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Tear Drop

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This was a truly captivating thriller. Well written and very well plotted. It is full of twists, surprises, and suspense. I definitely recommend to mystery, suspense, thriller junkies like me! Vanessa's Reviews

The serial killer known as Tear Drop vanished almost a decade ago, and nothing has been heard from him...until now.
As death stalks the dark streets of Cork City, it soon becomes clear to the police and the media that a serial killer is on the loose.
Detective Elizabeth Ireland was the lead investigator on the original case when Campbell vanished.
Now, she must embark upon a frightening psychological journey to uncover the killer's identity, where she's pulled into a lethal game in which the killer sets the rules and waits for her next move.
With the crimes of the past echoing in the present, can she find the killer before he comes for her?


Tear Drop is the first book in the new Irish crime thriller series featuring Detective Elizabeth Ireland. Book 2, Insincere , is available now. SOON (Book 3) is available to preorder now and will be published in January 2016.



Very different storyline. Great thrill ride! I never once guessed right who the killer was so had to read in one sitting to find out, can't wait for the next... Netgalley Reviewer

A super suspenseful, fast-paced killer thriller read. Knowing it was about a serial killer, I could not wait to start reading this crime novel for it is a subject that truly fascinates and scares the hell out of me. I recommend this writer if you enjoy getting to know criminal minds and those that aim to stop them. Maureen Reil

Edge of your seat tension. A well-plotted, perfectly paced book. I was hooked from the start. Joanne Clancy has a knack of drawing the reader in so that you feel, hear, sense and see as clearly as if you were there. Her descriptive writing has made her quickly become one of my favourite authors, and has given me a renewed passion for murder mysteries. Cheryl Henderson

I really enjoy Joanne Clancy's writing style and her ability to write a fantastic edge of your seat, page turning, never a dull moment suspense story . Kelly, Goodreads

Loved, loved, loved this book! The characters.....the story....the fact it was set in Ireland. A great read. Looking forward to more from this author. Netgalley Reviewer

A must read for lovers of suspense and mystery. Murder and who could ask for more? Anne G. Kasaba, Amazon Reviewer

A sign of a gifted author is the ability to transport her readers, place them right in the middle of the storyline and allow them to feel the range of emotions that the characters in the book are going through. Joanne Clancy is that type of author. Erin Brady

Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2015

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About the author

Joanne Clancy

39 books330 followers


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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Sue.
1,420 reviews5 followers
August 20, 2015
“Tear Drop” (Detective Elizabeth Ireland, Book 1) is Joanne Clancy’s latest crime thriller release novel, and having read just about all of her books, all I can say is she has done it again with another winner!

Joanne is an Irish mystery writer, from Cork, Ireland, the setting for this novel, whose books combine murder, mystery, and suspense with a twist of psychological drama. Book 2, in this series is called “Insincere”, will be released in October 2015.

This book had me hooked right from page one…

“Ross Campbell vanished almost a decade ago, and since then nothing has been heard from the serial killer known as Teardrop…until now.”

Elizabeth Ireland, a former detective with The Metropolitan Police in London, was the lead investigator ten years ago, on the original case against serial killer Ross Campbell, AKA “Tear Drop”. But then he just vanished. . After this case, she left the force and set up in business as a private detective in Cork, Ireland.

Then an Irish newspaper receives a letter claiming to be from Campbell…warning of many murders to come! But Elizabeth, who has been brought in to assist with the case, as a consultant, believes that Campbell didn’t send the letter. Elizabeth knows the truth and is has been hiding a major secret all these years, one that she is not ready to reveal.

Elizabeth must convince the others that it isn't Campbell and find the real killer! A serial killer is on the streets…but who is the killer?

This now becomes a game of cat and mouse, the killer sets all the rules and Elizabeth must react!

The killer has given them seven days to find him before he disappears again. The clock is ticking!

The Academy teaches you skills, but the streets teach you instinct.

This well written crime novel will not disappoint. Strong characters and a steady-paced tempo. Settle in to unravel the mystery. I loved it and now will be looking forward to reading “Insincere”, Book 2 in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for Christine.
620 reviews1,494 followers
February 9, 2016
4.5 stars

I wish to thank Net Galley, Createspace and Joanne Clancy for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

I have been meaning to read a Joanne Clancy novel for the last couple of years and have finally done it. I am pleased to say Tear Drop exceeded my expectations.

Wow, I have to say this was quite a ride. I felt like a tennis ball being smacked back and forth as I bounced from one theory to the next as to who the killer might be. Just as I was certain it was one person, bang!! Hypothesis blown to smithereens by another plot twist by the most clever Ms. Clancy. I must have “known” who the baddie was at least 5 times before the author revealed all. I was in a vertiginous state by the time the dust settled. The last 10% of the story is as entertaining as it gets.

I really liked protagonist Elizabeth Ireland, former star detective in London, now a private investigator. She is teaming up with the cops in Cork City, Ireland, in search of a brutal serial killer. She is a strong, no nonsense, very capable woman who is carrying a pretty big secret that will end her career should it come to light. I would have liked it if we had a better feel for Elizabeth, and in fact, gotten to know all of the characters better. There is some character development, but not near as much as I would like. There is also a big cast in this story, and I had a little trouble at times keeping everyone straight. I also found the “romance” between Elizabeth and Detective Chief Superintendent Frank Murphy pretty nonexistent. They are apparently an item, but that is never really evident in their interactions. Despite these character issues, the ingenious plot and pacey timeline were enough to keep me eagerly whipping through the pages. This was a hard one to put down.

I strongly recommend Tear Drop to everyone who loves thrillers and suspense novels. You won’t be disappointed. As a new fan, I look forward to reading not only more books in the Elizabeth Ireland series, but Ms. Clancy’s many other novels as well.
Profile Image for Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while).
2,655 reviews2,478 followers
August 31, 2015
“Ross Campbell vanished almost a decade ago, and since then nothing has been heard from the serial killer known as Teardrop…until now.”

An Irish newspaper receives a chilling letter claiming to be from Campbell, which promises a new reign of terror. The killer has given them seven days to find him before he disappears again. The clock is ticking.

Only Elizabeth Ireland, former detective and the lead investigator on the original case, knows that it can't possibly be from Campbell. She knows where he is.

But how does she convince the investigating team, as the bodies pile up, that Campbell isn't the killer without revealing her secret knowledge?

This is a cracking good thriller with more twists and turns in it than a snakes and ladders game. Don't plan on doing anything else once you start reading Tear Drop. I am looking forward to reading more in this, the first of a series.

Thank you to author Joanne Clancy, and NetGalley for the gift of a copy of Tear Drop in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up.
2,897 reviews434 followers
August 23, 2015


Yes! This author has left me wanting more and right now

This is book 1 in a brand new crime series by Joanne Clancy. I have read other books by this author and she never ceases to astound me, her writing is always spot on for a reader, she starts off at a tremedous rate that only keeps you gasping for more as each page you flip.

Ross Campbell vanished from the face of the earth. He was wanted by the Police. He was a Serial Killer. TEAR DROP
All becomes clear why he is nick named Tear drop as you read on.

Elizabeth Ireland, a former detective with The Metropolitan Police [now turned Private Investigator} was the main lead Investigator back then.


Then it seems the Serial Killer has come back, ready to start again.

There is an Irish reporter working for an Irish newspaper who receives a letter, this points to all and sundry that Ross Campbell is back and starting his killings again.
Everything points to the fact and there seems to be deaths mirroring the same type of crimes.

Elizabeth is invited to come and involve herself in the case as she was vital to the role before several years earlier. Which she takes up. However, not all goes to plan.
Elizabeth has a secret of her own. Its a secret that I can feel many times within the book, I can feel Elizabeth sweating it out, as she changes the subject many times, I don't know how she coped with the secret.

Someone else is brought back to, he is now what you call a Profiler. He takes all the facts and makes them into a profile of the Killer. Not all the Police are welcome to new ideas, however, there are those that can see the logic in it.

Preston though is part of Elizabeth's past, there is some tension to be had.

The author has thought this plot through and had me fooled. I had three suspects, then it was two. I was completely wrong on all counts.

Personally I really do not know how she came up with the superb storyline but I really need book 2 and fast.

How did it make me feel

That I was breathing this book. I didn't even go to sleep until the early hours because I wanted to finish it. I wanted to carry on until the conclusion because this is how this author makes you feel. You can't rest until you have read the entire book, I kid you not.

