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Maggie D'arcy #4
A Stolen Child
"Taylor presents an appealingly nuanced twist on the traditional police procedural.” – The Washington Post
Sarah Stewart Taylor is known for her atmospheric portrayal of an American detective in Ireland, and her critically acclaimed series returns with A Stolen Child.
After months of training, former Long Island homicide detective Maggie D’arcy is now officially a Garda. She’s finally settling into life in Ireland and so is her teenage daughter, Lilly. Maggie may not be a detective yet, but she’s happy with her community policing assignment in Dublin's Portobello neighborhood.
When she and her partner find former model and reality tv star Jade Elliot murdered―days after responding to a possible domestic violence disturbance at her apartment―they also discover Jade's toddler daughter missing. Shorthanded thanks to an investigation into a gangland murder in the neighborhood, Maggie’s friend, Detective Inspector Roly Byrne, brings her onto his team to help find the missing child. But when a key discovery is made, the case only becomes more confusing―and more dangerous. Amidst a nationwide manhunt, Maggie and her colleagues must look deep into Jade’s life―both personal and professional―to find a ruthless killer.
Sarah Stewart Taylor is known for her atmospheric portrayal of an American detective in Ireland, and her critically acclaimed series returns with A Stolen Child.
After months of training, former Long Island homicide detective Maggie D’arcy is now officially a Garda. She’s finally settling into life in Ireland and so is her teenage daughter, Lilly. Maggie may not be a detective yet, but she’s happy with her community policing assignment in Dublin's Portobello neighborhood.
When she and her partner find former model and reality tv star Jade Elliot murdered―days after responding to a possible domestic violence disturbance at her apartment―they also discover Jade's toddler daughter missing. Shorthanded thanks to an investigation into a gangland murder in the neighborhood, Maggie’s friend, Detective Inspector Roly Byrne, brings her onto his team to help find the missing child. But when a key discovery is made, the case only becomes more confusing―and more dangerous. Amidst a nationwide manhunt, Maggie and her colleagues must look deep into Jade’s life―both personal and professional―to find a ruthless killer.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2023
99 people are currently reading
13123 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Stewart Taylor
19 books753 followersSarah Stewart Taylor lives with her husband and three children on a farm in Vermont where they raise sheep and grow blueberries.
Sarah is the author of the Sweeney St. George series and the Maggie D'arcy series. The first Maggie D'arcy mystery, THE MOUNTAINS WILD, was nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize and was on numerous Best of 2020 lists. The new Maggie D'arcy novel, A STOLEN CHILD, is out now. AGONY HILL, the first installment in her new series set in Vermont in 1965, will be out in 2024.
Sarah is the author of the Sweeney St. George series and the Maggie D'arcy series. The first Maggie D'arcy mystery, THE MOUNTAINS WILD, was nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize and was on numerous Best of 2020 lists. The new Maggie D'arcy novel, A STOLEN CHILD, is out now. AGONY HILL, the first installment in her new series set in Vermont in 1965, will be out in 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews
June 25, 2023
4.5⭐️
A solid procedural that I thoroughly enjoyed!
Garda Maggie D’arcy is a former Long Island homicide detective with twenty years of experience under her belt, who relocated to Ireland a few years back and is working her way up the ladder in local law enforcement, currently on community policing assignment in Dublin's Portobello neighborhood. When former mer model/reality television star and single mother Jade Elliott is found strangled to death in her home and her toddler daughter Lauren missing. Maggie and her partner Garda Jason Savage were first on the scene. Given her experience in homicide and the fact that the investigative unit is temporarily short-staffed, Senior Investigator Roly Byrne ropes her in to join the investigation. We follow Maggie, Roly and her temporary partner Detective Sergeant Padraig Fiero, as they do a deep dive into Jade’s past – both personal and professional as they frantically search for the missing child and try to find the killer. What follows is a complicated web of lies, secrets and some shocking revelations.
I liked the structure and pacing of the plot and enjoyed following the mystery as it is gradually unraveled. The procedural aspect is very well depicted. Plenty of suspects, twists and red herrings make for an engrossing read and I was surprised by the final reveal (which is always a good thing!). I haven’t read too many procedurals based in Ireland, and I really enjoyed the setting and the details of the law enforcement structure and procedure mentioned in the course of this novel. We also get to know more about Maggie and her boyfriend Conor, who discovers some old photographs within the walls of their home, adding a parallel track to the story that has a bittersweet ending. We also meet Maggie’s daughter Lillie and Conor’s son Adrien. This is the fourth book in a series and though I haven’t read the previous installments, I had no problem following this one. I do, however, intend to read the other books simply because I really liked the protagonist and how well the procedural aspect was presented in this novel. I also thought that the author struck a perfect balance while weaving the mystery and Maggie’s personal life into a fluid and engaging narrative, with the latter never overshadowing the former. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor and would gladly recommend it to those who enjoy reading police procedurals.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
A solid procedural that I thoroughly enjoyed!
Garda Maggie D’arcy is a former Long Island homicide detective with twenty years of experience under her belt, who relocated to Ireland a few years back and is working her way up the ladder in local law enforcement, currently on community policing assignment in Dublin's Portobello neighborhood. When former mer model/reality television star and single mother Jade Elliott is found strangled to death in her home and her toddler daughter Lauren missing. Maggie and her partner Garda Jason Savage were first on the scene. Given her experience in homicide and the fact that the investigative unit is temporarily short-staffed, Senior Investigator Roly Byrne ropes her in to join the investigation. We follow Maggie, Roly and her temporary partner Detective Sergeant Padraig Fiero, as they do a deep dive into Jade’s past – both personal and professional as they frantically search for the missing child and try to find the killer. What follows is a complicated web of lies, secrets and some shocking revelations.
I liked the structure and pacing of the plot and enjoyed following the mystery as it is gradually unraveled. The procedural aspect is very well depicted. Plenty of suspects, twists and red herrings make for an engrossing read and I was surprised by the final reveal (which is always a good thing!). I haven’t read too many procedurals based in Ireland, and I really enjoyed the setting and the details of the law enforcement structure and procedure mentioned in the course of this novel. We also get to know more about Maggie and her boyfriend Conor, who discovers some old photographs within the walls of their home, adding a parallel track to the story that has a bittersweet ending. We also meet Maggie’s daughter Lillie and Conor’s son Adrien. This is the fourth book in a series and though I haven’t read the previous installments, I had no problem following this one. I do, however, intend to read the other books simply because I really liked the protagonist and how well the procedural aspect was presented in this novel. I also thought that the author struck a perfect balance while weaving the mystery and Maggie’s personal life into a fluid and engaging narrative, with the latter never overshadowing the former. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor and would gladly recommend it to those who enjoy reading police procedurals.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 3, 2023
Although A Stolen Child was the fourth book in the Maggie D’arcy series by Sarah Stewart Taylor, I was surprised how easily I was able to immerse myself in the police procedural plot of this murder/kidnapping mystery. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone book but at some point I might go back and read the previous three books just for background information. I enjoyed that the female protagonist, Garda Maggie D’arcy, had been transplanted to Dublin, Ireland from Long Island, New York. She had been a homicide detective in Long Island but would now have to work her way through the ranks of Ireland’s police force to earn that distinction again. Maggie and her teenage daughter lived with Maggie’s boyfriend and his son. So far the arrangement was proving to be very positive. Maggie was getting used to her new life in Ireland.
Maggie and her younger Garda partner found themselves walking the streets of Dublin’s Portebello neighborhood when they received a call about a possible domestic dispute in a nearby apartment complex. When Maggie and her partner arrived at the apartment where a supposedly loud scream was heard from, the woman occupant blamed it on a show she had been watching on her television. She claimed to be fine. The very next day, the same woman, Jade Elliott, a former model, reality show star and mother, was found dead and her two year old daughter was missing. Maggie’s expertise was needed for this case so a few strings were pulled to give her clearance to work on this murder/abduction case. Maggie’s systematic approach to all the interviews she conducted and the gathering of evidence proved to be quite effective and impressive. The obvious questions that were going through her mind and the minds of all that were involved in solving this case were who could have gained access to Jade Elliott’s apartment to kill her and why? Why was her young daughter taken? What had the monster who took the child done to her? Maggie and the other detectives were up against the clock. The longer the child was missing the more likely it would be that they would not find her alive or unharmed. Could Maggie and the other detectives get to the bottom of this case before it was too late?
I enjoyed how Sarah Stewart Taylor portrayed Maggie. She proved to be a strong and well developed character. Author, Sarah Stewart Taylor, allowed Maggie’s character to shine, become more confident and step into a role she well deserved. I couldn’t read this book fast enough. Every time I thought I had figured out the mystery another twist was introduced. I did not see the ending coming. There was no way I would have guessed the outcome. I really enjoyed reading A Stolen Child and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for allowing me to read A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Maggie and her younger Garda partner found themselves walking the streets of Dublin’s Portebello neighborhood when they received a call about a possible domestic dispute in a nearby apartment complex. When Maggie and her partner arrived at the apartment where a supposedly loud scream was heard from, the woman occupant blamed it on a show she had been watching on her television. She claimed to be fine. The very next day, the same woman, Jade Elliott, a former model, reality show star and mother, was found dead and her two year old daughter was missing. Maggie’s expertise was needed for this case so a few strings were pulled to give her clearance to work on this murder/abduction case. Maggie’s systematic approach to all the interviews she conducted and the gathering of evidence proved to be quite effective and impressive. The obvious questions that were going through her mind and the minds of all that were involved in solving this case were who could have gained access to Jade Elliott’s apartment to kill her and why? Why was her young daughter taken? What had the monster who took the child done to her? Maggie and the other detectives were up against the clock. The longer the child was missing the more likely it would be that they would not find her alive or unharmed. Could Maggie and the other detectives get to the bottom of this case before it was too late?
I enjoyed how Sarah Stewart Taylor portrayed Maggie. She proved to be a strong and well developed character. Author, Sarah Stewart Taylor, allowed Maggie’s character to shine, become more confident and step into a role she well deserved. I couldn’t read this book fast enough. Every time I thought I had figured out the mystery another twist was introduced. I did not see the ending coming. There was no way I would have guessed the outcome. I really enjoyed reading A Stolen Child and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for allowing me to read A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 10, 2023
This book is pretty close to to being perfect for me - a transplanted American woman police officer adjusting to a new love and a new police force in Ireland. The characters are likeable and the plot moves along nicely. There isn't a thing I would change. Highly recommended. Publication date: June, 2023.
My thanks to the author, Sarah Stewart Taylor, and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for my ARC of this novel. #Goodreads Giveaway.
My thanks to the author, Sarah Stewart Taylor, and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for my ARC of this novel. #Goodreads Giveaway.
July 29, 2023
A STOLEN CHILD is the fourth novel in the Maggie D’Arcy police procedural series by author Sarah Stewart Taylor. The series features a former Long Island, New York detective of twenty years now living in Ireland along with daughter Lily at the home of boyfriend Conor and his son Adrian. Now working as a Garda patrolling the streets of Dublin, Maggie D'Arcy will have to pay her dues and wait for an opening before rising up the ranks to once again work as a detective. However, when her friend Detective Inspector Roly Byrne's team is short-handed, Maggie is temporarily called up to assist in investigating high profile cases which she does without hesitation.
Garda Maggie D'Arcy is on patrol with her partner Garda James Savage when they get a call about a possible homicide at the same apartment where they answered a domestic distress call from former model Jade Elliott a few days earlier. She assured them all was okay . . . but had they missed something? While investigating the scene, Maggie recognizes signs of a child's presence in the apartment, but where's the child? A murder investigation quickly morphs into a kidnapping case, and Maggie is excited when she's called up to partner with Detective Sergeant Padraig Fiero to assist in the case. Her expertise as a homicide detective is priceless to the understaffed police department, and Maggie is thankful for the opportunity to do what she does best. As the story unfolds, Maggie and Fiero dive into Jade's personal and professional past for any links that may lead to the kidnapper. What they uncover is a convoluted, twisted web of lies that ties their investigation up in knots. Clock's ticking, and they fear time is running out for one scared little girl.
Author Sarah Stewart Taylor has gifted readers with another riveting story in A STOLEN CHILD. Her distinctive, descriptive writing style transports readers to the beautiful land of Ireland with its colorful scenery and people with all the sights and sounds of Dublin. I appreciated the author's attention to detail when it comes to highlighting the differences in the hierarchy and structuring of the law enforcement department in Ireland vs. the American ways and system of justice. The intriguing plot line is steadily propelled forward by a series of dead ends and investigators' increasing panic as days pass without finding the child and leads turn cold. The author keeps readers on their toes sorting through an impressive list of red herrings as the investigation evolves. Fans of the series will enjoy the side story involving Maggie and Conor's personal lives including scenes of the renovation of their home with old photographs found hidden within walls becoming a story within a story. The subtle blending of story lines adds needed dimension to the characters with intimate peeks at their personal journeys.
