A review by starrysteph
The Last Sinner by Lisa Jackson

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

An enjoyable thriller - part of a detective series, but can definitely be read as a standalone (I wasn’t confused jumping in here at all). 

We’re following two homicide detectives - Bentz and Montoya - as they uneasily suspect that a serial killer has come back to haunt New Orleans. Father John, who disguised himself as a priest when he strangled his victims with a rosary, was left for dead years ago in a swamp. But his body was never recovered. So are these new crimes a copycat - or is he really back?

The other perspective in The Last Sinner is Kristi, Bentz’s daughter who has just suffered a terrible tragedy. Could this be Father John as well? Or is someone else targeting her because of her career writing true crime novels?

I enjoyed reading from Kristi’s perspective most of all - as she navigates fresh grief, takes in two adorable animals, and tries to keep herself safe while also not allowing her stalker to take over her life.

I also liked the New Orleans setting, particularly the scenes in the bayou (gators galore!).

The book did drag a bit (I honestly think 100 pages could have been cut and the plot wouldn’t have changed), and there were some repetitive moments. I also didn’t love the brief fatphobic framing of a minor character.

But overall, I was pretty engaged.

CW: murder, death, stalking, abuse, religious bigotry, blood, fatphobia, gore, drug use, gun violence, infidelity, kidnapping, grief, pregnancy

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