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Jil Kidd #1
UnCatholic Conduct
Private investigator Jil Kidd is finding life too damn complicated at the moment. The P.I. firm belonging to her mentor, Padraig, is in a financial mess, and to help him, she must take this latest assignment—which couldn’t be more offensive. When Jil is sent to St. Marguerite’s Catholic School to investigate teachers breaking their contracts of Catholic conduct, her investigation takes a dramatic turn after a student winds up dead on campus. To further complicate matters, circumstances keep throwing her together with the hot blond principal, Jessica Blake, at the center of her investigation. Decades-old secrets run deep through the veins of this traditional school, and Jil has to find answers to some chilling questions—like what really happened to those two boys in the old gym forty years ago—before another student pays the ultimate price. Difficult, when all she can think about is getting Jessica into bed.
264 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2014
6 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 7, 2016
I've been wanting to read this for a while, and so glad I did. It was really good. A P.I. is hired to go undercover as a teacher and investigate unCatholic conduct at a Catholic school. She finds herself between a rock and a hard place when she becomes attracted to the principal, one of the women she is suppose to be investigating. When a students body is found at the school, her investigation take a dangerous turn.
This was great. It had an interesting setting. A very good mystery and a decent romance. And while the book takes a little while to pick up, once the action starts, its a real page turner. I found I could not put this book down.
I will absolutely be reading more of Mikayne's books in the future. And I would easily recommend this to any mystery fans.
This was great. It had an interesting setting. A very good mystery and a decent romance. And while the book takes a little while to pick up, once the action starts, its a real page turner. I found I could not put this book down.
I will absolutely be reading more of Mikayne's books in the future. And I would easily recommend this to any mystery fans.
November 6, 2015
Private eye Jil is offered a case to look into the private lives of teachers and administrators in a Catholic high school to see if they're complying with the 'morality clause' stated in their contracts. The fact that she has to dig into what amounts to people's private lives rings all kinds of alarm bells with Jil, from privacy to ethical to legal issues. Add to that the fact the she's an out lesbian makes the whole assignment even more ridiculous and hypocritical. But the money is good and her boss' PI firm is one step from folding up, so...
Jil goes undercover as a substitute teacher while she spies on her fellow teachers and the hot principal and other assorted characters who help her run the school. In the course of Jil's 'investigation', a student suicide rocks the school. Strange things happen afterwards. The school gets repeatedly vandalized, valuables go missing, students get threatened, and someone seems to be 'on' to Jil's charade. Amidst all that, Jil finds herself very attracted to the principal Jess, who seems to harbor some deep and dark secret of her own.
This is a very complicated mystery. A mystery on top of another, and yet another. Like a nested Russian doll. I like how the overall mystery is structured. But the pacing is a little slow. The usual student bullying, school vandalism, student shenanigans, teacher intrigues that are common in schools everywhere don't make for a very compelling read, and just left me mostly bored and wondering where this is all leading to.
Things did not perk up for me until well after the midpoint mark, when Jess and Jil are physically thrown together for that long smouldering spark to finally ignite. Their relationship is highly inappropriate in every sense (new teacher & principal, PI and target) which of course is exactly why it is so delicious and fun to read about. Jess is the quintessential uptight, always-in-control and all-business principal. But she is also an enigma. Married, but no husband in sight. No divorce records. No social media presence. What is she hiding? Jill is intrigued and smitten. But how do you navigate relationships when you're not really who you are? Where does she draw the line? And how will she ever explain it to Jess? Can love be founded on a lie?
The biggest issue I have with the book is with the motivation behind why Jil was being hired to investigate uncatholic conduct. Other issues:
While the book is a mystery first and foremost, I enjoyed the romantic subplot more. This book has realistic characters who aren't afraid to go for what they want and don't spend half a book thinking and worrying about it (just a few pages will do, ;) ). The relationship doesn't get as much attention here as the mysterious goings-on, but it will in the second book Illicit Artifacts, which I enjoyed more than the first. I know this sounds weird in a review of the first book but its a consequence of reading the books out of order. 8) In fact I enjoyed the second book a lot even if I hadn't read this. But starting with this book will give you a much better grasp of the relationship between Jill and Jess, which is why you'd want to pick up both books :)
4.25 stars
P.S.: Mysteries aren't exactly known for their erotic scenes but this book's are really hot.
Jil goes undercover as a substitute teacher while she spies on her fellow teachers and the hot principal and other assorted characters who help her run the school. In the course of Jil's 'investigation', a student suicide rocks the school. Strange things happen afterwards. The school gets repeatedly vandalized, valuables go missing, students get threatened, and someone seems to be 'on' to Jil's charade. Amidst all that, Jil finds herself very attracted to the principal Jess, who seems to harbor some deep and dark secret of her own.
This is a very complicated mystery. A mystery on top of another, and yet another. Like a nested Russian doll. I like how the overall mystery is structured. But the pacing is a little slow. The usual student bullying, school vandalism, student shenanigans, teacher intrigues that are common in schools everywhere don't make for a very compelling read, and just left me mostly bored and wondering where this is all leading to.
Things did not perk up for me until well after the midpoint mark, when Jess and Jil are physically thrown together for that long smouldering spark to finally ignite. Their relationship is highly inappropriate in every sense (new teacher & principal, PI and target) which of course is exactly why it is so delicious and fun to read about. Jess is the quintessential uptight, always-in-control and all-business principal. But she is also an enigma. Married, but no husband in sight. No divorce records. No social media presence. What is she hiding? Jill is intrigued and smitten. But how do you navigate relationships when you're not really who you are? Where does she draw the line? And how will she ever explain it to Jess? Can love be founded on a lie?
The biggest issue I have with the book is with the motivation behind why Jil was being hired to investigate uncatholic conduct. Other issues:
While the book is a mystery first and foremost, I enjoyed the romantic subplot more. This book has realistic characters who aren't afraid to go for what they want and don't spend half a book thinking and worrying about it (just a few pages will do, ;) ). The relationship doesn't get as much attention here as the mysterious goings-on, but it will in the second book Illicit Artifacts, which I enjoyed more than the first. I know this sounds weird in a review of the first book but its a consequence of reading the books out of order. 8) In fact I enjoyed the second book a lot even if I hadn't read this. But starting with this book will give you a much better grasp of the relationship between Jill and Jess, which is why you'd want to pick up both books :)
4.25 stars
P.S.: Mysteries aren't exactly known for their erotic scenes but this book's are really hot.
December 29, 2018
There are three books in this series, I don't think that they can be read as standalone. This series is available on Scribd.
The plot matches the title of the book, it is not an easy read especially when you're down with flu with a massive headache.
The mystery / thriller element is quiet gut wrenching as the secret society is targeting on the homosexual students. Sadly this is happening everywhere and my heart breaks for these kids, they need our love and protection so let's be a better person and do just that.
Jillienne Kid is a pretty decent private investigator with a sad background herself, I think there's still plenty of her story left untold which is good. Her relationship with her boss and her foster mum is beautifully written as I could feel how much they mean to each other.
The romance aspect - I couldn't feel the connection at first, Jillienne is clearly smitten by Jessica from the beginning. Jessica has baggage on her own, she's a principal of a Catholic School, she's married and had/having relationship with women. Hopefully Ms.Mikayne will clear some of Jessica's personal issues by the next book. Once the connection have been made, they are absolutely lovely and I look forward to their page time and their love scenes. These two are really sexually compatible and help me to sweat out the cold a bit. Their love scenes are quite extraordinary and
involving a str##-## once. Pheweeet...
Recommended? Yes. I think this book ends with a cliffhanger and as much as I want to jump into the next book, this headache and flu need to take a hike first.
The plot matches the title of the book, it is not an easy read especially when you're down with flu with a massive headache.
The mystery / thriller element is quiet gut wrenching as the secret society is targeting on the homosexual students. Sadly this is happening everywhere and my heart breaks for these kids, they need our love and protection so let's be a better person and do just that.
Jillienne Kid is a pretty decent private investigator with a sad background herself, I think there's still plenty of her story left untold which is good. Her relationship with her boss and her foster mum is beautifully written as I could feel how much they mean to each other.
The romance aspect - I couldn't feel the connection at first, Jillienne is clearly smitten by Jessica from the beginning. Jessica has baggage on her own, she's a principal of a Catholic School, she's married and had/having relationship with women. Hopefully Ms.Mikayne will clear some of Jessica's personal issues by the next book. Once the connection have been made, they are absolutely lovely and I look forward to their page time and their love scenes. These two are really sexually compatible and help me to sweat out the cold a bit. Their love scenes are quite extraordinary and
involving a str##-## once. Pheweeet...
Recommended? Yes. I think this book ends with a cliffhanger and as much as I want to jump into the next book, this headache and flu need to take a hike first.
November 1, 2018
This is one of those books that I've been pushing to the bottom of the pile for ages, always finding something else to read instead. Jil Kidd is a private investigator working for Padraig, who has been her mentor since she was a teenager. The agency isn't doing very well when a job comes in requiring an undercover agent for about four months. Jil isn't thrilled by the job because she'll be investigating whether any staff members of St Marguerite's Catholic School are breaking the agreement they signed before accepting their positions. It doesn't help matters that she's attracted to the principal, Jess Blake. It isn't long before Jil becomes aware that there is something more sinister at play.
This has got fantastic tension, good pace, a compelling mystery and a sexy romance. I loved Jil and Jess' interaction and really appreciated that I wasn't subjected to the standard melodrama that usually happens between 80 and 90 percent even though I completely expected it. Great read.
This has got fantastic tension, good pace, a compelling mystery and a sexy romance. I loved Jil and Jess' interaction and really appreciated that I wasn't subjected to the standard melodrama that usually happens between 80 and 90 percent even though I completely expected it. Great read.
January 8, 2021
Oh boy this was really interesting but also conflicting! I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic Schooling in a smallish (10K) country town from Kindergarten right up til I left town at 16. It's been 18 years since I left, but reading this made me remember how oppressive and smarmy my schooling was for the most part and why I was glad to leave it all behind!.
Jil is an undercover PI set to go under as a teacher at Catholic school, officially she is supposed to be looking into 'UnCatholic Conduct' anything morally corrupt happening with any of the teachers, that goes against the contracted clause the teachers all sign and agree to while working there. So Jil is set to investigate any staff engaging in acts such as sex out of wedlock, affairs, and homosexuality.
Jil is gay herself, and finds the whole thing morally repugnant and questions whether she should even be doing this job - but both she and her boss/father figure's agency needs the money that could come from this case. Jil finds herself enamoured with the principal Jess, who has had a secret relationship with a woman and knows quite a few of the staff's secrets but her policy is don't ask, don't tell - unfortunately she doesn't know about the investigation and Jil's undercover status. But the two can't seem to stop their attraction.
While at the school a lot of religious graffiti starts getting left around, and other mysterious things, like items going missing and the feeling that the offices are being search, and people stalked and bullied. Then a sudden death of a quiet female student shocks everyone. Jil discovers there have been quite a number of suicides on the school premise over the years, dating back to the 70's and seemingly all related to homosexuality.
I really felt the anxiety of the situation for the kids targeted. Jil was very caring for the kids, she has a bit of a dark past herself of living in foster homes and really seems to want connection and a proper relationship. As does Jess, who is also struggling with bad arthritic pain in her hips and joints, which makes certain sex positions difficult, and has her feeling down about herself and her ability. I appreciated those touches of realness throughout and their communication and understanding.
Overall it was a very intriguing mystery and I look forward to further installments of Jil Kidd, PI and seeing the relationship with Jess progress.
Jil is an undercover PI set to go under as a teacher at Catholic school, officially she is supposed to be looking into 'UnCatholic Conduct' anything morally corrupt happening with any of the teachers, that goes against the contracted clause the teachers all sign and agree to while working there. So Jil is set to investigate any staff engaging in acts such as sex out of wedlock, affairs, and homosexuality.
Jil is gay herself, and finds the whole thing morally repugnant and questions whether she should even be doing this job - but both she and her boss/father figure's agency needs the money that could come from this case. Jil finds herself enamoured with the principal Jess, who has had a secret relationship with a woman and knows quite a few of the staff's secrets but her policy is don't ask, don't tell - unfortunately she doesn't know about the investigation and Jil's undercover status. But the two can't seem to stop their attraction.
While at the school a lot of religious graffiti starts getting left around, and other mysterious things, like items going missing and the feeling that the offices are being search, and people stalked and bullied. Then a sudden death of a quiet female student shocks everyone. Jil discovers there have been quite a number of suicides on the school premise over the years, dating back to the 70's and seemingly all related to homosexuality.
I really felt the anxiety of the situation for the kids targeted. Jil was very caring for the kids, she has a bit of a dark past herself of living in foster homes and really seems to want connection and a proper relationship. As does Jess, who is also struggling with bad arthritic pain in her hips and joints, which makes certain sex positions difficult, and has her feeling down about herself and her ability. I appreciated those touches of realness throughout and their communication and understanding.
Overall it was a very intriguing mystery and I look forward to further installments of Jil Kidd, PI and seeing the relationship with Jess progress.
November 17, 2022
Original & bold topic ...
Interesting characters (including secondary ones) ...
Looking forward to read more of Jil & Jess' adventures.
Interesting characters (including secondary ones) ...
Looking forward to read more of Jil & Jess' adventures.