A STOLEN CHILD is a highly engaging, totally immersive police procedural that continues Maggie D'Arcy's story with her move to Ireland. While this book can certainly be read as a standalone with the author filling in needed backstory nicely, I recommend readers start at the beginning with book one and read the series in order for the overall character development. I predict fans of the series are going to love the direction Taylor is taking these characters along with the roadblocks she continuously challenges them to scale. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries and police procedurals.
Special thanks to the author and Minotaur Books for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own. This review was first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is currently available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews
Garda Maggie D'Arcy is on patrol with her partner Garda James Savage when they get a call about a possible homicide at the same apartment where they answered a domestic distress call from former model Jade Elliott a few days earlier. She assured them all was okay . . . but had they missed something? While investigating the scene, Maggie recognizes signs of a child's presence in the apartment, but where's the child? A murder investigation quickly morphs into a kidnapping case, and Maggie is excited when she's called up to partner with Detective Sergeant Padraig Fiero to assist in the case. Her expertise as a homicide detective is priceless to the understaffed police department, and Maggie is thankful for the opportunity to do what she does best. As the story unfolds, Maggie and Fiero dive into Jade's personal and professional past for any links that may lead to the kidnapper. What they uncover is a convoluted, twisted web of lies that ties their investigation up in knots. Clock's ticking, and they fear time is running out for one scared little girl.
Author Sarah Stewart Taylor has gifted readers with another riveting story in A STOLEN CHILD. Her distinctive, descriptive writing style transports readers to the beautiful land of Ireland with its colorful scenery and people with all the sights and sounds of Dublin. I appreciated the author's attention to detail when it comes to highlighting the differences in the hierarchy and structuring of the law enforcement department in Ireland vs. the American ways and system of justice. The intriguing plot line is steadily propelled forward by a series of dead ends and investigators' increasing panic as days pass without finding the child and leads turn cold. The author keeps readers on their toes sorting through an impressive list of red herrings as the investigation evolves. Fans of the series will enjoy the side story involving Maggie and Conor's personal lives including scenes of the renovation of their home with old photographs found hidden within walls becoming a story within a story. The subtle blending of story lines adds needed dimension to the characters with intimate peeks at their personal journeys.
A STOLEN CHILD is a highly engaging, totally immersive police procedural that continues Maggie D'Arcy's story with her move to Ireland. While this book can certainly be read as a standalone with the author filling in needed backstory nicely, I recommend readers start at the beginning with book one and read the series in order for the overall character development. I predict fans of the series are going to love the direction Taylor is taking these characters along with the roadblocks she continuously challenges them to scale. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries and police procedurals.
Special thanks to the author and Minotaur Books for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own. This review was first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is currently available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews
April 9, 2023
Maggie D'Arcy was an American police detective who has moved to Ireland and had to start over as a police officer. She will have to work her way up to detective. However, due to her background and the circumstances of the case she gets the opportunity to work on an investigation of a missing child who disappeared after her mother was murdered.
This was a dramatic, engrossing book and I enjoyed following the investigation. The book moved at a good pace and built tension as the story unfolded. The murder is complex and had quite a few surprises. I recommended this book to anyone who likes mysteries and police procedurals. I'm going to try to pick up the earlier books in this series.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 20, 2023.
This was a dramatic, engrossing book and I enjoyed following the investigation. The book moved at a good pace and built tension as the story unfolded. The murder is complex and had quite a few surprises. I recommended this book to anyone who likes mysteries and police procedurals. I'm going to try to pick up the earlier books in this series.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 20, 2023.
August 6, 2023
A Stolen Child continues Sarah Stewart Taylor’s Maggie D’arcy series, with an American police detective in Ireland. This book is my introduction to the series and Maggie’s introduction to finally being a Garda police officer. She’s not a detective though hopes to become one in her new country eventually. One night, Maggie and her partner are notified of a serious crime at a nearby address and find a woman’s lifeless body. So begins an investigation with some twists I didn’t see coming, but that were earned by this well constructed plot.
Because of being in the right place at the right time, and being known by the lead detective assigned to this murder case, D’arcy is temporarily assigned to the detective unit to assist for a few days in the combined murder/kidnapping case. Yes- there’s a missing two year old too!
I definitely recommend this book for the procedural itself, the domestic storyline of Maggie’s new life in Ireland and the complex but well constructed plot. I plan to read the earlier books in the series and look forward to future episodes.
Minotaur Books and NetGalley provided a copy of this book. The review is mine.
Because of being in the right place at the right time, and being known by the lead detective assigned to this murder case, D’arcy is temporarily assigned to the detective unit to assist for a few days in the combined murder/kidnapping case. Yes- there’s a missing two year old too!
I definitely recommend this book for the procedural itself, the domestic storyline of Maggie’s new life in Ireland and the complex but well constructed plot. I plan to read the earlier books in the series and look forward to future episodes.
Minotaur Books and NetGalley provided a copy of this book. The review is mine.
May 6, 2023
This is the fourth in the Maggie D’arcy series; it is the second one I have read. Although I was glad to have had an earlier introduction to some of the characters, this would work as a standalone.
Maggie, a former Long Island, NY detective, has relocated to Ireland with her daughter. They are living with her lover and his son. She has completed training to become a Garda and is assigned a partner to do community policing in the Portobello area of Dublin. A woman who lives on Maggie’s beat is murdered and her young daughter is missing. Because the present detective team has another high profile case as well, Maggie is enlisted to assist them with the investigation.
This is a solid police procedural with the unique perspective of an American detective adjusting to life with the Dublin police department. It was a fast, engrossing read; I did not want to put it down. It is a bit dark, with twists and turns.
I enjoy series with strong, cable female MCs and this one has joined my list of must reads.
Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the ARC
Maggie, a former Long Island, NY detective, has relocated to Ireland with her daughter. They are living with her lover and his son. She has completed training to become a Garda and is assigned a partner to do community policing in the Portobello area of Dublin. A woman who lives on Maggie’s beat is murdered and her young daughter is missing. Because the present detective team has another high profile case as well, Maggie is enlisted to assist them with the investigation.
This is a solid police procedural with the unique perspective of an American detective adjusting to life with the Dublin police department. It was a fast, engrossing read; I did not want to put it down. It is a bit dark, with twists and turns.
I enjoy series with strong, cable female MCs and this one has joined my list of must reads.
Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the ARC
May 26, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 20, 2023
“A Stolen Child” is the fourth novel in the Maggie D’Arcy police procedural series, by author Sarah Stewart Taylor. Born in the U.S but educated in Dublin, Taylor is able to bring a realism to American ex-pat Maggie, who is a former American police officer now training to be a detective in Ireland.
