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None Without Sin

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Everyone has secrets. Some of them may kill you. When a Delaware real estate mogul is murdered, newspaper journalist Brian Wilder wants the scoop on the killing, including the meaning behind the mysterious loaf of bread left with the corpse. Reverend Candice Miller, called to minister to the grieving family, quickly realizes that the killer has adopted the symbolism of sin eating, a Victorian-era religious ritual, as a calling card. Is it the work of a religious fanatic set to punish people for their missteps, or something even more sinister? As more victims fall, Brian and Candice follow a trail of deceit and blackmail, hoping to discover the identity of the killer―and praying that their own sins won’t catch the killer’s attention.

400 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2023

8 people are currently reading
8157 people want to read

About the author

Michael Bradley

9 books121 followers
Born and raised in southern New Jersey, Michael Bradley spent years in radio broadcasting in New Jersey and West Virginia. He has been “up and down the dial,” working as an on air radio personality, promotions director and even program director – all jobs that provided a wealth of fond, enduring, and sometimes scandalous moments. Some of them make it into his suspense novels. Particularly into his first, the supernatural thriller Sirens in the Night (2015), which was called a “smart, terrifying, heartbreaking” and “compelling read,” and his third, Dead Air (2020), a “phenomenal read” that will “make you look over your shoulder the moment night falls.”

Michael’s day job as an IT professional has taken him on frequent travels throughout the US and Europe. On his travels he’s met many people from diverse backgrounds, and he is grateful to all of them, as many of their quirks and habits also make it into his novels, albeit in clandestine and anonymous ways.

When he isn’t on the road, working, or writing, Michael hits the waterways in his kayak, paddling creeks, streams, and rivers all over Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. Or he reads to get inspired by writers such as P.D. James, Ian Rankin, Leslies Charteris, Simon Brett, Lisa Unger, and Ian Fleming. Michael is a member of Pennwriters and Mystery Writers of America, and he serves as the technical assistant to the director of ITW’s Pitch Fest and ConsultFest for the annual ThrillerFest conference. Michael lives in Delaware with his wife Diane and their two furry four-legged “kids,” Preaya and Willie.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Profile Image for "Avonna.
1,443 reviews585 followers
July 5, 2023
Check out all my reviews at https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

NONE WITHOUT SIN by Michael Bradley is an intriguing amateur sleuth mystery/serial killer crime thriller with an interesting historical religious hook, secrets, lies and murder. There are several murders in this standalone, but they are not overly graphic.

Pastor Candice Miller is an Episcopalian minister who is called to help with a woman and her daughter from her church when the husband is found dead when they return home from a show. The locally known real estate agent is found with a knife stabbed into his chest through a loaf of round bread.

Brian Wilder is an award-winning journalist who has started over by opening his own small town local newspaper. He meets his detective friend, at the scene of the murder and learns of the bread and the fact that a word was scrawled on the dead man’s sleeve.

As more murders occur Brian and Candice are at each scene and begin to trade information and discover the ritual meaning of the bread left on each victim goes back to the tradition of sin-eaters from the 18th and early 19th centuries. They also discover all the victims have a sin they are hiding and so do Candice and Brian. Could they become victims, too?

This is an easy-to-read interesting character driven mystery. So many secrets and lies among the entire cast of characters and yet they are believable secrets and lies. While Candice and Brian are the dual POV characters throughout the story, I developed a real empathy for Brian, and I can see the author being able to bring him back for follow-up stories. The historical information was woven into the story without slowing the pace of the investigation. The pace of the plot was steady throughout until the fast-paced climax, with plenty of twists and red herrings. While the climax was not a surprise to me, it was still well written.

I recommend this engaging amateur sleuth mystery.
997 reviews89 followers
June 10, 2023
3.5 -3.75 Stars

Great premise and concept. A serial killer who practices sin-eating?!
I only wished there were more mystery and thrills to the story.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Bradley, and CamCat Books for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Profile Image for Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff).
2,482 reviews91 followers
September 15, 2022
I was intrigued by the whole sin-eating ritual woven into this thriller. All the characters have secrets (sins, so to speak), and they will go to great lengths to keep them hidden.

I’m not usually one who will pick up a serial killer book, but I really enjoyed Michael Bradley’s writing and how he tied together these flawed and damaged characters - all wondering if they might be the next victim. 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐧 is a fantastic start to this series; I’ll be waiting for book two!

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @mjbradley88 for a spot on tour and a gifted copy.
Profile Image for Jodie | GeauxGetLit.
736 reviews106 followers
October 2, 2022
This was my first book I have read by @mjbradley88 and it was a mystery that did not disappoint. I never fully understood the meaning of ‘Sin Eater’ and if you want to learn more, this book will shed new light. I enjoyed the religious aspect of the mystery, as well as the flaws of the characters.

Fast paced and told from a couple of POVS, this was a mystery I couldn’t crack until the end.
3.5 stars
Profile Image for David Morgan.
925 reviews24 followers
September 3, 2022
As the title implies, in this one there are none without sin, or secrets.
Brian Wilder is an award winning journalist who now runs a small town newspaper.
Candice Miller is an episcopalian minister who preaches in her church but is questioning her faith.
When a prominent real estate agent is found murdered with a word written on his body as well as a loaf of bread, the two set out to uncover the clues and solve the case. As more bodies are discovered, each with the same M.O., one that harkens back to a Victorian-era religious ritual known as sin eating, they're left to wonder if the murderer is a religious fanatic or maybe something worse. The words left scrawled on the bodies express a possible sin the victim may have committed, and with secrets and sins of their own that they're hiding could it be only a matter of time before they too become victims?

I really enjoyed the way this story was crafted making the journey to the solution fun to go on. With an easy writing style, the author succeeds in leading you to one suspect only to throw in a twist that points the finger at someone else. It was a surprise when the culprit was identified but looking back there were clues left that made me say, I should have known. The cast of characters are personable and true to life. I liked how the two protagonists interacted and how their dialog felt comfortable and real. The fast pace of the story kept me glued to the pages while wanting to know who the killer was. The action at the end was suspenseful which added to my overall enjoyment of the story and I believe this is the start to a series, and I for one can't wait for the next installment.
.
Thank you to the author, CamCat Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
Profile Image for Joan.
4,306 reviews111 followers
July 13, 2022
This is quite a murder mystery. I held my breath when I got near the end there was so much suspense. The rest of the novel moved at a consistent pace as the murders multiplied. Bradley's writing style is engaging though the narrative has quite a bit of character backstory, thought and reflection. This novel would be a good one for readers who like a murder mystery centered on the characters rather than primarily on action. Much of that emphasis on character has to do with why people are in this small town, often escaping from mistakes in the past.

Brian, a journalist, is the hero and amateur sleuth. He has come to own a small town newspaper as an escape from past tragedy. I found his conversations with his wife a little odd but it did reveal his own flaw. The other major characters, a Catholic priest and an Episcopal priest, were deeply flawed. I was glad to see definite possibilities of future character transformation for them all.

I appreciate the historical information about a sin eater and how that played into the plot. But a sin eater requires sin and every major character seemed to have a sin to hide. Perhaps the most serious sin was revenge and it was deadly.

This is my first novel by Bradley. I liked it and will be looking for more.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Profile Image for pawsreadrepeat.
616 reviews30 followers
July 4, 2022
This is my first Michael Bradley novel and will not be my last. I loved this book! In None Without Sin, we find all that everyone has something to hide. Their levels of sin may vary but the sinner's willingness to stop at nothing to keep their secrets is of the utmost importance. Leaving reader’s wondering whether that is enough to drive them to commit multiple murders or is something else more sinister at play?

