Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

Enigma of the Missionary is a murder mystery in the Inspector Nardi series by Jacques Oscar Lufuluabo. Teresa Graziani was a wife, mother, and police inspector before her life broke down due to an incident. After Angela, Teresa's daughter, left the house twelve years ago, Teresa never heard from her again. Someone called Teresa to let her know that Angela was in the hospital and not doing well. Teresa found the hospital room barred, and her former colleague, Inspector Massimo Nardi, had been brought in to look into her mysterious death. The hospital killer plotted the murder and wanted Nardi to be the lead investigator. Teresa asked Nardi to investigate Angela’s past, but Nardi needed to figure out how he fitted in because he was a target.

Enigma of the Missionary by Jacques Oscar Lufuluabo is a roller coaster of betrayal, secrets, murder, mystery, and loss. I was hooked from the start because of the rapid pace and action. There was never a dull moment, and I could not turn the pages fast enough to find out what would happen next. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the end. The characters were authentic and relatable, each with a background that explained where they were coming from. Teresa was a complex character and was a very strong woman. I empathized with her circumstances and at times felt sorry for her. The plot was masterfully planned and executed. The ending left my mouth hanging open. It was completely unexpected and knocked my feet out from under me.