Collared


Christian - Thriller
330 Pages
Reviewed on 05/12/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Collared by Juliana Weber is a Christian thriller. Father Paul had been sent to Limekiln to help heal it after a sex trafficking ring scandal, especially because their previous pastor was involved. Father Paul is a new priest, but he listens to the survivors, gaining their trust. As he does, he begins to hear things that can help bring the trafficking ring to its knees. No one else has been able to, not even the police. But Father Paul now has a target on his back, and he needs to move fast to bring the ring down before they collar their next group of victims. Can he do it, or will the traffickers get to him first?

Collared by Juliana Weber is a darkly thrilling story based on a child sex-trafficking ring with some violence and sex scenes, although these are within the scope of the plot. It’s a thought-provoking story, filled with intrigue and action, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. You might think you’ve got it sussed, but something else will happen to throw you off course. The characters are wonderful, real people that we can all relate to in some way and are likable. You will be on Father Paul’s side right to the end. The suspense builds gradually, and this well-crafted story will have you on the edge of your seat. It is based on the Catholic Church, but it isn’t in-your-face religion. You will learn a lot, no matter what religion you follow – if any. A thoroughly enjoyable story, highly recommended to anyone who wants something a bit different to lose themselves in.

Victoria Boucher

"Collared" is a detective story with a difference. Although G.K. Chesterton featured a Catholic priest as an unlikely detective, and priests have been portrayed as villains, Fr. Paul is unique so far in detective literature. He is a recognizably 21st century individual, and in many ways easy to relate to--he loves chocolate, for example, and like most people is sometimes at a loss how to contend with his parents. However, he is a priest whose faith is solid and unwavering; he is disabused about human nature yet extremely concerned and caring about the people he meets; and, he is a genuine empath. This gift, which is explored in a most intriguing way, allows him to track down the evil genius behind a sex-trafficking ring that entraps innocent young girls. This fast-paced and gritty tale is lightened with proto-Dickensian humor: the place names are whimsical (and telling) and a number of characters are lovably quirky. Clues are judiciously and conscientiously placed, but at the end I just slapped my forehead and asked myself how I could not have guessed "whodunnit."