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DCI Jonah Sheens #5
A Killer in the Family
Brought to you by Penguin.
Someone in your family isn't who they say they are...
Aisling's two sons, Ethan and Finn, mean everything to her.
Ever since becoming estranged from her own parents, though, she's always felt like a piece of her is missing.
Desperate to find answers - about her family, and herself - Aisling uploads her DNA to an ancestry website, and is thrilled when it finds a match.
But instead of finding answers, she comes face to face with a detective. Aisling's DNA is a match for a recent crime scene - the latest in a string of murders by a dangerous serial killer, known as 'the bonfire killer'. And the police have three lead her father, or one of her two sons.
Aisling would do anything for her family - but can she protect a killer?
Praise for Gytha Lodge
'A novel that literally makes you hold your breath then gasp out loud' VAL McDERMID
'Gripped me from the first page and kept me turning the pages long into the night' ERIN KELLY
'Smart, moody, intense and tangled. I loved it' GILLIAN McALLISTER
'With clues and twists to keep you absolutely hooked from the first page to the last. I can't wait for her next book' JANE CASEY
2023 Gytha Lodge (P)2023 Penguin Audio
Someone in your family isn't who they say they are...
Aisling's two sons, Ethan and Finn, mean everything to her.
Ever since becoming estranged from her own parents, though, she's always felt like a piece of her is missing.
Desperate to find answers - about her family, and herself - Aisling uploads her DNA to an ancestry website, and is thrilled when it finds a match.
But instead of finding answers, she comes face to face with a detective. Aisling's DNA is a match for a recent crime scene - the latest in a string of murders by a dangerous serial killer, known as 'the bonfire killer'. And the police have three lead her father, or one of her two sons.
Aisling would do anything for her family - but can she protect a killer?
Praise for Gytha Lodge
'A novel that literally makes you hold your breath then gasp out loud' VAL McDERMID
'Gripped me from the first page and kept me turning the pages long into the night' ERIN KELLY
'Smart, moody, intense and tangled. I loved it' GILLIAN McALLISTER
'With clues and twists to keep you absolutely hooked from the first page to the last. I can't wait for her next book' JANE CASEY
2023 Gytha Lodge (P)2023 Penguin Audio
Audible Audio
First published April 13, 2023
285 people are currently reading
9316 people want to read
About the author
Gytha Lodge
18 books1,036 followersGytha Lodge is a multi-award-winning playwright, novelist and writer for video games and screen. She is also a single parent who blogs about the ridiculousness of bringing up a mega-nerd small boy.
She has a profound addiction to tea, crosswords and awful puns. When not writing, she heads up a copywriting team at a global translation firm, where she generally tries to keep all the video-game writing to herself.
She studied English at Cambridge, where she became known quite quickly for her brand of twisty, dark yet entertaining drama. She later took the Creative Writing MA at UEA.
She has signed with Penguin Random House worldwide for the first three books in her crime series featuring DCI Jonah Sheens. She Lies in Wait will be released in January 2019 and can be preordered in the US and the UK here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/She-Lies-Wai...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/198...
Facebook
She has a profound addiction to tea, crosswords and awful puns. When not writing, she heads up a copywriting team at a global translation firm, where she generally tries to keep all the video-game writing to herself.
She studied English at Cambridge, where she became known quite quickly for her brand of twisty, dark yet entertaining drama. She later took the Creative Writing MA at UEA.
She has signed with Penguin Random House worldwide for the first three books in her crime series featuring DCI Jonah Sheens. She Lies in Wait will be released in January 2019 and can be preordered in the US and the UK here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/She-Lies-Wai...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/198...
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May 4, 2025
A Killer in the Family is the 5th-book in the DCI Jonah Sheens series. This is a top-tier Police Procedural Mystery series for me and I have anxiously awaited each new release.
As with many Adult Mystery series, these books don't necessarily need to be read in order. Personally though, I would recommend it, mainly due to the interesting character development involving the group of detectives.
With this being said, any of the books in this series would also make great standalone novels. However, I feel like once you read one, you'll want to read them all!
In this installment, DCI Jonah Sheens and his team are trying to track down a serial killer. Dubbed the 'bonfire killer' because of the circumstances in which the victims are found, the killer shows no signs of slowing down.
The area of Southampton is on edge. It's recommended women not walk alone after dark. Extra precautions should be taken, but not everyone is listening.
Thanks to a DNA registry compiled via a UK-based ancestry website, the investigators have a strong lead. It takes them to the doorstep of single-mom, Aisling Cooley.
The events that happen next will leave both the investigators and Ms. Cooley scratching their heads. For Aisling, it's a puzzle almost too devastating to want to figure out.
Could there be a killer in the family?
Y'all, this book doesn't release until August, but I couldn't resist picking it up. I normally never, ever, ever pick up ARCs months before their actual release, but for this one, I was willing to break my own rules.
Right out the gate, Lodge shocked me with an epic Prologue. Like, that's how you start a story. Jaw on the floor, yikes, what am I getting into?!
I got super invested in this mystery. I had so many different theories, but I actually hoped I wasn't correct, as I really liked all the characters involved.
In addition to this new case, I enjoying reading the continuing storylines involving our main group of recurring characters, DCI Jonah Sheens and his team. Particularly Juliette and Ben, I love them and their friendship so much.
One of the things I love most about this team is how well they work together. I feel like in a lot of stories involving people that work together, there's always some sort of drama or contempt amongst the characters.
That doesn't happen in these books. They support one another, they treat each other with respect and the camaraderie is frankly, workplace goals. Each one of them has their strengths and Sheens recognizes that and assigns them tasks accordingly.
I love a happy, supportive, cohesive team, working on one myself IRL, so appreciate that representation here.
I also really enjoyed the concept of using consumer DNA services to track a killer. I just read a fantastic nonfiction book, The Forever Witness: How Genetic Genealogy Solved a Cold Case Double Murder, about that very topic, so it was fun to see its fictional use here.
This investigation was perfectly paced and the plot was structured so well. Lodge kept me guessing, and second-guessing myself, at the edge of my seat, until the exciting final scenes.
Overall, A Killer in the Family is a sensational addition to the Jonah Sheens series. I absolutely loved this one. Lodge has successfully created another enticing page-turner.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Random House, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This is one of my favorite series and I hope it continues for a long time to come!!
As with many Adult Mystery series, these books don't necessarily need to be read in order. Personally though, I would recommend it, mainly due to the interesting character development involving the group of detectives.
With this being said, any of the books in this series would also make great standalone novels. However, I feel like once you read one, you'll want to read them all!
In this installment, DCI Jonah Sheens and his team are trying to track down a serial killer. Dubbed the 'bonfire killer' because of the circumstances in which the victims are found, the killer shows no signs of slowing down.
The area of Southampton is on edge. It's recommended women not walk alone after dark. Extra precautions should be taken, but not everyone is listening.
Thanks to a DNA registry compiled via a UK-based ancestry website, the investigators have a strong lead. It takes them to the doorstep of single-mom, Aisling Cooley.
The events that happen next will leave both the investigators and Ms. Cooley scratching their heads. For Aisling, it's a puzzle almost too devastating to want to figure out.
Could there be a killer in the family?
Y'all, this book doesn't release until August, but I couldn't resist picking it up. I normally never, ever, ever pick up ARCs months before their actual release, but for this one, I was willing to break my own rules.
Right out the gate, Lodge shocked me with an epic Prologue. Like, that's how you start a story. Jaw on the floor, yikes, what am I getting into?!
I got super invested in this mystery. I had so many different theories, but I actually hoped I wasn't correct, as I really liked all the characters involved.
In addition to this new case, I enjoying reading the continuing storylines involving our main group of recurring characters, DCI Jonah Sheens and his team. Particularly Juliette and Ben, I love them and their friendship so much.
One of the things I love most about this team is how well they work together. I feel like in a lot of stories involving people that work together, there's always some sort of drama or contempt amongst the characters.
That doesn't happen in these books. They support one another, they treat each other with respect and the camaraderie is frankly, workplace goals. Each one of them has their strengths and Sheens recognizes that and assigns them tasks accordingly.
I love a happy, supportive, cohesive team, working on one myself IRL, so appreciate that representation here.
I also really enjoyed the concept of using consumer DNA services to track a killer. I just read a fantastic nonfiction book, The Forever Witness: How Genetic Genealogy Solved a Cold Case Double Murder, about that very topic, so it was fun to see its fictional use here.
This investigation was perfectly paced and the plot was structured so well. Lodge kept me guessing, and second-guessing myself, at the edge of my seat, until the exciting final scenes.
Overall, A Killer in the Family is a sensational addition to the Jonah Sheens series. I absolutely loved this one. Lodge has successfully created another enticing page-turner.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Random House, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This is one of my favorite series and I hope it continues for a long time to come!!
May 6, 2023
Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are ALWAYS honest.
Writing: 3.5/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: gave me whiplash
SYNOPSIS
Single mom Ainsley uploads her DNA to an ancestry website, unknowingly connecting her to the "Bonfire Killer" wreaking havoc in her own town.
MY OPINION
Okay, positives first: this cover!! This title!! This premise!!! There's been a lot of controversy around ancestry websites: some believe their DNA is being used by the government, and some just want a detailed breakdown of their ethnicity. I'll admit, I've been tempted for the latter reasons, but that price??? I'm too cheap 😂
Anyways, I thought this was a unique premise for a police procedural and it could spark some great book club debates over privacy issues. However, the execution was... turbulent to say the least. It had a lot of the same issues as Watching from the Dark, which I also gave 3 stars. For clarity, this is NOT a Honda Civic Reliable 3 stars, this is an unfulfilled potential 3 stars.
Buckle in for a slow burn folks. The beginning is very repetitive on all sides; from Ainsley wondering if she should or shouldn't spill the beans to her son about her past and from the stalled-out police investigation into the Bonfire Killer. FINALLY around 30/40% we break free of the spin cycle and things get interesting. I was leaning more toward a 3.5 rounded up based on the intrigue and unique premise, but the last 25% or so .... as my Novels & Nonsense cohost Tabitha says, *FART NOISES*
I will give Gytha credit, at least she didn't use two separate names for the same character depending on the POV like she did in book #2. And I did feel a lil something something in my fidget spinner heart for Jonah's relationship struggles. But I still don't like Hanson; she seems the type to throw you under the bus to get one step ahead.
Like book #2, the detectives seem to be intentionally daft just to move the plot forward. You can see the twist coming from a mile away, but if everyone had acted normal and the detectives had done their job properly, the book would've ended about 60 pages earlier. Also, how did you NOT know where one of the victims was on the day they died? It was easy enough to suss out when you needed to make a connection down the road... seems like something you should've done from the jump. And not asking for a rush on a swab from someone who admitted they were at the scene of the crime while it was all poppin off AND interacted with the corpse?? CMON NOW. Also if you see someone wearing the same boots that left a shoe-print at the scene of the crime... maybe bring them in for questioning???? Just a suggestion????
Lastly, I am NOT down with parents blindly standing by their murderous kids. Maybe it's because I'm not a parent, but I don't think sliding out my coochie gives you a free forgiveness pass if you're out here murdering unsuspecting folks!
I don't think I'll be trying another Jonah Sheens in the future, but I can appreciate why many people enjoy this series. If you're a fan, I think you will like this one too, as it seems pretty par for the course.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written for the genre, interesting premise, Jonah's personal life made a hoe feel things
Cons: questionable plot executive, Paw Patrol police work at times
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
Writing: 3.5/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: gave me whiplash
SYNOPSIS
Single mom Ainsley uploads her DNA to an ancestry website, unknowingly connecting her to the "Bonfire Killer" wreaking havoc in her own town.
MY OPINION
Okay, positives first: this cover!! This title!! This premise!!! There's been a lot of controversy around ancestry websites: some believe their DNA is being used by the government, and some just want a detailed breakdown of their ethnicity. I'll admit, I've been tempted for the latter reasons, but that price??? I'm too cheap 😂
Anyways, I thought this was a unique premise for a police procedural and it could spark some great book club debates over privacy issues. However, the execution was... turbulent to say the least. It had a lot of the same issues as Watching from the Dark, which I also gave 3 stars. For clarity, this is NOT a Honda Civic Reliable 3 stars, this is an unfulfilled potential 3 stars.
Buckle in for a slow burn folks. The beginning is very repetitive on all sides; from Ainsley wondering if she should or shouldn't spill the beans to her son about her past and from the stalled-out police investigation into the Bonfire Killer. FINALLY around 30/40% we break free of the spin cycle and things get interesting. I was leaning more toward a 3.5 rounded up based on the intrigue and unique premise, but the last 25% or so .... as my Novels & Nonsense cohost Tabitha says, *FART NOISES*
I will give Gytha credit, at least she didn't use two separate names for the same character depending on the POV like she did in book #2. And I did feel a lil something something in my fidget spinner heart for Jonah's relationship struggles. But I still don't like Hanson; she seems the type to throw you under the bus to get one step ahead.
Like book #2, the detectives seem to be intentionally daft just to move the plot forward. You can see the twist coming from a mile away, but if everyone had acted normal and the detectives had done their job properly, the book would've ended about 60 pages earlier. Also, how did you NOT know where one of the victims was on the day they died? It was easy enough to suss out when you needed to make a connection down the road... seems like something you should've done from the jump. And not asking for a rush on a swab from someone who admitted they were at the scene of the crime while it was all poppin off AND interacted with the corpse?? CMON NOW. Also if you see someone wearing the same boots that left a shoe-print at the scene of the crime... maybe bring them in for questioning???? Just a suggestion????
Lastly, I am NOT down with parents blindly standing by their murderous kids. Maybe it's because I'm not a parent, but I don't think sliding out my coochie gives you a free forgiveness pass if you're out here murdering unsuspecting folks!
I don't think I'll be trying another Jonah Sheens in the future, but I can appreciate why many people enjoy this series. If you're a fan, I think you will like this one too, as it seems pretty par for the course.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written for the genre, interesting premise, Jonah's personal life made a hoe feel things
Cons: questionable plot executive, Paw Patrol police work at times
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
August 10, 2023
I honestly can’t get enough of the Jonah Sheens series! What makes this twisty, intelligent, heart-throbbing psychological thriller series so unique is the way Gytha Lodge delves into deep layers of characters, allowing us not only to connect with each of them but also become a part of their world.
This latest book in the series is well-crafted with perfect character analysis, polished structure, and a captivating storyline. Even with its slow burn, extra detailed descriptions portraying characters’ swinging moods, fears, flaws, hesitancy, the short chapters, and the twists leading you down different roads that take you on another journey, push you to make guesses about how things will wrap up. These are the main strengths of Lodge’s smart and incredible writing talent.
This time, the story revolves around Aisling Cooley, a single mom raising her two teenage sons in the sedate suburban of Southampton. Women are urged not to loiter alone on the streets when darkness comes. Aisling has a strong urge to find her long-lost father, so she uploads her DNA to an ancestry site. A few days later, someone knocks on her door, but unfortunately, the man who wants answers from her is not her father. It’s Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens who’s chasing the Bonfire Killer, who might be Aisling's father.
Overall, this is a dark, intense, and another well-written and unputdownable novel from the series that keeps growing on me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Random House Trade Paperbacks for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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This latest book in the series is well-crafted with perfect character analysis, polished structure, and a captivating storyline. Even with its slow burn, extra detailed descriptions portraying characters’ swinging moods, fears, flaws, hesitancy, the short chapters, and the twists leading you down different roads that take you on another journey, push you to make guesses about how things will wrap up. These are the main strengths of Lodge’s smart and incredible writing talent.
This time, the story revolves around Aisling Cooley, a single mom raising her two teenage sons in the sedate suburban of Southampton. Women are urged not to loiter alone on the streets when darkness comes. Aisling has a strong urge to find her long-lost father, so she uploads her DNA to an ancestry site. A few days later, someone knocks on her door, but unfortunately, the man who wants answers from her is not her father. It’s Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens who’s chasing the Bonfire Killer, who might be Aisling's father.
Overall, this is a dark, intense, and another well-written and unputdownable novel from the series that keeps growing on me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Random House Trade Paperbacks for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
September 13, 2023
My thanks to Random House, Gytha Lodge and Netgalley.
I have quickly become a fan of Ms. Lodge. She manages to write some really compelling stories.
This one reminded me of why I've been ignoring my own DNA thing. My mother sent me a test a few years ago because I was curious about my heritage. But,at the time I'd read so many news reports about found families that it scared the shit outta me! I'm not a big fan of my own family, so finding out what's been hiding out in the wood pile is a bit unnerving. Maybe I'll get around to it soon? Maybe.
This story was the bombdigitty.
I have quickly become a fan of Ms. Lodge. She manages to write some really compelling stories.
This one reminded me of why I've been ignoring my own DNA thing. My mother sent me a test a few years ago because I was curious about my heritage. But,at the time I'd read so many news reports about found families that it scared the shit outta me! I'm not a big fan of my own family, so finding out what's been hiding out in the wood pile is a bit unnerving. Maybe I'll get around to it soon? Maybe.
This story was the bombdigitty.
July 5, 2023
A Killer in the Family is the 5th in the Jonah Sheens series. But while the series is named after Jonah, I found this book to truly be a team effort with much more focus on Ben and Juliette.
With DNA so much in the news these days, this is a very timely plot. Aisling Cooley uploads her DNA onto a genealogy website, in hopes of finding her father, only to be contacted by the police. There’s a hunt for a serial killer going on and a drop of blood from a crime scene shows a close match to her. As the mother of two teenage boys, her heart is wrenched. Could one of them be a killer?
Lodge has written a fast paced, tense, realistic police procedural. She threw in enough red herrings that I had no idea how this would play out. And I thought the way Lodge wrote the resolution was perfect.
Her characters are real - not just the police team but the pool of suspects.
Heads up, for those of you that don’t like cliffhangers, this one ends with a doozy.
This is one series I believe is best read in order. The books focus on the private lives of each of the team and reading them out of order will cause both spoilers and some lost context.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
With DNA so much in the news these days, this is a very timely plot. Aisling Cooley uploads her DNA onto a genealogy website, in hopes of finding her father, only to be contacted by the police. There’s a hunt for a serial killer going on and a drop of blood from a crime scene shows a close match to her. As the mother of two teenage boys, her heart is wrenched. Could one of them be a killer?
Lodge has written a fast paced, tense, realistic police procedural. She threw in enough red herrings that I had no idea how this would play out. And I thought the way Lodge wrote the resolution was perfect.
Her characters are real - not just the police team but the pool of suspects.
Heads up, for those of you that don’t like cliffhangers, this one ends with a doozy.
This is one series I believe is best read in order. The books focus on the private lives of each of the team and reading them out of order will cause both spoilers and some lost context.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
November 6, 2023
The New Forest area of England is horrified and shocked when a middle-aged woman is found burned to death on a pyre. The locals won’t stop talking about it and the reporters are publishing one story after the other. When a second woman is found, however, this time untouched by fire but nonetheless posed on a pyre, the revelation strikes fear into the hearts far and wide. Terrifyingly, it is quite clear that what they have on their hands is a serial killer, which is a fact that stops every woman in her tracks. How can they protect themselves? After all, they could be next.
As the panic grows and talk turns to little else, the Bonfire Killer is all the locals can discuss. Just the same, for local mom Aisling Cooley, the news barely makes an impression. Between her two teenage sons and her obsession with finally finding her long-lost father, her mind is well and truly sidetracked. After all, with two rowdy boys keeping her busy all day and her mind gripped every night with the idea of finding her father, she hardly has enough bandwidth to absorb much else.
So when the idea of submitting her DNA to one of those geology websites finally dawns on her, it comes with plenty of excitement but just a little bit of fear. Will he be everything she’s been missing since she was a teenager? Or has he changed over the years? Unsurprisingly, the last thing she expects is for her first message to be not from her father or even a long forgotten relative, but a local detective.
It seems that in a recent investigation, evidence has been found that links her DNA to a murder. That’s not the worst of it, however, as the crimes in question are those of the Bonfire Killer. Assuming the perpetrator is male, that leaves Aisling facing the cold, hard fact that one of the three most important men in her life just may also happen to be evil personified. As she wars within herself, she must make a decision. Will she help the police? Or protect those she loves the most?
Gasp! A Killer in the Family was so good, so unbelievably mind-blowing, that I honestly don’t know if this review will be able to adequately describe its perfection. But let me give it a go, just the same. The fifth book in Gytha Lodge’s DCI Jonah Sheens series, it was, so far, my favorite. And, given that out of the preceding books only one was rated anything below 5 stars, that’s truly saying something.
This time around, the storyline felt decidedly less like crime fiction and more like a thriller. While all of the others had this leaning as well, I honestly had to remind myself several times that it was, in truth, a police procedural. After all, with one hard-hitting twist after another and a climax that quite literally took up about a quarter of the pages, I had to yank my jaw off the floor more than once. That was, of course, even before I got to the conclusion, which had me shouting in horror and shock. I know I’m all about those nice, pretty, little bows, but this time I’ve got to give it to Lodge because even with a cliffhanger, it was simply flawless.
Next in the lineup in how this book couldn’t have been better were the ever consistent, well-drawn characters. Doubling down on the prior book, not only was the team genuine and true-to-life, but all of the other central characters were realistically flawed and complex to the point that they could have been plucked straight out of the real world. With troubles and worries that stretched beyond the plot, their backstories created thorough, three-dimensional individuals to whom I could relate. In my opinion, as with the rest of the series, they are where Lodge’s true magic lies.
The complex case, however, was also one to behold. A deftly interwoven masterpiece that was both full of blind turns yet easy to follow, I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out where it was all going to go. There were so many moving pieces, in fact, that it, in and of itself, felt wholly realistic yet also filled with nerve-shredding dread. Even better, just when I thought it had all come to a head there were more revelations yet to be had. Some, in fact, that will even keep me impatiently waiting for book number six.
On top of everything I’ve already gushed about, I was also thrilled to find just a dash of romance and a heaping helping of poignant themes. From a deep, dark secret that had been kept hidden for decades to family drama that was thoroughly hard-hitting, the impeccability of this novel is not to be overlooked. And despite my highest of high expectations, Lodge still managed to blow them all out of the water. All in all, it was a sharp, perfectly crafted story that spoke volumes about the virtuoso behind the keyboard. And shockingly to this avid fan, her books just seem to be getting better and better. Can’t wait to see what brilliance the next one displays! Rating of 5+++ stars.
P.S. In case you’re wondering, while this and all of the other books in this series could technically be read as a stand-alone, I definitely don’t recommend it. First off, you’d get one spoiler after another. More importantly, though, you’d miss out on all of the character development that truly makes these books what they are. So it’s up to you, but forewarned is forearmed.
Thank you to Gytha Lodge, Random House, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll for my potential plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: getting drugged, abduction, stalking, adoption, mention of: financial difficulties, postpartum depression, sex abuse of a minor, purposeful killing of a horse, suicide, teen pregnancy, child abuse
As the panic grows and talk turns to little else, the Bonfire Killer is all the locals can discuss. Just the same, for local mom Aisling Cooley, the news barely makes an impression. Between her two teenage sons and her obsession with finally finding her long-lost father, her mind is well and truly sidetracked. After all, with two rowdy boys keeping her busy all day and her mind gripped every night with the idea of finding her father, she hardly has enough bandwidth to absorb much else.
So when the idea of submitting her DNA to one of those geology websites finally dawns on her, it comes with plenty of excitement but just a little bit of fear. Will he be everything she’s been missing since she was a teenager? Or has he changed over the years? Unsurprisingly, the last thing she expects is for her first message to be not from her father or even a long forgotten relative, but a local detective.
It seems that in a recent investigation, evidence has been found that links her DNA to a murder. That’s not the worst of it, however, as the crimes in question are those of the Bonfire Killer. Assuming the perpetrator is male, that leaves Aisling facing the cold, hard fact that one of the three most important men in her life just may also happen to be evil personified. As she wars within herself, she must make a decision. Will she help the police? Or protect those she loves the most?
Gasp! A Killer in the Family was so good, so unbelievably mind-blowing, that I honestly don’t know if this review will be able to adequately describe its perfection. But let me give it a go, just the same. The fifth book in Gytha Lodge’s DCI Jonah Sheens series, it was, so far, my favorite. And, given that out of the preceding books only one was rated anything below 5 stars, that’s truly saying something.
This time around, the storyline felt decidedly less like crime fiction and more like a thriller. While all of the others had this leaning as well, I honestly had to remind myself several times that it was, in truth, a police procedural. After all, with one hard-hitting twist after another and a climax that quite literally took up about a quarter of the pages, I had to yank my jaw off the floor more than once. That was, of course, even before I got to the conclusion, which had me shouting in horror and shock. I know I’m all about those nice, pretty, little bows, but this time I’ve got to give it to Lodge because even with a cliffhanger, it was simply flawless.
Next in the lineup in how this book couldn’t have been better were the ever consistent, well-drawn characters. Doubling down on the prior book, not only was the team genuine and true-to-life, but all of the other central characters were realistically flawed and complex to the point that they could have been plucked straight out of the real world. With troubles and worries that stretched beyond the plot, their backstories created thorough, three-dimensional individuals to whom I could relate. In my opinion, as with the rest of the series, they are where Lodge’s true magic lies.
The complex case, however, was also one to behold. A deftly interwoven masterpiece that was both full of blind turns yet easy to follow, I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out where it was all going to go. There were so many moving pieces, in fact, that it, in and of itself, felt wholly realistic yet also filled with nerve-shredding dread. Even better, just when I thought it had all come to a head there were more revelations yet to be had. Some, in fact, that will even keep me impatiently waiting for book number six.
On top of everything I’ve already gushed about, I was also thrilled to find just a dash of romance and a heaping helping of poignant themes. From a deep, dark secret that had been kept hidden for decades to family drama that was thoroughly hard-hitting, the impeccability of this novel is not to be overlooked. And despite my highest of high expectations, Lodge still managed to blow them all out of the water. All in all, it was a sharp, perfectly crafted story that spoke volumes about the virtuoso behind the keyboard. And shockingly to this avid fan, her books just seem to be getting better and better. Can’t wait to see what brilliance the next one displays! Rating of 5+++ stars.
P.S. In case you’re wondering, while this and all of the other books in this series could technically be read as a stand-alone, I definitely don’t recommend it. First off, you’d get one spoiler after another. More importantly, though, you’d miss out on all of the character development that truly makes these books what they are. So it’s up to you, but forewarned is forearmed.
Thank you to Gytha Lodge, Random House, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll for my potential plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: getting drugged, abduction, stalking, adoption, mention of: financial difficulties, postpartum depression, sex abuse of a minor, purposeful killing of a horse, suicide, teen pregnancy, child abuse
August 29, 2023
Aisling just wants to find her missing father, but instead a DNA match connects someone in her family to a serial killer. The police investigation focuses on Aisling’s two teenaged sons.
This is the fifth book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. The only carryover from previous books is the troubled personal lives of some of the police officers. Their issues do not approach the complexity of Aisling’s complicated history. Secrets keep getting revealed as the story progresses. This book is a pretty straightforward police procedural, with a little suspense at the end.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher
This is the fifth book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. The only carryover from previous books is the troubled personal lives of some of the police officers. Their issues do not approach the complexity of Aisling’s complicated history. Secrets keep getting revealed as the story progresses. This book is a pretty straightforward police procedural, with a little suspense at the end.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher
April 18, 2023
Aisling Cooleys DNA is matched to a serial killer’s in this Fifth book of the DCI Jonah Sheen series. This book kept me glued to my seat wondering who done it.
Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House for this ARC that will be released August 8, 2023!
Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House for this ARC that will be released August 8, 2023!
January 23, 2024
This is book five in the DCI Jonah Sheens series. I read book one and then this one so it definitely works as a standalone. While I thought it started a little slowly about halfway through it picked up quite a bit and was a pretty fast paced police procedural. I like the characters and the fact that you get to see the story from so many perspectives. I do think the beginning might have moved a little faster if I had been familiar with all of the police perspectives at least, it was a bit hard to follow at first. New Years Eve is a new beginning, but for one woman it is an ending as well when she gets into a car with a killer. As the police begin to investigate they find blood at the scene that is not the victim and when it doesn’t show up on any of their searches they decide to try a new science for their laws and enter the DNA into a geology site. I liked the red herrings and found the story to be interesting. The twists were nice.
July 11, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: August 8, 2023
Gytha Lodge brings Jonah Sheens and his team back again with their newest adventure in “A Killer in the Family”. This is the fifth novel in the series, although I met Jonah back on book three (I have read three, four and five. Somehow, I missed one and two) and I was so glad for his return!
Aisling Cooley is a game developer and single mother of two teenaged boys. For years, she has been haunted by the disappearance of her father, who abandoned both her and her mother one night many years ago, never to be heard from since. Desperate for answers, Aisling submits her DNA and receives a familial hit- but not one she expected. Both of her sons are soon suspects in a string of gruesome murders, based on their DNA, and although Aisling knows, deep down, that her beloved sons couldn’t possibly be suspects, she does have secrets in her past that she will have to reveal in order to keep her son’s innocence. However, the truth will reveal a lot more than who the murderer is, and Aisling isn’t sure if she’s ready for the world to know who she really is.
“Family” is a typical police procedural and, like its counterparts, it’s not necessary to read all of the novels’ predecessors before trying this on one for size, but it’s highly encouraged. The Jonah Sheens series can be read as stand-alones, but the detailed character history and entangled relationships are laid out across the previous novels, and without this information the novel won’t be nearly as engaging.
The story is narrated by Aisling, of course, but also by Jonah and a few of his counterparts at the police department (all introduced in previous novels. The storyline is easy to follow and is told completely in the present day, so there is very little confusion. That being said, there is an enormous cast of characters and some of them actually become vital to the plot, so be prepared to keep track of siblings, half-siblings, estranged fathers, adopted fathers, police detectives and their teams of officers and suspicious teenagers. Obviously, there are enough characters to keep the reader guessing and Lodge adds the right number of twists and turns right until the unexpected end.
Jonah and his team are personable and honest, and I have been a fan since being introduced by Lodge two books ago. Although this plot was far more detailed and intricate than the other Sheens books I’ve read, I was just as entranced by Lodge’s writing prowess and character development in this novel as in her other works. More Jonah Sheens, please!
Expected publication date: August 8, 2023
Gytha Lodge brings Jonah Sheens and his team back again with their newest adventure in “A Killer in the Family”. This is the fifth novel in the series, although I met Jonah back on book three (I have read three, four and five. Somehow, I missed one and two) and I was so glad for his return!
Aisling Cooley is a game developer and single mother of two teenaged boys. For years, she has been haunted by the disappearance of her father, who abandoned both her and her mother one night many years ago, never to be heard from since. Desperate for answers, Aisling submits her DNA and receives a familial hit- but not one she expected. Both of her sons are soon suspects in a string of gruesome murders, based on their DNA, and although Aisling knows, deep down, that her beloved sons couldn’t possibly be suspects, she does have secrets in her past that she will have to reveal in order to keep her son’s innocence. However, the truth will reveal a lot more than who the murderer is, and Aisling isn’t sure if she’s ready for the world to know who she really is.
“Family” is a typical police procedural and, like its counterparts, it’s not necessary to read all of the novels’ predecessors before trying this on one for size, but it’s highly encouraged. The Jonah Sheens series can be read as stand-alones, but the detailed character history and entangled relationships are laid out across the previous novels, and without this information the novel won’t be nearly as engaging.
The story is narrated by Aisling, of course, but also by Jonah and a few of his counterparts at the police department (all introduced in previous novels. The storyline is easy to follow and is told completely in the present day, so there is very little confusion. That being said, there is an enormous cast of characters and some of them actually become vital to the plot, so be prepared to keep track of siblings, half-siblings, estranged fathers, adopted fathers, police detectives and their teams of officers and suspicious teenagers. Obviously, there are enough characters to keep the reader guessing and Lodge adds the right number of twists and turns right until the unexpected end.
Jonah and his team are personable and honest, and I have been a fan since being introduced by Lodge two books ago. Although this plot was far more detailed and intricate than the other Sheens books I’ve read, I was just as entranced by Lodge’s writing prowess and character development in this novel as in her other works. More Jonah Sheens, please!
August 16, 2023
A Killer in the Family is the fifth in Gytha Lodge’s Jonah Sheens police series set in Southampton, but my first experience of the books and characters. I didn’t find it difficult to drop into their lives and a new, dangerous case that has the earmarks of a possible serial killer. The various police officers have ongoing back stories that add to their humanity and their work.
The case itself involves the apparently connected deaths of two local women, both in their 40s, found on pyres of wood, leading the prospective killer to be dubbed the “Bonfire Killer.” In a case that involves multiple levels of investigation, including eventual DNA evidence, there are twists and turns aplenty. And some points where I had to keep reading to know the answer. It’s interesting, complex, requires your attention, and has many sympathetic characters, throughout the wide cast.
Recommended for those who read police procedurals and mysteries.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The case itself involves the apparently connected deaths of two local women, both in their 40s, found on pyres of wood, leading the prospective killer to be dubbed the “Bonfire Killer.” In a case that involves multiple levels of investigation, including eventual DNA evidence, there are twists and turns aplenty. And some points where I had to keep reading to know the answer. It’s interesting, complex, requires your attention, and has many sympathetic characters, throughout the wide cast.
Recommended for those who read police procedurals and mysteries.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
July 30, 2023
This is the fifth book in the DCI Jonah Sheens series and I had to pick it up as I've followed this series from the beginning. This book can easily be read as a stand alone, though with any series it's always good to have the backstories of the characters. I do enjoy good detective series and Jonah Sheens has become a favorite, although this book is more about their team effort with Juliette and Ben more upfront.
Description:
A woman uploads her DNA online, searching for her father--but the man who contacts her is Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens. From the acclaimed author of Little Sister, this endlessly twisty crime novel asks: What might a family do to protect or expose a serial killer in its midst?
When the police found the first body, left on a bonfire in the fields, they worried it had the hallmarks of a serial killer.
Now, as they find the second, they know for sure.
Panic about the "bonfire killer" quickly spreads through the sedate, suburban area of Southampton. Women are urged not to travel alone at night, and constant vigilance is encouraged among the local residents. But single mom Aisling Cooley has a lot to distract her: two beloved teenage sons and a quest to find her long-lost father, whom she hasn't seen since she was a teenager growing up in Ireland.
After much debate she decides to upload her DNA to an ancestry website, and when she gets a match she is filled with an anxious excitement, that her questions about her father's disappearance from her life might finally be answered.
But to her horror, it's not her father who's found her. It's a detective.
And they say her DNA is a close match for the bonfire killer...
My thoughts:
This is a fast-paced, well-plotted police procedural which provides satisfying tension and the investigation progresses. This one kept me guessing and I kept on being wrong. And dang - there's quite a cliffhanger! I love the way Jonah, Ben and Juliette work together so seamlessly and their friendship. I recommend to anyone who likes a good detective/police procedural with lots of twists and surprises.
Thanks to Random House through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 8, 2023.
Description:
A woman uploads her DNA online, searching for her father--but the man who contacts her is Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens. From the acclaimed author of Little Sister, this endlessly twisty crime novel asks: What might a family do to protect or expose a serial killer in its midst?
When the police found the first body, left on a bonfire in the fields, they worried it had the hallmarks of a serial killer.
Now, as they find the second, they know for sure.
Panic about the "bonfire killer" quickly spreads through the sedate, suburban area of Southampton. Women are urged not to travel alone at night, and constant vigilance is encouraged among the local residents. But single mom Aisling Cooley has a lot to distract her: two beloved teenage sons and a quest to find her long-lost father, whom she hasn't seen since she was a teenager growing up in Ireland.
After much debate she decides to upload her DNA to an ancestry website, and when she gets a match she is filled with an anxious excitement, that her questions about her father's disappearance from her life might finally be answered.
But to her horror, it's not her father who's found her. It's a detective.
And they say her DNA is a close match for the bonfire killer...
My thoughts:
This is a fast-paced, well-plotted police procedural which provides satisfying tension and the investigation progresses. This one kept me guessing and I kept on being wrong. And dang - there's quite a cliffhanger! I love the way Jonah, Ben and Juliette work together so seamlessly and their friendship. I recommend to anyone who likes a good detective/police procedural with lots of twists and surprises.
Thanks to Random House through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 8, 2023.
September 24, 2023
Thank goodness that's over!
To me it seemed that the author had fallen asleep while writing this book and had accidentally sent it to her editor who had fallen asleep while reading this book and had accidentally sent it to the publisher who had fallen asleep while reading this book and had accidentally sent it to print.
While there were some good parts in the story, it dragged and I couldn't keep up with all the characters and the change in using first names and surnames. And it was so long at 410 pages! Just because you can write a book longer than 400 pages doesn't mean that you should.
To me it seemed that the author had fallen asleep while writing this book and had accidentally sent it to her editor who had fallen asleep while reading this book and had accidentally sent it to the publisher who had fallen asleep while reading this book and had accidentally sent it to print.
While there were some good parts in the story, it dragged and I couldn't keep up with all the characters and the change in using first names and surnames. And it was so long at 410 pages! Just because you can write a book longer than 400 pages doesn't mean that you should.
April 17, 2023
From the minute I knew this book was coming out the countdown couldn’t come soon enough and I was very excited when I got an advanced copy sent to me so I got to enjoy it that little bit earlier too!
DCI Jonah Sheens and the team are back and they are heavily involved in a serious case, searching for the Bonfire Killer, a serial killer that is killing women by leaving them to burn on funeral pyres. But the killer has made a major error leaving evidence at the scene, DNA which has identified it can be one of three people and for one woman this means it’s either one of her two sons or her elusive father who left her when she was a child. How far will she go to protect her family if one of them is a killer?
The fifth title in the series and wow, it just gets better and better! Seriously, after reading only the first chapter my heart was literally racing and I knew at that point it was a good one. I loved the connection of the DNA samples link with global ancestry, very clever and interesting to think this could be used to help solve cases that could potentially otherwise remain a mystery. Not to say that good old detective work didn’t save the day, quote: “Insights like that were never the way a case was proved, but they were, as the chief often said, the weather vanes that pointed the way.”
I LOVED this book and despite trying to slow myself down to not read it too quickly, it’s all over too soon and oh my god to the ending! Gytha, how could you leave us like that? (No spoilers sorry!) Please don’t make us wait too long to find out just what happens next, my heart is in my mouth.
Can’t recommend this book enough, a great addition to the series, add it to your collection now!
DCI Jonah Sheens and the team are back and they are heavily involved in a serious case, searching for the Bonfire Killer, a serial killer that is killing women by leaving them to burn on funeral pyres. But the killer has made a major error leaving evidence at the scene, DNA which has identified it can be one of three people and for one woman this means it’s either one of her two sons or her elusive father who left her when she was a child. How far will she go to protect her family if one of them is a killer?
The fifth title in the series and wow, it just gets better and better! Seriously, after reading only the first chapter my heart was literally racing and I knew at that point it was a good one. I loved the connection of the DNA samples link with global ancestry, very clever and interesting to think this could be used to help solve cases that could potentially otherwise remain a mystery. Not to say that good old detective work didn’t save the day, quote: “Insights like that were never the way a case was proved, but they were, as the chief often said, the weather vanes that pointed the way.”
I LOVED this book and despite trying to slow myself down to not read it too quickly, it’s all over too soon and oh my god to the ending! Gytha, how could you leave us like that? (No spoilers sorry!) Please don’t make us wait too long to find out just what happens next, my heart is in my mouth.
Can’t recommend this book enough, a great addition to the series, add it to your collection now!
May 15, 2023
3 / 5
Unfortunately this is a down grade to her previous book little sister. It didn’t have the same gut punch feeling when the twist occurred and instead it left me very confused. (Just like her previous book who had two sisters that switched names
which left me confused on who was who). It felt like different story lines were being pursued and they all connected to one another in a very convoluted way. I enjoyed the plot, the idea of using DNA to find the killer is a unique concept one which I have only seen in one other book (the match by Harlan Coben).
The thing that it irritated me the most was the obvious hints of the killer, I don’t know why the team this time was acting like it was the most difficult case. That’s the most I’ll say before it’s considered a spoiler. It was right in front of them. That being said I enjoyed this book based on the heavy police procedure, and dependable/ relatable characters going through their own stuff.
The other thing I didn’t like was how god damn long this book felt, for 408 pages (hardback edition) this felt like I read 500 pages. I’m just lucky that work didn’t have a lot on that I could read through this. But this was dragging on for a long time. This book could be reduced by 50 pages or more. I don’t know how I feel about the next book.
Unfortunately this is a down grade to her previous book little sister. It didn’t have the same gut punch feeling when the twist occurred and instead it left me very confused. (Just like her previous book who had two sisters that switched names
which left me confused on who was who). It felt like different story lines were being pursued and they all connected to one another in a very convoluted way. I enjoyed the plot, the idea of using DNA to find the killer is a unique concept one which I have only seen in one other book (the match by Harlan Coben).
The thing that it irritated me the most was the obvious hints of the killer, I don’t know why the team this time was acting like it was the most difficult case. That’s the most I’ll say before it’s considered a spoiler. It was right in front of them. That being said I enjoyed this book based on the heavy police procedure, and dependable/ relatable characters going through their own stuff.
The other thing I didn’t like was how god damn long this book felt, for 408 pages (hardback edition) this felt like I read 500 pages. I’m just lucky that work didn’t have a lot on that I could read through this. But this was dragging on for a long time. This book could be reduced by 50 pages or more. I don’t know how I feel about the next book.
November 3, 2023
I've been really enjoying this series and I have to say this was the best in the lot!
I am a bit pissed with the ending, what kind of copper procedural ends on a cliffhanger???
Annnywho.
This had a beautiful pace and I loved that it centered more on Juliette and Ben; they have been my favourites throughout the series.
Well fleshed out story with vibrant characters. Highly recommend!
While this is book 5 in a series, any of them can be read as stand alone's since each book is a separate case.
Much love to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group doe my ARC.
I am a bit pissed with the ending, what kind of copper procedural ends on a cliffhanger???
Annnywho.
This had a beautiful pace and I loved that it centered more on Juliette and Ben; they have been my favourites throughout the series.
Well fleshed out story with vibrant characters. Highly recommend!
While this is book 5 in a series, any of them can be read as stand alone's since each book is a separate case.
Much love to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group doe my ARC.
September 9, 2023
A Killer in the Family
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Gytha Lodge
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: When the police found the first body, left on a bonfire in the fields, they worried it had the hallmarks of a serial killer.
Now, as they find the second, they know for sure.
Panic about the "bonfire killer" quickly spreads through the sedate, suburban area of Southampton. Women are urged not to travel alone at night, and constant vigilance is encouraged among the local residents. But single mom Aisling Cooley has a lot to distract her: two beloved teenage sons and a quest to find her long-lost father, whom she hasn't seen since she was a teenager growing up in Ireland.
After much debate she decides to upload her DNA to an ancestry website, and when she gets a match she is filled with an anxious excitement, that her questions about her father's disappearance from her life might finally be answered.
But to her horror, it's not her father who's found her. It's a detective.
And they say her DNA is a close match for the bonfire killer...
My Thoughts: This is book no. 5 in the DCI Jonah Sheens mystery series. Aisling Cooley, a single mother, uploads her DNA to an ancestry site to locate her father, but what she finds is a detective knocking on her door advising that the DNA is closer related to a homicide he is working. The serial killer, the ‘Bonfire Killer’ is wreaking havoc on this small town in Southampton. Women are urged to not leave their homes in the evening, although the warning is not adhered to by everyone. These ancestry sites are very popular right now but one reason there are many holdbacks is that the DNA could fall into the hands of the government for their use how they please, other than the prices are crazy. A very unique premise for a police procedural novel that intrigued me from the beginning. When I requested this novel, I did not realize it was part of a series, however, I did not feel lost and felt the backstory was enough to follow along well. However, by reading the books in the series in order, you would get a greater sense of the character development and the relationships between the characters within the other novels. This novel tests the old adage what a parent would do for their child and lengths they would go to protect them.
In the beginning, it opens with a shocking prologue and then it is a typical slow burn police procedural thriller and some parts tend to get repetitive, at about 30-40% in, it really starts to heat up. The story is narrated by Aisling, Jonah, and some of the other police detectives, in their respective perspectives. The personal life of DCI Jonah bleeds over into the mystery, adding a level of sadness, which follows suit with the other detectives. The characters were well developed, mysterious, flawed, realistic, and intriguing. You could really relate to the characters and they were genuinely likable, for the most part. The author’s writing style was complex, twisty, suspenseful, multidimensional, mind bending, and brilliant. The characters are continued to be built up in this novel, with the plot being delivered into twisty layers. If you love cliffhangers, which I typically do not, you will love this one and it will be a doozy. I was yelling, screaming, and cursing. This really leaves the anticipation for book no. 6 VERY HIGH.
I will go back through the series and read the others. Generally, I only like romance series novels and not police procedural series or thriller series novels. However, Lodge has wedged her place in my mind to go back and read the series. This was a compelling, gripping, thought provoking, even poignant at times, police procedural thriller that will keep you guessing with some unpredictability. I highly recommend picking up this book and the others in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Gytha Lodge
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: When the police found the first body, left on a bonfire in the fields, they worried it had the hallmarks of a serial killer.
Now, as they find the second, they know for sure.
Panic about the "bonfire killer" quickly spreads through the sedate, suburban area of Southampton. Women are urged not to travel alone at night, and constant vigilance is encouraged among the local residents. But single mom Aisling Cooley has a lot to distract her: two beloved teenage sons and a quest to find her long-lost father, whom she hasn't seen since she was a teenager growing up in Ireland.
After much debate she decides to upload her DNA to an ancestry website, and when she gets a match she is filled with an anxious excitement, that her questions about her father's disappearance from her life might finally be answered.
But to her horror, it's not her father who's found her. It's a detective.
And they say her DNA is a close match for the bonfire killer...
My Thoughts: This is book no. 5 in the DCI Jonah Sheens mystery series. Aisling Cooley, a single mother, uploads her DNA to an ancestry site to locate her father, but what she finds is a detective knocking on her door advising that the DNA is closer related to a homicide he is working. The serial killer, the ‘Bonfire Killer’ is wreaking havoc on this small town in Southampton. Women are urged to not leave their homes in the evening, although the warning is not adhered to by everyone. These ancestry sites are very popular right now but one reason there are many holdbacks is that the DNA could fall into the hands of the government for their use how they please, other than the prices are crazy. A very unique premise for a police procedural novel that intrigued me from the beginning. When I requested this novel, I did not realize it was part of a series, however, I did not feel lost and felt the backstory was enough to follow along well. However, by reading the books in the series in order, you would get a greater sense of the character development and the relationships between the characters within the other novels. This novel tests the old adage what a parent would do for their child and lengths they would go to protect them.
In the beginning, it opens with a shocking prologue and then it is a typical slow burn police procedural thriller and some parts tend to get repetitive, at about 30-40% in, it really starts to heat up. The story is narrated by Aisling, Jonah, and some of the other police detectives, in their respective perspectives. The personal life of DCI Jonah bleeds over into the mystery, adding a level of sadness, which follows suit with the other detectives. The characters were well developed, mysterious, flawed, realistic, and intriguing. You could really relate to the characters and they were genuinely likable, for the most part. The author’s writing style was complex, twisty, suspenseful, multidimensional, mind bending, and brilliant. The characters are continued to be built up in this novel, with the plot being delivered into twisty layers. If you love cliffhangers, which I typically do not, you will love this one and it will be a doozy. I was yelling, screaming, and cursing. This really leaves the anticipation for book no. 6 VERY HIGH.
I will go back through the series and read the others. Generally, I only like romance series novels and not police procedural series or thriller series novels. However, Lodge has wedged her place in my mind to go back and read the series. This was a compelling, gripping, thought provoking, even poignant at times, police procedural thriller that will keep you guessing with some unpredictability. I highly recommend picking up this book and the others in the series.
August 30, 2023
Aisling Cooley would have never dreamed that submitting a DNA sample to try to find her father would turn into a nightmare.
The Bonfire Killer was on the loose, and unknown to Aisling someone whose blood type matched blood at the newest murder scene belonged to a close relative of hers. It could be her father, brother, or son.
Aisling had two sons, but she told the police they are both mild mannered and would never have killed anyone, but could it have been her estranged father's blood?
A KILLER IN THE FAMILY has a bit of a slow start, but as the tension grows, as we wait for the results of the DNA samples from Aisling’s sons, and as surprises pop up, you will be glued to the pages.
Fans of Gytha won't want to miss this one...will you figure it out? 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
The Bonfire Killer was on the loose, and unknown to Aisling someone whose blood type matched blood at the newest murder scene belonged to a close relative of hers. It could be her father, brother, or son.
Aisling had two sons, but she told the police they are both mild mannered and would never have killed anyone, but could it have been her estranged father's blood?
A KILLER IN THE FAMILY has a bit of a slow start, but as the tension grows, as we wait for the results of the DNA samples from Aisling’s sons, and as surprises pop up, you will be glued to the pages.
Fans of Gytha won't want to miss this one...will you figure it out? 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
April 21, 2024
A timely mystery rooted in DNA
DCI Jonah Sheens and his team are busy investigating what appears to be a serial killer setting women on fire. The "Bonfire Killer" preys upon women in their mid-40s out alone. Aisling Cooley finds this disturbing, but she's slightly distracted trying to single parent her two teenage sons and worrying about keeping them financially afloat. She's also haunted by memories of her father, who left her family when she was young.
KILLER is an excellent whodunnit, revolving around the modern theory of DNA and tracking criminals via genealogy websites. Aisling uploads her DNA to a popular site, hoping to match with her father. Instead, Jonah and his team show up on her doorstep, saying a relative of hers has matched to evidence from the Bonfire Killer murders. Aisling must grapple with the fact that either one of her beloved boys or her long-lost father is a killer.
Lodge's story moves quickly, filled with a wide variety of suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. It weaves in Aisling's story and background, including her struggle as a single mom and as a daughter abandoned by her father, with perspectives from DCI Sheen and his team. Domnall especially shines in this one, with his detailed research. This story stands alone, but reading the Sheens books in order allows you to see the nuanced characterizations Lodge has given to each. Steady, calm, Sheens who is struggling in his unhappy marriage is my favorite, but it was wonderful to see more of Domnall. And there's kind, intelligent Ben plus Juliette, who is still learning, but has suffered at the hands of an abusive ex, who are excellent, with their own detailed backstories and personalities. The entire team seems so real (and lovable). There's a cliffhanger ending that means we need another book, ASAP!
Overall, a well-plotted and timely police procedural, featuring an excellent and lovable cast of characters.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group in return for an unbiased review.
DCI Jonah Sheens and his team are busy investigating what appears to be a serial killer setting women on fire. The "Bonfire Killer" preys upon women in their mid-40s out alone. Aisling Cooley finds this disturbing, but she's slightly distracted trying to single parent her two teenage sons and worrying about keeping them financially afloat. She's also haunted by memories of her father, who left her family when she was young.
KILLER is an excellent whodunnit, revolving around the modern theory of DNA and tracking criminals via genealogy websites. Aisling uploads her DNA to a popular site, hoping to match with her father. Instead, Jonah and his team show up on her doorstep, saying a relative of hers has matched to evidence from the Bonfire Killer murders. Aisling must grapple with the fact that either one of her beloved boys or her long-lost father is a killer.
Lodge's story moves quickly, filled with a wide variety of suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. It weaves in Aisling's story and background, including her struggle as a single mom and as a daughter abandoned by her father, with perspectives from DCI Sheen and his team. Domnall especially shines in this one, with his detailed research. This story stands alone, but reading the Sheens books in order allows you to see the nuanced characterizations Lodge has given to each. Steady, calm, Sheens who is struggling in his unhappy marriage is my favorite, but it was wonderful to see more of Domnall. And there's kind, intelligent Ben plus Juliette, who is still learning, but has suffered at the hands of an abusive ex, who are excellent, with their own detailed backstories and personalities. The entire team seems so real (and lovable). There's a cliffhanger ending that means we need another book, ASAP!
Overall, a well-plotted and timely police procedural, featuring an excellent and lovable cast of characters.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group in return for an unbiased review.
February 11, 2024
This was only my second read from the DCI Sheens series.
Like most crime novels, they can easily be enjoyed as a standalone - though I'm sure I'd appreciate the character developments more.
I really liked that this was set around the fallout of New Years Eve, with many potential witnesses in high spirits potentially missing a crucial piece of evidence.
It would have been quite cool reading this in January.
The slow burning mystery surrounding a serial killer dubbed ' The Bonfire Killer' due to the manner in which the bodies have been left is really creepy.
Whilst the manner of using the DNA from the crime scene to track a family connection to aid the investigation is equally an interesting angle.
Highly enjoyable, I'd happily read the rest.
Like most crime novels, they can easily be enjoyed as a standalone - though I'm sure I'd appreciate the character developments more.
I really liked that this was set around the fallout of New Years Eve, with many potential witnesses in high spirits potentially missing a crucial piece of evidence.
It would have been quite cool reading this in January.
The slow burning mystery surrounding a serial killer dubbed ' The Bonfire Killer' due to the manner in which the bodies have been left is really creepy.
Whilst the manner of using the DNA from the crime scene to track a family connection to aid the investigation is equally an interesting angle.
Highly enjoyable, I'd happily read the rest.
July 11, 2023
I didn't realize this was a detective series. If I'd known that, I wouldn't have read it. Nothing happened for the majority of the book. It was boring and I didn't care about the characters.
October 19, 2023
A Killer in the Family is the fifth book in Gytha Lodge's series featuring Southampton-based DCI Jonah Sheens and his CID team. It's also one of a cluster of recent releases inspired in part by the American true crime case of the Golden State Killer , captured decades after his crimes through the use of ancestry DNA databases - it's a fascinating premise.
A dark prologue depicts forty-something Totton woman Lindsay Kernow, who's met an attractive new man on New Year's Eve, and accepted his offer to drive her to a good spot for viewing the midnight fireworks. The foreboding is heavy, and as expected things don't end well for Lindsay. Her body is found shortly afterwards, atop an unburned pyre on Lyndhurst Heath.
It's the second such crime scene in the vicinity of the New Forest, the charred remains of another woman, 46-year-old Brockenhurst woman Jacqueline Clarke, having been incinerated on a similar pyre the previous October. In the intervening time, other burned pyres have been discovered in the area, but without any human remains. Given the marked similarities between the cases, police, led by DCI Jonah Sheens, come to the reluctant conclusion that there's an active serial killer at large - a criminal who the press quickly dub "The Bonfire Killer" - and that other women may be at risk.
Meanwhile, Lyndhurst single mother Aisling Cooley is spending New Year's Day with her two teenaged sons, Ethan and Finn. The chance mention of a name from her past prompts her to finally look through the boxes of photographs and papers she put aside in her spare room after her mother died. Her thoughts turn to her father, who hasn't been heard from since he walked away from the family home early in 1987. She decides to submit a DNA sample to online database Globalry, in the hopes that she might finally be able to track him down and reconcile.
Two weeks later, Sheen's CID team's focus moves squarely to Aisling and her family, as the DNA she submitted to Globalry has been matched with a blood sample collected from the second "Bonfire Killer" crime scene. The blood can only belong to Aisling's father or one of her sons, as she has no brother. This revelation is understandably both upsetting and deeply shocking for Aisling - she can't believe either of her beloved sons could possibly have committed these crimes and doesn't feel it would be consistent with her long-missing father's personality, either.
As the narrative shifts back and forth between the perspectives of DCI Sheen and his team-members and that of Aisling, long-held family secrets are revealed and lies uncovered. Aisling reconnects with an old friend from Ireland, a former MET police officer who now works as a private investigator, and they find a shared motivation to identify the criminal before the police do. Meanwhile, Jonah's relationship with his partner Michelle is deteriorating since the birth of their daughter Millie. DC Juliette Hanson has attracted the attention of an unwanted shadow, who dubs himself her "guardian angel" - is it her former partner Damian back to harass her again, or someone else? The shocking conclusion lays the ground for a future book.
As always with this series, Gytha Lodge balances the focus deftly between the police procedural part of the plot, in which the series characters DCI Sheen, DS Lightfoot, DS O'Malley and DC Hanson feature prominently, with a storyline featuring new characters, in this case Aisling Cooley and her family. This structure maintains dramatic tension and plays with the reader's sympathies as the perspective shifts back and forth. The backstory in A Killer in the Family was particularly complex and emotional, with plenty of twists and turns along the way as the truth is unveiled.
A Killer in the Family is a superlative psychological thriller, which I'd highly recommend to any reader who enjoys multi-layered and complex crime-mysteries and can tolerate a certain level of gritty realism.
A dark prologue depicts forty-something Totton woman Lindsay Kernow, who's met an attractive new man on New Year's Eve, and accepted his offer to drive her to a good spot for viewing the midnight fireworks. The foreboding is heavy, and as expected things don't end well for Lindsay. Her body is found shortly afterwards, atop an unburned pyre on Lyndhurst Heath.
It's the second such crime scene in the vicinity of the New Forest, the charred remains of another woman, 46-year-old Brockenhurst woman Jacqueline Clarke, having been incinerated on a similar pyre the previous October. In the intervening time, other burned pyres have been discovered in the area, but without any human remains. Given the marked similarities between the cases, police, led by DCI Jonah Sheens, come to the reluctant conclusion that there's an active serial killer at large - a criminal who the press quickly dub "The Bonfire Killer" - and that other women may be at risk.
Meanwhile, Lyndhurst single mother Aisling Cooley is spending New Year's Day with her two teenaged sons, Ethan and Finn. The chance mention of a name from her past prompts her to finally look through the boxes of photographs and papers she put aside in her spare room after her mother died. Her thoughts turn to her father, who hasn't been heard from since he walked away from the family home early in 1987. She decides to submit a DNA sample to online database Globalry, in the hopes that she might finally be able to track him down and reconcile.
Two weeks later, Sheen's CID team's focus moves squarely to Aisling and her family, as the DNA she submitted to Globalry has been matched with a blood sample collected from the second "Bonfire Killer" crime scene. The blood can only belong to Aisling's father or one of her sons, as she has no brother. This revelation is understandably both upsetting and deeply shocking for Aisling - she can't believe either of her beloved sons could possibly have committed these crimes and doesn't feel it would be consistent with her long-missing father's personality, either.
As the narrative shifts back and forth between the perspectives of DCI Sheen and his team-members and that of Aisling, long-held family secrets are revealed and lies uncovered. Aisling reconnects with an old friend from Ireland, a former MET police officer who now works as a private investigator, and they find a shared motivation to identify the criminal before the police do. Meanwhile, Jonah's relationship with his partner Michelle is deteriorating since the birth of their daughter Millie. DC Juliette Hanson has attracted the attention of an unwanted shadow, who dubs himself her "guardian angel" - is it her former partner Damian back to harass her again, or someone else? The shocking conclusion lays the ground for a future book.
As always with this series, Gytha Lodge balances the focus deftly between the police procedural part of the plot, in which the series characters DCI Sheen, DS Lightfoot, DS O'Malley and DC Hanson feature prominently, with a storyline featuring new characters, in this case Aisling Cooley and her family. This structure maintains dramatic tension and plays with the reader's sympathies as the perspective shifts back and forth. The backstory in A Killer in the Family was particularly complex and emotional, with plenty of twists and turns along the way as the truth is unveiled.
A Killer in the Family is a superlative psychological thriller, which I'd highly recommend to any reader who enjoys multi-layered and complex crime-mysteries and can tolerate a certain level of gritty realism.
August 12, 2023
High 4⭐️
Another satisfying mystery thriller that I throughly enjoyed. It was book 5 of the DCI Jonah Sheens series. It completely stands alone for a great novel. The writing held me captive and every situation and every person had something to hide. Who was doing this?!! And why? Fast paced and good.
Gytha Lodge is one of my favorite writers and I really enjoyed this. I highly recommend this one.
Thanks Random House Publishing via NetGalley.
Another satisfying mystery thriller that I throughly enjoyed. It was book 5 of the DCI Jonah Sheens series. It completely stands alone for a great novel. The writing held me captive and every situation and every person had something to hide. Who was doing this?!! And why? Fast paced and good.
Gytha Lodge is one of my favorite writers and I really enjoyed this. I highly recommend this one.
Thanks Random House Publishing via NetGalley.
2023
September 25, 2024$4.99 audiobook sale @ Libro.fm
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Trade Paperbacks
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Trade Paperbacks
February 29, 2024
This is a brilliant police procedural series and I just love everything about it. The police characters are a great team and you get to know the, more and more in each book. This is the 5th book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone easily.
Set in Southampton in the UK, the police are in the hunt for The Bonfire Killer, someone who is burning women in fires in the woods. They finally catch a break when a blood sample is found at the latest crime scene, and the blood is not from the victim. They get a match when single mother, Aisling Cooley uploads her DNA in the hopes of finding her estranged father. Aisling is terrified that one of her sons has made a huge mistake but desperately wants to believe they are innocent.
As always, this is a twisty and suspenseful story where nothing is as it seems. It really keeps you guessing right until the very end. All the while this case is being investigated, the members of the police team are dealing with tough times in their private lives, which makes it all the more impressive.
A massive thank you to the author, the lovely Gytha Lodge for sending me a signed hardback all the way to Australia. I can’t thank you enough. I have now caught up on this series, so patiently waiting for book 6 now.
Set in Southampton in the UK, the police are in the hunt for The Bonfire Killer, someone who is burning women in fires in the woods. They finally catch a break when a blood sample is found at the latest crime scene, and the blood is not from the victim. They get a match when single mother, Aisling Cooley uploads her DNA in the hopes of finding her estranged father. Aisling is terrified that one of her sons has made a huge mistake but desperately wants to believe they are innocent.
As always, this is a twisty and suspenseful story where nothing is as it seems. It really keeps you guessing right until the very end. All the while this case is being investigated, the members of the police team are dealing with tough times in their private lives, which makes it all the more impressive.
A massive thank you to the author, the lovely Gytha Lodge for sending me a signed hardback all the way to Australia. I can’t thank you enough. I have now caught up on this series, so patiently waiting for book 6 now.
October 18, 2025
First book by this author, fifth in a series.
Aisling's two sons mean everything to her. But being estranged from her own parents, she's always felt a piece of her is missing.
Desperate to find answers, Aisling uploads her DNA to an ancestry website.
She quickly gets a match. But instead of answers, she finds a detective.
Aisling's DNA is a match for a recent crime scene.
And the police have three lead suspects: her father, or one of her two sons . . .
Aisling would do anything for her family - but can she protect a killer?
A Killer in the Family' is the fifth in the series. The book opens with a 40-something year old woman accepting a lift and a drink on New Year's Eve from a handsome stranger- everything in me was screaming at her not to go in the car with him, but for once she threw caution to the wind. Her body is found on a bonfire.
But why three stars. It was a good mystery, gripping at times, but a little heavy and difficult to follow at the beginning, a little to many twists and turns.
So three stars for me.
Aisling's two sons mean everything to her. But being estranged from her own parents, she's always felt a piece of her is missing.
Desperate to find answers, Aisling uploads her DNA to an ancestry website.
She quickly gets a match. But instead of answers, she finds a detective.
Aisling's DNA is a match for a recent crime scene.
And the police have three lead suspects: her father, or one of her two sons . . .
Aisling would do anything for her family - but can she protect a killer?
A Killer in the Family' is the fifth in the series. The book opens with a 40-something year old woman accepting a lift and a drink on New Year's Eve from a handsome stranger- everything in me was screaming at her not to go in the car with him, but for once she threw caution to the wind. Her body is found on a bonfire.
But why three stars. It was a good mystery, gripping at times, but a little heavy and difficult to follow at the beginning, a little to many twists and turns.
So three stars for me.
August 10, 2023
To be honest, this - the fifth book in a series featuring Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens - just didn't grab me. I'm pretty sure much of that comes because it's the first in the series that I've read, and what background was included wasn't sufficient for me to be able to really "connect" with any of the characters. That the story was very complex, with quite a few people to keep track of, made it even harder to process.
That said, once I got the lay of the land, so to speak - with burning pyres topped by women murdered by what appears to be a serial killer - the story itself kept me turning the pages (well, okay, thumbing the edge of my e-book reader). Before I get to the murders, though, I'll mention that the aforementioned Jonah is experiencing some kind of marital upset; that, too, most likely was an issue in a previous book or books. But here, too, there wasn't enough explanation for me to say, "Jonah, you're an idiot - grow up!" or sympathize with what he's going through.
The murders, though, are the primary focus. Finally, detectives catch a break when human blood is found at a partially burned pyre and it doesn't belong to the victim. At that point, they decide to try a new-to-them DNA search to identify the owner - or very close relatives of - the killer. About the same time, local resident and single mother Aisling Cooley sends her DNA to an ancestry website in hopes of finding the father who left with no warning when she was a teenager some 30 years earlier. She gets more than she bargained for when the police come to say that she's a close relative of the so-called "Bonfire Killer." But the only relatives she knows about are her father - who may not even be alive - and her two mostly-grown sons. Could one of them possibly be a murderer?
The rest of the book follows the complex investigation, with leads that turn out to be dead ends even though they have a DNA link. The ending didn't thrill me because I'm not a fan of cliffhangers - and there are two gobsmackers here. I'm pretty sure most fans of this series will enjoy this one, though, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to become one by way of a pre-release review copy.
That said, once I got the lay of the land, so to speak - with burning pyres topped by women murdered by what appears to be a serial killer - the story itself kept me turning the pages (well, okay, thumbing the edge of my e-book reader). Before I get to the murders, though, I'll mention that the aforementioned Jonah is experiencing some kind of marital upset; that, too, most likely was an issue in a previous book or books. But here, too, there wasn't enough explanation for me to say, "Jonah, you're an idiot - grow up!" or sympathize with what he's going through.
The murders, though, are the primary focus. Finally, detectives catch a break when human blood is found at a partially burned pyre and it doesn't belong to the victim. At that point, they decide to try a new-to-them DNA search to identify the owner - or very close relatives of - the killer. About the same time, local resident and single mother Aisling Cooley sends her DNA to an ancestry website in hopes of finding the father who left with no warning when she was a teenager some 30 years earlier. She gets more than she bargained for when the police come to say that she's a close relative of the so-called "Bonfire Killer." But the only relatives she knows about are her father - who may not even be alive - and her two mostly-grown sons. Could one of them possibly be a murderer?
The rest of the book follows the complex investigation, with leads that turn out to be dead ends even though they have a DNA link. The ending didn't thrill me because I'm not a fan of cliffhangers - and there are two gobsmackers here. I'm pretty sure most fans of this series will enjoy this one, though, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to become one by way of a pre-release review copy.
July 6, 2025
Reads like a dramatic TV episode
I am conflicted about this book.
On the one hand, the story itself was clever and twisty, with just enough clues to allow a reader paying close attention to figure it all out. There was a plot point that was a little too convenient and somewhat unnecessary, but I enjoyed the story arc and felt it was well thought-out and written.
On the other hand, there are a few too many detective characters. The chapters switch perspectives frequently and at times it was difficult to follow who was who. Each of the detectives has their own backstory and drama which was referenced, but you would have to read the series in order to understand it all. While the story itself was resolved, the book ends in a cliffhanger for the detectives.
This book reads like a TV series, where there is a new mystery each episode that stands alone, but there are also side stories that involve the recurring characters (in this case, the detectives). I think overall I would recommend reading these books in order, although I’m not sure I’m motivated to do so. However, I enjoyed this book as a standalone and give it 4⭐️
I am conflicted about this book.
On the one hand, the story itself was clever and twisty, with just enough clues to allow a reader paying close attention to figure it all out. There was a plot point that was a little too convenient and somewhat unnecessary, but I enjoyed the story arc and felt it was well thought-out and written.
On the other hand, there are a few too many detective characters. The chapters switch perspectives frequently and at times it was difficult to follow who was who. Each of the detectives has their own backstory and drama which was referenced, but you would have to read the series in order to understand it all. While the story itself was resolved, the book ends in a cliffhanger for the detectives.
This book reads like a TV series, where there is a new mystery each episode that stands alone, but there are also side stories that involve the recurring characters (in this case, the detectives). I think overall I would recommend reading these books in order, although I’m not sure I’m motivated to do so. However, I enjoyed this book as a standalone and give it 4⭐️
June 7, 2023
When I read the premise of this book I was automatically intrigued, but also curious how an author could take this controversial topic and not make it too political or outlandish. I am referring to how in this book the “Bonfire Killer” is identified with the assistance of DNA from an ancestry website, which has become something we have been seeing more of and people have a variety of opinions on.
This book is part of a series and I will say you can pick this up without having read the first few in this series, I would recommend reading those first. This will greatly help in the lack of character development I found (due to not reading those).
Aisling is a single mother with a very secretive past that she wants answers to. She decides to use an DNA ancestry website and that is where her life and her family dynamic will change forever. The “bonfire killer” shares her DNA and uncovering how that connects to her past and present is twisty and interesting at times.
I will say this is a slow burn and more of a crime mystery, but once it gets about 50% in it starts to pick up . I would definitely read more books in this series and by this author.
I want to thank Netgalley, the Author, Random House Publishing Group, Random house , and Random House trade paperbacks for the ARC of this book!
This book is part of a series and I will say you can pick this up without having read the first few in this series, I would recommend reading those first. This will greatly help in the lack of character development I found (due to not reading those).
Aisling is a single mother with a very secretive past that she wants answers to. She decides to use an DNA ancestry website and that is where her life and her family dynamic will change forever. The “bonfire killer” shares her DNA and uncovering how that connects to her past and present is twisty and interesting at times.
I will say this is a slow burn and more of a crime mystery, but once it gets about 50% in it starts to pick up . I would definitely read more books in this series and by this author.
I want to thank Netgalley, the Author, Random House Publishing Group, Random house , and Random House trade paperbacks for the ARC of this book!
April 20, 2023
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
I debated requesting this, because I wasn't so keen on the last two in this series. This instalment however, is excellent. I like the characterization of the various police officers: the messy Domnall, the inscrutable but vulnerable Ben, and so on. I thought Jonah was strangely absent here - mainly musing on how good it is that his partner Michelle is going out every night getting drunk while he works late and their nanny (whom I hope they are paying double) raises their daughter.
The actual mystery was also excellent - twisty and turny in a logical way, although the DNA ramifications and the inter-relatedness (or not) of the characters made my brain hurt at times. I liked the relationships Aisling had with her sons - it felt real. The ending was sad but satisfying.
I debated requesting this, because I wasn't so keen on the last two in this series. This instalment however, is excellent. I like the characterization of the various police officers: the messy Domnall, the inscrutable but vulnerable Ben, and so on. I thought Jonah was strangely absent here - mainly musing on how good it is that his partner Michelle is going out every night getting drunk while he works late and their nanny (whom I hope they are paying double) raises their daughter.
The actual mystery was also excellent - twisty and turny in a logical way, although the DNA ramifications and the inter-relatedness (or not) of the characters made my brain hurt at times. I liked the relationships Aisling had with her sons - it felt real. The ending was sad but satisfying.
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