October 26, 2015
Jil Kidd is a private investigator hired by the head of St. Marguerite’s Catholic School on the outskirts of Ontario to investigate uncatholic behavior by the school staff. She was hired find if the teachers and administrators of the school are violating their Catholic morality contract. Jil basically has no desire to take this case, but her firm has fallen on hard times and this is a good paycheck.
Jess Blake is the sexy, smart principal of St. Marguerite’s. She is relatively new to the job, and does not want to let her students or staff down. Jess is also a closeted lesbian, who is torn between her job and her emotional desires.
The heart of the book is wrapped up in a mystery of why there has been a rash of teen suicides on or near campus since the 1970’s. While Jil was sent there to investigate the staff’s “Catholicness”, she really ends up investigating these deaths. Her gut tells her that something is not right, and works diligently putting the pieces together. With the help of Jess and a few others she begins to unravel this twisted story. Of course Jil and Jess are extremely attracted to each other, and that creates an interesting dynamic to the book.
Overall, I found the story very well written with good pacing, and a nice way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Jess Blake is the sexy, smart principal of St. Marguerite’s. She is relatively new to the job, and does not want to let her students or staff down. Jess is also a closeted lesbian, who is torn between her job and her emotional desires.
The heart of the book is wrapped up in a mystery of why there has been a rash of teen suicides on or near campus since the 1970’s. While Jil was sent there to investigate the staff’s “Catholicness”, she really ends up investigating these deaths. Her gut tells her that something is not right, and works diligently putting the pieces together. With the help of Jess and a few others she begins to unravel this twisted story. Of course Jil and Jess are extremely attracted to each other, and that creates an interesting dynamic to the book.
Overall, I found the story very well written with good pacing, and a nice way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon.
December 28, 2014
This book has an interesting premise, which is in a Catholic school. True to the title, PI Jil was being sent on an assignment, which is to investigate uncatholic conduct of all the staff members at St. Marguerite’s. As the story goes, the whole investigation becomes more complicated as more truth unveils. I love Jil and Jess in this book, I think they are complex characters which we haven't fully explored their full personalities yet but I'm glad they've found each other.
The final part of the ending kind of felt a little bit abrupt and I wonder if there is going to be a sequel (and I'll be very happy if there's going to be one). I'm definitely interested to see more of Jil and Jess.
The final part of the ending kind of felt a little bit abrupt and I wonder if there is going to be a sequel (and I'll be very happy if there's going to be one). I'm definitely interested to see more of Jil and Jess.
August 9, 2019
Great plot, great chemistry between the MCs, really good writing. I’m looking forward to reading the next one, which is already in my kobo but this one was intense and I need my heart to slow down a little first 😉
July 7, 2016
I can't wait to read the sequel.
September 18, 2017
P.I. Jill Kidd has to go undercover in Catholic school to investigate the staff and find out who's not complying with the 'acceptable catholic conduct' clause in their contract, which she finds ridiculous and unethical and only puts up with it because her boss' firm really need the money. Things gets more complicated when a kid dies on school grounds and Jill finds out that it's not the first time it happens.
It really bothered me that a lot of important things were brushed off , like Jill was purposely waiting for things to escalate when she was aware that people's lives were at risk. I feel like maybe it would've been better to let the reader know these things through a different pov rather than giving all this information to Jill and then having her not deal with it immediately. Also I felt like the villain's motivations were already good enough . And the writer could've spent a little more time on those last few pages.
That said I really liked the book. It had an interesting plot and nice characters, and (specially after the first half) I couldn't stop reading even though I had real life responsibilities to deal with. The romance was my favorite part and I'm excited to read more about them in the sequel.
It really bothered me that a lot of important things were brushed off , like Jill was purposely waiting for things to escalate when she was aware that people's lives were at risk. I feel like maybe it would've been better to let the reader know these things through a different pov rather than giving all this information to Jill and then having her not deal with it immediately. Also I felt like the villain's motivations were already good enough . And the writer could've spent a little more time on those last few pages.
That said I really liked the book. It had an interesting plot and nice characters, and (specially after the first half) I couldn't stop reading even though I had real life responsibilities to deal with. The romance was my favorite part and I'm excited to read more about them in the sequel.
December 5, 2014
An undercover P.I. in a catholic school. Sounds like a cliché and yet Mikayne reinvigorates the tale with a smart and sassy lead character and a plot which becomes more tense as the tale progresses. P.I. Jil Kidd has to step in to a long term undercover gig, against her ethics, to keep her and the firm afloat. Teaching religion to teenagers, as a lesbian undercover in a very conservative catholic school, is every modern dyke’s nightmare. The characters are well written, the plot develops naturally and story could only be told through a catholic lens. This had a lot of charm as well as being a thriller I couldn’t put down.
