What do you think?
Rate this book
Katie Maguire #4
Taken for Dead
It is a sunny Saturday in county Cork, and an Irish wedding is in full swing. Drunk uncles are toasting the bride. The Ceilidh band have played for hours. But the cutting of the cake will bring the wedding to a horrifying end. For there, grinning gruesomely up from the bottom tier, is the severed head of the local baker.
Katie Maguire, of the Irish Garda, does not have any leads - until another local businessman goes missing in horrific circumstances. The murders appear to link to The Kings of Erin, a terrifying gang of torturers and extortionists. But these are dangerous men. And they will stop at nothing to throw Katie off the trail...
Katie Maguire, of the Irish Garda, does not have any leads - until another local businessman goes missing in horrific circumstances. The murders appear to link to The Kings of Erin, a terrifying gang of torturers and extortionists. But these are dangerous men. And they will stop at nothing to throw Katie off the trail...
384 pages, ebook
First published February 1, 2014
214 people are currently reading
1041 people want to read
About the author
Graham Masterton
423 books1,978 followersGraham Masterton was born in Edinburgh in 1946. His grandfather was Thomas Thorne Baker, the eminent scientist who invented DayGlo and was the first man to transmit news photographs by wireless. After training as a newspaper reporter, Graham went on to edit the new British men's magazine Mayfair, where he encouraged William Burroughs to develop a series of scientific and philosophical articles which eventually became Burroughs' novel The Wild Boys.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
August 4, 2022
As I keep discovering more in this series by Graham Masterton, I am shaking my head for not having tripped upon it sooner. The story is strong, with underlying themes throughout, and I cannot get enough of the Irish flavouring of this police procedural. DS Katie Macguire has a knack of getting herself into some troubling situations, only to prove her worth and catch the killer. However, this story may prove to be her downfall, as the organisation is not only ruthless, but also highly connected with those in power. Masterton has done it again and keeps me wanting to flip pages well into the night.
Detective Sergeant Katie Macguire has been proving herself in Cork for many years, as the old boys’ club is strong and full of pig-headed members. While she and her team are following the movements of a notorious local pimp, they are pulled away to investigate a decomposing hard baked into a wedding cake. DS Macguire cannot help but wonder if a new and sadistic serial killer is on the loose in this community.
When a local businessman goes missing and a ransom for his return arrives at the family home, DS Macguire begins racing to get all the evidence that she can. After the ransom drop goes awry, DS Macguire cannot help but wonder if this is a group that takes no prisoners and seeks to kill without any clear motive. Even after the kidnap victim emerges safe, missing his teeth, DS Macguire cannot help but wonder if there is more to the story.
The group emerges to be calling themselves the High Kings of Erin, a collective with deep connections to Irish history. Said to have tried to keep Ireland pure at the time of English control in the region, the High Kings seek to rid the country of those who are not worthy. While DS Macguire tries to get to their core, she learns just how connected the group might be and how high up they go. With a new superior out to see her lose her job within the Garda, DS Macguire will have to fight even harder.
If that were not enough, new neighbours move in and begin their lives next to DS Macguire. In a highly toxic situation, both confide in Katie and seek her help, though it is not clear who is telling the truth. As she finds herself letting down her guard, Katie allows herself to get pulled into the middle of the mess and it could cost her everything. Does she had the patience to allow it to come together naturally, particularly when there is a band of killer on the loose? Masterton paints quite the picture with this piece and keeps the reader in the middle of it all.
Graham Masterton continues to develop this series and make it even more addictive with each passing novel. Masterton pulls on history and current events to keep his numerous plots highly believable, while straying at times into a graphic nature. His protagonist continues to develop and tosses herself into predicament after predicament, both professionally and in her personal life. It keeps the stories highly addictive and makes me want to read more, if only to see how things will play out.
Masterton presents a great storytelling ability that keeps the reader hooked. He sets the tone with a detailed narrative, while some of the criminal offences are graphic, meant to shock the reader. The strong characters continue throughout the novel, emerging at a variety of speeds. DS Katie Macguire receives so much character development and personal backstory, which is surely essential to foster a connection with the reader. There were numerous plot twists that keeps me wondering what awaited me as I turned the page. I cannot wait to see what’s to come and how DS Katie Macguire will dust herself off from some of the revelations that occur throughout the story’s climax.
Kudos, Mr. Masterton, as you delve deeper to add more to a series that is already quite rich with twists.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Detective Sergeant Katie Macguire has been proving herself in Cork for many years, as the old boys’ club is strong and full of pig-headed members. While she and her team are following the movements of a notorious local pimp, they are pulled away to investigate a decomposing hard baked into a wedding cake. DS Macguire cannot help but wonder if a new and sadistic serial killer is on the loose in this community.
When a local businessman goes missing and a ransom for his return arrives at the family home, DS Macguire begins racing to get all the evidence that she can. After the ransom drop goes awry, DS Macguire cannot help but wonder if this is a group that takes no prisoners and seeks to kill without any clear motive. Even after the kidnap victim emerges safe, missing his teeth, DS Macguire cannot help but wonder if there is more to the story.
The group emerges to be calling themselves the High Kings of Erin, a collective with deep connections to Irish history. Said to have tried to keep Ireland pure at the time of English control in the region, the High Kings seek to rid the country of those who are not worthy. While DS Macguire tries to get to their core, she learns just how connected the group might be and how high up they go. With a new superior out to see her lose her job within the Garda, DS Macguire will have to fight even harder.
If that were not enough, new neighbours move in and begin their lives next to DS Macguire. In a highly toxic situation, both confide in Katie and seek her help, though it is not clear who is telling the truth. As she finds herself letting down her guard, Katie allows herself to get pulled into the middle of the mess and it could cost her everything. Does she had the patience to allow it to come together naturally, particularly when there is a band of killer on the loose? Masterton paints quite the picture with this piece and keeps the reader in the middle of it all.
Graham Masterton continues to develop this series and make it even more addictive with each passing novel. Masterton pulls on history and current events to keep his numerous plots highly believable, while straying at times into a graphic nature. His protagonist continues to develop and tosses herself into predicament after predicament, both professionally and in her personal life. It keeps the stories highly addictive and makes me want to read more, if only to see how things will play out.
Masterton presents a great storytelling ability that keeps the reader hooked. He sets the tone with a detailed narrative, while some of the criminal offences are graphic, meant to shock the reader. The strong characters continue throughout the novel, emerging at a variety of speeds. DS Katie Macguire receives so much character development and personal backstory, which is surely essential to foster a connection with the reader. There were numerous plot twists that keeps me wondering what awaited me as I turned the page. I cannot wait to see what’s to come and how DS Katie Macguire will dust herself off from some of the revelations that occur throughout the story’s climax.
Kudos, Mr. Masterton, as you delve deeper to add more to a series that is already quite rich with twists.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 15, 2016
Book 4 in the Katie Maguire series and the first one that isn't up to the 4 stars I've given for the others. This one deals with cases of kidnapping. Local businessmen are being kidnapped by a group called The Kings of Erin. I still enjoy the mix of history and mythology that Masterton inserts into these books and the sense of the Irish setting was excellent again. But Katie's 'development' in this one was terrible. I am referring to her decision-making regarding her new next door neighbor. I don't mind a protagonist with some flaws but that took stupidity to a new level. Then there's the now standard cringe worthy sex scene. Masterton is fantastic when it comes to gory horror scenes, but the relationship and love aspects of this series are starting to be a tad formulaic.
I started off listening to the audio version, but had to abandon it because, 4 books into the series, there was suddenly a new narrator. I don't give up easily, but a potential 13 hours of monotonous, school-like reading out loud was more than I could bear.
The book ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, and I look forward to reading the next part, hoping that Katie will return to be the strong female protagonist we saw in the previous installments.
I started off listening to the audio version, but had to abandon it because, 4 books into the series, there was suddenly a new narrator. I don't give up easily, but a potential 13 hours of monotonous, school-like reading out loud was more than I could bear.
The book ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, and I look forward to reading the next part, hoping that Katie will return to be the strong female protagonist we saw in the previous installments.
May 23, 2018
Πάρα πολύ καλό! Ωραία πλοκή και ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες! Η Katie περνάει αρκετά σε αυτό το βιβλίο και μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα υπάρχουν ανατροπές!
Το απόλαυσα πραγματικά!
Το απόλαυσα πραγματικά!
October 21, 2015
Bizarre. This book constantly flicks between gratuitous violence, overt sexism, kidnapping and fraud, and soft porn at quite an astonishing rate. I found the whole story too fantastical by far, and the relationship sideline between Katie/David/Sorcha just pathetic. Predictable 'baddies' you could see a mile off. However I did quite like the character of Katie, and despite everything I was intrigued enough to read to the end! Won't be rushing back to read more of this author though.
June 6, 2015
This is the worst junk I've had the misfortune to pick up in a long time. Female detectives are very popular at the moment; but this one is written by a man, and the star has no credibility. First we have a ludicrously improbable seduction, and a sex scene described in the sort of pornographic detail only indulged in by a very bad writer. Then comes a double murder dwelt on in loving detail which made me doubt Masterton's sanity. Then I gave up. It's awful.
June 16, 2019
Po tragické Červené lucerně mnohem lepší díl, ve kterém se zase ozývá starý dobrý Graham Masterton. Toto mě přesvědčilo, že ještě má smysl dát téhle sérii šanci. Nicméně stokrát probírané erotické pasáže mě vytáčej furt.
August 1, 2017
A very violent and ruthless kidnapping gang, a difficult neighbour and an unfair boss all conspire to make life tough for Superintendent Katie Maguire. I love the Irish dialogue in these books. The second half better than the first. Will read #5 in the series
December 22, 2020
Taken for Dead is book #4 in the Katie Maguire series by Graham Masterton and the intense storytelling and violence that bleeds through the first three books, overflows in this one. Katie is a terrific character, her strength and confidence as she fights the brutality of crime and the injustice of the infighting among the police themselves.
On a lovely Saturday in the county Cork, an Irish wedding was happening and the families were celebrating when the cake was brought in. But when the cake was cut into, screams echoed throughout the wedding party. For inside the cake covered in desert and frosting, was a human head. The head of the Baker himself.
Katie Maguire and her squad of Irish Garda begin to investigate and what they find are other local businessmen who have been approached to fake a kidnapping and if they refuse, then they are horribly murdered. The murders are linked to a gang that calls itself the Kings of Erin and they are building a reputation for extortion and murder.
Katie must see past the subterfuge of this gang of murderers and protect herself from the betrayals and attacks within her own department. All the while, her personal life is crumbling around her.
Incredibly violent and visceral, the Katie Maguire series are crime novels not to be missed. A powerfully independent and tough cop, Maguire is character unlike any other in crime fiction. She is a women who loves as hard as she fights. Masterton has captured the pure essence of this character and they not be a better main character in crime fiction today.
Taken for Dead is a strong addition to the series and the Kings of Erin may be a group that are a match for Katie and her team.
A really good read!
On a lovely Saturday in the county Cork, an Irish wedding was happening and the families were celebrating when the cake was brought in. But when the cake was cut into, screams echoed throughout the wedding party. For inside the cake covered in desert and frosting, was a human head. The head of the Baker himself.
Katie Maguire and her squad of Irish Garda begin to investigate and what they find are other local businessmen who have been approached to fake a kidnapping and if they refuse, then they are horribly murdered. The murders are linked to a gang that calls itself the Kings of Erin and they are building a reputation for extortion and murder.
Katie must see past the subterfuge of this gang of murderers and protect herself from the betrayals and attacks within her own department. All the while, her personal life is crumbling around her.
Incredibly violent and visceral, the Katie Maguire series are crime novels not to be missed. A powerfully independent and tough cop, Maguire is character unlike any other in crime fiction. She is a women who loves as hard as she fights. Masterton has captured the pure essence of this character and they not be a better main character in crime fiction today.
Taken for Dead is a strong addition to the series and the Kings of Erin may be a group that are a match for Katie and her team.
A really good read!
February 23, 2015
Taken For Dead – Pulsating Irish Thriller
Taken For Dead is the fourth thriller in the Katie Maguire series written by bestselling British horror writer Graham Masterton which is set in and around County Cork. What makes this a brilliant thriller is that the twisted mind of the horror writer brings it to the thriller and genre and ratchets up the tension, the blood and gore, not that I am complaining. This is an original and twisted take by a writer who digs the depths of his dark writing psyche and delivers on every page so that you really do get an explosive finish!
Katie Maguire is a detective Superintendant in the Garda in Cork heading up a number of investigations in to all various kingpins of crime, she is rather perturbed especially when a known criminal is able to evade justice and walk free from court. She knows that her sexiest Acting Chief Superintendent Brian Molloy will give her a lecture on not taking her eye off the ball and letting the bad guys get away with it.
Maguire’s life becomes a lot harder when the head appears baked in to a wedding cake and all hell starts to break loose there seems to be no evidence whatsoever to the criminals and the person who wound up in the cake. As more near bankruptcy businessmen seem to go missing and a ransom is demanded a group called The Kings of Erin claim the credit. This group even taunt Katie and are not afraid of anyone as they kill two police officers and many of the witnesses to the crimes.
Katie cannot understand why at every turn she is being defeated it is as if the Gang have an idea of what she is doing and where she is going. It is not helped that she has a new neighbour at home who takes too much interest in her and never seems to leave her alone he comes across as a sexist bully with no regard for any female.
To solve the case she does not realise how alone she will be and that could possible put her at risk but Katie Maguire is intent to find if there is a leak at the Police Station as well as catching the Kings of Erin. One thing Katie does understand is that the Kings will stop at nothing to silence all those who come up against them and to succeed she must face them down and the enemies within to crack the case. Whether she does you will just have to read to find that answer.
This really is a hard boiled crime thriller that does not sugar coat the darkest parts of the Irish state and delivers a blockbuster of a thriller. The story is original with some great dark and twisting moments throughout the story that makes you think at every turn who might be the culprits and how does it all tie together. An engaging and powerful thriller that delivers on all levels and I will never be able to think of County Cork in the same light again.
Taken For Dead is the fourth thriller in the Katie Maguire series written by bestselling British horror writer Graham Masterton which is set in and around County Cork. What makes this a brilliant thriller is that the twisted mind of the horror writer brings it to the thriller and genre and ratchets up the tension, the blood and gore, not that I am complaining. This is an original and twisted take by a writer who digs the depths of his dark writing psyche and delivers on every page so that you really do get an explosive finish!
Katie Maguire is a detective Superintendant in the Garda in Cork heading up a number of investigations in to all various kingpins of crime, she is rather perturbed especially when a known criminal is able to evade justice and walk free from court. She knows that her sexiest Acting Chief Superintendent Brian Molloy will give her a lecture on not taking her eye off the ball and letting the bad guys get away with it.
Maguire’s life becomes a lot harder when the head appears baked in to a wedding cake and all hell starts to break loose there seems to be no evidence whatsoever to the criminals and the person who wound up in the cake. As more near bankruptcy businessmen seem to go missing and a ransom is demanded a group called The Kings of Erin claim the credit. This group even taunt Katie and are not afraid of anyone as they kill two police officers and many of the witnesses to the crimes.
Katie cannot understand why at every turn she is being defeated it is as if the Gang have an idea of what she is doing and where she is going. It is not helped that she has a new neighbour at home who takes too much interest in her and never seems to leave her alone he comes across as a sexist bully with no regard for any female.
To solve the case she does not realise how alone she will be and that could possible put her at risk but Katie Maguire is intent to find if there is a leak at the Police Station as well as catching the Kings of Erin. One thing Katie does understand is that the Kings will stop at nothing to silence all those who come up against them and to succeed she must face them down and the enemies within to crack the case. Whether she does you will just have to read to find that answer.
This really is a hard boiled crime thriller that does not sugar coat the darkest parts of the Irish state and delivers a blockbuster of a thriller. The story is original with some great dark and twisting moments throughout the story that makes you think at every turn who might be the culprits and how does it all tie together. An engaging and powerful thriller that delivers on all levels and I will never be able to think of County Cork in the same light again.
