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Saint Mysteries #3
A Masquerade of Saints
In this whodunit New Orleans' favorite Saint goes on the run at Mardi-Gras. Small-town Cajun Fanchon is surprised by an invitation to join New Orleans high society for the biggest celebration of the year. Her brush with the good-life is short lived when she finds herself accused of murder. While in the hot seat, she is tasked with clearing her name and figuring out who has her in their cross-hairs.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2014
98 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Loughan
10 books72 followersWhen Nicole is not heading off a tantrum or finding the best public bathroom to use with young children she is writing her column "The Starter Mom" or working on one of her books. She also writes about restaurants for two greater Philadelphia newspapers, not that she ever finds time to eat in restaurants anymore.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 24, 2019
This was a great follow-up to the second book of the series. I wondered who or what was behind all the killings and at first it seems like every single character has some sort of secret. Well, it was true. The ending is a mad dash. An easy, fun read. Recommended to anyone who likes a good bayou mystery with alligators.
June 25, 2017
Another enjoyable read by Nicole Loughan
Again, the characters came alive on the pages. Not too wordy or caught up in unnecessary descriptions. Does need better editing as do most kindle books. Errors are not too distracting. Definitely recommend this author.
Again, the characters came alive on the pages. Not too wordy or caught up in unnecessary descriptions. Does need better editing as do most kindle books. Errors are not too distracting. Definitely recommend this author.
November 29, 2017
These books just get better and better! I love all things New Orleans and having been there numerous times I can visualize this story taking place. Fanchon/Helene is tough as nails and I look forward to more adventures with her.
December 10, 2017
Intriguing
Lots of suspense, plus surprises which Nicole always seems to have up her sleeve. One of these days she is bound to come up with a romance for Franchon/Helena. It’s a page turner, as usual. An exciting read.
Lots of suspense, plus surprises which Nicole always seems to have up her sleeve. One of these days she is bound to come up with a romance for Franchon/Helena. It’s a page turner, as usual. An exciting read.
December 24, 2020
Saints Above
Whether angels or other spirits someone is watching out for Fanchon/Marlene. As she is being chased for a murder she didn't commit, the saints are with her. Read to discover more.
Whether angels or other spirits someone is watching out for Fanchon/Marlene. As she is being chased for a murder she didn't commit, the saints are with her. Read to discover more.
February 26, 2023
Read the series
I suggest that you read the three books in order. It will make more sense. It's funny the people she trusted turned out to be questionable. I loved the twist and turns and truthfully didn't see it coming. Good read!
I suggest that you read the three books in order. It will make more sense. It's funny the people she trusted turned out to be questionable. I loved the twist and turns and truthfully didn't see it coming. Good read!
April 7, 2023
Surprisingly addictive.
The setting of the book is what first got my attention. I must admit murder and Louisiana seem to go together. The characters drew me in and the story kept me turning the pages until the very end.
The setting of the book is what first got my attention. I must admit murder and Louisiana seem to go together. The characters drew me in and the story kept me turning the pages until the very end.
June 27, 2025
Barbara Michael's would be proud
The drama, finding and losing family. Trying figure it out before death comes knocking . Here's to hoping another book comes along!! So many questions still out there..
The drama, finding and losing family. Trying figure it out before death comes knocking . Here's to hoping another book comes along!! So many questions still out there..
September 2, 2017
Once again I was not let down Nicole outdid herself, this book was amazing.
October 19, 2017
Same as the last book by this author. As soon as I finished book two I immediately downloaded book three to my kindle. Looking forward to the next book.
