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Cathy Connolly #1
Little Bones
For fans of Alex Barclay and Niamh O'Connor, Little Bones introduces Cathy Connolly, a bright young heroine set to take the world of crime fiction by storm.
Twenty-four-year-old Garda Cathy Connolly might be a fearless kick-boxing champion but when she discovers a baby's bones concealed in the hem of a wedding dress, the case becomes personal.
For artist Zoe Grant, the bones are another mysterious twist in her mother's disappearance. Then her grandmother, head of the Grant Valentine department store empire is found dead, and a trail of secrets is uncovered that threatens to shake a dynasty.
In a story that moves from London's East End to the Las Vegas mafia, one thing is certain - for Cat, life will never be the same again.
'Instantly gripping, perfectly paced, and filled with a brilliant cast of characters, led by the utterly likeable and relatable Detective Cathy Connolly . . . from the murky depths of these buried secrets comes an ending that truly shines.' - Alex Barclay
Twenty-four-year-old Garda Cathy Connolly might be a fearless kick-boxing champion but when she discovers a baby's bones concealed in the hem of a wedding dress, the case becomes personal.
For artist Zoe Grant, the bones are another mysterious twist in her mother's disappearance. Then her grandmother, head of the Grant Valentine department store empire is found dead, and a trail of secrets is uncovered that threatens to shake a dynasty.
In a story that moves from London's East End to the Las Vegas mafia, one thing is certain - for Cat, life will never be the same again.
'Instantly gripping, perfectly paced, and filled with a brilliant cast of characters, led by the utterly likeable and relatable Detective Cathy Connolly . . . from the murky depths of these buried secrets comes an ending that truly shines.' - Alex Barclay
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2016
108 people are currently reading
1406 people want to read
About the author
Sam Blake
12 books338 followersJoin Sam's Readers’ Club and get a free e-copy of her addictive thriller ‘High Pressure’! Info at www.samblakebooks.com
Sam Blake has been writing fiction since 1999 when her husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks and she had an idea for a book.
Her debut novel 'Little Bones' (Bonnier 2016) was a runaway bestseller. Across all her books Sam has been an Eason No 1 bestseller an Irish Times No 1 and shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards (in the crime or teen categories) five times. 2023 saw her multiple award shortlisted YA debut Something Terrible Happened Last Night hit the shelves. In 2024 Something's About to Blow Up won Irish Teen/YA Book of the Year.
Moving away from police procedurals, now writing 'deliciously twisted' (Daily Mail) bestselling psychological thrillers, Sam's focus is on strong female characters and 'creating genuine page turners with metronomic timing.' (Sunday Business Post).
Sam is originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire but has lived at the foot of the Wicklow mountains, for more years than she lived in the UK. Follow her on social @samblakebooks.
Visit www.samblakebooks.com for more!
Sam Blake has been writing fiction since 1999 when her husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks and she had an idea for a book.
Her debut novel 'Little Bones' (Bonnier 2016) was a runaway bestseller. Across all her books Sam has been an Eason No 1 bestseller an Irish Times No 1 and shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards (in the crime or teen categories) five times. 2023 saw her multiple award shortlisted YA debut Something Terrible Happened Last Night hit the shelves. In 2024 Something's About to Blow Up won Irish Teen/YA Book of the Year.
Moving away from police procedurals, now writing 'deliciously twisted' (Daily Mail) bestselling psychological thrillers, Sam's focus is on strong female characters and 'creating genuine page turners with metronomic timing.' (Sunday Business Post).
Sam is originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire but has lived at the foot of the Wicklow mountains, for more years than she lived in the UK. Follow her on social @samblakebooks.
Visit www.samblakebooks.com for more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
April 27, 2017
This is an atmospheric and enthralling crime fiction debut by Sam Blake. It centres on Cathy 'Cat' Connelly, a 24 year old, kick boxing, Irish detective. Set primarily in Dublin, Cat is at the scene of a house that has been broken into and vandalised. It belongs to artist and florist, Zoe Grant, who the day before had spied a suspicious man outside and reported him. In the hem of a wedding dress, Cat finds little bones of a new born child. Cat's boss, DI Dawson O'Rourke, has the headache of trying to locate an American fugitive, Angel Hierra, who has entered Ireland illegally. Hierra is wanted by the FBI for two murders. So begins a dark and twisted investigation of family dysfunctionality, and secrets that begin to emerge after decades in the closet.
Cat is beating herself up about her unplanned pregnancy, overflowing with Catholic guilt and feeling surrounded by the fires of hell. Morning sickness and uncertainty as how to resolve the issue plagues Cat throughout. This case has personal connections with her situation. Zoe Grant is on the cusp of her first art exhibition, and seems to know nothing of the bones sewn in the hem. She claims that it is her mother's wedding dress and she hasn't seen her since she was a small child. Her grandmother, Lavinia, is found dead by Trish O'Sullivan on the same night as the break in. O'Rourke and Cat do not believe this is a coincidence and Zoe's life begins to unravel. In London, occupational therapist, Emily Cox' finds herself drawn to and taking care of a confused and traumatised elderly woman, Mary, suffering from dementia and other mental health issues. The woman talks of friends, family and love interests in Dublin and being thrown out of her home many years ago. In an effort to help Mary, Emily and her husband, Tony, bring her to Dublin. Mary and Angel Hierra turn out to have connections with the investigation into the little bones.
This is a well plotted story told through multiple perspectives. The pieces of the mystery come together surely and expertly as we go back to an Ireland with unforgiving attitudes and prejudices. Within that milieu, there is a keenly observed reveal of ambition, questionable actions and judgements within a prominent Irish family. The characters are well developed and engaging. I particularly liked the ease of the relationship between Cat and O'Rourke, her boss. This is a wonderful book and given the ending, I cannot wait to read the sequel.
Cat is beating herself up about her unplanned pregnancy, overflowing with Catholic guilt and feeling surrounded by the fires of hell. Morning sickness and uncertainty as how to resolve the issue plagues Cat throughout. This case has personal connections with her situation. Zoe Grant is on the cusp of her first art exhibition, and seems to know nothing of the bones sewn in the hem. She claims that it is her mother's wedding dress and she hasn't seen her since she was a small child. Her grandmother, Lavinia, is found dead by Trish O'Sullivan on the same night as the break in. O'Rourke and Cat do not believe this is a coincidence and Zoe's life begins to unravel. In London, occupational therapist, Emily Cox' finds herself drawn to and taking care of a confused and traumatised elderly woman, Mary, suffering from dementia and other mental health issues. The woman talks of friends, family and love interests in Dublin and being thrown out of her home many years ago. In an effort to help Mary, Emily and her husband, Tony, bring her to Dublin. Mary and Angel Hierra turn out to have connections with the investigation into the little bones.
This is a well plotted story told through multiple perspectives. The pieces of the mystery come together surely and expertly as we go back to an Ireland with unforgiving attitudes and prejudices. Within that milieu, there is a keenly observed reveal of ambition, questionable actions and judgements within a prominent Irish family. The characters are well developed and engaging. I particularly liked the ease of the relationship between Cat and O'Rourke, her boss. This is a wonderful book and given the ending, I cannot wait to read the sequel.
July 13, 2018
This is the first book in a brand new series and I can't wait for more to come. I love my crime fiction but when you read a lot of it sometimes it's hard to find books that stand out from the crowd - this one did.
The writing style really impressed me. There is wonderful descriptive detail about scenes that is just the right balance for you to see the whole picture without being overkill. The writing is fluid, dialogue is very realistic and it's just really well executed.
The plot is fascinating! Little tiny bones are found in the most unusual of places. Macabre. Who put them there and why?This novel set in Ireland focuses on a dysfunctional family, generations of women and the lies, deception, bitterness and shame that surrounds the past. All things hidden shall be revealed.
As the guards (Irish police) tackle the case they find it intersecting with others, like a series of highways coming together at a central point as the clues add up and the truth is revealed.
I read this in a couple of hours, cover to cover and loved the plot, the characters, the fast solid pace and the overall style of the book. Not a boring moment in it.There are plenty of dysfunctional characters and it will keep you guessing for a good part of the book until those reveals are shared.
Who put the Little Bones there and why? You'll need to read and find out. Highly recommended entertaining reading. 5 stars.
Thanks so much to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.
Thanks for reading my review! If you enjoyed it please leave me a “like” or a comment, I love to interact with other book lovers! For more of my book reviews, plenty of awesome books to win, author interviews and features come over to join me for book fun at: https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
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The writing style really impressed me. There is wonderful descriptive detail about scenes that is just the right balance for you to see the whole picture without being overkill. The writing is fluid, dialogue is very realistic and it's just really well executed.
The plot is fascinating! Little tiny bones are found in the most unusual of places. Macabre. Who put them there and why?This novel set in Ireland focuses on a dysfunctional family, generations of women and the lies, deception, bitterness and shame that surrounds the past. All things hidden shall be revealed.
As the guards (Irish police) tackle the case they find it intersecting with others, like a series of highways coming together at a central point as the clues add up and the truth is revealed.
I read this in a couple of hours, cover to cover and loved the plot, the characters, the fast solid pace and the overall style of the book. Not a boring moment in it.There are plenty of dysfunctional characters and it will keep you guessing for a good part of the book until those reveals are shared.
Who put the Little Bones there and why? You'll need to read and find out. Highly recommended entertaining reading. 5 stars.
Thanks so much to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.
Thanks for reading my review! If you enjoyed it please leave me a “like” or a comment, I love to interact with other book lovers! For more of my book reviews, plenty of awesome books to win, author interviews and features come over to join me for book fun at: https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
To follow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
To enquire about joining my reviewers team: http://goo.gl/forms/GWMOvlofZg
Finally to enquire about my book publicity services: http://goo.gl/forms/eVwa2HFKnK
August 2, 2017
LITTLE BONES is Book 1 in the Cat Connolly police/crime fiction series from Sam Blake. This debut novel features Irish Detective Garda Cathy Connolly, a twenty-four-year old kick boxing champion.
When twenty-four-year old Garda Cathy Connolly discovers baby bones concealed in the hem of a vintage wedding dress during a investigation into a break in at the home of artist Zoe Grant it is the beginning of a intricate case filled with lies and secrets.
On the same day Zoe`s grandmother, (Lavinia Grant), who originally owned the wedding dress is found dead in her home. Did she put the bones in the hem of the dress?
I liked the chemistry between Cathy Connolly and her partner Dawson O´Rourke. Both complement each other, even though Cathy has some personal problem in her life.
The story is set mainly in Ireland but some parts are also set in London England. Little Bones is a captivating story about sins and family secrets. Clues are revealed on a need-to-know basis, one piece at a time. This is an excellent debut novel that ended with an unexpected twist and cliffhanger ending. I am looking forward to starting the next book in the series called, “In Deep Water”. Little Bones is a great start to a new crime series.
Many thanks to Sam Blake, Bonnier Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
When twenty-four-year old Garda Cathy Connolly discovers baby bones concealed in the hem of a vintage wedding dress during a investigation into a break in at the home of artist Zoe Grant it is the beginning of a intricate case filled with lies and secrets.
On the same day Zoe`s grandmother, (Lavinia Grant), who originally owned the wedding dress is found dead in her home. Did she put the bones in the hem of the dress?
I liked the chemistry between Cathy Connolly and her partner Dawson O´Rourke. Both complement each other, even though Cathy has some personal problem in her life.
The story is set mainly in Ireland but some parts are also set in London England. Little Bones is a captivating story about sins and family secrets. Clues are revealed on a need-to-know basis, one piece at a time. This is an excellent debut novel that ended with an unexpected twist and cliffhanger ending. I am looking forward to starting the next book in the series called, “In Deep Water”. Little Bones is a great start to a new crime series.
Many thanks to Sam Blake, Bonnier Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 9, 2016
Detective Garda Cathy Connolly is investigating a break-in, but the discovery of bones concealed in the hem of a wedding dress changes everything. The owner of the wedding dress, Zoë Grant has been gifted the wedding dress by her grandmother who has said that the dress belongs to Zoë's mother who left Zoë when she was little. But, they never manage to question Lavinia Grant about the dress as she is found dead in her home in Dublin. Now Cathy Connolly has to find out the truth about the bones, could it be Zoë that hid them or someone else in her family?
Little Bones is a fascinating story about old sins and family secrets. I found the book engrossing from the start, thanks to both the interesting story and its characters. I instantly liked Cathy Connolly and her partner Dawson O´Rourke. They work well together, have great chemistry, which is a bit troublesome because Cathy has some personal problem in her life. And, I loved them together, despite Cathy's predicament.
Despite the slow progress of the case was I never bored with the story, I was fascinated with the finding of the bones. It was like a jigsaw with some bits of information being revealed now and then. Especially since it seems that a hunted murderer from the States and an old confused woman seems to have connections to the case and the Grant family.
I was hoping towards the end of the book that it would be the first book in a series, and I got my wish granted. At least I hope so since it ended with a hell of a cliffhanger. The one that makes you mentally sign and wonder when the next book is due.
It was a great book, with some unexpected twist and with an ending that first was promising and then turned devastating. I recommend this book warmly!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
Little Bones is a fascinating story about old sins and family secrets. I found the book engrossing from the start, thanks to both the interesting story and its characters. I instantly liked Cathy Connolly and her partner Dawson O´Rourke. They work well together, have great chemistry, which is a bit troublesome because Cathy has some personal problem in her life. And, I loved them together, despite Cathy's predicament.
Despite the slow progress of the case was I never bored with the story, I was fascinated with the finding of the bones. It was like a jigsaw with some bits of information being revealed now and then. Especially since it seems that a hunted murderer from the States and an old confused woman seems to have connections to the case and the Grant family.
I was hoping towards the end of the book that it would be the first book in a series, and I got my wish granted. At least I hope so since it ended with a hell of a cliffhanger. The one that makes you mentally sign and wonder when the next book is due.
It was a great book, with some unexpected twist and with an ending that first was promising and then turned devastating. I recommend this book warmly!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
June 16, 2017
Little Bones is a powerhouse of a debut novel from author Sam Blake which catapults feisty Irish detective, Garda Cathy Connolly, onto centre stage and deservedly so. A remarkably assured first outing, Little Bones is compulsively readable and combines a meaty plot with multiple threads and gutsy characters. However, it is the sheer attention to detail and evidence of solid research into the areas which the novel touches upon that impressed me so much. Sam Blake's lean, mean fighting machine of a protagonist in twenty-four-year old Garda Cathy (Cat) Connolly, three times champion of the Women's National Full-Contact Kickboxing title, with six-years on the force and two as as a detective. Brought up alongside three brothers and now sharing a house with a group of lads there are no airs and graces with Cat, and her no-nonsense exterior garners respect. Refreshingly ordinary, Cat's personal dilemma - an unplanned pregnancy - makes this a tricky investigation for her given her heightened sense of smell and the semi-permanent need to retch! As Cat's trainer Niall 'The Boss' McIntyre tell her time and again, winning is all about staying in control, she just suspects that he might not have meant staying in control of something as simple as her breakfast though!
A morning report of a presumed forced entry should be a bread and butter event for a detective but with a call out from the householder the previous night, reporting a suspicious intruder on the grounds, it hints at something more sinister. The previous evenings call from Zoë Grant, a single women in her early thirties with a career in flower arranging and a passion for painting, was treated as routine and nothing out of the ordinary, but the forced entry reveals the contents of the wardrobe scattered across the floor in Zoë's bedroom and to Garda Connolly the cream silk of a wedding dress seems out a place amongst the strewn clothes. Taking a closer look, Cat finds small bones hidden in the hem, and most definitely not the kind of bones used in clothing to keep collars stiff... When a shaken Zoë tells the story of how the dress came into her possession her deliberate vagueness and prevarications set alarm bells ringing for Cat and her boss, DI Dawson O'Rourke. Gentle probing reveals more details as to Zoë family connections and that she believes that her mother left for France when she was a young child and left her with her grandmother, Lavinia Grant, head of the distinguished Grant Valentine department store empire. However, before they can speak to Lavinia Grant the discovery of her death from natural causes by her close friend and haughty journalist, Trish O'Sullivan, throws a spanner in the works. As the questioning continues it seems that the closer Cat and O'Rourke come to breaking down the wall of silence upheld by Zoë and Trish, the more apparent it become that the Grant family have plenty of skeletons in their family closet and the whereabouts of Zoë's mother is very high on the list.
Alongside this, DI O'Rourke has been landed with something of a poisoned chalice and the news that a Mexican American fugitive wanted by the FBI for a double murder has slipped through immigration on a dead man's passport and found his way to Dublin. The last thing that O'Rourke needs is Hispanic looking gangster Angel Hierra blending in among the transient Spanish student population and slipping under the radar. But just what in a man like Angel Hierra doing in South County Dublin in the first place? Meanwhile in Bethnal Green, American consultant psychiatrist Dr Tony Cox and his occupational therapist Irish wife, Emily, are both working in the capital with Emily based in the community of Tower Hamlets. When she witnesses the mugging of an elderly Irish lady, Mary, in the midst of a busy street market her kindness sees her nurturing side come to the fore. Husband Tony puts her increasing concern for the confused Mary down to their futile cycles of IVF and the now distant hope of a long awaited child and for him, taking on Mary, a woman showing the early signs of dementia is in no way an ideal solution. How these threads are woven together is for readers to discover for themselves, nevertheless all roads point back to Dún Laoghaire and Oleander House, the Grant family's Georgian residence, and the mysterious truth behind the fictional facade of the Grant family. And there are plenty of secrets to come..
Detective inspector Dawson O'Rourke is a man going places, the youngest promotion to the grade across the country and a shoo-in for rising even higher - razor sharp and personable, he exudes an air of mystery which I look forward to seeing more of. The camaraderie between Cat, DI O'Rourke and scene of crimes officer, Thirsty, is well drawn out and there it no standing on ceremony for any of them, meaning that Cat is never slow to raise her own theories knowing that they will give her opinions due consideration. Cat's nous and willingness to get her hands dirty wins the respect of her colleagues and the banter between them ensures that Little Bones maintains an upbeat feel even when the case touches on serious subject matter.
