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The Murder Loop: An atmospheric and tense crime thriller
She’s trained to stop killers. He’s trained to be one. And they’re set to collide with potentially lethal consequences…
Following personal trauma, Kate “Cass” Cassidy has resigned from the detective squad and retreated to her hometown on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way to work a community policing beat. But to Cass’s dismay, her new boss immediately assigns her to an unsolved case—a murder with no clear suspects and few leads.
At the same time, her colleagues are chasing a marauding gang committing violent burglaries in the region. When an elderly farmer is killed and his property ransacked, the evidence points in only one direction—until a former US soldier, Mason Brady, walks into the local station and sets the investigation on a startling new path. What neither Cass nor Brady realise is the extent to which their actions will cause both cases to overlap and see them become each other’s greatest threat.
What links a scenic Irish tourist town to these crimes, to a daring international bank raid, and to Brady’s past? Is Brady an ally or an enemy? Who’s doing the hunting, and who’s being hunted?
To find the answers, Cass will have to follow a path that leads her to the darkest of places . . .
Following personal trauma, Kate “Cass” Cassidy has resigned from the detective squad and retreated to her hometown on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way to work a community policing beat. But to Cass’s dismay, her new boss immediately assigns her to an unsolved case—a murder with no clear suspects and few leads.
At the same time, her colleagues are chasing a marauding gang committing violent burglaries in the region. When an elderly farmer is killed and his property ransacked, the evidence points in only one direction—until a former US soldier, Mason Brady, walks into the local station and sets the investigation on a startling new path. What neither Cass nor Brady realise is the extent to which their actions will cause both cases to overlap and see them become each other’s greatest threat.
What links a scenic Irish tourist town to these crimes, to a daring international bank raid, and to Brady’s past? Is Brady an ally or an enemy? Who’s doing the hunting, and who’s being hunted?
To find the answers, Cass will have to follow a path that leads her to the darkest of places . . .
- GenresCrime
296 pages, Paperback
Published June 28, 2023
2 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 8, 2023
I absolutely loved this. It's set in Co. Kerry in Ireland so that was a plus right from the start when you know you're going to be reading about a location that you are somewhat familiar with. Kate has moved home after events in Dublin so is basically restarting her career with a new team. She is no longer a detective and is back in a uniform role. Despite this however, her new boss hands her an old case to investigate. At the same time, there is an ongoing case where a gang are attacking local farms. Suddenly the death of a farmer escalates things and Cass is part of the team investigating this.
I found this riveting from the start. I immediately warmed to Cass and was rooting for her throughout. The American Brady was an enigma, clearly traumatised from past military events, and I enjoyed the part he plays in the story. I was so hooked that I read this in less than a day. I don't know if this is going to be the start of a series but I really hope so as I definitely want to read more from this author.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.
I found this riveting from the start. I immediately warmed to Cass and was rooting for her throughout. The American Brady was an enigma, clearly traumatised from past military events, and I enjoyed the part he plays in the story. I was so hooked that I read this in less than a day. I don't know if this is going to be the start of a series but I really hope so as I definitely want to read more from this author.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.
July 14, 2023
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the free ARC copy of this book.
This book was a slow start for me. It didn't grip me like previous crime thrillers I have read. The main character officer Kate Cassidy moves back to Glencale after her divorce and is looking for a way of healing from the guilt of her ex-husband killing a mother of a little boy while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Having a father who is a retired policeman means she has to live up to his reputation in the police force. She gets on the wrong foot of her female boss Finnegan but later when she solves the first murder case and reports back to her on a fellow officer for misconduct they seemed to form an understanding.
The relationship between her and Mason Brady, the ex US army officer seems like it would last until she figures out he is involved in a murder she is investigating. She escapes him in fear but I don't think he would have harmed her as he had feelings for her.
Would have been nice if they re-united and lived happily ever after but it seems that was not meant to be. Maybe book two if this becomes a series like some other Crime Thrillers. I liked the setting of the book in a small Irish town.