August 28, 2016
I expected this mystery book will thoroughly entertain me, but unfortunately, it failed to capture my enjoyment of reading. I honestly disliked the character of Jil 'cause I found myself annoying at Jil's minds keep deciding forth and back if she should or shouldn't quit her job after involving a forbidden affair with the hot blond principal, Jess. Like what, she's in mid-30 and still acts like a young teenager? One more thing, I didn't like the way that the author intentionally brought the topic of defining one's sexuality through each character's past. It made me uncomfortable and felt weak. *sigh*
July 30, 2016
This was a very nice read. It's a very good plot for a thriller, nicely written, attention grabbing book. A real page turner with a nice chemistry between the two main characters. A real treat for mystery lovers. Would gladly recommend it to anyone!
February 7, 2015
Enjoyed it
It started a little slow but picked up the pace but of course it ended abruptly. I wouldn't mind reading a follow-up this book.
It started a little slow but picked up the pace but of course it ended abruptly. I wouldn't mind reading a follow-up this book.
September 9, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. Good writing, interesting characters, and a nice little mystery that really held my attention. I would definitely recommend this one to mystery fans.
January 20, 2022
I don't know how to feel about this book, I liked the whole conspiracy and the SOA part but it still felt like a lot was left to be uncovered. the romance could've been better too, it felt like the characters didn't know each other at all. I also felt a bit of a biphobic vibe in a few parts which just yikes. Was a good mystery read, I guess.
December 1, 2025
BLAM! Read it, lesbians and mystery lovers.
So many times a door slammed shut as another opened!
So much pebbling slickness!
So many frights and dark corners!
So many times a door slammed shut as another opened!
So much pebbling slickness!
So many frights and dark corners!
November 9, 2014
Got an advance copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
This was a very interesting read and it took me awhile to get into it but once I did, I was hooked. Jil is complex and simple. She loves her job and is really just trying to see where she fits into the world. She thought she had it all figured out until she got a case to go undercover at a catholic school as a teacher and got her mind and world changed by the principal, Jessica. It wasn’t until later when she realized that her cover was a cover as well and she’s really after a secret society.
Jessica has been in a relationship with a woman before and has had her heart broken, now she’s married to a guy who's in a coma but that does not stop her feelings for Julia AKA Jil. When she finds out who Julia really is of course it hurts, it hurts even worse when she realizes Julia was investigating her. Uncatholic conduct, pretty much goes towards more than half the teachers at the school who all love their jobs. Gay kids dying, having graffiti around the schools, threats and shootings is not what Jessica signed up for and she will protect her school and students no matter the cost.
Uncatholic conduct is the name of the book and it works out really well. The theme focuses on the issues and I can say without a doubt that the author did a really good job.
This was a very interesting read and it took me awhile to get into it but once I did, I was hooked. Jil is complex and simple. She loves her job and is really just trying to see where she fits into the world. She thought she had it all figured out until she got a case to go undercover at a catholic school as a teacher and got her mind and world changed by the principal, Jessica. It wasn’t until later when she realized that her cover was a cover as well and she’s really after a secret society.
Jessica has been in a relationship with a woman before and has had her heart broken, now she’s married to a guy who's in a coma but that does not stop her feelings for Julia AKA Jil. When she finds out who Julia really is of course it hurts, it hurts even worse when she realizes Julia was investigating her. Uncatholic conduct, pretty much goes towards more than half the teachers at the school who all love their jobs. Gay kids dying, having graffiti around the schools, threats and shootings is not what Jessica signed up for and she will protect her school and students no matter the cost.
Uncatholic conduct is the name of the book and it works out really well. The theme focuses on the issues and I can say without a doubt that the author did a really good job.
March 20, 2016
Enjoyed this book.
I really enjoyed this book. I want to Thank all the other reviewers who warned me to read this one before reading Illicit Artifacts. I loved the plot and the characters.
I really enjoyed this book. I want to Thank all the other reviewers who warned me to read this one before reading Illicit Artifacts. I loved the plot and the characters.
June 13, 2016
I thought this book was really good but the last line of the book was an unnecessary gut punch.
December 9, 2021
The mystery is pretty good but the pacing (before the last few chapters) is slow and the narrative meanders.
September 8, 2023
That was some sad stuff. Poor Bex.
February 3, 2018
I like a good mystery and the relationship aspect was fun. I enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews