Scorched Grace: A Sister Holiday Mystery

Sister Holiday is a debut crime novel about a chain-smoking, heavily tattooed queer nun turned amateur detective. The book was named a Guardian Best Crime/Thriller Book of 2023, a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, and a New York Times Best Crime Book of the Year 2023. The Sisters of the Sublime Blood and their community are thrust into chaos when Saint Sebastian's School becomes the target of a shocking arson spree. Sister Holiday becomes determined to unveil the mysterious attacker herself, leading her down a twisty path of suspicion and secrets in the sticky, oppressive New Orleans heat.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Pushkin Press

Sister Holiday, a chain-smoking, heavily tattooed queer nun turned amateur detective, is the protagonist of the sensational debut crime novel. This unique and confident character is a Guardian Best Crime/Thriller Book of 2023, a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, and a New York Times Best Crime Books of the Year 2023. The book has received critical acclaim, with KARIN SLAUGHTER describing it as "deliciously insubordinate" and MEGAN ABBOTT praising it as "more faithful than most, but she's no saint."

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. Sister Holiday, unsatisfied with the authorities' response, takes matters into her own hands and becomes determined to unveil the mysterious attacker herself. To solve this high-stakes mystery, Sister Holiday will have to reckon with the sins of her chequered past. 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.

The book is praised for its skilfully plotted, propulsive, and deeply engaged with the communities it represents. MARA WILSON describes it as "skilfully plotted, propulsive, and deeply engaged with the communities it represents," while DON WINSLOW praises it as a "searing journey through faith, fire, and female rage." ELIZABETH HAND praises Sister Holiday as the most original character she has come across for quite some time, and CRIMEREADS praises it for its "wholehearted energy of faith, love, and transgression."

Sister Holiday's punk rock nun persona and her ability to solve mysteries have won over readers worldwide. ELECTRIC LITERATURE describes the book as "If you're not sold by a punk rock nun solving mysteries, then can your soul even be saved?"

In conclusion, Sister Holiday is a captivating and unique character who has captured the hearts of readers with her thrilling debut crime novel. Her determination to solve the mystery and her willingness to confront her past make her a compelling and relatable protagonist. The book's engaging plot, deep engagement with communities, and punk rock nun persona have earned it critical acclaim and a place on the shelves of readers who appreciate a fresh and exciting take on the crime genre.

Weight: 278g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805335085