Heaven’s Crooked Finger

Written by Hank Early

Narrated by Craig Jessen

NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARD WINNER

An eerie and intense Southern Gothic, this “twisty, page-turning” mystery transports readers to a secretive community in the Georgia mountains (Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts)

Earl Marcus thought he had left the mountains of Georgia behind forever, and with them, the painful memories of a childhood spent under the fundamentalist rule of his father RJ’s church—a church built on fear, penance, and the twisting, writhing mass of snakes. But then an ominous photo of RJ is delivered to Earl’s home. The photograph is dated long after his father’s burial, and there’s no doubt that the man in the picture is very much alive.

As Earl returns to Church of the Holy Flame searching for the truth, faithful followers insist that his father has risen to a holy place high in the mountains. Nobody will talk about the teenage girls who go missing, only to return with strange tattoo-like marks on their skin. Rumors swirl about an old well that sits atop one of the mountains, a place of unimaginable power and secrets. Earl doesn’t know what to believe, but he has long been haunted by his father, forever lurking in the shadows of his life. Desperate to leave his sinful Holy Flame childhood in the past, Earl digs up deeply buried secrets to discover the truth before time runs out and he’s the one put underground in Heaven’s Crooked Finger, Hank Early’s thrilling series debut.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Jan 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094438856

Hank Early

Hank Early is a middle school teacher and writer located in Central Alabama. He enjoys good beer, strong coffee, and wild storms. He’s married and has two kids who are constantly giving him ideas for his next novel. This is his first Earl Marcus mystery.

Reviews for Heaven’s Crooked Finger

[sherri allbritton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow, what a fantastic story! But what was the clincher for me was the narrator….what a smooth, relaxing southern drawl. I, born and raised in Florida, love me an accent.

[Glen · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is plain and simple not a listener friendly book. The use of filthy language is way over the top.

[tami perkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great story! I was hooked from the moment I started! The narrator’s voice made it feel like you were sitting on the porch, having some moonshine and listening to an old friend tell a story of the hills! I’ll be listening again and looking for more!!

[jamey oneal · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Audiobook. Excellent narration by Craig Jessen. If that's not his natural accent, and I suspect it isn't, he deserves an award for that alone.
A bit of murder mystery with a side of the supernatural and a lot of religion. I really appreciated this book. It didn't pull any punches on how religion can be culty and abusive or how parents can be abusive in the name of what they believe. It was a representation of small town life and small town thinking, complete with the racism and sexism that is not a bug, but a feature of both religion and these rural small towns, especially-but not exclusive to-the South. It also fairly showed how, even in all of this, there are people who question, fight back, show true Grace, and in many different ways. It also shows how people turn a blind eye even when they know something is wrong. The story itself is pretty good, if not entirely original, but had some unexpected twists, but you gotta read this one for the vibes. Better yet, listen to it for the good narration. Race was handled well enough, though not great, and he needs work on hw to write women, though it's clear he made an effort and I think he could actually do even better. For all the negativity heartache, and abuse, I came away from this book feeling hopeful, and that's a tall order considering. I look forward to the other books in this series and other books by this author, who, I learned, is using a pseudonym for this series.
Who is this book for? If you have lived in a claustrophobic small town, been betrayed by religion (but not faith), parents, authority figures but managed to find your own way or at least dream of doing so. It's not for people who are going to get in a fuss over being critical of any of this.

SPOILER: This isn't a huge spoiler, because I'm not going to give it away entirely, but if you hear about how abusive and awful Earl's father is and wonder if he's going to get a redemption arc or we are going to be forced into sympathy for the man, don't worry-he's awful to the last, and I was satisfied by that. I would have liked to have known that earlier in the book.

[Brooke Sanabria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written, excellent narration, the book was interesting from start to finish!

[ojibwaygma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was my first experience, audiobook, with this author and I absolutely loved the book. The narration was perfect.

[Juanita Forbes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was so very, very good in so many ways - the character development- they felt like real people living out an event in their lives - the plot kept you engaged all the from beginning to the end - it touched my heart as well as my mind. And the narrator was excellent- giving life and personality to the characters-in a very pleasant way which is so important in an audio book.

[Jacqui Meintjes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant. Thoroughly enjoyed. Great narration. It's worth every minute! Definitely searching more stories from this writer.

[Jurriaan Knol · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story got me hooked from the very beginning all the way to the end. Memorable characters, a great setting and suspense that manages to keep you curious all the way through. Highly recommended.

[Jeanetta du Preez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Totally different from my usual reads, but what a journey! Not an exhilarating one, but one of finding the truth. Excellent plot.
The content is relevant in today's so many "man made gods" religions/ churches and how they destroy so many lives/beliefs.
Excellent narrator, you really took me through all the nuances. Thank you.

[amev1234 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting book. A bit teen angst without the teen. Liked the narrator

[stklages · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mad that i never hurd of this author because this was a good book

[Bridget Hogan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the most compelling book I have listened to in quite sometime. Worth every minute of it. Thank you for such a great book!

[Ina Jansen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hank Early is a fabulous story teller! Heaven’s Crooked finger will keep
you on your toes with lots of twists and turns. The characters are fascinating. I couldn’t quit listening! Now on to book 2!

[dan Bdan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

great narration as really matches the story and the story is an interesting one

[cindycannon30 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed the book. Fast paced. Interesting concept. Looking forward to next book

[altovib · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good and solid mystery. The pace is steady and there are a few surprises that happen unexpectedly.

[hcomet204 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well written and entertaining story. It held my attention.

[ellehcim111 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my gosh. This was so good. The narrator was amazing.

[carirakai · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Narrarator has a great voice! Got a great feel for the location and tension in the community.

[Mary Marlow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book, although a bit far fetched kept my attention from page one. I really enjoyed it!

[lee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Charismatic and captivating the characters and scenes evolve. Using a calm, laidback voice, the performer leads us through each event attaching just the right dialect fitting so well against the backdrop of this secluded, small town in America. Look forward to reading / listening Hank Early's next book.

[Amy Davis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I picked this book at random knowing nothing about it or the author. It turned out to be very enjoyable. I liked the characters, unique setting and story, and the writing style. I look forward to listening to more from him.

[Susannah Wheeler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this book, the ghastlyness od fundamentalist religion perfectly expressed. The twists and turns, excellent storytelling and narration.

[Joyce Harout · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing story. Amazing author. Amazing narrator. Loved loved loved this book.

[afo28 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It’s not you it’s me. Thrillers tend to be lost on me in book form. I liked it well enough and would give 3.5 if I could

[stephaniepgcc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a really hard book to get through but his storytelling made it all worthwhile.

[stephen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A good story that kept a good pace, very well narrated.

[ALAN W MORRISON · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best I've read in a very long while. Read it!

[Terry Griffin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Riveting! The horror of other people and the power of religion to scar. The main character is well drawn.