A Twisted Faith

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen comes the true story behind one of America’s most shocking cases of religious manipulation and murder.

On the day after Christmas 1997, near the affluent community of Bainbridge Island off the coast of Seattle, a small house on a quiet street went up in flames. Inside was Dawn Hacheney, the shy, beloved wife of youth pastor Nick Hacheney. Investigators ruled the fire an accident. The community mourned its own.

But Dawn’s lungs contained no smoke. And in the weeks before her death, messages, supposedly from God, came to the devoted church secretary that the pastor’s wife would die, and she would soon be his wife.

What began as a house fire on a quiet island street would become one of the most disturbing cases in Pacific Northwest history—a story of prophecy, seduction, and a congregation that could not, or would not, see what was standing at its own pulpit. How could an entire community fail to see a killer in their midst? And when the truth finally began to surface, who would be brave enough to speak?

Perfect for readers who love:

- Gripping true crime built on meticulous investigative reporting

- Courtroom drama with a shocking reckoning

- Cults, coercive religion, and communities that protect their own

- Deep dives into how detectives crack cold cases and unmask hidden abuse

- Binge-worthy true crime for podcast listeners and documentary fans

- Book club reads that spark conversation about faith, manipulation, and the danger of unquestioned trust

Acclaim for A Twisted Faith:

“A disturbing portrait of a community undone by its appealing young pastor…Using firsthand interviews with members of the community, Olsen tells an unsettling story of a man who committed murder and then used his charm and his power as a man of God to exploit his congregants and satisfy his sexual obsession.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Olsen takes readers behind the scenes of this fascinating case.” ―Tucson Citizen

“A harrowing tale of betrayal from a masterful storyteller.” ―Jeanine Cummins, author of American Dirt

“Olsen weaves his story deftly, managing to bring alive a wide cast of characters, all headed for and contributing to a tragedy driven by faith.” ―Stephen Singular, New York Times bestselling author of When Men Become Gods

“A fascinating exposé of sexual obsession and murder, a cautionary tale of innocence and virtue manipulated and destroyed by the vilest of mortal sins… Great true crime from one of the greats in the business.” ―Kathryn Casey, author of A Descent Into Hell

“An insightful exposé of a man of God and a woman of prophecy who manipulate God’s will to justify adultery, treachery and even murder.” ―Diane Fanning, Edgar Nominated Author of Mommy's Little Girl

“Olsen writes the way a surgeon cuts―precisely exposing the personality riddles that lie concealed within each of the players.” ―Anthony Flacco, author of The Road out of Hell

“A horrifying tale of spiritual and physical seduction, and murder…[A Twisted Faith] draws its power from the strong and subtle hand of a master storyteller.” ―Kate Flora, Edgar-nominated author of Finding Amy: A True Story of Murder in Maine

“A very strange but fascinating journey into the heart of a religious community torn asunder by sex and murder.” ―Harry MacLean, author of The Past is Never Dead

“Everybody should read Gregg Olsen's book…What an eye-opener!” ―Book Reporter

“I was hooked on page one…An extremely difficult book to put down.” ―True Crime Book