The Family Secret: Completely gripping crime fiction with a jaw-dropping twist

by Patricia Gibney

Genres: Procedural

503 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 19, 2026

About the author

My 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.

Reviews

[Shannon Moeser · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE FAMILY SECRET is #16 in the D.I. Lottie Parker series. When I requested this one from NetGalley, and while I was reading it, I thought that this was the first Lottie Parker story I had read. I couldn't remember encountering Lottie, her family, or any of her Garda team members before. However, after finishing, I discovered that I had read and reviewed #10 in the series four years ago. I discovered that that four-year-old review was eerily similar to how I felt after reading the latest instalment in the series, although the crime being investigated was completely different, and Lottie's family situation had obviously changed since that earlier novel.

What I said then, and what I felt after completing THE FAMILY SECRET, was almost identical. The narrative alternates between a convoluted murder investigation and the ups-and-downs of the personal lives of DI Lottie Parker and her investigative team. Both storylines were fascinating and both moved at a fast pace.

The criminal investigation begins with the death of a family—father, mother, and daughter, Freya—dead on the morning after Freya's 12th birthday party, the bodies scattered amongst deflated balloons and abandoned party supplies. At first glance, it looks like the father strangled his wife and daughter and then committed suicide. There were possible motives for this scenario—the family was spending more money than the father was making. However, Lottie senses that something was wrong with this explanation, and soon is following multiple leads, as well as searching for Freya's best friend, Lily, and Lily's mother, both of whom disappeared the day after the murders. I definitely did not guess how the multiple strands connected until the end, and was genuinely surprised when the killer was unmasked. I could not believe the evil uncovered by Lottie's investigation. After examining my review for #10 in the series, it seems that truly "evil" characters play a major role in the Lottie Parker series.

Although I couldn't remember anything about Lottie's family or team members, essentially reading this part of the narrative as a standalone, I had no trouble following their relationships. Lottie's daughter Chloe, who is training to be a police Garda like her mother, plays a major role in the story, by (1) helping focus the crime investigation in the right direction, and (2) finding herself entangled in the manipulations of one of her mother's (disliked) team members.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading THE FAMILY SECRET and plan to read some other instalments in the series.

Thanks to Bookouture for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for an earlier book in this series:
Little Bones (D.I. Lottie Parker, #10)
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[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Family Secret is the sixteenth instalment in the Lottie Parker series by Patricia Gibney. This is an high-stakes mystery that begins in the wreckage of a celebration. The Family Secret is a visceral reminder that the most dangerous secrets are often those kept behind the closed doors of a happy home.

An atmospheric scene where deflated balloons litter the floor and sandwiches curl on abandoned plates, a shocking contrast to the scenes normally encountered at birthday parties. Detective Lottie Parker arrives to find twelve-year-old Freya Healey and her mother dead on their beds, murdered just after the last guest departed.

The tragedy hits Lottie with a “wave of sorrow” as she holds the young girl’s hand, vowing to find justice. But in Ragmullin, justice is never a straight line, and the Healey family has taken their deepest secrets to the grave. The investigation quickly centres on Freya’s best friend, Lily. The young girl was a guest at the party and, crucially, changed her mind about a sleepover at the last minute, a decision that likely saved her life but left her traumatized. Shy, tearful, and guarded by an “over-protective mother,” Lily is clearly hiding something. Before Lottie can gently coax the truth from her, the stakes skyrocket: Lily is stolen from her home. The killer isn’t just silencing witnesses; they are cleaning up loose ends.

As Lottie digs into the history of both families, she uncovers a link between Lily’s father and Freya’s mother that “chills her to the bone.” Lottie must find answers quickly to save more lives. What was the Healey family secret that led to their execution? Is Lily’s disappearance a result of what she saw, or what her family has been hiding for years? Can Lottie find the truth before another innocent life is extinguished?

I really enjoyed this latest book, with Lottie having to hunt for a killer as well as searching for a missing child. Neighbourhood friendships are put under the microscope as well as exploring the lengths parents will go to “protect” their children from the truth. The Family Secret is a very good police procedural that kept me hooked and guessing all the way through the novel. A story about the heavy price of silence and the devastating ripple effects of a long-buried truth.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed several books in this series, but apparently I’ve missed a very important recent installment – I got the shock of my life when I learned in this, the 16th book, that Detective Lottie Parker of Ragmullin, Ireland, and her significant other, police partner and Detective Mark Boyd, have parted ways personally. No, no – that can’t be, I said to myself. But alas, it’s true – and I’m not happy about it.

