Scorched Grace
A Sister Holiday Mystery
-
-
3.3 • 93 Ratings
-
-
- $13.99
-
- $13.99
Publisher Description
A USA TODAY Bestseller · A New York Times, Apple Books, and The Guardian Best Crime Novel of the Year · An Indie Next Pick · Winner of the Pinckley Prize for Crime Fiction · A Finalist for the ITW Thrillerfest, New England Book, and Left Coast Crime “Lefty” Awards
Sister Holiday, a chain-smoking, heavily tattooed, queer nun, puts her amateur sleuthing skills to the test in this “unique and confident” debut crime novel (Gillian Flynn).
When Saint Sebastian’s School becomes the target of a shocking arson spree, the Sisters of the Sublime Blood and their surrounding New Orleans community are thrust into chaos.
Patience is a virtue, but punk rocker turned nun Sister Holiday isn’t satisfied to just wait around for officials to return her home and sanctuary to its former peace, instead deciding to unveil the mysterious attacker herself. Her investigation leads her down a twisty path of suspicion and secrets, turning her against colleagues, students, and even fellow Sisters along the way. And to piece together the clues of this high-stakes mystery, she must at last reckon with the sins of her own past.
An exciting start to a bold series that breathes new life into the hard-boiled genre, Scorched Grace is a fast-paced and punchy whodunnit that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
Now with an exclusive sneak peek at the second Sister Holiday mystery!
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Colorful and surprising, Scorched Grace is one seriously heavenly mystery. When an arsonist sets fire to Saint Sebastian’s School in New Orleans, killing a man, the homicide squad’s called in. The last thing the cops want is a tattooed nun butting into their investigation, but Sister Holiday is on the case. Once a punk musician and screwup living in Brooklyn, Holiday has found peace in a convent, but when fires keep sparking and Holiday is framed for the crimes, she’s forced to start sleuthing. Author Margot Douaihy pulls us in as her heroine tries to balance her devotion and her detecting. She’s racing into a burning building one day, comforting new mothers in prison the next—and occasionally going on heart-stopping ride alongs to major crime scenes. With its scenes of austere convent life and gritty crime in a city lush with jasmine, Spanish moss, and strolling peacocks, this whodunit is a surprisingly fun and funny read.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Sister Holiday Walsh, the narrator of poet Douaihy's stunning fiction debut and series launch, calls herself "the first punk nun." This cursing, chain-smoking queer nun who wears gloves and a heavy scarf to hide her tattoos is unlike any nun encountered on the page or in real life. Yet Holiday is most sincere about her faith in God, her devotion to the Catholic Church, and finding a home among the Sisters of the Sublime Blood in New Orleans. When Saint Sebastian's School where she teaches is targeted by an arson attack in which a beloved janitor dies, Holiday turns sleuth to find the attacker and save the school, which is in danger of being closed by the diocese. More fires—and deaths—occur as Holiday's investigation heats up, pitting her against her fellow sisters and staff. Given her background, she becomes a prime suspect. This briskly plotted master class in character development makes the most of its New Orleans setting, "the crucible... of miracles and curses." Douaihy (Bandit/Queen: The Runaway Story of Belle Starr) is off to a terrific start.
Customer Reviews
Almost there
Great main character but too many unbelievable characters and events. Location was interesting. Seems like stronger editing could have led to a more satisfying story.
Ending was weak.