March 31, 2015
I've been reading Graham Masterton's books for over 30 years and with the Katie Maguire series he has added another string to his bow. This mystery/crime series has been consistently good but I did consider giving the latest addition a lower score. There were a couple of scenes where characters took a course of action that they just wouldn't have, and it didn't work for me. However, by the end I realised that I had enjoyed the story too much overall to give it less than 4 stars. Fans of the series wanting more of the same won't be disappointed.
March 15, 2015
Katie, what the hell happened?
I loved the first book, thought 2 and 3 were just okay, but this one seems to have totally sunk a formerly likeable, intelligent, strong female protagonist to several new lows. The total narcissism and one bad decision after another continue to escalate with each new story. Since Broken Angels, the books all end on a cliffhanger of some sort. If you write a good story, Graham, you don't need to resort to a cheap trick to get us to come back.
#5 comes out in a few months. Not sure if I'll even bother.
I loved the first book, thought 2 and 3 were just okay, but this one seems to have totally sunk a formerly likeable, intelligent, strong female protagonist to several new lows. The total narcissism and one bad decision after another continue to escalate with each new story. Since Broken Angels, the books all end on a cliffhanger of some sort. If you write a good story, Graham, you don't need to resort to a cheap trick to get us to come back.
#5 comes out in a few months. Not sure if I'll even bother.
May 30, 2024
A brilliant book, I couldn't put it down. Well worth a read.
March 1, 2015
Taken For Dead (Katie Maguire #4) by Graham Masterton is a masterful crime thriller full of menace and mystery, just as this genre should be. In Katie's fourth outing there is more drama and anguish in her life which perhaps interferes with her professional life, well that is the opinion of her male chauvinist pig of a boss. But in true Katie fashion she puts her personal troubles aside to solve her next grisly murder spree. And in typical Masterton style the reader is spattered from head to toe in gore galore, but stylishly done.
On a bright, sunny Saturday in county Cork, an Irish wedding is in full swing. Drunk family members toast the bride and groom. The music is perfect and then comes the finale - the cutting of the cake. Inside the bottom tier is the severed head of the baker. Well you can't have your cake and eat it!
Katie Maguire of the Irish Garda does not have any leads, until another local businessman suffers in similarly horrific circumstances. The murders appear to be linked to The Kings of Erin, a terrifying gang of torturers and extortionists. And they will stop at nothing to throw Katie off the trail. As her investigations gather pace so the Gang stay several moves ahead of her, and it would seem there is a rat in the force, or is there? The psychological horror is set at ramming speed and the pace is fast and furious.
This psychological horror is so highly recommended I dare anyone not to read it! A true classic in crime fiction and the greatest crime series ever written.
On a bright, sunny Saturday in county Cork, an Irish wedding is in full swing. Drunk family members toast the bride and groom. The music is perfect and then comes the finale - the cutting of the cake. Inside the bottom tier is the severed head of the baker. Well you can't have your cake and eat it!
Katie Maguire of the Irish Garda does not have any leads, until another local businessman suffers in similarly horrific circumstances. The murders appear to be linked to The Kings of Erin, a terrifying gang of torturers and extortionists. And they will stop at nothing to throw Katie off the trail. As her investigations gather pace so the Gang stay several moves ahead of her, and it would seem there is a rat in the force, or is there? The psychological horror is set at ramming speed and the pace is fast and furious.
This psychological horror is so highly recommended I dare anyone not to read it! A true classic in crime fiction and the greatest crime series ever written.
May 17, 2015
I have been reading Graham Masterton for over 30 years & this series is my least favourite. Not enough of the thriller & horror I love so much in his books. A mediocre thriller
July 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I'm giving it for stars because the third book I'm my opinion was better.
The fourth book in the series follows Katie, investigating the kidnapping of several locals. The crime who have kidnapped them are demanding extortionate ransoms for the safe return of the victims.
This book really creates a conversation around corruption and greed.
It didn't go into as much detail about Katie's personal life this time.
However, David, the new neighbour, had an interesting part to play in the story.
This book is full of twists and turns and ends on a perfect little cliffhanger, which leads nicely into the next book!
The fourth book in the series follows Katie, investigating the kidnapping of several locals. The crime who have kidnapped them are demanding extortionate ransoms for the safe return of the victims.
This book really creates a conversation around corruption and greed.
It didn't go into as much detail about Katie's personal life this time.
However, David, the new neighbour, had an interesting part to play in the story.
This book is full of twists and turns and ends on a perfect little cliffhanger, which leads nicely into the next book!
May 13, 2018
A tale of Gangs in Corke, Ireland. Gangs ancient and new, extortion and kidnap, and a police force rotton to the core.
Well written and at times fast paced, the book introduces some nasty characters, ones you don't like to read about, and Katie Maguire manages to pull through. Some emotional ups and downs, but that's part of the game here. Some disasters and losses too. The losses of some police offices is always bad, unless it's a bent one.
An open end, looking forward to the next one.
Well written and at times fast paced, the book introduces some nasty characters, ones you don't like to read about, and Katie Maguire manages to pull through. Some emotional ups and downs, but that's part of the game here. Some disasters and losses too. The losses of some police offices is always bad, unless it's a bent one.
An open end, looking forward to the next one.
June 8, 2018
This book was just okay. It is the first one in the series that I have read. I will not go out of my way to find another. If I see one at a charity book sale I may pick another one up but I would not buy at full price. The main character is a high level police officer In Ireland but at time she is portrayed as being an incredibly stupid woman who lets her emotions totally foul things up for me. A very disappointing read.
June 23, 2019
Another great mystery
(3.5 stars)
(3.5 stars)
Read
July 8, 2024I enjoyed the fourth book in the series, though perhaps a bit less than the previous installments. The plot centers on a group of people kidnapping local bankrupt business owners to restore Irish pride. I really appreciated the integration of history and mythology into the narrative and the references to a previous investigation. Some of the reveals were obvious but I'm glad the truth came out.
However, I didn't enjoy the storyline involving the neighbor, and Katie's decisions regarding him made me very angry. Also while Masterton excels at writing horror and gore, his sex scenes are not so good.
I am excited to read the next book and see what happens next with Katie and with the changes in the power structure in Anglesea Street.
However, I didn't enjoy the storyline involving the neighbor, and Katie's decisions regarding him made me very angry. Also while Masterton excels at writing horror and gore, his sex scenes are not so good.
I am excited to read the next book and see what happens next with Katie and with the changes in the power structure in Anglesea Street.
December 25, 2018
I was so excited to read it because I've lived in Ireland myself (and it was pretty good at portraying the Irish-ness, which is about the only thing I liked) and, come on, how often do you come across severed heads baked into wedding cakes? But, damn, for such an intriguing premise, this was so disappointing. Even worse, it was boring.
Katie's 'love life' was such a mess. Honestly, what even happened to her "lover" 's wife? She was literally nothing but a plot device, as were many other characters in the book.
Her internal struggle with misogyny and Molloy was something I initially loved about this book, but is soon just dispersed It frustrated me greatly.
Masterton made it painfully obvious who the 'mole' actually was. There weren't any plot twists that made me gasp out loud. Maybe it's because this is the first book in the series that I read (I hadn't been aware there was a series when I bought it) but the thing with the sex-trafficker Michael didn't have a very big impact on me, but maybe it would have if I'd read the previous books.
The villains were intriguing from the point of view of the kidnappees, but very soon lost their touch. Seemed almost like cartoonish villains. The climax of this book was so bad I almost cried.
Won't be continuing.
Katie's 'love life' was such a mess. Honestly, what even happened to her "lover" 's wife? She was literally nothing but a plot device, as were many other characters in the book.
Her internal struggle with misogyny and Molloy was something I initially loved about this book, but is soon just dispersed It frustrated me greatly.
Masterton made it painfully obvious who the 'mole' actually was. There weren't any plot twists that made me gasp out loud. Maybe it's because this is the first book in the series that I read (I hadn't been aware there was a series when I bought it) but the thing with the sex-trafficker Michael didn't have a very big impact on me, but maybe it would have if I'd read the previous books.
The villains were intriguing from the point of view of the kidnappees, but very soon lost their touch. Seemed almost like cartoonish villains. The climax of this book was so bad I almost cried.
Won't be continuing.
May 23, 2017
Definitely not one for the squeamish! Luckily I'm not. It wasn't the brutal violence that made this less than five stars for me. I can see that ruthless criminals do ruthless things. No, it was the repetition. Something happened. Somebody told somebody about it. Who told somebody else. And every time, all the details were repeated. Fair enough for the characters, they needed to know what was going on. But it irked me to have it told over and over for the reader. 'She told him what had happened/what she'd learned' would do it just as well. Felt more like a rooky fanfic than a bestselling professional author. That, and the reader of the audio book was a bit stilted in places.
Other than that, the plot itself was interesting and reasonably well executed.
Other than that, the plot itself was interesting and reasonably well executed.
March 30, 2016
Now Graham has proved himself to a talented emotional descriptive writer. The book talks about I think the most overwhelming experience that Katie has faced during her entire career. Feeling you're not able to trust anyone around you is what I exactly felt during the past weeks, especially at work, that's why I felt each word in that book very much related to my current state of mind. The sensation of injustice and prejudice from her superiors and the fact that her whole life has fallen all around her was very well described. Feeling that she left John for her career and that it was about to end was just overwhelming. Good book, definitely going to read his next book.
December 2, 2016
Wow...this had me totally engrossed! Okay, to be fair there was never any doubt that I would love it being a HUGE Masterton fan but I truly enjoyed minute of this apart from the end....& that was only because it meant it was over & certainly my favourite in the series so far.
My only criticism is why on earth, later on in the story, Katie let David into her house - what were you thinking woman!!! - to me these actions were neither those of a police Superintendent nor those of the strong woman she's supposed to be. A minor blip though & not worth knocking off a star & yes I am biased....
My only criticism is why on earth, later on in the story, Katie let David into her house - what were you thinking woman!!! - to me these actions were neither those of a police Superintendent nor those of the strong woman she's supposed to be. A minor blip though & not worth knocking off a star & yes I am biased....
January 5, 2018
I enjoyed this , as I have done the previous Katie Maguire books.
However, if I read the phrase carroty curled young man one more time, I think I am going to punch someone.**** SPOILER ALERT**** Although I thought the book ended slightly prematurely as the main orchestrators of the kidnapping/murder plot were still at large, I am looking forward to the next book. Maybe you get to find out what happens to them in Blood Sisters ?
However, if I read the phrase carroty curled young man one more time, I think I am going to punch someone.**** SPOILER ALERT**** Although I thought the book ended slightly prematurely as the main orchestrators of the kidnapping/murder plot were still at large, I am looking forward to the next book. Maybe you get to find out what happens to them in Blood Sisters ?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2015
This was a bit of a mess. I am a huge fan of Graham Masterton as a horror writer so was quite interested to hear he had written a crime series.
However this was not his finest hour. There are quite a few plot lines which stretch the imagination too much and some characters are dreadfully under utilised.
I hadn't realised when I began that this was the fourth book in the series but it can be read as a stand-alone book.
However this was not his finest hour. There are quite a few plot lines which stretch the imagination too much and some characters are dreadfully under utilised.
I hadn't realised when I began that this was the fourth book in the series but it can be read as a stand-alone book.
August 30, 2015
Although I do enjoy the Kate McGuire series I'll be honest in that they are not the strongest crime series. None of the sequels have yet lived up to the first in the series. However, still an enjoyable read that won't tax the brain too much. I quite liked the plot idea instead of the conventional murderer but found the ending fell flat. I also felt this book was trying to do too much and at times it felt so many plot lines were under developed.
August 14, 2016
Decent crime novel.... Liked the writing style and the use of authentic Irish language. The main character was intriguing and likable. Some very gruesome details and descriptions kept me wondering what would be discovered next. A who-done-it that was somewhat easy to figure out after the first few chapters.
May 6, 2015
There are tiny things that annoy me about Graham Masterton's writing, including not being completely convinced by the female lead, but I wouldn't want that to put anyone off reading his books. They are gripping and interesting and well worth a read.
January 10, 2015
Love this series. I think it would make good telly too.
August 13, 2016
Gruesome, but a great read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews