This was a good story which kept me turning the pages throughout the night. Great mystery, writing and plotting will recommend to all my friends who love this genre.

My honest review is freely provided in return for the kindness by NetGalley and the author/publisher in providing me with this book. You can find my reviews on Goodreads.

This is my first Lisa Jackson book, and I will say that I think I would’ve connected more with it had I read the series. The Last Sinner brings out all the ghosts of the past for Kristi Bentz McKnight. Her father and fellow Detective Montoya chase multiple storylines which kept the intrigue going, and it wraps up nicely. Those who have invested in the series and know the characters and backstories will undoubtedly be satisfied.

So a few months ago, I read a different novel by this author, and I had some pretty big issues with it. However, I enjoyed it just enough that I decided to give this one a shot.

Sadly, this one, despite being part of a long-standing series, had the same issues.

To begin with, there is a lot of repetition. As someone who lost their husband and have things that I wish I had said or done differently, I should have been able to empathize with Kristy to an extent. However, I just found myself wishing the killer had gotten her instead. She consistently talks about how she doesn't want to tell anyone she's pregnant because it feels like a "betrayal" to her husband because she hadn't gotten the chance to tell him before he died. She wallows in her grief one second, doing absolutely nothing to take care of herself or the child she carries, and the next, she is devising some plan to bring her husband's killer to justice on her own. She also refuses her father's help, despite the fact that he is a trained homicide detective. I get it, you want to prove you can do it on your own, but there is a fine line between that and blatant stupidity, and sadly, she crosses it way too many times. There is also an overabundance of characters at play here to the point that it became confusing, especially when the POV of the story would suddenly change from one person to another.

As for the story itself? Sadly, I found it lacking as well. Instead of being glued to the pages, I found myself being able to easily set this one down and walk away to do other things. I am happy that this did not end on a cliff-hanger, as I don't think I will be reading anything more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

The latest in the series of Detectives Bentz and Montoya, and especially creepy! Edge of your seat suspense with Father John, and a great set up for the next book!

“Kristi Bentz is still alive.” But after reading the first pages of this book you wouldn’t give her a chance in the world of surviving. The killing scene is crazy, out of this world, thoughtful, and violent. Being able to read and thereby hear the killer’s thoughts makes the action that much more terrifying. Jackson has upped the ante with that chapter.

Kristi Bentz is a true crime writer who doesn’t believe her job is dangerous. Her husband is of a different opinion and her father is a cop who has seen and knows the levels of depravity of the criminal. For him the horror is all too personal. A serial killer, with a religious bent and moniker, had set New Orleans as his killing field years before. Rick Bentz thought he has taken down the murderer but when there is no body there is no closure and Bentz believes Father John is back to continue his reign of terror.

There are several tangents that tickle your mind and are neatly tied together as the story progresses. The juxtaposition of the innocence of the children in the story allowed for a short but palpable foray into the tough condition of the world: climate change, social unrest, a recent flu outbreak, overpopulation and wars. Nothing too heavy, just a reminder that this story isn’t being told in a vacuum. The Last Sinner is a solid crime-police procedural with more than a jab of frustrated impotence, a whiff of terror and the constant back and forth of a random attack versus a targeted murder.

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy.

I have been provided with a review copy of The Last Sinner from NetGalley for an impartial review. Oh my gosh this story was just epic. I just couldn’t put this story down and I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. The author truly outdid herself with this story. This story just had my emotions all over the place and I am so sad to see this book end. I just can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

The Last Sinner was so good! I admit, I had a hard time getting into it initially. This was one I got about 10% in and it had t yet grabbed me so Inout it down for a while. Two days ago Inpucked it back up and I am so glad I did! Yes - there was a lot going on. Yes - like others, I felt like some parts were a bit repetitive. However, this one kept me guessing until the end. I didn’t guess correctly once on who the killer was! The ending definitely left a lot of questions and I can’t wait to see what happens with Kristi and Cruz next!!!

Thank you #netgalley and #kensingtonbooks for the eARC.

Unfortunately this book was a DNF for me. I REALLY wanted to like it, but it was just falling flat for me. It felt as if the author was just adding things for page fillers. The beginning of the story hooked me, but as it went on it just felt repetitive and not really getting any where plot wise. I made it 40% and I just couldn’t get into it.

Lisa writes another amazing thriller! While these can be read as a standalone, you do get so much more out of the book knowing more of the background. This is book 9 in this New Orleans series and its SO GOOD!

I mean, it has a killer that uses a modified rosary and poses as a priest to kill prostitutes, you know this is going to be a savage book! While it does have some moments that do seem a little drug out, overall, I really loved this book and it was the perfect fit to the series.

Do you love thrillers? Copycat killers....or not? twisty plots? Sub plots? Go. read. this. you will be kept on the edge of your seat for sure.


Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jackson, and Kensington Books for sending me the ARC to review!

This was a fun read! I was definitely into our mystery and wanted to know who was doing what!

And there were so many suspects! I loved that I really couldn't figure out the who of this until the reveal.

There's a tiny bit of something unsolved in the end and I really wish the next book was here - I'd already be reading it!

