By Richard North Patterson

Richard North Patterson is the author of "The Spire" published in 2009. It is a legal thriller about a prominent San Francisco cathedral, its charismatic priest, and the secrets and scandals that threaten to tear the church apart. The story centers on a young female lawyer named Abby Chandlis, who is tasked with defending the church against a lawsuit brought by a former choirboy who alleges that he was sexually abused by a priest. As Abby delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of corruption, cover-ups, and betrayals that threatens to destroy the church and the people associated with it. The novel explores themes such as faith, justice, and the abuse of power, and is a thought-provoking and gripping read for fans of legal thrillers.

NY. Macmillan. 2009. 377p.