The Last Altar Boy, the latest novel by Carl Reinelt, is a gripping and deeply affecting literary work that masterfully explores grief, addiction, faith, and the enduring weight of generational trauma. With its emotionally charged prose and cinematic storytelling, the novel has earned the esteemed Literary Titan Gold Book Award, cementing its place among this year’s standout literary achievements.
Set against the evocative backroads between Texas and Michigan, The Last Altar Boy is the sequel to Charlie's Ladder. It follows Charlie Houden, a broken man returning to the land of his origin with the ashes of his daughter and a dangerous plan. Haunted by the sins of his past and pursued by forces both spiritual and earthly, Charlie’s journey becomes a soul-searching odyssey through the wreckage of memory, faith, and identity.
As Charlie encounters omens, ghostly visions, and a rekindled love that threatens his life, he also crosses paths with Father Bill Ward, an austere yet compassionate priest forced to reconsider the foundations of his beliefs. Their bond, forged through crisis, opens doors to revelations that transcend time and space.
The novel interweaves rich threads of American history, including the devastating 1881 Michigan fire and the trauma of displaced Native communities, with contemporary themes of estrangement, spiritual reckoning, and inherited suffering. Reinelt’s storytelling is atmospheric and visceral, drawing comparisons to the likes of Cormac McCarthy and T.S. Eliot.
Critics are praising the book’s genre-defying scope and emotional honesty. In a glowing review, Literary Titan writes: "The Last Altar Boy is for anyone who’s ever carried around guilt like a stone in their pocket. It’s for people grappling with grief that doesn’t go away just because the world keeps spinning… This is a book of aching beauty and quiet courage."
Poignant and unsettling, The Last Altar Boy ultimately asks: what do we do with the pain we inherit, and how far would we go to save the ones we love?
The Last Altar Boy is available now at carlreinelt.com.
About the Author
Carl Reinelt is the author of five novels, including the upcoming Bluebonnets, an unconventional love story entwined with a 150-year-old murder mystery set in Texas Hill Country. Carl was born and raised in the Thumb Area of rural Michigan, where he spent his early years learning in a tworoom schoolhouse, working summers on his uncle’s farm, and listening to his grandmother’s stories. Her influence ignited a lifelong love of narrative and simplicity.
After earning an MA in Creative Writing from Central Michigan University, Carl embarked on a global career in finance that spanned three decades. Though his work revolved around numbers, he continued to write poetry and stories, occasionally published in small presses. Upon retiring, Carl returned to the literary world with renewed focus and depth. Carl currently resides with his family in McKinney, Texas.
His third novel, Charlie’s Ladder, received widespread acclaim, earning both the Distinguished Favorite Award for Literary Fiction from the NYC Big Book Award and the Literary Titan Gold Book Award. Most recently, its sequel, The Last Altar Boy, has also earned the Literary Titan Gold Book Award.
Discover More from Carl Reinelt
Visit www.carlreinelt.com to meet the author, explore his other works, and dive into his blog for insights, stories, and behind-the-scenes reflections.
Media Contact
Company Name: Literary Titan
Contact Person: HJ McEnroe
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://carlreinelt.com/