This book was a slow start for me. It didn't grip me like previous crime thrillers I have read. The main character officer Kate Cassidy moves back to Glencale after her divorce and is looking for a way of healing from the guilt of her ex-husband killing a mother of a little boy while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Having a father who is a retired policeman means she has to live up to his reputation in the police force. She gets on the wrong foot of her female boss Finnegan but later when she solves the first murder case and reports back to her on a fellow officer for misconduct they seemed to form an understanding.
The relationship between her and Mason Brady, the ex US army officer seems like it would last until she figures out he is involved in a murder she is investigating. She escapes him in fear but I don't think he would have harmed her as he had feelings for her.
Would have been nice if they re-united and lived happily ever after but it seems that was not meant to be. Maybe book two if this becomes a series like some other Crime Thrillers. I liked the setting of the book in a small Irish town.
July 18, 2023
This is a thrilling novel, sometimes slow placed at times, but with intricate plotting.
Kate Cassidy, who had been a detective in Dublin, returns to county Kerry in Ireland after personal trauma involving her alcoholic ex-husband and his killing of a young boy in a vehicle accident.
After a period of recuperation Kate joins the local police force as a uniformed officer. She is assigned a cold case where she discovers some leads that reveal other murders. Meanwhile her colleagues are pursuing a gang which is burglarizing local farms. After the killing of a local farmer Kate is drawn into investigating this murder as well.
Along the way she encounters an ex-military man who is renting a property near the so-called murder loop, a treacherous turning as the road ascends the mountain. She becomes sexually involved with him although it is clear that he is much more than he seems on the surface.
All these events converge in an exciting conclusion. I greatly enjoyed this novel.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with an Advance Review Copy.
Kate Cassidy, who had been a detective in Dublin, returns to county Kerry in Ireland after personal trauma involving her alcoholic ex-husband and his killing of a young boy in a vehicle accident.
After a period of recuperation Kate joins the local police force as a uniformed officer. She is assigned a cold case where she discovers some leads that reveal other murders. Meanwhile her colleagues are pursuing a gang which is burglarizing local farms. After the killing of a local farmer Kate is drawn into investigating this murder as well.
Along the way she encounters an ex-military man who is renting a property near the so-called murder loop, a treacherous turning as the road ascends the mountain. She becomes sexually involved with him although it is clear that he is much more than he seems on the surface.
All these events converge in an exciting conclusion. I greatly enjoyed this novel.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with an Advance Review Copy.
August 9, 2023
The Murder Loop started off a bit slow for me, but it soon picked up the pace so I was very invested.
The 2 main characters, Kate 'Cass' Cassidy and Brady Mason are both battling and fighting demons of their own and have very different lives yet their paths cross. It was all a question on how it was going to end.
Cass is a police offier (garda) and Brady is an american solider.
The book is set in a small county in Ireland so its a very close knit community with low level crimes.
When Cass is asked to re investigate an unsolved murder and finds new leads, slowly closing the goal on catching the killer- Brady has his sights set on a target of his own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I really feel like there could be a book 2. It was left on a kind of left on a funny/sarcastic cliff hanger and it would make a brilliant 2nd book. I also felt like Cass and Brady were made for each other and I just need to find out what happened as I genuinely believe there was proper feelings there.
The 2 main characters, Kate 'Cass' Cassidy and Brady Mason are both battling and fighting demons of their own and have very different lives yet their paths cross. It was all a question on how it was going to end.
Cass is a police offier (garda) and Brady is an american solider.
The book is set in a small county in Ireland so its a very close knit community with low level crimes.
When Cass is asked to re investigate an unsolved murder and finds new leads, slowly closing the goal on catching the killer- Brady has his sights set on a target of his own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I really feel like there could be a book 2. It was left on a kind of left on a funny/sarcastic cliff hanger and it would make a brilliant 2nd book. I also felt like Cass and Brady were made for each other and I just need to find out what happened as I genuinely believe there was proper feelings there.
June 28, 2023
Definitely different. It's probably not a book I would choose voluntarily. However, I'm glad Bloodhound Books gave me the opportunity to read and review before publication.
