Somebody Knows

by Michelle McDonagh

: A gripping, addictive page-turner about dangerous secrets and the lengths people will go to keep them

Home truths come at a heavy price ...

THE GRIPPING NEW NOVEL FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR MICHELLE MCDONAGH

As her adoptive mother lays dying, journalist Cara Joyce overhears a shocking piece of information about her origins. It connects her to a tragic death - that of Lucia Casey, a young woman whose body was found buried in a Connemara bog nearly thirty years ago.

To this day, Lucia's disappearance and murder remains unsolved.

Cara's quest to find out the truth reunites her with the powerful Casey family. But as her obsession begins to take over her life, she finds herself increasingly at odds with those around her.

Who is behind Lucia's death and what are they hiding? And what will Cara risk in the present to solve the mysteries of the past?

Somebody Knows is a page-turning story of dangerous secrets and the lengths people will go to keep them.

Genres: Ireland, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Irish Literature, Crime, Thriller

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2024

Reviews

[Justyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always in awe of Irish writers but @mcdonagh.michelle had blown my mind once again. First of all I can't believe it's only her second book (if you haven't read "There is something I have to tell you" 🏃‍♀️ as I can assure you that after this exceptional piece all of her work will fly out of the bookshops across Ireland within seconds)
Her writing is beautiful, heart tugging and oh so real. She mentions very important events that happened in Ireland and keeps reminding us that even a small lie can have an enormous effect in someone's life. She shows how everything change once you become a mother and our perspective changes to thinking if we would want things to happen to our children.. I'm not going to add a spoiler but I can only quote Andrea Mara on this book "An absolute triumph"
Well done Michelle - you've done it once again

[Aoife Cassidy McM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somebody Knows is the follow-up to Irish author Michelle McDonagh’s bestselling debut There’s Something I Have to Tell You, and it’s another uniquely Irish rural noir, full of secrets and lies.

Set between the 1980s and today, Cara is an investigative journalist from the west of Ireland who, as her adoptive mother is dying, uncovers a family secret that connects her to a woman, Lucia, found murdered and buried in a bog thirty years earlier. As Cara begins to dig deeper, she is drawn into the web of the Caseys from Kylemore Abbey, a powerful family who appear to have much to hide in relation to Lucia’s death.

A very Irish pageturner, some might say there are elements of this story that require a suspension of disbelief, but in an Irish context, these stories are all too common.

Every Irish person (of my generation and older at least) knows an adoptee, or someone born in a Mother and Baby Home or Magdalen Laundry, or someone who went to England to have a baby in secret, or a family member who popped up out of the woodwork years later, and so on. For these reasons I found this story very compelling and well told, and while fictional, it’s not at all inconceivable that this could actually have happened and probably has.

The topic is handled with empathy and sensitivity, capturing the nuances of the period and the effects on rural life even to this day. The epilogue managed to catch me by surprise, which I loved. An Irish solution to an Irish problem! Somebody Knows indeed. A great one to discuss with your book club. 4/5⭐️

*Many thanks to @hachetteireland @elaineeganbooks and the author for the #gifted copy of Somebody Knows. This is widely available and a good read to pack for your summer hols.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh yet another portrayal of Ireland's shameful past. Listened to the audiobook and the narrator was very solemn and serious but I suppose so is the subject. Great twists. One you kinda work out if you know Ireland's shady past but the other was a complete shocker!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars. This was the best thriller/family drama I have read in a long time, I couldn’t put it down. What a fantastic author.

[Joanne Sheahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, read it over two days. Fair to say I was glued to it to be honest.

This is Michelle McDonagh’s second novel, following her excellent debut “There’s Something I Have to Tell You”. Set once again in the West of Ireland, Kylemore Abbey and Galway City provide the perfect backdrop to this tale of Cara and her pursuit of the truth about her parentage following her adopted mother’s death.
Secrets held and kept close within families for generations are unlocked over the course of her inquiries. The plot develops at a decent pace with many twists and surprises along the way, none so much as the final , unexpected one.
The Ireland of not so old and her treatment of unmarried teenage mothers is dealt with exceptionally well I thought; realistic but not without compassion-and for all the players involved including Cara herself.
Am looking forward to this author’s next offering already.

[Boryana Genova · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did the author's first novel. It started promising, but then rambled on until the last 30 or so pages, when everything was resolved in a rush.

[Maria Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Colleen Maclennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with lots of twists , a slew characters who are connected or related to each other and a thirty year old mystery that mostly gets solved . The book is steeped in the Irish culture , especially when it comes to unwed teenage mothers. Family loyalties and secrets also abound and when the truth finally is disclosed too much damage and time has passed to bring real closure to the injured .

[Cathy Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Good murder-mystery holiday read. I like her style and enjoyed her first book equally.

[Annemarie O'Donovan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read if a little ranty in parts.

I flew through this. I did really enjoy it. It did a nice job of showing the devastation caused by irelands attitude to pregnancies out of wedlock in the 80’s which is the biggest stain on Irish history IMO.

My heart went out to Lucia. She had a sad story.

It was very obvious who the father of the baby was. That twist was just too blatant from the get go so no surprise for me at the end.

I thought the book was just too ranty, too many rants about hospital waiting lists, rental crisis etc. if you want to rant about that write an article in the paper not a supposed thriller. Like there was even a part about Covid & the hotel rising it’s costs from the war in Russia & Ukraine. Honestly it was one too many rants crammed in. I found it so annoying. It did put me off and that’s why I knocked a star from my review

[Margaret McCann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel uncomfortable writing this review because I think the book is very well- intentioned and the opening pages with Josie in the bog were lovely and lively and I was happy. But then it completely lost its way. It's probably a good enough plot/story.....I didn't get much farther than the mother's funeral.. .but I could see the Irish societal clichés lining up on the horizon. And the book needed a good edit. It's over-written and weighed down with cumbersome overworked descriptions of emotions and experiences. No lightness or wit to aerate it. I feel uncomfortable being so negative but the book needs a good fillet. And more interesting and nuanced central characters. I liked Josie, but I didn't want to spend any time with the rest of them. And didn't.

[Sarah Dennehy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely connection to home! Michelle’s books just seem to be getting better and better

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somebody Knows by Michelle McDonagh published May 23rd with Hachette Ireland and is described as 'a page-turning story of dangerous secrets and the lengths people will go to keep them'. I thoroughly enjoyed Michelle's 2023 debut There's Something I Have to Tell You , referring to it at the time as a superbly crafted mystery and also seriously clever. It was very much a novel with a rural vibe, with a slurry pit central to the story. In Somebody Knows, Michelle takes her readers to the west of Ireland, specifically to Galway city and into the wilds of Connemara.

Michelle McDonagh lives in Cork but hails from Galway where she worked as a journalist for many years. Her knowledge of the county shines through, bringing the city and its stunning surrounding landscape into focus. The novel begins in 1992 when a local is cutting turf in the boglands of Connemara and he makes a gruesome discovery. Flash forward to today and Cara Joyce is by the bedside of her dying mother, Kitty. In her mother's delirium she speaks of something that confuses Cara and when Cara also overhears something later, she is spooked. The name Lucia is mentioned leaving Cara bewildered but she puts it to one side as Kitty fades, taking her last breath. Cara and her family are devastated, unable to imagine a life without Kitty's presence. In the acknowledgements, Michelle refers to the death of her own mother Lucy's final days and the memories that were evoked in writing this scene, one that will resonate with anyone who has been in that very emotional and heartbroken place. Tender and beautifully portrayed, these pages are a moment of reflection, a little timeout.

Cara Joyce always knew she was adopted and had planned to further investigate her origins but her mum's illness had delayed her research. As a journalist, Cara understood how to access information but her father and brother were encouraging her to leave well alone. Little did Cara know where this Pandora's Box would take her.

Lucia Casey is central to this story leading Cara down a rabbit-hole as she crosses paths with the prominent Casey family, owners of a luxurious hotel near the renowned Kylemore Abbey in Connemara. I have been to Kylemore Abbey, having done the tour there a few years ago. It is a place with a fascinating history and I loved how Michelle McDonagh incorporated it into her story. As Cara travels to Kylemore to meet the Casey family, she is unaware of the obsession that is about to take hold. Her desire to uncover the truth is very important but, as she soon discovers, it all starts to get quite sinister and mysterious.

Secrets and lies, murder and mystery all combine in this exciting tale that brings the spectacular scenery of Connemara to life. Cara Joyce lives in Galway city, so we are also treated to wonderful descriptions of the buzzing atmosphere of the streets as well as the wild Atlantic coastline at Galway's famed Salthill beach and promenade. Michelle McDonagh is clearly proud of her Galwegian roots but she is also passionate about highlighting the sins of the past and the dreadful manner in which a certain section of society were treated.

There is a strong connection to the land in Michelle McDonagh's novels and her ability to depict landscape, while also spinning a convincing and engaging yarn, is extremely well done. There is a very Irish flare to her writing but the central story of family relationships, murder, mystery and deceit cross all borders. With some very powerful moments, capturing tenderness, drama and trauma, Somebody Knows is a compelling tale, another well-crafted story from this Irish writer who is slowly staking her claim as the 'Queen of Irish Rural Noir'.

[Jacki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irish journalist, Cara, has always known that she was adopted, but a conversation she overhears, as her adoptive mother lays dying, leads to the realisation that her birth mother (who she'd always assumed was a stranger) was, in fact, a distant relative, Lucia. All Cara knows of Lucia is that she was from a wealthy family, she vanished and her body was discovered in a bog, 30 years ago.

As a result of this revelation, and in the wake of her adoptive mother's passing, Cara finds herself grieving two mothers, and becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Lucia, and bringing the person responsible for her death to justice. This obsession takes a toll on Cara's family and work life.

Told over dual timelines, covering the events leading up to Lucia's death and Cara's, present day, search for answers, we learn secrets that were kept buried (excuse the pun) and a story of love, lies and betrayals, featuring a cast of flawed, and some downright unlikeable, characters; all set against a background of the stunning scenery of Connemara, and the city of Galway, in the West of Ireland.

In addition to the engaging plot and beautiful scenery, I enjoyed the writing in this book immensely. The author's use of similes is so good: I've never highlighted so many passages in a Kindle book as I did in this one. There were so many gems that I could identify with immediately; the most memorable being one about the state of parking at Galway hospital! There are also lots of references to popular culture, both in Lucia's time and currently, that make this novel feel delightfully familiar.

The book also features a great deal of social commentary; reflecting how far Ireland has come, in the space of a generation. Cara struggles to comprehend the motivations for the actions of both her birth family and her adoptive one, as she becomes aware that Lucia's Ireland was a very different one: one where the Catholic Church held sway, abortion was illegal, unmarried mothers were shunned or sent 'down the country' to give birth and surrender their babies, or placed in the infamous 'mother and baby homes'.

Without giving too much away, there is also a brilliant twist/reveal at the very end that I didn't see coming: one that leaves the reader wondering whether the entire truth will ever be revealed!

I cannot fault this book in any way. It is an excellent follow-up to the author's first novel (There's Something I Have to tell you, which I've also reviewed. I look forward to seeing what Michelle McDonagh comes up with in the future.

[James Durkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somebody Knows / Michelle McDonagh

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

~ She had never seen the similarity before but she hadn't been looking for it. People saw what they wanted to see. Just like the people who used to tell her she was the image of one of her parents or her brother, ignorant of the fact that she was adopted… ~

To Galway and to Connemara!

This book was gripping, it was very hard to put it down. I enjoy how, like in her last book, McDonagh weaves a tale of an Irish tragedy and makes it her own.

I understand Cara so well in her coming to terms with first her mother dying, and then her adoption. What follows though is twists and turns, and you keep guessing what did happen to Lucia. How families deal with and cover up, and want what is best is truly on show.

The flashbacks to Lucia and the revelations that come in between it was a page turner.

Also, no spoiler, but that EPILOGUE! I had not twigged that at all.

This book though, it tells a tale of an Ireland of not too long ago, and to the forefront was the stigmatisation and treatment of unmarried mothers in the State.

Cara just wants to find out, which is her right. And she shows her gall and determination. The Casey’s though, just wow. I wish the best for Colie and Olive.

The star in this show though was Galway and Connemara. Being from the West myself - the city came alive.

Well done Michelle McDonagh, looking forward to what comes next.

~ Connemara might be one of the most spectacular places in the world on a fine day, but there were few places drearier on a dark night in the depths of winter… ~

Picked up from the TBR Pile - Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.
Bought from The Book Centre, Waterford - 09/06/24

Read: 31/07/24 - 31/07/24

[Farah G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Michelle McDonagh's previous book, There's Something I Have to Tell You, so I was very excited to see her new book Someone Knows available on Netgalley, and thrilled to be given access. And once again, this writer has delivered in spades!

Cara has always known she was adopted, and never felt the need to search for her birth mother. After all, in a 20th century Ireland that had values that would've been more appropriate for 19th century Ireland, a woman might have any number of good reasons to give up a child.

But when her mother dies unexpectedly early, as a young mother herself, Cara feels the void keenly. And when she accidentally finds out that her birth mother was a murder victim in one of the most publicised cases in recent history, she tumbles down a rabbit hole that seems almost endless.

Her search for answers not only jeopardises her relationship with the loving family in which she has grown up, it potentially puts Cara herself in danger, and opens an incredible can of worms which shows the excoriating impact of secrets, conservative values, and corruption - both financial and moral.

This is a gripping, beautifully-crafted novel with characters that spring vibrantly to life. It will linger in the reader's mind long after they have finished turning the pages.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this book begins, Cara's mother passes away. Overcome by grief, more information comes to light about the circumstances of her birth and subsequent adoption . Cara is a reporter, so starts looking into the life and death of her birth mother, who was found in a bog in Connemara. Little by little, the truth is revealed as Cara's and Lucia's stories are told.
I thought that the book was well written, it definately has an Irish feel, as people remember what happened 30 years ago and who was involved. My one criticism is that Kyan, Cara's husband, was not really fleshed out as a character and as such their relationship didn't feel so realistic . The plot is well thought out and comes together well, the final twist was unexpected
A good read though and I look forward to reading more from this author, thanks to Net galley for the ARC

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve listened to by Michelle McDonagh and have enjoyed both and found them to be real “page turners”. Both covered some complex family dynamics. This book also covers the fraught issue of the lack of women’s reproductive rights in Ireland’s history which is saddening, maddening and sickening. Michelle writes and explores her characters well. I’ve read quite a few books recently where characters behave illogically, are stuck bemoaning the same issues over and over and are quite tedious. Michelle’s books are a refreshing change where the characters make progress and the story moves along at a good pace. I also judge audiobooks by how quickly I get through them and I finished this one in only a few days as I was looking for opportunities to listen. The narration by Michele Moran is excellent. I’m now off to listen to her next book.

[Shauna Kavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle McDonagh has done it again with this cracker! Having loved There’s Something I Have To Tell You, I’ve waited patiently for her next book and this didn’t disappoint. Michelle captures the Irish culture so well, the secrecy and inter general trauma it causes. Her books are excellently researched, she was spot on in term of mental ill health which is always a pleasure to see!
The story begins in 1992 with a body being found in the bog lands of Connemara, switches then to present day where the mystery is still unsolved. A fantastically plotted crime story, I was hooked from the first chapter. Excellent 5 ⭐️

[lorrainelowereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.
This is a really well written and thought out Irish crime novel, even better I thought than Michelle McDonagh’s debut There’s Something I Have To Tell You. Full of very well put together characters and with a storyline that is completely believable but that also keeps you guessing till the end, it is a page turner worth picking up. It was a solid 4 star read but I docked a half star for one really blatant error; Cara’s mother Kitty is described as having a hysterectomy before adopting Cara in the 1980s, but is then described as having a hysterectomy in the current time as an old woman due to cancer in her womb. Surely not possible!!!

[Sinéad Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I’ve read in a while. From the very first page, I was completely hooked and simply couldn’t put it down.

I really enjoyed the way the narrative unfolded with a perfect pace that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. Set in Galway the story provides a moving reflection of Ireland’s shameful past—the prejudice faced by unmarried mothers. Just when you think you know where the story is going, there are unexpected twists and turns right up to the very end.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling story that is gripping right from the beginning.

[Vicky Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, another beautiful little book from Michelle McDonagh. Beautifully written, beautifully Irish. The quest for Cara to discover her birth mother’s story continues throughout this book, ever twisting and turning, reminding the reader of an Ireland of not that long ago. And like every family there are skeletons in the every closet. I love the turns of phrase used throughout as well as the little references that remind me this is my Ireland too. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.

[Fauve K · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT TWIST AT THE END!

There were times I was thinking it was stalling a bit with the story and then Cara was annoying me in a few scenes. But thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I don't know anyone in Galway that calls the mother "mum", unless they're English/from Ulster. It's always "mam" "mother" or you sometimes get "mom" American influence 😅 my only complaint about the book so not bad 😂

Loved the mentions of places in Galway (proud Galway woman here) it brought the story more to life while reading it.

[Ngawang Sangmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t expect the ending this way at all. Michelle is such a clever storyteller and knows how to get you hooked up. Enjoyed Kylemore Abbey and Connemara as if I’m a part of Galway. We had a great opportunity to travel Galway in 2021 just after the restrictions were lifted and started enjoying staycation. The memories of travelling to Kylemore Abbey came back as if it was just yesterday and the story behind it. Kylemore Abbey is stunning and the surroundings idyllic. Can’t wait to get hold of Michelle’s other books now.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great and gripping story from Michelle . This book tells the story of Cara and how when her mother was on her deathbed she overheard something of her origins . This led to a long and arduous probing on her part until she eventually finds the truth . The book is full of surprises and shocks some are almost unbelievable. Irish families have many secrets about children adoption and unmarried mothers . A super book

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dual-timeline novel set in 1980s Ireland and the present day.
Cara has always known she was adopted, however, the time to search for her birth mother has never been right. As her adoptive Mother is dying, Cara hears something that triggers the need to research her past.
Somebody Knows is a gripping saga that will trigger memories of how woefully women and young girls were treated in Ireland's recent past. I struggled to put this book down; it is superb.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably more like 4.5 stars because of a clunky beginning, but it just kept getting better. There was one reveal I guessed but the others were surprises despite being set up really well in retrospect!

I got this at the Dublin airport to read on my way back home. I wanted something that wasn't published in the US, but that's now left me with the problem of not being able to get my hands on this author's other books right away!

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I was gripped from the beginning. A very different subject topic very original but believable. I loved all the mentions of lots of places in Galway familiar to me. I was travelling along those roads in my head. I thought l had the ending but there was a wee twist at end. Excellent story. I just need to read her other book now

[Clazzzer C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another enjoyable read from Michelle McDonogh. I loved how it all played out in the end, some parts were quite predictable but not all. Cara was a great character, her dad was also, & Paul played his part well too. I felt it lagged a bit in the middle but the ending was good. I would recommend, and look forward already to he next work.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a few shocks in the opening bits of the book, that the rest, for me, never quite lived up to.
There were still plenty of surprises to be had, and a good description of small towns and how name means a lot.
The ending, I saw that coming miles away.
Overall, an enjoyable read.