Wretched

“John David Bethel’s description of the psychology of the serial killer and others in the novel who engaged in criminal behavior, is factually based in clinical research. Kudos to him for making this a realistic portrayal of depraved individuals. If you like crime dramas, this novel is for you.”

—Jill Roth, clinical psychologist, United States Department of Justice (retired)

Ken Plough was the scourge of tiny Oletha, Iowa for decades. He stole livestock, robbed homes and violated young women. He avoided the consequences of his actions by bullying and terrorizing the townspeople with threats against them, their families and homes, burning a house to the ground in one instance, and critically wounding a neighbor in another.

In an explosion of violence, Plough is gunned down as he sits in his truck outside a local watering hole; witnessed by more than 30 people who surrounded the truck where Plough sat with his wife. None of the witnesses would admit to seeing the shooter or knowing anything about the event.

At the request of the regional U.S. Attorney, Special Agents Eileen Prado and Ira Fisher arrive in Oletha to investigate and are greeted by a hostile citizenry and absolute silence. But this is only the beginning of what graduates into the most chilling three weeks of their careers.

Although fiction, WRETCHED is based on two true crimes that provide the foundation for the novel. The author also mines information and detail from FBI sources as well as psychological studies and literature on the subject of serial offenders creating a dark world the reader will fully and believably inhabit.

John David Bethel is an award-winning author whose novels include EVIL TOWN, HOTEL HELL, UNHEARD OF, HOLDING BACK THE DARK and A WASHINGTON TRILOGY. He has also been published in popular consumer magazines and respected political journals.

Mr. Bethel spent 35 years in politics and government. He served in the Federal Senior Executive Service as a political appointee where he was Senior Adviser/Director of Speechwriting for the Secretaries of Commerce and Education; Editorial Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration; and Assistant Administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration’s Office of Communications and Citizen Services. Bethel also worked as press secretary/speechwriter to Members of Congress.

Mr. Bethel is a media consultant for a number of prominent communications management firms. He writes speeches, opinion editorials and Congressional testimony for CEOs from the nation's largest corporations. His op-ed pieces have appeared in prominent newspapers around the country.

He graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Tulane University and lives in DeLand, Florida.