I would definitely recommend this book, its a 5 * from me because it had all the elements for a thriller.
Crime, intrigue, edge of your seat, biting my nails, making the reader think they 'got it and worked it all out', only to find you are off the mark.

The flow of this book was fast paced, no dips, or no dull moments, well, not for me anyhow.

I want to thank the author for my copy. Superb piece of craftmanship.

I need the next book!
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,710 followers
July 30, 2015
I have found a new author to follow! When I googled her, I found so many books that she has authored. Why have I not heard of her until now?

Short summary .... Ireland, 10 years prior, was following a serial killer. Due to circumstances that she couldn't control, the killer got away and hasn't been heard from since. That is, until now. But Elizabeth has a secret and she knows that the current killer is not the original killer ... this one is a copycat.

I liked how the author started her book ... explaining in short form how the original case got flubbed, leaving her no option but to resign her job. She has moved on and become a Private Detective. It was a great way to start a new series!

The storyline is quite interesting ... kept me on my toes the entire time I was reading. I really like the characters and how they interact. There are still some bad feelings over the original case and most of the team don't want to believe this is a copycat.

Seems to be constant movement and action.. and no matter how many guesses I made, none of them came close to the truth. There is no cliffhanger even though there is a second book in the series .. INSINCERE. And I am sincerely going to gather up as many books of this author's as I can find.

Many thanks to the author / NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

4.5 Stars
Profile Image for Claire.
1,113 reviews183 followers
April 3, 2016
Tear Drop is a crime thriller based in the city of Cork starring the retired Met detective turned private eye Elizabeth Ireland.

Elizabeth retired to the Emerald Isle after a horrific investigation and capture of a serial killer back in London which ended in an acquittal of the suspect. Nine years on, a local reporter receives a letter supposedly from this killer saying he is going to strike again. Elizabeth involves her senior policeman boyfriend and suddenly bodies start to appear. Is it Elizabeth's nemesis or is it a copycat?

I really enjoyed this book, helps it being my favourite genre! Joanne's writing is brilliant, I felt I was there in Cork. Even though I've never been, I conjured up my own version of the city and the characters. As I was introduced to each new character my suspects and theory changed but I didn't guess the actual culprit - the sign of a good crime thriller!

I'll definitely be reading the next instalment for Elizabeth Ireland.

Thank you to Netgalley and Joanne Clancy for giving me this ebook for me to read and review.

UPDATE APRIL 2016
I read this book in good faith but in recent weeks, it's come to light the author plagiarised her books. I have still read and reviewed this book and I did enjoy it. I plan to read the original version of this book in due course
Profile Image for Lori Elliott.
870 reviews2,221 followers
September 21, 2015
Good premise, bad delivery. Character development was nonexistent. I felt nothing for any of the characters. This seemed more like the fifth or sixth book of a series instead of the first. The transitions were jagged and not well done at all... made for a very 'choppy' feel. I gave it 3 stars because the actual mystery did finally grab me about 3/4 of the way in. Unfortunately, I'm not interested enough to continue with this series.
Profile Image for Monnie.
1,634 reviews789 followers
August 27, 2015
I'm always eager to find a new series, so I was excited about the possibility of this one - even more so, perhaps, since it features a female detective. When I received a copy from Netgalley at no cost for review, I lit into it straightaway. But while I did enjoy it - and I hope to read the follow-up, titled Insincere - in the end my hopes may have been a little too high.

Elizabeth Ireland, a former detective with the Metropolitan Police, has relocated to Cork City, Ireland. She was the lead investigator a decade earlier when serial killer Ross Campbell (dubbed "Teardrop") vanished; now, an obnoxious newspaper reporter in Cork has received a letter supposedly penned by Campbell and announcing he's begun to kill once again. Elizabeth is called in by Cork law enforcement because of her past experience, but she runs into a ton of resentment that only gets worse when she insists Campbell is dead and couldn't have sent the letter.

She does get some support from Frank, a chief detective in Cork City and her main squeeze (although they never seem to have much of a romantic connection - heck, I don't think they ever even kissed, much less, well, you know). The action heats up as one body is found, complete with all the characteristics of the earlier murders of which Campbell was accused - almost all, that is. More murders and more letters follow, and police still have no real clues; profilers and other experts from the original case are called in, and although a couple of suspects emerge, no hard evidence against them can be found. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is harboring a dark secret that only she (and readers!) know, and as she works the new cases, she's dogged by awareness that it may not stay hidden for much longer.