A former child model, and reality TV star, Jade Elliott is murdered in her apartment and her two-year-old daughter is nowhere to be found. Garda officer Maggie D’Arcy is called to the scene to investigate, and to help locate the missing toddler. Soon, the police are flooded with subjects and everyone from Jade’s family, to the father of Jade’s baby, to the owners of the modeling agency where Jade once worked is considered a suspect. Although the police have their work cut out for them, Maggie and her team make a shocking discovery, which turns the entire investigation on its head.
Like many police procedurals of its ilk, “Child” is one in a series, and, like its counterparts, it is not necessary to read the other “Maggie D’Arcy” novels in order to be able to follow along with the storyline. However, I always recommend reading the other novels in a series, as it adds character development and ties up more loose ends. Stewart Taylor is a new author completely for me, so this was my first foray into the Maggie D’Arcy world.
Taylor’s characters are strong, and it is easy to build a quick rapport with plucky, headstrong D’Arcy. I’m always more invested in a police procedural where the protagonist is a female, and Taylor does Maggie justice. Although I don’t know her entire backstory, I related to Maggie and found her to be someone worth rooting for.
There are many characters in this novel, and they are all interconnected in intricate ways; however, the novel was very easy to follow, and “Child” has a smooth flow and enough high-octane drama that it’s easy to keep turning the pages. There is non-stop action, and I couldn’t stop reading!
Although police procedurals are not a new genre by any stretch (not even with female protagonists), Stewart Taylor brings her own level of unique creativity, and I am an instant fan. I look forward to catching up on D’Arcy’s past adventures, and joining her on new ones.
Expected publication date: June 20, 2023
“A Stolen Child” is the fourth novel in the Maggie D’Arcy police procedural series, by author Sarah Stewart Taylor. Born in the U.S but educated in Dublin, Taylor is able to bring a realism to American ex-pat Maggie, who is a former American police officer now training to be a detective in Ireland.
A former child model, and reality TV star, Jade Elliott is murdered in her apartment and her two-year-old daughter is nowhere to be found. Garda officer Maggie D’Arcy is called to the scene to investigate, and to help locate the missing toddler. Soon, the police are flooded with subjects and everyone from Jade’s family, to the father of Jade’s baby, to the owners of the modeling agency where Jade once worked is considered a suspect. Although the police have their work cut out for them, Maggie and her team make a shocking discovery, which turns the entire investigation on its head.
Like many police procedurals of its ilk, “Child” is one in a series, and, like its counterparts, it is not necessary to read the other “Maggie D’Arcy” novels in order to be able to follow along with the storyline. However, I always recommend reading the other novels in a series, as it adds character development and ties up more loose ends. Stewart Taylor is a new author completely for me, so this was my first foray into the Maggie D’Arcy world.
Taylor’s characters are strong, and it is easy to build a quick rapport with plucky, headstrong D’Arcy. I’m always more invested in a police procedural where the protagonist is a female, and Taylor does Maggie justice. Although I don’t know her entire backstory, I related to Maggie and found her to be someone worth rooting for.
There are many characters in this novel, and they are all interconnected in intricate ways; however, the novel was very easy to follow, and “Child” has a smooth flow and enough high-octane drama that it’s easy to keep turning the pages. There is non-stop action, and I couldn’t stop reading!
Although police procedurals are not a new genre by any stretch (not even with female protagonists), Stewart Taylor brings her own level of unique creativity, and I am an instant fan. I look forward to catching up on D’Arcy’s past adventures, and joining her on new ones.
February 18, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed, A Stolen Child. the latest book in the Maggie D'arcy series. I've read all 4 books in the series and look forward to solving more crimes in the future with Detective D'arcy. Ireland police procedurals/crime stories suck me in every time! It was well-written, dark, and twisty and as always, Sarah Stewart Taylor is great a keeping you guessing until the very end!
I really enjoyed, A Stolen Child. the latest book in the Maggie D'arcy series. I've read all 4 books in the series and look forward to solving more crimes in the future with Detective D'arcy. Ireland police procedurals/crime stories suck me in every time! It was well-written, dark, and twisty and as always, Sarah Stewart Taylor is great a keeping you guessing until the very end!
July 6, 2023
Maggie D’arcy is now a proper Garda in Dublin investigating the murder of a model/TV reality star in her flat. What’s more troubling is that her two-year-old infant, Laurel, is missing. The clock is ticking because with every hour that passes the likelihood of finding Laurel alive goes down significantly.
I was excited that Maggie is now a Garda, even though working as a beat cop again was a little discouraging to her it’s a big step at making detective. However, being that the department was shorthanded and Roly, the detective in charge, knew her value she was invited to help with the case. Maggie had good instincts and the experience they needed to figure out this case, and it was a twisty one!
Conor and Maggie are still settling in together, mixing their families, and so it wasn’t always smooth sailing, like real-life, but I’m so happy they’re together!
I’ve loved this series from the very first book! I enjoy that the setting is now in Ireland. The city of Dublin came alive with Ms. Taylor’s writing. There’s a mystery to solve with each installment, but also the ongoing story of Maggie and her relationships with Conor, her daughter Lilly, and her career as a police detective. It’s been an exciting journey and one that’s best started from the beginning. I’d recommend the series to any fan of police/crime procedurals with a strong personal aspect!
A copy was kindly provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited that Maggie is now a Garda, even though working as a beat cop again was a little discouraging to her it’s a big step at making detective. However, being that the department was shorthanded and Roly, the detective in charge, knew her value she was invited to help with the case. Maggie had good instincts and the experience they needed to figure out this case, and it was a twisty one!
Conor and Maggie are still settling in together, mixing their families, and so it wasn’t always smooth sailing, like real-life, but I’m so happy they’re together!
I’ve loved this series from the very first book! I enjoy that the setting is now in Ireland. The city of Dublin came alive with Ms. Taylor’s writing. There’s a mystery to solve with each installment, but also the ongoing story of Maggie and her relationships with Conor, her daughter Lilly, and her career as a police detective. It’s been an exciting journey and one that’s best started from the beginning. I’d recommend the series to any fan of police/crime procedurals with a strong personal aspect!
A copy was kindly provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2023
A solid entry into this Irish police procedural kept me awake at night--not grisly but very disturbing. This series has great plots and vibrant characters with a glimpse into neighborhoods and locations in Ireland that are fascinating. There are few mystery series that I follow from the start on through, but this is one of them!
Many thanks to the publisher and to Edelweiss for an advance copy. (pub date is June 20)
Many thanks to the publisher and to Edelweiss for an advance copy. (pub date is June 20)
June 20, 2023
**Happy Publication Day**
*4-4.5 stars. In the 4th book in this mystery series about a former Long Island police detective who has transplanted herself and her daughter to Ireland, Maggie D'arcy has finished at the Garda Training College and is on community patrol in Dublin with her partner, Garda James Savage. They get a call about a possible homicide at an apartment complex and are first on the scene where they find the body of a beautiful young woman. Unfortunately they had answered a call for possible domestic violence at the same address a few days earlier but had been assured that it was only a too-loud movie on TV. Did they miss the signs of trouble ahead?
Now they realize the victim, a former model named Jade Elliott, has a two-year-old daughter Laurel who is missing, so a possible homicide intensifies into a frantic search for a stolen child.
This is a brilliant police procedural! Because Maggie worked with the Garda previously in her role as a Long Island detective, and because they are short-handed, she is allowed to step up and work closely with this investigation and the search for the child. Unfortunately they are very short of suspects and a motive. Everyone they question seems to be holding something back--so frustrating!
Meanwhile at home with her lover Colin and their two kids, the house they are sharing is being renovated and Colin is waiting to see reviews of his newly-published book on Irish political history. And where is their relationship heading anyway? Could things get any more tense for Maggie?
I've enjoyed this series from the start and would recommend that anyone new to it should do the same as the relationships, both personal and professional, build.
I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
*4-4.5 stars. In the 4th book in this mystery series about a former Long Island police detective who has transplanted herself and her daughter to Ireland, Maggie D'arcy has finished at the Garda Training College and is on community patrol in Dublin with her partner, Garda James Savage. They get a call about a possible homicide at an apartment complex and are first on the scene where they find the body of a beautiful young woman. Unfortunately they had answered a call for possible domestic violence at the same address a few days earlier but had been assured that it was only a too-loud movie on TV. Did they miss the signs of trouble ahead?
Now they realize the victim, a former model named Jade Elliott, has a two-year-old daughter Laurel who is missing, so a possible homicide intensifies into a frantic search for a stolen child.
This is a brilliant police procedural! Because Maggie worked with the Garda previously in her role as a Long Island detective, and because they are short-handed, she is allowed to step up and work closely with this investigation and the search for the child. Unfortunately they are very short of suspects and a motive. Everyone they question seems to be holding something back--so frustrating!
Meanwhile at home with her lover Colin and their two kids, the house they are sharing is being renovated and Colin is waiting to see reviews of his newly-published book on Irish political history. And where is their relationship heading anyway? Could things get any more tense for Maggie?
I've enjoyed this series from the start and would recommend that anyone new to it should do the same as the relationships, both personal and professional, build.
I received an arc of this new mystery from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 15, 2023
This is the fourth installment in the Maggie D'arcy series, and it was just as good as the first three. I love traveling through the streets of Dublin and other parts of Ireland as Maggie works toward solving crimes.
The mystery had me guessing until the very end. I truly didn't figure it out on my own,but when all was revealed, everything made perfect sense. The clues were all there and easily put together at the conclusion.
I'm definitely looking forward to more mystery solving with Maggie and her colleagues.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The mystery had me guessing until the very end. I truly didn't figure it out on my own,but when all was revealed, everything made perfect sense. The clues were all there and easily put together at the conclusion.
I'm definitely looking forward to more mystery solving with Maggie and her colleagues.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 7, 2023
Book four in the series featuring and American detective in Ireland! Definitely can be read as a standalone.
Maggie D’arcy is now officially a Garda! But she needs to work her way up from the bottom, like all new employees. It smarts a bit, being on beat patrol but she has a great partner. When Maggie and her partner discover a murdered mother and missing child, she has her chance to showcase her skills. The problem is that the case is not very straight forward.
I love Maggie and this book was a joy to read. I haven't been interested in addide any new detectives or police serieses to my reading repertoire until I started reading Stewart Taylor. She has a way with words, and is a great plotter. The stories are believable and you are very invested by the end. If you love a police procedural, love all things Irish or are interested in a realistic and intelligent female heroine, A Stolen Child is for you!
#STMartinsPress #AStolenChild #SarahStewartTaylor
Maggie D’arcy is now officially a Garda! But she needs to work her way up from the bottom, like all new employees. It smarts a bit, being on beat patrol but she has a great partner. When Maggie and her partner discover a murdered mother and missing child, she has her chance to showcase her skills. The problem is that the case is not very straight forward.
I love Maggie and this book was a joy to read. I haven't been interested in addide any new detectives or police serieses to my reading repertoire until I started reading Stewart Taylor. She has a way with words, and is a great plotter. The stories are believable and you are very invested by the end. If you love a police procedural, love all things Irish or are interested in a realistic and intelligent female heroine, A Stolen Child is for you!
#STMartinsPress #AStolenChild #SarahStewartTaylor
January 29, 2023
I absolutely LOVE this series. I got the first book and read it when it first came out and i literally wait to see the new one come out. I gobble it up as soon as it arrives at my door. I can't stop telling everyone to go start this series Maggie is one of my favorite characters out there. This new installment was top notch! I was bitting my nails and sitting in the edge of my couch till I made it to the end. Love, love, love this!! Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy!
I just reviewed A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor. #NetGalley
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I just reviewed A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor. #NetGalley
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May 1, 2023
This fantastic entry in the Maggie D’Arcy series finds Maggie following her heart (yay!) to Dublin and having to work her way up through the ranks of the Dublin police force. She soon works her way onto a case involving a dead reality star and a missing baby. SST brings the heart her books are known for, and an intricate and satisfying plot while offering readers a terrific opportunity to discover this series.
April 30, 2023
This is book 4 in the Maggie D’arcy mystery series, but it can be read as a stand alone novel as I hadn’t read the previous books. There are mentions of events happening in previous novels, but the author does a great job of explaining without taking away from the central storyline.
- great mystery with layers of secrets!
- a missing child and murdered mother
- Irish setting featuring an American detective
- personal elements and relationships to connect you with the characters
Overall, I loved this one and I can’t wait for you to read it when it comes out in June!
Well written, well researched, and a book I had trouble putting down because I wanted to solve the crime!
Thank you Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!
- great mystery with layers of secrets!
- a missing child and murdered mother
- Irish setting featuring an American detective
- personal elements and relationships to connect you with the characters
Overall, I loved this one and I can’t wait for you to read it when it comes out in June!
Well written, well researched, and a book I had trouble putting down because I wanted to solve the crime!
Thank you Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!
