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DI Tessa Burns #2
Only the Children
The little girl stares up at Tessa, trembling so hard her whole body shakes. Her brothers stand clutching her hands, both pale with shock. ‘They told us not to speak,’ she finally whispers. But the terror in her tear-filled eyes tells Tessa all she needs to know…
When a cargo ship runs aground off the Irish coast, the police are horrified to find the captain dead at the helm, the crew missing, and three little red-haired children, terrified but unharmed, locked in the galley kitchen. As an expert detective running a child-centred taskforce, Detective Tessa Burns is called in to lead the case.
Despite Tessa’s best efforts, the children won’t reveal a thing – not even their own names. Slowly gaining their trust, Tessa uncovers a deadly secret about their past – and the mystery of their missing parents’ whereabouts – that turns everything she thought she knew on its head.
But just as it seems she’s cracked the case, Tessa’s team is attacked one dark night, and the youngest boy is kidnapped yet again. It’s clear the children are still in terrible danger. And when another senseless killing sends shockwaves through her team, Tessa realises the murderer is someone much closer to home than they could have ever imagined. Will she be able to uncover the truth in time, or will it be too late for her, and, most devastating of all, for the children…?
A totally unputdownable Irish police procedural with jaw-dropping twists. Perfect for fans of Patricia Gibney, Lisa Regan and Angela Marsons.
When a cargo ship runs aground off the Irish coast, the police are horrified to find the captain dead at the helm, the crew missing, and three little red-haired children, terrified but unharmed, locked in the galley kitchen. As an expert detective running a child-centred taskforce, Detective Tessa Burns is called in to lead the case.
Despite Tessa’s best efforts, the children won’t reveal a thing – not even their own names. Slowly gaining their trust, Tessa uncovers a deadly secret about their past – and the mystery of their missing parents’ whereabouts – that turns everything she thought she knew on its head.
But just as it seems she’s cracked the case, Tessa’s team is attacked one dark night, and the youngest boy is kidnapped yet again. It’s clear the children are still in terrible danger. And when another senseless killing sends shockwaves through her team, Tessa realises the murderer is someone much closer to home than they could have ever imagined. Will she be able to uncover the truth in time, or will it be too late for her, and, most devastating of all, for the children…?
A totally unputdownable Irish police procedural with jaw-dropping twists. Perfect for fans of Patricia Gibney, Lisa Regan and Angela Marsons.
- GenresMystery Thriller
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2024
326 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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February 19, 2024
In a Nutshell: Book Two of the Tessa Burns series. Didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one, partially due to my reading preferences and lack of familiarity with the topic. Regardless, it is still an interesting continuation to the series. I am curious to see what’s next for Tessa, though not as excited as I was after the first book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
⛴ The prologue, set on the ship during a storm, was so vivid and gripping that I almost felt the storm water splashing on me! If the entire book had been like that, I’d have completed this in two hours flat.
⛴ Maggie and her dog Pavlov are still as loveable and amazing as in the first book, though Pavlov gets fewer active scenes this time.
⛴ The book doesn’t waste time on extensive character buildup for the main trio. We get a brief intro on their background and then the story moves on. In that sense, it is a good sequel as it continues seamlessly from the earlier book without needless repetitions.
⛴ The three children and their feelings are written in a touching way. As I said in the review for the first book, the author’s experience in child protection makes him portray child characters realistically and in an age-appropriate manner. This book confirms the same.
⛴ The Irish factor is strong even in this book. Yet again, the author shows his knowhow of Ireland and its functioning, and puts the location to marvellous use.
⛴ There are some truly surprising moments, some of which even made me pause and ponder – something that rarely happens when I read this genre.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
⛵ I had praised the first book for steering clear of romance. Well, I had to jump the gun, didn’t I? This book introduces a romantic angle to Tessa’s arc. *deep sigh* To be fair, the romance doesn’t overshadow the main plot, and both Tessa and her new beau are great with each other. But I still am the Grinch who doesn’t like romance shoved into non-romance genre books.
⛵ The storyline is much more complicated than in the first book. In a way, this is good because it shows the series to have developed to the next level from Book One, which was more like an opening act. However, it is also bad because the ongoings are too intricate to keep track of. My lack of familiarity with (and interest in) Irish politics also didn’t work in my favour.
⛵ The number of characters is also much greater than before, which, when combined with the convoluted plot, means that there is too much to keep track of. It was easier on the kindle as the search button helped me recollect the character
⛵ The ‘Merrow’: Her personality – Wow! Her backstory: Shucks! Her use in the plot: Goes between creepy to schmaltzy! How I wish she had been better utilised!
⛵ I didn’t like Tessa as much this time around. She seems to take rash decisions that don’t make any sense for an experienced police officer. What appeared like confidence in Book One seems like cockiness in this sequel. For a protagonist of the series, she makes surprisingly stupid choices and needs external help more than once. She also has a weird policy about whom she collaborates with, having no qualms about making offers to criminals while steering clear of those who might be beneficial to the investigation. All of this proves her to be human, but doesn’t make her a great lead character for a procedural.
⛵ The pacing is also slower than that of the first book, with the middle section feeling much dragged.
Bookish Nays:
🌊 Yet again, the climax is too smooth to be acceptable. Certain people always arrive at the right moment and get the mess sorted out in an instant. Even the investigation of the team leads to almost-accurate results, with hardly any major goofs in their assumptions.
🌊 There are too many OTT situations and coincidences throughout the story. I don’t like any thriller that reminds me of Bollywood action movies, and this one was like an Irish adaptation of a Bolly potboiler.
Overall, this is not a bad book but the first one – ‘Little Witness’ – was so good that this pales in comparison. I guess the first book was more my kind of read, while this one is more like a typical OTT procedural.
I am still interested in reading the next of the series, because just like last time, this book ends with a hint of the upcoming case, and it sounds like a cracker of a plot! I hope Eric Stafford returns – he is way more interesting than Tessa and her new romantic liaison. I am also keen to know more about the “faceless men” from Book One. I was kinda hoping they would be key in this plot but they get just a single mention. Considering how formidable they were in the first book, I am very eager to see their arc become the major plot point in this series.
Recommended, but not with as much gusto as I had advocated the earlier book. I must make it clear that my opinion is contrary to the ratings scale: most readers have found this book better than the first one.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the DRC of “Only the Children”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is currently available free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Tessa and her team have been called to an unusual location: a cargo ship that left from Norway a few weeks ago has run aground off the Irish coast. What makes it horrifying is that the captain is found with his throat slit, and the rest of the crew is missing. Tessa has been summoned because of another reason: three little children have been found in the ship’s galley kitchen, terrified but unharmed. Even when taken into care, they refuse to speak a word.
As the team investigates the identity of the children, several facts come to light, which make it clear that the enemy is closer than assumed. And that the danger is not necessarily from small-time crooks.
The story comes to us mostly from the third person perspectives of Tessa’s team.
Bookish Yays:
⛴ The prologue, set on the ship during a storm, was so vivid and gripping that I almost felt the storm water splashing on me! If the entire book had been like that, I’d have completed this in two hours flat.
⛴ Maggie and her dog Pavlov are still as loveable and amazing as in the first book, though Pavlov gets fewer active scenes this time.
⛴ The book doesn’t waste time on extensive character buildup for the main trio. We get a brief intro on their background and then the story moves on. In that sense, it is a good sequel as it continues seamlessly from the earlier book without needless repetitions.
⛴ The three children and their feelings are written in a touching way. As I said in the review for the first book, the author’s experience in child protection makes him portray child characters realistically and in an age-appropriate manner. This book confirms the same.
⛴ The Irish factor is strong even in this book. Yet again, the author shows his knowhow of Ireland and its functioning, and puts the location to marvellous use.
⛴ There are some truly surprising moments, some of which even made me pause and ponder – something that rarely happens when I read this genre.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
⛵ I had praised the first book for steering clear of romance. Well, I had to jump the gun, didn’t I? This book introduces a romantic angle to Tessa’s arc. *deep sigh* To be fair, the romance doesn’t overshadow the main plot, and both Tessa and her new beau are great with each other. But I still am the Grinch who doesn’t like romance shoved into non-romance genre books.
⛵ The storyline is much more complicated than in the first book. In a way, this is good because it shows the series to have developed to the next level from Book One, which was more like an opening act. However, it is also bad because the ongoings are too intricate to keep track of. My lack of familiarity with (and interest in) Irish politics also didn’t work in my favour.
⛵ The number of characters is also much greater than before, which, when combined with the convoluted plot, means that there is too much to keep track of. It was easier on the kindle as the search button helped me recollect the character
⛵ The ‘Merrow’: Her personality – Wow! Her backstory: Shucks! Her use in the plot: Goes between creepy to schmaltzy! How I wish she had been better utilised!
⛵ I didn’t like Tessa as much this time around. She seems to take rash decisions that don’t make any sense for an experienced police officer. What appeared like confidence in Book One seems like cockiness in this sequel. For a protagonist of the series, she makes surprisingly stupid choices and needs external help more than once. She also has a weird policy about whom she collaborates with, having no qualms about making offers to criminals while steering clear of those who might be beneficial to the investigation. All of this proves her to be human, but doesn’t make her a great lead character for a procedural.
⛵ The pacing is also slower than that of the first book, with the middle section feeling much dragged.
Bookish Nays:
🌊 Yet again, the climax is too smooth to be acceptable. Certain people always arrive at the right moment and get the mess sorted out in an instant. Even the investigation of the team leads to almost-accurate results, with hardly any major goofs in their assumptions.
🌊 There are too many OTT situations and coincidences throughout the story. I don’t like any thriller that reminds me of Bollywood action movies, and this one was like an Irish adaptation of a Bolly potboiler.
Overall, this is not a bad book but the first one – ‘Little Witness’ – was so good that this pales in comparison. I guess the first book was more my kind of read, while this one is more like a typical OTT procedural.
I am still interested in reading the next of the series, because just like last time, this book ends with a hint of the upcoming case, and it sounds like a cracker of a plot! I hope Eric Stafford returns – he is way more interesting than Tessa and her new romantic liaison. I am also keen to know more about the “faceless men” from Book One. I was kinda hoping they would be key in this plot but they get just a single mention. Considering how formidable they were in the first book, I am very eager to see their arc become the major plot point in this series.
Recommended, but not with as much gusto as I had advocated the earlier book. I must make it clear that my opinion is contrary to the ratings scale: most readers have found this book better than the first one.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the DRC of “Only the Children”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is currently available free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
February 9, 2024
Three children, two brothers and a sister, are found on a boat. Everyone else on the boat is apparently dead. The children have been instructed not to speak, so it is unclear where the children were from. DI Tessa Burns must do what she can to get the children to trust her enough to let her know who they are, why they were on the boat, who their parents were, and why the murders took place.
Just as the children might be able to trust Tessa, one of them is taken. There was a mystery person on the boat and it appears that person is the one that took one of the boys. Meanwhile, Tessa and her team find themselves in danger. In fact, Maggie, a wheelchair-bound family liaison officer, and Tessa's good friend, finds herself in a very difficult situation during the investigation.
What a great book! Having met Tessa, Maggie, and the wonderful dog Pavlov in the previous book, The Little Witness, really helped to make this second book in the DI Tessa Burns series a truly fabulous read. This is the fifth book that I have read by Dunphy and I find myself intrigued and entertained with every book I read. I look forward to this series continuing, especially as these first two books had children among the protagonists, and I love just about any book that includes children.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Just as the children might be able to trust Tessa, one of them is taken. There was a mystery person on the boat and it appears that person is the one that took one of the boys. Meanwhile, Tessa and her team find themselves in danger. In fact, Maggie, a wheelchair-bound family liaison officer, and Tessa's good friend, finds herself in a very difficult situation during the investigation.
What a great book! Having met Tessa, Maggie, and the wonderful dog Pavlov in the previous book, The Little Witness, really helped to make this second book in the DI Tessa Burns series a truly fabulous read. This is the fifth book that I have read by Dunphy and I find myself intrigued and entertained with every book I read. I look forward to this series continuing, especially as these first two books had children among the protagonists, and I love just about any book that includes children.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 18, 2024
Irish master storyteller S.A. Dunphy returns following Little Witness with his famous cop procedural series (Tessa Burns #1) with his latest, ONLY THE CHILDREN (Tessa Burns #2). Tessa and her team are back with another intense case when three abducted children are discovered on an abandoned cargo ship in this gripping, emotional, and heart-stopping Irish crime suspense thriller.
Di Tessa Burns, Maggie, Danny, and Pavlov (Maggie's dog), whom we met, fell in love with, and invested in (first book), return in this installment to solve another complex case surrounding children— that puts them all in harm's way.
A cargo ship, The Dolphin, runs aground off the Wexford coast of Ballymoney Beach and is discovered. Tess heads up the task force and calls in her team due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding the discovery.
All crew members are missing, and the captain (throat cut) is dead. Three young red-headed children were found locked in a storage room. The kids are scared and not speaking, which is the case when, most likely, they are threatened not to.
It is Tessa and her team's job to earn trust and make the children feel safe and comfortable enough to tell them everything about what they know since it is critical information and timely; however, at the same time, being sensitive and caring for their needs and trauma.
With a twisting plot and action-filled suspense, the standoff at Kaats Strand with Kate and O'Dowd was filled with tension and INTENSE. I particularly enjoyed hearing POV from the children, love Tessa and her tenacity, and delighted she has met a chief officer in the Irish coastguard for a new romantic love interest —both being in law enforcement with an understanding of long-distance relationships and mutual respect of their work and time.
Wow! LITTLE CHILDREN is a complex, riveting, multi-layered Irish crime suspense novel with an unstoppable team fighting for the survival of the Bolger children and themselves, not knowing whom to trust while being one step ahead of the criminals in this game of survival. Full of emotion, rich in detail, and intense psychologically.
Highly charged topics, from human and child and people trafficking (modern slave industry), abuse, politics, criminals, greed, Irish gangs, threats, attacks, and murder, all the while they are trying to protect the young lives—physically, mentally, and psychologically.
Fast-paced action and thrills, an unstoppable team, shocking mystery and suspense, intense and remarkable detective work! A well-written crime novel and I cannot wait until the next book in this fascinating series. We get a teaser, and it appears the team is headed to Cork next.
THE AUTHOR: What sets this book and the series apart from all the rest is the Author! His writing, vast knowledge of children, background, and expertise with highly charged topics while written with compassion and sensitivity.
His other fascinating topics are intriguing and meticulously researched, with further reading resources included. His knowledge of ships and his documentaries are fascinating. In addition, he is an expert in the areas he writes about, and his settings are vivid and breathtaking (he references all the actual settings and locations as accurate and knows them well).
Also, his well-developed characters come alive on the page and are highly relatable (personally & professionally). I particularly find the well-written Author's notes and Acknowledgments appealing, with the inspiration behind the novels and his journey heartfelt. I appreciate his sharing of experiences, which further enhances the reading experience with readers. Thank you for writing this story through divorce, COVID, and all the challenges! Your attention to detail does not go unnoticed. Congrats, another hit.
I look forward to reading Dunphy's original audio-true-crime book, The Bad Place—He references information, statistics, and accounts from survivors, among others.
My second book by the author, and I look forward to reading more of his backlist. Thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an early review copy.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudthDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 12, 2024
Feb 2024 Must-Read Books
Feb Newsletter
Di Tessa Burns, Maggie, Danny, and Pavlov (Maggie's dog), whom we met, fell in love with, and invested in (first book), return in this installment to solve another complex case surrounding children— that puts them all in harm's way.
A cargo ship, The Dolphin, runs aground off the Wexford coast of Ballymoney Beach and is discovered. Tess heads up the task force and calls in her team due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding the discovery.
All crew members are missing, and the captain (throat cut) is dead. Three young red-headed children were found locked in a storage room. The kids are scared and not speaking, which is the case when, most likely, they are threatened not to.
It is Tessa and her team's job to earn trust and make the children feel safe and comfortable enough to tell them everything about what they know since it is critical information and timely; however, at the same time, being sensitive and caring for their needs and trauma.
