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The Wrath: A completely addictive serial killer thriller
You will not know the day, or the hour, but I am coming for you...
When DS Lucy Golden discovers an abandoned car showing signs of a recent and bloody escape, the race is on to find the injured occupant, who must be somewhere close by on the Irish island of Achill. But when an anoymous threatening note is found in a pool of blood, the search team is briefed to look for a body, rather than a survivor.
Once the victim is revealed as a retired police officer, Lucy and her team are on edge... was the brutal killing an act of personal revenge? Or is the killer making a statement against the wider Gardaí?
Tensions rise as bizarre clues, conflicting witness testimony, viral videos and family feuds send Lucy and her partner Detective Dan Brown across Ireland on the hunt for a vicious murderer. They're feeling the pressure at work and at home... Lucy's son Luc is in a stormy relationship with a wannabe social media influencer, Dan's mother-in-law is conducting a steamy affair under his roof, and Lucy fears that a recent case that got a little too personal could be the cause of her boss DI William's noticeable coldness towards her.
Meanwhile, the killer is only just getting started...
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Readers love the DS Lucy Golden series!
'10 out of 10 - would recommend! Tense, twisty, surprisingly moving!' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'If you want to start a new crime series, make it this one. It's one of the best I've ever read 😍' - Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Brilliant... superb - Lucy Golden is a flawed heroine and mother but a brilliant detective... The plots are gripping and complex and the solutions are believable. Peppered with humour and great characters, these books are a pleasure to read. They deserve all the praise' - Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Taut, gripping, brilliantly plotted. Lucy Golden gets better and better. With each book in this gripping series the reader is drawn in to a deftly spun web of half-truths and hidden betrayals' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'It gripped me right from the start... I could empathise with Lucy, she is very relatable and completely dedicated to finding justice... the descriptive passages pull you right in to Achill island and I found myself transposed right there' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
When DS Lucy Golden discovers an abandoned car showing signs of a recent and bloody escape, the race is on to find the injured occupant, who must be somewhere close by on the Irish island of Achill. But when an anoymous threatening note is found in a pool of blood, the search team is briefed to look for a body, rather than a survivor.
Once the victim is revealed as a retired police officer, Lucy and her team are on edge... was the brutal killing an act of personal revenge? Or is the killer making a statement against the wider Gardaí?
Tensions rise as bizarre clues, conflicting witness testimony, viral videos and family feuds send Lucy and her partner Detective Dan Brown across Ireland on the hunt for a vicious murderer. They're feeling the pressure at work and at home... Lucy's son Luc is in a stormy relationship with a wannabe social media influencer, Dan's mother-in-law is conducting a steamy affair under his roof, and Lucy fears that a recent case that got a little too personal could be the cause of her boss DI William's noticeable coldness towards her.
Meanwhile, the killer is only just getting started...
----------
Readers love the DS Lucy Golden series!
'10 out of 10 - would recommend! Tense, twisty, surprisingly moving!' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'If you want to start a new crime series, make it this one. It's one of the best I've ever read 😍' - Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Brilliant... superb - Lucy Golden is a flawed heroine and mother but a brilliant detective... The plots are gripping and complex and the solutions are believable. Peppered with humour and great characters, these books are a pleasure to read. They deserve all the praise' - Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Taut, gripping, brilliantly plotted. Lucy Golden gets better and better. With each book in this gripping series the reader is drawn in to a deftly spun web of half-truths and hidden betrayals' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'It gripped me right from the start... I could empathise with Lucy, she is very relatable and completely dedicated to finding justice... the descriptive passages pull you right in to Achill island and I found myself transposed right there' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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Published January 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 4, 2026
The Wrath by Martina Murphy published January 2026 with Constable | Little Brown. It is the fifth instalment, and second last book, in this exciting series.
Set in Mayo on the west coast of Ireland, DS Lucy Golden has been witness to, and experienced, many traumatic scenes. Her ability to absorb all she sees has taken its toll, leaving her exhausted and guilty at all times. Lucy lives with her mother, having had no choice but to leave her life in Dublin years previously. Her son, Luc, has his own life to lead but Lucy is always aware of their personal history and how it must have affected him over the years.
While heading home one evening Lucy sees a car abandoned on an isolated stretch of road. Her instinct is to investigate and what she discovers is shocking. A pool of blood, no trace of a body and, following closer examination, a very disconcerting anonymous note. When the team discover that the victim is an ex member of the force, the investigation steps up a notch but with no obvious motive, they have to spread their net a little wider.
Lucy and her co-workers start to unravel a very sinister tale that takes them across borders and counties as the investigation starts to gather momentum. Who is this killer? And is this case linked to any historical ones?