March 16, 2023
Every Sarah Stewart Taylor mystery is remarkable, but this may be my favorite yet. American homicide investigator Maggie D'arcy is living in Dublin with her boyfriend and their teens, working as a patrol officer on her way to a detective rank. When a young woman and former reality TV model is found murdered in the neighborhood and there's no sign of her toddler daughter, Maggie is pulled onto the case to assist. What ensues is a master class in contemporary detective fiction. Taylor's transitions from the rough-around-the-edges neighborhood and its colorful locals to the glamor of modeling agencies and art-world parties are seamless, as is her technique for unspooling the mystery itself. Characters leap off the page, the plot and police procedure are wholly believable, and the payoff is as surprising and satisfying as you can get. Kudos to Taylor for writing what is sure to become a modern classic. This is a 5-star read and then some.
April 20, 2023
A Stolen Child is a police procedural that is part of the Maggie D'arcy Mystery series. This was my first book in the series and it may have been detrimental to start here. Even though I could follow along the story without a trouble, I felt detached from the character. The writing seems very dry much like reading a police report or a witness account. This was a DNF for me after about a third of the book because I did not really care about the characters or the continuing story. I know there are readers that enjoy this kind of story but it wasn’t my cup of tea. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.
April 27, 2024
Stolen Child
Well, I have never read anything by Sarah Stewart Taylor, but I plan on correcting this. I was very engaged with the Irish police procedure offered in this murder mystery about an American detective who has moved to Ireland to be with the love of her life. I read this as a stand-alone but was happy to find out it is a series.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Well, I have never read anything by Sarah Stewart Taylor, but I plan on correcting this. I was very engaged with the Irish police procedure offered in this murder mystery about an American detective who has moved to Ireland to be with the love of her life. I read this as a stand-alone but was happy to find out it is a series.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
June 20, 2023
This was a great atmospheric thriller! I loved the Ireland setting. This was my first time reading a book by this author and I am definitely interested in reading more. I loved how even though this is book 4 in the Maggie D’arcy series I was able to jump right in. I really liked the main character and enjoyed following Maggie as she worked to help solve the case. Overall this book was a quick and well-paced read. If you like police procedural thrillers you should check this one out!
October 31, 2023
Maggie D'Arcy, an ex-New York homicide detective, completed her training and is walking a beat as a member the Gardá with hopes of returning to investigation at some point in the future. When called to the scene of a murder and possible child abduction, Maggie and her partner realize that had been called there for a domestic disturbance recently. Loaned to the investigation for a few days, she becomes enmeshed in the search for the toddler. Meanwhile she still is navigating her and new relationship and combining of families. This well-told story resonates with sharply drawn characters and a structured mystery. While you can read this as a standalone, why deprive yourself of the pleasure of reading the whole arc of Maggie's story and the three other mysteries highlighted. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2023
A former model is murdered and her toddler is missing. This begins a mystery set in Ireland that reintroduces the main character, Marcy D'Arcy who has settled in Ireland from America. I enjoyed the book but I think that it would had been better if I had read the previous book. A lot of twists and turns with an ending that I did not see coming.
July 15, 2023
Author Sarah Stewart Taylor embodies the ideology that great writers ‘write what they know’. The protagonist in her series, Maggie D’Arcy, is a former Suffolk County Police Officer from Long Island, NY, who relocated to Ireland where she later joined the Dublin Garda. Sarah Stewart Taylor grew up on Long Island and, while she presently resides in Vermont, went to school at Middlebury and Trinity College in Dublin.
A STOLEN CHILD is the fourth novel in the Maggie D’Arcy series and may be the one that features the heaviest police procedural work of the group. It is a pleasure to read this novel as the story is so well told and the characters all well depicted. The action starts immediately and does not let up until the very end as this novel will absorb you in the tragic story at its’ center.
Maggie is walking the beat with her partner, Jason Savage. They have come to know the strip they walk by heart as well as all its’ residents from young to old. Who would have thought that the same day they saved a duck from a drain would also be the moment that would define their careers. They receive a call to an apartment house from a landlord who has discovered one of his tenant’s deceased. The ironic thing is that Maggie and Jason had just been on a domestic disturbance call to this same apartment a few days earlier to only find the young woman who lived there all alone watching an action movie on her TV at an extremely high volume.
Now, they are looking at the corpse of that same young woman who they soon learn is Jade Elliot. Maggie and Jason will learn two other things about her, one of which is very important. The first is that Jade was an aspiring model who had had her 15 minutes of fame on a reality show about discovering Ireland’s Next Top Model. The second and more important thing they learn is that Jade had a 2-year-old daughter named Laurel who is nowhere to be found.
They search the entire apartment as well as the surrounding neighborhood and then call in the local coast guard to patrol the nearby waterway. The baby bag that belonged to Laurel is eventually found in the waterway, but no body. Maggie is initially placed on the task force policing this case by her Captain Roly and she is later joined by a colleague she had worked with on a previous case, Detective Fiero. They in turn seek out the family of Jade Elliot. The first is the father of Laurel, a man named Dylan Maguire who was not married to Jade yet paid all their expenses. He was on a business trip in Lyon, France, at the time of Jade’s murder and Laurel’s disappearance.
Next is a visit to Jade’s mother and sister, who lived together over an hour outside of Dublin. They were shocked and had no clues to assist with either the murder or potential kidnapping. Jade’s former model agency is visited and the person who discovered her, Ms. Creedon, had no clues to help them out regarding the tragic killing just informing them that she had advised Jade not to do the reality show. Maggie and her team follow every clue and lead they get --- even checking out the local pedophile named Nigel Canning whom Dylan had indicated would often stare creepily at Laurel.
The investigation is getting nowhere as each piece of evidence or phone line tip merely produces dead ends. One interesting tidbit a neighbor of Jade provides is that she believed Jade was working a new job that she was not proud of. Now, the team needed to know if Jade was mixed up in something illegal or immoral that could have put her in danger. When Maggie gets temporarily taken off the case and reassigned to her beat, she continues to keep her antennas up as she and Jason both understand the answers could lie within the street urchins they so often look at as just being a young nuisance.
A STOLEN CHILD has everything a good mystery should and that includes a steady build-up of clues and plot twists that keep readers moving along with the protagonists in a case that will involve a deep dive into the personal and professional life of the victim. You don’t have to be from the Emerald Isle to appreciate this novel, but the fact that Sarah Stewart Taylor has traded in the bucolic settings from the previous novel in the series for the inner city of Dublin shows just how well she knows her literary territory.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
A STOLEN CHILD is the fourth novel in the Maggie D’Arcy series and may be the one that features the heaviest police procedural work of the group. It is a pleasure to read this novel as the story is so well told and the characters all well depicted. The action starts immediately and does not let up until the very end as this novel will absorb you in the tragic story at its’ center.
Maggie is walking the beat with her partner, Jason Savage. They have come to know the strip they walk by heart as well as all its’ residents from young to old. Who would have thought that the same day they saved a duck from a drain would also be the moment that would define their careers. They receive a call to an apartment house from a landlord who has discovered one of his tenant’s deceased. The ironic thing is that Maggie and Jason had just been on a domestic disturbance call to this same apartment a few days earlier to only find the young woman who lived there all alone watching an action movie on her TV at an extremely high volume.
Now, they are looking at the corpse of that same young woman who they soon learn is Jade Elliot. Maggie and Jason will learn two other things about her, one of which is very important. The first is that Jade was an aspiring model who had had her 15 minutes of fame on a reality show about discovering Ireland’s Next Top Model. The second and more important thing they learn is that Jade had a 2-year-old daughter named Laurel who is nowhere to be found.
They search the entire apartment as well as the surrounding neighborhood and then call in the local coast guard to patrol the nearby waterway. The baby bag that belonged to Laurel is eventually found in the waterway, but no body. Maggie is initially placed on the task force policing this case by her Captain Roly and she is later joined by a colleague she had worked with on a previous case, Detective Fiero. They in turn seek out the family of Jade Elliot. The first is the father of Laurel, a man named Dylan Maguire who was not married to Jade yet paid all their expenses. He was on a business trip in Lyon, France, at the time of Jade’s murder and Laurel’s disappearance.
Next is a visit to Jade’s mother and sister, who lived together over an hour outside of Dublin. They were shocked and had no clues to assist with either the murder or potential kidnapping. Jade’s former model agency is visited and the person who discovered her, Ms. Creedon, had no clues to help them out regarding the tragic killing just informing them that she had advised Jade not to do the reality show. Maggie and her team follow every clue and lead they get --- even checking out the local pedophile named Nigel Canning whom Dylan had indicated would often stare creepily at Laurel.
The investigation is getting nowhere as each piece of evidence or phone line tip merely produces dead ends. One interesting tidbit a neighbor of Jade provides is that she believed Jade was working a new job that she was not proud of. Now, the team needed to know if Jade was mixed up in something illegal or immoral that could have put her in danger. When Maggie gets temporarily taken off the case and reassigned to her beat, she continues to keep her antennas up as she and Jason both understand the answers could lie within the street urchins they so often look at as just being a young nuisance.
A STOLEN CHILD has everything a good mystery should and that includes a steady build-up of clues and plot twists that keep readers moving along with the protagonists in a case that will involve a deep dive into the personal and professional life of the victim. You don’t have to be from the Emerald Isle to appreciate this novel, but the fact that Sarah Stewart Taylor has traded in the bucolic settings from the previous novel in the series for the inner city of Dublin shows just how well she knows her literary territory.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
August 20, 2023
Title: A Stolen Child
Author: Sarah Stewart Taylor
Release Date: June 20th, 2023
Page Count: 343
Format: Netgalley
Start Date: June 6th, 2023
Finish Date: July 8th, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I discovered this book thanks to Netgalley. The cover immediately pulled me in. I didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t know anything about the author. All I know is that my gut told me that this is a book I need to read. I follow my gut. Always. I have never had a book that I didn’t love in that regards.
After getting the book, I discovered that it is a part of a series. I’m going to assume that because it’s a mystery type series that it’s okay to read them as a standalone. However, I still went out of my way to make sure I had copies of the first three. I haven’t read them yet, but I fully plan to.
I loved this book so much that I just know I will love them as well. This book takes place in Ireland. There were some terms that I had to verify my guesses to what they meant. That’s okay though. I enjoy learning things. I also found it really awesome that the main character is an American. From what I gathered, she was still adjusting to living in Ireland.
I want to say I’d love to see the backstory behind all of that, but I have this very strong feeling that it will be referenced or lead up to where we are in the fourth book. I’m sure I will find out soon enough myself.
I usually am able to guess things with mysteries. That’s why I love them so much. Especially when I’m right. Even more so when I was nowhere close. It’s a thing of mine. I couldn’t guess anything at all. Just when I thought I had it, I was wrong.
One final thing I want to talk about is the “side mystery” in the story. They found a photograph in the wall while they were remodeling. The daughters and the significant other did some work to find out who the photo belonged to. They even had some theories as to why it was in the wall. It was so stinking cute! Definitely worth the read.
Author: Sarah Stewart Taylor
Release Date: June 20th, 2023
Page Count: 343
Format: Netgalley
Start Date: June 6th, 2023
Finish Date: July 8th, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I discovered this book thanks to Netgalley. The cover immediately pulled me in. I didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t know anything about the author. All I know is that my gut told me that this is a book I need to read. I follow my gut. Always. I have never had a book that I didn’t love in that regards.
After getting the book, I discovered that it is a part of a series. I’m going to assume that because it’s a mystery type series that it’s okay to read them as a standalone. However, I still went out of my way to make sure I had copies of the first three. I haven’t read them yet, but I fully plan to.
I loved this book so much that I just know I will love them as well. This book takes place in Ireland. There were some terms that I had to verify my guesses to what they meant. That’s okay though. I enjoy learning things. I also found it really awesome that the main character is an American. From what I gathered, she was still adjusting to living in Ireland.
I want to say I’d love to see the backstory behind all of that, but I have this very strong feeling that it will be referenced or lead up to where we are in the fourth book. I’m sure I will find out soon enough myself.
I usually am able to guess things with mysteries. That’s why I love them so much. Especially when I’m right. Even more so when I was nowhere close. It’s a thing of mine. I couldn’t guess anything at all. Just when I thought I had it, I was wrong.
One final thing I want to talk about is the “side mystery” in the story. They found a photograph in the wall while they were remodeling. The daughters and the significant other did some work to find out who the photo belonged to. They even had some theories as to why it was in the wall. It was so stinking cute! Definitely worth the read.
May 21, 2023
Full disclosure-I have not read the earlier books in this series. I received an email invitation from the publisher to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review, and I will always accept invites from St. Martin’s and Minotaur as I almost always love what they publish.
This mystery/police (Garda) procedural is well written, decently paced, and can easily be read as a standalone. I never felt lost or like I was missing critical background. I enjoyed it enough that I will probably go back and read the earlier books in the Maggie D’arcy series. I liked the majority of the characters that I assume show up in the whole series, and the way they worked together. I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the personal drama and I didn’t love the ending. It’s the kind of thing that leaves me sad and dissatisfied.
But, there was one other thing that really kept this from being something I could recommend without reservation. Early on, in nearly every witness interview, Maggie noted that the interviewee was lying or holding something back. ‘They’re telling the truth, just not the whole truth.’ It felt like the author was trying too hard to make everyone a suspect to make it impossible to solve the crime(s) before the very end. It’s not enough to keep me from reading more of the series, but it does color my overall impression and dampen my enthusiasm for a new-to-me series. 3.5 stars
This mystery/police (Garda) procedural is well written, decently paced, and can easily be read as a standalone. I never felt lost or like I was missing critical background. I enjoyed it enough that I will probably go back and read the earlier books in the Maggie D’arcy series. I liked the majority of the characters that I assume show up in the whole series, and the way they worked together. I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the personal drama and I didn’t love the ending. It’s the kind of thing that leaves me sad and dissatisfied.
But, there was one other thing that really kept this from being something I could recommend without reservation. Early on, in nearly every witness interview, Maggie noted that the interviewee was lying or holding something back. ‘They’re telling the truth, just not the whole truth.’ It felt like the author was trying too hard to make everyone a suspect to make it impossible to solve the crime(s) before the very end. It’s not enough to keep me from reading more of the series, but it does color my overall impression and dampen my enthusiasm for a new-to-me series. 3.5 stars
August 24, 2024
Garda Maggie D’Arcy is walking the beat with her partner Jason in Dublin when a call comes in about a woman screaming for help. They investigate, but the woman, Jade, sheepishly tells them it as her TV. A few days later, Jade is found murdered and her almost-two-year old, Laurel missing.
Because they are shorthanded, Maggie is pulled into detective work as she has plenty of experience during her time in Long Island. Roly, lead detective, is confident in her abilities. As they desperately search for the little girl, time is ticking and they are fearing the worse. Certain the murderer has Laurel, they are frightened about what is being done to her.
Maggie has a love-hate relationship with Fiero, the arrogant detective on the case, but she puts on her thinking cap and comes to some conclusions that they others don’t see. In the end, all of them solve the mystery with both good and bad results.
So many red herrings, it kept me guessing until the very end. Lots of terms and expressions I didn’t really know, but it is set in Ireland after all. A unputdownable, quick moving story that will keep your interest.
4 1/2 stars.
Thank you to GoodReads Giveaways, Minotaur Books; An Imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and Sarah Stewart Taylor for this ARC.
Because they are shorthanded, Maggie is pulled into detective work as she has plenty of experience during her time in Long Island. Roly, lead detective, is confident in her abilities. As they desperately search for the little girl, time is ticking and they are fearing the worse. Certain the murderer has Laurel, they are frightened about what is being done to her.
Maggie has a love-hate relationship with Fiero, the arrogant detective on the case, but she puts on her thinking cap and comes to some conclusions that they others don’t see. In the end, all of them solve the mystery with both good and bad results.
So many red herrings, it kept me guessing until the very end. Lots of terms and expressions I didn’t really know, but it is set in Ireland after all. A unputdownable, quick moving story that will keep your interest.
4 1/2 stars.
Thank you to GoodReads Giveaways, Minotaur Books; An Imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and Sarah Stewart Taylor for this ARC.
March 8, 2023
This is the first book by Sarah Stewart Taylor that I've read, I understand it is her fourth of this particular series. It didn’t matter I hadn’t read the previous books as this can be read stand-alone. It is intriguing to catch snippets of the past books so this book gave me the desire to go find those and read them as I really enjoy Sarah’s writing style. You can identify with detective Maggie D’arcy, she is very good at her job but a move from the states to Ireland put her starting from the bottom as a garda, her goal is to work her way up to detective in Ireland. As an accomplished detective, it’s hard to start over but she is willing to do the job. Finding a dead body and missing child while on the beat leads her to be put on the case temporarily, making her very happy to do what she does best.
The story is well written and you are kept interested, moving along at a good pace. The twists and turns of the investigation keep you guessing.
Thank you NetGalley, publisher St. Marin’s Press, and author Sarah Stewart Taylor for this eARC this is my own opinion - I do recommend it to anyone no matter what genre I think you’ll enjoy the story.
The story is well written and you are kept interested, moving along at a good pace. The twists and turns of the investigation keep you guessing.
Thank you NetGalley, publisher St. Marin’s Press, and author Sarah Stewart Taylor for this eARC this is my own opinion - I do recommend it to anyone no matter what genre I think you’ll enjoy the story.
June 16, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this author and even though it's the fourth book in the series, it works well as a standalone. Maggie D'Arcy was an experienced homicide detective in New York City but has become a garda in Dublin. She now has to work her way up from her assignment as a community garda officer. Maggie is able to assist with the murder of a former model and reality tv star and her missing daughter because of a shortage of detectives.
The plot is complex with a lot of different characters, many of whom are suspicious. It kept me guessing as to who the killer was and what their motive was. I enjoyed getting to know Maggie and her teenage daughter Lilly as they begin their new life in Ireland. There is a subplot that had a lot of potential, but was ultimately a let down. However, I really enjoyed the book overall, and I hope there are further books coming in this unique police procedural series.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Minotaur Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
The plot is complex with a lot of different characters, many of whom are suspicious. It kept me guessing as to who the killer was and what their motive was. I enjoyed getting to know Maggie and her teenage daughter Lilly as they begin their new life in Ireland. There is a subplot that had a lot of potential, but was ultimately a let down. However, I really enjoyed the book overall, and I hope there are further books coming in this unique police procedural series.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Minotaur Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
July 4, 2023
A Stolen Child is the fourth book in the Maggie D’arcy series. Maggie is a former Long Island homicide detective with twenty years of experience, who has moved to Ireland a few years ago, and is currently on community policing assignment in Dublin's Portobello neighborhood.
Maggie and her partner are called out twice for two separate incidents in just a few days. Jade Elliott is found strangled to death in her home and her toddler daughter Lauren missing. Maggie is the more experienced of the pair and begins to investigate the case.
Maggie, Roly and her temporary partner Detective Sergeant Padraig Fiero, do a deep dive into Jade’s past as they search for the missing child and try to find the killer. What follows is a complicated list of lies, secrets and shocking twists before the truth is revealed.
This was a good story, but I had trouble staying focused while reading it. There are lots of characters to keep track of during the investigation.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Maggie and her partner are called out twice for two separate incidents in just a few days. Jade Elliott is found strangled to death in her home and her toddler daughter Lauren missing. Maggie is the more experienced of the pair and begins to investigate the case.
Maggie, Roly and her temporary partner Detective Sergeant Padraig Fiero, do a deep dive into Jade’s past as they search for the missing child and try to find the killer. What follows is a complicated list of lies, secrets and shocking twists before the truth is revealed.
This was a good story, but I had trouble staying focused while reading it. There are lots of characters to keep track of during the investigation.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
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