The Vanity Project of Father Brendan Coglan

Catholic Priests carry the confessions of their parish on their shoulders: what happens when one sinner is unrepentant? Brendan, newly ordained Catholic priest, hears the confession of Neville, who possesses indecent images of children. Brendan, due to Neville's angry refusal to turn himself into the police on the grounds he hasn't 'hurt' anyone, is unable to grant absolution. Neville goes on to commit suicide. Traumatised by Neville's suicide, and other aspects of his past, Brendan begins to doubt his chosen path. Has his whole life just been a vanity project? His self-effacing inner monologues are often hilarious. A universal tale about honour, justice, and forgiveness, this novel also explores the burdens of confession and the agonies of a priest who tries to right the wrongs of his supplicants without breaching the sanctity of the sacrament. Bound by a vow of silence, can Brendan find a path forward?