Church of the Divine Psychopath

by Scott Phillips

Review by James R.Cain

'Church of the Divine Psychopath' is a Friday the 13th novel, penned by Scott Phillips, author of the movie Drive, The boy with X-Ray Eyes and others.  This is his first novel with Black Flame.

Now, it's pretty difficult to write a decent Friday the 13th novel in my mind.  As someone who has watched all of the movies, Jason Vorhees is, in many ways, a very one dimensional character.  Phillips was up for the challenge however, and provides us with a very decent Friday the 13th offering.  I'd even go as far to say that, as stories go, it's in the league of the better of the movies.

Crystal Lake has some new residents: The Ministry of the Heavenly Vessel.  The church acquires the lease to Camp Blood and begin a community following the Lord.  Father Long, the leader of the congregation, has some very weird ideas however.  The body of Jason Vorhees is retrieved from the depths of the lake, and is proclaimed as 'the Heavenly Vessel' or God's 'Hand of Judgement' by the misguided Father Long.  Worst than that, Long has plans to resurrect Vorhees and bring the psychopath's unique brand of judgement to a sinful world.       

Against this, is Townsend and Walter Hobb, members of a strike team given the task of tracking down Jason Vorhees and bringing him in.  It's not an easy task however, as their assignment brings them head to head with the church in a Waco-style confrontation.  

'Church of the Divine Psychopath' was a good pulp read.  There are some very real characters in the church, and the strike team element to the storyline, very much reminded me of the Jason X movie (which I enjoyed).  I'd say if you're a Friday the 13th fan, then this book is a must for your collection.  It was an interesting addition to the genre.  

Publisher: Black Flame

ISBN: 1-84416-181-1 - Paperback (415 pages)