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D.I. Lottie Parker #11
Tajný večírek
Sedmnáctiletá Lucy je nalezena ve svém pokoji brutálně zavražděná. Zdá se, že předchozího dne v domě proběhl divoký večírek. Bez vědomí rodičů, kteří jsou na dovolené. Inspektorka Lottie Parkerová brzy zjistí, že Lucy na party pozvala i spolužačku Hannah, kterou přede všemi zlomyslně ztrapnila. Když Lottie najde v Hannině batohu Lucyino zakrvácené oblečení, nezbývá jí nic jiného než vyděšenou dívku vzít do vazby. Hannah však tvrdí, že si nic nepamatuje, protože jí někdo zřejmě dal drogu do pití, což vzbudí v Lottie pochybnosti o její vině. Mezitím se v kanálu najde tělo patnáctiletého chlapce, který na večírku dělal barmana. A Lottie navíc s hrůzou zjišťuje, že její syn Sean, kterého z večírku sama vyzvedla, se tam nad ránem tajně vrátil pro zapomenutou bundu. Proč jí lhal? Je její milované dítě svědkem, či podezřelým… nebo snad dalším cílem vraha?
408 pages, Hardcover
First published June 10, 2022
1977 people are currently reading
1235 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Gibney
31 books1,347 followersMy name is Patricia Gibney and I’m from Mullingar, County Westmeath. Right in the heart of Ireland. Surrounded by lakes, Mullingar is damp and wet most of the year but when the sun shines it is a little piece of heaven on earth. I’ve lived here all my life. I’m widowed, seven years in May, but was married to Aidan since 1982. I’ve three children who keep me sane, or maybe keep the madness at bay, just a little bit! I say that because I am an artist and a writer. I started writing, for therapy, when Aidan died.
I secured an agent in January 2016 and she is fighting my corner in an effort to get my debut novel published.
Three years ago, I decided to get serious about it. I joined The Irish Writers Centre. Started doing courses. I love reading crime thrillers so it was obvious to me to start writing in the crime genre. And let me tell you, it is not easy. A crime novel needs to be tightly plotted and plotting is the bane of my life. I prefer to write straight off the top of my head. Oh, Oh. Feels good when writing but then comes the editing. I lost 20,000 words in the process. But at least I am proud to say I got it done.
I am now writing the second novel in the series, featuring Lottie Parker and a host of credible characters. They are all part of my extended family, you know the kind – people you love one minute and want to kill the next!
So join me on this journey and lets see where it leads us.
I secured an agent in January 2016 and she is fighting my corner in an effort to get my debut novel published.
Three years ago, I decided to get serious about it. I joined The Irish Writers Centre. Started doing courses. I love reading crime thrillers so it was obvious to me to start writing in the crime genre. And let me tell you, it is not easy. A crime novel needs to be tightly plotted and plotting is the bane of my life. I prefer to write straight off the top of my head. Oh, Oh. Feels good when writing but then comes the editing. I lost 20,000 words in the process. But at least I am proud to say I got it done.
I am now writing the second novel in the series, featuring Lottie Parker and a host of credible characters. They are all part of my extended family, you know the kind – people you love one minute and want to kill the next!
So join me on this journey and lets see where it leads us.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
May 26, 2022
This is now the eleventh book in this terrific crime series and is one of the best yet. In this episode DI Lottie Parker and her team are called in to investigate the murder of seventeen year old Lucy McAllister at a party she threw in her house to celebrate the end of exams and school. Lucy’s parents have been away in Spain for the past three weeks and Lottie wonders why they would leave their daughter on her own, especially while studying for her final exams. Lottie’s own son Sean was at the party, although she had picked him up at midnight, some hours before the murder took place.
As well as interviewing all the kids at the party, Lottie has her hands full following up other connections. Lucy is far from being an innocent teen and had invited an underage boy to man the bar and sell drugs, while also carrying on a personal vendetta against another girl she invited to the party but wants only to shame and humiliate. With Superintendent Farrell breathing down her neck, Lottie and her team were struggling to find enough hours in the day to follow up all the leads and connections in this complex case. As she is run ragged and not spending enough time at home with her kids and sick mother. She is also missing her right hand man and boyfriend DS Mark Boyd, who is away, also in Spain where he is getting to know Sergio, the son that his ex-wife has only just told him he has.
This turns out to be a more complicated crime than first thought and with the deaths of two more kids takes us to some dark places. Lottie as always shows great compassion to the kids’ their families and doggedly hunts down those involved. With the plot centred more on the case than usual there was less emphasis on the secondary characters and no room for further development of their stories. With Boyd and his son arriving home at the end of the novel, it will be interesting to see how this impacts on his relationship with Lottie in the next novel.
With thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for a copy to read
As well as interviewing all the kids at the party, Lottie has her hands full following up other connections. Lucy is far from being an innocent teen and had invited an underage boy to man the bar and sell drugs, while also carrying on a personal vendetta against another girl she invited to the party but wants only to shame and humiliate. With Superintendent Farrell breathing down her neck, Lottie and her team were struggling to find enough hours in the day to follow up all the leads and connections in this complex case. As she is run ragged and not spending enough time at home with her kids and sick mother. She is also missing her right hand man and boyfriend DS Mark Boyd, who is away, also in Spain where he is getting to know Sergio, the son that his ex-wife has only just told him he has.
This turns out to be a more complicated crime than first thought and with the deaths of two more kids takes us to some dark places. Lottie as always shows great compassion to the kids’ their families and doggedly hunts down those involved. With the plot centred more on the case than usual there was less emphasis on the secondary characters and no room for further development of their stories. With Boyd and his son arriving home at the end of the novel, it will be interesting to see how this impacts on his relationship with Lottie in the next novel.
With thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for a copy to read
May 20, 2022
This is book 11 in the wonderful DI Lottie Parker series and it is still going strong! DS Mark Boyd is on leave in Spain connecting with a son, Sergio, he didn’t know about after his ex wife Jackie dumped him with Mark and promptly disappeared. As Lottie’s team lands the case from h*ll she misses Mark’s calm and solid presence.
Lucy McAllister, 17, throws a party to celebrate the end of the school year while her parents are away, coincidentally also in Spain. Gatecrashers arrive, the kids get drunk, the 15 year old bartender, Jake Flood, is also selling drugs. In other words things get very out of control. And when the cleaner arrives early on the Saturday morning she finds the house in a state of total disaster, drops of blood all over the floor and, upstairs, the body of Lucy stabbed to death!
This is just what Lottie needs with Boyd away and the need to corral a bunch of teenage witnesses. Even worse, her son, Sean, had been at the party although she had driven him home just after midnight before all the mayhem kicked off, she didn’t know he had snuck back to find his precious leather jacket putting him squarely in the frame. One of the girls, Hannah, appeared to be in a bad way. She thought she had been drugged and couldn’t remember anything about an apparent fight she had with Lucy. She also had Lucy’s blood under her nails!
Naturally police want to interview Jake but he is not to be found until much later, and it is his body they find.
This case has Lottie stretched to breaking. There are so many moving parts, so many suspects, underage drinking and drugs and possible grooming of young girls and more death to come. It is a very tragic story and one that is, unfortunately, all too familiar with older men preying on young girls and utilising their shame to keep their silence. It should have been a 5 star read but I honestly thought that Lottie must have been superhuman to keep going the ways she did. It just wasn’t realistic and was, actually, irresponsible and dangerous. I know she was desperate to catch the killer or killers but a few hours rest would not have hurt.
Anyway, it was certainly a dark and chilling and utterly gripping read and, as I said, tragic. Don’t miss this one! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly. And on second thoughts I will give it that fifth star! It was just unputdownable.
Lucy McAllister, 17, throws a party to celebrate the end of the school year while her parents are away, coincidentally also in Spain. Gatecrashers arrive, the kids get drunk, the 15 year old bartender, Jake Flood, is also selling drugs. In other words things get very out of control. And when the cleaner arrives early on the Saturday morning she finds the house in a state of total disaster, drops of blood all over the floor and, upstairs, the body of Lucy stabbed to death!
This is just what Lottie needs with Boyd away and the need to corral a bunch of teenage witnesses. Even worse, her son, Sean, had been at the party although she had driven him home just after midnight before all the mayhem kicked off, she didn’t know he had snuck back to find his precious leather jacket putting him squarely in the frame. One of the girls, Hannah, appeared to be in a bad way. She thought she had been drugged and couldn’t remember anything about an apparent fight she had with Lucy. She also had Lucy’s blood under her nails!
