City of Sins

Daniel Blake
2011
ISBN 9780007384501

Contains spoilers for Soul Murder, the first book in the series.


Franco Patrese has come a long since putting his partner in prison – all the way the FBI office in New Orleans, in fact. Being the new guy means he's unfamiliar with the city, and it's unfamiliar with him. So he's the perfect go-to guy for someone struggling against an unimaginable conspiracy.

Serial murders lead him around in circles, the same names popping up in ever-decreasing suspect lists, but it's not until Patrese leaves the country that things start to come together.

This story follows the same pattern as 'Soul Murder', only with Hurricane Katrina taking centre stage. I enjoyed the build-up of tension, and the way the different characters were spun into the web, but I did find it a little disappointing that Patrese found himself on the run – again – from lawmen and bad guys alike.

The case itself is complicated, and goes in an entirely different direction to what I'd been expecting, but once again religion plays a prominent part. The mix of religious ideals, violence, sex, and death presents and gripping tale, albeit a familiar one.

I'd be keen to see if any third title runs the same route, as I think with a bit more variation in the climax, I could really take to Agent Patrese.

Date finished: 28/12/13
Rating: 3/5