I found the characters of this fast-paced mystery to be engaging and realistic, despite their flaws. I enjoyed the way Michael Bradley weaved together the elements of this story, just when I thought I knew who the murdered was, there was another twist! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and did not want to put this book down. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, Cam Cat Books, Micheal Bradley, and Partners In Crime Tours. I'm excited to be a part of this tour.
Profile Image for Lisa Wetzel.
565 reviews28 followers
July 29, 2022
Michael Bradley has made me a fan after reading his latest None Without Sin. He has a very distinctive writing style that I really enjoyed! This is a well written, well paced novel that will keep you engaged through the whole book! It is a well played murder/mystery with characters that are real, unique and with many flaws. Murders happen in a town with distinctive markings that make you wonder if their sins have gotten them murdered!?!? This one has murder, mystery, suspense, twist and turns, secrets….dark secrets and revenge to keep your interest!!! I also liked the way Bradley slipped in some much needed historical information and how it pertains to the scheme of things! I highly recommend this captivating book, I know I will read more from this talented author.

Thank you Partners in Crime Book Tours, CamCat Publishing and Michael Bradley for allowing me the honor to be a part of this tour in exchange for my honest review.
#nonewithoutsin #partnersincrimebooktours #michaelbradely. #arc. #camcatpublishing
Profile Image for Nursebookie.
2,867 reviews440 followers
September 25, 2022
TITLE: None Without Sin (First State Mysteries)
AUTHOR: Michael Bradley
PUB DATE: 08.02.2022

I enjoyed Michael Bradley’s propulsive thriller DEAD AIR when I read it earlier this year, so when the chance came to be an early reader for NONE WITHOUT SIN, I immediately seized the opportunity, and it met all my expectations of a Bradley thriller read!

A chilling thriller where the murderer leaves a loaf of bread with the corpse symbolizing sin eating, a Victorian-era religious ritual, as a calling card. As bodies fall, Brian Walter, a newspaper journalist, along with a minister, the Reverend Candice Miller seek out a killer who pays homage to a sinister religious ritual that is so disturbing and unsettling, just the way I like it!

I really enjoyed the fast paced thriller, the way the characters were introduced to the story, the misdirections and red herrings, and of course the unexpected plot twists that keeps you guessing til the end. I am hoping that Brian and Candice have more installments in the future. I really enjoyed how they worked together!
Profile Image for Elaine .
1,013 reviews63 followers
July 29, 2022
None without Sin.
By Michael Bradley.

This was a fantastic read, a first by this author for me but definitely not my last..

We have a journalist who's moved to this small town, now owns the news paper, while dealing with his own past, lost the love of his life but moving forward.

We have murder. In ways only a person can deal with..sometimes things happen for a reason..
But leaving behind the Bread sometimes clues are right in front of you and you just don't see them.till it's to Late.


I have to say this was a fantastic read I truly enjoyed it.. read most of this book in one day it's really a good book...
Profile Image for Susan Ouellette.
Author 0 books140 followers
May 14, 2022
Michael Bradley's NONE WITHOUT SIN is a fast-paced mystery that keeps readers guessing until the end. The story features a cast of characters, each with secrets they'd do almost anything to hide. But are those secrets dark enough that they'd commit multiple murders to keep them from the light? Or is there something more sinister behind the murders? Bradley does a masterful job of casting suspicion on multiple characters and making the reader fear for the lives of others. Just when you think you know who did it...you'll realize you're wrong...maybe.
Profile Image for Sherry Jacox.
67 reviews27 followers
July 9, 2023
A good who done it book. Every chapter left you saying wait what. Go back.
Profile Image for Josephine Sorrell.
1,918 reviews38 followers
July 2, 2023
Let’s start with a bang! There is a dead body and sitting on the murder victim is a loaf of Artisan brown bread sliced down the middle. It is soaking up blood and plasma. .
As the story unfolds, we learn this is a Victorian-era religious ritual called sin-eating.