The Wrath is a compelling story set in an area that has seen its fair share of trouble. Lucy Golden is a such an authentic protagonist. She is flawed, guilt-ridden, disillusioned, drained, yet always tries to do her best for her peers, her community and those she loves. She is excellent at her job, respected by most of her colleagues, but Lucy knows that she is hiding a secret, one that could potentially implode and finish her career within the force. This constant feeling of remorse and shame sits on her shoulders at all times. As this current case builds momentum, she has to push all this dread to the back of her mind and continue her search for a sadistic murderer.
Martina Murphy is winding down this series and, although I was late to it I have really enjoyed my time getting to know Lucy Golden. In the final instalment, The Taken, we will see her story pivot but her sense of justice will remain strong.
With multiple red-herrings and a great cast of characters, The Wrath is another engaging and thrilling read, a marvellous addition to this Irish crime fiction series.
Set in Mayo on the west coast of Ireland, DS Lucy Golden has been witness to, and experienced, many traumatic scenes. Her ability to absorb all she sees has taken its toll, leaving her exhausted and guilty at all times. Lucy lives with her mother, having had no choice but to leave her life in Dublin years previously. Her son, Luc, has his own life to lead but Lucy is always aware of their personal history and how it must have affected him over the years.
While heading home one evening Lucy sees a car abandoned on an isolated stretch of road. Her instinct is to investigate and what she discovers is shocking. A pool of blood, no trace of a body and, following closer examination, a very disconcerting anonymous note. When the team discover that the victim is an ex member of the force, the investigation steps up a notch but with no obvious motive, they have to spread their net a little wider.
Lucy and her co-workers start to unravel a very sinister tale that takes them across borders and counties as the investigation starts to gather momentum. Who is this killer? And is this case linked to any historical ones?
The Wrath is a compelling story set in an area that has seen its fair share of trouble. Lucy Golden is a such an authentic protagonist. She is flawed, guilt-ridden, disillusioned, drained, yet always tries to do her best for her peers, her community and those she loves. She is excellent at her job, respected by most of her colleagues, but Lucy knows that she is hiding a secret, one that could potentially implode and finish her career within the force. This constant feeling of remorse and shame sits on her shoulders at all times. As this current case builds momentum, she has to push all this dread to the back of her mind and continue her search for a sadistic murderer.
Martina Murphy is winding down this series and, although I was late to it I have really enjoyed my time getting to know Lucy Golden. In the final instalment, The Taken, we will see her story pivot but her sense of justice will remain strong.
With multiple red-herrings and a great cast of characters, The Wrath is another engaging and thrilling read, a marvellous addition to this Irish crime fiction series.
May 28, 2026
I’ve really enjoyed all of the Lucy Golden series. I find the pacing good and can’t help but binge listen. I enjoy the Irish setting and regular pops of humour as well. Aoife MacMahon does an excellent job at the narration. Highly recommend this police procedural series.
April 21, 2026
mistake page 199 - adam instead of alan
Review of advance copy received from Unabhängige Rezensentinnen und Rezensenten
"The Wrath" by Martina Murphy is the fifth book in the incredibly gripping Irish crime series centred around DS Lucy Golden, and like its predecessors, this novel had me completely hooked and convinced me from the very first page to the last. This time, the story revolves around the search for a missing retired police officer whose blood-smeared car is found abandoned. A frantic hunt begins for both the victim and the motive, but ultimately it is the discovery of an officer who is not even working on the case that finally puts DS Lucy and her team on the right track. The ending, as is always the case in Martina Murphy’s books, is an unbelievably gripping showdown that not only pushed my nerves to their limit but also brought me to tears.
So what is it that makes the DS Lucy Golden crime novels so special to me?
First of all, there is the incredibly tense, action-packed plot, which always delivers unexpected twists and surprises—even on the very last pages, when you already think the case has been wrapped up. In addition, the cases are always logically constructed and plausible.
The characters themselves are exceptionally complex and authentic, and this depth creates a strong connection with the reader. I was able to relate to all of them; some have even become like friends to me—especially Lucy, who is an incredibly brave, likeable, and empathetic woman, and her partner Dan, who never fails to make me smile. The two of them make a truly great team. Their superior, DI Williams, although outwardly cold and distant, has also grown on me over time, as he too has been struggling for years with a terrible loss. I particularly love how the characters’ private lives are woven into the story, which adds a great deal of depth.
And finally, I also adore the author’s wonderfully descriptive narrative style. Achill Island in the west of Ireland rises vividly before the reader’s eyes in all its natural beauty—even in the bleak winter.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this crime series to anyone who loves intelligent, gripping, and action-packed crime novels with depth and likeable, endearing characters. "The Wrath" can certainly be read as a standalone, but I would still recommend starting with the first book, "The Night Caller". Book 6 in this series, "The Taken", will be published in August, and I can hardly wait to dive into another case featuring DS Lucy Golden.
So what is it that makes the DS Lucy Golden crime novels so special to me?
First of all, there is the incredibly tense, action-packed plot, which always delivers unexpected twists and surprises—even on the very last pages, when you already think the case has been wrapped up. In addition, the cases are always logically constructed and plausible.
The characters themselves are exceptionally complex and authentic, and this depth creates a strong connection with the reader. I was able to relate to all of them; some have even become like friends to me—especially Lucy, who is an incredibly brave, likeable, and empathetic woman, and her partner Dan, who never fails to make me smile. The two of them make a truly great team. Their superior, DI Williams, although outwardly cold and distant, has also grown on me over time, as he too has been struggling for years with a terrible loss. I particularly love how the characters’ private lives are woven into the story, which adds a great deal of depth.
And finally, I also adore the author’s wonderfully descriptive narrative style. Achill Island in the west of Ireland rises vividly before the reader’s eyes in all its natural beauty—even in the bleak winter.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this crime series to anyone who loves intelligent, gripping, and action-packed crime novels with depth and likeable, endearing characters. "The Wrath" can certainly be read as a standalone, but I would still recommend starting with the first book, "The Night Caller". Book 6 in this series, "The Taken", will be published in August, and I can hardly wait to dive into another case featuring DS Lucy Golden.
April 28, 2026
Slow start but soon ramps up. The main character Lucy is quite annoying but does grow on you. The plot and twists are exciting leaving you wanting to keep reading.
Chapters are short and sweet which I love. Similar writing style and story to Lesley Mcevoy, lovely easy reading.
Chapters are short and sweet which I love. Similar writing style and story to Lesley Mcevoy, lovely easy reading.
Review of advance copy
Not by any means a perfect crime novel and I’ll get my problems with it out of the way first
- every time any person was interrupted they were interrupted on the word ‘and’. ‘But Dan I’ve said before and -’, ‘I don’t know dear and -’, ‘Luke was upset and -’ it drove me BATTY.
- red fibres at every crime scene? Why was the perp shedding fibre everywhere he went? He wouldn’t have any clothing left on him by the final scene!
- non-leading characters felt underdeveloped. I didn’t really have any interest in Wowzer etc or what machinations were or weren’t going on.
- not enough of Lucy’s mam
The good stuff
- Lucy’s mam
- general sense of the cosy
- dialogue aside from my above comment re the superfluous ‘and’
- well drawn crime aside from the preponderance of red fibres
Overall, enjoyed. Hard to rate non lit fic on good reads, because I have to rate everything on a system of 0 - Americanah. If I was rating this solely against other crime fic I’d rate it higher.
- every time any person was interrupted they were interrupted on the word ‘and’. ‘But Dan I’ve said before and -’, ‘I don’t know dear and -’, ‘Luke was upset and -’ it drove me BATTY.
- red fibres at every crime scene? Why was the perp shedding fibre everywhere he went? He wouldn’t have any clothing left on him by the final scene!
- non-leading characters felt underdeveloped. I didn’t really have any interest in Wowzer etc or what machinations were or weren’t going on.
- not enough of Lucy’s mam
The good stuff
- Lucy’s mam
- general sense of the cosy
- dialogue aside from my above comment re the superfluous ‘and’
- well drawn crime aside from the preponderance of red fibres
Overall, enjoyed. Hard to rate non lit fic on good reads, because I have to rate everything on a system of 0 - Americanah. If I was rating this solely against other crime fic I’d rate it higher.
Review of advance copy
UK and Ireland edition from public library (not a pre -published version).
Recommend avoiding any reviews with even hints of spoilers!! I'll just say that if you enjoyed the other Lucy Golden ones you'll love this. Maybe the best one yet .. I found the writing tighter and the story gripping the whole way through. More focused on the police case and less on the personal life than some other books.
Recommend avoiding any reviews with even hints of spoilers!! I'll just say that if you enjoyed the other Lucy Golden ones you'll love this. Maybe the best one yet .. I found the writing tighter and the story gripping the whole way through. More focused on the police case and less on the personal life than some other books.
January 23, 2026
Listened on audible as I could not wait for the actual book. As usual superb read.
The location is Achill island in the west of ireland, it is spooky and eerie and it is just the place for a serial killer. But this one is not just killing random people, he has a plan.
It is really great and kept me guessing.
Plus there was a death which was unexpected and really sad, so it shows how invested I was in the characters.
I flew through it.
Roll on the next one.
The location is Achill island in the west of ireland, it is spooky and eerie and it is just the place for a serial killer. But this one is not just killing random people, he has a plan.
It is really great and kept me guessing.
Plus there was a death which was unexpected and really sad, so it shows how invested I was in the characters.
I flew through it.
Roll on the next one.
February 7, 2026
A great instalment in this fantastic series. Love Lucy Golden and her team!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews