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DS Claire Boyle #3
One Bad Turn
How could your good friend become your worst enemy?
I lost my child because of you, my only child.
Eileen and Heather have always looked out for each other. But two years ago Eileen lost her son and she blames Heather and her family for the tragic loss.
And I want you to know how that feels.
Now she wants Heather and her daughter to suffer in the same way.
Sergeant Claire Boyle is caught in the crossfire - but she has her own child to think about now.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2017
29 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 19, 2018
This is an absorbing police procedural set in Dublin featuring garda DS Claire Boyle. As the first in the series that I have read, it works perfectly well as a standalone. Claire is married to Matt Daly and has a baby daughter, Anna. She has an appointment with Dr Heather Gilmore, and has taken Anna with her. Afterwards she overhears a woman, Eileen Delaney, threatening Heather, who she seems to know, with a gun and assaulting her. It appears that Eileen has lost her son, Alan, to suicide, blames Heather and she shows her a photograph of Heather's daughter, Leah, who she has abducted. Trapped in the surgery, Claire has no phone and is terrified that Anna's cries when she wakes up will put them both in danger.
This is a story of a friendship forged in childhood between Eileen and Heather, that has spiralled into hate and a need for revenge. We discover how it ended up this way as the story goes back in time to outline their relationship through the years. It is also a personal tale of the human consequences of the Irish financial recession partly triggered by those who peddled suspect financial schemes and were allowed to get away with it amidst the catastrophic fallout and the ruined lives of ordinary people. Claire and her gay police partner, Philip Flynn, dig deep to get to the bottom of what lies behind the hostage situation and find Leah. Leah is no ordinary damsel in distress, she fights hard to find a way out of her predicament. She was the last person to see Alan before his death when he turned up at a party she was throwing.
This is a story rooted in the contemporary political and financial issues in Ireland and how so many lives were reduced to misery and homelessness. Crowley has captured it well in the character of Eileen whose life become an increasing nightmare culminating in the loss of her beautiful son, Alan, leaving her with a grief she cannot get over. Juxtaposed with that is Heather's golden life of wealth, status, and power which she could not have attained without Eileen's help. There are the marital difficulties that Claire is experiencing and the challenges of caring for Anna when she so loves her job in the police, this feels so authentic. This is a great read which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
This is a story of a friendship forged in childhood between Eileen and Heather, that has spiralled into hate and a need for revenge. We discover how it ended up this way as the story goes back in time to outline their relationship through the years. It is also a personal tale of the human consequences of the Irish financial recession partly triggered by those who peddled suspect financial schemes and were allowed to get away with it amidst the catastrophic fallout and the ruined lives of ordinary people. Claire and her gay police partner, Philip Flynn, dig deep to get to the bottom of what lies behind the hostage situation and find Leah. Leah is no ordinary damsel in distress, she fights hard to find a way out of her predicament. She was the last person to see Alan before his death when he turned up at a party she was throwing.
This is a story rooted in the contemporary political and financial issues in Ireland and how so many lives were reduced to misery and homelessness. Crowley has captured it well in the character of Eileen whose life become an increasing nightmare culminating in the loss of her beautiful son, Alan, leaving her with a grief she cannot get over. Juxtaposed with that is Heather's golden life of wealth, status, and power which she could not have attained without Eileen's help. There are the marital difficulties that Claire is experiencing and the challenges of caring for Anna when she so loves her job in the police, this feels so authentic. This is a great read which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
June 8, 2017
This review was originally posted on Between My Lines
One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley is a deceptively twisty book, which I raced though eager to puzzle it all out. And of course I was racing against the mind of Claire Boyle, the detective sergeant whose mind was also racing and her sleuthing skills quickly outpaced me. I loved the book and so when Quercus Books asked me to join the Blog Tour, I was happy to jump on board, and help sing a song of praise for Sinead Crowley's latest offering.
First Line of One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley
My thoughts on One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley
This book is mainly a police procedural mystery, but it has enough tension and action to also be classified as a suspense. It's the third book in the DS Claire Boyle series, but each would stand on their own, and I see no problems with reading them out-of-order.
Two things hit me about this book, and it was the same with the other two books in this series.
there is a very strong sense of setting. It captures life in Dublin, with all it's colour.
An engaging cast of characters. Some I liked, some not so much, but all held my attention.
My favourite character is still Claire Boyle. She struggles to balance her passion for her job, with her role as a mother and wife. Her mind is razor-sharp, and I admire her professional skills. However, she struggles to juggle it all. Her daughter is her number one priority, but she is also strongly committed to pursuing professional goals. It's so honest, and relatable.
I also enjoyed the satisfying reveal of the crime element in this book. It's told over two-time periods. The first one is a current time, and kicks off with the abduction of a girl. The other timeline is a flashback to the recent past, where events take place that are driving the present crisis.