Brian Walter, is a newspaper journalist, who now runs a small town newspaper and Reverend Candice Miller is an Episcopalian minister have joined together to try and solve what is going on in their quiet little town of Newark, Delaware.

More killings come to surface with bread left on the bodies. It begins to appear that those being killed have secrets that they thought no one knew. Could the killer making them pay for their secrets and if so, how does the killer know about these secrets?

This was a really good mystery and well presented as an audio book.
Profile Image for Willow.
47 reviews
May 6, 2025
While I don't hate them by any means, I find that thrillers don't tend to be my favorite books. Once in a while, I'm proven very wrong, and this was one of those times.

I found the whole sin-eating tie in to be super intriguing and the story gripped me from beginning to end! This is probably more like a 4.5 rather than a full 5, but I can't do that on Goodreads, so 5 it is!
Profile Image for Roxana Garcia.
226 reviews5 followers
December 6, 2023
Entertaining mystery/crime audiobook. The narrators were great in bringing the story to life. I had no idea who was behind the murders until the end - great twists.
Profile Image for Gail Edwards.
11 reviews
May 31, 2023
Although I wasn't too sure about this book to begin with, I soon found myself intrigued by the storyline and couldn't wait to hear more.

A town hit by a cluster of murders involving religious symbolism, being investigated by a kleptomaniac minister struggling with her faith, and a reporter who regularly sees and talks to his late wife. Throw in a second minister with alcoholic and suicidal leanings and a sweet old lady with a murderous past, and you have a tale quite unlike others.

Everyone has secrets to hide but someone is out to expose them in the deadliest way possible.

Definitely a five star listen, highly recommended.

A big thank you to Michael Bradley and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Profile Image for Sandie.
2,015 reviews34 followers
July 18, 2022
Candice Miller has never seen anything like this before. An Episcopalian minister, she has been called to the home of a parishioner to comfort the family. The husband of the family, realtor, Robbie Reynolds, has been murdered. There is blood and curiously, a round loaf of bread on his back. Candice is there to help the police get the family out of the house. She talks with the victim's wife and his small daughter and manages to get them outside.

Outside, there is a crowd. Journalists are there, including Brian Wilder. He had been a Pulitzer Prize winner journalist, traveling the world. Now he is in this small town running a newspaper that prints only a few days a week. Also in the crowd is Candice's friend, Andrew Blake, the Catholic priest who drove her there. They had been playing chess when the call came.

There were always rumors surrounding Reynolds. He was a playboy, having multiple affairs. There were also financial rumors, that he was gambling and losing. He had come to Candice to get a recommendation for a counselor and Candice had recommended her friend. Now he lies murdered, the word CHEATER scrawled on his forehead.

Candice can't put the scene out of her head. Something about the loaf of bread seems familiar. After searching the Internet, she remembers something from her religious studies, the practice of the sin eater. The sin eater was called in to eat bread after a death, taking the dead person's sins upon themselves. Was that the reason the bread was left?

The town tries to get back to normal, but it's not to be. Reynold's death is not the last. Other murders occur, each with a victim with a message left on their bodies along with the bread. There are many affected. Samantha, Candice's counselor, is connected to all the victims as they are all in her practice. Alex Bennett, a college professor and his wife are involved as he is a religious professor. Brian Wilder is around each murder, trying for a scoop and realizing that he misses investigative reporting. There's an older lady, Agatha, who is known for her charity but seems troubled by the past. Can the murders be solved before more people are killed?

Michael Bradley worked in radio before moving to a career in information technology. His mysteries have won awards such as Indie Book Of The Year and Notable Indie. The pace was comfortable and his characters seem to be related to each other in believable ways. The two main characters, Candice and Brian, both have issues to be resolved and are working on them. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

Profile Image for Colleen Winter.
Author 4 books84 followers
July 24, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of NONE WITHOUT SIN. Thank you! I absolutely love the premise of this book. I won't divulge too much of it here as that would involve spoilers but I thought the idea behind the mystery was absolutely brilliant.

Bradley brings the same sense of slow burning, page turning tension that he delivered in DEAD AIR to his latest novel NONE WITHOUT SIN. There is a wide cast of characters, all (as the title gives away) with their own sins, and enough red herrings to keep every mystery lovers head spinning. No one is ever how they seem in a murder mystery but I found the characters in NWS to be honest, and true, and absolutely human, with Bradley using their chosen 'sins' to explore our humanity and social issues as any good mystery novel should.

At times I felt the culprit was too obvious and I was a bit disappointed. But of course in the next chapter it turned out I wasn't as smart as I thought I was and had (once again) fallen for Bradley's deft story telling abilities and followed him down the garden path.

The story is told from two points of view, Candice, a pastor in a local church who is struggling with her faith, and Brian, a former Pullitzer prize winning journalist who for his own reasons has chosen to run a small bi-weekly paper in his small hometown. Both are compelling, flawed characters and I loved how their relationship slowly evolved as each is forced to face their own demons.

I gave this four stars simply because I wanted to leave room for the next book, which if it continues to follow the trend will be even better than the last. A great read.

Profile Image for J.L. Delozier.
Author 7 books353 followers
January 9, 2022
As a Michael Bradley fan, I received a free advanced copy in exchange for a fair review.

In None Without Sin, everyone in Newark, from the klepto pastor to the local psychologist, has something to hide-but some sins are worse than others. Bradley’s unique cast of characters shine as they join forces to stop a serial killer obsessed with sin before they become the next to die.

The plot is taut, but it was Bradley’s characters that impressed me the most. There are at least two dozen, yet the author deftly gives just enough detail to impart each with a distinctive personality and backstory—without being heavy-handed. Bradley’s Newark has a small-town feel (where everyone THINKS they know everyone else’s secrets and business!) Between that and the characters, None Without Sin could almost work as a cozy mystery—if not for the violent (but not grotesquely graphic) serial killings.

I’ve read two of Bradley’s older works, and while I enjoyed them, this is by far his best, to the point that I hope this becomes a series—I’m seriously vested in Pastor Candice’s and Brian Wilder’s futures!
Profile Image for Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm).
1,084 reviews88 followers
August 27, 2022
Read this if you love
🔪 religious murders
💨 a fast paced read
2️⃣ dual POVs
🗞 investigative journalism

•What it’s about

None Without Sin is a dual POV told from Candice Miller and Brian Wilder. Candice is an Episcopal pastor and Brian is a journalist at a local Newark paper. When the first body is discovered with a loaf of bread split down the middle and a knife through the chest, Candice is there to see it as she comes to comfort the grieving family. Brian, intent on getting all the details before the bigger papers can, also comes to the house. As Candice and Brian go about their days, getting to know each other, more and more murders start to happen, and all of them are connected to one person. Will Candice and Brian discover the killer before it’s too late?

•My thoughts

This was a fast paced thriller that immediately dives into the action, which I always love! The characters were pretty relatable, and the murders were interesting. I’ve never heard of a sin eater before, so it was nice to have a new twist introduced to me. While I did guess the bad guy about halfway or so through, it was still a great read. The author had me wondering if it was other people for a while there! The ending felt a tad rushed for me, but it sounds like there may be a sequel in store, which I would love to see.
Profile Image for Jane Dennish.
1,404 reviews11 followers
September 13, 2022
This was a great mystery book. As someone who owns a condo in Rehoboth Beach, I appreciated the reference to Rehoboth at the beginning of the book. As a result, I also had a good understanding of the setting of the story. Something I like about Delaware is that even in a sitting, it still has a small town feel, and that is exactly the feeling you get reading this book. Everyone knows everyone else, especially the journalist in the town. If you are a fan of British mystery books, you will enjoy this book. I definitely got that vibe occasionally. I don’t know if that was intended or not. It almost gave me Broachchurch vibes, for those fans of that show in the sense that everyone seems guilty and everyone seems innocent. I liked how that played out throughout the story.

Thanks so much to Suzy Approved Book Tours and the author, Michael Bradley, for including me on this book tour.
Profile Image for Kristy Kloster.
93 reviews12 followers
July 11, 2023
Michael Bradley's "None Without Sin" is a spellbinding journey through mystery, suspense, and the exploration of human nature's darker corners. This captivating novel ensures an engrossing read that immerses readers into a world shrouded with secrets, religious symbolism, and murder.

Bradley's prowess as a writer is evident in the seamless narrative filled with intriguing characters, each harbouring their secrets. The murder of a Delaware real estate mogul sets the stage for an absorbing plot, introducing us to Brian Wilder, an eager newspaper journalist yearning for the exclusive scoop on the shocking crime. Reverend Candice Miller is another key character, who, while ministering to the grieving family, uncovers an unsettling connection to the archaic religious ritual of sin eating.

The plot is a complex web of mystery and suspense that keeps you questioning at every twist and turn. Bradley masterfully employs the sin-eating symbolism as a mirror to reflect on the characters' darkest secrets and desires, intertwining their stories in a manner that is both unique and captivating.

The story progresses at a skillfully managed pace, with the rising body count and the expanding list of potential culprits adding to the mounting tension. The narrative delves into the grim realities of deceit and blackmail, and as each character's story unfolds, readers are confronted with the chilling implications of their hidden pasts.

Bradley's narrative style is crisp, immersive, and precise. He masterfully creates a palpable sense of place and a suspense-filled atmosphere that adds depth to the narrative. The evolving relationship between Brian and Candice adds another layer of intrigue, making their interactions both believable and complex. The story reaches a thrilling culmination, offering a satisfying resolution while leaving readers to ponder the novel's deeper themes.

"None Without Sin" is more than a gripping murder mystery - it's a profound exploration of sin, redemption, and the lengths people will go to conceal their secrets. It's a recommended read for fans of suspense and mystery, providing a memorable story that resonates long after the final page.

In conclusion, "None Without Sin" rightfully earns a full 5-star rating. Its well-crafted plot, compelling characters, and evocative storytelling make it a standout in the genre.
Profile Image for Barbara Schultz.
4,102 reviews297 followers
June 2, 2023
Book Title: None Without Sin
Author: Michael Bradley
Narrators: Rob Shiparo and Lisa Larsen
Publisher: CamCat Publishers
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date was: August 2, 2022
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 rounded up
Pages: 352

Story starts with the killer leaving a loaf of Artisan brown bread on the murder victim.
As the story proceeds we learn that this is a symbol for ‘sin eating’, which is a Victorian-era religious ritual.

Our protagonists:
Brian Walter, a newspaper journalist, who now runs a small town newspaper and
Reverend Candice Miller an Episcopalian minister.
They are an unlikely pair to be trying to solve what is going on in the ‘nice n quiet’ town Newark, Delaware.

 It appears that those being killed have secrets that they thought no one knew.
 I the killer making them pay via a religious ritual?
 If so, how does the killer know about these secrets?

This story was an unexpected surprise to me - Twists and Turns I did not see coming and certainly had me questioning my arm-chair detective skills.
When we find out Rev. Candice as well as Father Andrew, both have
a flaw ~ we have real worries that truly no one is without sin.

I like both Brian and Candice. Both of the narrators is a fab performance of their characters.😊
There is a tease regarding a sequel.
Hmmm hoping both of these characters are in the next story!
I saw one reader’s review and listed this as part of the ‘First State Mysteries’!

This was my first Michael Bradley and looking forward to reading another.



