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Katie Maguire #8
Dead Girls Dancing
Katie Maguire investigates the strange, obsessive world of Irish folk dancing in the new gripping and gruesome thriller from Graham Masterton.
In the middle of Cork, in the middle of the day, a fire crackles in a local dance studio. Thirteen women, all promising stars of Irish folk, die in the blaze. Their young lives cut short by a tragic accident.
But where others see tragedy, DCI Katie Maguire sees murder. This is not the first fire to sweep through Cork. And in one previous case, the victims were dead before the fire was started.
As Katie Maguire investigates the strange, obsessive world of competetive Irish folk dancing, she must face her most chilling killer yet...
368 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2016
208 people are currently reading
777 people want to read
About the author
Graham Masterton
422 books1,967 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
August 19, 2022
Those who have followed me closely this summer will know that I am currently in the middle of an epic binge of Irish police procedurals by Graham Masterton. The author never ceases to impresses with a collection whose crimes prove as chilling and graphic as anything I have come across. The narrative flow is smooth and characters develop throughout the series, adding something for those who have followed from the opening novel. Masterton shows how he can use Irish-themed ideas to keep the series flowing, educating and entertaining in equal measure.
A fire in Cork’s downtown core leaves many dead, including an entire dance troupe. Of those who survive, one little girl is unclaimed and since she is not speaking, there is no way to track her. Detective Superintendent Katie Macguire works as best she can to help her, but there’s something not entirely right about the situation or this young survivor.
While the investigation turns to an arson inquest, DS Macguire is forced to deal with her own personal issues, which includes trying to understand what’s going on with her current lover. He has a secret he failed to share with her, but seems keen to make a future with her, no matter what the cost. Another love interest emerges and complicates the scenario, especially since there is a workplace aspect. Then again, DS Macguire never does things in a straightforward manner.
As the investigation takes on new importance, there is an IRA angle that could explain it all. DS Macguire and her team must be careful, as this could leave more bodies in the wake of these discoveries. The little girl could be the key to it all, though learning the truth about her identity could create even more trouble for the Garda. Politically rich and full of Irish flavouring, Masterton keeps the series strong with another stellar novel.
Graham Masterton has created something well worth the attention I have been giving it. With strong themes, set in the heart of Ireland, this is a police procedural that will tug on the reader’s lapels and not let go throughout. Themes related the political goings-on and regionalism prove successful in keeping the tension up, while providing the reader with something new and exciting. What luck I had in discovering this series and how pleased I am that things have been going so well.
Masterton is at the top of his game with this collection of novels, though he was a household name for many who love the horror genre over the last number of years. There is strong narrative development, both within the book and throughout the entire series, allowing the reader to get a sense of what is going on and stray focussed. Character development builds with each novel, offering a cast that is reliable and permits the reader to see growth. The development of DS Katie Macguire is most prominent, as should be the case with any strong protagonist, but it is primarily her personal life that keeps readers intrigued. Masterton supplies great plot twists and countless cliffhangers to leave the series ever-evolving, which has me rushing back to find the next novel as soon as I complete a review. I can see things getting more intense with these novels, which only means that Masterton is honing his skills even more.
Kudos, Mr. Masterton, for keeping me highly entertained throughout.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A fire in Cork’s downtown core leaves many dead, including an entire dance troupe. Of those who survive, one little girl is unclaimed and since she is not speaking, there is no way to track her. Detective Superintendent Katie Macguire works as best she can to help her, but there’s something not entirely right about the situation or this young survivor.
While the investigation turns to an arson inquest, DS Macguire is forced to deal with her own personal issues, which includes trying to understand what’s going on with her current lover. He has a secret he failed to share with her, but seems keen to make a future with her, no matter what the cost. Another love interest emerges and complicates the scenario, especially since there is a workplace aspect. Then again, DS Macguire never does things in a straightforward manner.
As the investigation takes on new importance, there is an IRA angle that could explain it all. DS Macguire and her team must be careful, as this could leave more bodies in the wake of these discoveries. The little girl could be the key to it all, though learning the truth about her identity could create even more trouble for the Garda. Politically rich and full of Irish flavouring, Masterton keeps the series strong with another stellar novel.
Graham Masterton has created something well worth the attention I have been giving it. With strong themes, set in the heart of Ireland, this is a police procedural that will tug on the reader’s lapels and not let go throughout. Themes related the political goings-on and regionalism prove successful in keeping the tension up, while providing the reader with something new and exciting. What luck I had in discovering this series and how pleased I am that things have been going so well.
Masterton is at the top of his game with this collection of novels, though he was a household name for many who love the horror genre over the last number of years. There is strong narrative development, both within the book and throughout the entire series, allowing the reader to get a sense of what is going on and stray focussed. Character development builds with each novel, offering a cast that is reliable and permits the reader to see growth. The development of DS Katie Macguire is most prominent, as should be the case with any strong protagonist, but it is primarily her personal life that keeps readers intrigued. Masterton supplies great plot twists and countless cliffhangers to leave the series ever-evolving, which has me rushing back to find the next novel as soon as I complete a review. I can see things getting more intense with these novels, which only means that Masterton is honing his skills even more.
Kudos, Mr. Masterton, for keeping me highly entertained throughout.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 6, 2018
Dead Girls Dancing by Graham Masterton is book #8 in the Katie McGuire series and while the character is still intriguing, the books themselves may be losing steam. These tales are not for the fate of heart. They are violent and brutal and blur the lines between what does and does not make for good reading.
In Cork, Ireland, a fire erupts in a local dance studio. Thirteen dancers are killed in the tragic accident. But as Maguire and her team investigates, it soon becomes apparent that the blaze was no accident. But who would want to kill 13 teenage Irish folk dancers?
Elsewhere, the crime lords are in a disarray with the death of their prior boss. New blood is stepping to the forefront and its ties to the IRA and terrorism are strong. Could the new crime boss have something to do with the fire?
Katie also has to deal with interdepartmental politics and a rural dog fighting ring. All of which can harm her on a very person a level. But can she navigate these and still find out what happened to the dancers?
The Katie Maguire series is a gritty noire set of mysteries that at times, seems to revel in its shock value. I have read and loved Irish police dramas, but Masterton seems to take it further that many writers do. It is not only the violence but the sexual violence that permeates his stories. This is the fourth Katie Maguire book I have read and each of them has a rape scene. In this one it is a gang rape as a form of intimidation and then there is the scene where the undercover policewoman performs oral sex on one of the criminals to secure information.
Is that really in the interest of the story or is it for shock value alone?
What makes these stories work though is the characters. They come alive in these books. Masterton is an incredibly gifted writer and as a reader, you can tell he enjoys this series. It breathes, even though at time it is disturbing and hard to stomach.
Katie Maguire is tough as nails but her tenderness and vulnerability is what makes her character work. She throws herself into each case and at times, allows it to become to close to home. But in the end she solves it, only it also seems to come with a price.
Good but the sexual violence in this series is beginning to detract from the stories themselves.
In Cork, Ireland, a fire erupts in a local dance studio. Thirteen dancers are killed in the tragic accident. But as Maguire and her team investigates, it soon becomes apparent that the blaze was no accident. But who would want to kill 13 teenage Irish folk dancers?
Elsewhere, the crime lords are in a disarray with the death of their prior boss. New blood is stepping to the forefront and its ties to the IRA and terrorism are strong. Could the new crime boss have something to do with the fire?
Katie also has to deal with interdepartmental politics and a rural dog fighting ring. All of which can harm her on a very person a level. But can she navigate these and still find out what happened to the dancers?
The Katie Maguire series is a gritty noire set of mysteries that at times, seems to revel in its shock value. I have read and loved Irish police dramas, but Masterton seems to take it further that many writers do. It is not only the violence but the sexual violence that permeates his stories. This is the fourth Katie Maguire book I have read and each of them has a rape scene. In this one it is a gang rape as a form of intimidation and then there is the scene where the undercover policewoman performs oral sex on one of the criminals to secure information.
Is that really in the interest of the story or is it for shock value alone?
What makes these stories work though is the characters. They come alive in these books. Masterton is an incredibly gifted writer and as a reader, you can tell he enjoys this series. It breathes, even though at time it is disturbing and hard to stomach.
Katie Maguire is tough as nails but her tenderness and vulnerability is what makes her character work. She throws herself into each case and at times, allows it to become to close to home. But in the end she solves it, only it also seems to come with a price.
Good but the sexual violence in this series is beginning to detract from the stories themselves.
June 11, 2017
το χειρότερο βιβλίο της σειράς, ένα μεγάλο μπέρδεμα και τίποτα παραπάνω
April 3, 2019
My first encounter with Katie Maguire but it won’t be the last. I agree with other reviewers who have questioned the need for the graphic sex scenes, and some of the violence seems to me to be a tad gratuitous. Having said that, I did enjoy the book and will certainly seek out the others in the series. One gripe though. There is an awful lot of Irish vernacular spoken which makes some passages almost unintelligible to a non-Irish reader. Surely a glossary at the end of the book would help, as would a guide to the pronunciation of the many Irish proper names used in the book.
February 7, 2017
Good storyline and characters I've come to know and appreciate. Author is always spot on with the difficulties of being a woman in the police force.
I do always find the sex scenes laughable, in particular the addition of a threesome in the book. However, the 10 page gang rape scene was unnecessary and did nothing for the story, it's relevance to the story was minimal. I skipped the whole gratuitous scene.
I do always find the sex scenes laughable, in particular the addition of a threesome in the book. However, the 10 page gang rape scene was unnecessary and did nothing for the story, it's relevance to the story was minimal. I skipped the whole gratuitous scene.
April 17, 2017
not bad if a little confusing at times x
January 20, 2023
THRILLER Z KATIE MAGUIRE, PANIĄ NADKOMISARZ, KTÓRA ROBI WSZYSTKO BY JEJ PODOPIECZNI, KOCHANKOWIE ORAZ PSY ZOSTAŁY JAK NAJBRUTALNIEJ ZAMORDOWANE!
(jeśli chodzi o kochanków i psy, to z dwóch przeczytanych przeze mnie książek z tej serii, Pani Nadkomisarz ma 4/4 w statystykach; jako humanista nawet nie będę próbowała podliczyć starty w pozostałych pracownikach Gardy)
To moje trzecie podejście do książki Mastertona i coraz bardziej utwierdzam się w przekonaniu, że "Dżinn" był jakimś fuksem. Chociaż trzeba mu przyznać, że pisze gore jak nikt inny, to zamiłowanie do kiepsko napisanych scen erotycznych niszczy całą przyjemność z czytania. Pomijając randomowy seks analny bez jakiekolwiek przygotowania, to czarę przelały purpurowe członki (tak, wszystkie były purpurowe, i would get that checked).
Poza tym jeszcze nigdy nie czytałam książki, gdzie postacie pod względem płci czy orientacji były tak zróżnicowane, ale jednocześnie wszystko pozostawiało w ustach niemiły posmak. Jakby autor na siłę starał się być woke, ale tak tylko na pokaz (chociaż wątpię, by jego odbiorcom akurat na tym zależało, nie kiedy mają purpurowe członki co 25 stron!!!).
Jeśli chodzi o samą fabułę to też mam wiele do zarzucenia, szczególnie wątek z walkami psów był bezsensowny i niczego nie wnosił. No cóż, nigdy więcej.
(jeśli chodzi o kochanków i psy, to z dwóch przeczytanych przeze mnie książek z tej serii, Pani Nadkomisarz ma 4/4 w statystykach; jako humanista nawet nie będę próbowała podliczyć starty w pozostałych pracownikach Gardy)
To moje trzecie podejście do książki Mastertona i coraz bardziej utwierdzam się w przekonaniu, że "Dżinn" był jakimś fuksem. Chociaż trzeba mu przyznać, że pisze gore jak nikt inny, to zamiłowanie do kiepsko napisanych scen erotycznych niszczy całą przyjemność z czytania. Pomijając randomowy seks analny bez jakiekolwiek przygotowania, to czarę przelały purpurowe członki (tak, wszystkie były purpurowe, i would get that checked).
Poza tym jeszcze nigdy nie czytałam książki, gdzie postacie pod względem płci czy orientacji były tak zróżnicowane, ale jednocześnie wszystko pozostawiało w ustach niemiły posmak. Jakby autor na siłę starał się być woke, ale tak tylko na pokaz (chociaż wątpię, by jego odbiorcom akurat na tym zależało, nie kiedy mają purpurowe członki co 25 stron!!!).
Jeśli chodzi o samą fabułę to też mam wiele do zarzucenia, szczególnie wątek z walkami psów był bezsensowny i niczego nie wnosił. No cóż, nigdy więcej.
December 13, 2019
Audio version of this book 📚-DNF Couldn’t get into this one 😞extremely slow going and not gripping. Not one of the best in the series
July 2, 2019
I really liked the crime aspects of this book, but Katie as a character is starting to bother me. I mean the way she goes through her personal relationships is something else, and in this book she just starting a new relationship with a man that she started while she wasn't finished her relationship with John, in the last book. I never liked John, but I really felt back for the way Katie treated him. She goes to church to find God, and remove her guilt about John, only to have a threesome with her new guy and a woman who's a colleague. That's pretty bad, especially when she's dealing with yet another boss who thinks she's not doing her job properly.
I just wish Masterton would concentrate more on the crime parts of the story and leave Katie's relationship's out of it. Or at least let her have a normal (guy or girl) relationship that actually lsat with someone, cause I'm sick of reading about it.!!
I just wish Masterton would concentrate more on the crime parts of the story and leave Katie's relationship's out of it. Or at least let her have a normal (guy or girl) relationship that actually lsat with someone, cause I'm sick of reading about it.!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2022
This was the first of this series I've read and perhaps I suffered for that, I believe it is the 8th DCI Katie Macguire book. I found there was too much about the personal life of the detective rather than of the case itself, which all seemed to come to ahead and was wrapped up very quickly in just the penultimate chapter. The 2 very detailed, graphic and I think poorly written sex scenes involving Katie were just unnecessary and did nothing to build on the characters. It has not encouraged me to explore any more of Graham Masterson's novels.
December 7, 2018
I'm done with the Katie Maguire series. About half-way through I realised it was a chore to read, that I wasn't enjoying the book nor was I looking forward to reading it. I imagine something even more terrible than what opened the book will happen and Katie will solve the mystery so I don't think I am missing much by ending it now. The Cork slang did me in. Begorragh, it was just pure too much and laid on tick.
January 6, 2018
I listened to the audiobook version of this book and I was well impressed.
The storyline had me guessing till the very end and it was one of those books you just can't put down.
The narration was absolutely superb and really added to the story.
Very well written story and I will certainly be looking for more from this author.
The storyline had me guessing till the very end and it was one of those books you just can't put down.
The narration was absolutely superb and really added to the story.
Very well written story and I will certainly be looking for more from this author.
May 27, 2017
Avoiding this author in the future - must EVERY book feature a protracted rape scene as well as steamy sex. I am not a prude, but this author seems to be enjoying it a little too much. Felt like I should have washed my hands each time I put the book down.
July 31, 2018
4 stars
There is an arsonist on the loose in Cork, Ireland. A dance studio just down the road from the police station is ablaze and several engines and some of Detective Superintendent Katie Maguire’s officers have responded to the conflagration. There are seventeen people trapped in the fire, sixteen dancers and their teacher. They were rehearsing for a performance they were set to give.
A young girl, about ten-years old was rescued from the roof of the dance building. She can’t or won’t speak. Also, after the roof caved in two more bodies were found. Now the total is eighteen dancers and their coach. It is later discovered that the two people in the asattic were both shot to death before the fire started.
Meanwhile, Bobby Quilty’s second-in-command Niall Gleason is murdered beside the roadside. The reader is aware of the identity of his killer. The man belongs to what is left of Quilty’s Authentic IRA group. They’re planning a big operation in the coming days.
Katie also gets word of a big dog fight that is planned by one Guzz Eye McManus. She now has several cases to work. Her new ACC Magorian was a former instructor of Katie’s and while he supports her in public, he comes down very critical and hard on her in private.
