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Hex signs protect every barn and outbuilding. The local tannery spews its poison on the land and in the river. And babies disappear at birth. An orphan and one-time felon who earned his nickname “from the sound a crowbar makes when it hits a man’s head,” Wump Hozer is now the custodian of Our Lady of the Innocents parish in Three Bridges, PA. Wump is old and tired. He’s fought all his life against the tannery’s waste, against God, and against the blind eyes of his good neighbors. Nowadays he tries to ignore the old monsignor’s exploits with the young women of the parish and the strangeness surrounding the local orphanage, and does what good he can for his wife, the church, the sisters who run the orphanage, and the poor orphans themselves. Childhood memories and strange presentments begin to plague Wump when a brick wall unearthed at the site of a new restaurant collapses, and raw sewage carries hundreds of bones into the pit left behind. It looks like the Devil’s made Three Bridges his new playground. A blasphemous bible tells Wump why.

Like a good character driven story? One with lots and backstory and so many twists and turns you aren’t sure if you’re coming or going? Then you will enjoy Scars on the Face of God: The Devil’s Bible. The story takes place through the eyes of Wump (Ever wonder what the sound is a tire iron makes hitting a human skull? Now you know)  Wump has had a hard life and he’s tired, he tries his best to be a good man to make up for his past wrongs. He has a good job working as custodial for the local parish, but some odd things continue to happen and Wump seems to be right in the middle of it all. The town has a horrible little secret and Wump is about to learn the entire story.

Honestly, I don’t want to say too much about Scars on the Face of God: The Devil’s Bible because even though I have read it I think I need to go back and read it again. It’s one of those tales that has so many hidden tidbits scattered throughout it that you’re definitely going to miss things during the first read through. Trust me that this is an excellent tale of mystery and religion mixed with a touch of horror. The main character is flawed, making him all the more believable and the surrounding characters play fantastically against Wump.  The setting is simple, but well developed in that as you are reading the sights, sounds and odors are vivid enough that you could swear you just smelled dog poo. (Yes, I said dog poo)

A definite must read for all who enjoy a thrilling and mysterious well told story that can truly make you sit down and ponder the sort of life you lead and where it might take you over time.

Pick up your copy of this fantastic tale, Scars on the Face of God: The Devil’s Bible, for paperback and Kindle via Amazon by clicking the cover image above. Have a nook from  Barnes & Noble? Click (HERE)  (nook only, no paperback)  For all other eBook forms head over to Smashwords (HERE)

The authors website is currently being overhauled from what I have read, but keep your eyes on http://cgbauer.net/ for future updates from C.G. Bauer

Espresso rating: Triple with splash of milk