★★★☆☆
The second book in Andrew Mayne’s Jessica Blackwood series, Name of the Devil has Jessica investigating the explosion of a small town West Virginia church where the congregation appears to have vanished into thin air.
Through the course of the story, we learn more about Jessica’s childhood. Her grandfather plays a more prominent role than in the first book. Jessica also travels to Mexico, where she finds herself in a dangerous situation, and to the sunny streets of Miami, Florida.
“Science is good for specific questions. It’s not so good at seeing elephants.”
Andrew Mayne, Name of the Devil
With a wide-ranging plot involving a cartel and the highest levels of the Catholic church, the book is interesting but it doesn’t flow as well as the first book in the series. The plot seemed disconnected at times. I want to continue the series, however, I hope the next book has a smoother flow as the first one did.
If you are thinking of picking up this book, you will definitely want to read Angel Killer first. There are a lot of references to the villain and some other key characters in Angel Killer in this novel, and I think it would make even less sense if you weren’t already introduced to them in book one.
Prior to receiving a publishing contract, Mayne found success as one of Amazon’s best-selling independent authors. All of his works can be found on Amazon, and several are available for free to Prime members.
For my review of the first Jessica Blackwood book, visit https://bookpicksandpics.com/2023/03/22/angel-killer-by-andrew-mayne/
This book is not really my genre. But you wrote a good review. Thank you for sharing.