Historical Fiction
Date Published: April 1, 2026
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
Amid the vibrant landscape of San Francisco in the late 1960s, eleven-year-old Jamie steps into the confines of a dark confessional booth. With promises of confidentiality, Father Nelson uncovers a chilling secret buried deep within the young boy’s subconscious.
Intrigued by his grave past, Father Nelson brings him into the church as an altar boy under the mentorship of Harry, an older acolyte. The priest quickly gains control over Jamie, using the boy’s complicated history and his own undisputed authority to initiate a dark turn in their relationship. Jamie falls deeper into the world of religion, and his blooming friendship with Harry becomes a needed distraction from the somber realities of the church.
Shaped by major cultural events, from the Manson murders to the moon landing, to Woodstock and the Civil Rights Movement, Jamie’s life unfolds as he navigates religion, power, and loss of innocence. A haunting coming of age story, Boy Altared explores a seismic shift into adulthood during one of the most turbulent decades in history.
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