Kyna’s undercover stint as a barmaid has reaped results and now the pieces are coming together. The police learn who the little girl really is. The dance studio fire very well might have been started from someone from Belfast originally. As the story starts to click, the best suspect for that as well as Niall Gleason’s shooting and a host of other crimes happens to be one Davy Dorgan. He was also the supposed mastermind of a plot to murder the British Minister of Defense named Ian Bowthorpe who is coming to Cork.
In a literally explosive conclusion, all the pieces of the puzzle come together. The little girl, whose name is Cissy, goes missing, something terrible happens and all is finally resolved – more or less.
This is not as good a book as Masterton’s previous Katie Maguire novels. The writing and plotting were fine, as usual, but there was something about it. Perhaps the characters weren’t as interesting as I usually find them. For whatever reason, I only rated this book four stars. And on to the next in the series…
There is an arsonist on the loose in Cork, Ireland. A dance studio just down the road from the police station is ablaze and several engines and some of Detective Superintendent Katie Maguire’s officers have responded to the conflagration. There are seventeen people trapped in the fire, sixteen dancers and their teacher. They were rehearsing for a performance they were set to give.
A young girl, about ten-years old was rescued from the roof of the dance building. She can’t or won’t speak. Also, after the roof caved in two more bodies were found. Now the total is eighteen dancers and their coach. It is later discovered that the two people in the asattic were both shot to death before the fire started.
Meanwhile, Bobby Quilty’s second-in-command Niall Gleason is murdered beside the roadside. The reader is aware of the identity of his killer. The man belongs to what is left of Quilty’s Authentic IRA group. They’re planning a big operation in the coming days.
Katie also gets word of a big dog fight that is planned by one Guzz Eye McManus. She now has several cases to work. Her new ACC Magorian was a former instructor of Katie’s and while he supports her in public, he comes down very critical and hard on her in private.
Kyna’s undercover stint as a barmaid has reaped results and now the pieces are coming together. The police learn who the little girl really is. The dance studio fire very well might have been started from someone from Belfast originally. As the story starts to click, the best suspect for that as well as Niall Gleason’s shooting and a host of other crimes happens to be one Davy Dorgan. He was also the supposed mastermind of a plot to murder the British Minister of Defense named Ian Bowthorpe who is coming to Cork.
In a literally explosive conclusion, all the pieces of the puzzle come together. The little girl, whose name is Cissy, goes missing, something terrible happens and all is finally resolved – more or less.
This is not as good a book as Masterton’s previous Katie Maguire novels. The writing and plotting were fine, as usual, but there was something about it. Perhaps the characters weren’t as interesting as I usually find them. For whatever reason, I only rated this book four stars. And on to the next in the series…
August 7, 2018
You can tell that the author used to be a horror writer (or in fact IS a horror and now a crime writer would be a fairer description) as his descriptions of injuries and body shock scenes are still visceral and effecting. I worried when I first started the book that it would detract from the detective novel but it started really strongly. There was an excellent opening, a clear and interesting mystery and a strong lineup of characters. This is the 6th book in the series and you can tell because there is reference to the other books. I haven't read them but this did not stop me enjoying this book. It is fairly clear that lots has happened in the other books, possibly too much which I gleaned that from the call backs and the sheer amount of dark events in this book. This picture of Ireland is not one of a lovely place to be. This is very dark indeed.
I liked the sense of place in the book. I liked the accents and the verbal ticks that were portrayed. It added character.
While it was a good book and a fun read I do have some reservations about it. The mystery seemed to be concluded too quickly and neatly. The size of the problem seemed huge at the start and I even thought it would run over several books but in the last few chapters it was all suddenly wrapped up.
Also, and I'm sorry to be a prude again, there was a completely unnecessary sex scene near the end of the book that appeared to me to be contrary to the background of the story and, as far as I could see, served no plot purpose beyond titillation. Now I’m not against a bit of titillation but could not help but feel that the space could have been used for plot development instead. For a moment it was like being a teenager again in a mid 80s horror book where chapter 43 or so was always the sex chapter. James Herbert was particularly one for those in his early books. It was a horror trope back then. Perhaps the message was meant to follow that sex and horror went hand in hand. Don't do the sexy time and you wond be eviscerated by some monster / group of unexpectedly vicious animals.
I probably will try some of the earlier books. There was much to like in this book but I did leave it feeling that early promise had not been followed through all the way to the end of the book.
I liked the sense of place in the book. I liked the accents and the verbal ticks that were portrayed. It added character.
While it was a good book and a fun read I do have some reservations about it. The mystery seemed to be concluded too quickly and neatly. The size of the problem seemed huge at the start and I even thought it would run over several books but in the last few chapters it was all suddenly wrapped up.
Also, and I'm sorry to be a prude again, there was a completely unnecessary sex scene near the end of the book that appeared to me to be contrary to the background of the story and, as far as I could see, served no plot purpose beyond titillation. Now I’m not against a bit of titillation but could not help but feel that the space could have been used for plot development instead. For a moment it was like being a teenager again in a mid 80s horror book where chapter 43 or so was always the sex chapter. James Herbert was particularly one for those in his early books. It was a horror trope back then. Perhaps the message was meant to follow that sex and horror went hand in hand. Don't do the sexy time and you wond be eviscerated by some monster / group of unexpectedly vicious animals.
I probably will try some of the earlier books. There was much to like in this book but I did leave it feeling that early promise had not been followed through all the way to the end of the book.
December 30, 2018
The latest in the series of detective Katie Maguire, and lots of intricate elements in the plot do require the reading of these in order. Here there's political gangs, IRA related, the arson attack on a dance school, all interlinked, and an overlap to a previous book and the sale of illegal tabacco.