Naturally police want to interview Jake but he is not to be found until much later, and it is his body they find.
This case has Lottie stretched to breaking. There are so many moving parts, so many suspects, underage drinking and drugs and possible grooming of young girls and more death to come. It is a very tragic story and one that is, unfortunately, all too familiar with older men preying on young girls and utilising their shame to keep their silence. It should have been a 5 star read but I honestly thought that Lottie must have been superhuman to keep going the ways she did. It just wasn’t realistic and was, actually, irresponsible and dangerous. I know she was desperate to catch the killer or killers but a few hours rest would not have hurt.
Anyway, it was certainly a dark and chilling and utterly gripping read and, as I said, tragic. Don’t miss this one! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly. And on second thoughts I will give it that fifth star! It was just unputdownable.
May 23, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
Without NetGalley, I don't know if I would have ever become a Lottie Parker fan. Without a doubt, here we are at book 11 and this series remains one of my absolute favorites. The Guilty Girl focuses more on the crime(s) which Lottie and her squad have to solve. It is a tough one for the whole team as it begins with a local teenage girl being murdered after a night of partying. A party that Lottie's son, Sean, also attended. In addition, Lottie misses her lover and right hand man, Mark Boyd who is in Spain adjusting to some changes in his life while also coming to terms with her mother, Rose's growing need for more care.
Although I mention the family issues, the bulk of the novel remains centered around the case and I was relieved there wasn't a lot of distractions for Lottie and her team. A team that for the moment seems to be getting along, but make no mistake hard feelings still remain. It will be interesting if Gibney will put some gasoline on the fire or if we shall see one or two characters disappear from the page in the next book. Because I have been with the characters since book 1, I appreciated the humanity that Gibney gives to the police as they try to solve the murder(s). For both Lottie Parker and Maria Lynch, they are both mothers and in a case dealing with young people being harmed, there are a couple scenes where Gibney shows that even in the job with everything they have witnessed, some cases really get under the skin of police officers.
If I had one complaint, it was probably that I missed the banter between Lottie and Mark. Although Mark is able to help Lottie and the team as the investigation widens, it wasn't enough. As I reached the end of the novel, I have a lot of questions as to what type of future these two characters will have. Hopefully, those answers will come in book 12.
#TheGuiltyGirl #NetGalley.
Goodreads review published 23/05/22
Expected Publication Date 15/06/22
Without NetGalley, I don't know if I would have ever become a Lottie Parker fan. Without a doubt, here we are at book 11 and this series remains one of my absolute favorites. The Guilty Girl focuses more on the crime(s) which Lottie and her squad have to solve. It is a tough one for the whole team as it begins with a local teenage girl being murdered after a night of partying. A party that Lottie's son, Sean, also attended. In addition, Lottie misses her lover and right hand man, Mark Boyd who is in Spain adjusting to some changes in his life while also coming to terms with her mother, Rose's growing need for more care.
Although I mention the family issues, the bulk of the novel remains centered around the case and I was relieved there wasn't a lot of distractions for Lottie and her team. A team that for the moment seems to be getting along, but make no mistake hard feelings still remain. It will be interesting if Gibney will put some gasoline on the fire or if we shall see one or two characters disappear from the page in the next book. Because I have been with the characters since book 1, I appreciated the humanity that Gibney gives to the police as they try to solve the murder(s). For both Lottie Parker and Maria Lynch, they are both mothers and in a case dealing with young people being harmed, there are a couple scenes where Gibney shows that even in the job with everything they have witnessed, some cases really get under the skin of police officers.
If I had one complaint, it was probably that I missed the banter between Lottie and Mark. Although Mark is able to help Lottie and the team as the investigation widens, it wasn't enough. As I reached the end of the novel, I have a lot of questions as to what type of future these two characters will have. Hopefully, those answers will come in book 12.
#TheGuiltyGirl #NetGalley.
Goodreads review published 23/05/22
Expected Publication Date 15/06/22
June 16, 2022
4.5*
The Guilty Girl is the eleventh in Patricia Gibney's excellent D.I. Lottie Parker series, set in the (fictional) town of Ragmullin in central Eire (Ireland). It's another action-packed and engrossing read, though somewhat troubling, drawing as it does on themes of adolescent discontent, drug rings and organised child sex abuse.
Spoilt and bitchy seventeen-year-old school leaver Lucy McAllister throws a post-exams party at her family home, while her parents are away at their second home in Malaga. Local youth converge on the well-appointed home, many drinking heavily and drugs being dealt on the premises. By the next morning, the place has been trashed and Lucy lies dead, stabbed and her throat slashed, in an upstairs guest bedroom...
This case has an unusually awkward personal element for D.I. Lottie Parker - her own seventeen-year-old son, Sean, had attended the party, and it transpires that he returned to the McAllister home in the early hours to search for a lost jacket, stumbling upon Lucy's body in the process. However, he keeps this fact to himself, and it's not until later in the investigation of Lucy's murder that Lottie becomes aware of his role as an important witness. Of course, this also places her in a very difficult position professionally, and she spends much of the story trying to avoid her superior officer, Superintendent Deborah Farrell, fearful that she'll be taken off the case .
Initial investigations point to the involvement of another local teenager, a girl Lucy had heartlessly taunted and physically fought with during the party. However, it's not long before the body of another victim is found, that of fifteen-year-old Jake Flood, reputed to have been involved in a drug-dealing racket run out of the disused local barracks. Tragically, a third victim - a much younger child - is also caught up in the unfolding events, which indicate links to the operation of a local paedophile ring. Sprinkled throughout the central police-thriller narrative are troubling vignettes from the perspective of a threatening presence, a person who identifies themselves with a magpie, constantly watching and waiting for the chance to steal precious items with which to furnish its nest.
Widowed D.I. Parker's life is always somewhat chaotic, but in this instalment, the competing demands on her time and attention seem to rise to ridiculous levels. As she dashes from one witness and/or potential suspect to another, fuelled by coffee but failing to eat, she's enduring the Superintendent's ire and dodging the constant attempts by odious Detective Sam McKeown to undermine her. Not only is she managing a demanding serial murder case, but she's feeling anguished for a bereaved mother, triggering her own domestic guilt in the face of her complicated multi-generational home life, as she watches her own mother's apparent descent into dementia. Her partner, D.S. Mark Boyd, is away in Spain, following events that occurred in the previous book, and while he's able to contribute certain pivotal assistance to the Irish investigation, Lottie greatly misses his presence both personally and within her team. At times while I was reading The Guilty Girl, I felt like my head was spinning trying to keep up...
The Guilty Girl is a tautly-plotted and action-packed mystery-thriller, with well developed characters, plenty of unexpected twists and turns and a dramatic ending that satisfactorily ties up all the loose threads. Some elements of the story defy reality - Patricia Gibney acknowledges that she deliberately diverges from actual police procedure and forensic timelines for the sake of plot progression - but the reader is generally prepared to overlook these "clangers" when faced with a great story.
I'd recommend The Guilty Girl to any reader who enjoys complex, well-plotted contemporary crime-thriller fiction. Series afficionados will lap this one up, but as a latecomer to the series myself, I imagine it would also read well as a standalone. There are occasional references to past events which occurred in previous instalments, and significant series-level character arcs, which will no doubt entice new readers to explore Patricia Gibney's back catalogue.
My thanks to the author, Patricia Gibney, publisher Bookouture and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this title in advance of its release on 15 June 2022.
The Guilty Girl is the eleventh in Patricia Gibney's excellent D.I. Lottie Parker series, set in the (fictional) town of Ragmullin in central Eire (Ireland). It's another action-packed and engrossing read, though somewhat troubling, drawing as it does on themes of adolescent discontent, drug rings and organised child sex abuse.
Spoilt and bitchy seventeen-year-old school leaver Lucy McAllister throws a post-exams party at her family home, while her parents are away at their second home in Malaga. Local youth converge on the well-appointed home, many drinking heavily and drugs being dealt on the premises. By the next morning, the place has been trashed and Lucy lies dead, stabbed and her throat slashed, in an upstairs guest bedroom...
This case has an unusually awkward personal element for D.I. Lottie Parker - her own seventeen-year-old son, Sean, had attended the party, and it transpires that he returned to the McAllister home in the early hours to search for a lost jacket, stumbling upon Lucy's body in the process. However, he keeps this fact to himself, and it's not until later in the investigation of Lucy's murder that Lottie becomes aware of his role as an important witness. Of course, this also places her in a very difficult position professionally, and she spends much of the story trying to avoid her superior officer, Superintendent Deborah Farrell, fearful that she'll be taken off the case .
Initial investigations point to the involvement of another local teenager, a girl Lucy had heartlessly taunted and physically fought with during the party. However, it's not long before the body of another victim is found, that of fifteen-year-old Jake Flood, reputed to have been involved in a drug-dealing racket run out of the disused local barracks. Tragically, a third victim - a much younger child - is also caught up in the unfolding events, which indicate links to the operation of a local paedophile ring. Sprinkled throughout the central police-thriller narrative are troubling vignettes from the perspective of a threatening presence, a person who identifies themselves with a magpie, constantly watching and waiting for the chance to steal precious items with which to furnish its nest.
Widowed D.I. Parker's life is always somewhat chaotic, but in this instalment, the competing demands on her time and attention seem to rise to ridiculous levels. As she dashes from one witness and/or potential suspect to another, fuelled by coffee but failing to eat, she's enduring the Superintendent's ire and dodging the constant attempts by odious Detective Sam McKeown to undermine her. Not only is she managing a demanding serial murder case, but she's feeling anguished for a bereaved mother, triggering her own domestic guilt in the face of her complicated multi-generational home life, as she watches her own mother's apparent descent into dementia. Her partner, D.S. Mark Boyd, is away in Spain, following events that occurred in the previous book, and while he's able to contribute certain pivotal assistance to the Irish investigation, Lottie greatly misses his presence both personally and within her team. At times while I was reading The Guilty Girl, I felt like my head was spinning trying to keep up...
The Guilty Girl is a tautly-plotted and action-packed mystery-thriller, with well developed characters, plenty of unexpected twists and turns and a dramatic ending that satisfactorily ties up all the loose threads. Some elements of the story defy reality - Patricia Gibney acknowledges that she deliberately diverges from actual police procedure and forensic timelines for the sake of plot progression - but the reader is generally prepared to overlook these "clangers" when faced with a great story.
I'd recommend The Guilty Girl to any reader who enjoys complex, well-plotted contemporary crime-thriller fiction. Series afficionados will lap this one up, but as a latecomer to the series myself, I imagine it would also read well as a standalone. There are occasional references to past events which occurred in previous instalments, and significant series-level character arcs, which will no doubt entice new readers to explore Patricia Gibney's back catalogue.
My thanks to the author, Patricia Gibney, publisher Bookouture and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this title in advance of its release on 15 June 2022.
June 12, 2022
Book 11 in the Lottie Parker series and this is up there with the best of them.
Here Lottie is called to the murder of 17 year old local Lucy McAllister. From a well to do family, Lucy was holding an end of school party in her home while her parents were away in Spain for three weeks.
What first appears to be a disagreement that may have gotten way out of hand, things soon take a very dark turn as two more teenagers are quickly murdered and the investigation becomes much more widespread involving drugs, the dark web and all sorts of unsavouriness.
This one is a fantastic read. What starts off as what looks like a party that got out of hand slowly unravels into very dark places. Lottie is as tenacious as ever following up leads and listening to her gut instinct, all while trying to balance it with her hectic family life and avoiding her ever skeptical boss.
I’ve read this series from the beginning of their releases and the standard has been top notch. I think there was one, maybe two that didn’t quite reach the heights of the others but this one stand easily with the best of them. The perfect balance of detective and family life for me and the series really does have life left in it yet.
I really like the central character Lottie. She makes mistakes, is single minded to her own detriment at times but she cares about her work and people, sometimes too much. She is a really well rounded and written character to lead all these stories in Mullingar, sorry Ragmullin!
If you are fan of clever and engaging police procedurals then you should really check out Lottie Parker and her team. 11 books in and she and her team are up there with the best in the genre period.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Here Lottie is called to the murder of 17 year old local Lucy McAllister. From a well to do family, Lucy was holding an end of school party in her home while her parents were away in Spain for three weeks.
What first appears to be a disagreement that may have gotten way out of hand, things soon take a very dark turn as two more teenagers are quickly murdered and the investigation becomes much more widespread involving drugs, the dark web and all sorts of unsavouriness.
This one is a fantastic read. What starts off as what looks like a party that got out of hand slowly unravels into very dark places. Lottie is as tenacious as ever following up leads and listening to her gut instinct, all while trying to balance it with her hectic family life and avoiding her ever skeptical boss.
I’ve read this series from the beginning of their releases and the standard has been top notch. I think there was one, maybe two that didn’t quite reach the heights of the others but this one stand easily with the best of them. The perfect balance of detective and family life for me and the series really does have life left in it yet.
I really like the central character Lottie. She makes mistakes, is single minded to her own detriment at times but she cares about her work and people, sometimes too much. She is a really well rounded and written character to lead all these stories in Mullingar, sorry Ragmullin!
If you are fan of clever and engaging police procedurals then you should really check out Lottie Parker and her team. 11 books in and she and her team are up there with the best in the genre period.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
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June 9, 2022Phenomenal read! A highly addictive crime thriller that sucks you in and has you frantically turning the pages to uncover who the killer is. Nothing will prepare you for the incredible twists and turns!
June 24, 2022
DI Lottie Parker and her team are missing DS Mark Boyd, as he is in Spain while he gets to know his newly-discovered son. In this harrowing case, Lottie deals with the murder of seventeen-year-old Lucy McCallister. The teen’s parents were away when she threw a party that ultimately resulted in her murder. Not only is Lottie very concerned about the loss of this young life, after discovering that the teen’s parents had left her on her own for several weeks, her concern is raised even higher.
One of the party’s guests was Lottie’s son Sean. Not trusting Sean to be at a party that was likely unsupervised, Lottie actually waits outside and takes him home at some point. Then, when she is called to the scene of the brutal crime, she is relieved that Sean is completely innocent. However, Sean is keeping something from his mother. Other guests at the party included a tee who brought in drugs and alcohol. Factoring in the part was fairly well a setup to humiliate another teen that was invited, the case proves extremely complicated for Lottie.
Where does Lottie begin, especially when things at her home begin to unravel? Sadly, other teen deaths also occur in fairly quick succession, thus keeping Lottie on her toes, all while she can’t help but become emotionally involved. Interviewing teens cannot be easy, even with Lottie herself being a mother. There are some horrid details that Lottie is forced to face, thus more lives prove to be in danger, possibly to herself.
In this highly emotive read, any parent will want to hug their child closer, no matter how old. This book is a crime thriller that presents real problems that teenagers face in these perilous times. Serious issues are dealt with in this book beyond murder. These include drug abuse, childhood sexual abuse, bullying and more.
Lottie finds herself torn both professionally and personally while trying to find out who is behind these murders. With excellent pacing, powerful characters, a few surprises, and an emotional ending, this book is one of the strongest in this thoroughly engaging series by Patricia Gibney. This brilliant series is going strong and remains one of my favorite from this publisher. I cannot wait for book 12, especially when Boyd returns with his son.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/PvZ6VgvYPoc
One of the party’s guests was Lottie’s son Sean. Not trusting Sean to be at a party that was likely unsupervised, Lottie actually waits outside and takes him home at some point. Then, when she is called to the scene of the brutal crime, she is relieved that Sean is completely innocent. However, Sean is keeping something from his mother. Other guests at the party included a tee who brought in drugs and alcohol. Factoring in the part was fairly well a setup to humiliate another teen that was invited, the case proves extremely complicated for Lottie.
Where does Lottie begin, especially when things at her home begin to unravel? Sadly, other teen deaths also occur in fairly quick succession, thus keeping Lottie on her toes, all while she can’t help but become emotionally involved. Interviewing teens cannot be easy, even with Lottie herself being a mother. There are some horrid details that Lottie is forced to face, thus more lives prove to be in danger, possibly to herself.
In this highly emotive read, any parent will want to hug their child closer, no matter how old. This book is a crime thriller that presents real problems that teenagers face in these perilous times. Serious issues are dealt with in this book beyond murder. These include drug abuse, childhood sexual abuse, bullying and more.
Lottie finds herself torn both professionally and personally while trying to find out who is behind these murders. With excellent pacing, powerful characters, a few surprises, and an emotional ending, this book is one of the strongest in this thoroughly engaging series by Patricia Gibney. This brilliant series is going strong and remains one of my favorite from this publisher. I cannot wait for book 12, especially when Boyd returns with his son.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/PvZ6VgvYPoc
November 15, 2022
*4 Stars*
Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.
This was my first book by this author, on recommendation from someone else. I enjoyed the mystery behind this, although it probably took me more than half of the book before I truly got into it without easily getting distracted. There are many different characters and things happening, and I think it took me a bit to get my head around it all. This might be because I haven't read any previous books in the series, I'm not sure.
The serious issues in this one took a big turn and I wasn't expecting the culprit to be who it ended up being. Many moving parts in this storyline and some emotional sections that just make you realise how disgusting and sick some people truly can be. Whilst it's fiction, it's crime fiction, and these things happen in the real world too unfortunately. I liked Lottie and her bulldog style of detective work, and I definitely would read more from this series.
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Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.
This was my first book by this author, on recommendation from someone else. I enjoyed the mystery behind this, although it probably took me more than half of the book before I truly got into it without easily getting distracted. There are many different characters and things happening, and I think it took me a bit to get my head around it all. This might be because I haven't read any previous books in the series, I'm not sure.
The serious issues in this one took a big turn and I wasn't expecting the culprit to be who it ended up being. Many moving parts in this storyline and some emotional sections that just make you realise how disgusting and sick some people truly can be. Whilst it's fiction, it's crime fiction, and these things happen in the real world too unfortunately. I liked Lottie and her bulldog style of detective work, and I definitely would read more from this series.
Follow me on:
The Storygraph
TikTok
December 28, 2023
No decae, cómo me gusta esta autora... Esta vez le doy 4 estrellas porque me ha dejado mal cuerpo el libro. Pero tengo que decir que es cosa mía.
En este libro número 11, Boyd está en España cuidando de su hijo de 6 años. Un hijo al que acaba de conocer. Y Lottie Parker está capeando el temporal de su familia como puede. Ya sabemos que su familia es caótica... No sé cómo pueden llegar a sobrevivir.
Todo empieza en una fiesta de adolescentes. Una foto... un móvil... drogas, alcohol y un asesinato. ¿Qué ha pasado? ¿Por qué Lucy está muerta? ¿Quién es el asesino?
El libro tiene un ritmo trepidante, todo pasa en 2 días, pero menudos dos días.
Recomendable, como toda la serie.
En este libro número 11, Boyd está en España cuidando de su hijo de 6 años. Un hijo al que acaba de conocer. Y Lottie Parker está capeando el temporal de su familia como puede. Ya sabemos que su familia es caótica... No sé cómo pueden llegar a sobrevivir.
Todo empieza en una fiesta de adolescentes. Una foto... un móvil... drogas, alcohol y un asesinato. ¿Qué ha pasado? ¿Por qué Lucy está muerta? ¿Quién es el asesino?
El libro tiene un ritmo trepidante, todo pasa en 2 días, pero menudos dos días.
Recomendable, como toda la serie.
January 27, 2024
Es bastante adictivo, te invita a saber qué pasa, pero me pareció muy liado. Muchísimos personajes, se mezclan los nombres todo el tiempo y es increíble la cantidad de cosas que pasan en 3 días.
June 16, 2022
If you’re a fan of police procedurals and you’re not reading the Lottie Parker series, you’re missing out cause they’re the quintessential police procedurals. We’re already at the 11th installment and the series is still going strong.
A young girl has been murdered after a house party. At first it looks like a simple case as some incriminating evidence appears at the house of another of the partygoers with whom the victim had some history, but a second body a few hours later will put all of Lottie’s capabilities to the test.
If you’ve already read some of the books in this series you know what to expect, and if not prepare yourself for a really complex plot with lots of moving parts and suspects that have become Ms Gibney’s books trademark.
With so many pieces on the table it seems nearly impossible for the author to fit them all together to get the complete puzzle but, once again, she manages to do it seamlessly. The planning board behind this complicated plots must be a sight to hold!
One of the things I love about these series is how much Lottie has changed throughout. She’s gone from belligerent and controlling, alienating everyone around her to a much more likeable character, more respectful of her team and not so abrasive with her kids and mother.
As usual, the story moves at a really brisk pace. With so many investigative lines going on at the same time it was a really entertaining read. The resolution went to some pretty dark places that sadly felt too real.
This time around the focus was completely on the murder investigation so we didn’t get to see much of Lottie’s personal life, but I’m curious to see where that last chapter will take us.
Another gripping police procedural by Ms Gibney that I highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A young girl has been murdered after a house party. At first it looks like a simple case as some incriminating evidence appears at the house of another of the partygoers with whom the victim had some history, but a second body a few hours later will put all of Lottie’s capabilities to the test.
If you’ve already read some of the books in this series you know what to expect, and if not prepare yourself for a really complex plot with lots of moving parts and suspects that have become Ms Gibney’s books trademark.
With so many pieces on the table it seems nearly impossible for the author to fit them all together to get the complete puzzle but, once again, she manages to do it seamlessly. The planning board behind this complicated plots must be a sight to hold!
One of the things I love about these series is how much Lottie has changed throughout. She’s gone from belligerent and controlling, alienating everyone around her to a much more likeable character, more respectful of her team and not so abrasive with her kids and mother.
As usual, the story moves at a really brisk pace. With so many investigative lines going on at the same time it was a really entertaining read. The resolution went to some pretty dark places that sadly felt too real.
This time around the focus was completely on the murder investigation so we didn’t get to see much of Lottie’s personal life, but I’m curious to see where that last chapter will take us.
Another gripping police procedural by Ms Gibney that I highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2023
Lottie Parker has consistently been in my top 5 favourite female detective series and this was no exception. But wow what a heartbreaking read, I can't even remember the last time I shed a tear when reading but this one left me shattered.
This was also my first time ever listening to an audio book and I have to say I really enjoyed the experience and listened to the next book in the series straight after as well. Audible is quite a hefty monthly fee (considering all my million other subscriptions) so I don't know if I'll keep it up but I did enjoy it. The biggest challenge was keeping up with such a large cast of characters, but then I have this same problem when reading as well.
For some reason I felt Lottie was a bit flat in this one, maybe because Boyd was in Spain for most of this one? But the storyline and cast of characters kept me intrigued and wondering who dunit until close to the end. The reveal was slow enough between when I worked out who it was and then the finale reveal which I liked. As always I enjoyed the all the Parker family dynamics but the heartbreaking storyline is what will stay with me the most.
This could probably be read as a stand alone but why would you want to? This is a binge worthy series!
This was also my first time ever listening to an audio book and I have to say I really enjoyed the experience and listened to the next book in the series straight after as well. Audible is quite a hefty monthly fee (considering all my million other subscriptions) so I don't know if I'll keep it up but I did enjoy it. The biggest challenge was keeping up with such a large cast of characters, but then I have this same problem when reading as well.
For some reason I felt Lottie was a bit flat in this one, maybe because Boyd was in Spain for most of this one? But the storyline and cast of characters kept me intrigued and wondering who dunit until close to the end. The reveal was slow enough between when I worked out who it was and then the finale reveal which I liked. As always I enjoyed the all the Parker family dynamics but the heartbreaking storyline is what will stay with me the most.
This could probably be read as a stand alone but why would you want to? This is a binge worthy series!
June 13, 2022
Another brilliant book in this addictive crime thriller series.
Boyd is in Spain with his son so Lottie and the team are left to deal with a nasty murder following a teenage party.
The host has been murdered and while she seems to be popular on the surface, there’s definitely more going on behind the facade.
A boy who was at the party is targeted as well and Lottie struggles to find a motive for the murders.
As always, this is a great crime thriller, interwoven with some humour but I did miss the banter between Lottie and Boyd.
A brilliant series that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Boyd is in Spain with his son so Lottie and the team are left to deal with a nasty murder following a teenage party.
The host has been murdered and while she seems to be popular on the surface, there’s definitely more going on behind the facade.
A boy who was at the party is targeted as well and Lottie struggles to find a motive for the murders.
As always, this is a great crime thriller, interwoven with some humour but I did miss the banter between Lottie and Boyd.
A brilliant series that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
August 7, 2022
Post exams teen party gets out of control leading to a teen death. Lottie and Kirby and the team have their hands full trying to get any honest answers out of the attendees. Boyd is out of town and Lottie can't catch a break. Good thing she brought her son home from the deadly party at midnight.
Enjoyed this twisty whodunnit with many suspects, an overwhelming amount of evidence to sift through and more than one motive to consider.
4.5 stars
Enjoyed this twisty whodunnit with many suspects, an overwhelming amount of evidence to sift through and more than one motive to consider.
4.5 stars
July 5, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Guilty Girl' by Patricia Gibney.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Patricia Gibney, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 10th June 2022.
This is the second book I have read by this author. It is also the eleventh book in the 'Detective Lottie Parker' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read book 10 in this series 'Little Bones' and would highly recommend it!
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. I am a huge fan of Patricia and if this is even a quarter as good as 'Little Bones' it is guaranteed to be an absolute page turner!! The synopsis stated that 'If you love Karin Slaughter, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine, you’ll be hooked by this heart-stopping thriller from Patricia Gibney.' I am a huge fan of Karin Slaughter so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 83 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Ireland 🇮🇪 , UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact been to Ireland several times and love it there so am looking forward to "visiting" again.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Detective Lottie Parker and Mark Boyd. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
'Guilty Girl' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Patricia discusses/includes child abuse, child exploitation, child murder and strong language.
WARNING ⚠ ADDICTION ALERT ⚠
Wow!! What an absolutely riveting, non stop action packed crime thriller!!!
I was absolutely hooked from the first page to the last!!! This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that absorbs the reader into the storyline. The cover, title and synopsis suit the plot perfectly.
Although this is the eleventh book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
This was yet an explosive addition to this fantastic series where Patricia completely emerges the reader into the storyline. I have only read this book and the previous book but cannot wait to get my hands on the previous books on the series as well as any new releases. The storyline is filled with suspense, crime, friendship, lies, romance, murder, secrets, family and lies and filled with tension which left me on the edge of my seat biting my nails with my heart pounding throughout. It is very fast paced and rammed with action and loads of red herrings. I loved the fact that you get to see what was going on from so many perspectives. The main ones are Lottie and Mark but you also get to see what happens through the eyes of potential suspects along with possible victims but not only that you also get to see through the eyes of the killer too!! Patricia has absolutely everything covered and I absolutely love books like this as you really do get to see so much that it means you get further and further emerged into the storyline leaving you shocked and bewildered when you look up to discover your reality!! Patricia manages to drip feed the reader with tid bits off information to allow you to try to solve it yourself without giving too much away. It is like you are Lottie trying to discover what so going on with your team surrounding you! However, I had no idea who was involved and was shocked when it was revealed so a HUGE well done to Patricia on shocking me. I have read so many crime books it is getting harder and harder for me to be surprised but you achieved it so congratulations!! Also congratulations on an absolutely fantastic book and if this book is anything to go by then an absolutely fantastically explosive series!!!
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE FIRST PAGE WITHOUT CLEARING YOUR SCHEDULES AS THIS WILL KEEP YOU HOOKED!!!
I really like Lottie, Mark and the majority of the team and they are slowly becoming like family members to me. It was quite sad coming to the end of this book and knowing I am going to have to say Goodbye to them for a while. However, I was pleased to read that Patricia has already started writing book twelve in the series which I cannot wait to delve into! It is vital for me that I 'clcik' with the main protagonists and I liked Lottie's kick butt attitude and that she doesn't take any CRUD. I'm looking forward to getting to know her better from the previous books. Mark seems to be a sweet guy and it will be interesting to see how his and Lottie's relationship develops or if it will even survive with Marks son in the mix and his ex wife in the unknown. I enjoyed the fiery team dynamics and enjoyed that there was tension and fights in the team as it portrays the truth that a team won't always get along. The only team member I was not a fan of was McKeown and I think he is definitely up Farrell's backside and I don't trust him one bit.
Congratulations Patricia on a fantastic read and this is exactly why you are on my favourite crime author list!!! I am looking forward to reading your previous and future successes and here's to your next 🥂!!
Overall a page turning and addictive explosive crime thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat throughout!!
Genres covered in this book include Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Mystery, Police Procedural, Hard-boiled Mystery and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Angela Marsons, CL Taylor, Robert Dugoni, Rachel Caine, Carol Wyer, Karin Slaughter, PJ Tracy and anyone looking for an explosive new series to sink their teeth into!!!
472 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#The GuiltyGirl #Bookouture #PatriciaGibney #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@PatriciaGibney @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
Review for 'Guilty Girl' by Patricia Gibney.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Patricia Gibney, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 10th June 2022.
This is the second book I have read by this author. It is also the eleventh book in the 'Detective Lottie Parker' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read book 10 in this series 'Little Bones' and would highly recommend it!
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. I am a huge fan of Patricia and if this is even a quarter as good as 'Little Bones' it is guaranteed to be an absolute page turner!! The synopsis stated that 'If you love Karin Slaughter, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine, you’ll be hooked by this heart-stopping thriller from Patricia Gibney.' I am a huge fan of Karin Slaughter so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 83 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Ireland 🇮🇪 , UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact been to Ireland several times and love it there so am looking forward to "visiting" again.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Detective Lottie Parker and Mark Boyd. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
'Guilty Girl' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Patricia discusses/includes child abuse, child exploitation, child murder and strong language.
WARNING ⚠ ADDICTION ALERT ⚠
Wow!! What an absolutely riveting, non stop action packed crime thriller!!!
I was absolutely hooked from the first page to the last!!! This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that absorbs the reader into the storyline. The cover, title and synopsis suit the plot perfectly.
Although this is the eleventh book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
This was yet an explosive addition to this fantastic series where Patricia completely emerges the reader into the storyline. I have only read this book and the previous book but cannot wait to get my hands on the previous books on the series as well as any new releases. The storyline is filled with suspense, crime, friendship, lies, romance, murder, secrets, family and lies and filled with tension which left me on the edge of my seat biting my nails with my heart pounding throughout. It is very fast paced and rammed with action and loads of red herrings. I loved the fact that you get to see what was going on from so many perspectives. The main ones are Lottie and Mark but you also get to see what happens through the eyes of potential suspects along with possible victims but not only that you also get to see through the eyes of the killer too!! Patricia has absolutely everything covered and I absolutely love books like this as you really do get to see so much that it means you get further and further emerged into the storyline leaving you shocked and bewildered when you look up to discover your reality!! Patricia manages to drip feed the reader with tid bits off information to allow you to try to solve it yourself without giving too much away. It is like you are Lottie trying to discover what so going on with your team surrounding you! However, I had no idea who was involved and was shocked when it was revealed so a HUGE well done to Patricia on shocking me. I have read so many crime books it is getting harder and harder for me to be surprised but you achieved it so congratulations!! Also congratulations on an absolutely fantastic book and if this book is anything to go by then an absolutely fantastically explosive series!!!
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE FIRST PAGE WITHOUT CLEARING YOUR SCHEDULES AS THIS WILL KEEP YOU HOOKED!!!
I really like Lottie, Mark and the majority of the team and they are slowly becoming like family members to me. It was quite sad coming to the end of this book and knowing I am going to have to say Goodbye to them for a while. However, I was pleased to read that Patricia has already started writing book twelve in the series which I cannot wait to delve into! It is vital for me that I 'clcik' with the main protagonists and I liked Lottie's kick butt attitude and that she doesn't take any CRUD. I'm looking forward to getting to know her better from the previous books. Mark seems to be a sweet guy and it will be interesting to see how his and Lottie's relationship develops or if it will even survive with Marks son in the mix and his ex wife in the unknown. I enjoyed the fiery team dynamics and enjoyed that there was tension and fights in the team as it portrays the truth that a team won't always get along. The only team member I was not a fan of was McKeown and I think he is definitely up Farrell's backside and I don't trust him one bit.
Congratulations Patricia on a fantastic read and this is exactly why you are on my favourite crime author list!!! I am looking forward to reading your previous and future successes and here's to your next 🥂!!
Overall a page turning and addictive explosive crime thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat throughout!!
Genres covered in this book include Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Mystery, Police Procedural, Hard-boiled Mystery and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Angela Marsons, CL Taylor, Robert Dugoni, Rachel Caine, Carol Wyer, Karin Slaughter, PJ Tracy and anyone looking for an explosive new series to sink their teeth into!!!
472 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#The GuiltyGirl #Bookouture #PatriciaGibney #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@PatriciaGibney @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
December 10, 2022
The eleventh in an excellent crime thriller series.
Detective Lottie Parker, a senior member of An Garda Siochana in Ragmullin (a fictional town in Ireland), has a very complicated case on her hands. A young teenage girl, Lucy McAllister, has been murdered in her home after throwing a huge unsupervised party. As the investigation begins, there is no shortage of suspects and a ton of evidence that just doesn’t make any sense. Lottie and her colleagues question all the party guests and find that there is much more going on but they can’t get answers — one girl claims she remembers nothing — was she drugged? Others claim they did not see or hear anything. Several attendees saw Lucy’s body and did not report it. What a mess. And then another young teen is found dead. Worst of all, it comes to light that Lottie’s own son, Sean, was also there that night.
This was a fast read with many characters and a complex plot. I have always enjoyed this series, and indeed, is one of the few that I still keep up with as I like Lottie Parker. She’s a middle aged mom of three with a grandson and a crazy backstory full of all kinds of heartache and drama, but Lottie is sensible most of the time and doesn’t constantly put herself in jeopardy as she solves her cases. I like the setting and the Garda at the station have become like old friends. I will continue with the next installment.
Detective Lottie Parker, a senior member of An Garda Siochana in Ragmullin (a fictional town in Ireland), has a very complicated case on her hands. A young teenage girl, Lucy McAllister, has been murdered in her home after throwing a huge unsupervised party. As the investigation begins, there is no shortage of suspects and a ton of evidence that just doesn’t make any sense. Lottie and her colleagues question all the party guests and find that there is much more going on but they can’t get answers — one girl claims she remembers nothing — was she drugged? Others claim they did not see or hear anything. Several attendees saw Lucy’s body and did not report it. What a mess. And then another young teen is found dead. Worst of all, it comes to light that Lottie’s own son, Sean, was also there that night.
This was a fast read with many characters and a complex plot. I have always enjoyed this series, and indeed, is one of the few that I still keep up with as I like Lottie Parker. She’s a middle aged mom of three with a grandson and a crazy backstory full of all kinds of heartache and drama, but Lottie is sensible most of the time and doesn’t constantly put herself in jeopardy as she solves her cases. I like the setting and the Garda at the station have become like old friends. I will continue with the next installment.
April 29, 2022
This is book 11 of the fabulous DI Lottie Parker series and it was so good be back with Lottie and all the other characters in a series that just gets better and better.
What I loved about the book is just how real a character Lottie Parker is tough and feisty with chaos always seeming to follow her she takes it all in her stride and she really does need all her determination in this latest case.
The story is a dark one with some uncomfortable subjects but Patricia Gibney handles it all perfectly with compassion and care, there is a lot going on in the plot line and although I had some suspicions it really kept me on my toes and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I look forward very much to the next in the series I always do worry that a series may become stale but there is no chance with this one and as I said it just gets better and the development of the characters is excellent.
So a great read that I can highly recommend and many thanks to Patricia Gibney for a brilliant read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
What I loved about the book is just how real a character Lottie Parker is tough and feisty with chaos always seeming to follow her she takes it all in her stride and she really does need all her determination in this latest case.
The story is a dark one with some uncomfortable subjects but Patricia Gibney handles it all perfectly with compassion and care, there is a lot going on in the plot line and although I had some suspicions it really kept me on my toes and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I look forward very much to the next in the series I always do worry that a series may become stale but there is no chance with this one and as I said it just gets better and the development of the characters is excellent.
So a great read that I can highly recommend and many thanks to Patricia Gibney for a brilliant read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 13, 2022
Lottie's son, Sean goes to a party at the home of Lucy McAllister to celebrate the end of their exams and school year. Hannah, Lucy's friend is also there. Later, DI Lottie Parker and her team are called in to investigate the murder of seventeen-year-old Lucy. Sean had left at midnight when Lucy went to pick him up, and Hannah can't seem to remember much about anything. Lucy's right-hand man and boyfriend DS Mark Boyd is away in Spain where he is getting to know Sergio, the son that his ex-wife, Jackie has just recently told him he has. Can Lottie crack the case?
Dark, chilling and utterly gripping, the plotline in The Guilty Girl is a busy one. The super-talented Patricia Gibney handles everything with her usual expertise making this novel extremely difficult to leave even for five minutes. Will The Guilty Girl keep you guessing as it did me? Very highly recommended, I still really need to catch up on the instalments I've missed.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Dark, chilling and utterly gripping, the plotline in The Guilty Girl is a busy one. The super-talented Patricia Gibney handles everything with her usual expertise making this novel extremely difficult to leave even for five minutes. Will The Guilty Girl keep you guessing as it did me? Very highly recommended, I still really need to catch up on the instalments I've missed.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
June 15, 2022
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Patricia Gibney's lates crime thriller THE GUILTY GIRL.
With the exception of four of the earlier books, I have followed Detective Lottie Parker since the beginning. Having met Lottie and her team in the very first book "The Missing Ones" and absolutely loving it, I was surprised to have missed the next four before picking the series up in "Final Betrayal" . With a title such as that, I feared it was the end of the series before I'd read the others (as Victoria Jenkins ended her King and Lane series around the same time and I had discovered both series together). However, that was six books ago and Lottie and her team are still crime fighting in Ragmullin. While I have enjoyed each book, THE GUILTY GIRL is by far up there with the first one "The Missing Ones" which drew me into Lottie's world from the beginning. And I loved it.
In the past we have seen Lottie's children somehow or other become involved in her cases somewhere along the line and this one is no different. Her youngest and only son, Sean, is a witness to the case Lottie finds herself landed with and she wonders how to keep this from her superiors whilst investigating the case. She knows beyond a reasonable doubt that Sean isn't involved...that he is just a witness...and she can be objective, right?
Seventeen year old Lucy McAllister throws a party at her parent's affluent home, whilst they are holidaying in Spain for three weeks, to celebrate the end of their exams and the school year. Amongst the guests is Lottie's seventeen year old son Sean who was out of his comfort zone and left early, clocking his mother outside in her car who then took him home. The clandestine party ends in the wee hours but when the cleaner arrives the following morning she gets more than she bargained for when she discovers Lucy's lifeless body upstairs.
Lottie is called in to investigate and is shocked to find it is the house from which she picked Sean up the night before and proceeds to question him about what he may have seen. What she doesn't know is that Sean crept back to the McAllisters around 4am because he'd left his very expensive leather jacket behind and feared his mum would go spare if he lost it. What he didn't expect was to walk into a crime scene and make a discovery that would leave him wondering what to do.
The investigation leads Lottie to Hannah Byrne, one of the party guests, who has no recollection of the evening beyond the cruel humiliation Lucy caused her. But when the team find a bloodied towel in Hannah's rucksack and what appears to be bloody beneath her fingernails, Lottie hauls the confused young woman in for questioning. But Hannah shows signs of having been drugged particularly when she has no memory of anything surrounding the event. Despite this, most of the evidence points towards Hannah's guilt - or involvement at the very least - along with another party guest who also appears to be hiding something.
And then another, even younger, victim who had been at Lucy's party turns up floating in the canal. He was only fifteen. The only possible motive is that he knew too much. After all, it was very probably him who spiked Hannah's drink at the party...but why? What did he possibly have to gain from it? And what does it mean for Lottie's son, Sean?
Meanwhile, Boyd is on holiday is Malaga where he is spending some quality time with his newly discovered son, Sergio. Little does he know that his holiday will turn into a working one with possible links to Spain via the McAllisters who had been holidaying there when their daughter was murdered.
Amid everything that is going on, Lottie must also deal with her mother Rose who is showing signs of a heartbreaking decline and moves into Farrensworth House with the rest of the Parker clan. I foresee this becoming an aspect that Lottie must face in the next installment to come.
THE GUILTY GIRL is a chilling, thrilling fast paced read that begins with readers looking at things one way and ends with us seeing it all in a whole other light. What first begins as a cruel joke that may have gotten out of hand soon turns out to be something far darker at play. There wasn't even a hint of what was to come in the beginning until one of Lottie's team, Maria Lynch, uncovered something amiss on social media. The subject matter is at times dark and disturbing but it is handled with sensitivity and care.
A fantastic read by all accounts, THE GUILTY GIRL is one of the best in the series I've read alongside the very first one which I also loved. I love the mix of procedural with thriller as we are privy to the various aspects of those involved. I always like procedurals written this way as it takes the mundaneness and monotony out of it solely being from a police perspective. It adds to the thrill and picks up the pace a whole lot more, making the story a whole lot more exciting.
If you like procedurals that are engaging and a little more than just a procedural, I highly recommend you check out Lottie Parker and her team. And THE GUILTY GIRL is up there as one of the best so far.
I would like to thank #PatriciaGibney, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGuiltyGirl in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Patricia Gibney's lates crime thriller THE GUILTY GIRL.
With the exception of four of the earlier books, I have followed Detective Lottie Parker since the beginning. Having met Lottie and her team in the very first book "The Missing Ones" and absolutely loving it, I was surprised to have missed the next four before picking the series up in "Final Betrayal" . With a title such as that, I feared it was the end of the series before I'd read the others (as Victoria Jenkins ended her King and Lane series around the same time and I had discovered both series together). However, that was six books ago and Lottie and her team are still crime fighting in Ragmullin. While I have enjoyed each book, THE GUILTY GIRL is by far up there with the first one "The Missing Ones" which drew me into Lottie's world from the beginning. And I loved it.
In the past we have seen Lottie's children somehow or other become involved in her cases somewhere along the line and this one is no different. Her youngest and only son, Sean, is a witness to the case Lottie finds herself landed with and she wonders how to keep this from her superiors whilst investigating the case. She knows beyond a reasonable doubt that Sean isn't involved...that he is just a witness...and she can be objective, right?
Seventeen year old Lucy McAllister throws a party at her parent's affluent home, whilst they are holidaying in Spain for three weeks, to celebrate the end of their exams and the school year. Amongst the guests is Lottie's seventeen year old son Sean who was out of his comfort zone and left early, clocking his mother outside in her car who then took him home. The clandestine party ends in the wee hours but when the cleaner arrives the following morning she gets more than she bargained for when she discovers Lucy's lifeless body upstairs.
Lottie is called in to investigate and is shocked to find it is the house from which she picked Sean up the night before and proceeds to question him about what he may have seen. What she doesn't know is that Sean crept back to the McAllisters around 4am because he'd left his very expensive leather jacket behind and feared his mum would go spare if he lost it. What he didn't expect was to walk into a crime scene and make a discovery that would leave him wondering what to do.
The investigation leads Lottie to Hannah Byrne, one of the party guests, who has no recollection of the evening beyond the cruel humiliation Lucy caused her. But when the team find a bloodied towel in Hannah's rucksack and what appears to be bloody beneath her fingernails, Lottie hauls the confused young woman in for questioning. But Hannah shows signs of having been drugged particularly when she has no memory of anything surrounding the event. Despite this, most of the evidence points towards Hannah's guilt - or involvement at the very least - along with another party guest who also appears to be hiding something.
And then another, even younger, victim who had been at Lucy's party turns up floating in the canal. He was only fifteen. The only possible motive is that he knew too much. After all, it was very probably him who spiked Hannah's drink at the party...but why? What did he possibly have to gain from it? And what does it mean for Lottie's son, Sean?
Meanwhile, Boyd is on holiday is Malaga where he is spending some quality time with his newly discovered son, Sergio. Little does he know that his holiday will turn into a working one with possible links to Spain via the McAllisters who had been holidaying there when their daughter was murdered.
Amid everything that is going on, Lottie must also deal with her mother Rose who is showing signs of a heartbreaking decline and moves into Farrensworth House with the rest of the Parker clan. I foresee this becoming an aspect that Lottie must face in the next installment to come.
THE GUILTY GIRL is a chilling, thrilling fast paced read that begins with readers looking at things one way and ends with us seeing it all in a whole other light. What first begins as a cruel joke that may have gotten out of hand soon turns out to be something far darker at play. There wasn't even a hint of what was to come in the beginning until one of Lottie's team, Maria Lynch, uncovered something amiss on social media. The subject matter is at times dark and disturbing but it is handled with sensitivity and care.
A fantastic read by all accounts, THE GUILTY GIRL is one of the best in the series I've read alongside the very first one which I also loved. I love the mix of procedural with thriller as we are privy to the various aspects of those involved. I always like procedurals written this way as it takes the mundaneness and monotony out of it solely being from a police perspective. It adds to the thrill and picks up the pace a whole lot more, making the story a whole lot more exciting.
If you like procedurals that are engaging and a little more than just a procedural, I highly recommend you check out Lottie Parker and her team. And THE GUILTY GIRL is up there as one of the best so far.
I would like to thank #PatriciaGibney, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGuiltyGirl in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
July 31, 2022
Seriously: For being the children of a brilliant detective, Lottie's kids didn't inherit much self-preservation. Or common sense. 😂
Ah, well... It was time for Sean to mess up this time, I guess. He's been a grumpy gamer, staying in his room and out of trouble, for a few books. And we couldn't have that, could we?
I thought this book would suffer from Boyd's absence, but it worked well.
I'm not fully on-board with this new situation with Sergio though. Time and the next book will tell how it works out.
Since this book is pretty freshly published though, I will have to settle into waiting for the next one, like everybody else.
It's been a great binge though. I will 100% be back for the next story about Lottie Parker.
Ah, well... It was time for Sean to mess up this time, I guess. He's been a grumpy gamer, staying in his room and out of trouble, for a few books. And we couldn't have that, could we?
I thought this book would suffer from Boyd's absence, but it worked well.
I'm not fully on-board with this new situation with Sergio though. Time and the next book will tell how it works out.
Since this book is pretty freshly published though, I will have to settle into waiting for the next one, like everybody else.
It's been a great binge though. I will 100% be back for the next story about Lottie Parker.
August 16, 2022
I really hated the fact that Lottie's son Sean was involved in the case, as I get annoyed when this series focuses too much on Lottie's obnoxious children. Fortunately, Sean's involvement wasn't major (it also wasn't believable) and he didn't factor into the storyline too much.
Lottie's personal life is still in limbo, with Boyd spending the entirety of the book in Spain. He was still part of the investigation from afar.
Like all the books in this series, the case in this one has a lot of moving parts, and it got pretty disturbing by the end. That's also what a love about the series, complex cases that aren't easily figured out. I'm hoping the next book gets into the tension at the station. It seems to be reaching a boiling point and would make for a good secondary storyline.
Lottie's personal life is still in limbo, with Boyd spending the entirety of the book in Spain. He was still part of the investigation from afar.
Like all the books in this series, the case in this one has a lot of moving parts, and it got pretty disturbing by the end. That's also what a love about the series, complex cases that aren't easily figured out. I'm hoping the next book gets into the tension at the station. It seems to be reaching a boiling point and would make for a good secondary storyline.
September 6, 2024
La caótica y complicada vida de Lottie Parker siempre es un plus en la historia. El tema central: abuso infantil, aunque sea ficción es brutal leer sobre las ramificaciones, las víctimas, la corrupción despierta mis más profundos sentimientos de desolación, rabia e impotencia.
The chaotic and complicated life of Lottie Parker is always a plus in the story. The central theme: child abuse, even if it is fiction, it is brutal to read about the ramifications, the victims, the corruption awakens my deepest feelings of desolation, rage and helplessness.
The chaotic and complicated life of Lottie Parker is always a plus in the story. The central theme: child abuse, even if it is fiction, it is brutal to read about the ramifications, the victims, the corruption awakens my deepest feelings of desolation, rage and helplessness.
May 22, 2022
Calling detective Lottie Parker's life in Ragmullin, Ireland, chaotic somehow seems like an understatement, and I admit to wondering how anybody could live, much less thrive, in that kind of environment. But by this time, though, I think I've become accustomed to all the goings on, because this very hectic one is a favorite of the bunch I've read previously (this is the eleventh).
On the work front, Lottie is called to investigate the murder of a teenage girl at her fancy home following - or perhaps in the middle of - a clandestine party she hosted while her parents were away. One of the guests, the victim's friend, had been the subject of online bullying and becomes the primary suspect. Problem is, she's apparently been drugged and has no recollection of anything that happened during the event - making Lottie less than certain about her involvement in her friend's death.
The investigation continues with little progress, but Lottie also knows her teenage son Sean was at the party as well (after all, she found out, waited outside and drove him home). There's no doubt that he isn't the killer, but on the other hand, Lottie is pretty sure he's not telling the whole truth about what he knows. And then another, even younger partygoer turns up murdered - and the possible motive is that he knew too much. So what does that mean for Sean? Could he be next?
Amid all this are secondary plots involving a gang of drug-dealing kids on bikes and a local boxing gym where some of the kids hang out, both with possible connections to both murders. Lottie's husband, detective sergeant Mark Boyd, usually can be counted on for support - but not this time. He's in Malaga, meeting up with the young son who, until recently, he never knew he had. Alas, at least for readers like me who love Boyd, he's around only for the occasional phone consultation until the very end. And as if all this isn't enough to drive Lottie bonkers, her mother Rose, with whom she has a sort of like-dislike relationship, isn't doing well and moves in with the rest of the Parker clan.
Given the multitude of suspects and need to resolve the story lines takes Lottie - and readers - for a thrill-a-minute ride complete with a few twists (although I won't call them totally surprising). It all makes for another installment well done plus the hope that another one will be out soon. Until then, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one. Well done!
On the work front, Lottie is called to investigate the murder of a teenage girl at her fancy home following - or perhaps in the middle of - a clandestine party she hosted while her parents were away. One of the guests, the victim's friend, had been the subject of online bullying and becomes the primary suspect. Problem is, she's apparently been drugged and has no recollection of anything that happened during the event - making Lottie less than certain about her involvement in her friend's death.
The investigation continues with little progress, but Lottie also knows her teenage son Sean was at the party as well (after all, she found out, waited outside and drove him home). There's no doubt that he isn't the killer, but on the other hand, Lottie is pretty sure he's not telling the whole truth about what he knows. And then another, even younger partygoer turns up murdered - and the possible motive is that he knew too much. So what does that mean for Sean? Could he be next?
Amid all this are secondary plots involving a gang of drug-dealing kids on bikes and a local boxing gym where some of the kids hang out, both with possible connections to both murders. Lottie's husband, detective sergeant Mark Boyd, usually can be counted on for support - but not this time. He's in Malaga, meeting up with the young son who, until recently, he never knew he had. Alas, at least for readers like me who love Boyd, he's around only for the occasional phone consultation until the very end. And as if all this isn't enough to drive Lottie bonkers, her mother Rose, with whom she has a sort of like-dislike relationship, isn't doing well and moves in with the rest of the Parker clan.
Given the multitude of suspects and need to resolve the story lines takes Lottie - and readers - for a thrill-a-minute ride complete with a few twists (although I won't call them totally surprising). It all makes for another installment well done plus the hope that another one will be out soon. Until then, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one. Well done!
June 6, 2022
The Guilty Girl is a cracking read. That grabbed me from the start and never let go. As D.I. Lottie Parker and her disjointed team are called to investigate the murder of school girl Lucy McAllister.
A murder that is complicated by a messy crime scene thanks to a house party that got out of control and was attended by Lottie's son Sean. But Lottie knows he's not responsible even if someone on her team isn't quite so sure.
And with big twists this was an enthralling and at times heartbreaking read. That was brilliantly paced and had me guessing until the very end.
Furthermore, it's made me more keen than ever before to pick up the books in this series I've missed out on. Even if I have a TBR pile that is seriously out of control!!!
I would happily recommend The Guilty Girl to others.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
A murder that is complicated by a messy crime scene thanks to a house party that got out of control and was attended by Lottie's son Sean. But Lottie knows he's not responsible even if someone on her team isn't quite so sure.
And with big twists this was an enthralling and at times heartbreaking read. That was brilliantly paced and had me guessing until the very end.
Furthermore, it's made me more keen than ever before to pick up the books in this series I've missed out on. Even if I have a TBR pile that is seriously out of control!!!
I would happily recommend The Guilty Girl to others.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
July 14, 2022
Another amazing book by this incredible author. Wow what a book! What a series! Loved. Loved. Loved. If you read one book this year maje it this one. I promise you you won't stop at this one but breathlessly race through the rest of the books in this wonderful series. Just wow!
June 15, 2022
Another great book in the series with so many characters. Inspector Parker solves another challenging case. Any more books in this series? Can’t wait for next one 😉
March 5, 2025
Jako vždycky ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Podezíráte každého a vlastně celou dobu netušíte, kdo to doopravdy je.
Napínavé, má to spád, krátké kapitoly a čtete pořád dál a dál.
Téším se na každý další díl téhle série.
Podezíráte každého a vlastně celou dobu netušíte, kdo to doopravdy je.
Napínavé, má to spád, krátké kapitoly a čtete pořád dál a dál.
Téším se na každý další díl téhle série.
December 12, 2023
La novela me ha sorprendido mucho por la investigación en sí, compleja y cargada de pistas, muchos sospechosos y un personaje principal fuerte y sin pelos en la lengua, Lottie Parker.
Cuando se disfruta de una historia se nota y con esta lo he conseguido y más. Iba sin ninguna expectativa y todas han sido superadas. La primera parte es más serena, pero a partir de la segunda es un no parar, tiene bastante ritmo y los capítulos cortos ayudan. Consigue despistarte entre tanto personaje y que sospeches de todos para en el siguiente capítulo cambiar de opinión, incluso con casi todo resuelto alguna cosa gira in extremis.
El peso de la investigación recae en Lottie Parker, una inspectora de policía audaz, directa y que no es fácil de engañar. Todo el tiempo surgen cosas en la novela, la cual se desarrolla en tres días, así que va sin freno. El final me ha convencido y me ha parecido el adecuado para la trama y subtramas.
Es el libro número once de la saga Lottie Parker, yo he leído algunos, pero no todos, aun así he podido entender de que iba la novela sin problema, es un nuevo caso y queda totalmente cerrado. Siempre hay cosillas del pasado, pero lo bueno es que la autora solo lo menciona y no hace más hincapié en ello.
Una novela policiaca que merece la pena leer, pero si os gusta hacerlo en orden os esperan unos cuantos libros por delante.
4/5⭐
Cuando se disfruta de una historia se nota y con esta lo he conseguido y más. Iba sin ninguna expectativa y todas han sido superadas. La primera parte es más serena, pero a partir de la segunda es un no parar, tiene bastante ritmo y los capítulos cortos ayudan. Consigue despistarte entre tanto personaje y que sospeches de todos para en el siguiente capítulo cambiar de opinión, incluso con casi todo resuelto alguna cosa gira in extremis.
El peso de la investigación recae en Lottie Parker, una inspectora de policía audaz, directa y que no es fácil de engañar. Todo el tiempo surgen cosas en la novela, la cual se desarrolla en tres días, así que va sin freno. El final me ha convencido y me ha parecido el adecuado para la trama y subtramas.
Es el libro número once de la saga Lottie Parker, yo he leído algunos, pero no todos, aun así he podido entender de que iba la novela sin problema, es un nuevo caso y queda totalmente cerrado. Siempre hay cosillas del pasado, pero lo bueno es que la autora solo lo menciona y no hace más hincapié en ello.
Una novela policiaca que merece la pena leer, pero si os gusta hacerlo en orden os esperan unos cuantos libros por delante.
4/5⭐
June 4, 2022
Book 11 in the Detective Lottie Parker series and another enjoyable police procedural set in Ragmuffin, Ireland and Spain. A great police procedural and although very plot centred there is still time to learn a bit more of Lottie and Boyd’s personal lives. Well written and interesting plot with some great characters - multiple crimes, many characters but still easy to follow.
Briefly, Lottie and her team are investigating the case of a murdered 17 year old girl, Lucy, who was killed after a party at her home, when her parents were away in Spain. Prime suspect is another girl, Hannah, but Lottie isn’t convinced. What is the motive?When the body of a boy who was also at the party is found the list of suspects increases. Then Lottie finds out something about her son that shocks her, is he involved? With family issues at home and her partner, in and out of work, in Spain with his son, Lottie is burning the candle at both ends.
This is a much more complex case than it initially appeared to be with a number of threads all coming together seamlessly. There a number of different crimes, all connected somehow to the murder, and one particularly harrowing crime which sadly, was all too believable. This was a really good read that kept me page turning late into the night. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Briefly, Lottie and her team are investigating the case of a murdered 17 year old girl, Lucy, who was killed after a party at her home, when her parents were away in Spain. Prime suspect is another girl, Hannah, but Lottie isn’t convinced. What is the motive?When the body of a boy who was also at the party is found the list of suspects increases. Then Lottie finds out something about her son that shocks her, is he involved? With family issues at home and her partner, in and out of work, in Spain with his son, Lottie is burning the candle at both ends.
This is a much more complex case than it initially appeared to be with a number of threads all coming together seamlessly. There a number of different crimes, all connected somehow to the murder, and one particularly harrowing crime which sadly, was all too believable. This was a really good read that kept me page turning late into the night. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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