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The Girl From Kilkenny
Detectives in a sleepy Irish town are baffled by a string of murders and a missing girl
Who was Nancy McBride and where did she disappear to?
The cold-blooded murder of an American tourist in his hotel room has Detectives Hanagan and Molloy looking for a killer and a motive. But when the clues begin to point to the unimaginable, a story of loss, betrayal, and vengeance begins to unfold.
Who was Nancy McBride and where did she disappear to?
The cold-blooded murder of an American tourist in his hotel room has Detectives Hanagan and Molloy looking for a killer and a motive. But when the clues begin to point to the unimaginable, a story of loss, betrayal, and vengeance begins to unfold.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2015
462 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Pete Brassett
33 books183 followersPete Brassett is the author of the best-selling series of detective novels based in and around his native Scotland featuring James Munro and Charlie West.
Following the publication of his debut novel, 'Clam Chowder at Lafayette and Spring', Pete ventured into the world of crime fiction tackling issues like PTSD, religious scandal, and manic depression with the novels 'Kiss the Girls', 'Prayer for the Dying' and 'The Girl From Kilkenny', before moving onto subject matter a little closer to home.
The forging of the Munro and West relationship begins with a fractious encounter in east London where a dissolute West, struggling with personal problems and misogynistic colleagues, is mentored by Munro who, recognising her potential, hoodwinks her into joining him back in Scotland where she flourishes as a first-class, yet ultimately flawed, detective.
Following the publication of his debut novel, 'Clam Chowder at Lafayette and Spring', Pete ventured into the world of crime fiction tackling issues like PTSD, religious scandal, and manic depression with the novels 'Kiss the Girls', 'Prayer for the Dying' and 'The Girl From Kilkenny', before moving onto subject matter a little closer to home.
The forging of the Munro and West relationship begins with a fractious encounter in east London where a dissolute West, struggling with personal problems and misogynistic colleagues, is mentored by Munro who, recognising her potential, hoodwinks her into joining him back in Scotland where she flourishes as a first-class, yet ultimately flawed, detective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 1, 2018
A lot of conversation and an unbelievable story that bordered on ridiculous at times. Why did men just appear next to Nancy/ Kathleen where ever she went? Hotel receptionist in Waterford surely should have remembered the uncle / niece debacle upon hearing his death? Also. Scrapie. Compensation comes from the department of agriculture at market price value. Two stars given for the John B Keane Sive like ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2015
Kept me in suspense the whole time. One of the few books that I couldn't put down til finished. Loved the characters and vivid descriptions. The vernacular was delightful. Although the story let you know who was the murderer and why, I was kept guessing up until the somewhat surprising ending.
November 15, 2015
Unexpected
Gruesome, but interesting storyline. All the characters are well developed. The ending was unexpected. My only criticism is Bassett never explains what set the killer off. Worth reading.
Gruesome, but interesting storyline. All the characters are well developed. The ending was unexpected. My only criticism is Bassett never explains what set the killer off. Worth reading.
October 11, 2015
Enjoyed
Enjoyable read, good story, loved the banter between the cops, give it ago you may enjoy it as much as I did
Enjoyable read, good story, loved the banter between the cops, give it ago you may enjoy it as much as I did
November 29, 2015
Awesome
This was a really good read. It really draws you in once you start reading. It has a surprising ending that I did not expect about the son.
This was a really good read. It really draws you in once you start reading. It has a surprising ending that I did not expect about the son.
October 4, 2015
I really got into this book. Great murder mystery with suspense and twists.
December 21, 2018
This is a new author to me and I'll definitely try another by him. I enjoyed the story BUT the proofreading is lacking. Plus his stories are usually under 200 pages, which is usually my minimum. However, they're only just shy so I was happy to give him a go.
There are some real laugh-out-loud moments in it......even his take on Rudyard Kipling's If at the very start made me chuckle to kick off, which boded well. I wasn't sold on either Hanagan or Molloy's detecting skills, I have to say. They're not the best or brightest by any stretch, though they reside in what sounds like a sleepy little place (as a rule) so could be somewhat excused. Nancy was an intriguing girl, though we didn't really learn as much as we could've done about her.
My main gripe is the missing words from sentences like to/as/at/can/his/of/the/a....It happened the whole way through, driving me to distraction. It seems to occur in so many e-books and I do wish publishers would figure out how to upload books to the digital format without this happening so often. It CAN be fixed as I'll happen across one sometimes that is just perfect, but it's a sad rarity. Another fault was a distinct lack of paragraph breaks which gave me a few very baffling pauses. There were hardly any apostrophe mistakes (ladies' needing one a couple of times) and the odd misuse of commas and that was the lot.