Combining the depth of investigative detail of a police procedural with an emotive family saga and a connection to the protagonists own life make this a vibrant introduction to Sam Blake's series. Set against the backdrop of an Irish culture which has been slow to modernise and relax its strict stance on abortion and unmarried mothers, the story takes on an extra layer of meaning especially when Cat's dilemma is factored in. The exhilarating finale which cranks the pace up supremely brings all three strands together and results in a head collision and kudos to author Sam Blake for tying these connected aspects together in ingeniously brilliant style. A fast, fresh debut with three intriguing plot threads that leave the reader with plenty of food for thought and bodes well for the future of the sassy and intuitive, Cat Connolly. Undoubtedly Little Bones has been one of my standout highlights of my reading year so far and I already have the follow-up, In Deep Water, on my bookshelf!
A morning report of a presumed forced entry should be a bread and butter event for a detective but with a call out from the householder the previous night, reporting a suspicious intruder on the grounds, it hints at something more sinister. The previous evenings call from Zoë Grant, a single women in her early thirties with a career in flower arranging and a passion for painting, was treated as routine and nothing out of the ordinary, but the forced entry reveals the contents of the wardrobe scattered across the floor in Zoë's bedroom and to Garda Connolly the cream silk of a wedding dress seems out a place amongst the strewn clothes. Taking a closer look, Cat finds small bones hidden in the hem, and most definitely not the kind of bones used in clothing to keep collars stiff... When a shaken Zoë tells the story of how the dress came into her possession her deliberate vagueness and prevarications set alarm bells ringing for Cat and her boss, DI Dawson O'Rourke. Gentle probing reveals more details as to Zoë family connections and that she believes that her mother left for France when she was a young child and left her with her grandmother, Lavinia Grant, head of the distinguished Grant Valentine department store empire. However, before they can speak to Lavinia Grant the discovery of her death from natural causes by her close friend and haughty journalist, Trish O'Sullivan, throws a spanner in the works. As the questioning continues it seems that the closer Cat and O'Rourke come to breaking down the wall of silence upheld by Zoë and Trish, the more apparent it become that the Grant family have plenty of skeletons in their family closet and the whereabouts of Zoë's mother is very high on the list.
Alongside this, DI O'Rourke has been landed with something of a poisoned chalice and the news that a Mexican American fugitive wanted by the FBI for a double murder has slipped through immigration on a dead man's passport and found his way to Dublin. The last thing that O'Rourke needs is Hispanic looking gangster Angel Hierra blending in among the transient Spanish student population and slipping under the radar. But just what in a man like Angel Hierra doing in South County Dublin in the first place? Meanwhile in Bethnal Green, American consultant psychiatrist Dr Tony Cox and his occupational therapist Irish wife, Emily, are both working in the capital with Emily based in the community of Tower Hamlets. When she witnesses the mugging of an elderly Irish lady, Mary, in the midst of a busy street market her kindness sees her nurturing side come to the fore. Husband Tony puts her increasing concern for the confused Mary down to their futile cycles of IVF and the now distant hope of a long awaited child and for him, taking on Mary, a woman showing the early signs of dementia is in no way an ideal solution. How these threads are woven together is for readers to discover for themselves, nevertheless all roads point back to Dún Laoghaire and Oleander House, the Grant family's Georgian residence, and the mysterious truth behind the fictional facade of the Grant family. And there are plenty of secrets to come..
Detective inspector Dawson O'Rourke is a man going places, the youngest promotion to the grade across the country and a shoo-in for rising even higher - razor sharp and personable, he exudes an air of mystery which I look forward to seeing more of. The camaraderie between Cat, DI O'Rourke and scene of crimes officer, Thirsty, is well drawn out and there it no standing on ceremony for any of them, meaning that Cat is never slow to raise her own theories knowing that they will give her opinions due consideration. Cat's nous and willingness to get her hands dirty wins the respect of her colleagues and the banter between them ensures that Little Bones maintains an upbeat feel even when the case touches on serious subject matter.
Combining the depth of investigative detail of a police procedural with an emotive family saga and a connection to the protagonists own life make this a vibrant introduction to Sam Blake's series. Set against the backdrop of an Irish culture which has been slow to modernise and relax its strict stance on abortion and unmarried mothers, the story takes on an extra layer of meaning especially when Cat's dilemma is factored in. The exhilarating finale which cranks the pace up supremely brings all three strands together and results in a head collision and kudos to author Sam Blake for tying these connected aspects together in ingeniously brilliant style. A fast, fresh debut with three intriguing plot threads that leave the reader with plenty of food for thought and bodes well for the future of the sassy and intuitive, Cat Connolly. Undoubtedly Little Bones has been one of my standout highlights of my reading year so far and I already have the follow-up, In Deep Water, on my bookshelf!
March 17, 2018
With engaging characters, a sinister theme, and a gripping storyline, this one was a winner for me. My only complaint was the abrupt end. I need to book 2 ASAP!
March 15, 2018
I didn't enjoy this much. Encouraged by the back cover blurb, I was hoping for something of the ilk of Stuart Neville, Adrian McKinty, even Ken Bruen. What I got in the end was a novel which suffered from an oft-irritating tendency with female authors writing female characters (esp. detectives) with possibly a female target audience in mind - there was *far* too much description of mundane aspects of how things looked, what everyone was wearing, and how they'd done their hair. The central character was kinda likeable until you began to tire of hearing her every thought about being pregnant (and only six weeks pregnant at that - I could understand the worry/sickness but this and the fatigue/weakness seemed to have been laid on with a trowel) and several of the other characters failed to delineate themselves from each other.
My main issue was the constant introspection from most of the characters. I understand it's good to get the reader 'in the head' of the characters, but to me it felt very clunky and boring. People just don't rationalise and peruse that much... most of what we do is habit or instinct, and we certainly don't consciously consider everything to the extent that everyone in this book does. For such thoughtful people, some of their behaviour and choices were utterly ridiculous too.
The plot started off intriguing me, but somewhere in the middle I stopped finding it compelling, and by the end - an end which begs 'please read the sequel!' in the most desperate manner - I didn't care that this was perfectly decent an idea (if not one I could care about massively).
My main issue was the constant introspection from most of the characters. I understand it's good to get the reader 'in the head' of the characters, but to me it felt very clunky and boring. People just don't rationalise and peruse that much... most of what we do is habit or instinct, and we certainly don't consciously consider everything to the extent that everyone in this book does. For such thoughtful people, some of their behaviour and choices were utterly ridiculous too.
The plot started off intriguing me, but somewhere in the middle I stopped finding it compelling, and by the end - an end which begs 'please read the sequel!' in the most desperate manner - I didn't care that this was perfectly decent an idea (if not one I could care about massively).
October 31, 2023
In this book "little bones" are found by Cathy, a police constable, in an old wedding dress after an apparent break in and one things leads to another. The first few chapters of the book introduce a number of characters in a number of locations and it seems probable that these diverse threads will connect later on. In the main I found the characters interesting - I particularly liked the old lady known as Mary in London who maybe isn't called Mary. Certainly the main characters were mostly well worked and were not as stereotypical as some of this genre of books. Certainly Cathy as a kick boxing champion is not run of the mill!
I did find the start a little slow for something labelled a "crime thriller". And while this is certainly not a bad book, for me, the pace and tension are not quite what I would have expected. The pace did pick up as the book progressed and I wanted to know the outcome. Cathy particularly was a good character. The story itself was enough to keep me reading though, as with a number of other crime books these days, I fail to see the need for "love interest" intruding on the story. All too often it feels like it has been bolted on for effect. I'd happily read another by Sam Blake but would prefer it to have more pace from the start.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
I did find the start a little slow for something labelled a "crime thriller". And while this is certainly not a bad book, for me, the pace and tension are not quite what I would have expected. The pace did pick up as the book progressed and I wanted to know the outcome. Cathy particularly was a good character. The story itself was enough to keep me reading though, as with a number of other crime books these days, I fail to see the need for "love interest" intruding on the story. All too often it feels like it has been bolted on for effect. I'd happily read another by Sam Blake but would prefer it to have more pace from the start.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
March 10, 2017
Little Bones by Sam Blake is the first book in a new series featuring Irish Detective Cathy Connolly. A twenty-four year old kick boxing champion, Cathy already has quite a history in the police force, having experienced more in her short career than some officers can experience in a lifetime. As a result of this past she has a close working relationship with her boss O’Rourke, but she has something going on in her personal life that she is too scared to even tell him about. Something which could change everything for her.
The premise of this book is intriguing to say the least. Artist Zoe Grant has reported a strange person in her garden at night and then the following day, while she is out at an appointment, someone breaks into her house. This in itself is worrying enough but when the Garda, namely Cathy and O’Rourke, arrive to investigate they find a wedding dress, torn to shreds, in which a collection of small bones are found stitched into the hem. When the bones turn out to be human, Cathy and O’Rourke have a job on their hands to discover the source of the bones. It is made especially hard by Cathy’s personal issue, the fact that the investigtions keeps hitting barriers and that O’Rourke is somewhat distracted by the search for a fugitive wanted by the FBI for a series of murders in the US, a man now thought to be in Dublin.
In amongst Cathy and Zoe’s stories, there are interludes taking us to London where a woman known as Mary is found wandering dazed and confused. Quite how and why Mary fits in with the story in Ireland is not clear until the end, although it is fairly easy to guess where the story may be leading. That said, I don’t think even I expected the slant that Sam Blake put on this story, a story as rolling as the Wicklow Mountains which form the backdrop to the setting. It is beautifully crafted, and the flow back and forth between the central characters is seamless. There are several points of view covered and by using this technique, Blake manages to keep several key plot points cleverly disguised. I was taken by surprise more than once, which is no mean feat these days believe me. They weren’t jaw dropping, what-the-heck kind of surprises, but more subtle and therefore more effective, leaving a certain amount of satisfaction and a feeling of wanting to tell the author ‘fair play’ for what she had managed to keep hidden, mostly, it has to be said, in plain sight.
This wasn’t a book which needed or suited a major shock factor. The story unwinds slowly, perhaps reflecting the pace of life I associate with my many visits to Ireland (I’m in Dublin every month), the intersecting and interwoven nature of the individual stories, and also the almost cold case nature of the crime Cathy is investigating. That said, there are still moments of real tension, particularly where the American fugitive is involved, and Blake manages to infuse enough menace and pace into these sections without jarring the reader out of the novel. And the ending… Well, that certainly sets us up nicely for book two and I am really intrigued to know quite what, how and why what occurs comes to pass and the impacts it will have on Cathy and O’Rourke.
The writing in this book is sound, the description of setting quite wonderful and with a real feeling of authenticity. The mental battles the Cathy has with herself certainly rang true given her situation and the political and religious climate of the culture of Ireland. I really enjoyed the book and was drawn in to all elements of the story. The characters were all likable and the chemistry between the two lead police officers was perfectly balanced. That said, and this is purely a matter of personal taste, it was a little slower in pace than I have been used to of late, particularly from a police procedural, and it took a little settling into, forcing me to slow my own pace down to read it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and I would still class this as a page turner, but it is more a gradual uncovering of deeply buried family secrets than it is an action thriller type. I’m not quite sure what I’d been expecting when I picked this up, and as an opener to a series this is a very high quality offering and I will definitely be going back for more.
Sam Blake has definitely won me over, and I can’t wait for book two.
A very assured, slightly slower than expected, but beautifully written 4 stars.
The premise of this book is intriguing to say the least. Artist Zoe Grant has reported a strange person in her garden at night and then the following day, while she is out at an appointment, someone breaks into her house. This in itself is worrying enough but when the Garda, namely Cathy and O’Rourke, arrive to investigate they find a wedding dress, torn to shreds, in which a collection of small bones are found stitched into the hem. When the bones turn out to be human, Cathy and O’Rourke have a job on their hands to discover the source of the bones. It is made especially hard by Cathy’s personal issue, the fact that the investigtions keeps hitting barriers and that O’Rourke is somewhat distracted by the search for a fugitive wanted by the FBI for a series of murders in the US, a man now thought to be in Dublin.
In amongst Cathy and Zoe’s stories, there are interludes taking us to London where a woman known as Mary is found wandering dazed and confused. Quite how and why Mary fits in with the story in Ireland is not clear until the end, although it is fairly easy to guess where the story may be leading. That said, I don’t think even I expected the slant that Sam Blake put on this story, a story as rolling as the Wicklow Mountains which form the backdrop to the setting. It is beautifully crafted, and the flow back and forth between the central characters is seamless. There are several points of view covered and by using this technique, Blake manages to keep several key plot points cleverly disguised. I was taken by surprise more than once, which is no mean feat these days believe me. They weren’t jaw dropping, what-the-heck kind of surprises, but more subtle and therefore more effective, leaving a certain amount of satisfaction and a feeling of wanting to tell the author ‘fair play’ for what she had managed to keep hidden, mostly, it has to be said, in plain sight.
This wasn’t a book which needed or suited a major shock factor. The story unwinds slowly, perhaps reflecting the pace of life I associate with my many visits to Ireland (I’m in Dublin every month), the intersecting and interwoven nature of the individual stories, and also the almost cold case nature of the crime Cathy is investigating. That said, there are still moments of real tension, particularly where the American fugitive is involved, and Blake manages to infuse enough menace and pace into these sections without jarring the reader out of the novel. And the ending… Well, that certainly sets us up nicely for book two and I am really intrigued to know quite what, how and why what occurs comes to pass and the impacts it will have on Cathy and O’Rourke.
The writing in this book is sound, the description of setting quite wonderful and with a real feeling of authenticity. The mental battles the Cathy has with herself certainly rang true given her situation and the political and religious climate of the culture of Ireland. I really enjoyed the book and was drawn in to all elements of the story. The characters were all likable and the chemistry between the two lead police officers was perfectly balanced. That said, and this is purely a matter of personal taste, it was a little slower in pace than I have been used to of late, particularly from a police procedural, and it took a little settling into, forcing me to slow my own pace down to read it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and I would still class this as a page turner, but it is more a gradual uncovering of deeply buried family secrets than it is an action thriller type. I’m not quite sure what I’d been expecting when I picked this up, and as an opener to a series this is a very high quality offering and I will definitely be going back for more.
Sam Blake has definitely won me over, and I can’t wait for book two.
A very assured, slightly slower than expected, but beautifully written 4 stars.
April 29, 2018
As a crime thriller fan, I’m always on the outlook for new series to obsessively read. When I stumbled upon Little Bones in the bookstore, I felt as though I had found exactly what I was looking for. The blurb of Sam Blake’s debut read, the first book following Cathy Connolly, seemed to be exactly what I look for in my crime fiction reads.
Although I did enjoy this one, I wasn’t as crazy about it as I had hoped to be. In truth, this was more of a three-point-five-star read rather than the three stars I gave it. I did consider rounding it up, but it wasn’t quite at the level where I would round it up. It has left me with the hope the next book, which I plan to dive into soon, will be capable of pulling the four-star rating from me, but this one wasn’t quite it.
As I’d hoped, there was a lot going on in this story. We follow multiple individuals, allowing us to watch as seemingly unconnected storylines come together in an intriguing manner. At first I was a little bit put off by all the points of views we were following, unsure how everything would manage to come together, but all the events combined in a surprisingly smooth and intriguing manner. If, like myself, you feel a little bit unsure about all the points of views, I would certainly recommend sticking with this one as things do become clearer the deeper into the book you get.
Although I did enjoy the way everything came together, I did feel as though the book wasn’t quite as fast and action packed as I would have liked it to be. The level of intensity in this one wasn’t quite what I like with my thrillers – in fact, it was more in line with the level of insanity you would expect from a cosy thriller, which the storyline of this one clearly is not. Things do pick up later in the book, but it wasn’t what I usually enjoy in my thriller reads.
I’m also a bit unsure about the ending. You should know in advance it ends of a serious cliff-hanger – and that is what has me unsure. I prefer when books, especially in the thriller genre, tell you in advance there is a cliff-hanger, that it is a series where you’ll be left with a question mark until you get the next book. I enjoyed the shock of the way it ended, but it did feel like a cheating way of making sure I grabbed the next book.
Overall, this was a decent enough read. I wasn’t as crazy about it as I had hoped to be, but there is certainly potential with this series.
Although I did enjoy this one, I wasn’t as crazy about it as I had hoped to be. In truth, this was more of a three-point-five-star read rather than the three stars I gave it. I did consider rounding it up, but it wasn’t quite at the level where I would round it up. It has left me with the hope the next book, which I plan to dive into soon, will be capable of pulling the four-star rating from me, but this one wasn’t quite it.
As I’d hoped, there was a lot going on in this story. We follow multiple individuals, allowing us to watch as seemingly unconnected storylines come together in an intriguing manner. At first I was a little bit put off by all the points of views we were following, unsure how everything would manage to come together, but all the events combined in a surprisingly smooth and intriguing manner. If, like myself, you feel a little bit unsure about all the points of views, I would certainly recommend sticking with this one as things do become clearer the deeper into the book you get.
Although I did enjoy the way everything came together, I did feel as though the book wasn’t quite as fast and action packed as I would have liked it to be. The level of intensity in this one wasn’t quite what I like with my thrillers – in fact, it was more in line with the level of insanity you would expect from a cosy thriller, which the storyline of this one clearly is not. Things do pick up later in the book, but it wasn’t what I usually enjoy in my thriller reads.
I’m also a bit unsure about the ending. You should know in advance it ends of a serious cliff-hanger – and that is what has me unsure. I prefer when books, especially in the thriller genre, tell you in advance there is a cliff-hanger, that it is a series where you’ll be left with a question mark until you get the next book. I enjoyed the shock of the way it ended, but it did feel like a cheating way of making sure I grabbed the next book.
Overall, this was a decent enough read. I wasn’t as crazy about it as I had hoped to be, but there is certainly potential with this series.
February 27, 2017
Many,many thanks to Emily Burns and Bonnier Zaffre for sending me a copy of this book.
When twenty four year old Garda Cathy Connolly discovers baby bones concealed in the hem of a vintage wedding dress during a routine investigation into a break in at the home of artist Zoe Grant it is the beginning of a complex case of lies and secrets the roots of which reach deep into the past.
On the same day Lavinia Grant,Zoe`s grandmother and head of the Grant Valentine retail group is found dead in her home.The wedding dress originally belonged to her,did she know anything about the bones and did she really die from natural causes or was her cause of death something more sinister?
Adding to Cathy and her boss Detective O`Rourkes case load is the sudden appearance of a double murderer who is wanted by the FBI and has made his way to Ireland because he has some personal business to deal with.
