The Planter's Daughter

by Susan Lanigan

An eco-crime murder mystery and a century-old feud...John Banville meets Tana French in this new novel by Susan Lanigan, author of acclaimed novels White Feathers and Lucia's War.

Sadhbh Drummond was landed gentry, a passionate eco-warrior, and left a trail of broken hearts and wrecked marriages behind her. So when her burned body is found in a forestry plantation in West Cork, it soon becomes clear that her death was not an accident. Her Anglo-Irish heritage and great beauty marked her as an outsider, and her campaigns to save the land and climate activism put her into conflict with many, including local farmer Tom Keating and resentful stepdaughter Sinead Furlong.

When Detective Inspector Rosa Keane is called on to investigate, she soon learns about age-old resentments dating back to the War of Independence. But with a town closing ranks and Rosa secretly grappling with her own gender identity, can she and Kevin discover what happened to Sadhbh before it's too late?

Genres: Crime

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2025

Reviews

[Maybelle Wallis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading ‘The Planter’s Daughter’ ARC. I don't usually read crime novels, but I appreciated how the historical elements intertwined with the fast-paced modern narrative. The character descriptions were magnificently convincing, and Susan Lanigan has truly captured the complexities of Irish life in rural communities. In particular, I thought the portrayal of the inner conflicts of the transgender character was highly empathetic - and I do have some insight here from my own family.

[Suggestion_noted · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting murder mystery with an interesting environmental angle. The story follows police officers Rosa Keane and Kevin Xiao as they try to solve the case of Sadhbh Drummond, an eco-activist from an Anglo-Irish family whose burnt body is discovered on a hillside in West Cork following a devastating forest fire. As they pursue the case, Sadhbh's unique, strident personality becomes apparent and there are many possible suspects in the small, insular rural community. A parallel narrative about Sadhbh's ancestors and those of one of the suspects, set in the Irish Civil War of the early 1920s, provides essential context. The story combine suspense, history, environmentalism, culture and gender identity in a fresh and exciting way.

My favourite part was the journey of Rosa, a trans woman still living under her deadname and struggling with prejudice and repression, but finding allies, both likely and unlikely, along the way. Her and Xiao are unlikely partners but find common ground in their shared experiences of being treated as outsiders.

The wide cast of characters brings the eccentric yet closed community of this beautiful area to life, and reveals the life-or-death disputes about land and belonging that revervabate into the present, colouring every aspect of the investigation.

The book is described as a "Keane and Xiao Mystery" and I'm excited to read more of their adventures in the future.

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

'In the cool early dawn, as the truck jiggled and jarred along the boreen and the silence thickened between them, Harry felt deep in his bloodstream that this was not the start of something, but the end.’

The Planter’s Daughter by Susan Lanigan publishes October 19th and is described as ‘an eco-crime murder mystery with a century-old feud’. It is the first book in a new mystery series featuring two Cork based detectives, Keane and Xiao.

Sadhbh Drummond was a very passionate environmentalist with a beauty that stopped everyone in their tracks. Never one to shy away from life, her presence was felt wherever she went. Of Anglo-Irish extraction, her family were well known and were once renowned estate landowners pre the Irish Civil war years. To this day there are many who still carry a bitterness from those times when neighbour literally fought neighbour. The scars from that period in Irish history run deep, in particular in parts of west Cork where there would have been a stronghold of resistance to the political decisions of the day.

Sadhbh was an eco-activist and angered many in her local rural community with her firm views on farming methods and education. As a teacher she had strong opinions and didn’t shy away from the information she taught to her students. When her body is discovered in a forest fire it soon becomes very clear that she was murdered but with so many voicing their dislike for her, and too many personal connections, the case gets quite complex. Detectives Keane and Xiao are brought in from the city to assist with the investigations and they soon find themselves caught up in a community filled with hostility and acrimony.

With a dual timeline, historic elements are revealed as they happen, providing insights into an age-old feud with its roots stemming back to Ireland’s War of Independence. As the historic snippets weave in and out of the modern day, Susan Lanigan takes her readers right into the centre of those brutal days when the devastation and decimation of communities was unfortunately commonplace.

Susan Lanigan would describe herself as ‘a politically engaged, character-centred author‘ and an environmentalist. She writes about the flaws of modern society and the extreme levels of hatred and abuse that can be targeted at certain people. Using her fiction allows Susan to expose readers to different perspectives, highlighting the pain and distress caused by malicious comments and actions

The Planter’s Daughter is a complex story, but Susan Lanigan confidently manages the many threads and sub-plots. Keane and Xiao are an interesting duo introducing additional relevant societal themes of racism, transphobia and more. An engaging read with several scenes that are extremely affecting, The Planter’s Daughter is an intriguing and emotionally potent tale.

*Note from Susan Lanigan ~ contains scenes featuring institutional transphobia which some readers may find distressing

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Climate-related novels are already an established niche genre within publishing, but they are usually in the literary/speculative fiction realm. A climate thriller was a new one for me, and it promised to combine aspects of some of my favourite genres - the reality and nuanced discussion that comes with climate-related stories, plus the tension and action of a typical thriller. Add in the little nod to poetry in the title, and I was sold.
The novel follows the investigation into the death of Climate activist Sadhbh Drummond and takes the detectives through many rural roads and conversations trying to pull the many threads of the case together. The reader is also taken back into the past of the area and how historical grievances can affect lives many years later. I enjoyed the forays into the past, though it took a while for why chapters were relevant to make sense. Besides the main case, there is a lot more going on in the novel; the two detectives are on the fringes of their work groups for different reasons, but bond despite seeming like polar opposites; Sadhbh, despite us never meeting her in the 'now' had such a hugely divisive personality and relating actions that the story took many tangents and wrong turns before getting to the heart of the 'why' - sometimes I wanted the pace to go much quicker than it was, but ultimately the want for the victim to be vindicated and the threads of hope from our main detective characters' stories kept me going.

[Nicole Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed The Planters Daughter by Susan Lanigan. A very clever, modern Irish, murder mystery set in rural Cork. The story features two very engaging detectives and has excellent pacing. Both detectives reflect a very modern Ireland – one that is still evolving!

Lanigan uses a brilliant but subtle device to get us walking in the shoes of one of her protagonists. This was amazing, I’ve never seen it done before. You’ll understand more when you read it!

As with some of the best dramas – there’s history! The clue to solving the mystery of Sadhbh Drummond’s death is in the past. There are two timelines, which are very easy to follow and overlap perfectly: 1921 – the Irish War of Independence and modern day 2021 Cork, when Ireland is still going through lockdown.

The Planter’s Daughter very skilfully blends both history and mystery. You’ll find yourself googling things every now and again and that’s another feature of Lanigan’s work that I love – it’s engaging and makes you want to know more!

I found I couldn’t wait to get back to it every time. Love a book that does that!

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

📆 dual timeline.
👀 3rd person
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
💬 "Or is that she is life: woman, mammal, fish; all curve and wave, softened like a glass pebble"

I found myself utterly caught up in the main storyline of this book. Who had murdered Sadhbh, and why? Who was she really, as some of the opinions of her weren't that nice. The historical timeline added a further layer, and shows how 'The Troubles' are still having an affect over 100 years later. The two things eventually came together in a complicated and devastating way.

Then there was also the other storyline, that of Rosa and her fight with her gender identity. I have no idea how it must feel to
be trans, and I'm sure the experience is different for everyone. But I think Lanigan has done a really good job of capturing how it must feel for some people. Rosa's utter horror at everything to do with her previous identity is palpable and I had genuine sympathy for her. Her interactions with the gender clinic were really interesting to read. I don't think it's an easy subject to write about.

Overall I thought this was a really good crime story and the ending had me genuinely questioning who would survive.