I just hope the next I pick up by him is properly checked and formatted.
There are some real laugh-out-loud moments in it......even his take on Rudyard Kipling's If at the very start made me chuckle to kick off, which boded well. I wasn't sold on either Hanagan or Molloy's detecting skills, I have to say. They're not the best or brightest by any stretch, though they reside in what sounds like a sleepy little place (as a rule) so could be somewhat excused. Nancy was an intriguing girl, though we didn't really learn as much as we could've done about her.
My main gripe is the missing words from sentences like to/as/at/can/his/of/the/a....It happened the whole way through, driving me to distraction. It seems to occur in so many e-books and I do wish publishers would figure out how to upload books to the digital format without this happening so often. It CAN be fixed as I'll happen across one sometimes that is just perfect, but it's a sad rarity. Another fault was a distinct lack of paragraph breaks which gave me a few very baffling pauses. There were hardly any apostrophe mistakes (ladies' needing one a couple of times) and the odd misuse of commas and that was the lot.
I just hope the next I pick up by him is properly checked and formatted.
June 27, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this very different story from the author
I put off reading this book for years as I so much enjoy his other characters. Thought this would not meet my expectations like DI Munro. This takes place in Ireland and wondered if he could get the minor inflections in the language. My family is Irish and I grew up listening to them telling stories and making the best of everything with an old saying or proverb. I was not disappointed and right now think this is one of his best. The manic depressive wife is a great study in how their mind works coupled with her suffering in the past locked up in an asylum. She finally breaks and goes on a killing spree leaving evidence everywhere but it matches nothing. The police are flummoxed and it takes some digging to match the knife to the wound to point them in the right direction. But I really enjoyed the interaction of the father and son and how much they cared for each other and the killer.
I put off reading this book for years as I so much enjoy his other characters. Thought this would not meet my expectations like DI Munro. This takes place in Ireland and wondered if he could get the minor inflections in the language. My family is Irish and I grew up listening to them telling stories and making the best of everything with an old saying or proverb. I was not disappointed and right now think this is one of his best. The manic depressive wife is a great study in how their mind works coupled with her suffering in the past locked up in an asylum. She finally breaks and goes on a killing spree leaving evidence everywhere but it matches nothing. The police are flummoxed and it takes some digging to match the knife to the wound to point them in the right direction. But I really enjoyed the interaction of the father and son and how much they cared for each other and the killer.
June 3, 2018
Naive or cunning
What took me in was that the characters were so simple, straightforward,salt of the earth that the end was completely unexpected. I like a twist but usually see it coming but not in this case. Loved the writing it makes such a change from ex sas heroes of independent financial means being called in to sort things when every avenue has been defeated and the world hangs in the balance. This is an everyday storey of simple people at least that is what you are led to believe and I do mean led by the fecking nose step by step to the end. Well written Mr Brassett
What took me in was that the characters were so simple, straightforward,salt of the earth that the end was completely unexpected. I like a twist but usually see it coming but not in this case. Loved the writing it makes such a change from ex sas heroes of independent financial means being called in to sort things when every avenue has been defeated and the world hangs in the balance. This is an everyday storey of simple people at least that is what you are led to believe and I do mean led by the fecking nose step by step to the end. Well written Mr Brassett
February 25, 2018
Took me by surprise
I was looking for a new read....I saw this title and read the story line. This was not something I would normally even look at. Was i wrong!!! I start reading and did not stop till the end. This was a Great read. I have already ordered two more of Mr. Brassett's novels. I am hooked. While reading the book i felt like I was right there with all the characters.
I was looking for a new read....I saw this title and read the story line. This was not something I would normally even look at. Was i wrong!!! I start reading and did not stop till the end. This was a Great read. I have already ordered two more of Mr. Brassett's novels. I am hooked. While reading the book i felt like I was right there with all the characters.
February 22, 2018
Suspense!
Short book, but don't let that put you off. A good story, written well, and characters explained, and described well. Suspense will keep you reading, and story is well paced! Bodies keep turning up in a small Irish town. They are cut up, and mutilated, but why? Who can be the killer? Police procedural, with likable cops. Love story added along. Eerie!
Short book, but don't let that put you off. A good story, written well, and characters explained, and described well. Suspense will keep you reading, and story is well paced! Bodies keep turning up in a small Irish town. They are cut up, and mutilated, but why? Who can be the killer? Police procedural, with likable cops. Love story added along. Eerie!
January 14, 2020
Not everyone is what they seem.
This book is a departure from the Scottish mysteries I’ve read by this author. The setting is rural Ireland, and the detectives involved in unraveling the mystery don’t have a lot of resources to work with. The characters and their expressions seem spot on, and it was a quite an enjoyable reading experience.
This book is a departure from the Scottish mysteries I’ve read by this author. The setting is rural Ireland, and the detectives involved in unraveling the mystery don’t have a lot of resources to work with. The characters and their expressions seem spot on, and it was a quite an enjoyable reading experience.
January 31, 2022
So-so
Not as good as his series about Scottish cops, which is why I read it. I expected better. It also wasn't proofread very well. I can't stand it when I'm proofreading as I'm teading. That should have been done before I pick it up to read it! I won't be reading anymore of his books!
Not as good as his series about Scottish cops, which is why I read it. I expected better. It also wasn't proofread very well. I can't stand it when I'm proofreading as I'm teading. That should have been done before I pick it up to read it! I won't be reading anymore of his books!
January 22, 2023
I enjoy the writing of Pete Brassett, I've read all the Monro mysteries and several others. This book was more grisly in descriptions than the others, which at first I didn't like but I came to see it was crucial to holding the story together. So I recommend the book if you're prepared for a gruesome read. The plot is intricate and keeps the reader guessing.
March 22, 2018
A good Irish tale
I really enjoyed this story and the way it all came together.
I just wanted to know more what happened next. Did the father stay on the farm. What happened to him?
I really enjoyed this story and the way it all came together.
I just wanted to know more what happened next. Did the father stay on the farm. What happened to him?
December 12, 2018
Great traject love story!
I love the detectives in this book! Funny, witty and clever. Sad love story told in within a beautiful setting. I would love to read more stories with these detectives and their adventures!!
I love the detectives in this book! Funny, witty and clever. Sad love story told in within a beautiful setting. I would love to read more stories with these detectives and their adventures!!
January 26, 2020
Good twists and turns
I liked the twist at the end, I wasn't crazy about the character Nancy, I felt she wasn't as developed as she could have been. It wasn't clear why she didn't kill her husband. I thought that was odd given the representation of her mental state.
I liked the twist at the end, I wasn't crazy about the character Nancy, I felt she wasn't as developed as she could have been. It wasn't clear why she didn't kill her husband. I thought that was odd given the representation of her mental state.
September 13, 2018
Great Story
Another great story by Pete Brassett. Well set in Ireland and good use of the language.Plenty of twists and turns and an unexpected ending.
Another great story by Pete Brassett. Well set in Ireland and good use of the language.Plenty of twists and turns and an unexpected ending.
April 17, 2020
I enjoyed this book and loved the humorous writing , so much so that I actually read excerpts to my husband . Some good characters and a twist at the end makes this well worth a read .
July 29, 2020
A really great story
I found this to be one of the best stories I have recently read. The characters were totally interesting and the ending a real twist.
I found this to be one of the best stories I have recently read. The characters were totally interesting and the ending a real twist.
June 22, 2022
This was a verygood book. Entertaining and exciting.
February 2, 2024
Tis a good yarn
Shocking senseless murders, surely it cannot be little Nancy! A wife who has a very brutal way of having fun. I enjoyed this story full of Irish charm and wit.
Shocking senseless murders, surely it cannot be little Nancy! A wife who has a very brutal way of having fun. I enjoyed this story full of Irish charm and wit.
March 16, 2024
a good little book to read while on a trip in Ireland. a quick read that still manages to keep you guessing, but i must say i do still have some unanswered questions. the Irish dialect was great!
January 10, 2020
A witty take on the murder mystery genre with a great twist at the end.
November 17, 2015
This was a great read with a bit of a twist at the end.
December 27, 2015
Just gave up. Too much dialect and improbable story.
July 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this one.
September 27, 2016
Mainly written in an engaging colloquial style, this book was a great read- full of dark twists, laced with humour which helped lift the mood.
January 16, 2017
Wow, just wow
You will be sure that you know everything, but you don't. Read on till the very last word and be sure that you are sitting down when you get to that word.
You will be sure that you know everything, but you don't. Read on till the very last word and be sure that you are sitting down when you get to that word.
March 22, 2017
Excellent story
This novel is beautifully written, I read it in one sitting, totally entranced.
The prose is more like poetry that grips your soul, that sounds odd to say about a murder investigation, but true.
Read it, you'll understand.
This novel is beautifully written, I read it in one sitting, totally entranced.
The prose is more like poetry that grips your soul, that sounds odd to say about a murder investigation, but true.
Read it, you'll understand.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews