Saint's Gate

Sharpe and Donovan, Book 1

By: Carla Neggers

Narrated by: Carol Monda

New York Times best-selling author Carla Neggers has amassed legions of fans for her engaging blend of romance and suspense. Saint’s Gate features Colin Donovan, a deep-cover FBI agent who usually works alone - and likes it that way. When he tackles a case involving art heists and a convent’s long-held secrets, however, he finds himself more and more interested in the beguiling Emma Sharpe.

©2011 Carla Neggers (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Well-drawn characters, complex plotting, and plenty of wry humor are the hallmarks of Neggers’s books.” ( RT Book Reviews)

Buy This Awesome Art Mystery Novel

How have I been a reader for so long and Never read a Neggers novel?? OMG, SO Great. Carol Monda did a wonderful job with narration, but I just totally loved this book, since I love art, and romance and mystery, now much better can it get? Now I'm busy trying to buy more Negger's Audiobooks!!

A great mystery romance

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this mystery romance. It has a great mystery that develops as the story progresses and delivers until the end. The characters were well developed and realistic. The romance is not overdone and progresses gradually and naturally throughout the story. It was a great read.

Feminist Grade: A-

pretty good, but with a few minor issues. loved the mystery and how the romance was built.

Found a new series that has me excited...

I really enjoyed the characters and the journey. I'm about to start the next one. I like a bit of romance with my murder mystery, but not too raunchy , just right for a change of pace...

A Mixed Bag

I thought this started well, and I liked the premise and the initial mystery. Somehow, however, my interest was not sustained. With one notable exception, the characters just never came to life and remained one dimensional. I won't be continuing this series. Not terrible, just not special enough to spend a credit or cash.

Mystery, History, Art . . . and Nuns :)

A solid and interesting mystery surrounding an art theft at a convent . . . and not your usual nunnery at that . . . one that teaches about and restores art work . . . undercover FBI agents, a whiskey drinking Irish priest, a murdered nun . . . they all make for a tale of intrigue that will keep you listening . . . and Emma Sharpe, the former nun, turned FBI, is just right . . . tough, skilled at her craft, yet a part of her is still unspoiled by the material things, and a part of her still misses the quiet and the community of the convent . . . The story takes you to Ireland, Maine and the Boston coastal area. You will grow to know and love the characters. Colin, Father Finnegan, Emma's Grandfather . . . Saint's Gate is mostly mystery, and some romance . . . with the romance well done, not over the top or syrupy . . . I was surprised to learn that this is a Harlequin Book . . . the first one ever for me . . . but I'm really glad I got it . . . This is the first in a series and I will definitely go on to the next one . . .

I wanted it to be better

Narration was not the best, it was OK. I wanted more from the story and also less mentions of "former nun" or "he's an FBI agent". We get it. You don't need to beat it over my head.

Good for the Most Part

I am a sucker for art crime fiction especially when it is presented as a mystery. So, this book should have been a slam dunk for me, and I did enjoy huge swaths of the story. I liked Emma one of the main characters I love that she works for the F.B.I.'s art theft division, and I thought her backstory to be fairly interesting. The mystery was set up well, and I enjoyed figuring out whodunnit. I will admit I loved how much the author described the Maine coastal setting although there are A LOT of descriptions so I can see why that might be a complaint for some people. My main problem with this book is the other main lead, deep undercover agent Colin. He is described up one side and down the other as this lone wolf...so dangerous...so mysterious. Everyone in this book describes him like that over and over again. The problem with being told that rather than being shown means that I am not sure he actually is all that badass or just has a really good P.R. team. Plus, Colin is an official agent for the F.B.I. but apparently, he is above getting search warrants because he goes into two people's houses without their permission and riffles through their stuff. One of those people is Emma which is a huge red flag. She figures it out later and is totally okay with it. (Which doesn't seem realistic at all.)

Having said all that, I liked Emma, and I liked the concept of following agents trying to solve art mysteries so I will probably continue on and hope Colin's character improves as the series goes on.

We get it Emma was a nun!

Emma was a postulate that became an FBI agent. We are told that over and over again. The story is second to this sentence...Emma was a postulate that became a nun...I would not recommend this book to anyone unless you have insomnia!