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Sinner, Saint or Serpent
The citizens of New Orleans have a right to know what happens in their city. Especially when there’s a murderer in their midst.Investigative reporter ‘Justice’ Harper stumbles into a fresh murder scene of a hated businessman. Justice’s mere presence at the scene soon adds him to the list of suspects, along with three other local citizens who each have a unique motive.Blaze Barbeau, a wealthy woman, married to a local business man and rumoured to be having an affair with the victim. Lucinda Boyd, a generous widow, heavily involved in charity events, whose business was recently conned out of her control by the victim obtaining majority shares by dubious means. And Belladonna Dede, a Voodoo Queen whose wares were found at the crime scene.Justice is determined to find out the truth regarding the demise of this wealthy man which leads him into some uncertain situations. He must be getting close when the threats start arriving. He will not stop. He’s close. Who committed this crime? The Sinner? The Saint? Or the Serpent?Fast paced with plot twists bursting from every page, Sinner, Saint or Serpent will keep you on the edge of your seat until the shocking end.
292 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2014
About the author
John Anthony Miller
20 books345 followersJohn Anthony Miller writes all things historical—thrillers, mysteries, and romance. He sets his novels in exotic locations with complex characters forced to face inner conflicts—fighting demons both real and imagined. He’s published twenty novels, including Another Soul Saved. He lives in southern New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 17, 2026
Sinner, Saint, or Serpent is the first book I've read by John Anthony Miller. This is an enjoyable read. First, I liked that the novel was set in New Orleans, one of my favorite cities. Second, it reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel for its slow burn, which moves at a steady pace to keep the reader engaged.
The victim, August Chevalier, was not a well-liked man, and several admitted it had crossed their minds to get rid of him. There are plenty of suspects to weed through and plenty of motives to keep you guessing until the end. Miller is a compelling storyteller with top-notch characters who are interesting and well-developed.
This book hits on all cylinders for me. I will definitely read more of his work.
The victim, August Chevalier, was not a well-liked man, and several admitted it had crossed their minds to get rid of him. There are plenty of suspects to weed through and plenty of motives to keep you guessing until the end. Miller is a compelling storyteller with top-notch characters who are interesting and well-developed.
This book hits on all cylinders for me. I will definitely read more of his work.
December 8, 2020
Harper's story set in 1962 New Orleans was very interestingly told. With the murder of a businessman and four suspects, Harper has to find the killer. The mystery was intriguing and was very fast paced. Enjoyed the writing style of the author with the twists and turns. Liked it.
April 25, 2022
Step back to 1926 New Orleans and follow Times-Picayune investigative reporter ‘Justice’ Harper and his Cajun sidekick Remy Moral try to solve the murder of one of the city’s most despised businessmen. There is no shortage of folks who would like to have killed him. John Anthony Miller takes the reader down French Quarter back alleys and through stately Garden District mansions to solve the crime. You will dine at Antoine’s and drink beer at a subterranean speakeasy. When you are finished with the novel, expect to suffer whiplash from plot twists and be hungry for more jambalaya. A fast, fun read!
March 22, 2020
What a story, if I could give this book 10 star rating I would. Once again Mr. Miller confirms why he is one of my favourite authors.
New Orleans, 1926
August Chevalier, a ruthless businessman with questionable morals is found murdered, investigative reporters Justice Harper and Remy Moral are determined to flush out the killer. Working alongside the police, they narrowed down the list of suspects to three:
The Sinner, Blaze Barbeau, a real estate magnate with a checkered past
The Saint, Lucinda Boyd, a pillar of New Orleans society
The Serpent, Belladonna Dede, a well-known voodoo queen
One potential suspect:
A mafia gangster: Nicky the Knife
This is a story rich in content written with a cinematic perspective approach. It is vividly told through rich dialogue. The narrative is incredibly fast-paced and the prose sails smoothly throughout making this one of those stories next to impossible to put down. It is so filled with tension I was trying so hard to figure who may be the killer. Justice and Remy did such a good job interrogating each one of the suspect that it was hard to pin point the guilty. They all had a reason to do the deed. Mr. Miller is definitely a master of plot twists and he threw some doozies to surprise us. I was on the edge of my seat from page one and so captivated trying hard to figure where the author was going with his story. Would we finally have the killer identified….or would we be kept guessing. By the epilogue Mr. Miller give us the most mammoth twists of all and what an ending….I never saw it coming.
