It’s the number of the Beast in Revelation.”
“Do you know what it represents?”
I sigh, shrug. “Well, it’s been a long time since I was in Sunday school, but, uh…it’s the number that those who turn against God are branded with.”
He nods, stands, smiles. “Hi, I’m Father Adam Harris.”
“Hi, Adam.” I enunciate my “I’m Detective Pee-lar La Port and you’re disturbing my crime scene. Pretty sure you don’t work my division. At least, I’ve never seen you at the Field Office.”
He smiles again, reaches into his coat pocket. “My apologies.” Extends his own badge. I stare at his hands. He is wearing black leather gloves. I could understand wearing latex gloves to observe a crime scene, but why would you bloody up a pair of nice leather gloves?
He pushes the badge into me and I finally glance at it; simply reads
Diocese of Morton County.
Special Father Adam Harris
“What the hell is Veritas?”
“It’s Latin for truth.”
“I know that, I mean…who the hell are you? Who do you work for exactly?”
“The Catholic Church. I investigate supernatural miracles, stigmata, demon possession.”
You gotta be kidding me. “Okay, fine, what are you doing here?”
“Well, there’s a dead man here with the numbers 666 engraved into his skull. It seemed…relevant.”
Contains Strong Violence, Language, and Sexual Content.
Special Agent Pillar LaPorte goes to Hell, North Dakota, to investigate the Mark of the Beast two victims—one burned alive, the other with his face slashed open—both marked with 666. Teaming up with her is Father Adam Harris, a local priest who is part of a group called Veritas (Latin for "Truth"), which investigates miracles, stigmata, and demon possession. Pillar suspects a local Mormon Bishop is responsible for the murders, but Adam believes it may be something more a demon, or possibly, God.
Blood. That’s the second thing I notice aside from the priest. Red sticky blood drying brown, flaking on the floor; the blood on the body—still warm, congealing.
A razor lies next to a limp, pale hand, the blade dripping. Chunks of flesh, skin, and hair stick to the razor edge.
“Looks like he took too much off the top,” the priest says.
I stifle a small chuckle, but I’m not amused.
This is my crime scene.
He turns to me. Muddy brown eyes. High cheek bones. Strong body beneath that coat. He would probably be a good screw. You know, if he wasn’t married to Jesus.
“You want to see something really scary?” I swear he smiles as he turns the body over so the bloody face stares back at me. The forehead is missing, sliced completely off. No skin, no muscle. Cut right to the bone.
I grimace.
A number is carved into the exposed 666
“You know that number?”
I nod. “Yes. It’s the number of the Beast in Revelation.”
“Do you know what it represents?”
I sigh, shrug. “Well, it’s been a long time since I was in Sunday school, but, uh…it’s the number that those who turn against God are branded with.”
He nods, stands, smiles. “Hi, I’m Father Adam Harris.”
“Hi, Adam.” I enunciate my “I’m Detective Pee-lar La Port and you’re disturbing my crime scene. Pretty sure you don’t work my division. At least, I’ve never seen you at the Field Office.”
He smiles again, reaches into his coat pocket. “My apologies.” Extends his own badge. I stare at his hands. He is wearing black leather gloves. I could understand wearing latex gloves to observe a crime scene, but why would you bloody up a pair of nice leather gloves?
He pushes the badge into me and I finally glance at it; simply reads
Diocese of Morton County.
Special Father Adam Harris
“What the hell is Veritas?”
“It’s Latin for truth.”
“I know that, I mean…who the hell are you? Who do you work for exactly?”
“The Catholic Church. I investigate supernatural miracles, stigmata, demon possession.”
You gotta be kidding me. “Okay, fine, what are you doing here?”
“Well, there’s a dead man here with the numbers 666 engraved into his skull. It seemed…relevant.”
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2016
7 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
John Raptor
19 books77 followersJohn Raptor was born in Kagoshima, Japan, and grew up in Fargo, North Dakota.
He currently lives in Kokura, Japan as a writer and an English teacher.
He currently lives in Kokura, Japan as a writer and an English teacher.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 10, 2025
A special agent teams up with a priest to investigate a series of murders in rural North Dakota. Between the horrific nature of the crimes and the mark of the beast engraved in each victim, they have to wonder if they’re dealing with a religious fanatic—or the work of the devil.
This novella brings to mind a lot of great media featuring demons and possessions, such as The Exorcist and Constantine. The setting, tone, and uniquely gruesome imagery set it apart, however. From start to finish, you’ll be cringing and squirming on the edge of your seat.
If you’re a fan of stories like this, or maybe your religious upbringing instilled a unique fear of unseen evil, give Veritas a read.
As always, check your triggers. Some of the violence toward the end can be a bit hard to endure.
This novella brings to mind a lot of great media featuring demons and possessions, such as The Exorcist and Constantine. The setting, tone, and uniquely gruesome imagery set it apart, however. From start to finish, you’ll be cringing and squirming on the edge of your seat.
If you’re a fan of stories like this, or maybe your religious upbringing instilled a unique fear of unseen evil, give Veritas a read.
As always, check your triggers. Some of the violence toward the end can be a bit hard to endure.
May 21, 2017
Not as good as I was hoping. Too much unnecessary profanity. I will probably avoid this author in the future.
February 13, 2017
I found the writing and the story to be amateurish. There was at least one huge plot hole. The main protagonist was identified as a woman, but I would swear I was reading a man. My biggest complaint, though, is the climax. It lasted about one page, and then the story just ended with no follow-through. Very disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews