Bad Samaritan

Sister Agatha #6

by Aimée Thurlo, David Thurlo

Sister Agatha is an extern nun -- the link between the cloistered sisters and the community -- for the Our Lady of Hope monastery in the small town of Bernalillo, New Mexico. Using the skills she developed as an investigative journalist before she heeded the calling to become a nun, Sister Agatha has become renowned -- sometimes even infamous -- for her crime-solving skills. Sister Agatha is being sorely tested. Our Lady of Hope monastery is about to close its doors for good, causing much emotional turmoil. And now, her friend and ally, Sheriff Tom Green, has been detained for questioning in the brutal murder of his rival for political office. Sister Agatha, with the help of a K-9 companion and her old, unreliable car, the AntiChrysler, must bring her talents to bear on what is sure to be her most important case ever.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

319 pages, Hardcover

First published June 23, 2009

About the author

Aimee and David Thurlo are the authors of the Ella Clah mysteries, the Sister Agatha mysteries, the Lee Nez vampire novels all set in New Mexico. David grew up on the Navajo Indian Nation, and Aimee, a native of Cuba, lived in the southwest for forty years.

Aimée passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of February 28, 2014, after a brief struggle with cancer and related complications. She was attended by her husband of 43 years, David. Aimée was 62 years old.

Reviews

[Karen]

Catching Up…

This apparently is the last in the Sister Agatha series.

And…

Unfortunately, the first one, I have read.

So…

I did what I am not supposed to do, read a series out of order.

Which means, I didn’t have a good sense of who was who to begin with, and thus, was a bit lost.

Which means…

Don’t read this one as a stand-alone.

This is a cozy mystery about a nun who use to be an investigative reporter, who still acts like one, and is rather unorthodox, in that she rides around on a motorcycle.

There is a crime to solve, and she intends to do so, while at the same time being concerned about her monastery being in jeopardy of being closed.

So…

There you have it. If you really want to enjoy this series, begin at the beginning.

Because I feel like I cheated by not reading the prior books, I will not rate this one.

[Raymond Rockwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had enough rough language and tough characters in the mainstream murder mystery? This may be the answer to your prayers! In a kind of Southwestern Cozy, an extern nun (who used to be an
investigative reporter) zips around on a motorcycle or chugs back and forth in a superannuated suburban between the professed and the profane, seeking to save from a frame-up a former flame, local sheriff accused of killing a political rival. A possible eyewitness to the crime is a traumatized homeless man named Scout, who proves to be even more elusive than the perp. Meanwhile, Sister's monastery is itself in jeopardy of being closed. Rating: two "cutes".

[Suspense Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot to like about Sister Agatha, feisty extern nun (that means she’s not one of the cloistered ones for those who are unfamiliar with the term) who’s the unlikely heroine of a delightful series of New Mexico mysteries by husband and wife writing team Aimee and David Thurlo. First, she rides a Harley. Wow…and, she never falls off; double wow! She’s accompanied by her ever faithful canine companion, Pax, a white German Shepherd who’s a former member of the local, police, canine unit. Truth to tell, he was the entire canine unit.

In this latest adventure, Sister Agatha is being confronted by two crises: her beloved monastery, Our Lady of Hope, is about to close due to lack of donations and all the good sisters are being located to another convent in a different part of the state. (She can bring the dog with her, so that, at least, is a good thing.) Before she can leave, however, Sister Agatha must prove the innocence of her good friend, Sheriff Tom Green, who has been framed for the murder of his chief rival in the upcoming sheriff election.

With the good Lord and several sympathetic townspeople—who know a lot more than they’re prepared to tell, at first—on her side, how can Sister Agatha miss?

Morale of story? Never mess with a nun who rides a Harley!

Reviewed by: Susan Santangelo, author of “Retirement Can Be Murder” for Suspense Magazine

[ChrisGA · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this series. sorry it's over

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I began this book feeling sad because it is the last in a series I have really enjoyed. But by mid story it was clear that the authors were totally over it and despite the 'friend/loved one of series detective lead in danger so NOW IT IS PERSONAL' trope I too was over it well before the end. I only finished it because I've read the entire series so how could I not? Meh.

[Karen Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book "Bad Samaritan" #6 in the Sister Agatha mystery series by Aime'e Thurlo will allow the reader a hint of life for a nun in New Mexico. The creative characters including a retired police dog, New Mexico setting, and a fitting ending for the last book in this series will have readers hoping for more by this author. copy right 2010 262 pages

[Harron68 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average for the genre, no strong characters or clever plot. A diversion from heavier reading was called for.. I'd read a mystery of the authors' other series, ELLA CLAH mysteries, so felt this one was worth it. Just an okay 3 stars in the New Mexico sky.

[Mgb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. Which character is going to give this clue? What will this character do that drops this hint? How many conversations can Agatha have in one day? Nope. Nope. Nope. The solution wasn’t worth the read.

[Edmund Kubiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Apparently the final book in the series. That is a shame.

[Ray York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad Samaritan

I have come to the end of the series and will miss my nightly read to see what Sister Agatha and Pax are up to. This series has been an enjoyable read.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Series. I wish there would be more Sister Agatha stories.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't love it...

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how Aimee and David Turlo ended this series of books!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The monastery Our Lady of Hope is finally about to close due to lack of income and the sisters are sorowfuly getting ready to relocate to a community in Colorado. Sister Agatha gets an early morning call to come to the Sheriffs office where Sheriff Tom Green and an old friend has been held on suspicion of muderering his poletical rival in the coming election. With the help of Tom's supporters and friends Sister Agatha works to find the real killer and clear Tom. Standing in the way is the Mayor and the rest of he powerful Garcia clan. A good cozy type mystery with Sister Agatha running around the small town on her Harley with Pax the retired police dog in the side car.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second Sister Agatha I have read. I enjoyed the first one I came across so I read another, not paying attention to the order. It seems it is the last in the series, which makes sense since all the Nuns are moving to Colorado. It is too bad though, because I would like to know how they all got along in their new home and if Sister Agatha and her dog, Pax, would be solving crimes there! Crime solving Nuns are a bit more rare The late Sister Carol Ann O'Marie had a good series. Father Dowling had a Nun sidekick. Father Brown had to wing it alone!! Aimee and David Thurlo write about New Mexico which is a place I know nothing about and seems quite unique.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable entry in the Sister Agatha mystery series set in and around a small monastery in a small New Mexico town. Sister Agatha and her ex-police dog Pax have a limited time to solve a case of murder which takes place at the annual 4th of July picnic. The victim is the brother of the mayor and the chief suspect is Sister Agatha's old friend Sheriff Green. One of the best in the series. This is a series that is always respectful of the sisters and their faith and is full of local color.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sister Agatha is called to help an old friend of hers--and of Our Lady of Hope monastery--who is the main suspect in the death of the scion of a large, powerful family. She's sure of his innocence, but the evidence piles up against him. What no-one but the nuns knows yet, however, is that financial concerns mean they will have to move from their beloved long-time home to a larger monastery in Colorado, so any help Sister Agatha offers will have to be fast.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these Sister Agatha books with the unlikely premise of a nun who is commissioned by order to help solve these mysteries that come her way. She rides a motorcycle with a sidecar for her ex-police dog buddy. Maybe growing a little stale now, though it looks like a change of place is in order. Set in New Mexico, but they may be moving to Denver.

[Verna LaBounty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sister Agatha of the Our Lady of Hope monastery in Bernalillo, New Mexico has become renowned 14and occasionally infamous 14 for her crime solving skills. Now she must bring her skills to bear on her most important case yet 14her friend and ally Sheriff Tom Green is a suspect in the brutal murder of his rival in the upcoming election.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheriff Tom Green is accussed of killing his opponent for the office of sheriff. Our Lady of Hope monastary is being closed down. This gives Sister Agatha two worries. She needs to clear her friend before the monastary closes and help Tom resolve personal issues.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

March 2010

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this mystery series that features a motorcycle-riding nun.

[Karl K · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an OK book. The plot was good and moved along.

[Dj · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the first 100 pages and all I've learned is there was a murder, the wrong guy is blamed and Sister Agatha rides a motorcycle with side car. Come on, let's get the story started all ready!

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fast read. Is Sister Agatha moving to Denver?

[scherzo♫ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Main character is a nun, so expect some preaching.

[Janet Suarino · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read. Sister comes to the rescue a helps clear the sheriff.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This appears to be the last in this series which makes me sad. I really enjoy the spiritual side of these mysteries.

[Rosanne Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Good plot great characters, manages a good read without violence err or sex. I hope there are more Sr Agatha books.