Seventy-three-year-old Eugene Washington appears to have died in an unremarkable way - a heatwave combined with food poisoning from a holiday barbecue - but LAPD homicide detective Elouise "Lou" Norton is positive that something doesn't quite add up. Especially when she learns that the only family Washington had was his fellow church-goers. Lou is convinced that something wicked is lurking among the congregants. Could the murderer be sitting in one of those red velvet pews? And is someone protecting the wolf in the flock? Lou must force the truth into the light and confront her own demons in order to save another soul before it's too late.
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[THE THREE OFF-DUTY, RED-FACED COPS SEATED IN BROWN VINYL CHAIRS HAD BEEN broken - by guns, by fists, by life.]***
(Titan Books, 8 August 2017, copy provided by the publisher and voluntarily reviewed)
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I enjoyed City of Saviours.
I thought Lou was a great character; broken but not ready to give up, tough, resilient and passionate about her job. I found her relatable and sympathetic.
The investigation into Eugene's death becomes quite strange and sinister s Lou uncovers his dark and disturbing secrets. The more she finds out the more questions she has. I liked the way this played out and developed across the novel.
The true cause of Eugene's death isn't really a surprise; this is hinted at throughout the novel and is a forgone conclusion. However, the reason for his death is a surprise.
I was gripped from start to finish.