But life goes on for both, and somehow they’re still not only on speaking, but decent working terms now. That’s good, because their next case looks to be a doozy. The day after a backyard birthday party to honor their young daughter, parents Caroline and Cameron Healy and their daughter Freya are found dead in the house; at first blush, it appears the father killed his wife and daughter and then took his own life. Lottie and Boyd, though, are not so sure, especially given the clothing the female victims were wearing. They look into the somewhat off-kilter relationship between the Healys and neighbors Thomas and Sadie Clark (their daughter Lily is Freya’s best friend who nearly stayed the night but instead got dragged home by her parents).

That lead turns nearly impossible to follow up, though, when both Sadie and Lily go missing. Still other clues, like backyard party suppliers being asked to return to “check” the equipment, pop up, confusing the issue even more. Then, Lottie’s daughter Chloe, who’s in training to be a police garda like her mom and Boyd (for the record, the latter’s helping Chloe in that direction is the main reason Lottie and Boyd broke up), finds a clue from long ago that may just be what they need to solve the case. Getting that information to her mother, though, hits an unexpected and shocking roadblock that made my jaw drop (and no doubt will be visited again in the next book in the series. Especially in this case, I can hardly wait to see if a certain someone gets a well-deserved comeuppance. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to enjoy this one by way of a pre-release review copy. Good job once again!

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a complicated relationship with this series. In the early books I have to admit rolling my eyes at a certain something that kept happening which put me on the back foot. After a few books, this niggle disappeared and we have been cooking on gas ever since... Sadly, this has started to creep back in - I can't expand on what it is, due to spoilers, only that it irks me... Which in itself wouldn't have necessarily warranted more than a dramatic eye roll but there is something else linked that kinda jarred with me a bit... All a bit cloak and dagger, I'm sorry, but I have to be honest
Anyway... in this, her 16th outing, we start with Lottie and Boyd still split up, Chloe has started her Garda training, and Lottie's mum's health is deteriorating. So I guess she is relieved when a case comes in for her to get her teeth into / keep her mind active. Sadly, it's a nasty one. Just after her 12th birthday, Freya and her parents are murdered. To compound the issue, Freya's best friend Lily is missing. Swiftly followed by her mother. To say the investigation is a bit of a mess is an understatement with only what looks like tenuous leads. Breaks are followed by dead ends and the frustration increases, along with the fear for the missing mum and daughter.
Outwith all the Chloe stuff, I really enjoyed this book. The case was all things convoluted and interconnected and the connections that went way back in time were all well crafted and the whole narrative expertly executed. Obviously you'll have a much better time if you have been with the series from the off, character backstory and development wise - as with all series - but the main story is self contained and, cliff-hanger aside, did leave me satisfied. As you would expect, there's a whole bunch of secrets, lies, and dysfunctional behaviour to cut through, to get to the eventual truth.
The Chloe stuff, well, least said about that the better for me, especially the cliff hanger! Will I read the next book - you betcha - but not cos of the cliff hanger! But hopefully it will be resolved quickly in the next book...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Family Secret opens on a scene that lingers long after you’ve turned the page — the remnants of a child’s birthday party scattered across the floor, and a family silenced in the rooms beyond. It’s a jarring, heartbreaking contrast, and Patricia Gibney uses it to pull you straight into Detective Lottie Parker’s world, where grief and determination sit side by side.

Lottie’s arrival at the Healey home is one of the most affecting moments in the book. There’s a tenderness in the way she takes Freya’s hand, a quiet promise that this little girl won’t be forgotten. From there, the investigation unfolds with the kind of steady, mounting tension that Gibney does so well. Every interview, every hesitant answer, every evasive glance adds another thread to a web that feels increasingly tangled.

Lily, Freya’s best friend, becomes the fragile centre of the story — a child who knows more than she can say, shadowed by a mother who seems desperate to keep the past at bay. When Lily disappears, the novel shifts into a sharper, breathless gear. The sense of time slipping away is palpable, and Lottie’s urgency becomes your own.

