James O'Leary had a deep and lasting love for the Chinese people and a heart for missions. This passion prompted him to travel to China in 2002 at the age of seventy-three to fulfill his lifelong dream of working with the underground Catholic Church. His time in China proved helpful in creating A Torn Picture, however, the storyline itself had been nurtured over many decades. The first edition of this novel was published shortly before his death in 2013. It was his desire that his children edit and republish A Torn Picture. This edition is the fulfillment of his wish.