The story is set mainly in Ireland but some parts are also set in London England and are about a mysterious old Lady called Mary who is being cared for by a occupational therapist called Emily.The story moves effortlessly between the two destinations and the various plot strands,the characters are mostly likeable but one is really really unlikable and I spent the whole book hoping that that person would get their comeuppance.Cathy is a very likeable lead character,because she is a champion Kick boxer she is tough,feisty but also has a vulnerable side as well.I loved the interactions between Cathy and O`Rourke,they have a history which is mentioned a couple of times but not not gone into fully.It was nice to read a book where the police team worked well together and there was no inter departmental back stabbing or one upmanship.
This is a twist packed,entertaining,multi layered story with a totally unexpected shocking ending.It is fortunately the first in a new series and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book In Deep Water.
Many thanks again to Emily Burns and Bonnier Zaffre for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
When twenty four year old Garda Cathy Connolly discovers baby bones concealed in the hem of a vintage wedding dress during a routine investigation into a break in at the home of artist Zoe Grant it is the beginning of a complex case of lies and secrets the roots of which reach deep into the past.
On the same day Lavinia Grant,Zoe`s grandmother and head of the Grant Valentine retail group is found dead in her home.The wedding dress originally belonged to her,did she know anything about the bones and did she really die from natural causes or was her cause of death something more sinister?
Adding to Cathy and her boss Detective O`Rourkes case load is the sudden appearance of a double murderer who is wanted by the FBI and has made his way to Ireland because he has some personal business to deal with.
The story is set mainly in Ireland but some parts are also set in London England and are about a mysterious old Lady called Mary who is being cared for by a occupational therapist called Emily.The story moves effortlessly between the two destinations and the various plot strands,the characters are mostly likeable but one is really really unlikable and I spent the whole book hoping that that person would get their comeuppance.Cathy is a very likeable lead character,because she is a champion Kick boxer she is tough,feisty but also has a vulnerable side as well.I loved the interactions between Cathy and O`Rourke,they have a history which is mentioned a couple of times but not not gone into fully.It was nice to read a book where the police team worked well together and there was no inter departmental back stabbing or one upmanship.
This is a twist packed,entertaining,multi layered story with a totally unexpected shocking ending.It is fortunately the first in a new series and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book In Deep Water.
Many thanks again to Emily Burns and Bonnier Zaffre for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
April 2, 2017
Dear Reader,
Finding baby's bones sewn into the hem of a wedding dress,Garda Cat Connolly quickly realises that this case of breaking and entering is somewhat out of the ordinary.
Together with Dawson O' Rourke,they embark on a case that delves deep into the past of a wealthy business woman Lavinia Grant and her granddaughter Zoe.
Just why was Lavinia media shy,what of the cold and dispassionate relationship between her and Zoe,and what of the whereabouts of Zoe's mother,a figure she knows nothing about?
What of Mary,an old,oft confused woman cast adrift in London and what,if any,is her connection to the Grants?
This is a very interesting and compelling story,beautifully told,cleverly linking present characters with misdeeds of the past.
With the passing of decades,memories resurface,forcing people,with deeply hidden and carefully protected secrets,to face the consequences of their past.
A nice mystery,one that held my interest,with the promise of a second book in the series,I recommend this to all mystery lovers.
Finding baby's bones sewn into the hem of a wedding dress,Garda Cat Connolly quickly realises that this case of breaking and entering is somewhat out of the ordinary.
Together with Dawson O' Rourke,they embark on a case that delves deep into the past of a wealthy business woman Lavinia Grant and her granddaughter Zoe.
Just why was Lavinia media shy,what of the cold and dispassionate relationship between her and Zoe,and what of the whereabouts of Zoe's mother,a figure she knows nothing about?
What of Mary,an old,oft confused woman cast adrift in London and what,if any,is her connection to the Grants?
This is a very interesting and compelling story,beautifully told,cleverly linking present characters with misdeeds of the past.
With the passing of decades,memories resurface,forcing people,with deeply hidden and carefully protected secrets,to face the consequences of their past.
A nice mystery,one that held my interest,with the promise of a second book in the series,I recommend this to all mystery lovers.
June 27, 2016
Detective Garda Cathy Connolly makes a gruesome discovery while examining the scene of a burglary. Sewn into the lining of a vintage wedding dress are tiny little bones, which appear to be human. Here begins a investigation that reaches far into the past, yet still has a rippling effect in the present. While Cathy searches for answers, she keeps her own secrets from those closest to her. But how long can she keep silent?
Cat Connolly is a feisty young female detective who is not afraid to take chances. At her physical peak, she spends most of her free time at the gym and throws herself into her work with gusto. The case of the little bones has her perplexed and the owner of the wedding dress seems oblivious to their existence. Working through rumours and dealing with unwilling witnesses makes the case all the more cumbersome. Each chapter brings more detail, teasers and potential leads while the parallel story of Cat's personal life lends an extra dimension to the novel. The location is mostly set around South County Dublin, with many familiar landmarks getting a mention. Not solely based in Ireland, extra characters bring extra locations and the links between Ireland, England and further afield become apparent. There are a few separate storylines and each one is as strong as the next.
Sam Blake's debut crime thriller made it straight onto the bestseller lists, and for very good reason. From the very first page the reader is treated to a tense, fast-paced journey of suspense. There is a balance of police-procedural, thriller, drama and mystery all wrapped up in the 390 pages. The page- turning is fast and frantic and it has one of the best cliffhanger endings since Karen Slaughter's Will Trent novels. Detective Cat Connolly has found her home. It is firmly placed within the pages of Sam Blake's strong crime thriller series. Readers will be itching to know what happens next to the independent, yet vulnerable Cat. A thrilling debut with a gutsy protagonist and a memorable story. The pages will practically turn themselves...
Highly Recommended.
Cat Connolly is a feisty young female detective who is not afraid to take chances. At her physical peak, she spends most of her free time at the gym and throws herself into her work with gusto. The case of the little bones has her perplexed and the owner of the wedding dress seems oblivious to their existence. Working through rumours and dealing with unwilling witnesses makes the case all the more cumbersome. Each chapter brings more detail, teasers and potential leads while the parallel story of Cat's personal life lends an extra dimension to the novel. The location is mostly set around South County Dublin, with many familiar landmarks getting a mention. Not solely based in Ireland, extra characters bring extra locations and the links between Ireland, England and further afield become apparent. There are a few separate storylines and each one is as strong as the next.
Sam Blake's debut crime thriller made it straight onto the bestseller lists, and for very good reason. From the very first page the reader is treated to a tense, fast-paced journey of suspense. There is a balance of police-procedural, thriller, drama and mystery all wrapped up in the 390 pages. The page- turning is fast and frantic and it has one of the best cliffhanger endings since Karen Slaughter's Will Trent novels. Detective Cat Connolly has found her home. It is firmly placed within the pages of Sam Blake's strong crime thriller series. Readers will be itching to know what happens next to the independent, yet vulnerable Cat. A thrilling debut with a gutsy protagonist and a memorable story. The pages will practically turn themselves...
Highly Recommended.
May 29, 2016
One crime leads to another in Sam Blake’s “Little Bones” – a perfectly paced and brilliantly addictive tale with a dark heart and a banging main character in Cathy “Cat” Connolly.
Starting off with the haunting discovery of tiny bones in a wedding dress, the author weaves a twisty and authentic tale, cleverly plotted for maximum effect, you just have to keep turning and turning those pages. One of those stories with roots in history, an intersecting and intriguing puzzle, just the type of story within crime fiction I love to get my head around – at turns surprising and emotive, fully absorbing from start to finish.
The multiple viewpoints work brilliantly, there is no rush to judgment more a slow and engaging exposure of titbits of information, carefully placed reveal moments and some truly impressive character building – and boy that ending, I did sit there with my mouth hanging open looking vaguely stupified for a while after finishing it. I both love and hate when that happens – bring on the next book fast please….
I wouldnt call Little Bones a crime thriller, more a crime story – proper storytelling and one that I could easily imagine as episodic television – Sam Blake leads you slowly but inexorably towards a conclusion that may surprise you and on the way she takes the time to build the tension, give her characters real and very separate voices and as I mentioned earlier then throws you off a reading cliff. Excellent. This is what we like.
Little Bones comes highly recommended from me and Sam Blake has been added to my must read list.
Starting off with the haunting discovery of tiny bones in a wedding dress, the author weaves a twisty and authentic tale, cleverly plotted for maximum effect, you just have to keep turning and turning those pages. One of those stories with roots in history, an intersecting and intriguing puzzle, just the type of story within crime fiction I love to get my head around – at turns surprising and emotive, fully absorbing from start to finish.
The multiple viewpoints work brilliantly, there is no rush to judgment more a slow and engaging exposure of titbits of information, carefully placed reveal moments and some truly impressive character building – and boy that ending, I did sit there with my mouth hanging open looking vaguely stupified for a while after finishing it. I both love and hate when that happens – bring on the next book fast please….
I wouldnt call Little Bones a crime thriller, more a crime story – proper storytelling and one that I could easily imagine as episodic television – Sam Blake leads you slowly but inexorably towards a conclusion that may surprise you and on the way she takes the time to build the tension, give her characters real and very separate voices and as I mentioned earlier then throws you off a reading cliff. Excellent. This is what we like.
Little Bones comes highly recommended from me and Sam Blake has been added to my must read list.
Read
June 25, 2017Warning! This debut novel in a new series ends with a cliffhanger. If you hate those as much as I do, be prepared for it. I would have liked to know ahead of time because if I know it, I don't read the first one until I have the second at my side.
Set in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, and featuring Detective Garda Cathy Connolly (I refuse to refer to her as "Cat"), this is a slower paced police procedural focused on the mystery of some infant bones found sewn into a wedding gown. In addition, there are other parallel investigations that need solving. In fact, there are 3 different storylines that converge in a bit of a 'suspend your disbelief' coincidence. But, I digress. No spoilers -- it all does come together eventually.
Whenever starting a new series, it takes a bit to get the hang of the important characters and to learn about them both personally and professionally. The main character, Garda Cathy Connolly, is single and a champion kickboxer. She has recently had a bit of a personal shock, and is coming to terms with the situation. Her boss, DI Dawson O'Rourke (future love interest?) and she are handling most of the baby bones case. Whose are they? How did they get there? They were found in the home of Zoe Grant, a young flower arranger and artist, and she professes no knowledge of the bones found in the dress she claims belonged to her mother. The complicated investigation also involves a wealthy dead woman, a man on the run from Las Vegas Mafia, and an elderly lady named Mary. Stay with me!
I enjoyed the novel, there wasn't a lot of action and it wasn't grisly, so it was a bit different to the typical police procedural. I think the author was focused on setting up the characters and the location for further books featuring Cathy Connolly so there was lots of introspection and description. I will definitely read #2 and just sorry I don't have it at the ready right now!
Thank you to NetGalley and Twenty7 Publishers for the e-book ARC to read and review.
Set in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, and featuring Detective Garda Cathy Connolly (I refuse to refer to her as "Cat"), this is a slower paced police procedural focused on the mystery of some infant bones found sewn into a wedding gown. In addition, there are other parallel investigations that need solving. In fact, there are 3 different storylines that converge in a bit of a 'suspend your disbelief' coincidence. But, I digress. No spoilers -- it all does come together eventually.
Whenever starting a new series, it takes a bit to get the hang of the important characters and to learn about them both personally and professionally. The main character, Garda Cathy Connolly, is single and a champion kickboxer. She has recently had a bit of a personal shock, and is coming to terms with the situation. Her boss, DI Dawson O'Rourke (future love interest?) and she are handling most of the baby bones case. Whose are they? How did they get there? They were found in the home of Zoe Grant, a young flower arranger and artist, and she professes no knowledge of the bones found in the dress she claims belonged to her mother. The complicated investigation also involves a wealthy dead woman, a man on the run from Las Vegas Mafia, and an elderly lady named Mary. Stay with me!
I enjoyed the novel, there wasn't a lot of action and it wasn't grisly, so it was a bit different to the typical police procedural. I think the author was focused on setting up the characters and the location for further books featuring Cathy Connolly so there was lots of introspection and description. I will definitely read #2 and just sorry I don't have it at the ready right now!
Thank you to NetGalley and Twenty7 Publishers for the e-book ARC to read and review.
August 19, 2017
I'm fairly new to the detective genre of books, but I still felt this book was lacking in many ways. The positives of this book was the arc of Emily and Tony, I understood Tony's weariness to adopt, knowing there would be a chance of some mental disability, and it did warm my heart to watch him overcome this fear.
However, I found the book very tedious to read. The writing style just didn't capture me, and the change in perspectives killed the tension for me. An example of this was when Cathy suspects Zoë for committing the infanticide, but then not too long after we cut to Zoë's perspective, wondering who could've killed the child. Another issue was that we figured out who the killer was way too early - even if he wasn't the infanticide murderer, it was obvious he was heavily involved - To see from Angel's perspective made me wonder why I was reading this book, as we already read about a killer and their movements ten chapters in? If we saw from only Cathy's perspective, or a group of people that were all part of the Gardai, or proven innocent at the start, it could've worked better.
The characters I never really connected with. None of them had anything that really stood out about them, and their dialogue was rather bland, and it felt at times lines could be swapped around and nobody would've notice the difference. The characters that ended up the victims, i.e. Grace and Zoë, were both airheads and came across as vulnerable, but I couldn't find much sympathy for either of them. Trish was the only one who did stand out, but that was because she was, in the only way I can put it, a complete cow.
The ending left me extremely unsatisfied, but I do not desire to read the next book, as it took me a good while to finish the book already, and I did not enjoy myself while doing so.
However, I found the book very tedious to read. The writing style just didn't capture me, and the change in perspectives killed the tension for me. An example of this was when Cathy suspects Zoë for committing the infanticide, but then not too long after we cut to Zoë's perspective, wondering who could've killed the child. Another issue was that we figured out who the killer was way too early - even if he wasn't the infanticide murderer, it was obvious he was heavily involved - To see from Angel's perspective made me wonder why I was reading this book, as we already read about a killer and their movements ten chapters in? If we saw from only Cathy's perspective, or a group of people that were all part of the Gardai, or proven innocent at the start, it could've worked better.
The characters I never really connected with. None of them had anything that really stood out about them, and their dialogue was rather bland, and it felt at times lines could be swapped around and nobody would've notice the difference. The characters that ended up the victims, i.e. Grace and Zoë, were both airheads and came across as vulnerable, but I couldn't find much sympathy for either of them. Trish was the only one who did stand out, but that was because she was, in the only way I can put it, a complete cow.
The ending left me extremely unsatisfied, but I do not desire to read the next book, as it took me a good while to finish the book already, and I did not enjoy myself while doing so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2017
2 and ½ Stars
I have to admit that I was so frustrated with the protagonist, Cathy, that I almost would have thrown the book in the trash – if it were a book and not on my Kindle. She has this problem with smells. It just drove me crazy. Basically, I couldn’t stand her. I seem to notice that this is not what most reviewers felt, but darn!
That being said, the book was barely okay. There were confusing points of view. The plot was not believable and overly laden with unnecessary facts. The cops didn’t act like they were very competent.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Publishing for forwarding this book for me to read.
I have to admit that I was so frustrated with the protagonist, Cathy, that I almost would have thrown the book in the trash – if it were a book and not on my Kindle. She has this problem with smells. It just drove me crazy. Basically, I couldn’t stand her. I seem to notice that this is not what most reviewers felt, but darn!
That being said, the book was barely okay. There were confusing points of view. The plot was not believable and overly laden with unnecessary facts. The cops didn’t act like they were very competent.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Publishing for forwarding this book for me to read.
April 20, 2017
Little Bones is set in Ireland. I've always been fascinated with the police force there. I think because they come under the name Garda that for some reason story lines to do with their force has always appealed to me.
Cathy I really liked. She is a strong single mother who puts everything into her job. As always with a detective in a crime series, she has her issues. That's good though as she comes across as being much more human and someone that readers can relate to. I won't say to much about the story line to do with her personal life but I enjoyed that it shows how peoples mind sets haven't changed even in today's world.
I loved how the story evolves around the discovery of some little bones. It totally got my attention. The fact that they were found in the hem of a wedding dress had me intrigued. It certainly makes you turn those pages to discover the why and how.
Little Bones is a great start to a new crime series. The ending is one that will have readers desperate for the next book in the series, me included! Hopefully the author won't keep us waiting to long.
Cathy I really liked. She is a strong single mother who puts everything into her job. As always with a detective in a crime series, she has her issues. That's good though as she comes across as being much more human and someone that readers can relate to. I won't say to much about the story line to do with her personal life but I enjoyed that it shows how peoples mind sets haven't changed even in today's world.
I loved how the story evolves around the discovery of some little bones. It totally got my attention. The fact that they were found in the hem of a wedding dress had me intrigued. It certainly makes you turn those pages to discover the why and how.
Little Bones is a great start to a new crime series. The ending is one that will have readers desperate for the next book in the series, me included! Hopefully the author won't keep us waiting to long.
November 29, 2020
Detective Cathy Connolly is called to lead what she think will be a normal break in case, however she may be in for more than she bargained for when she discovers a wedding dressed lined with bones. Can you solve the case whilst also keeping her own secret under wraps?
Definitely a great read for those who enjoy a detective story. I loved how this started as three separate plots and then gradually all weaved together. There was lots of little links and plot twists weaved in that really added to the story.
The characters were great and overall a really strong story!
Definitely a great read for those who enjoy a detective story. I loved how this started as three separate plots and then gradually all weaved together. There was lots of little links and plot twists weaved in that really added to the story.
The characters were great and overall a really strong story!
September 3, 2017
This police procedural is set in Ireland and features a female detective, which get stars from me right away. However I can't give anything with a cliffhanger ending five stars. Some authors think this will draw you to read the next book - actually it won't, because what if that ends on a cliffhanger too?
The case begins when a young woman who reported a prowler around her once-genteel Dun Laoghaire home, now suffers a break-in. While the police investigate some ancient bones are found, improbably hidden in the hem of an old wedding dress. This sparks an investigation into all the circumstances of the family.
For the life of me I just could not see the connection with Las Vegas and the prowler happening. And we are never told why a painting that nobody has ever heard of by an artist nobody has ever heard of is so valuable. Having read The Irish Game: A True Story of Crime and Art by Matthew Hart I understand that stolen artworks are used by criminals as payment or collateral, but the personal connection and the need for the stolen art to be worth good money did not add up to me.
Also we follow a couple with personal difficulties in London who sort of adopt a bewildered old lady and remove her to Ireland. I don't quite like the sound of this as these are respectable people but if this can happen without welfare having a say, any number of seniors could be taken advantage of and pension entitlements stolen. Also they do check passports on a car ferry. Nobody wants a terrorist on a ferry or a stolen child. By one of those astonishing coincidences that populate many novels, the old lady is returned to Dun Laoghaire just in time for all the chaos.
The main character however is the colourful person of Detective Garda Cathy Connolly. Her preferred sport is kickboxing and she seems to carry a concealed handgun at all other times. I felt she was wasted on investigating a pathetic and distant case like the bones, which is why she really comes into her own chasing an art thief. She ties the various threads together for us and faces her own personal dilemmas. As I said the book ends on a cliffhanger but we already know it's going to be a series so not that much is really in doubt.
Disclaimer: as Ireland is small I have encountered the author on line but I bought this book in the usual way and this is an unbiased review.
The case begins when a young woman who reported a prowler around her once-genteel Dun Laoghaire home, now suffers a break-in. While the police investigate some ancient bones are found, improbably hidden in the hem of an old wedding dress. This sparks an investigation into all the circumstances of the family.
For the life of me I just could not see the connection with Las Vegas and the prowler happening. And we are never told why a painting that nobody has ever heard of by an artist nobody has ever heard of is so valuable. Having read The Irish Game: A True Story of Crime and Art by Matthew Hart I understand that stolen artworks are used by criminals as payment or collateral, but the personal connection and the need for the stolen art to be worth good money did not add up to me.
Also we follow a couple with personal difficulties in London who sort of adopt a bewildered old lady and remove her to Ireland. I don't quite like the sound of this as these are respectable people but if this can happen without welfare having a say, any number of seniors could be taken advantage of and pension entitlements stolen. Also they do check passports on a car ferry. Nobody wants a terrorist on a ferry or a stolen child. By one of those astonishing coincidences that populate many novels, the old lady is returned to Dun Laoghaire just in time for all the chaos.
The main character however is the colourful person of Detective Garda Cathy Connolly. Her preferred sport is kickboxing and she seems to carry a concealed handgun at all other times. I felt she was wasted on investigating a pathetic and distant case like the bones, which is why she really comes into her own chasing an art thief. She ties the various threads together for us and faces her own personal dilemmas. As I said the book ends on a cliffhanger but we already know it's going to be a series so not that much is really in doubt.
Disclaimer: as Ireland is small I have encountered the author on line but I bought this book in the usual way and this is an unbiased review.
May 15, 2016
Kickboxing Detective Garda Cathy Connolly is called to a break-in at Zoe Grant’s house in Dublin which opens up a crime far bigger than the burglary that she was sent to investigate. Amongst the scattered clothing in Zoe’s bedroom is a beautiful wedding dress with added decoration which seems way out-of-place, some small bones have been sewn into its hem. And if that wasn’t enough for the Garda, the FBI believe a double murderer who needs urgent apprehension has entered Ireland, and they want him found.
The story that follows is complex, told from the viewpoints of three women; Cathy, Zoe and Emily Cox, a woman who works with the elderly in London. I always rejoice when fiction gives us women who are more than decoration and to get three such women who all display their strengths in very different ways really is exceeding expectations Ms Blake! Zoe is the most vulnerable of the three, understandable when her house has been ransacked which is shortly followed by the unexpected death of her grandmother but she forges on setting up an exhibition of her art despite it all. Emily demonstrates not only her caring nature when she befriends an elderly woman who is suffering with confusion, but also her steely side when she persuades her husband, a consultant psychiatrist to help out in practical ways. And then there is Cathy, a woman who despite turmoil in her personal life doesn’t resort to histrionics but makes plans and follows them through, although I’m quietly pleased to confirm she’ll break a few rules if required.
The underlying plot to this novel is complex, there is plenty of switching of viewpoints and a fair few mysteries that need unravelling. The author walks the line with grace between providing the reader with action, great characters and a credible plot with an equally believable solution and creating utter confusion with so much going on. This is a huge accomplishment for a debut novel, although this is a book that requires a certain amount of concentration as unusually the viewpoints switch within chapters. The headings to some of the chapters involve sewing terms bringing the reader’s attention back to those gruesome alterations that the unknown seamstress made to the wedding dress, and as when or why is also a mystery, they were quite clearly carried out for the purpose of concealment.
The author keeps the tension levels high by adhering far more to the actual time-lines of carrying out the necessary tests than many popular dramas we may watch. Despite the grimness of the wedding dress, this isn’t a depressing read, something achieved by some genuinely realistic yet appealing relationships between some of the characters. It is nice to see a police force not beset by one-upmanship and unrealistic expectations, Cathy and her partner Detective O’Rourke are mutually supportive and we understand why when we hear a little of their back story.
So in case you couldn’t tell, I was incredibly impressed by Little Bones, another great author to come out of the Bonnier Publishers imprint Twenty7 books. If you like your crime fiction to involve the more traditional police procedural, one that has a little more complexity to the generic, this may well be a book that you will really enjoy. This book has also confirmed my suspicion that Twenty7 have a huge talent in spotting these debut novelists, four out of the four I have read have been seriously impressive – a pretty good bet by anyone’s standards. If you have a manuscript that you think might be suitable for them and live in the UK or ROI, you might want to enter their competition but don’t delay it has a closing date of 31 May 2016.
I’d like to say thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read this book ahead of the publication in eBook format on 17 May 2016. This review is my unbiased thanks to them.
The story that follows is complex, told from the viewpoints of three women; Cathy, Zoe and Emily Cox, a woman who works with the elderly in London. I always rejoice when fiction gives us women who are more than decoration and to get three such women who all display their strengths in very different ways really is exceeding expectations Ms Blake! Zoe is the most vulnerable of the three, understandable when her house has been ransacked which is shortly followed by the unexpected death of her grandmother but she forges on setting up an exhibition of her art despite it all. Emily demonstrates not only her caring nature when she befriends an elderly woman who is suffering with confusion, but also her steely side when she persuades her husband, a consultant psychiatrist to help out in practical ways. And then there is Cathy, a woman who despite turmoil in her personal life doesn’t resort to histrionics but makes plans and follows them through, although I’m quietly pleased to confirm she’ll break a few rules if required.
The underlying plot to this novel is complex, there is plenty of switching of viewpoints and a fair few mysteries that need unravelling. The author walks the line with grace between providing the reader with action, great characters and a credible plot with an equally believable solution and creating utter confusion with so much going on. This is a huge accomplishment for a debut novel, although this is a book that requires a certain amount of concentration as unusually the viewpoints switch within chapters. The headings to some of the chapters involve sewing terms bringing the reader’s attention back to those gruesome alterations that the unknown seamstress made to the wedding dress, and as when or why is also a mystery, they were quite clearly carried out for the purpose of concealment.
The author keeps the tension levels high by adhering far more to the actual time-lines of carrying out the necessary tests than many popular dramas we may watch. Despite the grimness of the wedding dress, this isn’t a depressing read, something achieved by some genuinely realistic yet appealing relationships between some of the characters. It is nice to see a police force not beset by one-upmanship and unrealistic expectations, Cathy and her partner Detective O’Rourke are mutually supportive and we understand why when we hear a little of their back story.
So in case you couldn’t tell, I was incredibly impressed by Little Bones, another great author to come out of the Bonnier Publishers imprint Twenty7 books. If you like your crime fiction to involve the more traditional police procedural, one that has a little more complexity to the generic, this may well be a book that you will really enjoy. This book has also confirmed my suspicion that Twenty7 have a huge talent in spotting these debut novelists, four out of the four I have read have been seriously impressive – a pretty good bet by anyone’s standards. If you have a manuscript that you think might be suitable for them and live in the UK or ROI, you might want to enter their competition but don’t delay it has a closing date of 31 May 2016.
I’d like to say thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read this book ahead of the publication in eBook format on 17 May 2016. This review is my unbiased thanks to them.
May 15, 2016
5 stars
Huge thanks to Sam Blake, Bonnier Publishing and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Cathy is a no nonsense and driven Detective Garda with amazing kick boxing skills and a nose for investigating.
She tackles each problem head on and doesn't stop until she gets the truth.
The three storylines twist, turn and build until you arrive at the answer to the questions you've been asking. I will say now that I hate Trish, I hate her with a fiery passion and thinks she needs a good punch in the face a few times to wipe that look off of her face but that might just be me!
I am so much looking forward to the next book, especially after the cliffhanger at the end of this one, it was unexpected and shocking! Cannot wait to see what happens!
Huge thanks to Sam Blake, Bonnier Publishing and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Cathy is a no nonsense and driven Detective Garda with amazing kick boxing skills and a nose for investigating.
She tackles each problem head on and doesn't stop until she gets the truth.
The three storylines twist, turn and build until you arrive at the answer to the questions you've been asking. I will say now that I hate Trish, I hate her with a fiery passion and thinks she needs a good punch in the face a few times to wipe that look off of her face but that might just be me!
I am so much looking forward to the next book, especially after the cliffhanger at the end of this one, it was unexpected and shocking! Cannot wait to see what happens!
March 18, 2018
An intricately woven (pun intended😉) Irish tale centred on a sustained sewing/art metaphor that ties all the characters together so beautifully. Despite what seemed to be 3 separate plot lines, midway the threads are pulled together & ultimately they are all tied to each other through fate, family & misfortunes. Deep & meaningful societal themes, credible mystery-thriller elements & characters you’ll be dying to meet again. The ending certainly has hints of a sequel, which I will definitely be reading.
April 18, 2021
3.5
I just finished Little Bones and admittedly I purchased this book based on the title and cover. My rating is more myself as the reader than anything to do with the writing of Sam Blake. This was my first Irish based novel and I know absolutely nothing about Ireland nor how to pronounce any of the terminology and locations and this combined with the many characters that were introduced I found personally a little mind boggling. I liked the story but I feel Cathy should be older than 24!
I just finished Little Bones and admittedly I purchased this book based on the title and cover. My rating is more myself as the reader than anything to do with the writing of Sam Blake. This was my first Irish based novel and I know absolutely nothing about Ireland nor how to pronounce any of the terminology and locations and this combined with the many characters that were introduced I found personally a little mind boggling. I liked the story but I feel Cathy should be older than 24!
December 6, 2024
1.75/5
I really like crime thrillers as I find I can’t put them down and I really like books set in Ireland as I find them so relatable.
I just did not connect with this book or its characters. It was simply to predict every twist and turn from glaringly obvious ‘bad guys’ to predictable heroine traits.
Don’t think I’ll be going near the second book anytime soon.
I really like crime thrillers as I find I can’t put them down and I really like books set in Ireland as I find them so relatable.
I just did not connect with this book or its characters. It was simply to predict every twist and turn from glaringly obvious ‘bad guys’ to predictable heroine traits.
Don’t think I’ll be going near the second book anytime soon.
May 25, 2016
A Crisp New Take On Crime
I’m not sure what I liked most about this book – the fact that I couldn’t guess what was coming next when I can usually suss something out quickly? The cracking pace that kept me up far too late on a school night? The great story line? Was it the interesting characters and their equally interesting backstories? Superb writing? Perhaps it was all of the above.
What struck me most when reading Sam Blake’s Little Bones was how fresh it is. In a sea of crime books it stands out like a beacon (or light-house) thanks to the very many strands that are woven through the story, which colour it and make it vibrant. And oh so very unputdownable.
Cathy Connolly – I’m sure her facebook relationship/life status would read ‘it’s complicated’ – is an utterly likeable hero, kickboxing champ, great to work with, and in a tizz over the case she is called out to work on. Like I said, it’s complicated. Her empathy is something that I have found lacking in other crime book leads and so it was a joy to read her.
The story itself is superb, spanning generations and countries and tied together with (seemingly!) consummate ease, a real treat for the reader. I also found it to be a very poignant book, full of secrets and lies and at the heart of it the bones of a tiny baby found in the hem of an old wedding dress.
I’d recommend Little Bones to anyone, especially if you love the genre but are looking for a crisp new take on crime. I’ll be looking forward to reading more of Cathy Connolly, may she have a long policing career.
I’m not sure what I liked most about this book – the fact that I couldn’t guess what was coming next when I can usually suss something out quickly? The cracking pace that kept me up far too late on a school night? The great story line? Was it the interesting characters and their equally interesting backstories? Superb writing? Perhaps it was all of the above.
What struck me most when reading Sam Blake’s Little Bones was how fresh it is. In a sea of crime books it stands out like a beacon (or light-house) thanks to the very many strands that are woven through the story, which colour it and make it vibrant. And oh so very unputdownable.
Cathy Connolly – I’m sure her facebook relationship/life status would read ‘it’s complicated’ – is an utterly likeable hero, kickboxing champ, great to work with, and in a tizz over the case she is called out to work on. Like I said, it’s complicated. Her empathy is something that I have found lacking in other crime book leads and so it was a joy to read her.
The story itself is superb, spanning generations and countries and tied together with (seemingly!) consummate ease, a real treat for the reader. I also found it to be a very poignant book, full of secrets and lies and at the heart of it the bones of a tiny baby found in the hem of an old wedding dress.
I’d recommend Little Bones to anyone, especially if you love the genre but are looking for a crisp new take on crime. I’ll be looking forward to reading more of Cathy Connolly, may she have a long policing career.
May 14, 2016
When a break in reveals the bones of a baby, sewn into the hem of a wedding dress, Detective Garda Cathy Connolly finds herself investigating a mystery spanning three generations.
This fast moving tale is full of intrigue. You no sooner think you know where something is leading when Sam Blake turns you in another direction.
Cathy Connolly was an interesting character, feisty but very likable. I hope this is just the start of the stories from the Dublin Garda.
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read & review this book
This fast moving tale is full of intrigue. You no sooner think you know where something is leading when Sam Blake turns you in another direction.
Cathy Connolly was an interesting character, feisty but very likable. I hope this is just the start of the stories from the Dublin Garda.
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read & review this book
February 12, 2020
1.5 stars. I did not enjoy this book at all. Zoe was an annoyingly dumb damsel-in-distress in a "she would have been one of the first to die in a horror movie"-type of way. Cathy was basically one giant mystery pregnancy until the end. I don't know how these people solved this case except it was basically dropped into their laps. The cliffhanger ending wasn't particularly surprising. Maybe the rest of the books are good but I more than likely will not be picking them up based on how much I disliked this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2020
The synopsis sounded so good but I can’t remember reading a less thrilling thriller.
March 26, 2019
4.5*
Garda Cathy (Cat) Connolly is investigating a break in at the house of artist, Zoë Grant, following on the heels of the report of a man lurking in the garden the previous night. As Cathy examined the clothes scattered around the bedroom she noticed a tear in what seemed to be a wedding dress. What she found concealed in the hem of the dress sparks an investigation that uncovers dark deeds and secrets lain dormant for decades.
Zoë’s grandmother and head of a worldwide retail group, Lavinia Grant, gave the dress to her granddaughter. Did she know about the bones? The police were unable to contact her by phone and when they arrived at the house, they found Lavinia Grant dead at the foot of the staircase. Coincidence…or something more sinister.
In London’s East End, while shopping in the local street market, occupational therapist Emily Cox witnesses a mugging. Mary, an elderly lady she knows, was in shock after having her bag snatched. It’s obvious to Emily that Mary is confused by her vague ramblings and Emily’s increasing concern sees her wanting to bring Mary into her home. Emily’s husband Tony, a consultant psychiatrist, isn’t convinced this is the best solution, even as he understands Emily’s need to nurture is a result of their childlessness.
Along with the investigation into the discovery of the little bones found in the dress at Zoë Grant’s house, Cathy’s boss DI Dawson O’Rourke has been given a heads up from the FBI that fugitive murderer Angel Hierra has managed to evade detection and is thought to be in Dublin.
Cathy and O’Rourke are interesting characters who have much more to offer. I’m so glad this is book one in a series, and it’s an excellent start especially since it’s the author’s debut novel. The police procedural aspect is thorough in detail and the seemingly random and complex plot threads are developed and connected smoothly. Cathy’s personal situation highlights the still uncompromising attitude in Ireland with regard to abortion and single motherhood.
The story unfolds steadily, told from the perspectives of the three women, Cathy, Emily and Zoe. Secrets and lies spanning generations are revealed and unraveled gradually. The main characters are immediately likeable and I enjoyed the believable, easy chemistry and mutual support between Cathy and O’Rourke. A very well written story with a great sense of place and a shock ending. Another brilliant narration by Aoife McMahon, books two and three are already downloaded.
Garda Cathy (Cat) Connolly is investigating a break in at the house of artist, Zoë Grant, following on the heels of the report of a man lurking in the garden the previous night. As Cathy examined the clothes scattered around the bedroom she noticed a tear in what seemed to be a wedding dress. What she found concealed in the hem of the dress sparks an investigation that uncovers dark deeds and secrets lain dormant for decades.
Zoë’s grandmother and head of a worldwide retail group, Lavinia Grant, gave the dress to her granddaughter. Did she know about the bones? The police were unable to contact her by phone and when they arrived at the house, they found Lavinia Grant dead at the foot of the staircase. Coincidence…or something more sinister.
In London’s East End, while shopping in the local street market, occupational therapist Emily Cox witnesses a mugging. Mary, an elderly lady she knows, was in shock after having her bag snatched. It’s obvious to Emily that Mary is confused by her vague ramblings and Emily’s increasing concern sees her wanting to bring Mary into her home. Emily’s husband Tony, a consultant psychiatrist, isn’t convinced this is the best solution, even as he understands Emily’s need to nurture is a result of their childlessness.
Along with the investigation into the discovery of the little bones found in the dress at Zoë Grant’s house, Cathy’s boss DI Dawson O’Rourke has been given a heads up from the FBI that fugitive murderer Angel Hierra has managed to evade detection and is thought to be in Dublin.
Cathy and O’Rourke are interesting characters who have much more to offer. I’m so glad this is book one in a series, and it’s an excellent start especially since it’s the author’s debut novel. The police procedural aspect is thorough in detail and the seemingly random and complex plot threads are developed and connected smoothly. Cathy’s personal situation highlights the still uncompromising attitude in Ireland with regard to abortion and single motherhood.
The story unfolds steadily, told from the perspectives of the three women, Cathy, Emily and Zoe. Secrets and lies spanning generations are revealed and unraveled gradually. The main characters are immediately likeable and I enjoyed the believable, easy chemistry and mutual support between Cathy and O’Rourke. A very well written story with a great sense of place and a shock ending. Another brilliant narration by Aoife McMahon, books two and three are already downloaded.
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