This is the final book in the series. It could be read as a standalone, possibly. I've read some books in the series, but not all of them. I felt this installment was just okay, though a bit on the long side. Repetitious elements created a bit of a lull in the storyline.

Benz and Montoya are back. Murders matching the MO of Father John are occurring. Father John is dead, or is he. Is there a copy cat or has Father John returned. There is also someone after Kristi, Benz’s daughter. Her husband is murdered trying to defend her. Is it the same guy or are there two people terrorizing the city of New Orleans. This story will get your attention from the first page. It is definitely a page turner, plenty of suspense that will keep you guessing. The ending leaves a mystery that we will have to wait for the next book to resolve. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jackson and Kensington Books for an ARC copy of The Last Sinner.

I was so excited to read a new Montoya and Bentz book. I have been reading this series since the very first book. This was an intense, gripping story that had me hooked from the first page. There is a twist in the first chapter that had me utterly and completely shocked! One that I never saw coming.

This book is filled with twists, turns and whodunits. Is there one serial killer? Two serial killers? Father John, the notorious serial killer is back for revenge...or is he? Is someone else a killer?

I loved looking for the clues and trying to figure out who the killer or killers were. I had a hard time putting this book down because I needed to know more!

The book had a shocking ending and set up the next book perfectly. I felt a little lost when I was done because I desperately want to read the next book!

I highly recommend adding The Last Sinner to your summer reading list!

I haven't read the other books in this series so that could be why I didn't enjoy it. It's very gory and I struggled to finish it. I will be purchasing this book for our library, and I appreciate the ARC.

Detectives Bentz and Montoya are back! The New Orleans series was my first introduction to Lisa Jackson and 43 books later she has yet to let me down. With the background of New Orleans that Lisa describes so beautifully, the detectives are faced with solving new murders and the return of Father John out for revenge. Thought dead and killed in the swamp years ago, Father John and his red beaded rosary has returned with a vengeance. Bentz's daughter Kristi plays a major role in the story. As true crime novelist it seems her life is in danger after an attack that takes her husband's life has he tries to protect her. Is it also a Father John attack? Bentz thinks so but Kristi and Montoya wonder as she reviews the books she's written about local crimes while scared out of her wits with strange things happening that are just to close for comfort. From the characters, to the setting, to the review of past cases and the character stories, Last Sinner did not disappoint. Thank you Lisa Jackson, NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC, I was thrilled to have the opportunity!

Montoya and Bentz once again face a ruthless evil killer, or are there two? Is an old nemesis still alive or is there a copycat killer? When Bentz's daughter is targeted he will stop at nothing to stop this killer before she is a victim. Could Bentz be wrong about who is after her? Montoya thinks so and he launches an investigation to find out.
I like all of the Bentz and Montoya books! This one is the conclusion to the chase for evil killers. I can't wait to read what comes next. Make sure to grab this one you will need to know how it unfolds! Thank you Lisa Jackson you always bring the mystery, thrill, and great family, plus love relationships all wrapped up in a fantastic story.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books for this eARC for an honest review.

Yay for another intense Lisa Jackson thriller! The Last Sinner starts with horror and doesn’t disappoint all the way through to the vivid end, setting up for another book in the action-packed Bentz/Montoya series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

She had been so busy grieving and feeling sorry for herself, so dulled by her own pain, she had lost her need for the truth, her desire to find her husband's killer, to expose him and bring him to justice. But that changed today.

Kristi Bentz author of crime novels may have gotten her material from her father New Orleans homicide detectives Rick Bentz. However, the material becomes personal when her husband becomes a victim of a vicious attack. She keeps playing her last few hours with him. Her last words to him. He dies trying to protect her. Was it a random act of violence or were they the targets? If so, why?

Her father is on a one track mind when it comes to the violence his daughter faced. Is it Father John who has come back from the dead. Several women have been found with the same MO and one escapes. His partner Montoya does not think so and forces Rick to stay away from the case of his daughter.

So much going on...Kristi going thru the trauma of witnessing the death of her husband, her emotions, and the surprise gift her husband left her. She reviews her old books to find any clue to who may have wanted her dead. Montoya has his own personal drama with his brother that ties with Kristi. (This makes me wonder if a continuation will be with the brother and Kristi).

I liked how it all "tied" up. It took me by surprise and I loved the grit of those striving for justice.

A special thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

This book had me so on edge that I had to take breaks just to breathe! It was amazing!! The suspense kept building, and I was almost to the end before I pieced together who it was. The build up of how it would end and come together also had me enthralled. A definite book to recommend!

I've only read a couple of Lisa Jackson's books, but I did enjoy them so I decided to pick this one up even though I haven't read the other books in the series. This was an exciting, fast-paced thriller and I was flipping the pages fast because I couldn't wait to find out what happened. Here's the blurb:

"Father John, the notorious serial killer introduced in HOT BLOODED is back for revenge, as well an all new killing spree - he hires prostitutes and then strangles them with rosary beads, leaving behind a hundred dollar bill with Ben Franklin's eyes burned out. Also in his cross-hairs is Bentz's daughter, Kristi, a true crime writer, who survives an attack when the novel opens but it ends with her husband Jay's death. Was the attack the work of Father John? Or is there another killer on the loose in New Orleans, this one with his own agenda for revenge against Kristi..."

The killer is elusive and ritualistic and very creepy. Was Father John responsible for the attack on Kristi and Jay's murder as well as the prostitutes? They didn't know if they should be treating the investigations the same or if they should be looking for someone else besides Father John.

I liked Kristi for her strength and courage. The New Orleans setting and the swamp areas gave the novel a gothic-type feel. I found the swamp scenes kind of gross and scary. Bentz and Montoya made a good detective team. I enjoyed Montoya's brother and still wonder what's going on with him.

Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 27, 2023.

This is another of Lisa Jackson’s Bentz and Montoya novels (being the series finale) that beings in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The detectives find a prostitute murdered by strangulation in a hotel room. Years ago, Detective Bentz thought he had killed Father John in a swamp but either he didn’t kill him or there is a meticulous copy cat bringing this nightmare back to New Orleans. This book is a page turner and you won’t stop until you finish the last page! Lisa Jackson is an author who always manages to deliver edge of your seat suspense. I have loved every book in this series and this one falls right in line. I would highly recommend this book and this author.

*4.5 Stars*

ARC kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a very interesting read with great characters. Detective Bentz and Montoya had a tough time working out who they were going after as they had quite a few suspects.

I am a huge Lisa Jackson fan and was very excited to read this book thanks to Netgalley!

The Last Sinner starts off in a whirlwind and does not let up for one second. Familiar characters from the Bentz Montoya series are all through the book. Interestingly enough I went into this book with a feeling that this would be the last of the series. Multiple times you hear mention of Bentz and his retirement - and then the end comes. Is a new series starting ? Hang on !!!!!

Kristi loses her husband in a violent way and she is racked with guilt as she believes it was her fault. And she will stop at nothing to get justice for Jay. But who would want her dead? She has written books about many violent men and she will just need to find the one that needs to pay. She knows that her father is worried about her but this is something that she needs to do.
But will she be able to find the killer before they make sure that she no longer causes them problems?
A great thrilling read. Great to see Bentz & Montoya back and they are as sharp as ever. Kristi is a strong woman that loves deeply and she never gives up even when it puts her in danger.
Great characters. Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC copy. This is my voluntary review.

This is part of a series but I was happy that it worked as a stand alone as I hadn't read the previous books. Bentz and Montoya are back in New Orleans trying to find a serial killer. Kristi Bentz escaped alive but her husband was brutally stabbed to death. She is isn't sure if she was the intended target or if it is retaliation against her dad for being a cop.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my opinion.
Man! I really like the Bentz and Montoya books and this was no exception. I appears that "Father" John is back when an attack on Kristi Bentz leaves her husband Jay dead. but something seems different to Ruben Montoya. This was a good addition to the series. I will agree that the ending left us hanging! Hope we see more of Kristi

Oh my goodness, this was a couldn’t put down, page turner.
The action and suspense was nonstop. Kristi was such a wonderful character in this one, I could literally feel all of her emotions. I loved getting more in depth with everyone.
But, Lisa how could you leave us hanging with that ending? I am going to suffer waiting for the next book.
One of my favorite reads this year.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this one.

Good suspense novel. There are two cases to be solved, is it the killer from the past or a new copycat murderer. Lisa Jackson does a good job including foils to keep you guessing and including foreshadowing to link to her next novel. This was little slow for me in the beginning but quickly picked up and held my interest.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Rick thought a serial killer was put to rest. When an individual is killed and its very similar, rick second guessing the original killer. The individual is hitting close to hone and Rick will need everything in his disposal to capture a killer. This book was a nail bitter.

It's been awhile since the last book so it took a bit to get into the groove of the story. It's being toted as the final book of the series but the ending leaves you wondering. I'm guessing there is a spin off coming. I did struggle a bit with the things that happened to characters we have seen in previous books that we have grown to love. Overall it was a good read but a bit of a disappointing end to a really great series.