The plot revolves around Garda Kate Cassidy (Cass) returning to her hometown in the west of Ireland after a traumatic event in her personal life, which has left her having nightmares and flashbacks.
She is immediately tasked to review a cold case involving the murder of a young female asylum seeker.
At the same time, we're introduced to Brady, an American soldier fighting his own terrifying demons from his time served.
As Cass and Brady become more and more involved intimately, their separate stories take on sinister overtones.
I won't spoil the readers' enjoyment of the novel but suffice to say it kept me on the edge of my seat.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
The plot revolves around Garda Kate Cassidy (Cass) returning to her hometown in the west of Ireland after a traumatic event in her personal life, which has left her having nightmares and flashbacks.
She is immediately tasked to review a cold case involving the murder of a young female asylum seeker.
At the same time, we're introduced to Brady, an American soldier fighting his own terrifying demons from his time served.
As Cass and Brady become more and more involved intimately, their separate stories take on sinister overtones.
I won't spoil the readers' enjoyment of the novel but suffice to say it kept me on the edge of my seat.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
July 1, 2023
This is a brilliant police crime thriller set in Ireland,the main character is Kate' Cass' Cassidy.Having recently resigned as a detective due to a family problem in Dublin,she has returned to her home town in Glencale on the Atlantic Way .Her first assignment is to review an old unsolved murder that has very few leads and no suspects at all .The other main character is the very intriguing and suspicious ex Us soldier Mason Brady .There is a separate investigation going on about about burglaries in the town and when a local farmer is killed ,things start to get very interlinked.Throughly enjoyed this thriller and it's various twists and turns .Look forward to reading more from this author.Thanks to Bloodhound books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
July 13, 2023
The Murder Loop
By Ben Barnes
What a thrilling read.
Book based on two characters points of view and touches base on very now issues of mental health and colleague dynamic in the work place with a little side romance thrown in too. So much drama in one little town and everyone got something to hide.
Ben keeps you interested with a hint of what’s coming at end of nearly every chapter, with a mix of murders and trying to run two investigations at same time but wondering if they are connected in the end.
It blurs the lines of good guy/bad guy not knowing weather it’s the police or the murderer your routing for until the end.
Once you familiar yourself with Irish lingo to start with it becomes a gripping read you can’t put down.
By Ben Barnes
What a thrilling read.
Book based on two characters points of view and touches base on very now issues of mental health and colleague dynamic in the work place with a little side romance thrown in too. So much drama in one little town and everyone got something to hide.
Ben keeps you interested with a hint of what’s coming at end of nearly every chapter, with a mix of murders and trying to run two investigations at same time but wondering if they are connected in the end.
It blurs the lines of good guy/bad guy not knowing weather it’s the police or the murderer your routing for until the end.
Once you familiar yourself with Irish lingo to start with it becomes a gripping read you can’t put down.
July 18, 2023
An author who writes a debut novel as good as this is surely destined for a bestselling literary career.
Ben Barnes knows all the tricks of how to wring every last drop of tension out of his plot and uses them like a card sharp here. From the very beginning this is a fast-paced and addictive narrative. It is gritty and realistic and completely structured.
The characterisation is what I loved the most. None of them are stereotypes. Each of them is flawed and damaged in very different ways - the ex-military man who has seen too much death - the cop still going through a guilt trip - the asylum seeker risking everything to find justice for her friend. All of them are running away from something until the author decides to send them on a collision course. Thriller writing at its very best.
Ben Barnes knows all the tricks of how to wring every last drop of tension out of his plot and uses them like a card sharp here. From the very beginning this is a fast-paced and addictive narrative. It is gritty and realistic and completely structured.
The characterisation is what I loved the most. None of them are stereotypes. Each of them is flawed and damaged in very different ways - the ex-military man who has seen too much death - the cop still going through a guilt trip - the asylum seeker risking everything to find justice for her friend. All of them are running away from something until the author decides to send them on a collision course. Thriller writing at its very best.
July 20, 2023
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC copy to review. I'm a fan of police procedurals and have read an awful lot of them now, so was interested in this one as from the blurb seemed a little different set in Ireland.