Lots of twists and complexities in the story that is well written, better than the last couple, and I really enjoyed reading. Lots of gratuitous detail which fits in with the plot well. Well, maybe not so much the detail given of a gang rape.
A criticism of previous books was the amount of detail of Katie's personal life, not just the sex, and I thought we'd gotten over that, I was really enjoying the read, then we get a 3some, whose's only relevence is unnecessary titilation. That and what seems the obligatory murder of a colleague, then an otherwise 5 Star review becomes 4.
Lots of twists and complexities in the story that is well written, better than the last couple, and I really enjoyed reading. Lots of gratuitous detail which fits in with the plot well. Well, maybe not so much the detail given of a gang rape.
A criticism of previous books was the amount of detail of Katie's personal life, not just the sex, and I thought we'd gotten over that, I was really enjoying the read, then we get a 3some, whose's only relevence is unnecessary titilation. That and what seems the obligatory murder of a colleague, then an otherwise 5 Star review becomes 4.
August 27, 2021
Even though the violence is pretty dark in this series I have kept reading them as Masterton is brilliant at the small details of each character's development and the descriptions of Cork which I absolutely love. I am invested in Katie's story and am glad that she is maturing more each book. The crime in this story is less gory than the others thank goodness. There is no lingering on the suffering of the tortured but more rather large explosions and the occasional threat of harm. I am not sure of the point of the first explosion as it seems somewhat overdone to kill 17 people to hide the death of two so the explanation at the end that reveals this is disappointing.
March 11, 2024
So glad I decided this would be the year I tackle Graham Masterton's back catalogue.
January 16, 2017
As always Graham Masterton has written another great book, brilliant characters, a story that a real roller coaster of ups and downs, twists and turns, and a really gripping read.
August 22, 2017
Firearms
This story really kept me going and was very exciting to read. The story line was fantastic and not really into books like this but well written .
This story really kept me going and was very exciting to read. The story line was fantastic and not really into books like this but well written .
December 27, 2019
Anyone who's read my other reviews of this series will already know my feelings about Graham Masterton & Katie Maguire. If you don't, well I adore Graham Masterton's horror novels but despite enjoying this crime series, Katie Maguire is a character who just plain irritates me!
As always it's straight into the action, this time with a fire blasting through a dance studio killing seventeen young dancers. Once again things are gory & vicious (there's a particularly nasty gang rape scene) but overall the storyline disappointed me slightly.
The side story of dog fighting was still running but for me it seemed firstly to be there just to pad things out & secondly to keep Conor around for a gratuitous sex scene between himself, Katie & Kyna. Well, I think we all knew this was on the cards but after reading "Katie sat down to take off her trousers & her popsocks..." (POPSOCKS??? Sorry, I just find that image ridiculous - why, why, why even mention popsocks?) I was ready for the rest of the scene to be an embarassment - & cringe worthy it was.
So Katie's love life is a still a mess & things would appear to be no better work wise. After her last boss blew his brains out in front of her you'd think things could only get better, but not for Katie Maguire, oh no, her new boss has a downer on her too. I'm not particularly looking forward to Katie doing battle with yet another misogynistic-Maguire-hating Assistant Commissioner - isn't it time to change the tune?
Not one of the best of the series (scraping 4 stars by the skin if its teeth) but despite my dislike of Katie I won't be giving up on the series. Maybe one day she'll win me round...but I won't hold my breath...
As always it's straight into the action, this time with a fire blasting through a dance studio killing seventeen young dancers. Once again things are gory & vicious (there's a particularly nasty gang rape scene) but overall the storyline disappointed me slightly.
The side story of dog fighting was still running but for me it seemed firstly to be there just to pad things out & secondly to keep Conor around for a gratuitous sex scene between himself, Katie & Kyna. Well, I think we all knew this was on the cards but after reading "Katie sat down to take off her trousers & her popsocks..." (POPSOCKS??? Sorry, I just find that image ridiculous - why, why, why even mention popsocks?) I was ready for the rest of the scene to be an embarassment - & cringe worthy it was.
So Katie's love life is a still a mess & things would appear to be no better work wise. After her last boss blew his brains out in front of her you'd think things could only get better, but not for Katie Maguire, oh no, her new boss has a downer on her too. I'm not particularly looking forward to Katie doing battle with yet another misogynistic-Maguire-hating Assistant Commissioner - isn't it time to change the tune?
Not one of the best of the series (scraping 4 stars by the skin if its teeth) but despite my dislike of Katie I won't be giving up on the series. Maybe one day she'll win me round...but I won't hold my breath...
June 13, 2022
The story in this book is decent but the writing is awful!
As an Irishman I found a lot of this book grating. It reminded me of early American Irish movies with their "begorrahs" and "top of the morning".
I don't know anything about this author but I suspect he's English and the only research he did was in TV, a map and a dictionary.
I believe the author interspersed colloquialisms he found somewhere without really know anything about them. In the early part of the book, for instance, the word "sham" is frequently used. That word is specific to two towns in Ireland and Cork city is not one of them. Even the the word is not in common usage.
"Wain" is in common use in Northern Ireland and perhaps in Donegal. It's never used south of that.
There were many other issues with the book. We don't intersperse Irish words in the middle of sentences. It may happen occasionally but it's very rare. Every Tom, Dick and Harry in this book does it.
One that got up my nose. I'm not religious so I don't take offence at these but anyone with even a passing knowledge of Ireland knows that some of these biblical sayings are not used everyday as in this book. I felt that the author deliberately denigrated the Irish in the frequency of these. "Holy Mother of God!". "Christ on a donkey". "Christ on a camel". The most outrageous was "Holy Lantern of Jesus". There's many more but I can only say that they were created in the imagination and are not a reflection of Ireland.
So I thought the story was decent but the writing was awful. Hence, two stars, and that was begrudging. What is the job of an editor. Surely someone pointed these issues out.
So I say to the author "Do some proper research and get it edited by someone knowledgeable".
As an Irishman I found a lot of this book grating. It reminded me of early American Irish movies with their "begorrahs" and "top of the morning".
I don't know anything about this author but I suspect he's English and the only research he did was in TV, a map and a dictionary.
I believe the author interspersed colloquialisms he found somewhere without really know anything about them. In the early part of the book, for instance, the word "sham" is frequently used. That word is specific to two towns in Ireland and Cork city is not one of them. Even the the word is not in common usage.
"Wain" is in common use in Northern Ireland and perhaps in Donegal. It's never used south of that.
There were many other issues with the book. We don't intersperse Irish words in the middle of sentences. It may happen occasionally but it's very rare. Every Tom, Dick and Harry in this book does it.
One that got up my nose. I'm not religious so I don't take offence at these but anyone with even a passing knowledge of Ireland knows that some of these biblical sayings are not used everyday as in this book. I felt that the author deliberately denigrated the Irish in the frequency of these. "Holy Mother of God!". "Christ on a donkey". "Christ on a camel". The most outrageous was "Holy Lantern of Jesus". There's many more but I can only say that they were created in the imagination and are not a reflection of Ireland.
So I thought the story was decent but the writing was awful. Hence, two stars, and that was begrudging. What is the job of an editor. Surely someone pointed these issues out.
So I say to the author "Do some proper research and get it edited by someone knowledgeable".
December 12, 2017
The reason I didn't give this a 5 star rating was the over use of gratuitous violence through out the book a lot of which was unnecessary. Having got the negative point out of the way, the book overall was excellent.
A page turner of a novel with several strands which come neatly together as DCI Kate Maguire tries to solve an arson with plenty of deaths, a shooting and a mysterious young girl with no name.
The dialogue is crisp and seems to have an authenic feel of the republic of Ireland about it. The characters are well developed and Masterton has keen observational skills.
The first book I've read that mentions post Brexit I'm sure more will follow
A page turner of a novel with several strands which come neatly together as DCI Kate Maguire tries to solve an arson with plenty of deaths, a shooting and a mysterious young girl with no name.
The dialogue is crisp and seems to have an authenic feel of the republic of Ireland about it. The characters are well developed and Masterton has keen observational skills.
The first book I've read that mentions post Brexit I'm sure more will follow
March 14, 2017
This is the first Graham Masterton I have given only two stars. I have read all the Katie Maguire books and have totally lost interest now. I don't like Katie as a main character, she's irresponsible and an idiot, I don't mind sex scenes in fiction at all but Katie leaps in to bed with anyone at the drop of a hat now, and threesomes...really?!?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2017
I enjoyed this story. It was my first in the series. I think some people may find the describing of sex and violence a bit too graphic. It's an exciting read and I will be reading more in the series.
October 26, 2017
Good storyline however for me the dialect used marred my enjoyment of the book. First-time read of the author, would I read anymore? No.
July 27, 2017
This is the latest in the DCI Katie Maguire series and is set in Cork her home town. Katie’s life has moved on since I last encountered her in Buried. She has a new man in her life, Conor, whose wife has been making embarrassing visits to Katie’s police station to make scenes and her battles with Cork’s criminals and lowlifes carry on unabated,.
Dead Girls Dancing begins with a bang – literally as the Toirneach Damhsa dance troupe are enthusiastically going through their rehearsal paces. The Regional Dance championship is soon to take place at the Opera House and the rivalry between troupes is fierce. But Catriona, one of the dancers, smells smoke and goes to investigate. She opens a door and is immediately incinerated by a massive explosion. Terrified, her companions and dance instructor try to escape through the attic but the stairwell also explodes and engulfs them in flames. All 18 die in a scene from hell and Katie and her team are soon at the scene. As they survey the blackened, smouldering building, Katie sees movement and a pale small face on the roof. The firefighters bring down a frightened 9 year old. She doesn’t want to talk and as the smoke rises over the town there are 2 people are pleased at what they’ve done, Davy Dorgan, the local hoodlum and IRA man, and one of his gang, Liam. This has gone to plan.
On searching the wreckage two more bodies are found in the attic joined together. But they’re not fire victims as, instead, they’ve both been shot in the head. Who were they and what were they doing there? Also in the mix is the impending visit by a VIP to the dance finals at the Cork Opera House – was it all a practice run for that? However the dance troupe’s manager, Danny Coffey, was rumoured to have bad money troubles, was he responsible? Meanwhile a bouquet of flowers arrives at the hospital for the little girl with a coded message to keep her mouth shut. She’s obviously seen something that she wasn’t supposed to but who sent it? In the meantime, Katie has met the new Assistant Commissioner, Frank Magorian, who makes his feelings of dislike towards her clear, He describes her to her face as a ‘diva with permanent PMT’.
Dead Girls Dancing is a multi-layered novel with several subplots: dogfighting, Katie and Conor, Katie and Kyna, Katie’s still unresolved guilt over her ex boyfriend, John, death which began in Buried, the authentic IRA and Irish politics set against Cork and its underworld. This is furtive conversations in back street pubs and rundown apartments in tenements and a world in which everyone is getting by and has their own secrets. Also Katie and Kyna – will they get together?
There are explicit sex scenes in the book which upset some Amazon reviewers. A nasty, sordid gang rape used as a horrible way to keep a woman silent. The other one involving Katie, Kyna and Conor almost verged on soft porn. I found it very strange that Katie, a woman beset with the difficulties of being a woman in a male dominated world, would have a steamy session with two colleagues, both of whom are known to the police station.
I enjoyed the Irish dialect as I remembered it from Buried as being particularly convincing and some of the descriptions such as ’some of the stairs squeaked like pigs.’ and a tattoo on one villain’s girlfriend was ‘A Virgin Mary on her shoulder who looked so grumpy she could have been mistaken for Martin McGuinness were inspired..
There were times, however, where I felt that the dancers’ deaths got lost in the complicated plotting and the meshing of characters and motives. The dog fighting didn’t seem to go far as Katie and her team arrive at one after a tip-off but are powerless to do much except arrest the organiser, Guzz Eye McManus.
This is not a book for the squeamish but fans of the Katie McGuire series will already know what to expect. Its realistic scenes of the dancers deaths and the horrible death of Detective Dooley by a local firebug , Dara Coughlan, who has petrol poured over him and then set alight may be too realistic for some readers. At times I did find the book heavy going but I admired Masterton’s skill in keeping the subplots going and his knowledge of Irish politics. There was a mention of Brexit and how it might restore a proper Irish border and the ramifications of it. Masterton likes to have a broad canvas on which to work. The book blurb states that it’s set against the strange obsessive world of competitive Irish dancing but I would disagree as that was only one element of a complicated storyline and subplots.
I enjoyed Dead Girls Dancing and it was grand to meet Katie McGuire again but I wondered where she could go next.
Dead Girls Dancing begins with a bang – literally as the Toirneach Damhsa dance troupe are enthusiastically going through their rehearsal paces. The Regional Dance championship is soon to take place at the Opera House and the rivalry between troupes is fierce. But Catriona, one of the dancers, smells smoke and goes to investigate. She opens a door and is immediately incinerated by a massive explosion. Terrified, her companions and dance instructor try to escape through the attic but the stairwell also explodes and engulfs them in flames. All 18 die in a scene from hell and Katie and her team are soon at the scene. As they survey the blackened, smouldering building, Katie sees movement and a pale small face on the roof. The firefighters bring down a frightened 9 year old. She doesn’t want to talk and as the smoke rises over the town there are 2 people are pleased at what they’ve done, Davy Dorgan, the local hoodlum and IRA man, and one of his gang, Liam. This has gone to plan.
On searching the wreckage two more bodies are found in the attic joined together. But they’re not fire victims as, instead, they’ve both been shot in the head. Who were they and what were they doing there? Also in the mix is the impending visit by a VIP to the dance finals at the Cork Opera House – was it all a practice run for that? However the dance troupe’s manager, Danny Coffey, was rumoured to have bad money troubles, was he responsible? Meanwhile a bouquet of flowers arrives at the hospital for the little girl with a coded message to keep her mouth shut. She’s obviously seen something that she wasn’t supposed to but who sent it? In the meantime, Katie has met the new Assistant Commissioner, Frank Magorian, who makes his feelings of dislike towards her clear, He describes her to her face as a ‘diva with permanent PMT’.
Dead Girls Dancing is a multi-layered novel with several subplots: dogfighting, Katie and Conor, Katie and Kyna, Katie’s still unresolved guilt over her ex boyfriend, John, death which began in Buried, the authentic IRA and Irish politics set against Cork and its underworld. This is furtive conversations in back street pubs and rundown apartments in tenements and a world in which everyone is getting by and has their own secrets. Also Katie and Kyna – will they get together?
There are explicit sex scenes in the book which upset some Amazon reviewers. A nasty, sordid gang rape used as a horrible way to keep a woman silent. The other one involving Katie, Kyna and Conor almost verged on soft porn. I found it very strange that Katie, a woman beset with the difficulties of being a woman in a male dominated world, would have a steamy session with two colleagues, both of whom are known to the police station.
I enjoyed the Irish dialect as I remembered it from Buried as being particularly convincing and some of the descriptions such as ’some of the stairs squeaked like pigs.’ and a tattoo on one villain’s girlfriend was ‘A Virgin Mary on her shoulder who looked so grumpy she could have been mistaken for Martin McGuinness were inspired..
There were times, however, where I felt that the dancers’ deaths got lost in the complicated plotting and the meshing of characters and motives. The dog fighting didn’t seem to go far as Katie and her team arrive at one after a tip-off but are powerless to do much except arrest the organiser, Guzz Eye McManus.
This is not a book for the squeamish but fans of the Katie McGuire series will already know what to expect. Its realistic scenes of the dancers deaths and the horrible death of Detective Dooley by a local firebug , Dara Coughlan, who has petrol poured over him and then set alight may be too realistic for some readers. At times I did find the book heavy going but I admired Masterton’s skill in keeping the subplots going and his knowledge of Irish politics. There was a mention of Brexit and how it might restore a proper Irish border and the ramifications of it. Masterton likes to have a broad canvas on which to work. The book blurb states that it’s set against the strange obsessive world of competitive Irish dancing but I would disagree as that was only one element of a complicated storyline and subplots.
I enjoyed Dead Girls Dancing and it was grand to meet Katie McGuire again but I wondered where she could go next.
July 3, 2020
This is the eighth Katie Maguire book, and for me, they just get better and better. As always, the plot is gripping, gritty and downright shocking in places, the villains viler than ever, and all the nastiness beautifully set off by a scintillating dialogue soaked in good old Irish humour.
The star of the show is the redoubtable Superintendent Maguire: feisty, tough, smart and determined, but with a softer, compassionate core that makes her vulnerable, likable and eminently relatable. In Katie Maguire, Masterton has created a heroine who goes far beyond the clichéd figure of a high-flying female detective fighting misogyny alongside crime. And that alone is reason enough for picking up this brilliant series of novels.
Masterton pulls no punches when it comes to descriptive narrative, fulsomely depicting violent acts and horrific deaths in the goriest of detail. Clearly this approach can be controversial. Some reviewers, for example, have criticized the gang-rape scene in this book for being gratuitously elaborate. I, on the other hand, found it a superbly crafted piece of writing that underscored the profound depravity of the perpetrators and the utter helplessness of the victim, thus giving added urgency to Katie’s quest for justice.
Some reviewers have also taken exception to the ‘obligatory’ sex scenes. Again, I disagree. Katie’s sexuality is a fundamental part of who she is, and like most women, she turns to intimacy when she needs to escape from the darker realities of life. Why such scenes - few as they are - should be described as unjustified titillation is more a failure on the part of the reader than of the author, in my opinion.
I do agree, though, that Masterton has overplayed his hand this time around with regard to use of the Irish vernacular, so much so it was impossible to understand what was going on in some scenes. It’s an odd thing to do, alienating readers like this, and it has cost him half a star from me ... but I’ll be generous and round it up to five in recognition of a multifaceted, richly imagined, thriller of a book. Long live Katie Maguire!
The star of the show is the redoubtable Superintendent Maguire: feisty, tough, smart and determined, but with a softer, compassionate core that makes her vulnerable, likable and eminently relatable. In Katie Maguire, Masterton has created a heroine who goes far beyond the clichéd figure of a high-flying female detective fighting misogyny alongside crime. And that alone is reason enough for picking up this brilliant series of novels.
Masterton pulls no punches when it comes to descriptive narrative, fulsomely depicting violent acts and horrific deaths in the goriest of detail. Clearly this approach can be controversial. Some reviewers, for example, have criticized the gang-rape scene in this book for being gratuitously elaborate. I, on the other hand, found it a superbly crafted piece of writing that underscored the profound depravity of the perpetrators and the utter helplessness of the victim, thus giving added urgency to Katie’s quest for justice.
Some reviewers have also taken exception to the ‘obligatory’ sex scenes. Again, I disagree. Katie’s sexuality is a fundamental part of who she is, and like most women, she turns to intimacy when she needs to escape from the darker realities of life. Why such scenes - few as they are - should be described as unjustified titillation is more a failure on the part of the reader than of the author, in my opinion.
I do agree, though, that Masterton has overplayed his hand this time around with regard to use of the Irish vernacular, so much so it was impossible to understand what was going on in some scenes. It’s an odd thing to do, alienating readers like this, and it has cost him half a star from me ... but I’ll be generous and round it up to five in recognition of a multifaceted, richly imagined, thriller of a book. Long live Katie Maguire!
November 30, 2021
Book 8 of this series and to avoid burn out, repetition and law of diminishing returns, Masterton hits the nuclear button.
This book is beyond belief. I've accused him of writing like a (horny) teenager before but this really takes the biscuit. It's hard to believe that anyone of any age can walk into a library and pick this off the shelf.
First the body count..... its off the scale. Its starts with the murder by arson of an entire Irish dance group, their teachers and anyone else who is in the building. I think we are on 17 dead on page 4. That's just for starters - bigger atrocities to follow.
Then the sex. There's a gang rape scene that at least in part drives the narrative. Many (if not all) will find it disturbing.
Then there is the consensual sex. Masterton has put Katie in some positions in the previous seven books - but having her hook up with two colleagues - one male, one fully lesbian and actually a direct report of hers - is pushing the boundaries. A handily placed pot of Nivea hand cream was probably product placement too much.
Its like something from the worst excesses of 70s. James Herbert multiplied by Harold Robbins.
That said - once again, its a cracking read. The page turning of a good thriller is there but of course, its once again the characters and their turns of phrase that have you laughing along. No-one has done Irish Parlance as well as this.... Including Roddy Doyle.
It all gets wrapped up in a breathless, if not incredulus style and after all the violence and OTT sex, its once again his infatuation with dog fighting that leaves the bitterest taste.
This book is beyond belief. I've accused him of writing like a (horny) teenager before but this really takes the biscuit. It's hard to believe that anyone of any age can walk into a library and pick this off the shelf.
First the body count..... its off the scale. Its starts with the murder by arson of an entire Irish dance group, their teachers and anyone else who is in the building. I think we are on 17 dead on page 4. That's just for starters - bigger atrocities to follow.
Then the sex. There's a gang rape scene that at least in part drives the narrative. Many (if not all) will find it disturbing.
Then there is the consensual sex. Masterton has put Katie in some positions in the previous seven books - but having her hook up with two colleagues - one male, one fully lesbian and actually a direct report of hers - is pushing the boundaries. A handily placed pot of Nivea hand cream was probably product placement too much.
Its like something from the worst excesses of 70s. James Herbert multiplied by Harold Robbins.
That said - once again, its a cracking read. The page turning of a good thriller is there but of course, its once again the characters and their turns of phrase that have you laughing along. No-one has done Irish Parlance as well as this.... Including Roddy Doyle.
It all gets wrapped up in a breathless, if not incredulus style and after all the violence and OTT sex, its once again his infatuation with dog fighting that leaves the bitterest taste.
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