A Prayer for the Damned: A Gritty Noir Crime Short Story

He thought he left the darkness behind. Until one night in the rain drags him back.

Reverend Jacob Sullivan has traded bullets for the Bible, preaching peace in a crumbling New York parish where hope is in short supply. But when he witnesses a brutal mob execution—committed by the very man who once called him brother—Jacob is forced to confront the past he’s tried to bury.

With nothing but a silver cigarette case for evidence and a growing sense of guilt gnawing at his conscience, Jacob calls in a favor from a former friend on the force. But as secrets unravel and loyalties crack, he realizes the line between sinner and savior is thinner than he ever imagined.

A Prayer for the Damned is a gritty noir crime drama packed with atmosphere, betrayal, and spiritual reckoning. Perfect for fans of Dennis Lehane, James Lee Burke, and classic hardboiled fiction with a heart. If you love morally complex heroes, rain-soaked streets, and stories where faith is tested by fire, you won’t want to miss this story.