4.0
A Necessary Evil
ByPublisher Description
Plunge back into the thrilling world of profiler Maggie O’Dell in book 5 of this acclaimed series from New York Times bestselling author Alex Kava.
When a monsignor is found knifed to death in a Nebraska airport restroom, FBI special agent Maggie O’Dell is called in to profile the ritualistic murder of a priest, the latest in a series of killings. Maggie soon discovers a disturbing Internet game that’s popular among victims of abuse by Catholic priests. With this first real lead in the investigation, she wonders if the group has turned cyberspace justice into reality. Then Maggie gets a second lead—one that leaves her stunned.
For the past four years she has been obsessed with finding Father Michael Keller, whose brutal acts against children continue to haunt her. Now, it seems, he has become a target. When Keller offers to help Maggie solve the ritual killings in exchange for protection, she decides to ally herself with the elusive child killer, stepping into a world of malevolence from which she may not return unscathed.
Maggie knows the bargain is a necessary evil…one that may be made in blood…
Originally published in 2006
When a monsignor is found knifed to death in a Nebraska airport restroom, FBI special agent Maggie O’Dell is called in to profile the ritualistic murder of a priest, the latest in a series of killings. Maggie soon discovers a disturbing Internet game that’s popular among victims of abuse by Catholic priests. With this first real lead in the investigation, she wonders if the group has turned cyberspace justice into reality. Then Maggie gets a second lead—one that leaves her stunned.
For the past four years she has been obsessed with finding Father Michael Keller, whose brutal acts against children continue to haunt her. Now, it seems, he has become a target. When Keller offers to help Maggie solve the ritual killings in exchange for protection, she decides to ally herself with the elusive child killer, stepping into a world of malevolence from which she may not return unscathed.
Maggie knows the bargain is a necessary evil…one that may be made in blood…
Originally published in 2006
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesA Necessary Evil Reviews
4.0
“Title: A Necesary Evil
Author: Alex Kava
Series: Maggie O'Dell
Read: November 2025
Overall Rating: 3.6/5
I want to start by saying that this book is not for everyone. In particular, there are two groups of readers who may struggle with its themes:
1. Readers who are deeply religious:
The central plot focuses on child abuse within the catholic religioun and how such atrocities can be hidden, ignored, or quietly swept aside.
2. Readers who prefer to avoid topics involving child abuse:
While the novel never goes into graphic detail, the entire story revolves around this subject matter, which may be uncomfortable or distressing for some.
This is also Book 5 in the series (I received it as a gift). It isn’t essential to have read the previous instalments, but there are references to past events and characters that will make more sense if you’re familiar with the earlier novels.
Emotional Impact = 4/5
When dealing with a subject as powerful as child abuse, the emotional impact is inevitable, especially if you’re a parent or carer. What the author has done particularly well here is tie this storyline back to a previous novel and incident, presenting our main character, Maggie, with a serious moral dilemma. To solve this case, she must work with a priest she believes has murdered young boys and escaped justice. A man Maggie would gladly kill herself, given the chance.
This novel shows how the line between right and wrong can get blirred and whikst killing the priests is deemed 'evil' for the abused its the justice they never recieved.
Characters = 3/5
As this is a book 5 in a series alot of the main character building and development has already been done. Whilst the author does do a good job of where required giving a quick overview to previous novels i think there may be some key character pieces missing that would help the characters along if read in the correct order.
Plot = 5/5
For such a delicate subject i really enjoyed how the author has approached this novel. It execites the subject point perfectly wothout coming across as a direct assault on the catholic religion and its long standing suspicion of priests abusing thier power and status over the young.
On this novel, those who have been abused at a young age join an online gaming site. Where to enter they must submit thier abusers name. What appears as a way to virtually blow off some steam becomes very real when the priests who's names were entered start turning up dead. Now FBI profiller Maggie O'Dell mist solve the case and begrudingly aceppt the help offered by a priest she has unpleasant history with.
Dialogue/Prose = 2.5/5
For me the only thing that lets this novel down is the pacing. For a 490 page book i would say 450 of it is build up and the last 40 pages make the conclusion seemed rushed and anit-climatic. Not delivering the triuphant punch i was expecting.
Conclusion:
For not being familiar with this series or any of this authors previois works i can confidently say i quite liked this novel. Rhe author has taken on a sensitive almost triggering subject in such a way as to remain respectful whilst highlighting points to elevate the storyline. This is book 5 in the series and there were points where being well versed in previous ongoings would be advantagous, but not essential. It wont be any time soon but i think i would definately like to give this series a read from the start and maybe give this novel a second go round.”
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