A Pilgrimage to Death

Name: A Pilgrimage to Death
Rating: 4.304347991943359 (23 reviews)

J. J. Cagney

Aug 2018 · A Cici Gurule Mystery Book 2 · Sidecar Press, LLC

4.3

23 reviews

Ebook

260

Pages

Eligible

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About this ebook

A reverend haunted by grief.

A killer obsessed with patterns.

A mystery that refuses to stay buried.

Cici Gurule returns to Santa Fe, hoping to find peace after her twin sister’s unsolved murder. But when another body surfaces—killed in the same ritualistic way—her nightmare reignites.

Driven by justice and guided by her sister’s ghostly whispers, Cici teams up with Detective Sam Chastain. Their search leads through mountain trails and twisted clues, revealing a killer who’s just getting started.

A gripping, atmospheric mystery that blends spiritual suspense with relentless pacing—perfect for fans of Tana French, Louise Penny, and Nevada Barr.

TIMELESS PRAISE FOR J.J. Cagney

“A wholly absorbing gumshoe tale elevated by an extraordinary detective.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Vivid, alluring, and heart‑wrenching… every reason I love mystery.” —New York Times Bestseller Darynda Jones

“Written in a clear, distinct style, Padgett uses the prose to elicit tension and emotion and creates a tense, fast-paced story.” —The BookLife Prize

"An edge-of-my-seat thrill ride that kept me guessing all the way through." — USA Today Bestseller Allyson Lindt

“The prose is…sublimely concise.” —Kirkus Reviews

“I’m pretty giddy that this will be a series! It’s packed with a good mystery and the cat and mouse makes it hard to put down.” —Next Book Review

“An exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series.” —Kirkus Reviews

Ratings and reviews

4.3

23 reviews

Teri Hicks

August 17, 2018

Cici is not perfect. Yes she is a Pastor, yes she has a potty mouth (under the circumstances she's allowed), yes she is right in the middle of an investigation with a target on her head. She doesn't scare easy and that's a good thing. She's found herself knee deep in the middle of an investigation into a murder. This author gives us a great thriller with tons of suspense and awesome characters who aren't scared of twist, and there's a gang of them. This isn't cut and dry and tons of folks will go down before it's done. Absolutely loved it. As soon as I thought I had it figured out something else came up. Love this author. Love that she doesn't let you get comfy before she throws you another curve ball.

4 people found this review helpful

Jacqueline Ellison

September 29, 2020

This is the first book in this new series and the first book I've read by this author. This suspenseful mystery takes you through twists and turns you won't see coming. In this small town people aren't who they seem. You get danger, lies, betrayal and so much more. Cici and Sam try to figure out who is killing people and who is all involved. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

MichelleV

February 4, 2019

This is a captivating murder mystery involving a set of twins. Reverend Cici and her twin sister Anna Carmen. A year after the murder of her sister another body is found with identical wounds. I really enjoyed reading this murder mystery and it's full of suspense, intrigue, and a paranormal twist that captivated me from beginning to end. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

3 people found this review helpful

About the author

J.J. Cagney writes twisty, atmospheric mysteries and thrillers where every clue is a risk—and every secret comes with a cost. Her award-winning novels feature smart, determined heroines navigating dangerous terrain, both literal and emotional, from New Mexico’s high deserts to Yellowstone’s wild frontiers.

Cagney is best known for the acclaimed Cici Gurule Mysteries, including A Pilgrimage to Death—named one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Books of 2018, winner of the National Indie Excellence Award, and a Goodreads Best Mysteries reader favorite. An Artifact of Death was praised as “an exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series” (Kirkus Reviews) and recognized as a BookLife Award quarterfinalist. Her newer works, including Bayou Venom, have also earned her recognition as Judge’s Top Pick for both the Claymore and Silver Falchion Awards at Killer Nashville 2025.

Before turning to full-time storytelling, Cagney worked as a literary agent and marketing director for elite athletes, careers that sharpened her instincts for high-stakes drama and character-driven conflict. She now lives in northern New Mexico with her family, two mischievous dogs, and a small but suspiciously well-organized tank of fish.

Cagney’s next thriller, See Jane Run—a gripping cat-and-mouse survival story set deep in Yellowstone—releases August 2026 from City Owl Press.

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