Quite a few characters have roles here - including that of suspects - and it was a little hard for me to keep them straight. Still, the chase kept me guessing and held my interest to the end when yes, I was surprised to learn the killer's identity.

On the other hand, the story seemed a bit disjointed, with a noticeable lack of transition in spots. The proceedings also raised a number of questions in my mind, most of which I can't mention without spoiling it for others (one example, though, is how on earth a 6-foot, 4-inch male can get so drunk on one glass of wine that he's hung over the following day. I know 10-year-olds who can hold their liquor better than that).

All things considered, though, this is an enjoyable book and a good foundation for future installments -- for sure I'll be watching for the next one.
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,751 reviews107 followers
July 31, 2015
I really liked this book. And, we knew almost immediately who the killer wasn't which became another mystery because all the deaths looked the same as a former serial killer.

And of course, everyone I just knew was the killer, I was wrong, they were not the killer. That just means the author did a good job in writing the book. No one wants to know who did it at the beginning of the book. However, I really did think it was the reporter. Grrr!!!

The story went well and was well written and I liked most of the characters, of course, there is always that one jackass cop and unfortunately he tends to be the big man. Well, he's in here too.

It's a short read and one that I definitely think you will like. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to the author and Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this highly entertaining e-galley.
Profile Image for Lee.
1,061 reviews123 followers
September 16, 2015
Wow what a book. This was a different story in many ways as it is the killer that sets the pace and action. Elizabeth the police woman handling the case has to try to keep up with his actions as she is not the one making the rules and is in quite unfamiliar ground. Strong book with excellent plot, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Cameron Wiggins.
200 reviews19 followers
January 4, 2016
First, I would like to thank NetGalley and Joanne Clancy for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Joanne Clancy has written a fine police procedural with the serial killer thriller Tear Drop (Detective Elizabeth Ireland, Book 1). I am an avid fan of this genre and Clancy does not disappoint a bit. Tear Drop is set in Cork, Ireland, Clancy’s hometown.
A serial killer rapist is on the loose. Detective Elizabeth Ireland was with The Met police force in London. Ireland was the the lead detective on the Tear Drop case. They were following this serial killer dubbed as Tear Drop. The serial killer was later identified as a man named Campbell. Then, Campbell suddenly disappears.
Politics get in the way at The Met, and Ireland becomes fed up and quits the force and moves to Cork, Ireland to become a Private Investigator. It has been ten years since there has been anything from Ross Campbell. But then …
Why now? Why has Tear Drop stayed out of circulation for almost a decade only to re-surface? Why did Tear Drop stop what he was doing anyway? This is certainly out of character. Why did he choose to haunt the streets of Cork City, Ireland? Why did he leave London? Does Tear Drop know that Elizabeth Ireland is in Cork City? And why has he now chose to include the media in his little games? The police are at a loss. Why is the serial killer now haunting the streets of Cork? They call Elizabeth Ireland in as a consultant. They are desperate to catch this serial killer.
Tear Drop is a very captivating novel that has plenty of twists, suspense, and surprises. Clancy dishes these morsels out in a most tasty way. Characters are very well developed and it seems that Clancy has each character looking guilty at some point in the story. The plot is very well executed and keeps the story flowing seamlessly. If this is the kind of book that one is into, they will thoroughly enjoy Tear Drop. I would have on problem recommending this book to readers of this genre. I plan on reading more of Joanne Clancy’s books myself. This book lies somewhere between 3.8 and 4.0-stars. Let’s give it a 4-star rating.

Cam
Profile Image for Noelle.
Author 8 books288 followers
August 28, 2015
I was given this book by the author/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Well Holy-Bloody-Cow! My mind is still whirling from the twists in this book! In case you can’t tell…I absolutely loved it!

I loved the story itself. The past coming back to haunt the main character (Elizabeth Ireland) and the mind games that ensued left me feeling as if I was a part of this story. Why have I not come across Joanne Clancy before!?

This book was fast-paced and I could not put it down! In fact, I think writing this review has taken me longer than reading the book!

Elizabeth Ireland is a great character. She is one of those chracters that keeps you on your toes. I particularly liked her personality which came across easily within the pages. I am also intrigued by her partner, Frank — who may now find himself burdened — no spoilers though. And Brendan Mahon…typical journalist. You don’t know whether to like him or despise him. There were so many more characters I could go on about…like Delaney…..hmmm….but I can say with all honesty that each person who reads this will be draen to some characters more than others.

Needless to say, this is one author who I will definitely be reading more of and I look forward to the next in the Elizabeth Ireland series which I will be downloading very soon!!!

#1 Bestseller in Irish Crime at the moment and I understand why!!
Profile Image for Vanessa.
27 reviews4 followers
August 3, 2015
Wow let me start by saying I have not read anything by Joanne Clancy before, but I will definitely be looking for other novels by this author and will be reading them all!

I got this book from Netgalley yesterday afternoon, this morning I finished it. I could not put this book down! It captured me right from the start.

Former Detective Elizabeth Ireland from the MET in London was the lead Detective in a serial killer case dubbed "the Tear drop killer". Their lead suspect Ross Cambpell, disappeared.
10 years later in Cork, Ireland where Elizabeth now lives, a reporter Brendon Mahon receives a letter from a man claiming to be Ross Campbell, warning of murders to come.
But Elizabeth knows it is not Campbell, and can't convince anybody else. So when the murders starts,
it's up to her to find the killer.

This was a truly captivating thriller. Well written and very well plotted. It is full of twists, surprises and suspense. You would never figure out who the killer is, although you may try. I Definitely recommend to mystery, suspense, thriller junkies like me!
Profile Image for Holly in Bookland.
1,363 reviews626 followers
October 7, 2015
This certainly grabbed my attention right away. Started off with a bang by a short produced version of how Detective Ireland's last case, Teardrop, got flubbed & continued with a fast paced account of her newest case. The writer didn't waste any time in superfluous details but it did not make the story any less satisfying. I really enjoyed the bluntness of the tale & since Elizabeth Ireland was a very no-nonsense detective, I really felt like it was her telling me about this case. For some reason I thought Joanne Clancy was a new author but after reading this one, I looked her up & was surprised that she has a lot of books out. I wouldn't hesitate to read one of her earlier books & look forward to her second book in this series: Insincere.

**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Icy_Space_Cobwebs  Join the Penguin Resistance!.
5,654 reviews330 followers
August 29, 2015
REVIEW: TEAR DROP: IRISH CRIME THRILLER by Joanne Clancy
[Detective Elizabeth Ireland Crime Thriller Series Book 1]

I've been reading Joanne Clancy' s engrossing stories for quite some time, but I believe she has achieved an entirely new level with the introduction if this new series. Private detective Elizabeth Ireland has made a home for herself and a niche for her talents in Cork City, Ireland, in the decade since her disastrous resignation from London's Metropolitan Police. Yet her memories and her guilt remain always present. She is a perfect flawed heroine: strong and resolute, intuitive and talented, yet at times deceptive and manipulative. She stood innocent of the crimes for which she was framed, yet for other crimes she is guilty but never revealed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vishakha Motwani.
177 reviews56 followers
March 21, 2016
Very engaging right from the first chapter!

Detective Elizabeth Ireland is one of those detectives who happens to confront a case she dealt about a decade ago, the same serial killer Cork city police department assumes to have returned to haunt the streets. Now its Elizabeth who is determined to prove that, that serial killer who goes by the name of Tear Drop couldn't have returned, just out of the question. Only she knows why!

I do not expect much from the police procedural books but this one was surprisingly fast-paced, incredulous endings to the chapter that make keep you fixated. It can be categorized as single-day-read, rainy-day-coffee-mug-deserving, worth-the-time type of book. I'm so glad I read it.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this book.
Profile Image for Lynn Mccarthy.
662 reviews33 followers
August 26, 2015
This is the first book I have read by this Author but Joanne Clancy will be on my list of more books to read by her.

This book grabbed my attention straight away it was a page turner ( which I love).
The characters were great and the storyline is interesting.There are twists and turns along the way and I never guessed the ending so was surprised at the end (a sign of a good book when you can not work it out).
A fantastic read.

Thank you Netgalley and Joanne Clancey giving me the chance to read this book and finding another Author i Love.Can not wait for book 2.
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,969 reviews231 followers
August 28, 2015
Tear Drop is a fast paced crime thriller which is the first in the series and which did not take me long to read at all.

