This Present Darkness
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This Present Darkness, published in 1986, is a Christian novel by Frank E. Peretti. It shows contemporary views on angels, demons, prayer and the spiritual realm. It shows the interaction of angels and demons with the citizens of the small town of Ashton. An instrumental track on one of Michael W. Smith's albums is entitled Ashton, after the town this book.
This Present Darkness has sold in excess of 2.5 million copies, and has made a remarkable impact on both Christian fiction and the ideas many American Christians have concerning angelic and demonic powers. Also, the book has been instrumental in promoting belief in Territorial Spirits
This Present Darkness takes place in the small college town of Ashton. Bernice Kreuger, a reporter for the Clarion, Ashton's town newspaper, is falsely arrested on prostitution charges after taking a photograph at the annual Ashton Summer Festival. When she is released the next day, she discovers that the film in her camera was destroyed. Marshall Hogan, owner/editor-in-chief of the Clarion investigates possible corruption in the Ashton police department.
Marshall goes to the town police station/courthouse and confronts Alf Brummel, the police chief, about the arrest. Brummel denies any wrongdoing on behalf of the police department and insists it was all a mistake. Marshall leaves, not believing Brummel's story, and continues his investigation.
As the investigation continues, Marshall discovers that there are a number of new members of the board of regents at Whitmore College (where his daughter attends), all somehow connected to the New-Age movement. There are also rumors that the college is about to be sold to the mysterious Omega Corporation.
Just as Marshall begins to put the pieces together, he is falsely arrested for abusing his daughter. While in jail, he meets with Hank Busche, a pastor at the Ashton Community Church. Busche was arrested on false rape charges. As the two talk, they compare experiences and discover that the Omega Corporation is trying to take over the town.
Hank and Marshall are both released from jail and contact the FBI. The head of the Omega Corporation is arrested.
External links
PerettiOnline.com (http://www.perettionline.com/)