October 17, 2014
Funky Southern Gothic Disease, insanity, and death were the angels that attended my cradle, and since then have followed me throughout my life. - Edvard Munch Psychopaths know the technical difference between right and wrong - which is one of the reasons their insanity pleas in criminal cases so rarely succeed; they just fail to act on that knowledge. - Jeffrey Kluger Life is filled with goodbyes, Eve, a million goodbyes, and it hurts every time. - Mozelle Batiste Delacroix Back in August of 2013 I picked up a copy of To Murder A Saint. Honestly, what caught my eye about it was the cover - the oaks dripping Spanish Moss, and the poignant angel, who you know is weeping the loss of what can only be a child within the tiny crypt. I knew it had to be set in the South, where else? And it was, in the bayous of Louisiana, a place the author, Nicole Loughan, had been drawn to after her brother moved to New Orleans after Katrina.Honestly, I wasn't all that kind in my first review, pointing out how the 'journalistic' feel of the book was rather off-putting, though the story did have good bones. Honestly, I am spoiled to tell the truth. The south runs through my blood, and I lean heavily toward the slow cadence of James Lee Burke, hot southern nights, and the heartrending cadence of blues guitar blowing in over the water when reading anything set in the south. Nicole was a dear, and we talked quite a few times after my review. I read her second book, and in my second review I wrote, "Nicole, being the sweetheart she is, took my in input like a true lady." Her second book cover shares the same eloquent vision as her first, drawing you in and giving you full notice that what you will read between its pages is both heartbreaking and uplifting. Her second entry into the field of Southern Gothic writing far outstripped her first entry into the field in terms of language and characterization, leading me to the sure knowledge that her craft would only continue to grow. Now, with her third entry into the Saints' series, Nicole had fulfilled her promise. Oddly, she does it with the same tight, scholarly style that she offered in the first book, as well as the second. But this third novel pulls in a Southern warmth that pulled me into the story and caressed me with the warm winds and sometimes-sour, sometimes-sweet redolence of the bayou, keeping me turning pages at a frantic rate as I continued to follow the Fanchon's journey through the terror which continues to stalk her. After losing her best friend to a sadistic serial killer, then her adoptive family to madness and death, à la the best of William Faulkner, Fanchon's life is still a nightmare. Killers stalk her, she has been accused of murder, and the man she had thought was her boyfriend, the cop from New York, Banyan, may not be a boyfriend at all - in fact, he may be something a whole lot worse. Or is someone else the author of all of her troubles? Betrayal and heartache, terror and hope, clairvoyants and sociopaths all come together into an explosive ending that fulfilled that promise I hoped for when first reading Nicole's works. This is the wrap-up of the series, though it does leave some tiny threads hanging which give access to another Fanchon story in the future, which I look forward to. For now, Nicole will be writing The Divine Hotel, a novel set in her home of Philadelphia. From her description: One woman watches over the children of Philadelphia, until she gets the biggest assignment of her life, to go back in time to save the entire city. Philadelphia's epic landmark, the Divine Hotel, is the setting for this high-stakes mystery that brings one woman back to a time when the city was teetering on the brink of greatness and gives her a chance to tip it one way or the other. You can learn more about Nicole and her books at her website and you can purchase her books at Amazon or your favorite retailer. I received a copy of each of Nicole's books in return for realistic reviews. All thoughts are my own.
October 19, 2018
Bravo! A good fast read! now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
March 3, 2017
Love the series
I was hooked from the first novella. I had to read all three books right away. It has enough suspense so you can't put the book down.
I was hooked from the first novella. I had to read all three books right away. It has enough suspense so you can't put the book down.
April 8, 2015
A Masquerade of Saints relies heavily on events from the first two books in this series. Best to start reading at the beginning.
Fanchon found out more than she ever wanted to know about her past in All Saints' Secrets, and is left with tough, foreboding questions about what to do next.
A Masquerade of Saints is a powerful conclusion to the mysteries that have been building in Fanchon's life. The revelations from All Saints' Secrets run deep and affect many, and Loughan finds great ways to push everything even further here. The plot threads are layered and keep suspense high throughout, with several big twists and subversions of things we thought we knew.
I do miss the dual nature of the first two books, where New York was as important to the stories as New Orleans and Banyon was an important presence in the narrative. Things in the romantic aspects were a bit out of character with the previous books and made everyone, including Fanchon, a little less likable. A couple of developments were too convenient and tidy, particularly at the end. These are small criticisms overall though.
While there is room for more adventures with Fanchon if Loughan chooses, this is definitely the culmination of all the story lines that have been building over three books. If this is it for the Saints series, it's a fantastic, tense, satisfying send off.
Fanchon found out more than she ever wanted to know about her past in All Saints' Secrets, and is left with tough, foreboding questions about what to do next.
A Masquerade of Saints is a powerful conclusion to the mysteries that have been building in Fanchon's life. The revelations from All Saints' Secrets run deep and affect many, and Loughan finds great ways to push everything even further here. The plot threads are layered and keep suspense high throughout, with several big twists and subversions of things we thought we knew.
I do miss the dual nature of the first two books, where New York was as important to the stories as New Orleans and Banyon was an important presence in the narrative. Things in the romantic aspects were a bit out of character with the previous books and made everyone, including Fanchon, a little less likable. A couple of developments were too convenient and tidy, particularly at the end. These are small criticisms overall though.
While there is room for more adventures with Fanchon if Loughan chooses, this is definitely the culmination of all the story lines that have been building over three books. If this is it for the Saints series, it's a fantastic, tense, satisfying send off.
September 12, 2015
When it comes to the life of Fanchon Devereax, nothing is as it seems. Just when you think, she is on the road to happiness and stability, the rug is pulled right out from under you. "A Masquerade of Saints" is the most action packed, intense and suspenseful read in this series.
This time, Fanchon is trying to locate the Baxter's and her biological parents. The problem is no one seems to want to help her. Yet, her musical ability once again puts her in the right place at the right time. When Fanchon finally meets the frail and ailing Marle Baxter, she had no clue that the dinner party she was invited to when end up making her the number one suspect in a murder.
As Fanchon and Beau go on the run in an attempt to clear her name, secrets begin to unravel and betrayal awaits her at every turn. One thing for sure is Fanchon wants to get to the bottom of things she is going to have to go and face the one person she never wanted to see again, her attempted killer, Stepwald.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this book. It was intense and exciting forcing me to go on a non-stop reading binge. I truly enjoyed it but wished Ranch in could have gotten her HEA. At the end of the book, the author indicated that there maybe more books in the series in the future. I truly hope so!
This time, Fanchon is trying to locate the Baxter's and her biological parents. The problem is no one seems to want to help her. Yet, her musical ability once again puts her in the right place at the right time. When Fanchon finally meets the frail and ailing Marle Baxter, she had no clue that the dinner party she was invited to when end up making her the number one suspect in a murder.
As Fanchon and Beau go on the run in an attempt to clear her name, secrets begin to unravel and betrayal awaits her at every turn. One thing for sure is Fanchon wants to get to the bottom of things she is going to have to go and face the one person she never wanted to see again, her attempted killer, Stepwald.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this book. It was intense and exciting forcing me to go on a non-stop reading binge. I truly enjoyed it but wished Ranch in could have gotten her HEA. At the end of the book, the author indicated that there maybe more books in the series in the future. I truly hope so!
January 25, 2015
Oh. My. Gosh!
Book 4 please!
I just finished A Masquerade of Saints, the third book of the Saint's Mystery Series. I hope there is a fourth one in the works!
NOTHING turned out how I thought. Just when I thought I had everything figured out Fanchon/Helene took me on another ride! Again, as in the second book, you should read the books in order because they pull on previous information. I think a reader would be utterly lost if they tried to read this book as a standalone.
Fanchon had found out in the second book who her parents are and begins this book trying to find them. Her search leads to a whole new adventure. All of her old friends are there and she makes new friends and a few others who are still trying to hurt her for various reasons.
I am not sure I like the way the book ends, the ending is fine. It is the relationship she has, is there a relationship in the end of the book? I thought she would end up with an existing character, but then a new character is introduced. A new love triangle?
I need more Fanchon/Helene. Love her character. She has definitely come into her own, a strong southern woman!
Book 4 please!
I just finished A Masquerade of Saints, the third book of the Saint's Mystery Series. I hope there is a fourth one in the works!
NOTHING turned out how I thought. Just when I thought I had everything figured out Fanchon/Helene took me on another ride! Again, as in the second book, you should read the books in order because they pull on previous information. I think a reader would be utterly lost if they tried to read this book as a standalone.
Fanchon had found out in the second book who her parents are and begins this book trying to find them. Her search leads to a whole new adventure. All of her old friends are there and she makes new friends and a few others who are still trying to hurt her for various reasons.