What really stands out is the emotional complexity woven through the mystery. The connection between the two families is revealed piece by piece, each discovery darker than the last, and the question of who is lying — and why — becomes as gripping as the hunt for the missing girl. Gibney balances the procedural elements with a deep understanding of human fear, guilt, and the secrets people will bury to protect themselves.
This is a tense, addictive thriller that keeps its heart at the forefront. Lottie’s compassion, her fierce drive to protect the vulnerable, and her refusal to look away from the hardest truths make the story resonate beyond its twists.

A gripping, emotionally charged page‑turner perfect for fans of Rachel McLean and Kendra Elliott — and one that will leave you reading far later into the night than you planned.

With thanks to Patricia Gibney, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Alison Taylor-Muhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love a new Lottie Parker book: Lottie and the team are like friends, as I have read the series from the very beginning. Whilst this is book sixteen, and I feel it would read well as a standalone, I do recommend starting from the first novel, so you fully understand and appreciate the characters and their backstories, plus you’d be reading fifteen incredible books!

As I expected, ‘The Family Secret’ is a great read. A disturbing mystery unfolds following the murder of Freya Healey and her parents, on the night of Freya’s 12th birthday party. Lottie and her team are immediately thrown into a complex and heartrending investigation where everyone seems to be hiding something. The question of who is lying (and why!) becomes as engrossing as the murders. There was a lot to keep track of in terms of family members, their history and how they blend, but the writing is so engaging it succeeded in drawing me deeper and deeper into their circle of secrets and deception, I needed to know the truth.

There have been a lot of changes to Lottie’s homelife: Chloe has gone off to Garda Training College in Templemore, Sean has also gone to college and is staying with Boyd’s sister, Grace and her husband. Which leaves Lottie to cope with her eldest daughter and grandson and from time to time, her mother, Rose whose dementia seems to be worsening – all without Boyd by her side. It is due to Chloe being at Templemore, that she becomes aware of a 20-year-old murder which bears striking similarities to the current Ragmullin murders. As Chloe begins investigating, she inadvertently puts herself in grave danger. This book proves once again, that the author is a master at balancing police procedural portions with more emotionally charged elements.

All in all, this is a gripping, emotional and pacy read that keeps you hooked from beginning to end - and what an ending. I am already excited for the next one.

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found The Family Secret to be everything I was hoping for and so much more, having read all the previous books by Patricia Gibney I genuinely couldn’t wait to get back to Lottie Parker and see where her journey would take her next… and wow, this did not disappoint. Patricia Gibney has absolutely done it again.
From the very first scene, a child’s birthday party turning into something unthinkably tragic I was completely hooked and didn’t stop reading until the last page! The contrast between the innocence of the setting and the horror of what followed was chilling, and it set the tone for a case that felt darker more emotional and more complex than ever. Lottie’s determination to uncover the truth, especially with a missing child now in danger, made the stakes feel incredibly real.
What I loved most is how layered this story was. Every character seemed to be hiding something, every lead raised more questions, and just when I thought I had a handle on it.. boom…another twist pulled the rug out from under me. The connections between the families, the buried secrets, the lies all built into something so gripping I genuinely couldn’t stop reading.
And Lottie well she just keeps getting better. You feel her drive, her compassion, and that relentless need for justice, especially when children are involved. It adds such an emotional depth to the story that really stays with you.
This was fast-paced, heartbreaking, twisty and completely addictive I flew through it and didn’t want it to end. The tension builds perfectly and that ending? Absolutely brilliant.
A must-read for fans of the series and crime lovers alike this was easily one of the strongest instalments yet. I already cannot wait for the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC being back with Lottie Parker is always a privilege, and this one was exceptional. 📚✨

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite detectives. Lottie Parker.
Boyd has broken up with her due to her passion for her work - it comes first for her he says, before her family and her relationship.
In this book, I can see exactly what he means. She ignores Chloe's phone calls and just gets on with what she is busy doing.
Yes, she tries to do everything herself, and should delegate. So Boyd is right in what he says.
But!! She is a damned good detective. Her hunches and feelings that things are not quite right force her to delve deeper.
Her home life is chaotic. Her mother, Rose, an argumentative dementia patient is really giving Lottie grey hair.
However, there should be trigger warnings. GBV for a start.
Gory murders involving children. As well as other intstances involving children. Ugh!! But I do know it is necessary for the plot - but I just get the chills from reading about it. I don't want to give the whole plot away.
Chloe is instrumental in helping solve the case, with dire consequences with the brute that she contacted to obtain information about a cold case she found.

There are so many lies that are told that throw Lottie into the wrong direction, and links to the past as well.
The story has so many layers and so many twists.
Patricia Gibney certainly knows how to keep readers absolutely glued to the pages.
The tension is palpable, the pace is fast. The team characters are relatable. They are like family to me (apart from one), after reading the series from the beginning.
As with the entire series, I enjoyed this book immensely and could not put it down.
I just didn't like the unresolved ending! But yes, it will make good reading in the next Lottie Parker instalment.
A solid 5/5 stars from me.

[Nerys Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Lottie Parker is still trying to navigate her way through life following her break up from her fiance and colleague Mark Boyd. Her daughter Chloe is training to join the Gardai, her son Sean is living with Boyd's sister Grace while he attends college. Only older daughter Katie and her son Louis are still at home although Katie is out almost every night and can seem to keep a job for very long. Her mother Rose is becoming harder to care for as her Alzheimer's disease progresses.

When Lottie and her team are called to a murder scene it seems to be an open and shut case of familicide. Mother and daughter, Carolyn and Freya Healey, are both dead on their beds upstairs; apparently strangled, and husband and father Cameron is downstairs in the lounge with what appears to be a self-inflicted knife wound. But something seems off to Lottie and soon the pathologist Jane Dore agrees with her. When the team then have to investigate the disappearance of Freya's best friend Lily Clarke, quickly followed by the disappearance of her mother Sadie. While at the training college Chloe realises that the Healey case reminds her of a cold case they have been studying and contacts one of Lottie's team to get more information. Unfortunately for Chloe her actions lead to some unforeseen consequences and ultimately danger.

Once again, as with the others in this series, I started reading and couldn't put it down. Great story. Plenty of twists to keep you guessing and the side story involving Chloe make it a real page-turner.

Thanks to Netgalley UK, Bookouture and Patricia Gibney for the eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[Mvm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping Mystery with Twists at Every Turn: The Family Secret opens with a haunting scene that lingers long after the first chapter—a child’s birthday party left in disarray and a family mysteriously silenced. It’s both jarring and heartbreaking, immediately pulling me in and making me eager to uncover what happened.

This is my first Lottie Parker novel, and it definitely won’t be my last. That said, for much of the book, I didn’t find many of the characters particularly likable, which was a bit disconcerting at first. There is some redemption in the later chapters, but it took time to get there.

Lottie Parker is a relentless detective who refuses to give up, even when the case seems impossible. The story centers on the murder of an entire family after a birthday party, which may be connected to a similar tragedy involving another family. As the investigation unfolds, the connection between the two cases is revealed piece by piece—each discovery darker than the last.

What really stands out is the emotional complexity woven throughout the mystery. The twists and turns keep coming, raising constant questions about who is telling the truth and what might be a red herring. I started reading and couldn’t put it down—an engaging story with plenty of surprises to keep you guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this honest, personal, and unbiased review.

[Sandie McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, and Lottie Parker who I feel I know very well this latest instalment absolutely gripped me from the start I absolutely loved it.

The chilling contrast between a joyful birthday party and the brutal murder of an entire family sets the tone perfectly. When Detective Lottie Parker arrives at the scene, the emotional weight of the case really comes through, especially in the moments where she connects with young Freya. It adds a deeply human element to what is already a shocking crime as she thinks of her own family.

The investigation quickly becomes tense and with secrets unraveling at every turn. and it keeps you guessing throughout. Just as the story builds momentum, the disappearance of Lilly and her mother raises the stakes even higher, making it impossible to put the book down.

As Lottie digs deeper, the connections between the families add a darker, more complex edge to the story. You’re constantly questioning who can be trusted, and every revelation pulls you further in.

I would like to see Lottie and Boyd back together I think they make a great partnership. I’ll just have to hope and keep reading.

Overall, this is a gripping, emotional, and fast-paced thriller that keeps you hooked until the very end. A brilliant addition to the series and what a cliffhanger can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoutre for an ARC

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Family Secret (Detective Lottie Parker Book 16) by Patricia Gibney is an emotionally charged addition to the series. A chilling mystery unfolds around the tragic death of Freya Healey and her parents, just after she celebrated her 12th birthday. Detective Lottie Parker is once again at her best as she navigates the complexities of this heart-wrenching case. There was a lot to keep track of in terms of family ties and history, but the plot twists were done well and kept me guessing. The author's writing is atmospheric and engaging, drawing me deeper into these characters' unsettling world of hidden truths and dangerous secrets. The pacing is steady, allowing for a gradual build-up of tension that culminates in a shocking climax. I was so intrigued by Chloe's storyline as well and am looking forward to seeing how that all plays out in Book 17!

Overall, The Family Secret is a good thriller and a must-read for fans of the series and anyone who loves a well-crafted mystery that resonates on an emotional level. The author delivered a great story that showcases her talent for storytelling, making this book hard to put down. I would recommend this book and this series.

#TheFamilySecret #NetGalley @bookouture

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 16 of the Detective Lottie Parker series which is set in Ragmullin in Ireland. You can read as a standalone but it’s such a good series I would definitely recommend you read them all! Lottie’s chaotic life continues as she struggles between her home life and police work. As always well written and compulsive.

Briefly, the latest call out is to an apparent double murder and suicide of a family, mother, father and 12 year old Freya, after Freya’s birthday party. Lottie interviews Freya’s best friend Lily and is later horrified to receive a call from Lily’s mother saying Lily is missing. Before long Lottie’s eldest daughter Chloe, a Garda trainee, spots comparisons with a 20 year old similar case. However Chloe’s involvement soon puts her in the face of danger.

This is a dark and chilling police procedural thriller where the tension is heightened by the need to find the missing child. It’s good to see that Lottie and Boyd are still able to work together well despite the split up in their personal life. The hidden secrets behind these terrible crimes is both shocking and heartbreaking. I really do love this series, every one is full of twists and turns, plenty of suspense and good police procedural detail. Fantastic read.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Lottie Parker and her dysfunctional family since I came across the first book a good few years ago now and a new book in the series is always a gift. Book 16 The Family Secret is no different. A good juicy story to get your teeth into. Boyd and Lottie falling out but really meant to be together. The kids causing problems but knowing Lottie loves them to bits. I especially love the relationship Lottie has with Rose her mother. Caring for a parent with dementia is never easy and with everything else Lottie has going on......! All these characters are written so well they feel like family. It might be a year, or more, but it feels like yesterday since you last heard from them. The storylines are always strong and pull no punches. Always leaving us eager for the next installment. From one Patricia to another please don't stop writing about Lottie for a long time yet. I'd miss her like I'd miss my best friend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Cindieslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to the "Arsehole of nowhere." 🇮🇪🕵️‍♀️
​
Life at the Parker residence is anything but quiet! With the kids moving out and Rose’s health declining, Lottie barely has time to breathe before she’s called to the most gruesome scene yet. 😱
​A family dead. A birthday party turned into a nightmare. A scene so perfectly staged it’ll make your skin crawl...

​Patricia Gibney really turned up the heat in The Family Secret. I loved that the focus stayed laser-sharp on the investigation this time! Between missing persons, cold case connections, and a "shite show" of a case that hits way too close to home for Lottie’s team, I absolutely could not put this down.

Vibe: Dark, twisty, and breathless.
​Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

​Warning: That cliffhanger is going to haunt me!

What’s the last book that had you shouting at the ending? I need some serious support while I wait for the next Lottie Parker installment! 👇💬

Want to read my full review on this book? You can find it here! https://cindieslibrary.com/the-family...

[Melanie Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first of the DI Lottie Parker series and wow I have definitely been missing out.

The plot was so good and the characters well developed. I am looking forward to going back to the start to see this development as well as read about some of the events that have shaped Lottie Parker and her team.

At first the deaths of the Healey family after 12 year old Freya’s birthday party look to be a case of murder-suicide with the father Cameron the believed perpetrator but after the disappearance of Freya’s best friend Lily and links are found to another case the team start to look elsewhere. Digging into the past reveals family secrets and uncover something sinister.

Alongside the case Lottie is dealing with her mother Rose’s declining health, her ex moving back in and her daughter Chloe hiding a secret of her own.

There’s lots going on in both the case and the personal life of Lottie which kept me gripped throughout. I’m looking forward to reading the next one and catching up on the previous 15 books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s nice to be back with Patricia Gibney and the Lottie Parker series. Family secret Is book 16 in fabulous series.
A Young girl celebrates her birthday with balloons and a bouncy castle. The next day herself and her whole family are dead. At first glance, the father has killed them and then committed suicide. But, after DI Lottie Parker speaks to the friend of the little girl, she realises that there is something more sinister at play.
While emotions are high because of the nature of the case. Lottie thinks about her own family and her feelings after the breakup with Boyd. But still under the same roof due to Boyd’s house being flooded.
Once again, Patricia Gibeny writes another gripping unputdownable read, with all the characters we come to know and love, this has a fast-paced storyline that will keep you guessing and guessing throughout and left a cliff hanger at the end which I will wait in anticipation what happens in the next book. I hope Lottie and Boyd reunite as I think they are made for each other. 5 stars from me.

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Gibney surpasses herself in the brilliant sixteenth DI Lottie Parker book. If I could I'd give it a ten-star rating!
The relentless, exhausting investigation into a family’s death after a child's birthday party is incredibly dark and tense, featuring a plot so twisty I was turning the pages into the wee small hours.
Every time I thought I understood the mystery, the story spun in a new direction.
Lottie shines with never ending determination, profound empathy and the ability to connect with the human cost of crime, proving why she is a standout character.
The fantastic teamwork (apart from McKeown), Lottie’s ever evolving relationship with Boyd and her family dynamic provide heart and a grounded contrast to the gritty nature of the crimes.
With a vicious final twist that I never saw coming, this is an absolute must-read for crime thriller fans. I am already desperate for the next instalment in this amazing series.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. This is my own opinion.

[toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟
While the family secret is one part of a 16 book long series, it can be read as a standalone, which is what I did. However the quality of writing and overall interesting, thrilling plot has lead me to want to read the entire series.

This book will have you gripped, with captivating plot twists featured in pretty much every chapter, enticing you from the very first page. From secrets to lies and connections between all characters, this book has everything needed to have you hooked from the very start. If you’re a fan of thrillers that feature jaw dropping twists and turns this is the perfect book.

Overall, this book is a page turner which gets you attached to all of the main characters while simultaneously building doubt in your mind about them. The ending was absolutely insane and unexpected and the cliffhanger actually ate I am now desperately awaiting the next book!

Thank you netgalley for access to this arc!

[Judy Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Family Secret is a heart pounding relentless mix of secrets and lies with a twist you wont see coming.

The plot is intense, fast paced and gut wrenching.

Lottie Parker is facing her toughest case yet when she is called out to the gruesome murder of an entire family.

Then a missing child and her mother.

The team is scrambling and pulled in all directions racing the clock.

Everyone looks suspicious to the team.

No one is who the seem to be.

This is my favourite Lottie Parker book to date and I could not put it down.

Patricia Gibney takes the reader down a twisted road that has mant paths . I wondered how it woud all come together but it did beautifully.

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Clear your schedule and hope no one interrupts you as delve into The Family Secret.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for another amazing and gripping read in the Lottie Parker series.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow! This book was insanely good, straight out of the gate it was fast paced and didn’t let up until the end. There is a lot going on, murder, family tragedies, loads of suspects. I had to put my detective hat on and no I didn’t guess the bad guy! It really keeps your mind guessing and changing as evidence gets uncovered and people get killed or arrested. Lottie is fabulous, she is so chaotic and real you can’t help but like her. Plenty of family stuff going on in this one, can Lottie and Boyd sort it out before her family gets affected? I truly believe that each book gets better than the last. I need book 17 quickly as Patricia left us with a bit of a cliffhanger!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my review. Publication date 19 May 2026.

[Fiha Febiala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Patricia Gibney book and honestly? What a way to start! The good news for anyone in the same boat — this works completely fine as a standalone, so don't let the #16 scare you off.

The story opens with an immediate gut punch: Freya and her parents are found dead in unsettling circumstances, just a day after throwing a birthday party. Right away I was suspicious of everyone. Detective Lottie and her team start piecing things together and I was fully invested from page one.
I'll be real though — somewhere in the middle (roughly 30–65%) the investigation started to feel a bit circular and I found myself drifting a little. It picks back up beautifully around the 70% mark though, and from there it does NOT let go.

What surprised me most was how dark this got. I thought I had it figured out early on, but the twists — especially what unfolds around Freya — genuinely caught me off guard. This book went places I did not see coming and I am still thinking about it.

If you love atmospheric crime fiction with real emotional weight, give this one a go. I'll definitely be going back to read more of the series!

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book sixteen in the Detective Lottie Parker series but the first one I have read. I have a sneaky feeling I would have liked it even more than I did if I had read the earlier books.

As my first introduction to Lottie Parker I actually found her irritating. So much talk about being devoted to her daughter and yet she could not even find the time to return her calls. Of course not doing so furthered the plot. Nevertheless it was a great and very convoluted mystery - so twisty that I still struggled to get my head around it even after it had all been explained.

I really liked many of the characters and would certainly be happy to read more about them. The series is going on my TBR list now so I can go back to where it all began.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this eARC.

If, somehow, you enjoy police procedurals and you have overlooked this outstanding series by Patricia Gibney, pick up a copy of this book - I can almost guarantee you will become addicted. This series is reminiscent of the Jane Tennison Prime Suspect series by Lynda La Plante and that indeed, sets a high bar.

If you already a fan, then pick up a copy of The Family Secret by Patricia Gibney is the most exciting Lottie Parker novel yet, and the ending will have you waiting on tenterhooks for the next installment as crime hits close to home for our favorite overwhelmed detective.

Patricia Gibney's Lottie Parker series just keeps improving, and this new offering, The Family Secret will leave you clamouring for more!

[Louise Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

A young girl celebrates her birthday with a party. The next day she’s dead. Did her dad kill her and her mum or is detective Lottie Parker looking for someone else?

Wow this was explosive! From start to finish it was packed with action and with one amazing cliffhanger, I need the next one immediately! Love the characters in this series, Lottie is completely unpolished and has a hectic life. She’s relatable with so much going on both at work and in her personal life. This whole series keeps me glued as I never know what is coming next. Highly recommend this one and the whole series!

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 16 in the DI Lottie Parker series and yet again it’s an absolute thriller of a read . So many twists and turns that left me stuck for words at times
. I honestly had no clue who could be trusted or who was actually telling the truth. This is such a great and unputdownable read that I finished in just a few days . I feel like Lottie , her family and her work team have become friends of mine as I get so immersed in this series . After the ending of this book I’m so excited for book seventeen as I know it will be another amazing read and hoping that a certain someone will finally get their comeuppance

[Karen McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 16th book in the Detective Lottie Parker series which is set in Ireland.
This is one of my favourite series and I think this book is the best one yet. Lottie and her team are investigating the death of a family following a children’s birthday party. There are lots of twists and turns as they try to see if there are any links to a similar event in the past. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to see how things progress with one of her team as unanswered questions are left at the end of the book.

[Alison Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

#TheFamilySecret #NetGalley I love this series and this new instalment went straight to the top of my "to be read" pile. This is the 16th book in the series and whilst perfectly capable of being read as a standalone, I think the reader would get more enjoyment knowing the back story of the main characters - Lottie and her family, Boyd, etc. Full of action from the first page, with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. A little bit of a cliff-hanger at the end leaves me desperate to read book 17 in the series!! An excellent 5 stars

[Cathy Beyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't go wrong with Patricia Gibney's Lottie Parker series. With this last instalment she delivers another page turner with a plot that keeps you guessing until almost the last page. The story gets to be at bit disturbing at times, but unfortunately for all of us, so does reality and the secrets that certain families have buried. It is definitely a worthy successor to the last one. As usual, it is better read in sequence so if you haven't read any of the other books in the series, I envy you, because you can start at the beginning and have a lot to look forward to.

[Brittany Selken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing thriller book to read and I ate this whole book up in one sitting if that tells you anything. I was so shocked to see the outcome of the crime that had taken place in this book my jaw dropped in the ending like what the heck I didn’t see that one coming at all. This thriller is a very fast paced story and you don’t want to put it down once you started it I telling that that. I can’t wait to read more of this series and start from the very beginning and read more from this author.