[Amanda Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you LBT for having me on this wonderful read along tour and for my gifted copy of this epub.


This was a really good and well written story !!! This is a crime story based in Ireland and wow the plot twists and the turns in this book are so good I found myself not being able to put it down

So I haven’t read many books with the LGBTQIA represented in them but this was done so well and I learned a lot that’s for sure. I think should be done more often in books !!!


I loved the Ireland setting it’s a place I plan to visit in this lifetime because it just sounds amazing. The way the author describes it makes it so much more and makes me want to go even more.

The way the story unfolded and how the author went so many different directions was so good. I really didn’t know how it was gonna turn out. I really didn’t.

Overall I really can’t wait for more adventures from Keane and Xiao cause I’m sure they have so much more and I’m here for the ride that’s for sure. So so good !!

[Rachael Pickering · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like it when a different, or less often visited, book genre crosses my path. The Planter’s Daughter is a crime book based in Ireland and not only does it contain a good plot, deep character work and plenty of twists and turns. But it also contains some important LGBTQIA messages that I don’t think are represented enough in literature. There are plenty of books that work on these messages, but I personally would love to see more representations of all walks of life to become normalised in as many books as possible.

Ireland is always one of those places that I can’t believe I’ve never visited. Susan Lanigan really creates a wonderful sense of the Irish countryside and to me it feels authentic.
The plot is strong and although crime isn’t my go to genre I did enjoy the pace to the investigation. The character’s backstories were well worked in and the moments where we skipped back in time were well controlled.

I hope there are more Keane and Xiao books in the future!

[Kez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Planter's Daughter by Susan Lanigan is a gritty dual-timeline eco-thriller mystery novel set in rural Ireland. We follow the investigation into the death of environmentalist Sadbh Drummond, following detectives Rosa Keane and Kevin Xiao through the case and through their own journeys.

Identity plays a huge role in the story, from who people were, their history, to who they really are, and the novel examines history, present and future in detail but with care and thoughtfulness.

The novel doesn't shy away or sugar-coat difficult topics, and educates the reader along the way, and I found myself completely absorbed in the atmosphere the author has created. A tough read at times, but thoroughly worth the time. I hope Rosa and Xiao are back for more investigations.

[Orlaith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not usually a fan of police procedurals but because the characters are well-drawn here, it sucked me in. Flipping between the pandemic years and a hundred years previously in West Cork (both tumultuous periods) the byline captures it's theme: 'the future is under threat but the past won't lie down'.

Susan Lanigan casts a cold eye on all political parties in Ireland - she is not afraid to poke a little fun at the Green Party even though she is a member. No harm in that. Lots of insights into Irish society past and present as well as being a page-turner. Finished it over a 24 hour period. Well worth a read.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't my usual read, I generally prefer cosy crimes and this was anything but cosy. There were some really explicit criminal acts mentioned which were quite upsetting to me to read.
I was intrigued by the Irish history aspect to this read, and I definitely learned a lot. It was also set during the tale-end of the pandemic and so it was interesting to see thoughts around that such as the mask wearing, social distancing and reopening of bars etc.
I could see this being a series, as there is definitely a long story available for Rosa, but I actually found myself more interested in Kevin's story and would love to have more on his backstory.

[Katherine Hutton Mezzacappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An environmental activist and unconventional teacher is found murdered in the woodlands she strove to protect. There is no shortage of suspects nor of people with secrets to keep hidden or vested interests to protect. But does the solution to her death lie far in the past, before she was even born? Lanigan crafts a densely plotted and immersive story that I couldn't stop reading, and the compassion and empathy in her portrait of the transitioning detective leading the case could do more to counter prejudice, cruelty and wilful misunderstanding than hours of debate. I hope I'll get to read more of Keane and Xiao very soon. This beats anything Tana French has written.

[Byddi Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Lanigan’s cracking crime thriller, “The Planters Daughter’ stitches together, with brilliant storytelling, superbly crafted characters, a vibrant plot, the woes of modern life and a past that keeps delivering a legacy poisoned by secrets and betrayal. Gripping yet tender, it mirrors the devastation of the natural world with a moving exploration of prejudice, belonging, and otherness. At its heart lies a powerful truth: both land and people flourish when nourished by diversity in every sense.

[Lauren Flewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Planter’s Daughter by Susan Lanigan is a crime book with an environmental angle set in Ireland.

The story is told in two timelines, mid-pandemic time and a more historic angle from some of the most notorious of Ireland’s history. I don’t know a lot about the history of Ireland so I found this an interesting read.

Not only does the author cover environmental issues and Irish history but the main character is also struggling with her identity and the process of becoming a woman.

A great crime read with an in depth and intriguing plot alongside some of the bigger topics!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good police procedural. I could so see this being on tv (love me a good British drama) so this boot was a great read for me. I loved the integration of Rosa’s personal life and work as an inspector. The chapters that had past stories of how the characters met and how the feud began so many generations ago were so helpful in building the story. I'm pleasantly surprised by this would love to read more adventures with Rosa and Kevin.

Thanks to Lobe Books Tours and the author for the gifted copy.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read a historical crime thriller which was a compelling read blending old and new together.
It’s hard to review without giving too much away but there was a lot of layers to this book but they all worked so well as they were written brilliantly through the cleverly woven plot.
I loved Kevin and Rosa and their development whilst working together, I cannot wait for more in this series.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Planter’s Daughter was an interesting read with murder, adultery, and generations-long feuds between families being some of the key elements. I appreciated that there were flashbacks, so that we could see and understand the history between the families. The victim made a lot of people mad, so it was fun to try to figure out who killed her with all the suspects. The Planter’s Daughter is a great mystery, and I give it 4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Books With Demi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It had the perfect mix of suspense and emotion and the characters felt believable. The twists were well done and kept me hooked the whole way through. A gripping mystery that’s hard to put down. Definitely recommend if you like tense, character driven crime reads.

[David Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

west cork setting was very enjoyable to read and visualise. engaging and thought provoking over all

[Riette Beling · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a story! This was gripping and tense with amazing historical facts intertwined @susanlanigan_books really did Ireland proud.

When the body of Sadhbh is found in the middle of a forest fire, its up to detectives Rosa and Kevin to solve this murder. What they don't know is just under the surface lies a century old feud and they have just stepped into this.

The story is complex with so many twists and mini plots. We learn Kevin has issue with racism, the reason he was moved to Rosa's office. The Rosa was actually Gerry before and we get pulled into her Trans journey, the struggle to be what you believe in your heart to be, this was heartbreaking and I felt so sorry for her. And the the climate activist Sadhbh's death which is not as straight forward as you might expect.

I loved that the history was woven into the story and it brought another layer of depth to the story. Such a great story and I am excited to see more of Rosa and Kevin in books to come!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping Irish crime thriller with a murder mystery at its core. The story also delves into the past as well as exploring present day difficult issues. The main focus of the book is the death of eco warrior Sadhbh after her burnt body is found in suspicious circumstances. Detective team Keane and Xiao begin investigating the case and it’s soon apparent that Sadhbh had made plenty of enemies between her eco campaigning and leaving behind a trail of broken hearts and marriages.

I enjoyed the Irish history woven into the plot. I feel like I learned a lot and found the chapters that went back into the planter’s past to be interesting. The present day of the story is set during the covid outbreak. The wearing of masks for example is worked into the plot.

The story also puts a big focus on detective Keane. She is struggling with her gender identity grappling with the consequences of transitioning in a society that is unwelcoming. I think this issue was handled well. I particularly liked the way Kevin Xiao responded when he discovered Rosa’s secret. I found Kevin a really interesting character and if the book was to continue into a series I’d love to explore his background some more.

Overall a dark, gripping read.