With a twisting plot and action-filled suspense, the standoff at Kaats Strand with Kate and O'Dowd was filled with tension and INTENSE. I particularly enjoyed hearing POV from the children, love Tessa and her tenacity, and delighted she has met a chief officer in the Irish coastguard for a new romantic love interest —both being in law enforcement with an understanding of long-distance relationships and mutual respect of their work and time.
Wow! LITTLE CHILDREN is a complex, riveting, multi-layered Irish crime suspense novel with an unstoppable team fighting for the survival of the Bolger children and themselves, not knowing whom to trust while being one step ahead of the criminals in this game of survival. Full of emotion, rich in detail, and intense psychologically.
Highly charged topics, from human and child and people trafficking (modern slave industry), abuse, politics, criminals, greed, Irish gangs, threats, attacks, and murder, all the while they are trying to protect the young lives—physically, mentally, and psychologically.
Fast-paced action and thrills, an unstoppable team, shocking mystery and suspense, intense and remarkable detective work! A well-written crime novel and I cannot wait until the next book in this fascinating series. We get a teaser, and it appears the team is headed to Cork next.
THE AUTHOR: What sets this book and the series apart from all the rest is the Author! His writing, vast knowledge of children, background, and expertise with highly charged topics while written with compassion and sensitivity.
His other fascinating topics are intriguing and meticulously researched, with further reading resources included. His knowledge of ships and his documentaries are fascinating. In addition, he is an expert in the areas he writes about, and his settings are vivid and breathtaking (he references all the actual settings and locations as accurate and knows them well).
Also, his well-developed characters come alive on the page and are highly relatable (personally & professionally). I particularly find the well-written Author's notes and Acknowledgments appealing, with the inspiration behind the novels and his journey heartfelt. I appreciate his sharing of experiences, which further enhances the reading experience with readers. Thank you for writing this story through divorce, COVID, and all the challenges! Your attention to detail does not go unnoticed. Congrats, another hit.
I look forward to reading Dunphy's original audio-true-crime book, The Bad Place—He references information, statistics, and accounts from survivors, among others.
My second book by the author, and I look forward to reading more of his backlist. Thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an early review copy.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudthDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 12, 2024
Feb 2024 Must-Read Books
Feb Newsletter
March 27, 2024
Book Review:
Only the Children (DI Tessa Burns 2) by S.A Dunphy
Bookouture, 12th February 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis:
When a cargo ship runs aground off the Irish coast, the police are horrified to find the captain dead at the helm, the crew missing, and three little red-haired children, terrified but unharmed, locked in the galley kitchen. As an expert detective running a child-centred taskforce, DI Tessa Burns is called in to lead the case.
Despite Tessa’s best efforts, the children won’t reveal a thing – not even their own names. Slowly gaining their trust, Tessa uncovers a deadly secret about their past – and the mystery of their missing parents’ whereabouts – that turns everything she thought she knew on its head.
But just as it seems she’s cracked the case, Tessa’s team is attacked one dark night, and it’s clear the children are still in terrible danger. And when another senseless killing sends shockwaves through her team, Tessa realises the murderer is someone much closer to home than they could have ever imagined.
Review:
I feel so privileged to have been able to read the first two books in this wonderfully compelling DI Tessa Burns series ahead of publication. Revisiting the small, close-knit team of four - yes, Pavlov the dog very much counts as a member of the team - felt like dropping in on an old friend, akin to reading Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles' books.
The unusual setting for Only the Children's mysterious case, threaded through with mystical folklore and despicable criminal characters combine to form an explosively gripping story.
S.A. Dunphy creates tales with such eloquence that seamlessly blend heartwarming moments with thrills galore. Whilst awaiting book three, I'll dig into the author's Boyle & Keneally series.
*Thanks to Bookouture and S.A. Dunphy for providing an eARC via NetGalley. This is my unbiased review.
#BookReview #SADunphy #OnlyTheChildren #Bookouture #Bookstagram
Only the Children (DI Tessa Burns 2) by S.A Dunphy
Bookouture, 12th February 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis:
When a cargo ship runs aground off the Irish coast, the police are horrified to find the captain dead at the helm, the crew missing, and three little red-haired children, terrified but unharmed, locked in the galley kitchen. As an expert detective running a child-centred taskforce, DI Tessa Burns is called in to lead the case.
Despite Tessa’s best efforts, the children won’t reveal a thing – not even their own names. Slowly gaining their trust, Tessa uncovers a deadly secret about their past – and the mystery of their missing parents’ whereabouts – that turns everything she thought she knew on its head.
But just as it seems she’s cracked the case, Tessa’s team is attacked one dark night, and it’s clear the children are still in terrible danger. And when another senseless killing sends shockwaves through her team, Tessa realises the murderer is someone much closer to home than they could have ever imagined.
Review:
I feel so privileged to have been able to read the first two books in this wonderfully compelling DI Tessa Burns series ahead of publication. Revisiting the small, close-knit team of four - yes, Pavlov the dog very much counts as a member of the team - felt like dropping in on an old friend, akin to reading Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles' books.
The unusual setting for Only the Children's mysterious case, threaded through with mystical folklore and despicable criminal characters combine to form an explosively gripping story.
S.A. Dunphy creates tales with such eloquence that seamlessly blend heartwarming moments with thrills galore. Whilst awaiting book three, I'll dig into the author's Boyle & Keneally series.
*Thanks to Bookouture and S.A. Dunphy for providing an eARC via NetGalley. This is my unbiased review.
#BookReview #SADunphy #OnlyTheChildren #Bookouture #Bookstagram
February 3, 2024
Finished reading: February 2nd 2024
"She sensed these children were carrying secrets that would bring a darkness with them once they were unearthed. But darkness was something Maggie and her team were accustomed to dealing with."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
January 8, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my approval to read and review this book.
Tessa, Danny, Maggie and Pavlov the dog are asked to investigate a container ship, called the Dolphin, which had been found washed up on a beach near Ballymoney. It had been due at Rosslare 2 1/2 days ago from Oslo. There are 3 children are found on board along with a dead sea captain on the bridge. What happened with the crew is a mystery till the team watch the CCTV? What set off this chain of events? Why? Who? Well, what a story with nerve tangling twists and turns and a few red herrings along the way. You left with an unputdownable book!! It's no surprise that ending is explosive! I really hope there is a book 3. I highly recommend this book.
Tessa, Danny, Maggie and Pavlov the dog are asked to investigate a container ship, called the Dolphin, which had been found washed up on a beach near Ballymoney. It had been due at Rosslare 2 1/2 days ago from Oslo. There are 3 children are found on board along with a dead sea captain on the bridge. What happened with the crew is a mystery till the team watch the CCTV? What set off this chain of events? Why? Who? Well, what a story with nerve tangling twists and turns and a few red herrings along the way. You left with an unputdownable book!! It's no surprise that ending is explosive! I really hope there is a book 3. I highly recommend this book.
February 12, 2024
I love these books. The detective team is awesome. I love how they have Maggie in her wheelchair with her service dog! She is so tough! This book got a little slow in the middle, but picked back up. Overall, I enjoyed it.
February 10, 2024
Ok, first read Little Witness (a five star read for me) and then move onto book two in this new series, Only The Children.
This time DI Tessa Burns and her team are called in when three children are found alone and terrified on a ship that has run aground on the Irish coast. The captain is found on board with his throat cut, all the crew are missing and the children are the only ones alive and they're not talking.
Can Tessa, Danny, Maggie and Pavlov the dog find out who the children are, reunite them with family, solve the murder of the captain and the mystery of the disappearance of the crew.
They'll get some help from coastguard officer Jim Shiels and the mysterious Eric Stafford who's on the payroll of the shipping freight company.
They certainly need all the help they can get as they come up against criminals involved in trafficking and smuggling, corrupt politicians and a mysterious woman who appears to be a kidnapper and assassin and is known as the Merrow, the gaelic name for a mermaid.
The character work is again fantastic and for the most part the plot is completely gripping. It slowed down for a while and that's only because the plot is much more complex than the fast moving story in book one.
Apart from personally feeling that it was overly convoluted I was slightly frustrated that Tessa was saved more than once by outside help.
She's resourceful and smart and shouldn't be making decisions that would get her killed more than once without timely intervention.
I know it was done for added plot excitement and it's only a little detail but in a police procedural details matter.
The epilogue teases us with details of another case so hopefully Tessa and the team will be back for a third crime thriller.
This time DI Tessa Burns and her team are called in when three children are found alone and terrified on a ship that has run aground on the Irish coast. The captain is found on board with his throat cut, all the crew are missing and the children are the only ones alive and they're not talking.
Can Tessa, Danny, Maggie and Pavlov the dog find out who the children are, reunite them with family, solve the murder of the captain and the mystery of the disappearance of the crew.
They'll get some help from coastguard officer Jim Shiels and the mysterious Eric Stafford who's on the payroll of the shipping freight company.
They certainly need all the help they can get as they come up against criminals involved in trafficking and smuggling, corrupt politicians and a mysterious woman who appears to be a kidnapper and assassin and is known as the Merrow, the gaelic name for a mermaid.
The character work is again fantastic and for the most part the plot is completely gripping. It slowed down for a while and that's only because the plot is much more complex than the fast moving story in book one.
Apart from personally feeling that it was overly convoluted I was slightly frustrated that Tessa was saved more than once by outside help.
She's resourceful and smart and shouldn't be making decisions that would get her killed more than once without timely intervention.
I know it was done for added plot excitement and it's only a little detail but in a police procedural details matter.
The epilogue teases us with details of another case so hopefully Tessa and the team will be back for a third crime thriller.
February 13, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this brilliant book
oh my goodness me where to start with this one... as i am fast becoming us to this authors style of writing there is so much more going on than one case...
tessa and her team are called out when a ship goes aground and on board are 3 children, and nobody seems to know why they were there... plus the childnen arent talking and also the murdered dead body of a man is found at the wheelhouse....
with no identity for the children forthcoming and more and more people getting interested in their case...things start to get murky and when one of the childnen is abducted from under their care and in a hospital bed... things are starting to get nasty very quickly
oh my word i cant even begin to process all that happened in this book. .but its safe to say this author is now on my watch list and i cant wait for the next book in this series to come out
oh my goodness me where to start with this one... as i am fast becoming us to this authors style of writing there is so much more going on than one case...
tessa and her team are called out when a ship goes aground and on board are 3 children, and nobody seems to know why they were there... plus the childnen arent talking and also the murdered dead body of a man is found at the wheelhouse....
with no identity for the children forthcoming and more and more people getting interested in their case...things start to get murky and when one of the childnen is abducted from under their care and in a hospital bed... things are starting to get nasty very quickly
oh my word i cant even begin to process all that happened in this book. .but its safe to say this author is now on my watch list and i cant wait for the next book in this series to come out
February 27, 2024
*****I received this ARC free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book! Tessa is called to a ship that comes to shore where the entire crew has been killed only to discover 3 small children. She works with her amazing team (Maggie and Pavlov her dog are my favorites) to work out what is going on with this case. Such a good read!
I loved this book! Tessa is called to a ship that comes to shore where the entire crew has been killed only to discover 3 small children. She works with her amazing team (Maggie and Pavlov her dog are my favorites) to work out what is going on with this case. Such a good read!
February 15, 2024
Wow! I loved the first book in the series and this is one is just absolutely, jaw droppingly amazing. Loved this one so much! Addicted to this series.
February 16, 2024
stars: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ . 5
this was a bit confusing with all the threads but that might just be me.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
this was a bit confusing with all the threads but that might just be me.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2024
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read "Only The Children" in exchange for my honest review.
This was the second book in the DI Tessa Burns series and as with the first book, I read it in one sitting because it is simply unputdownable! Mr. Dunphy once again has written a gripping and thrilling story that grabs the reader on page one and doesn't let you go until the last word is read. He has created a team that has incredibly likeable characters that the reader will immediately care about.
The story starts with 3 children on the Irish ship Dolphin heading for Rosslare from Oslo. They are caught in a fierce storm and there has been no contact with the ship for 2 1/2 days. There are some struggles onboard and when next the ship is seen it is washed up on Ballymoney Beach in North Wexford. DI Tessa Burns and her team of Detective Sergeant Danny Murphy, Maggie Doolan and her black & white terrier mix Pavlov have been called in to protect the children and find out why they were on the Dolphin to begin with. Crew members are missing or dead and they find a journal that outlines that the ships crew suffered some form of hysteria think that they were being attacked by a Merrow.
The children are taken to Wexford General Hospital, while they are physically unharmed, they are not speaking to anyone, not even Maggie and Pavlov can work their magic. One of the children is abducted from the hospital by one can only be called a Merrow but we all know mermaids are not real, or are they?
There are more deaths, threats from gangs, people pretending to be someone they are not, false information being thrown about. The team finds an ally in Eric Stafford who is a "fixer" and saves them more than once. When the identity of the children is learned the team are shocked to find that they were not reported missing. There is an attempt to make them wards of the State following complaints from some unnamed person. Everyone is working hard to get the team off this case. They figure this is something much bigger than smuggling children. They are warned that they have no idea what they're mixed up in. They suspect a mole in the police station and wonder how far will people go to keep them from learning the truth.
Once again Mr. Dunphy deserves more than 5 stars because they is a brilliant follow-up book to "Little Witness". I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this wonderful new series.
This was the second book in the DI Tessa Burns series and as with the first book, I read it in one sitting because it is simply unputdownable! Mr. Dunphy once again has written a gripping and thrilling story that grabs the reader on page one and doesn't let you go until the last word is read. He has created a team that has incredibly likeable characters that the reader will immediately care about.
The story starts with 3 children on the Irish ship Dolphin heading for Rosslare from Oslo. They are caught in a fierce storm and there has been no contact with the ship for 2 1/2 days. There are some struggles onboard and when next the ship is seen it is washed up on Ballymoney Beach in North Wexford. DI Tessa Burns and her team of Detective Sergeant Danny Murphy, Maggie Doolan and her black & white terrier mix Pavlov have been called in to protect the children and find out why they were on the Dolphin to begin with. Crew members are missing or dead and they find a journal that outlines that the ships crew suffered some form of hysteria think that they were being attacked by a Merrow.
The children are taken to Wexford General Hospital, while they are physically unharmed, they are not speaking to anyone, not even Maggie and Pavlov can work their magic. One of the children is abducted from the hospital by one can only be called a Merrow but we all know mermaids are not real, or are they?
There are more deaths, threats from gangs, people pretending to be someone they are not, false information being thrown about. The team finds an ally in Eric Stafford who is a "fixer" and saves them more than once. When the identity of the children is learned the team are shocked to find that they were not reported missing. There is an attempt to make them wards of the State following complaints from some unnamed person. Everyone is working hard to get the team off this case. They figure this is something much bigger than smuggling children. They are warned that they have no idea what they're mixed up in. They suspect a mole in the police station and wonder how far will people go to keep them from learning the truth.
Once again Mr. Dunphy deserves more than 5 stars because they is a brilliant follow-up book to "Little Witness". I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this wonderful new series.
February 9, 2024
Tessa, Maggie, Danny, and Pavlov (Maggie's dog) are back in another gripping, hard to put down, and pulse pounding addiction in the DI Tessa Burns series. Woohoo! This new series hits the spot! This series has a great team, a wonderful dog, a shocking mystery, great detective work and lots of tension! What's not to love?
When three children are found locked in a kitchen aboard a cargo ship where the crew are missing, and the captain is dead. Initially the children would not speak, Tessa didn’t know who they were or where they came from. Camera footage shows a small, framed woman on board, who is she and what was her purpose on the ship?
As the investigation progresses and more is learned, the danger mounts for all involved. Whew!
One of the strong points in this book is the characters on the team. Maggie has Cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound. Pavlov is her service dog. Maggie and Pavlov are a huge asset when it comes to dealing with traumatized children. Both are fierce yet nurturing, warm, and caring. Danny was in foster care and has some rough edges but is dedicated to his job. Tessa is strong, smart, brave and determined to solve her cases. They are all committed to helping children and finding those who have brought them harm. Each brings something special to the team.
Having three children in peril also grabbed my attention and had me feeling for them. My concern only grew as the book progressed as more was revealed. I thought S.A. Dunphy did a great job depicting the trauma the children experienced.
As I mentioned above, this was a gripping, perfectly paced, and well written book. There were a few twists and reveals along the way. Only the Children kept me on my toes and turning the pages. There is a lot going on in this book and I enjoyed doing my own super sleuthing while reading.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Well thought out, well written, gripping, tense and hard to put down!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
When three children are found locked in a kitchen aboard a cargo ship where the crew are missing, and the captain is dead. Initially the children would not speak, Tessa didn’t know who they were or where they came from. Camera footage shows a small, framed woman on board, who is she and what was her purpose on the ship?
As the investigation progresses and more is learned, the danger mounts for all involved. Whew!
One of the strong points in this book is the characters on the team. Maggie has Cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound. Pavlov is her service dog. Maggie and Pavlov are a huge asset when it comes to dealing with traumatized children. Both are fierce yet nurturing, warm, and caring. Danny was in foster care and has some rough edges but is dedicated to his job. Tessa is strong, smart, brave and determined to solve her cases. They are all committed to helping children and finding those who have brought them harm. Each brings something special to the team.
Having three children in peril also grabbed my attention and had me feeling for them. My concern only grew as the book progressed as more was revealed. I thought S.A. Dunphy did a great job depicting the trauma the children experienced.
As I mentioned above, this was a gripping, perfectly paced, and well written book. There were a few twists and reveals along the way. Only the Children kept me on my toes and turning the pages. There is a lot going on in this book and I enjoyed doing my own super sleuthing while reading.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Well thought out, well written, gripping, tense and hard to put down!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
February 3, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Only the Children, the second novel to feature DI Tess Burns of An Garda Síochána.
When a cargo ship runs aground off the Wexford coast Tess and her team are called in due to the mysterious circumstances. All the crew members are missing except the captain who is sitting on the bridge with his throat cut and three young children are found in a locked storage room. They are saying nothing but gradually open up to team member Maggie until one of them is kidnapped again.
I thoroughly enjoyed Only the Children, which is a fast moving procedural with plenty of action and twists and a rather complicated plot. The novel is mostly told from the team’s point of view with other voices contributing as required. None of these other voices hint at what is going or who is behind it, so the reader remains immersed and hooked in a deep mystery. The reasoning behind it all is clever - unbelievable that people could behave that way, but, equally, believable when some of the rabbit holes they have burrowed into are uncovered.
The novel moves along at a fast pace with Tess and the team initially flailing in the dark, not least in trying to identify the children and work out what happened to the crew. This, however, is no simple tale of kidnapping as there are red herrings, threats, danger, more bodies, more kidnappings, politics, gangs and a lack of trust. And did I mention three scared children? I was impressed by the way the author combines so many events with an ability to keep the reader engaged and puzzling over who fits where. To be honest there is quite a cast of characters to fit in, so occasionally it got murky, but on the whole it is easy enough to follow.
I like the way Tess and her team of Danny, Maggie and Pavlov the wonder dog are shaping up. They work well together with each bringing their own strengths to the work, literally in Danny’s case. It is a team I would gladly spend more time with.
Only the Children is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
When a cargo ship runs aground off the Wexford coast Tess and her team are called in due to the mysterious circumstances. All the crew members are missing except the captain who is sitting on the bridge with his throat cut and three young children are found in a locked storage room. They are saying nothing but gradually open up to team member Maggie until one of them is kidnapped again.
I thoroughly enjoyed Only the Children, which is a fast moving procedural with plenty of action and twists and a rather complicated plot. The novel is mostly told from the team’s point of view with other voices contributing as required. None of these other voices hint at what is going or who is behind it, so the reader remains immersed and hooked in a deep mystery. The reasoning behind it all is clever - unbelievable that people could behave that way, but, equally, believable when some of the rabbit holes they have burrowed into are uncovered.
The novel moves along at a fast pace with Tess and the team initially flailing in the dark, not least in trying to identify the children and work out what happened to the crew. This, however, is no simple tale of kidnapping as there are red herrings, threats, danger, more bodies, more kidnappings, politics, gangs and a lack of trust. And did I mention three scared children? I was impressed by the way the author combines so many events with an ability to keep the reader engaged and puzzling over who fits where. To be honest there is quite a cast of characters to fit in, so occasionally it got murky, but on the whole it is easy enough to follow.
I like the way Tess and her team of Danny, Maggie and Pavlov the wonder dog are shaping up. They work well together with each bringing their own strengths to the work, literally in Danny’s case. It is a team I would gladly spend more time with.
Only the Children is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
February 12, 2024
Only the children is book 2 in the DI Tessa Burns series. This could easily be read as a stand alone thriller however having read both I’d say it’s worth reading book 1 which is called little witness, purely because it’s just a really good book and you learn quite a lot about all of the main characters in it.
The three children are found on a cargo ship just off the Irish coast, with the crew of that boat all dead Tessa and her team take responsibility for the 3 children and try to find out exactly what is going on, however none of the children are uttering a word.
As time goes by Tessa and her team being to gain the children’s trust and soon their names are revealed. Just as things seem to be on the up with the children the youngest boy is kidnapped throwing Tessa’s case into turmoil. Just when Tessa thought she was getting somewhere everything is turned upside down and Tessa has no idea where things are going.
During this investigation Tessa herself is attacked and Maggie (a member of her team) is abducted. Clearly someone doesn’t want Tessa and her team cracking this investigation and will do everything in their power to stop this happening.
When Tessa and her team do uncover the truths, the revelations are truly shocking. I had no idea throughout this whole book who was responsible for kidnapping and trafficking those poor children nor who was responsible for the killing of the ship crew.
Only the children is probably one of the cleverest thrillers I’ve ever read. There is so much suspense and mystery in the way it is written you had no idea what was coming next. There were plenty of twists and turns the whole way through this book keeping the reader hooked from start to finish.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series to come out. Hopefully we won’t be kept waiting too long.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for this review.
The three children are found on a cargo ship just off the Irish coast, with the crew of that boat all dead Tessa and her team take responsibility for the 3 children and try to find out exactly what is going on, however none of the children are uttering a word.
As time goes by Tessa and her team being to gain the children’s trust and soon their names are revealed. Just as things seem to be on the up with the children the youngest boy is kidnapped throwing Tessa’s case into turmoil. Just when Tessa thought she was getting somewhere everything is turned upside down and Tessa has no idea where things are going.
During this investigation Tessa herself is attacked and Maggie (a member of her team) is abducted. Clearly someone doesn’t want Tessa and her team cracking this investigation and will do everything in their power to stop this happening.
When Tessa and her team do uncover the truths, the revelations are truly shocking. I had no idea throughout this whole book who was responsible for kidnapping and trafficking those poor children nor who was responsible for the killing of the ship crew.
Only the children is probably one of the cleverest thrillers I’ve ever read. There is so much suspense and mystery in the way it is written you had no idea what was coming next. There were plenty of twists and turns the whole way through this book keeping the reader hooked from start to finish.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series to come out. Hopefully we won’t be kept waiting too long.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for this review.
March 26, 2024
Only the Children by S.A. Dunphy
DI Tessa Burns #2
Wonderful addition to an excellent series ~ Can’t wait to see what happens next!
What I liked:
* The seamless transition from the first to second book
* Tessa Burns: parents murdered when she was young, spent years in the child-care system, ex-military, strong, lethal, dedicated, wise, mature, good friend, intriguing, good people skills, team player
* Danny Murphy: lost his parents when young, raised in foster system, usually a gentle giant , quiet but also deadly, physically fit, caring, protective
* Maggie Doolan: family liaison officer, psychology and sociology degrees, qualified therapist, has cerebral palsy, friends with Tessa since childhood
* Pavlov: Maggie’s partner, support dog, a small black-and-white terrier-mix, bright, calming presence, protective
* The three children in potential peril – really hope they land in a soft spot
* Jim Shiels: Chief Officer in Coast Guard, intelligent, attractive, divorced, attracted to Tessa, potential love interest, hope to see more of him
* Eric Stafford: fixer for big shopping company, silent but deadly, saved the day a few times, wonder if he will show up again
* Being able to hate the bad guys…and there were plenty to hate
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The police procedural aspects and how the case unfolded
* That I became invested in the story and cared about the outcome
* The hook at the end that introduces the next book
* All of it and too many things to list every one of them
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the life the Merrow must have lived
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review
5 Stars
DI Tessa Burns #2
Wonderful addition to an excellent series ~ Can’t wait to see what happens next!
What I liked:
* The seamless transition from the first to second book
* Tessa Burns: parents murdered when she was young, spent years in the child-care system, ex-military, strong, lethal, dedicated, wise, mature, good friend, intriguing, good people skills, team player
* Danny Murphy: lost his parents when young, raised in foster system, usually a gentle giant , quiet but also deadly, physically fit, caring, protective
* Maggie Doolan: family liaison officer, psychology and sociology degrees, qualified therapist, has cerebral palsy, friends with Tessa since childhood
* Pavlov: Maggie’s partner, support dog, a small black-and-white terrier-mix, bright, calming presence, protective
* The three children in potential peril – really hope they land in a soft spot
* Jim Shiels: Chief Officer in Coast Guard, intelligent, attractive, divorced, attracted to Tessa, potential love interest, hope to see more of him
* Eric Stafford: fixer for big shopping company, silent but deadly, saved the day a few times, wonder if he will show up again
* Being able to hate the bad guys…and there were plenty to hate
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The police procedural aspects and how the case unfolded
* That I became invested in the story and cared about the outcome
* The hook at the end that introduces the next book
* All of it and too many things to list every one of them
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the life the Merrow must have lived
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review
5 Stars
February 7, 2024
🌊🛳A lot of threads to pull together🤔
I really like the police team around whom this series is built. Tessa, the senior member, is tough and no nonsense; DS Danny is a bit of a loose cannon at times but is working with Tessa to rein himself in; Maggie and her dog Pavlov are the emotional heart of the team and the first ones to gain the children's trust. I preferred their previous case, but this book was good too, with scary action and danger built in.
Only the Children is a complex mystery built around the arrival of three young children on a beached "ghost" cargo ship on the southeast Irish coast. DI Tessa Burns and her small Garda (Irish police) team are dedicated to helping the kids, but this case is a twisted mix of criminals, greed and politics. Threats and attacks on the team abound. It kept me confused, and the children being so tight-lipped made the reason for their transport on the vessel even harder to figure out. And the dead and missing crew members, the sabotaged ship? So many questions to be resolved and, yes, they eventually were and I never could have guessed. My idea of the good versus the bad guys kept shifting, especially with the shady Merrow character who kept popping in.
It's a good plot though maybe had a few too many threads for me to untangle. The intriguing Eric Stafford began an enigma and I am still trying to figure him out! I don't know that the romance for Tessa was needed, but it was a light enough touch that it did not take any of the focus off the investigation.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
I really like the police team around whom this series is built. Tessa, the senior member, is tough and no nonsense; DS Danny is a bit of a loose cannon at times but is working with Tessa to rein himself in; Maggie and her dog Pavlov are the emotional heart of the team and the first ones to gain the children's trust. I preferred their previous case, but this book was good too, with scary action and danger built in.
Only the Children is a complex mystery built around the arrival of three young children on a beached "ghost" cargo ship on the southeast Irish coast. DI Tessa Burns and her small Garda (Irish police) team are dedicated to helping the kids, but this case is a twisted mix of criminals, greed and politics. Threats and attacks on the team abound. It kept me confused, and the children being so tight-lipped made the reason for their transport on the vessel even harder to figure out. And the dead and missing crew members, the sabotaged ship? So many questions to be resolved and, yes, they eventually were and I never could have guessed. My idea of the good versus the bad guys kept shifting, especially with the shady Merrow character who kept popping in.
It's a good plot though maybe had a few too many threads for me to untangle. The intriguing Eric Stafford began an enigma and I am still trying to figure him out! I don't know that the romance for Tessa was needed, but it was a light enough touch that it did not take any of the focus off the investigation.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
February 18, 2024
S. A. Dunphy knows how to write an exciting, complex mystery story with great characters. Only The Children is the second book in the new DI Tessa Burns series, set in Ireland, and it has fast become one of my favorites. In this one, a ship runs aground in Wexford in southeast Ireland, after a terrible storm. (The descriptions of the storm pounding the ship were quite frightening!) The entire crew is missing, presumed dead and the captain is found murdered on board. AND three young children, two boys and a girl are found on board, none of whom will say a word to anyone. Tessa Burns is called in with her special team, which concentrates on crimes involving children. In addition to Tessa, there’s Danny Murphy, a giant of a man who is learning that his size can be an asset as well as a problem; Maggie, a family liaison officer who is mostly wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy (but do NOT underestimate her!), and her amazing dog Pavlov, who provides comfort to the children and is also fierce when need be.
Sometimes I find that an author describes clothing in detail for no good reason, slowing down the story. Dunphy, on the other hand, describes appearances and clothing to great effect, establishing the “character of the character.”
There are some very dark themes explored in this book but be reassured - there is no violence affecting the children during the course of the story. Also, while this is the second book (and I highly recommend the first one, Little Witness), it is not necessary to read the first book to enjoy this one.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Sometimes I find that an author describes clothing in detail for no good reason, slowing down the story. Dunphy, on the other hand, describes appearances and clothing to great effect, establishing the “character of the character.”
There are some very dark themes explored in this book but be reassured - there is no violence affecting the children during the course of the story. Also, while this is the second book (and I highly recommend the first one, Little Witness), it is not necessary to read the first book to enjoy this one.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 17, 2024
I was so glad to get approved for the ARC of book one in the series, and once I devoured that, I knew I was super lucky to have book two already waiting for me.
As stated in my review for book one, there really wasn't anything I disliked, and the same goes for this. I was so glad to get to dive deeper into the pasts of Tessa and Danny. It helped to further understand why they act the way they do. Since the characters were so well developed in book one, the sneak peek into more of how they worked kept it from being stale. I just kept learning more and more about them!
The plot was also super fascinating to me. A boat drifts ashore with three young children, all unharmed, were found aboard, seemingly alone, minus the dead body of the captain. There were many questions to be answered: who are these kids, where did they come from, were their parents initially onboard, were they kidnapped? Also, where is the rest of the crew?
The web S.A. Dunphy wove was intricate, and it pulled me immediately. The pace of the book was great, and it was hard to put it down. I like how book one was wrapped up, and this was a completely new story, with new villains involved. In a small town setting, it could've been easy to do that, but this just goes to show you, darkness can land anywhere.
There were some shocking moments, and I was so worried about the characters I grew to love. With that, I also enjoyed the surprise romantic element in this book. It was nice to see some hope and humanity mixed in with the sadness.
I sincerely hope there is more in the Tessa Burns series!
As stated in my review for book one, there really wasn't anything I disliked, and the same goes for this. I was so glad to get to dive deeper into the pasts of Tessa and Danny. It helped to further understand why they act the way they do. Since the characters were so well developed in book one, the sneak peek into more of how they worked kept it from being stale. I just kept learning more and more about them!
The plot was also super fascinating to me. A boat drifts ashore with three young children, all unharmed, were found aboard, seemingly alone, minus the dead body of the captain. There were many questions to be answered: who are these kids, where did they come from, were their parents initially onboard, were they kidnapped? Also, where is the rest of the crew?
The web S.A. Dunphy wove was intricate, and it pulled me immediately. The pace of the book was great, and it was hard to put it down. I like how book one was wrapped up, and this was a completely new story, with new villains involved. In a small town setting, it could've been easy to do that, but this just goes to show you, darkness can land anywhere.
There were some shocking moments, and I was so worried about the characters I grew to love. With that, I also enjoyed the surprise romantic element in this book. It was nice to see some hope and humanity mixed in with the sadness.
I sincerely hope there is more in the Tessa Burns series!
February 25, 2024
Only the Children by S.A. Dunphy is the second book in the brilliant DI Tessa Burns series and I have just loved these books. When a cargo ship that ran aground off the Irish coast the police are horrified to find the captain is dead at the helm, and all the are crew missing........But, three little red-haired children two brothers and a sister, who are terrified but unharmed, locked in the galley kitchen.
