THE SENSATIONAL DEBUT CRIME NOVEL ABOUT A CHAIN-SMOKING, HEAVILY TATTOOED QUEER NUN TURNED AMATEUR DETECTIVE - 'UNIQUE AND CONFIDENT', GILLIAN FLYNN

A Guardian Best Crime/Thriller Book of 2023
A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice and New York Times 'Best Crime Books of the Year' 2023
One of Apple's Best Books of 2023

'Satisfies right up to the twisty end' KARIN SLAUGHTER

'Deliciously insubordinate' MEGAN ABBOTT

Sister Holiday is 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. Unsatisfied with the authorities' response, chain-smoking, heavily tattooed, queer nun Sister Holiday 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.

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'A badass, brilliant queer nun solving a murder mystery in New Orleans? How could I not fall in love with this book?' MARA WILSON

'Skilfully plotted, propulsive, and deeply engaged with the communities it represents' DON WINSLOW

'A searing journey through faith, fire and female rage' ELIZABETH HAND

'Sister Holiday may be the most original character you'll come across for quite some time' CRIMEREADS

'Burns with the wholehearted energy of faith, love, and transgression' SOPHIE WARD

'If you're not sold by a punk rock nun solving mysteries then can your soul even be saved?' ELECTRIC LITERATURE

"[A] showstopper of a series debut" - New York Times

"A provocative and hugely entertaining mystery... Fans of dark academia and neo-noir are guaranteed to get the Holiday feeling" - The Times

"If you're looking for a queer edgy Agatha Christie-type read, then this is one for you" - Gay Times

"[Sister Holiday] is a terrific character" - Literary Review

"A whodunit set in New Orleans starring a queer, chain-smoking, tattooed nun? Send it to us immediately" - Bookpage, Most Anticipated Mystery & Suspense of 2023

"The sacred meets the profane head on in Margot Douaihy's debut mystery. It's funny. It's touching. Its honesty is refreshing, and we hesitate to compare the writing or the plot to anything prior" - Barnes & Noble Most Buzzed About 2023 Debuts

"If you're not sold by a punk rock nun solving mysteries then can your soul even be saved?" - Electric Literature, Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Books of Spring 2023

"Breathes new life into the hard-boiled genre... a fast-paced and punchy whodunnit that will keep readers guessing until the very end." - LGBTQ Reads

"Stunning fiction debut... [a] briskly plotted master class in character development... Douaihy is off to a terrific start" - Publishers Weekly starred review

"It's got arson, a ton of mystery, and a former punk rocker-turned-nun at its center, so it will certainly appeal to those who like their genre fiction weird and wild... Scorched Grace is like no other book you've ever read, so be sure to pre-order a copy" - The Lineup

"The twisty plot, gorgeous language, and the renegade nun as a main character bring this novel into its own category... Scorched Grace is a novel both exciting and profound." - Lambda Literary

"Margot Douaihy has created an instantly memorable character - edgy, headstrong, hardboiled, deeply flawed, darkly funny, with a voice that crackles and burns with passion and wit. Sister Holiday may not know where she's headed, but you'll follow her anywhere."" - BookTrib

"Scorched Grace is a highly readable, satisfying mystery, and a welcome introduction to the queer detective nun whom we didn't know we needed." - Xtra Magazine