I am not sure I like the way the book ends, the ending is fine. It is the relationship she has, is there a relationship in the end of the book? I thought she would end up with an existing character, but then a new character is introduced. A new love triangle?
I need more Fanchon/Helene. Love her character. She has definitely come into her own, a strong southern woman!
January 4, 2015
This is the third in a series of three. I discovered the first one, To Murder A Saint, a few months ago and the second one, All Saints Secrets, right after. This third one ties up the story of a fascinating main character who was raised in the Bayou, moved to NYC and has many unusual things happen in her life. I do not want to give anything away but will say these are short, inexpensive (on Kindle) stories that are a delightful look at New Orleans and the folks who inhabit the bayous. The third book ties things up nicely but at the end of the book the author says there may, or may not, be another!
June 25, 2016
This was the third in a series -- there are a coupe of plots that run through all three books, but each one also has a specific story to be told. Really well done. There are some odd typos and usage errors here and there, but nothing too extreme.
Everything pretty much wrapped up at the end of this one . . . the threads left loose are really tiny and don't detract at all from a satisfying conclusion. Though the door is left very slightly ajar for further adventures. There is actually a "4th" in the series, but it's a short and a prequel based on the write up -- not sure I'll read that or not.
Everything pretty much wrapped up at the end of this one . . . the threads left loose are really tiny and don't detract at all from a satisfying conclusion. Though the door is left very slightly ajar for further adventures. There is actually a "4th" in the series, but it's a short and a prequel based on the write up -- not sure I'll read that or not.
October 20, 2014
Nice finish
Part 3 of 3....Another book that's readable in an afternoon. It very easily could have been 1 book, but I was looking for a fast read and probably wouldn't of given it a chance had it been written that way.
If you know/like anything about New Orleans, this paints a vivid picture of familiarity.
Part 3 of 3....Another book that's readable in an afternoon. It very easily could have been 1 book, but I was looking for a fast read and probably wouldn't of given it a chance had it been written that way.
If you know/like anything about New Orleans, this paints a vivid picture of familiarity.
October 1, 2014
Kind of a weird ending to this one. I would never have guessed all the convoluted relationships but all in all a good read. I would recommend this series be read in order (this is #3) or confusion will set in!
October 27, 2014
I have enjoyed this mystery series very much. "Masquerade of Saints" is the third book. I had a little trouble keeping up with new and old characters. This book hold a lot of twists and spins. I recommend every book in this series. Thanks, Nicole!
January 8, 2017
Good Ending to Series
I took advantage of getting the chance to read all of the series for free with my Prime membership. It was a pretty fast paced story and the length was appropriate. It was a pretty good series and you can get through all three books pretty quickly.
I took advantage of getting the chance to read all of the series for free with my Prime membership. It was a pretty fast paced story and the length was appropriate. It was a pretty good series and you can get through all three books pretty quickly.
October 2, 2014
Wonderful
what a story I couldn't stop reading it I am anxiously waiting for the next fanchon story love the setting and characters
what a story I couldn't stop reading it I am anxiously waiting for the next fanchon story love the setting and characters
November 16, 2014
I love this series. It's understated with a great southern feel. I am glad I read all three at once and didn't have to wait. Enjoy. It sucks you in and won't let go.
September 10, 2015
Saints Series
I really enjoyed these three books and look forward to reading more of Ms. Longhand's books. I will enjoy reading more of this series especially.
I really enjoyed these three books and look forward to reading more of Ms. Longhand's books. I will enjoy reading more of this series especially.
January 24, 2016
It was an engaging story. I enjoyed the suspense - the twists and turns.
February 3, 2016
Follow the villain...
Very intriguing, loved how the story unfolded. I hope there are more to come. It was a good blend of story and a little history of New Orleans.
Very intriguing, loved how the story unfolded. I hope there are more to come. It was a good blend of story and a little history of New Orleans.
February 8, 2016
Good one.
Very convincing. I did enjoy this and plan to go back to read the previous ones. The storytelling was rich.
Very convincing. I did enjoy this and plan to go back to read the previous ones. The storytelling was rich.
Read
October 3, 2016Good book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews