Set in New Orleans, Sisters of the Sublime Blood face arson and murder in their midst.
Fortunately, they have Sister Holiday–a chain-smoking, heavily tattooed, queer nun–with a talent for solving mysteries. Whether you will enjoy this book heavily depends on whether you’re engaged by Sister Holiday’s narration of this story.
When Saint Sebastian’s School becomes the target of a shocking arson and a murder, the list of suspects include both faculty and students. Sister Holiday knows all of them which complicates some of her investigation. Naturally, the Police do not appreciate Sister Holiday’s efforts.
The investigation leads Sister Holiday to a series of secrets hidden behind the walls of Saint Sebastian’s School. Someone wants Sister Holiday discredited as clues are planted to frame her for the crimes.
You might experience the sense of skepticism that I had for a hard-boiled nun. But I found Scorched Grace mildly engaging for a first mystery novel. Quirky and different. GRADE: C+
Seems like an odd choice, but I suppose it could work.
Jeff, I’ll be curious about the further adventures of Sister Holiday. She’s very different.
Sarah Weinman’s review in the NYT was so positive that I put it on hold at the library. I will weigh in when I get it.
Patti, I’ll be eager to read your review to see what you think about SCORCHED GRACE.
This looked interesting to me and I even had a library copy but, just as I thought I’d get to it, in came the Spillane biography and, even more important, the first Jonathan Carroll novel in nearly a decade, and Sister Holiday went back unread. Maybe later.
Michael, I have the Spillane biography and the Jonathan Carroll novel on order.
I remember a first novel contest from St. Martin’s that was won by a nun detective book! Sounds overly gimmicky to me and I have no interest in it or this tattooed homage!
Bob, beauty is in the eye of beholder.
You should make a sample of that!
I’d hoped for better on this, having also seen that NYT review.
I have it but haven’t read it yet. I’ll let you know.
I hosted a panel in Las Vegas with a shepherd as a detective. It was the dawn of self-published authors participating. I didn’t read it; I don’t think I missed anything.
Beth, I hope for better, too. Let us know what you think. Maybe it’s just me.