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Galway Homicide: Hays & Lyons #3

Murder on the West Coast

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Tensions arise between detectives when a kidnapping is upgraded to a murder investigation

When an incompetent local crook makes a botched attempt at a kidnap, it should be a wrap for the Galway police. Unfortunately, Maureen Lyons’ first case in charge as Detective Inspector threatens to be a wash out as a series of mishaps lets the prime suspect slip through the Garda’s fingers.

When the true consequences of the crime become apparent and a body is discovered, the detectives will have to up their game lest they incur the full wrath of the police chief. Can Detective Lyons overcome her growing self-doubt and track down the ringleader behind the extortion attempt to save her reputation?

A manhunt develops that takes the police across the whole of Ireland but ends in a shocking showdown on home turf on the west coast. It will take all of senior DI Mick Hays’ experience and much of DI Lyons’ sheer gall to collar the culprits and smash a crime ring. But will doing so also test their relationship to the limit?

MURDER ON THE WEST COAST is the third book by David Pearson featuring these detectives. Look out for the best-selling first and second books: MURDER ON THE OLD BOG ROAD, and MURDER AT THE OLD COTTAGE.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2018

1344 people are currently reading
222 people want to read

About the author

David Pearson

33 books119 followers
One of Ireland's most prolific crime writers, David has a total of 24 books published to date across four separate series.

The Galway Homicides - set in and around Clifden on the Wild Atlantic Way

The Dublin Homicides - a grittier set of 6 stories set in the capital of Ireland

The Wexford Homicides - introducing DI Vikki Kirkby

The Mayo Murders - a new series set in and around Westport in County Mayo featuring DI Martin O'Shea and DS Deirdre Maguire.




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5 stars
601 (33%)
4 stars
627 (35%)
3 stars
431 (24%)
2 stars
98 (5%)
1 star
26 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Ingrid.
1,555 reviews129 followers
March 17, 2020
3.5 stars. I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Kathy.
3,878 reviews290 followers
March 21, 2020
I did decide to follow on and try the third book of the Connemara centered police procedural guessing that each book might surpass the last and I won that bet. I tend to enjoy crime books that include a good dose of descriptive landscape and this author definitely has appreciation for Ireland's beautiful western coast.
If I were to require professional/expert policing I would have to drop the series. There are so many rookie mistakes made in this tale it would result in everyone being fired in more demanding urban centers. There are deaths and escapes from justice that can all be chalked up to incompetence so I don't know how far the author can carry these characters. If it was meant to be funny that would be one thing, but..? Maybe I will hit one up further down the chain to see if they have all lost their jobs.
Counterfeit money; kidnapping; auto theft; attempted murder of police woman and on the list could go. Hmmm. I don't think I will feel too comfortable next time I visit Galway. This book served as entertaining escape from virus news for me all the same.

Kindle Unlimited
Profile Image for Jenny.
2,337 reviews73 followers
February 11, 2019
Murder on the West Coast brings together again Senior Inspector Mick Hays and Inspector Maureen Lyons of the Mill Street Garda Station. A young man Jeremy Craigues walking home from the pub when he went missing and a couple of hours later his parents received a ransom demand. However, the captured did not go to plan, and Jeremy died. Inspector Maureen Lyons caught her first case has an inspector and felt overwhelmed called Senior Inspector Mick Hays back from leave. The readers of Murder on the West Coast will go on a rollercoaster ride to find the kidnappers of Jeremy Craigues before more people died.

Murder on the West Coast was the first book I have read of David Pearson, and it was a fantastic book to read. I will read other books by David Pearson. The way David Pearson describes the setting made me feel part of the story. Murder On The West Coast was well written and researched by David Pearson. I loved David Pearson portrayal of his characters and how they all interact with each other throughout Murder on the West Coast.

The readers of Murder on the West Coast will learn about law enforcement in the Republic of Ireland and how they reacted with other law enforcement in Northern Ireland and England. Also, Murder on the West Coast also highlights the devasting combination of greed and revenge on a person.

I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Sian  Morant.
247 reviews24 followers
June 4, 2020
I’ve read others in this series, and in my opinion, this one is not quite up to the level of the others.

Detectives Senior Inspector Mick Hays and Inspector Maureen Lyons, partners professionally and personally, have their work cut out when a botched kidnapping leads to death. This then ends up as major investigation on both sides of the Irish Sea.

I quite like a lighter toned mystery, but this stretches incredulity a bit too far. The many police errors make it more of a farce than a mystery.

Still, it is readable and the premise of the series is engaging enough to keep me reading until the end of the series.
Profile Image for David Gilchrist.
434 reviews48 followers
June 4, 2018
Another great read, I loved this, great that we have people who make mistakes, makes them human.
Profile Image for R.L..
Author 5 books48 followers
November 12, 2019
This story was like a comic farce with bodies. The action didn't quit. I enjoyed it. The idea of revenge is at the heart of it. I look forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Russ.
303 reviews8 followers
August 25, 2018
A tidy little Irish mystery. As with the author's previous books it leads the reader all over the scenic Irish countryside. A mystery as well as a travel guide.
Profile Image for Jan.
43 reviews15 followers
December 6, 2023
I enjoy this series set in County Galway, Ireland. There isn’t ever any gruesome deaths and they haven’t had any serial killers so far. And it’s definitely not a thriller. Just a team of detectives and constables working together to solve murders.
Profile Image for Anna Willett.
Author 24 books879 followers
September 11, 2018
Read this in one sitting! An enthralling and beautifully told mystery set on the west coast of Ireland. Highly recommend to mystery lovers.
Profile Image for Paulos Maximus.
13 reviews
July 2, 2018
This book read more like a Sunday night BBC murder mystery. Actually it was very much like catching one episode and feeling like you should know the characters because they're on every week. Not meant as a negative criticism, but speaks to the lightweight 'tone' of the book rather than the subject. One might argue that the character depth is not fully revealed, rather that the story is running and you can catch up with the other information when you read the other books, but it was certainly non pretentious and the material does not wrestle with itself to be more than a ripping yarn. I am of course now going to read the other books, so I did not leap for joy at the conclusion of this book, but saw no harm in reading the others. I think this is the 3rd in the series? (I am too lazy to leave this screen and google that fact) but I am currently starting back at book 1. My mum would eat these books up!
665 reviews6 followers
September 3, 2019
Easy reading mystery

This series is a good police procedural set in west Ireland . Beautiful scenery , as you might expect . Interesting characters (descriptions at the end of the book ). Definitely a bungled mess of a kidnapping . Two young people die at the beginning because of haste and inexperience . The team led by Senior Inspector Ryan and DI Lyons certainly have their work cut out for them . Interesting mishaps along the way . Like the epilogue chapter . So many books don't give you follow up . Nice touch .
Profile Image for Jillian.
893 reviews16 followers
June 13, 2018
I enjoy good localised crime series. This is the first I have read set in Ireland and I found the setting added interest. The plot was well -sustained, but there was, at times, rather too much detailed description that slowed it down. A good edit could have tightened the language and sentence structure.

I also found the references to ‘bungle’ or ‘mess’ a bit irritating. Things do not run to clockwork in police investigations. It isn’t that professionals don’t make mistake. They quickly adapt and adjust - just what happened in this one.

I’ll probably try a couple more in the series.
Profile Image for Patiscynical.
287 reviews4 followers
October 3, 2018
Underwhelming..

Inspector Lyons is a very competent and strong woman, so why does she have such low self-esteem? She continually worries that Inspector Mick Hays, her boss and lover, is interested in other women. She asks on several occasions if he has seen or wants to see other women. That shows a marked lack of self confidence, and/or jealousy. It's becoming increasingly tedious.
Otherwise the story is just ok. The criminals are none too bright, and there just wasn't any real mystery to this book.
Results: I was underwhelmed.
Profile Image for Judy G Spivey.
412 reviews8 followers
December 22, 2018
DI Hays and Lyons get involved in a kidnapping gone bad.

Lyons now a Detective gets involved in a finally g gone bad, when the victim falls out of a trunk dead. This leads to the discovery of a young woman, who was in the car being found dead. Inherits case Detective Lyons calls on her boss and loved DO Hats to help her out. The English police coverage with Irish police to bring and untidy end to this mystery.
Profile Image for Bob Hurley.
496 reviews
November 15, 2019
English kidnap on Galways green & pleasant land

Mick Hays & Maureen Lyons take on the case of a missing English boy. The tale takes a number of convoluted turns that involves a threat to Lyons and three deaths. Hays & Lyons eventually capture the kidnapper but discover his girlfriend and the “brains” behind the kidnap dead?? Well written and easy to read tale of crime in rural Eire.
204 reviews3 followers
June 16, 2018
A story but no depth to it. Still much to do to become a real author.

It was like reading a travel brochure. The maps told you were to go, but there was nothing there when you got to the destination
Better luck next time Mr Pearson. Read some Michael Connelly or Lee Child,s books first to get the idea of a story.
Profile Image for Kerry Swinnerton.
130 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2018
A murder mystery or a travel brochure?
Insufficient character depth.......too much extraneous guff.......awkward and clumsy narrative.........stilted and unnatural conversation......very amateurish.

So very disappointing when the author clearly has good story lines, but inability to make them flow in a naturalistic way.
2 reviews
August 23, 2018
Great read! I like the way the author keeps you guessing. Holds your interest. Believable characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good, clean mystery.

Good read. Believable characters. Author holds your interest. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good, clean mysteries. 😃
Profile Image for Jim.
1,108 reviews19 followers
January 3, 2022
Mick Hays and Maureen Lyons once again team up in the third series book to solve a heinous crime. With some taut suspense this one sizzles. All three books to date in this series have been five star reads. This one especially is a must read. A must read series. I can't wait to jump into fourth book of series. Check it out.
Profile Image for Andi Caissie.
199 reviews2 followers
July 11, 2018
I hope there are more books in this series

I have quite enjoyed the three novels in this series. As a fan of British police procedurals it has been very interesting to have the Irish aspect of these stories.
Profile Image for Marie Shirley Griffin.
808 reviews10 followers
July 18, 2018
Fair to middling

I really liked the second book in this series, but this one just read like the "keystone cops"!

My heavens, if this is what policing is like in Ireland, God help the Irish!

Hopefully, the next book will redeem this series.
Profile Image for Donna.
378 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2018
Great read

I really love this series so far. Enjoying the continuing development of the main characters, the stories are well written and interesting...would highly recommend starting from the first book! Can't wait for the next one.
422 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2019
Sadly lacking

Living in the South West of Ireland myself, I was looking forward to reading this story so much. The places and people are a joy and to add in a good murder story should have been a dream. But the characters were empty and the narrative wooden. A huge disappointment.
5 reviews
November 1, 2020
Not up to standard of first two in series

Awkwardly written with little detective work and too many happy accidents and circumstances to halfway solve the crimes. Hard to believe criminals are that stupid and police too!
41 reviews
April 16, 2021
Enjoyed this book and the series so far. Some great twists in this book you won’t see coming. It can be nice to see some characters make mistakes, makes it real, but there might have been a few too many in this one book.
Profile Image for Susan.
2,225 reviews19 followers
December 10, 2021
The reason for reading the book is its vivid setting along the Connemara coast. As a murder mystery it is not very impressive, with a plot that is driven mostly by stupid mistakes on the part of both police and villains.
Profile Image for Rebecca Davies.
292 reviews
June 11, 2018
Slight but entertaining

This is a quick read. I was bit annoyed by some language misuse, but I will probably read more by this author.
9 reviews
July 31, 2018
Was OK, there was a murder and they solved it. Not a very spectacular read but good enough for the bathroom . 3 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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