The storyline was very intriguing as by the looks a murderer from Elizabeth Irelands past seems to have re emerged and is set to cause a wave of panic and murders.

Elizabeth is a great character who has some issues to deal with due to an incident involving Campbell in her past. She doesn't always do everything by the book which made her stand out from the crowd of other detective novels currently around. She is quite a complexed character who I certainly look forward to finding out more about in the second book in the series.

Tear Drop certainly keeps you guessing throughout the story and towards the end it had me feeling like I was on a very twisty roller coaster as there were twists and surprises a plenty.

I don't know why I have never come across books by this author before but after reading Tear Drop I will certainly be making a point of reading more by her.

Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Gaynor Spanswick.
88 reviews11 followers
September 16, 2015
Easy 5* ,I couldn't put it down .Well worth reading.Will definitely read more by this author.
Profile Image for Joanne Robertson.
1,407 reviews646 followers
August 27, 2015
Wow! Woke early this morning so I could finish this book and what a great ending! I have to start by saying that a couple of years ago I took one of Joanne Clancys books on holiday with me. Although I thought the storyline had great potential, I didn't enjoy the writing style and found it disappointing. I decided that her books weren't for me but then I kept hearing about her books from people in THE Book Club! They were raving about this book and as they usually have very similar tastes to me (and I trust their judgements totally!) I decided to give this one a go when it popped up on netgalley.
Detective Elizabeth Ireland is back in Cork. She worked in London on the case of a serial killer called Teardrop a few years back so when it appears that Teardrop is back and killing again, Elizabeth is brought in to see if her experience can help to catch the killer. But Elizabeth knows for a fact this is a copycat killer. Why is she so sure and will she be able to track them down before it gets personal?
I really enjoyed this and am already looking forward to the next instalment. I loved the setting of Cork and Elizabeth's relationships with her colleagues. It had great twists and turns in the plot and I genuinely had no idea who the killer was till the denouement. It was just the right length for me and and I read it in a day as I just didn't want to put it down!
"Insincere" book 2 of the Elizabeth Ireland series is out on 21st October and available for pre-order now.
Many thanks to netgalley and the author for providing me with a review copy of this book in return for an unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Sarah.
938 reviews5 followers
August 5, 2015
I am grateful to the author and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth Ireland was a detective with the metropolitan police until she was forced to leave due to a charge of mishandling a case. She moved to Cork and became a private investigator.

A murder occurs which closely replicates the tear drop murders which Elizabeth investigated in London and police are quick to assume that Ross Campbell is responsible for these killings too. Elizabeth knows that this can't be the case because he is dead, yet she is the only person who knows he is dead.

This is a good book. I was slightly baffled by all the characters and their relationships at times but they will all become clearer as the series progresses. It was a simple storyline with plenty of red herrings thrown in to keep the suspense going and I will definitely be looking out for the next in the series.
Profile Image for Mattie.
227 reviews22 followers
August 20, 2015
This is the first book I read by Joanne Clancy... It certainly will not be the last. This was a true page turner with amazing characters. Very difficult to put down. I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. I honestly know that I am happy to say that I've discovered a new author.
Profile Image for Katie.
111 reviews20 followers
July 26, 2015
I received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley in exchange for my impartial review of this book.

5 Stars! This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Former detective Elizabeth Ireland was the lead detective in the case against serial killer Ross Campbell, AKA Tear Drop over 10 years ago, when he disappeared off the grid. Fast forward to the present, when a letter which is delivered to high profile reporter Brendan Mahon, signifying that Campbell is back. When the murders begin, Ireland assists with the case, but she knows the letter wasn't written by Campbell. She can't say how she knows, she just does. But can she convince the others that it isn't Campbell and find the real killer? She is right, isn't she, it couldn't possibly be Campbell...

