Bishop Andy C. Lewter’s debut novel “The Trial of Cain” has claimed the #1 spot in Amazon’s Biblical Fiction category, offering a compelling modern reimagining of humanity’s first murder trial.

The novel, which transforms the biblical story of Cain and Abel into a contemporary legal thriller, follows the high-stakes trial of Cain Adams, a farmer accused of murdering his shepherd brother Abel over disputed land rights and divine favor.

“Lewter masterfully weaves ancient themes with modern legal drama,” says Publishers Weekly. “His experience as both a Harvard Divinity School graduate and lifelong minister brings unique depth to this retelling.”

The book’s success has been particularly notable in faith-based reading circles, where its exploration of religious trauma, generational conflict, and divine justice has sparked meaningful discussions about ancient scripture’s relevance to modern issues.

A powerful excerpt from the novel sets its tone: “The land remembers,” Cain Adams tells the court. “Every sacrifice, every betrayal, every drop of blood soaked into that soil. The north fields have claimed victims in every generation of my family. Abel thought his divine visions could change that. But the land… the land knows its own.”

The book’s examination of the tension between farmers and shepherds resonates with contemporary discussions about land rights and resource allocation, while its exploration of religious identity and divine favor speaks to timeless questions of faith and justice.

Bishop Lewter, currently on a national book tour, has announced that a portion of the proceeds will support a recently announced effort to establish a scholarship fund in the name of his father who was the founder of the Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville and Vicinity.