The author created sub-plots for the other characters what essentially happens in their life when they are not part of the main plot. Serenity Dupree, a sultry jazz singer is one of the secondary players along with Barbeau, Boyd, DeDe and Knife’s contribution all make a delightful reading adventure. Of course we also have the police investigators trying to solve the case.
A special note as for the main characters:
Justice is a man of deep morals, very diplomatic hard not to like him. Remy is a complete darling, she is one to speak her mind with absolutely no filter whatsoever. At times Justice wanted to strangling her….Their interaction makes an excellent read.
I love this mystery it provided all the entertainment one can wish for. What a page turner you provided Mr. Miller, well-done.
I received a ARC from Lume Books via Netgalleys for my thoughts
New Orleans, 1926
August Chevalier, a ruthless businessman with questionable morals is found murdered, investigative reporters Justice Harper and Remy Moral are determined to flush out the killer. Working alongside the police, they narrowed down the list of suspects to three:
The Sinner, Blaze Barbeau, a real estate magnate with a checkered past
The Saint, Lucinda Boyd, a pillar of New Orleans society
The Serpent, Belladonna Dede, a well-known voodoo queen
One potential suspect:
A mafia gangster: Nicky the Knife
This is a story rich in content written with a cinematic perspective approach. It is vividly told through rich dialogue. The narrative is incredibly fast-paced and the prose sails smoothly throughout making this one of those stories next to impossible to put down. It is so filled with tension I was trying so hard to figure who may be the killer. Justice and Remy did such a good job interrogating each one of the suspect that it was hard to pin point the guilty. They all had a reason to do the deed. Mr. Miller is definitely a master of plot twists and he threw some doozies to surprise us. I was on the edge of my seat from page one and so captivated trying hard to figure where the author was going with his story. Would we finally have the killer identified….or would we be kept guessing. By the epilogue Mr. Miller give us the most mammoth twists of all and what an ending….I never saw it coming.
The author created sub-plots for the other characters what essentially happens in their life when they are not part of the main plot. Serenity Dupree, a sultry jazz singer is one of the secondary players along with Barbeau, Boyd, DeDe and Knife’s contribution all make a delightful reading adventure. Of course we also have the police investigators trying to solve the case.
A special note as for the main characters:
Justice is a man of deep morals, very diplomatic hard not to like him. Remy is a complete darling, she is one to speak her mind with absolutely no filter whatsoever. At times Justice wanted to strangling her….Their interaction makes an excellent read.
I love this mystery it provided all the entertainment one can wish for. What a page turner you provided Mr. Miller, well-done.
I received a ARC from Lume Books via Netgalleys for my thoughts
March 18, 2020
Note: I'd like to thank Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
'Justice' Harper is a journalist who always wants to do the right thing. One of the most hated persons in the city is found dead with a bullet between his eyes and the police have an array of suspects they are investigating who were in the vicinity and had motive.
What happens when a journalist turns detective? For starters, he can write stories on each of the suspects and investigate into the motives. He can help out the police (incompetent as more than 2 characters reiterate) with leads worth investigating. Conjecture alternate theories to get a reader base on the hook. That's exactly what the book does well.
The investigation is more through interviews and stories than any forensic evidence. The goodness in each of the suspects only exemplifies the villian's badness. We even have non-suspects regretting they didn't put an end to this vile creature.
The book has multiple twists - made not by circumstance, but by hidden information - an author's privelage of sort. In a Close room mystery you would want to have all the information to yourself and then solve it. Also, we listen to multiple theories which is closer to a journalist procedure.
A decent read.
'Justice' Harper is a journalist who always wants to do the right thing. One of the most hated persons in the city is found dead with a bullet between his eyes and the police have an array of suspects they are investigating who were in the vicinity and had motive.
What happens when a journalist turns detective? For starters, he can write stories on each of the suspects and investigate into the motives. He can help out the police (incompetent as more than 2 characters reiterate) with leads worth investigating. Conjecture alternate theories to get a reader base on the hook. That's exactly what the book does well.
The investigation is more through interviews and stories than any forensic evidence. The goodness in each of the suspects only exemplifies the villian's badness. We even have non-suspects regretting they didn't put an end to this vile creature.
The book has multiple twists - made not by circumstance, but by hidden information - an author's privelage of sort. In a Close room mystery you would want to have all the information to yourself and then solve it. Also, we listen to multiple theories which is closer to a journalist procedure.
A decent read.
April 4, 2022
Real southern comfort…
It’s the roaring twenties in the Big Easy. Creole cuisine, Jambalaya and po-boy sandwiches swilled down with Coca-Cola in prohibition New Orleans. Two inane cops shadow news reporter, Justice Harper and his cheeky young sidekick, Remy Morel around as they investigate the murder of cunning businessman, August Chevalier.
Apart from a mafia gangster, there are three main suspects who couldn’t be further apart. A shady property tycoon, a charitable businesswoman, and a sinister voodoo queen, all having good reason to want Chevalier dead.
The author paints a wonderful picture of fancy wrought-iron balustrades, sultry jazz at speakeasies and the local preoccupation with voodoo. There is also a love interest, Justice Harper’s fiancé Serenity Dupree, a talented singer generating a hint of jealousy from Remy Morel.
With an original plot and great twist in the denouement, I can highly recommend this well written and superbly edited 5-Star novel.
It’s the roaring twenties in the Big Easy. Creole cuisine, Jambalaya and po-boy sandwiches swilled down with Coca-Cola in prohibition New Orleans. Two inane cops shadow news reporter, Justice Harper and his cheeky young sidekick, Remy Morel around as they investigate the murder of cunning businessman, August Chevalier.
Apart from a mafia gangster, there are three main suspects who couldn’t be further apart. A shady property tycoon, a charitable businesswoman, and a sinister voodoo queen, all having good reason to want Chevalier dead.
The author paints a wonderful picture of fancy wrought-iron balustrades, sultry jazz at speakeasies and the local preoccupation with voodoo. There is also a love interest, Justice Harper’s fiancé Serenity Dupree, a talented singer generating a hint of jealousy from Remy Morel.
With an original plot and great twist in the denouement, I can highly recommend this well written and superbly edited 5-Star novel.
July 12, 2022
Three suspects for a murder-sinner,saint,serpent
A prominent and shady businessman is murdered in his parlor, a bullet in his forehead.
A n investigative reporter for the local New Orleans newspaper is the last person to see him alive. Being interviewed for an article as “businessman of the year “.
This story weaves through the clues noted in the parlor by the reporter.
The three women suspects, a voodoo queen, a real estate investor and a philanthropist have their pasts examined by the reporter and his assistant.
They each have motives for murder. But was it one of them, or the mafia boss or the reporter’s girlfriend.
A prominent and shady businessman is murdered in his parlor, a bullet in his forehead.
A n investigative reporter for the local New Orleans newspaper is the last person to see him alive. Being interviewed for an article as “businessman of the year “.
This story weaves through the clues noted in the parlor by the reporter.
The three women suspects, a voodoo queen, a real estate investor and a philanthropist have their pasts examined by the reporter and his assistant.
They each have motives for murder. But was it one of them, or the mafia boss or the reporter’s girlfriend.
March 18, 2022
This is a great nivel
The characters are well thought out and the story builds until the final chapter. It is a good read. I look forward to another novel from this writer.
The characters are well thought out and the story builds until the final chapter. It is a good read. I look forward to another novel from this writer.
March 6, 2020
"The citizens of New Orleans have a right to know what happens in their city. Especially when there's a murderer in their midst."
Many said he had it coming. No one liked August Chevalier — he was a ruthless businessman, a man of questionable morals. He had destroyed so many lives. But, who would have dared to put a bullet in his head? That was a question journalist Napoleon "Justice" Harper intended to find an answer to.
Working alongside the police, although at times Justice felt that he was actually doing the work for the police, Justice narrowed the suspects down to three:
Blaze Barbeau
Lucinda Boyd
and Belladonna Dede.
Did these women have a motive for murder? Indeed, they did. Were they guilty of such a hideous crime? Justice was determined to find out.
From a gruesome crime scene in New Orleans to the discovery of who really killed August Chevalier, Sinner, Saint or Serpent by John Anthony Miller is the most enthralling historical murder mystery.
Miller confirms once again, why he is one of my favourite historical thriller authors. With a cinematic perspective approach to his writing, Miller has bestowed upon his readers a story that is as rich in tension as it is in content. This is a sit on the edge of your seat type thriller, where you fear for the intrepid protagonist's life as he tries to piece together the events leading up to the murder. This story is rich in content and extremely vivid in the telling. The narrative is incredibly fast-paced, and along with the easy prose style, Sinner, Saint or Serpent was next to impossible to put down.
Justice is a man of deep morals. He has a nearly impeccable reputation as a reporter who not only seeks the truth but champions the underdog. He is willing to risk incurring criticism and even anger by asking the questions he knows need asking. And although he treats everyone with dignity and respect, Justice always gets to the truth of the matter. He is also in a unique position where everybody likes him, including the suspects to the murder. Justice is also very diplomatic, with a kind of, you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours, mentality when dealing with not only the police but everyone he comes into contact with. At times, this approach makes him seem incredibly corruptible, especially when it comes to his dealings with Nicodemo Esposito (Nicky the Knife) a man who has ties to the Mafia. However, I thought it made him somewhat human. Justice is fallible, but then so would you be if you were threatened with a baseball bat and a six-foot deep hole at the local cemetery! I thought Justice's characterisation was fabulous. Here is a protagonist whose reporter instincts land him in a whole heap of trouble, but who is never thwarted in his determination to seek out the truth. Justice is the kind of protagonist that a reader can really get behind.
As all good reporters have, Justice has a partner. Remy More is a young, eager reporter whose mouth has a habit of running away from her and who always has something to eat close at hand. Remy, at times, provides some very comical and lighthearted, almost theatrical, moments throughout this novel. Her outspokenness does not always go down well — especially not at police conferences. She is, however, knowledgeable and very quick at seeing things that Justice misses. Remy can be quite judgmental, but then most people are. Remy was a wonderful supporting character throughout this story, and her inclusion gave this book a fabulous sense of depth.
The antagonist in this story is August Chevalier. He has wronged so many people. His greed and selfish ambition meant that no one was sorry that he had been murdered. The only remorse was that the people who were acquainted with him had not the courage to kill him themselves. We never get to meet Chevalier, for the book opens with the discovery of his body, so instead, we can get a sense of his character from what others say of him. Miller has not caricatured Chevalier's character — he is not the epitome of evil, he did do a lot for charity on the quiet, and his will is incredibly generous, which I thought made his characterisation all the more realistic and more importantly, believable.
Miller has captured the very essence of New Orleans in the late 1920s. I could almost hear the music in Miller's words and sentences. I could picture the speakeasy, and I feared as Justice did, the superstition and the voodoo culture that was rife during this time. All of this makes an evocative backdrop to the story.
I have said this before in previous reviews, but I will stress it again, Miller is the King of Plot Twists, and this book is no exception to his rule of surprising his readers. When I thought I knew where Miller was going with the story, when I thought I had it all figured out, and I had decided upon a murderer, Miller threw in a massive twist, which left me staring at the page in opened mouth surprise! I must admit I do have a fondness for books that surprise me!
Sinner, Saint or Serpent captivated me from beginning to end. It is what historical murder mysteries are all about.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
May 3, 2022
Enjoyable read
Set in the 1920's , I think the somewhat campy style of the author was an attempt to catch the atmosphere of the times. Plenty of New Orleans ambiance made this a fun read.
Set in the 1920's , I think the somewhat campy style of the author was an attempt to catch the atmosphere of the times. Plenty of New Orleans ambiance made this a fun read.
October 29, 2021
All for love
This book wasacliff hanger!! Wow what a mystery so any people who could have killed the victim, yet in the end a investigating reporter had their revenge for all who had been wronged! Wow lots of mystery and a good love story!!
This book wasacliff hanger!! Wow what a mystery so any people who could have killed the victim, yet in the end a investigating reporter had their revenge for all who had been wronged! Wow lots of mystery and a good love story!!
February 9, 2022
Kept rolling along
Really fun to hear all the references to places in NOLA. Makes me want to go back to visit again. The character development was good. The flow of the story was good, maybe a little repetitive at times. It was enjoyable, would suggest it for a pleasant read.
Really fun to hear all the references to places in NOLA. Makes me want to go back to visit again. The character development was good. The flow of the story was good, maybe a little repetitive at times. It was enjoyable, would suggest it for a pleasant read.
