What do you think?
Katie Maguire #7.5
The Drowned
The River Lee has always been a part of life - and death - in Cork. Now the bodies of five young men have been found by divers, locked in their car on the riverbed. A tragic accident? Or something more sinister?
As the volunteer divers begin the macabre task of extracting the bodies, DCI Katie Maguire investigates a crime where all is not as it seems...
59 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2016
About the author
Graham Masterton
404 books2,055 followersGraham Masterton was born in Edinburgh in 1946. His grandfather was Thomas Thorne Baker, the eminent scientist who invented DayGlo and was the first man to transmit news photographs by wireless. After training as a newspaper reporter, Graham went on to edit the new British men's magazine Mayfair, where he encouraged William Burroughs to develop a series of scientific and philosophical articles which eventually became Burroughs' novel The Wild Boys.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 16, 2022
I continue my epic journey through Graham Masterton’s Detective Sergeant (now Superintendent) Katie Macguire series, eager to get my hands on one of the short stories. While it is not entirely time sensitive, there are some breadcrumbs that show its place at this point in the series. Macguire is as busy as ever, but also has a great support team who work through a number of cases, including the one that will eventually be the crux of this short piece. Masterton does not lose his lustre with a page limit, proving just how strong a storyteller he can be and leaves me eager to forge onwards with the next novel.
When five young men do not return home after a night out on the town, their families reach out the the Garda for some assistance. Detective Superintendent Macguire has members of her team following leads, but no one has seen these young men since they left the club they attended. One piece of news surfaces that they were all involved in a sexual encounter that appeared to go somewhat sideways, but that does not explain where they might have gone.
When a search and rescue team locates a vehicle at the bottom of the river, it may be the best lead to date, but does not provide a clear answer. The Garda comb through the facts and seek to cut out any hoaxes that may muddy the waters (if you pardon the pun). However, it’s not long thereafter that something promising may come to light, though with each piece of news, someone else must suffer. Masterton brilliantly pulls the reader into the middle of this story and adds some depth to those characters who usually provide some of the minor roles within the series.
Without getting into too much detail, I will say that those who are interested in the DS Macguire series should not start here, but rather at the very beginning. If there are some who do not wish to commit to a full novel before they make the leap, they might want to check out the previous short story, which has fewer ties to the series progression at that point. Masterton’s strong writing abilities and detail when it comes to his characters is not lost on the attentive reader. Another gem that will surely prove a treat for those who have loved the series to date!
Kudos, Mr. Masterton, for another great piece! I am eager to get back to the full-length novels as there are some stellar cliffhangers that were not resolved with this piece.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
When five young men do not return home after a night out on the town, their families reach out the the Garda for some assistance. Detective Superintendent Macguire has members of her team following leads, but no one has seen these young men since they left the club they attended. One piece of news surfaces that they were all involved in a sexual encounter that appeared to go somewhat sideways, but that does not explain where they might have gone.
When a search and rescue team locates a vehicle at the bottom of the river, it may be the best lead to date, but does not provide a clear answer. The Garda comb through the facts and seek to cut out any hoaxes that may muddy the waters (if you pardon the pun). However, it’s not long thereafter that something promising may come to light, though with each piece of news, someone else must suffer. Masterton brilliantly pulls the reader into the middle of this story and adds some depth to those characters who usually provide some of the minor roles within the series.
Without getting into too much detail, I will say that those who are interested in the DS Macguire series should not start here, but rather at the very beginning. If there are some who do not wish to commit to a full novel before they make the leap, they might want to check out the previous short story, which has fewer ties to the series progression at that point. Masterton’s strong writing abilities and detail when it comes to his characters is not lost on the attentive reader. Another gem that will surely prove a treat for those who have loved the series to date!
Kudos, Mr. Masterton, for another great piece! I am eager to get back to the full-length novels as there are some stellar cliffhangers that were not resolved with this piece.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 13, 2019
Barely ok.Never read this series,and wanted to see if it would interest me.Not sure.
October 9, 2018
I did not care for this story. I don't understand how the DS solved the murder. This did not make any sense to me. I thought I had found a new writer in Maserton but I will have to stick to his older stuff, when he wrote HORROR.
March 3, 2017
I read this short story to check out the author's writing style before investing into books from him and honestly, I wasn't drawn in. Although I understand a short story doe not have the scope of a full length novel, it was the writing that just felt too generic. Also, the plot was easy to figure out. All and all, okay, but not necessarily making me itch to read more.
September 17, 2017
A first class story
Usually I'm not a fan of short stories but I was intrigued by this as it had been written by Graham Masterton. A story of rape and revenge, it had all the hallmarks of a first class dark thriller.
Usually I'm not a fan of short stories but I was intrigued by this as it had been written by Graham Masterton. A story of rape and revenge, it had all the hallmarks of a first class dark thriller.
April 28, 2019
Definitely worth a read!
I have read all the books following detective Katie McGuire, this short story is once again a great read. It took me about 3/4 hour to read it, but I enjoyed it.
If you haven’t read any of this series, it follows DS Katie McGuire and her team as they uncover murders, dog fighting rings, missing people, and other serious crimes. The team work together closely and their is always a twist that you didn’t see coming! pick up the first book in the series and enjoy the ride.
I have read all the books following detective Katie McGuire, this short story is once again a great read. It took me about 3/4 hour to read it, but I enjoyed it.
If you haven’t read any of this series, it follows DS Katie McGuire and her team as they uncover murders, dog fighting rings, missing people, and other serious crimes. The team work together closely and their is always a twist that you didn’t see coming! pick up the first book in the series and enjoy the ride.
May 13, 2020
I joined my local digital library over the Covid-19 lockdown. This was my first Graham Masterton and I wished I had read it on my Kindle as I kept wanting to look things up (which was a bit beyond what my local County Council offered). It was full of Irish idioms that I'd never heard before. The Garda procedure was convincing and impressive, and the story was revealed piece by piece until a clear picture emerged. I might well read some more of Masterton's books.
July 15, 2017
Another short story featuring Katie Maguire. Unfortunately this lacked Katie playing a real role in finding the truth. It was almost as if she was a bystander watching what was happening and the killer revealing themselves at the end. Katie was there just to make sure the paperwork was done.
Slightly disappointing.
Slightly disappointing.
November 2, 2017
I like the Katie McQuire books. Her personal life is different as is her work lifeBUT for some reason this did not hold me. Maybe because I am a captive reader, not being well, or it just didn’t hold me. I liked the story line, and the unpredictability is always enjoyable. I still can’t wait for the next one though.
August 6, 2017
I quite enjoyed this Katie Maguire book.
It is one of Graham's shorter stories so no sooner do you start than it is gone.
It is one of Graham's shorter stories so no sooner do you start than it is gone.
September 10, 2017
Nice Introduction
To the series and okay if your familiar with Kate and her cork contemporaries. Not a bad read. One minor gripe it's more of a novelette than a short story.
To the series and okay if your familiar with Kate and her cork contemporaries. Not a bad read. One minor gripe it's more of a novelette than a short story.
August 4, 2018
I suspected the murderer in the first quarter of the book, but I couldn't blame him, either. A nasty, vicious crime that had the perpetrators getting their just desserts...in a nasty way.
February 13, 2019
Short but a good one. This is the Katie I love.
April 6, 2020
A much better short story in the Katie Maguire series. Although the ending eventually becomes a bit predictable, the tale plays out with a good mystery like the novels.
July 9, 2020
This was a pretty good short story bridging book 7 & 8.
Nice story with a solid ending.
Nice story with a solid ending.
December 12, 2020
Short but good
A great little short that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, it really builds the suspense, but also doesn’t tip its hand too fast. If you can put them together before I did well done but there are some amazing twists and turns.
A great little short that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, it really builds the suspense, but also doesn’t tip its hand too fast. If you can put them together before I did well done but there are some amazing twists and turns.
June 10, 2021
Great short novella
February 15, 2025
An excellent short story entry in these series.
November 17, 2020
Love this series but this short book does not bring anything new to the series and is so short (approx an hours read) that there is no depth to the characters and the crime is wrapped up like a scooby doo’s who dunnit! It would have made a terrific read if it had been a full book. Roll on the next one!
May 21, 2016
Short
A very short story. A bit anti-climatic for me. Having read the whole series, I was looking forward to reading this one, which I'd pre-ordered. Very little crime solving skill used by our heroine and her team. A cop out by our author in my humble opinion.
A very short story. A bit anti-climatic for me. Having read the whole series, I was looking forward to reading this one, which I'd pre-ordered. Very little crime solving skill used by our heroine and her team. A cop out by our author in my humble opinion.
August 27, 2016
a short but good story, Graham is becoming more and more talented story teller, he has a way that keeps your eyes pinned to the pages till the end. The comparison of people having no compassion and those who others mean life itself to them is perfectly mentioned here. Good book
October 1, 2016
Wonderfully rounded Katie Maguire short story. It packed a lot of story & detail for a novella, and held your attention grippingly till the end.
I found this book easier to read than his standard novels, having far less violence & a more positive outlook to it. Very enjoyable.
I found this book easier to read than his standard novels, having far less violence & a more positive outlook to it. Very enjoyable.
October 5, 2016
Brilliant. Captivated from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews