Holy GhostHoly Ghost
Score Modern
What it's about
Pinion, Minnesota, population about seven hundred, is a town where nothing ever happens. So the mayor and a buddy hatch a scheme to put it on the map: a floating image of the Virgin Mary to bring in pilgrims, who need food, shelter and souvenirs. It works, until things turn deadly.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. John Sandford's Virgil Flowers novels are funny and full of small-town color.
You'll love it if you liked
Shock Wave
Golden Prey
Righteous PreyGood to know
It's a Virgil Flowers novel and stands alone.
By the numbers
- Readers52 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller34 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #311 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #1003 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1854 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by John Sandford
Golden Prey
Wicked Prey
Extreme PreyShock WaveIf you like this, read next
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Verity
Gone Girl
The Martian
2666
Gideon the NinthExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Holy Ghost worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #1,854 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Holy Ghost about?
Pinion, Minnesota, population about seven hundred, is a town where nothing ever happens. So the mayor and a buddy hatch a scheme to put it on the map: a floating image of the Virgin Mary to bring in pilgrims, who need food, shelter and souvenirs. It works, until things turn deadly.
How long does it take to read Holy Ghost?
About 10 hours (383 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Holy Ghost?
If you liked it, try Shock Wave by John Sandford, Golden Prey by John Sandford or Righteous Prey by John Sandford.