Penance
A Xander Walsh Novella
When a series of high-profile murders rocks the city of Birchwood, Detectives Xander Walsh and Damon Schaeffer are called in to unravel a chilling mystery. Each crime scene is marked by a haunting signature—a poem, hinting at the killer’s motivations.
Detective Walsh, a fierce investigator with a reputation for solving the unsolvable, must dive into a dark labyrinth of clues that blur the line between art and madness. As he delves deeper into the case, his mysterious past comes back to haunt him.
As the body count climbs and public fear mounts, Detective Walsh must race against time to unravel the clues. But in a game where the shadows hold the key, will he catch the killer before he strikes again, or will the echoes of his past become his undoing?
Title: Penance
Subtitle: A Xander Walsh Novella
Series: Xander Walsh
Book: 1
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Author: Rena Aliston
Publisher: Owl-Raven Books
Release Date: August 18, 2025
ISBN: 979-8-9896838-7-1
Penance: A Xander Walsh Novella is a crime thriller with dark themes. This book may contain content that triggers some readers.
- Adoption
- Blood
- Cults
- Death
- Death of a parent
- Foul Language
- Kidnapping
- Knife Violence
- Murder
- Mutilation
- Occult
- Serial Killer
- Violence
Penance is a masterfully crafted thriller that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, filled with twists and turns that’ll keep you guessing till the very end! Rena’s writing is phenomenal, creating a wonderfully complex narrative that’s both gripping and suspenseful. Xander Walsh is a very interesting character – multifaceted and intriguing, with a sharp mind that perfectly complements the dark, brutal world he navigates.
If you’re a fan of thrillers, Penance is an absolute must-read. With its engaging plot, intense characters, and expertly crafted suspense, this book will keep you hooked from start to finish. – Anu Nair, Author
Penance is a fast paced suspenseful thriller about detectives trying to solve murders. The killer is using someone’s dark poems to create a game that taunts the detectives who are trying to figure it out. I flew through this book as it was very well written and had many twists and turns. I highly recommend this book to those who love crime and thrillers. – Kryssy Foss