If you love mysteries that are heavy on character development and the ruminations of the main character, you should definitely give this one a try. Check out my Review of Scorched Grace.
Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy
Published on February 21, 2023 by Xando/Gillian Flynn Books. Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
When Saint Sebastian’s School becomes the target of a shocking arson spree, the Sisters of the Sublime Blood and their surrounding community are thrust into chaos.
Unsatisfied with the officials’ response, sardonic and headstrong Sister Holiday becomes determined to unveil the mysterious attacker herself and return her home and sanctuary to its former peace.
Her investigation leads down a twisty path of suspicion and secrets in the sticky, oppressive New Orleans heat, turning her against colleagues, students, and even fellow Sisters along the way.
Sister Holiday is more faithful than most, but she’s no saint. To piece together the clues of this high-stakes mystery, she must first reckon with the sins of her checkered past-and neither task will be easy.
What Else Has Margot Douaihy Written?
Goodreads suggests she has published a short story collection, Girls Like You, and a collection of poetry, Scranton Lace. But not sure where or by whom these were published. Scorched Grace seems to be her first published novel.
Review of Scorched Grace
At first I was in love with this story of a queer, tattooed nun with a lot of baggage who is trying to solve a mystery while also trying to hide her snarky opinions and her smoking habit.
Sister Holiday is the unlikeliest of nuns. Raised in Brooklyn, she is now living in New Orleans and barely tolerated by her clerical sisters. She’s tattooed, she secretly smokes, she’s entirely irreverent.
When an employee of the Catholic school at which she works dies in a mysterious fire and she’s the one to witness his death, Sister Holiday wants to get to the truth.
In my opinion, mysteries require a balance of character development and plot. It’s more typical to see less developed characters and a robust, twisty plot. I felt that Scorched Grace was the opposite: the story was more about Sister Holiday and her views of the world and her crisis of faith and her observations on New Orleans and (for me) just not enough of a mystery plot.
The problem with this extremely character-centric approach to writing a mystery is that the reader really has to like the main character. Do you find Poirot fussy and annoying, or brilliant and funny?
A reader who really vibes with Sister Holiday will love this book. I definitely liked her, but just wanted a little more of a mystery. For me, the balance was off.
If you love mysteries that lean heavy on the character and attitude then definitely give this a try! If you are looking for something with more plot, this may not be for you.
And check out my upcoming post on Mysteries Featuring Crime Solving Clergy!
First I’ve heard of this one. Sounds interesting though.