The plot of this story is excellent, truly well thought out. I was pulled into the story and really couldn't put it down. There were twists and turns along the way that kept me guessing and I found myself really analyzing the story, looking for clues while I was trying to solve the mystery along with Ireland. Full of suspense and surprises, this book will not disappoint.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about murder, mysteries, suspense, and thrillers.
This is the first time I've read anything by this author but I can assure you this will not be the last!
Profile Image for Kagsy Wagsy.
107 reviews5 followers
October 20, 2015
First book in a new series by the brilliant Joanne Clancy and now I'm eager to get my hands on the next book. This story sees the apparent return of Teardrop aka Ross Campbell after disappearing for almost ten years. Detective Elizabeth Ireland was lead detective during the investigation, arrest and prosecution of Campbell during her service with the Metropolitan police in London. Following allegations of tampering with evidence and a false prosecution Ireland was disgraced and chose to retire from the police and set up as a private detective in Cork city in Ireland.

Her friendship/relationship with Detective Chief superintendent Frank Kelly causes aggravation when he asks her to act as a consultant on the investigation of the latest serial murders, apparently committed by Teardrop.

Elizabeth gets too close to solving this case and finds herself in danger.

I thought this was a clever plot, with plenty of clues to lead the detectives and the reader up the garden path. Will they crack this case and finally put and end to Teardrops' murderous reign? A gripping psychological thriller with lots of twists and gruesome turns to keep a reader interested. The characters are well written and believable. A very good story.

I was lucky enough to have been given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Sue Kitt.
456 reviews17 followers
August 27, 2015
4.5 * - When I was offered an ARC of this gripping thriller by the author, I had a look at previous books that Joanne Clancy has written and can’t believe what I have been missing out on and just how much I now need to catch up on.
Elizabeth Ireland was working on a case to catch the serial killer known as Tear Drop in London 10 years ago, when she worked for The Metropolitan Police. Fast forward 10 years and she finds herself in Cork – Ireland working as a private investigator and comes across a serial killer with similar patterns to Tear Drop, who has disappeared and is the main suspect in the police investigation, but Elizabeth tries to convince everyone that it is not Tear Drop behind these latest serial killings, but cannot tell them why.
I really enjoyed Elizabeth’s character as well as Franks and look forward to reading more about them in book 2 which I am looking forward to.
This was a very clever and fast paced thriller which I couldn’t put down until I knew who the serial killer was, and despite all my guessing it was a surprise.
I can very highly recommend this great thriller which holds a huge secret, some gruesome murders and a nice twist.
Thank you Joanne Clancy via THE Book Club (TBC)
Profile Image for Jackie Roche.
538 reviews19 followers
August 21, 2015
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and Ms Clancy for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest and open review.
I now have a new author to add to my favourites list. This is the first I've read by this author but will certainly be looking for more by Joanne Clancy.
This starts with a bang and continues at a fast pace. It's one of those books where you are convinced you know who the killer is, but then a spanner is thrown in the works and your original theory is obsolete. That happened to me numerous times whilst reading "Tear Drop".
The main character Elizabeth Ireland, was a detective with the Met when the original killings took place. She is now a private investigator living and working in Cork. Elizabeth shows grit and determination as she sets out to solve the mystery. I liked her character and look forward to reading more about her.
If you like reading thrillers, read this and you won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Pippa Franks.
Author 3 books34 followers
September 7, 2015
Elizabeth Ireland was forced out of her job as a detective in the Met. Now she's a private investigator in Cork. When Ross Campbell, known as the serial killer Teardrop, vanishes a decade ago, nobody is expecting him to resurface. But he seemingly does, when a spate of murders closely resemble the Teardrop murders. Everyone but Elizabeth believes he is the killer. Now she must convince the force in charge of the investigation to look elsewhere. She knows for sure that he cannot be responsible.

Joanne has a huge talent for describing scenes and feelings. I've yet to read books by anyone who can do it better. She never ceases to amaze me with the amount of books she releases, each one well-written, perfectly paced with gripping plots. What a brilliant start to the Elizabeth Ireland series. Congratulations, Ms Clancy. You should be very proud. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Anima.
2,757 reviews52 followers
August 27, 2015
Clancy does it again! Masterfully woven with clues and intrigue she manages to change my idea of the killer multiple times and have it come together beautifully at the end. Elizabeth is a retired detective from London having moved to Cork, Ireland after the teardrop serial killer she caught was found not guilty. A serial killer is haunting Cork and the police believe it's the teardrop killer, but she knows it can't be possible. A fabulous and exciting new series be prepared to enjoy this fast paced thriller and test yourself. The publisher sent me a copy through Netgalley for my honest review.
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