Review - Devious

From GoodReads:

The crime scene at St. Marguerite’s cathedral in New Orleans is shocking, even to seasoned detectives like Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya. A novice nun named Sister Camille has been found dressed in a yellowed bridal gown and viciously garroted, her body covered with an altar cloth.

Valerie Houston is devastated by her sister’s death. For weeks, she’d begged Camille to leave St. Marguerite’s, where she seemed determined to live as some kind of martyr. But Camille had a knack for making bad choices — she joined the convent in part because she’d fallen for Val’s soon-to-be ex-husband, Slade.

Convinced the police aren’t doing enough, Val begins to investigate. Slade, on a mission to repair their marriage, is determined to help her. But the deeper Val’s inquiries go, the more twisted the case becomes. St. Marguerite’s is far from the tranquil retreat many believe, and everyone, from handsome Father Frank O’Toole to the mysterious Mother Superior, has their own agenda. Despite their closeness, even Camille had a hidden life Val never suspected. But someone knew about Camille’s past — and Val’s, too. Now she has no choice but to catch a devious, depraved killer intent on purging St. Marguerite’s of all its sins — before she becomes the next victim…

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My Review:

This was the first book by Lisa Jackson I have read. As a mystery/suspense lover I will be reading more of her books in the future. But I was not totally happy with this one. It was very well-written and the story was engaging and made me want to find out who did it. But I didnt really think we got all the answers in the end.

I really liked the Detectives assigned to the case, and I am looking forward to going back and reading more of the books they are in. I love the New Orleans setting. It really is such a great city for a backdrop.

Val and Slade made a great pair. We got plenty of info on their background and relationship and got to watch them in part work though their issues. Although the resolution of their problems did seem a bit rushed and just ok, its over now, lets forget it ever happened type of resolution.

But I didn't feel like we really got to understand the motives behind the Mother Superior and Fr. O'Toole. They have secrets and I don't think we really get to find out what they are. Same thing with the novices. There is such a connection there that can really make another intriguing story. But in this one, assuming we never see these characters again. I'm pretty disappointed. I want to know more of what they are hiding and why, And why did these novices join the convent, they all seem to have a great history behind them before they came. What made them join. Same with the murdered victim, Camille. We know she developed a crush on Slade but that doesnt fully explain why she joined the convent or why she had such a secretive hidden life.

Overall though its a great mystery. And it does get wrapped up in the end. All the main points are covered and explained. I guess I just wanted to know more about the secrets hidden inside the walls. I will definitely be reading more of her books. And will recommend her to others who like this genre. Just maybe not this one first.