Who are these children?
When the Police try to talk to the children, there is only silence they have been instructed not to speak to anyone, so it is unclear where the children were from and who they are.
DI Tessa Burns must do what she can to get the children to trust her enough to let her know who they are, who their parents are, why they were on the Cargo ship, where are the crew and who murdered the Captain.
The clock is ticking and DI Tessa Burn's team is attacked one dark night, the youngest boy is kidnapped yet again. It is very clear all the children are still in terrible danger. Another senseless killing sends shockwaves through her team.
She realises the murderer is someone much closer to home than they could have ever imagined.
Will she be able to uncover the truth in time, or will it be too late for her, and, most devastating of all, for the children!!!!
Wow this book is excellent and full of great twists and turns that will have you turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next!!! Brilliant!!!
I highly recommend this book and another 5 star read!
Big Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my Arc.
Who are these children?
When the Police try to talk to the children, there is only silence they have been instructed not to speak to anyone, so it is unclear where the children were from and who they are.
DI Tessa Burns must do what she can to get the children to trust her enough to let her know who they are, who their parents are, why they were on the Cargo ship, where are the crew and who murdered the Captain.
The clock is ticking and DI Tessa Burn's team is attacked one dark night, the youngest boy is kidnapped yet again. It is very clear all the children are still in terrible danger. Another senseless killing sends shockwaves through her team.
She realises the murderer is someone much closer to home than they could have ever imagined.
Will she be able to uncover the truth in time, or will it be too late for her, and, most devastating of all, for the children!!!!
Wow this book is excellent and full of great twists and turns that will have you turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next!!! Brilliant!!!
I highly recommend this book and another 5 star read!
Big Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my Arc.
February 14, 2024
Only the Children by SA Dunphy is the second in her recently released new series featuring Tessa Bailey, Maggie, Pav (the dog), and Danny Murphy. They have discovered three children in the hold of a boat that has washed up on shore with no crew, only the captain on the bridge with his throat cut. The children won’t speak. The security tapes show another child or small woman flitting around. Is this the killer? The children are taken to the hospital where they are declared fit but kept there with Maggie at Tessa’s request. It seems too early to have them taken into care. This was quite a story; the people they came in contact with ranged from cold-hearted brute to kind-hearted criminal, sort of. It took a while but eventually the little girl (two boys, one girl) started to communicate. Then one of the boys was taken. It happened quickly. Maggie was attacked in the hospital, badly enough to become a patient.
These are living characters. Dunphy is writing in their growth with every chapter. Working with children is difficult but this new team is coalescing into one which is effective and thorough. The investigation lead them into interesting and gruesome territory where they see the worst of humanity. It is a compelling story, well-told. Can’t wait for more.
I was invited to read Only the Children by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #SADunphy #OnlyTheChildren
These are living characters. Dunphy is writing in their growth with every chapter. Working with children is difficult but this new team is coalescing into one which is effective and thorough. The investigation lead them into interesting and gruesome territory where they see the worst of humanity. It is a compelling story, well-told. Can’t wait for more.
I was invited to read Only the Children by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #SADunphy #OnlyTheChildren
January 28, 2024
Only the children is book 2 in the DI Tessa Burns series and another brilliant read from the author.
After a severe storm, the coast guard discovers the cargo ship ‘The Dolphin’ run aground of the Irish coast. Only to discover that the captain is dead, and half of his crew is missing, and the only other occupants are three mysterious children who won’t speak. DI Tessa Burns, Danny, Maggie, and dog Pavlov are sent to investigate. They discover that the ship is linked to children trafficking and also some gangsters and dodgy politicians thrown into the mix.
When the children are sent to the local hospital, the eldest child is kidnapped again by ‘The Merrow’. Who locals say she is a mermaid. DI Tessa Burns doesn’t know what is going on. But the hell he is going to go a find out and what has these children got to do with it?
This is another gripping page turner from Mr Dunphy that I couldn’t put down. It is fast paced and full of action. I love the characters in this story especially the protagonist Tessa. I love her feistiness and she is not afraid of anything. If she was a real person, I hope she would be on my side. But they are all likeable in their unique way.
I do hope also we see some more of Eric Stafford. He his always handy in extreme crisis.
I highly recommend. 5 stars from me.
After a severe storm, the coast guard discovers the cargo ship ‘The Dolphin’ run aground of the Irish coast. Only to discover that the captain is dead, and half of his crew is missing, and the only other occupants are three mysterious children who won’t speak. DI Tessa Burns, Danny, Maggie, and dog Pavlov are sent to investigate. They discover that the ship is linked to children trafficking and also some gangsters and dodgy politicians thrown into the mix.
When the children are sent to the local hospital, the eldest child is kidnapped again by ‘The Merrow’. Who locals say she is a mermaid. DI Tessa Burns doesn’t know what is going on. But the hell he is going to go a find out and what has these children got to do with it?
This is another gripping page turner from Mr Dunphy that I couldn’t put down. It is fast paced and full of action. I love the characters in this story especially the protagonist Tessa. I love her feistiness and she is not afraid of anything. If she was a real person, I hope she would be on my side. But they are all likeable in their unique way.
I do hope also we see some more of Eric Stafford. He his always handy in extreme crisis.
I highly recommend. 5 stars from me.
December 27, 2023
Detective Tessa Burns is the head of a special task force dealing with cases involving children. She has two humans in her team, Maggie and Danny, and Pavlov, Maggie's dog.
Tessa is called out to a ship that has run aground. The Captain's throat has been slit, and the other crew are all missing, presumed drowned in a storm.
Three children are on board, and the shipping company knows nothing about their presence. But none of the children are speaking.
Camera footage is found of a small woman on the ship, and it is a mystery as to why she was there in the first place.
Tess and her team are investigating the identities of the children and whether the woman is responsible for the murders of the crew.
This is the second book of the series, and I am beginning to like Tessa, and I find her team fascinating, they are all so different, but make a good fit.
Tessa is a feisty detective, very dedicated to what she does for children, and is aware that her empathy and dedication can be traced back to her own terrible childhood.
I really felt sorry for these particular children, how evil their father was!!
I do recommend this series and am looking forward to reading the next book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.
Tessa is called out to a ship that has run aground. The Captain's throat has been slit, and the other crew are all missing, presumed drowned in a storm.
Three children are on board, and the shipping company knows nothing about their presence. But none of the children are speaking.
Camera footage is found of a small woman on the ship, and it is a mystery as to why she was there in the first place.
Tess and her team are investigating the identities of the children and whether the woman is responsible for the murders of the crew.
This is the second book of the series, and I am beginning to like Tessa, and I find her team fascinating, they are all so different, but make a good fit.
Tessa is a feisty detective, very dedicated to what she does for children, and is aware that her empathy and dedication can be traced back to her own terrible childhood.
I really felt sorry for these particular children, how evil their father was!!
I do recommend this series and am looking forward to reading the next book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.
December 30, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
The dolphin, a cargo ship runs aground. There are no crew, only the murdered captain. Then three children, and who are not talking are found on board. Tessa, Danny and Maggie as well as Pavlov the dog are sent to investigate. There are links to criminals and to political figures. More deaths and then one of the children is kidnapped by the Merrow, a mysterious woman spotted on the dolphin’s cctv. Can they get to the bottom of things?
This had me hooked from the first chapter. The vice descriptions of the storm and how the ship ran aground were engaging. In fact, I was frustrated not to get her whole story and to switch to the prospective of the detectives.
It was enjoyable to see Tessa’s relationship develop with the coastguard. Also to see Maggie and Danny coming into their own too. The story was fast paced and there was a lot going on. Many suspects and threads of stories. All were finished and no loose ends were left, but there were times when it was hard to keep track. I would guess that mimics the pace of a real police investigation (at times).
This is one I highly recommend and I look forward to catching up with these four soon!
The dolphin, a cargo ship runs aground. There are no crew, only the murdered captain. Then three children, and who are not talking are found on board. Tessa, Danny and Maggie as well as Pavlov the dog are sent to investigate. There are links to criminals and to political figures. More deaths and then one of the children is kidnapped by the Merrow, a mysterious woman spotted on the dolphin’s cctv. Can they get to the bottom of things?
This had me hooked from the first chapter. The vice descriptions of the storm and how the ship ran aground were engaging. In fact, I was frustrated not to get her whole story and to switch to the prospective of the detectives.
It was enjoyable to see Tessa’s relationship develop with the coastguard. Also to see Maggie and Danny coming into their own too. The story was fast paced and there was a lot going on. Many suspects and threads of stories. All were finished and no loose ends were left, but there were times when it was hard to keep track. I would guess that mimics the pace of a real police investigation (at times).
This is one I highly recommend and I look forward to catching up with these four soon!
January 11, 2024
It's great to follow this police team extraordinair on their next mission. They get to know each other better, which results in working together even better than they already did before as well.
Tessa, always feisty and never stepping back, never letting go even if her life is endangered. Then there is Danny, a gentle giant when it comes to those he likes and wants to protect, but who, every once and again, has a tiny(!) problem with reigning in his temper. Maggie is also a force to be reckoned with even though it's not easy for her to defend herself or her charges, but she does not let that stop her and neither do Tessa or Danny. And then the one character you just have to adore is Pavlov. He is a pocked-sized giant, but he throws every gram of his weight in every battle. :)
Because the teams forte is dealing with cases that involve children, these stories are filled with emotions and be warned that there is a risk your heart will break multiple times.
Children should be cherished and protected at all times. Unfortunately lots of villains don't see it this way. Well, they better start shaking because Tessa and her team are ready to go and put them all behind bars.
An amazing second book and I am impatiently waiting for the next one. ;) 5 stars
Thank you
Tessa, always feisty and never stepping back, never letting go even if her life is endangered. Then there is Danny, a gentle giant when it comes to those he likes and wants to protect, but who, every once and again, has a tiny(!) problem with reigning in his temper. Maggie is also a force to be reckoned with even though it's not easy for her to defend herself or her charges, but she does not let that stop her and neither do Tessa or Danny. And then the one character you just have to adore is Pavlov. He is a pocked-sized giant, but he throws every gram of his weight in every battle. :)
Because the teams forte is dealing with cases that involve children, these stories are filled with emotions and be warned that there is a risk your heart will break multiple times.
Children should be cherished and protected at all times. Unfortunately lots of villains don't see it this way. Well, they better start shaking because Tessa and her team are ready to go and put them all behind bars.
An amazing second book and I am impatiently waiting for the next one. ;) 5 stars
Thank you
February 29, 2024
I think I enjoyed this second book in the series even better than the first one! We gain even more insight into what makes each of the three main characters tick. Tessa gets to kick some major bad guy butt. But the tables get turned on her later and we witness a confrontation that has her outmatched. Danny wrestles with his anger and takes it out on bad guys threatening his family. Maggie and Pavlov once again are a key component for gleaning kernels that lead to the truth of what happened. Maggie again shows that she is often underestimated because of her disability, but she makes a formidable police officer! Our team secures two unexpected allies while tracking the case and they both will hopefully make appearances in the future as they are both very intriguing characters.
The case under investigation goes through multiple twists and turns, there are multiple "bad actors" and just when you think you know who the ultimate villain might be, another twist comes along. This book has more violence than the previous, but also is a real brain burner for following the clues. If new books by this author come along, you can be sure I'll be there for the ride.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
The case under investigation goes through multiple twists and turns, there are multiple "bad actors" and just when you think you know who the ultimate villain might be, another twist comes along. This book has more violence than the previous, but also is a real brain burner for following the clues. If new books by this author come along, you can be sure I'll be there for the ride.
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
February 7, 2024
A ship has run aground with a dead captain, missing (and presumed dead) crew, and three young children on board. There are rumours that the mysterious mythological merrow is responsible, but it is up to DI Tess Burns and her team to solve the mystery of who these children are and why they were on board this particular vessel. The only issue is that the children are refusing to speak.
Only the Children is a follow up to S. A. Dunphy's previous Irish crime novel, Little Witness, and the second book is just as good as the first. Unlike many other series, I feel like this could be read as a stand alone, though you may miss some background information on the central characters. The story delves into Irish gangs, Irish folklore, child trafficking, and political corruption. The web is nicely woven, and as a reader it was just as tricky to put all the pieces together as it was for the characters. The plot moved along at a good pace, and the ending was satisfying. I really look forward to reading more of this series.
Thank you to @NetGalley and @bookouture for the advanced copy. Only The Children is set for publication on February 12, 2024.
Only the Children is a follow up to S. A. Dunphy's previous Irish crime novel, Little Witness, and the second book is just as good as the first. Unlike many other series, I feel like this could be read as a stand alone, though you may miss some background information on the central characters. The story delves into Irish gangs, Irish folklore, child trafficking, and political corruption. The web is nicely woven, and as a reader it was just as tricky to put all the pieces together as it was for the characters. The plot moved along at a good pace, and the ending was satisfying. I really look forward to reading more of this series.
Thank you to @NetGalley and @bookouture for the advanced copy. Only The Children is set for publication on February 12, 2024.
February 13, 2024
The second book in the DI Tessa Burns series, a child centred taskforce comprising three officers and a dog! This time a Cargo ship is discovered beached on Ballymoney beach near Wexford. My partner has been there and describes it as a beautiful beach but notwithstanding that this would be a somewhat unusual occurrence! The captain has had his throat cut, the rest of the crew are missing, and three young children are discovered alive in one of the cargo holds.
Briefly, Tessa and her team are called in to investigate. So many questions. What has happened to the ship and crew, who are the children and why are they on the ship? The children are terrified and won’t tell them anything and just when they think they may be getting somewhere the team find themselves having to cope with criminal chaos in Wexford Town…
A very clever and dark storyline with to be fair some awful characters. However, I do love the police team and the way they are so good and caring with the traumatised children. I enjoyed the first book and this is even better and I definitely recommend reading book 1 first although this would read as a stand-alone. Excellent.
Briefly, Tessa and her team are called in to investigate. So many questions. What has happened to the ship and crew, who are the children and why are they on the ship? The children are terrified and won’t tell them anything and just when they think they may be getting somewhere the team find themselves having to cope with criminal chaos in Wexford Town…
A very clever and dark storyline with to be fair some awful characters. However, I do love the police team and the way they are so good and caring with the traumatised children. I enjoyed the first book and this is even better and I definitely recommend reading book 1 first although this would read as a stand-alone. Excellent.
February 11, 2024
This is a common review for both Little Witness & Only the Children.
I love S.A. Dunphy's thrillers and I always read them in one sitting as the fast paced and twisty stories kept me turning pages.
A serious case of just-one-more-chapter and the books in the series are very high in my chart of books-that-caused-sleep-deprivation.
I don't feel any remorse for reading till 3 am as I wanted to know what was going to happen.
i loved Tessa, Maggie, Danny and I think that Pavlov is a strike of genius as he's the best way to reach the heart of children and reads.
The characters are all damaged as they had to face a very hard life since a young age. Maggie is a great character and I'm happy to read about a kick-ass heroine who uses her wheelchair as a weapon.
There's a lot of darkness in these stories, there's children who were abused or had to face horrible situations.
The author never uses a pathetic tone and there's a lot of empathy.
I hope to read other stories soon as I love these two.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I love S.A. Dunphy's thrillers and I always read them in one sitting as the fast paced and twisty stories kept me turning pages.
A serious case of just-one-more-chapter and the books in the series are very high in my chart of books-that-caused-sleep-deprivation.
I don't feel any remorse for reading till 3 am as I wanted to know what was going to happen.
i loved Tessa, Maggie, Danny and I think that Pavlov is a strike of genius as he's the best way to reach the heart of children and reads.
The characters are all damaged as they had to face a very hard life since a young age. Maggie is a great character and I'm happy to read about a kick-ass heroine who uses her wheelchair as a weapon.
There's a lot of darkness in these stories, there's children who were abused or had to face horrible situations.
The author never uses a pathetic tone and there's a lot of empathy.
I hope to read other stories soon as I love these two.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine
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