It took a fair while to get going and there were times when I was tempted to give up but I'm glad I didn't as overall it was a decent read. The end was perhaps a bit predictable but it will be interesting to see if this leads to a 2nd book to follow on.
The main character obviously has a troubled back story as does the secondary lead which make for an interesting dynamic and there are times when you really hope that the two lost souls make it, that's for sure.
This would be a good sunbed read! Take a chance!
It took a fair while to get going and there were times when I was tempted to give up but I'm glad I didn't as overall it was a decent read. The end was perhaps a bit predictable but it will be interesting to see if this leads to a 2nd book to follow on.
The main character obviously has a troubled back story as does the secondary lead which make for an interesting dynamic and there are times when you really hope that the two lost souls make it, that's for sure.
This would be a good sunbed read! Take a chance!
July 10, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much. Perhaps it was because two of the main characters were sea swimmers! No, it was much more than that. The characters were interesting and well rounded, neither all good nor all bad. Some were surprising, with hidden facets to their personality. They struggle with both the everyday demands of life and deeper trauma. The plot is well structured, developing logically, but with intriguing twists and turns. I particularly enjoyed the ending. This is far more than a simple whodunnit or detective story. It is more a psychological thriller, with a very human touch. Recommended reading.
July 14, 2023
This is my first book by this author which I enjoyed reading and look forward to seeing what is next for him. I enjoyed how he pulled me into the story by using details to make me feel as if I was part of the story. The characters are strong, creative and held my attention to the end They have great growth throughout which added to the suspense of the story. This is a fast paced, well written story that will bring back dark pasts, a path you may not want to follow. This is a great book and I highly recommend it.
July 19, 2023
Loved that the setting was Ireland as have traveled there many times and just made the story a little more interesting to me. I also liked the story line going back and forth between the perspectives as it gave me a chance to decide how I thought it was going to turn out. An entertaining read, a little slow at times but I enjoyed it, look forward to more from this author and thank Bloodhound Books for my ARC!
July 20, 2023
Kate Cassidy “Cass” moves back home to Glencale a peaceful Irish village after years in the Dublin Guarda. While adjusting to her new job and investigating a cold case she is thrown into a murder case. Is the newcomer to Glencale, Mason Brady, involved? You will not want to put the book down as the book weaves between cases and Cass & Brady’s personal lives. Pick up this book and enjoy the ride.
June 24, 2023
Crime fiction is my favourite genre and I love finding new authors and the fact that it’s set in Ireland is another plus, I was gripped from page one and took my time reading it because I didn’t want to finish it but wanted to find out what was the eventual outcome , it does look from the ending that this could be the start of a series so fingers crossed for that. A five star read for me.
June 30, 2023
Cass leaves her detective life behind and returns to her home town and back to being a police officer after a trauma in her personal life. What she didn’t expect was to become embroiled in complicated murder case. An excellent piece of writing, bringing the characters to life in my mind. Ben Barnes is definitely on my watch list of Authors now.
July 10, 2023
There is nothing wrong with the storyline of this book but I found it slow and a bit plodding and in fact I was half way though before I really started to enjoy it, probably just my mood at the time but that is how I felt. It took me ages to get into the story and figure out what was going on which is not like me.
July 11, 2023
Cass relocates from her role as a Detective in Dublin to that of a uniform Gard in her hometown in the west of Ireland. She is handed the file on a year-old unsolved murder, can she solve the case?
A local farmer is murdered and there are mysterious Americans, are they involved?
A well written and fast paced book.
A local farmer is murdered and there are mysterious Americans, are they involved?
A well written and fast paced book.
July 13, 2023
I liked reading this story located in Ireland, it's been some time since my last book based there. The dual POV story was very well written, a bit slow at the beginning but when I got into it it started to change the pace and kept me glued to my Kindle until the very end. The characters were pretty realistic and likable. This is my first book by this author and it won't be my last.
July 14, 2023
After moving back to her hometown, former detective Cass is tasked with investigating a cold case, while her colleagues work on solving a string of violent burglaries and a vicious murder. And where does ex US soldier Brady fit into it all? A thrilling game of cat and mouse between Cass and Brady ensues and the plot twists and turns right to the end. An absolutely edge-of-your-seat must-read!
July 9, 2023
I loved this book. It is fast paced and written from the perspectives of the two opposing characters.
The setting in Ireland was beautifully written and the characters were engaging if not all likeable.
For anyone who likes crime fiction this a must read. I can't wait to read more.
The setting in Ireland was beautifully written and the characters were engaging if not all likeable.
For anyone who likes crime fiction this a must read. I can't wait to read more.
July 20, 2023
This is an interesting new crime drama based in Ireland.
After a traumatic event casues Kate to resign from her detective position in search of something a little "safer", she returns to her quiet hometown in Ireland to a position with the community police.
With her background known, she is instantly handed an unsolved murder case to work on which although intriguing, brings more trouble than she bargained for.
This was a slow burn start as we are introduced to our characters and their background - but once the action starts, the pace picks up nicely.
We follow the story through two pov's and it was nice to have that contrasting view of the cases so that we could work through it with them and come up with our own theories.
The characters were well presented and I like that they represented current social issues like mental health and workplace behaviour.
The setting was great - I've not read too many books set in Ireland and it was lovely to "see" the area and hear the dialect too.
I'm not sure whether this will be a series or just a standalone, but it would be nice to revisit these characters and watch them further develop over time with a few more books and a few more cases to be solved.
After a traumatic event casues Kate to resign from her detective position in search of something a little "safer", she returns to her quiet hometown in Ireland to a position with the community police.
With her background known, she is instantly handed an unsolved murder case to work on which although intriguing, brings more trouble than she bargained for.
This was a slow burn start as we are introduced to our characters and their background - but once the action starts, the pace picks up nicely.
We follow the story through two pov's and it was nice to have that contrasting view of the cases so that we could work through it with them and come up with our own theories.
The characters were well presented and I like that they represented current social issues like mental health and workplace behaviour.
The setting was great - I've not read too many books set in Ireland and it was lovely to "see" the area and hear the dialect too.
I'm not sure whether this will be a series or just a standalone, but it would be nice to revisit these characters and watch them further develop over time with a few more books and a few more cases to be solved.
July 10, 2023
This book initially appealed to me as it was set in Ireland as I know it well. The author described it so well. The main protagonist Cass was a great character that I really related too and just wanted everything to go well for her. This was a really nail biting read and would definitely recommend.
July 10, 2023
Kate Cassidy returns home after a personal trauma, and is assigned a very cold case. Then a local farmer is murdered. Is it a burglary gone wrong or something more? And what is the role of mysterious American Mason Brady? A gripping read which kept me hooked. Hopefully the start of a new series.
July 14, 2023
This is a story comes out The Murder Loop, July 13, 2023. The paperback is available. The storyline of crime with Kate Cassidy is a thrilling novel with her as a policewoman she on a cold case, with drama. This story s fantastic from 1st page to the last the ending you will be glad you did.
July 18, 2023
The Murder Loop by Ben Barnes.
She’s trained to stop killers. He’s trained to be one. And they’re set to collide with potentially lethal consequences…
A good read. This was a slow starter but I did like the story. I was gripped to the story as I would like. 4*.
She’s trained to stop killers. He’s trained to be one. And they’re set to collide with potentially lethal consequences…
A good read. This was a slow starter but I did like the story. I was gripped to the story as I would like. 4*.
July 3, 2023
A great crime story set in Ireland. Great story and deep characters. It is one of those books that you take your time reading as you do not want it to end.
July 3, 2023
Really enjoyed this book x hooked me from start x
July 31, 2023
This book took a while to get going but it was overall a good story. Thanks to bloodhound books for the ARC in return for an honest review
August 19, 2023
Absolutely loved this book. It was slower paced in place but not in a bad way, it built the sort and the tension. I feel like this could easily be a series, I hope so!
September 22, 2023
Needed a better finish. The build-up was brilliant.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews