Saint's Gate [Hardcover]

Carla Neggers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 2011

Two people, isolated by their pasts. An obsessive killer who will force them together. Welcome to Saint's Gate.

Emma Sharpe is summoned to a Maine convent, partly for her FBI art crimes work, partly because of her past with the Order. At issue is a mysterious painting of Irish lore and Viking legends. But when the nun who contacted her is murdered, it seems legend is becoming deadly reality.

Colin Donovan is one of the FBI's most valuable deep-cover agents. Back home in Maine after his latest mission, a contact clues him in to an intrigue of murder, international art heists and long-held secrets that is too tempting to resist. As danger spirals ever closer, Colin is certain of only one thing—Emma Sharpe is at the center of it all.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fast-paced, action-packed tale that will appeal to fans of Lisa Jackson and Lisa Gardner."

-Library Journal

"Readers will be turning the pages so fast their fingers will burn.... A winner!"

-Susan Elizabeth Phillips on Betrayals

"Brimming with Neggers's usual flair for creating likeable, believable characters.... She delivers a colorful, well-spun story..."

-Publishers Weekly on The Carriage House

"[Carla Neggers's] books have that magical ingredient too-the ability to pick me up and transport me into another world for a few hours...a few days..."

-M. J. Rose, international bestselling author of The Hypnotist

"Well-drawn characters, complex plotting and plenty of wry humor are the hallmarks of Neggers' books. Jo and Elijah are very well matched, and readers will root for their romance."

-RT Book Reviews on Cold Pursuit

"Showcases the award-winning Ms. Neggers' unique blend of quirky humor, sizzling romance and engrossing suspense, which combine to produce irresistibly entertaining novels."

-RT Book Reviews on Finding You

"A haunting romantic story." -Bookreporter on The Widow

"Worth the wait. Well plotted, with Neggers' trademark witty dialogue and crackling sexual tension, this is a keeper."

-RT Book Reviews on The Whisper

"Nobody does romantic suspense better than Carla Neggers. The Whisper is big, bold and stunningly effective. Evidence of a writer at the absolute top of her game still climbing higher."

-Providence Journal on The Whisper --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

Carla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 60 novels, novellas and short stories. Her work has been translated into 24 languages and sold in more than 30 countries. She is a popular speaker around the country as well as a founding member of the New England Chapter of RWA, past president of Novelists, Inc., and past vice president of International Thriller Writers. She and her husband live in a house on a hilltop not far from picturesque Quechee Gorge.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Mira; 1 edition (August 23, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778312356
• ISBN-13: 978-0778312352
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 60 novels of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Her work has been translated into two dozen languages. Carla is a founding member of the New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America and has served as president of Novelists, Inc. and vice president of International Thriller Writers.

Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Carla started writing at age eleven, when she'd climb a tree with pad and pen and perch on her favorite branch to spin stores. When she isn't writing, she enjoys kayaking, hiking, cross-country skiing and traveling. Carla and her husband, Joe Jewell, live on a hilltop in Vermont, not far from picturesque Quechee Gorge.

For more information and to contact Carla, visit her Web site: www.CarlaNeggers.com and join the conversation at www.facebook.com/carlaneggers and www.twitter.com/carlaneggers.

Photo credit: Julie Ireland

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars To Be Read Again and Again August 25, 2011

By LAS Reviewer

Format:Hardcover

While "Trust your faith. Let it guide you to act with strength, courage, and compassion" is good advice; it is not always easy to follow with a killer invades one's life, whether one is a nun, an FBI agent, or a priest.

Emma Sharpe is an FBI agent and highly valued for her expertise in the field of art crime. For three years she'd been a part of the Sisters of the Joyful Heart convent, but left before taking final vows.

The international, multimillion dollar art crime operations are often linked with gun trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping, fraud, extortion, and even terrorism. Emma is analytical and brings a unique perception to her work. While she can shoot straight and fight when needed, she is by nature thoughtful, reflective, contemplative, and prayerful. She needs her space at times to function at her best.

When her friend Sister Joan asks for help on a matter at the convent, Emma goes and finds herself entangled in murder and theft. Events that happened long ago that may involve Emma's family as well as the convent and artists, long-dead, may be the cause of the upheaval at the convent.

Colin Donovan, trying to recharge after a long undercover assignment as a FBI ghost agent, is a "Lone Ranger" type who likes his space. But, at the request of his friend, Father Finian Bracken, Colin gets involved with the convent case. It is on his "old stomping ground", just a short distance from his hometown. From his marine patrol days along the Maine coast, he is well acquainted with Heron's Cove and the convent. He and Emma square off at each other for a short time, but soon work together with a little encouragement from Emma's boss Matt Yankowski, who goes a long way back with Colin.

The tangle of events from Dublin, Ireland to Maine keeps the adrenaline pumping. The many secondary characters and sub-plots help keep tensions high and emotions on full alert. Emma's grandfather and brother become a part of the tangled web as do the nuns. The flighty young artist Ainsley deAuberville, her deceased father, and her fiancé Gabe Campbell add to the tangled web with their connection to Emma's family and the convent.

Carla Neggers' skill in foreshadowing and subtle clue-giving make suspense crackle like distant lightning that announces danger. Her characters come alive with their hang-ups, fears, past histories, and present needs. Father Finian Bracken is a character that intrigues with his connections and wealth in Ireland. The wide variety of characters make Saint's Gate throb with life, mystery, and suspense with humor wrinkled in that makes one smile.

Ms. Neggers weaves bits of Viking lore, religious history, and art crimes into the immediate story of Emma and Colin as they ferret out a murderer and thief from the many possible suspects while they make a life-changing love connection that sizzles. The happy-ever-after is tenuous--not the usual and more a "happy for now", but who knows what the future holds?

Saint's Gate is one for the bookshelf to be enjoyed again.

Originally posted at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great mystery, weak romance September 5, 2011

By Bertha N Perry

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great mystery. The descriptions of the locales superb. Religious symbolism in art and life in the covent of joyful sisters described in great detail. Enjoyable overall read. My complaint would be with the romance portion. Hero, read alpha male loner with authority issues, never even said, "I love you." No HEA in this one only an , " I'll be back." I hope so, as I would like to read more of these characters adventures. Maybe the next book could work a little more on character development and romance. I think what made me drop a whole point of the rating was when Colin tells his friend, the priest, we are family (after having doubts about his honesty throughout) but all he could choke out to Emma was I'll be back. Really, this is what the author thought was closure?

I will probably buy the next one but will check the synopsis prior to doing so.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, not great September 19, 2011

By Barbara Leonard

Format:Hardcover

I won't rehash the plot, because several other reviewers have already done that. I have to say, that I love Carla Neggers. I've read and re-read all of her books. This one may need a re-read because at times it seemed to both jump around and ramble. I ended up feeling like I overlooked something, like are these people minor characters in another book? The heroine was likeable, but I'm still not sure how I felt about the hero. The romance was only lukewarm. Also, the retelling of earlier established information was distracting. I got it - you told me already.
All in all, this is a good read, but not a great one. I was left feeling like I missed something.