Definitely an entertaining beach read!

Kristi was attacked outside her yoga class. Her husband was the one who took the brunt of it. He was there to apologize and he ended up getting killed trying to save her. Now Kristi is widowed, pregnant and determined to find out who killed her husband and why they came after her.

Is Father John back??? Bentz firmly believes he is and he is determined to find him and take him down. And Father John is targeting people close to Bentz, so time if of the essence.

I have been a fan of this author forever! I have not read a book by her in quite a while. This one was just ok. But, now to be honest, it could be me. She has some great ratings on this book. And I have been reading a whole lot lately and sometimes that leads me to burnout. And I may be headed that way. So my suggestion is read it! It is intense…which is what kept me reading!

Need a quick read for the beach…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this book from the publisher for a honest review.

Love the concept and NOLA setting.

Can be read as a standalone but probably best as a series.

Father John, is a fake priest who uses a modified rosary to kill prostitutes. A serial who was supposed to be dead in the marshy swamps of New Orleans. Now someone with the same MO is killing sex workers. Is Father John back? Or is it a copycat? It's now up to Detective Bentz and Montoya to take down this Father John once and for all.

I wanted to love this novel. I've heard plenty of good things about this author and seen the numerous high ratings. However, I found the pacing slow and the story dragged out. But that's just me.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jackson, and Kensington Books for graciously sending me the ARC to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**

Wow!

Another great fast-paced book in this series! I haven’t read all of them, so I would recommend starting at the beginning so you understand Montoya and Bentz’s back stories, the killers they’ve caught and what brought them here. Not essential, but helpful.

This was full of excitement from the start, and the twists keep coming. You won’t be bored with this one!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Big Lisa Jackson fan! This latest, The Last Sinner seems fated for a sequel! I liked the heroine, a true crime author with a detective father. Parts of this were a bit too much of a stretch but kept you hooked while searching for serial killer, Father John!

Lisa Jackson’s books are a hit or miss for me. Her latest one is #9 of a series and I did not read the first 8 before. The Last Sinner starts off pretty good right away. Held my interest most of the time and had me guessing till the end. Kristi and her husband are brutally attacked one night. She survived, he did not. There are a lot of characters to keep track of so that was making it hard but otherwise I enjoyed this story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. It is out today.

A creepy read with a gothic aspect.
I haven’t read the previous books in the series which I hope to remedy soon. Did it make reading this book a bit of a challenge? I do believe it did. That’s not say I did not enjoy reading The Last Sinner. It is a very intriguing read.
The characters are engaging.
I did enjoy New Orleans as the setting for the story.
The story is a bit slow at times.
Overall, a solid mystery thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Last Sinner by Lisa Jackson
New Orleans #9

Twenty-two years after Lisa Jackson introduced us to Detecitve Rick Bentz and he began his dance with the Rosary Killer, we finally find out how that portion of the New Orleans series is put to rest. We also find out that Bentz is contemplating retirement and both he and his partner, Reuben Montoya, are married with small children. A lot has happened over the years in this series and it might require a bit of refreshing of my memory and a walk down memory lane BUT for now…here’s my take on book nine.

What I liked:
* The action-packed, intense, devastating introduction to the story
* Catching up with Bentz and Montoya and trying to remember what they did in the first eight books of the series
* Kristi Bentz McKnight: true crime author, suffered a great loss in this book, pregnant, dealing with grief, strong, resilient, daring to the point I would sometimes want to shout “no”, has a part in the next book in the series – unless it is a spinoff instead
* Jay McKnight: can’t remember much about him, had a small but epic part in this book, his “presence” in the story
* Meeting and being intrigued by Cruz Montoya
* Wondering if Bentz will retire and if so, who Montoya’s new partner will be
* The twists, turns, red herrings and review of Kristi’s past books
* That we finally found out the truth, or some of it, about the Rosary Killer and whether or not he is the person who attacks Kristi at the beginning of the book
* Wondering if this series will continue or if it is done now and a spinoff series will begin with Kristi and Cruz


What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how warped, evil, and amorally soulless some people are

Did I enjoy this book? Mostly
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review

4-5 Stars

A blood thirsty crime thriller with police procedural that you can't predict. My favourite so far by Lisa Jackson. The suspects in this one made me shake my head.

The Last Sinner by Lisa Jackson is a twisted thriller and the 9th book in the New Orleans series. This was a chilling read as Bentz and Montoya are once again looking for a serial killer they believed was dead. Bentz's daughter Kristi is attacked and her husband murdered trying to protect her, and she goes in search of who may had done the crime. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

The Last Sinner by Lisa Jackson is the 9th book in the Bentz/Montoya series and it’s great. It starts with someone (Is it Father John, a fake priest who kills with sharpened rosary beads or is it someone new?) running to get in place to attack Kristi Bentz, Detective Bentz’s daughter. This book is so well written that I played Is it Father John or someone else? for most of the book. I honestly could not make up my mind.

This book is a thrill ride until the very end. (I even had to check that my windows were locked.) I can’t wait for the next one in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.