A Twisted Faith: A Minister's Obsession and the Murder That Destroyed a Church

Gregg Olsen

Mar 2010 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen investigates the sensational story of a minister who seduced four of his female congregants, and hatched a cold-blooded plot to murder his wife.

On December 26, 1997, near the affluent community of Bainbridge Island off the coast of Seattle, a house went up in flames. In it was the shy, beloved minister's wife Dawn Hacheney. When the fire was extinguished, investigators found only her charred remains. Her husband Nick was visibly devastated by the loss. What investigators failed to note, however, was that Dawn's lungs didn't contain smoke. Was she dead before the fire began?

So begins this true crime story that's unlike any other. It investigates Nick Hacheney, a philandering minister who had been carrying on with several women in the months before and just after his wife's death. He would be convicted for the murder five years to the day after the crime.
From one of the foremost names in true crime, Twisted Faith is a gripping and truly unforgettable story of a man whose charisma and desire rocked an entire community.

Ratings and reviews

From the minute I began reading this story I was not able to put the book down - and I don't like reading. I did find however that the way the author presents the story is compelling and keeps you interested. It is amazing how so many are quick to present judgement on these women especially. I would like to caution you. Satan takes many forms and often people struggle with truth. I do agree that these women should have taken their faith to another level by searching the scriptures for their selves (II Timothy 2:15). I can tell you however that I myself was caught up many many years ago in what I thought was truth in the word that ended in abuse; physical, sexual, and emotional. It was at a time, as I fear for these women too, that I was not well versed in the Word. This is something we are all responsible for. I would love to interview this man [Nick] to see if demons are still ahold of him. I pray many read this and learn from it. After all, none of us are 'there' yet, we all fall short of the glory of the Lord - Grace is a gift - none of us 'deserve' it. If you've stolen, even a pen, thought about another person's 'looks', or thought about hate, you are just as guilty as this man; God doesn't take one sin over another.

This author needs to learn the correct spelling of YAKIMA. Not Yakama. Ruins your credibility somewhat.

Fascinating cautionary account of spiritual self deception ignites with a fatal fire and shatters a congregation lacking discernment.

About the author

An award-winning author, GREGG OLSEN has written seven nonfiction books and three novels. He has been featured on NPR, Good Morning America, and in USA Today, People, Redbook, and the Los Angeles Times.