Want to thank NetGalley and ComCat Publishers (member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for granting me this Great audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was August 2, 2022.
Profile Image for ❀Heather❀Brown❀.
953 reviews69 followers
July 6, 2023
#ad I received a gifted copy of this book and leave this review of my own accord. Many thanks to @tide.phoenix.coffee

Set in Delaware, the story revolves around the murder of a prominent real estate mogul, sparking the interest of newspaper journalist Brian Wilder. Determined to uncover the truth behind the killing, Brian becomes intrigued by the presence of a mysterious loaf of bread left with the victim's body.

This is a fast-paced action packed thriller that will consume you. With well-developed characters, and perfectly set suspense you’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire time you’re reading.

As Brian and Candice set out on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth, they investigate potential suspects to uncover the identity of the killer, all while grappling with their own hidden secrets. They hope their past mistakes won't draw the killer's attention. As they delve deeper into the mystery it becomes harder and harder to put this book down.

The book is a captivating murder mystery that expertly combines mystery, suspense, and religious symbolism to create an enthralling narrative. The exploration of sin eating adds a unique and intriguing layer to the story, examining guilt, redemption, and the consequences of one's actions in a thought-provoking way.

The characters, specifically Brian and Candice, are well-developed and relatable, each dealing with their own personal struggles. Their evolving relationship and personal growth throughout the book adds emotional depth to the story.

The book's intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and richness make it a must-read for fans of the genre as it delves into the darkest corners of human nature.
Profile Image for Diane.
271 reviews
May 26, 2023
In a small Delaware town, a well known real estate agent is found murdered. He was brutally stabbed with blood flowing in great amounts. Oddly, there is also a loaf of bread eft with the body. Brian Wilder is an award winning journalist who moved to town a few years ago to start up a paper. He is eager to find out what happened, as the town is not one accustomed to murders. He hears of the peculiar loaf of bread that was left and tried to determine why the killer would do this.
Reverend Candace Miller is brought in to console the family. The bread left behind stays in her mind - she knows there is a significance. She and Brian continue to cross paths as they each try to investigate until they reluctantly begin to share their findings and theories. But neither shares everything with the other, Everyone has their secrets and, as the title says, there are None Without Sin. With sin comes secrets and with secrets come power and with power comes....murder. Who will be next? Will Brian and Candance be able to solve the mystery before their own sins are revealed?
Michael Bradley has written a town of characters that I would like to continue to get to know, While fully formed for the book, there is still a lot of mystery and depth that can me mined from within. The story is told by each of these characters with narrators for each. The narration was well done and made the story easy to follow.

My thanks to NetGalley and CamCat Books for the advanced listening copy of this book.
Profile Image for Kate Michaelson.
Author 1 book157 followers
February 23, 2024
None Without Sin is an amateur sleuth mystery about Candice, a kleptomaniac pastor who has lost her faith, and Brian, a journalist who has lost his wife. Both Candice and Brian serve as point-of-view characters who tell the story of a strange series of murders in their small Delaware town. At each crime scene, a loaf of bread is left near the body and a single-word accusation of sin is written on the victim. Before long, Candice makes the connection between the crime scenes and the archaic practice of sin-eating, in which someone from a lower class would consume bread purported to contain the sins of the recently deceased, thus allowing them to enter the afterlife free of sin. As more of their neighbors are killed, Brian and Candice begin working together to determine if the murders are related to a recently unearthed cold case, a blackmailing scheme, an affair, or a cleric in crisis.

Bradley has created three-dimensional characters with compelling backstories that drive their responses to the murder spree. The small-town setting is also used effectively to create a web of relationships linking many of the characters to one another. Most of all, this book stands apart from many mysteries for its deft exploration of weighty themes, like sin and redemption. From the interesting theological concept of the sin-eater to the personal struggle of a pastor who has lost her faith, None Without Sin explores the ripple effects of doing wrong to others. Readers who enjoy mysteries with a thought-provoking edge will love this one.
Profile Image for Felicia.
Author 5 books104 followers
July 19, 2022
Secrets, secrets, secrets! Everyone in this read has them. But not just ordinary secrets… secret sins! The book title calls out its characters because there are none here without sin.

After a counseling meeting with a philandering husband, Pastor Candace Miller is summoned to his home where he has been murdered. The Episcopalian minister is thrown for a loop when she finds the murdered man has “cheater” written on his forehead… and a loaf of bread on his back! Yes, a loaf of bread! I was all in after that!

I enjoyed this read because of its pace, fast! As the story progressed, I almost pulled out pen and paper to keep up with the secret sins.

The body count rises as more murders occur, each with a message left on the victim and another loaf of BREAD!

Pastor Candace, with secrets of her own, tries to make sense of the murders, find the connection… and the killer.

But she isn’t the only one.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Brian Wilder, is also digging deep into the crimes. Now running a small local newspaper, Brian employs some of his old investigative journalist skills as he hunts for a killer. And yes. He too has secrets.

This fast-moving story is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good read! Well-developed characters with believable connections and excellent writing kept me turning pages almost as fast as the story moved.

And don’t bother trying to figure out who the serial killer is. You’ll be way off.

Enjoy!
Profile Image for Nanette Fandino-Diaz.
766 reviews18 followers
July 12, 2022
When the city of Newark, Delaware, is plagued with a series of deaths that may be linked every character begins to analyze their own sins in fear that they might be next. As Brian Wilder, a local newspaper journalist, follows the case, Reverend Candice Miller keeps finding herself facing dead bodies. When these two amateur sleuths join forces the clues begin to come together to lead the reader to the truth.

The writing in this book is excellent. The characters are well-developed and have depth. The scene descriptions pay attention to details. The personal and internal struggles of the main characters added to the connection I felt with the characters and made me want to know them better. The murders were logically developed and the reasons they happened added dimension to the storyline.

Things to consider it you choose to read the book. First, I had an early idea about the murderer. This did not detract from the storyline though. Second, the murder scenes are explicitly described and are quite gruesome. The violence of the murders is not for the faint of heart.

I can't believe that I have never read anything else by Michael Bradley. I have added his other books to my TBR pile.
Profile Image for Debbie Rozier.
1,311 reviews81 followers
September 7, 2022
This is a layered mystery that I really enjoyed which has flawed main characters and a killer dubbed ‘The Sin Eater’.

As with most mysteries, I don’t want to give the plot away but I will tell you this one kept me absorbed the entire time. The killer’s motivation both shocked and saddened me. The book is told in a three week timespan and I loved the way that the timeline is broken up. This book also takes the practice of ‘sin eating’ and turns it into part of the murders which was clever.

About the Book

Candice is an Episcopalian priest with a weakness for shiny objects..like kleptomania.

Brian is a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist who has chosen to fade into obscurity.

A man is murdered followed by a teenage girl and a young mother. At each crime scene a sin is written and a loaf of bread is left. Candice and Brian work together to figure out what connection these victims have and who wants them to pay for their sins.

This is a well-imagined and intricately woven mystery that I suggest you read.
Profile Image for Jennifer Colvin.
250 reviews36 followers
June 8, 2023
I really enjoyed the premise of this mystery. The crimes scenes were intriguing and left me wanted to know more about sin eaters. However, nothing about this mystery had me in the edge of my seat or even had me guessing. The reveals and the red herring were all so predictable. By the end it had me feeling unenthusiastic. I really wanted something to be a surprise. I did enjoy the main male and female characters' back stories. It gave them some depth and is what kept me going in the story. I was interested to see where their stories would end up.

This was a duel POV narration. The female narrator did well. The male narrator bothered me at times. It seemed like he backed away from his microphone or would fade away during all the female lines he'd read. Sometimes his pitch would get so low, in general, it was hard to hear him. I found myself having to turn up my audiobook whenever it was his chapter to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC.
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