Fr. Joe Gramel, a Catholic priest and pastor of a small congregation in South Carolina is devastated, learning that his sixteen year old niece died from a drug overdose in New York. Joe’s enraged about Melissa’s death, questions his Catholic beliefs and morals, and is convinced that he must right a wrong.

At 42, Father Joe is unsatisfied and frustrated with society and the church. He feels powerless, unfulfilled and knows it’s time to stop watching as a spectator, and go after drug dealers that killed Melissa.

Joe takes a leave of absence to go New York, and is consumed and  determined to the point of risking his own life. James, an old friend from seminary school agrees to help in the vigilant fight.

Fr.’s Joe and James are out of their league as they go underground. After infiltrating the pusher Carlos, a kingpin named Pinky and  prostitute Alexandria, the bottom falls out. They’re exposed to killings, kidnappings and greed, while learning that no one’s life is important to a drug kingpin. This action thriller will keep you guessing. Emotions run deep as we feel the inner most battles and questions in Joe’s mind, and wonder who will die next.

John Paul Carinci has been a successful business owner for 25 years. Currently, he is President of Carinci Insurance Agency Inc., with over 250 brokers. John, is also an author, songwriter, and poet. He is the CEO of Better Off Dead Productions Inc., a movie production company.   

As a writer, some of John’s works include; “Better Off Dead,” “A Second Chance”, “Be Different,”  “Reflections In Poetry,” “A Gift From Above,” and “In Exchange Of Life.”

John, is also co-writer of the screenplays: “Better Off Dead,”  and “A Second Chance,” which was adapted from his novel, and due to be in production in the coming months.

Chapter One

Frantically, I packed, not knowing what to throw in the duffel bag - the one that was waiting patiently, looking back at me from the once tranquil bed.  Not remembering what I had already packed, I caught a glimpse of my hands. They were shaking like the leaves of the palm tree outside my window.  My face was flushed; my eyes moist from tears. I could feel my heart pounding inside my chest.  It was a task just to walk with legs so wobbly, like I had borrowed them.

The worst call of my life had come at five o’clock that morning. Bad news is never easy to accept.  Devastating news stuns and shocks the heart quiet for a split second. At first I was in disbelief, but knew full–well that it was true.  It only takes the brain a second to contemplate the many avenues of doubt before understanding the brutal reality of truth.

My brother broke down as he tried his best to ease it to me. I knew he had bad news as soon as I answered the phone and heard him say, “Joe--”. His voice was soft and low, almost priest-like. It had the sound of total exhaustion. It was low, yet full of pain.

It’s amazing how, with one word, we are almost able to completely read someone’s thoughts, see their feelings like a motion picture -- especially if they are loved ones.

I had never heard Jerry’s tone of voice like that before.  After all, he was the husky, bigger brother - the one with the powerful, loud voice.  I was the soft-spoken one, even before I entered the seminary ten years ago.     

I was the Catholic priest who moved away, leaving everyone behind in Brooklyn.  I had moved out to the small parish church of St. Augusta, on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, seven years earlier.

“Joe, I don’t know how to say it--”

“Jerry, what is it?” I asked cautiously.

“There’s been an accident--”

It was then that he fell apart, sobbing.

“Jerry, just take it slow,” I said, calmly, in my most-soothing, fatherly voice.  The voice I had used so many times before when tragedies had struck someone.  Always the one to remain calm, I had no idea I would become unglued and broken down to my inner-most emotional core.

“Joe,” he continued, clearly sobbing.  “It’s Melissa. It’s not good.  She-- She’s-- She’s gone!”