July 24, 2021
New Orleans, 1926, is the setting for this engrossing mystery. Chevalier, a very wealthy and much hated businessman for his business tactics and in his personal life, is found dead in his estate. 'Justice' Harper is an investigative reporter that is known by those in New Orleans for doing things right. Justice and his coworker, Remy, are good at what they do and conduct their own investigation. The list of suspects of the murder is endless though three women are considered people of interest because of recent dealings with the victim. The three women are referred to as the Sinner, Saint and Serpent. The deeper Justice investigates, the more he believes they are innocent even though they were seen in the area of the estate near the time of the murder. I was shocked with the final twist of this story.
July 22, 2021
Sinner, Saint or Serpent - as the name alludes to there is a hint of pulp fiction woven into the unraveling of this investigative reporters role in the inquest of a murder in 1920's New Orleans. In the midst of sweeping social changes; the investigation edges around small town politics with an exploration of suspects that leads to innuendos, a multitude of secrets divulged in a case that will take 40 years to solve... with a reveal that will push you to re-examine all the questions you should have been asking yourself. #pageturner
August 11, 2021
Slow but good
I love NOLA, so stories centered I New Orleans LA are pleasing to read. This book brought splendid memories of the times we visited there. The excellent mystery and wonderful characters added to my enjoyment.
I love NOLA, so stories centered I New Orleans LA are pleasing to read. This book brought splendid memories of the times we visited there. The excellent mystery and wonderful characters added to my enjoyment.
March 10, 2020
Sinner, Saint or Serpent, by John Anthony Miller, is a twisted murder mystery that will keep even the best sleuth in the dark until the very last page. The book opens and closes with a bang and the ending took me totally by surprise. I need more books like this!
No one seems very upset when August Chevalier, a prominent business man, is murdered, Mafia style, in his own home. After all, he was a ruthless businessman with questionable practices and even a few ties with the mob. No wonder no one seems too enthusiastic about finding the killer, including the police, with one exception being a local reporter named “Justice” Harper.
Justice earned his nickname by being a fair and honest reporter that always seeks the truth. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he wants to find the killer who committed this crime. He feels he owes that to the citizens of New Orleans. Of course the added benefit of solving the crime before the police is getting a big scoop for the newspaper.
Justice along with his colleague, Remy Moore, work together to discover who killed Mr. Chevalier. There are three prime suspects. The philanthropist Lucinda Boyd, known for her many charity efforts that benefit the folks of New Orleans, the wealthy businesswoman Blaze Barbeau with a questionable past, and the voodoo queen of New Orleans, Belladonna Dede. They all have motives for waiting him dead and all three can be placed close to the scene around the time of his death. So who did it?
Loved Mr. Miller’s descriptive prose of 1920s New Orleans. It was wonderful and I got a real sense of the vibe of the city. I could just imagine going to a speak-easy and listening to the jazz band play, then strolling the streets of the French Quarter. The city described had a mysterious air to it and that made it the perfect setting for a murder mystery.
The plot was superbly done. It opened with the murder; therefore, I was invested in the story right away. The tension in the plot slowly built so that I always wanted to keep reading to get the next clue and try to figure out who the killer was before the final reveal. By the end I was sitting on the edge of my seat and then when I finally arrived there I was totally blown away. Did not see that coming at all!
If you love mysteries you need to read this book. Great story and awesome execution! You will love it!
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com.
No one seems very upset when August Chevalier, a prominent business man, is murdered, Mafia style, in his own home. After all, he was a ruthless businessman with questionable practices and even a few ties with the mob. No wonder no one seems too enthusiastic about finding the killer, including the police, with one exception being a local reporter named “Justice” Harper.
Justice earned his nickname by being a fair and honest reporter that always seeks the truth. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he wants to find the killer who committed this crime. He feels he owes that to the citizens of New Orleans. Of course the added benefit of solving the crime before the police is getting a big scoop for the newspaper.
Justice along with his colleague, Remy Moore, work together to discover who killed Mr. Chevalier. There are three prime suspects. The philanthropist Lucinda Boyd, known for her many charity efforts that benefit the folks of New Orleans, the wealthy businesswoman Blaze Barbeau with a questionable past, and the voodoo queen of New Orleans, Belladonna Dede. They all have motives for waiting him dead and all three can be placed close to the scene around the time of his death. So who did it?
Loved Mr. Miller’s descriptive prose of 1920s New Orleans. It was wonderful and I got a real sense of the vibe of the city. I could just imagine going to a speak-easy and listening to the jazz band play, then strolling the streets of the French Quarter. The city described had a mysterious air to it and that made it the perfect setting for a murder mystery.
The plot was superbly done. It opened with the murder; therefore, I was invested in the story right away. The tension in the plot slowly built so that I always wanted to keep reading to get the next clue and try to figure out who the killer was before the final reveal. By the end I was sitting on the edge of my seat and then when I finally arrived there I was totally blown away. Did not see that coming at all!
If you love mysteries you need to read this book. Great story and awesome execution! You will love it!
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com.
March 12, 2020
Set in New Orleans in 1926, Miller’s engrossing historical featuring ‘Justice’ Harper finds the investigative journalist in the middle of a high-profile murder investigation along with three women suspects.
Investigative reporter ‘Justice’ Harper finds himself as one of the potential suspects on the list of police after he accidently stumbles into a fresh murder scene of a much-hated, ruthless businessman August Chevalier. But Justice is not the only suspect: Blaze Barbeau, a wealthy woman, Lucinda Boyd, a generous widow, and Belladonna Dede, the Voodoo queen, are also ripe on the police’s list of suspects with each having a unique motive. Who is the murderer? Is it one of the women or someone else? It’s up to Justice to solve the case now.
As the main protagonist, Justine is both relatable and likable. Despite corrupt politics, he steadfastly maintains his integrity while searching for truth amid threats from unsavory elements. Remy Morel is a complete darling. Other characters are equally remarkable. Miller’s tight plotting maintains deep interest throughout, and the swiftly flowing narrative makes the reader thoroughly invested in the story.
The tension stays high with a regular dose of fast-moving plot twists, and the satisfying conclusion will both surprise and shock the reader. The vivid portrayal of 1920s bustling New Orleans with its class division, mafia-controlled business sector, and the bootlegging schemes of rich and powerful make it an intriguing place.
With its wealth of compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and fast-moving plot, the story makes for a delightful reading adventure.
A compelling historical mystery.
Investigative reporter ‘Justice’ Harper finds himself as one of the potential suspects on the list of police after he accidently stumbles into a fresh murder scene of a much-hated, ruthless businessman August Chevalier. But Justice is not the only suspect: Blaze Barbeau, a wealthy woman, Lucinda Boyd, a generous widow, and Belladonna Dede, the Voodoo queen, are also ripe on the police’s list of suspects with each having a unique motive. Who is the murderer? Is it one of the women or someone else? It’s up to Justice to solve the case now.
As the main protagonist, Justine is both relatable and likable. Despite corrupt politics, he steadfastly maintains his integrity while searching for truth amid threats from unsavory elements. Remy Morel is a complete darling. Other characters are equally remarkable. Miller’s tight plotting maintains deep interest throughout, and the swiftly flowing narrative makes the reader thoroughly invested in the story.
The tension stays high with a regular dose of fast-moving plot twists, and the satisfying conclusion will both surprise and shock the reader. The vivid portrayal of 1920s bustling New Orleans with its class division, mafia-controlled business sector, and the bootlegging schemes of rich and powerful make it an intriguing place.
With its wealth of compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and fast-moving plot, the story makes for a delightful reading adventure.
A compelling historical mystery.
March 27, 2020
In 1926 New Orleans, shortly after he had interviewed wealthy, but not well-liked businessman, August Chevalier, Investigative reporter Justice Harper has returned to Chevalier’s home to find two police officers investigating Chevalier’s murder. Harper and Remy Morel, a fellow reporter, jumps into the case to discover and report the identity of the murderer in their local paper, Times-Picayune. Right away, three women seen near Chevalier’s home around the time of the murder become prime suspects: a wealthy woman who is suspected of cheating on her husband by having an affair with Chevalier, a charitable woman whose family company was sneakily taken from her by Chevalier, and a voodoo practitioner woman who had potential dealings with Chevalier. Will Harper uncover whether the sinner, saint, serpent, or someone else committed the crime in his investigative reporting? The tale told in the first person by Harper is a swift and interesting mystery that veers back and forth between the suspects, yet it was very hard to keep remembering that the actions were in 1926 as the activity movement descriptions seemed to fit more comfortably in a modern time period. At one point in the story, I found one plot action that did not seem possible for the time period, but the constant reminder of the use of typewriters in the press room brought me back to 1920s. For the most part, the mystery was intriguing, and the unique use of a particular Agatha Christie type twist proved fascinating.
May 4, 2020
A good period novel set in 1920s New Orleans, in which investigative reporter 'Justice' Harper ,decides to investigate the murder of a disliked businessman, August Chevalier. Joining forces with his junior colleague Remy Morel, Harper soon finds out that there are three prime suspects.
The Sinner, Blaze Barbeau, a real estate magnate with a chequered past, the Saint, Lucinda Boyd, a pillar of New Orleans society and the Serpent, Belladonna Dede, a well-known voodoo queen. All the women had very good cause to murder Chevalier, but as the killing has all the signs of a professional 'hit', were the mafia involved and the notorious Nicky the knife?
Will Remy and 'Justice' solve the case, before the seemingly inept detectives assigned to the case do?
You'll have to read the novel to find out as I'm not going to give the plot away. What I will say however, is that it is an enjoyable read which brought to life the atmosphere of 1920's New Orleans.
The Sinner, Blaze Barbeau, a real estate magnate with a chequered past, the Saint, Lucinda Boyd, a pillar of New Orleans society and the Serpent, Belladonna Dede, a well-known voodoo queen. All the women had very good cause to murder Chevalier, but as the killing has all the signs of a professional 'hit', were the mafia involved and the notorious Nicky the knife?
Will Remy and 'Justice' solve the case, before the seemingly inept detectives assigned to the case do?
You'll have to read the novel to find out as I'm not going to give the plot away. What I will say however, is that it is an enjoyable read which brought to life the atmosphere of 1920's New Orleans.
July 6, 2020
Sinner, Saint or Serpent by John Anthony Miller offers a significantly interesting investigative fictional storyline. I particularly enjoyed the description of the different characters that make one feel close to them. The author from the start created an environment of suspense reading and keeps the reader wonder what may happen next. Besides the questions, it allows one to think investigative and critical about the different plots. The book provides an interesting and enjoyable read, without too many complex writing styles. In addition, it provides some insight into the New Orleans social-political environment. I recommend this book to any person who enjoys investigative novels with an extra twist of people behaviour and relationship dynamics.
January 4, 2022
I enjoyed parts of this book, but it ended up feeling like a disjointed collection of moments rather than a coherent story. The narrator is a crusading newspaper reporter covering the murder of a shady New Orleans businessman, with the 3 main suspects as 3 women; one is the saintly owner of a bank and a philanthropist, one is the sinful femme fatale, and the other is the snakelike voodoo queen of New Orleans. the narrator just goes from house to house interviewing these 3 people, while spending time with his jazz singer girlfriend and his fast talking friend and co-worker on the side. The final wrap up of both the romantic and mysterious threads of the story felt rushed, and ultimately the ending felt nonsensical after reading the whole book.
March 7, 2020
A book that takes one for a ride around and round the block. Murder is the game but with so many suspects and twists the story certainly meanders along with plenty of turns. It isn't until one gives up on finding who was responsible that the truth is told.
A great twist, a great read which really kept me very entertained with a surprise at the end.
A great twist, a great read which really kept me very entertained with a surprise at the end.
April 10, 2022
The book captured the time period and New Orleans atmosphere perfectly. It followed an investigative reporter's approach to pursuing answers to multiple crimes in a small town. The descriptions of food made me hungry! And there were sufficient twists and nuanced views of suspects to sustain the mystery of whodunnit.
January 4, 2023
Basically just average. It started out strong, but got fairly repetitive and then ultimately seemed rushed toward the end. I don’t think the twist was that shocking, but it would have been had some of the repeating visits to suspects been left out. I found Remy terribly difficult to like, and the way the story is going to play out around her and Serenity becomes obvious quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2020
This book was recently recommended to me by a family member and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Books of this genre are not typically of interest to me but I'm glad I gave it a chance. Sinner, Saint, or Serpent was a great read and extremely difficult to put down.
April 27, 2021
Excellent Detective Story
This is a classic murder mystery of the best kind - one that stretches across decades. There are many clues to the solution but the answer is very cleverly hidden.
This is a classic murder mystery of the best kind - one that stretches across decades. There are many clues to the solution but the answer is very cleverly hidden.
February 28, 2020
This was a page-turner with lots of twists & turns. An enjoyable read.
July 22, 2025
This historical mystery takes place in New Orleans during the 1920s and opens with the murder of business tycoon August Chevalier. Though I've never been to New Orleans, a part of me feels like I was there, savouring the smells, listening to the tinkling of piano keys, and the soulful voice of the singers.
There are more suspects than a town has a right to have. But then, August Chevalier bought, bribed, and trod on the folks of New Orleans to get to where he was. Everyone has an encounter, a reason to want Chevailer dead, but there is only one murderer.
The three main suspects: Blaze Barbeau, Lucinda Boyd, and Voodoo Queen, Belladonna Dede, have their reasons for wanting Chevalier dead—They also have their secrets, which drives the investigation their way.
This book had me. Like the police, I had my suspects: sinner, saint, or serpent? But there was no singling one of them out as being the one who killed August Chevalier.
Wrapped within the murder of August Chevalier is the story of a journalist who, like the rest of the townspeople, has suffered at the hands of the business tycoon. And still, he stops at nothing to solve the case, even if it places him in danger—Justice Harper is a man of scruples and a lovable character.
The ending of this book ties everything together, and I loved the way the author brought the characters together. The ending has a wonderful, if not revealing, charm. It's a book that will keep you guessing as you join Justice in the hunt for the murderer. There are so many twists that until the final reveal, there is no way of knowing who killed August Chevalier.
There are more suspects than a town has a right to have. But then, August Chevalier bought, bribed, and trod on the folks of New Orleans to get to where he was. Everyone has an encounter, a reason to want Chevailer dead, but there is only one murderer.
The three main suspects: Blaze Barbeau, Lucinda Boyd, and Voodoo Queen, Belladonna Dede, have their reasons for wanting Chevalier dead—They also have their secrets, which drives the investigation their way.
This book had me. Like the police, I had my suspects: sinner, saint, or serpent? But there was no singling one of them out as being the one who killed August Chevalier.
Wrapped within the murder of August Chevalier is the story of a journalist who, like the rest of the townspeople, has suffered at the hands of the business tycoon. And still, he stops at nothing to solve the case, even if it places him in danger—Justice Harper is a man of scruples and a lovable character.
The ending of this book ties everything together, and I loved the way the author brought the characters together. The ending has a wonderful, if not revealing, charm. It's a book that will keep you guessing as you join Justice in the hunt for the murderer. There are so many twists that until the final reveal, there is no way of knowing who killed August Chevalier.
March 18, 2026
Sinner, Saint or Serpent opens with one of New Orleans' most prominent, and most loathed, citizens dead on his couch. Surveying the crime scene, and the few clues left behind, is investigative news reporter, Justice. He's worked with the police department in the past, and is able to provide them with three female suspects; a married rich socialite rumored to have been having an affair with the deceased (the Sinner), a widow who organizes numerous charity events to help those in need, also with ties to the deceased (the Saint), and a voodoo queen also connected to the deceased (the Serpent). Without a doubt, Justice has his hands full with these ladies, as unraveling their secrets proves difficult at times, but always intriguing. Throw in his girlfriend with her own past, a fellow female reporter who doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut, and a mobster, and Sinner, Saint or Serpent is one you don't want to miss. Every character is well-developed and shines in his/her scenes, but it's the way the author unraveled one clue at a time, as though I was right there alongside Justice, that kept me hooked and eagerly reading.
June 10, 2026
I actually listened to the audio book. The story was good and I wasn't expecting the ending. However, the narrator on the audio book was AI generated and it was terrible! I honestly believe that if I had read the book I would have enjoyed it more. I found is very difficult to finish (but I did). The AI voice was extremely monotone and would pronounce words incorrectly. It had zero vocal inflection. Sentences that should have ended as questions were just read as a normal sentences. Then sentences that should have been read normally were completed as questions. It was very painful to listen to. I may have to re-READ the book again just to enjoy the story. And should I ever pick another book where it has an AI narrator, I will NOT listed to it.
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