I loved the blend of mystery, suspense, family life and all against the ticking clock. You can sense the element of danger, and the rising tension. Which resulted in me swiping pages quickly, with a sense of trepidation. The theme of a mothers love runs throughout the book, and a suburban crime story always gets under my skin. It's just far too plausible and likely to happen.
Big thumbs up.
Who should read One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley?
I'd recommend this to you if you like police procedurals that focus heavily on emotional storylines, and interesting characters. If you liked previous books by Sinead Crowley, I think you'll enjoy catching up with some familiar characters. Fans of Liz Nugent, Tina Seskis and Jane Corry should also enjoy.
Thanks to Quercus Books for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.
Lots more information about One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley
If you enjoyed what you've heard so far about this book, why not check out some of the other Blog Tour stops.
One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley is a deceptively twisty book, which I raced though eager to puzzle it all out. And of course I was racing against the mind of Claire Boyle, the detective sergeant whose mind was also racing and her sleuthing skills quickly outpaced me. I loved the book and so when Quercus Books asked me to join the Blog Tour, I was happy to jump on board, and help sing a song of praise for Sinead Crowley's latest offering.
First Line of One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley
"There was no need to think about where she was going; her feet knew the way."
My thoughts on One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley
This book is mainly a police procedural mystery, but it has enough tension and action to also be classified as a suspense. It's the third book in the DS Claire Boyle series, but each would stand on their own, and I see no problems with reading them out-of-order.
Two things hit me about this book, and it was the same with the other two books in this series.
there is a very strong sense of setting. It captures life in Dublin, with all it's colour.
An engaging cast of characters. Some I liked, some not so much, but all held my attention.
My favourite character is still Claire Boyle. She struggles to balance her passion for her job, with her role as a mother and wife. Her mind is razor-sharp, and I admire her professional skills. However, she struggles to juggle it all. Her daughter is her number one priority, but she is also strongly committed to pursuing professional goals. It's so honest, and relatable.
I also enjoyed the satisfying reveal of the crime element in this book. It's told over two-time periods. The first one is a current time, and kicks off with the abduction of a girl. The other timeline is a flashback to the recent past, where events take place that are driving the present crisis.
I loved the blend of mystery, suspense, family life and all against the ticking clock. You can sense the element of danger, and the rising tension. Which resulted in me swiping pages quickly, with a sense of trepidation. The theme of a mothers love runs throughout the book, and a suburban crime story always gets under my skin. It's just far too plausible and likely to happen.
Big thumbs up.
Who should read One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley?
I'd recommend this to you if you like police procedurals that focus heavily on emotional storylines, and interesting characters. If you liked previous books by Sinead Crowley, I think you'll enjoy catching up with some familiar characters. Fans of Liz Nugent, Tina Seskis and Jane Corry should also enjoy.
Thanks to Quercus Books for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.
Lots more information about One Bad Turn by Sinead Crowley
If you enjoyed what you've heard so far about this book, why not check out some of the other Blog Tour stops.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2017
**4.5 stars**
Review to come nearer publication but this was very excellent. Proper page turner. And I get fonder of Claire Boyle with every book.
Review to come nearer publication but this was very excellent. Proper page turner. And I get fonder of Claire Boyle with every book.
October 16, 2018
Review to follow.
December 7, 2017
I really do enjoy this series featuring DS Claire Boyle which is based in Dublin partly because her thrillers are bang up to date with elements that are familiar to us all.
In this, the third book in the series, DS Claire Boyle takes centre stage being right at the heart of an incident in a Doctor’s surgery. The story includes the back story, stretching back through the decades, of Dr Heather Gilmore and her childhood friend Eileen Delaney but Eileen has a grudge against the Doctor. So while a gun is being waved around in the surgery in the present the reader has the far happier memories of two girls who were once so close.
This is the fastest moving of the novels in this series but the author doesn’t neglect what I like so much about her books which is that they are realistic with people absolutely at their heart. Claire’s own personal life is ever-present as she juggles life with her husband and young daughter with her single-minded approach to solving cases within the force. Needless to say, as in many families, this can sometimes be a bumpy ride particularly as Mark’s own business is taking off and scheduling in time to look after their child isn’t always easy or possible when in the middle of a major investigation. There are times that Claire can come across as a bit unfeeling in this area but I do think it’s an incredibly realistic portrayal of the lives of so many couples who are building careers or businesses whilst also managing to bring up a child in a loving home.
We are not even over the sit on the edge of the seat read about the incident in the Doctor’s surgery when are then launched into the hunt for a kidnapper and the kidnapped girl, Leah, Heather Gilmore’s nineteen year old daughter. This needs the police to switch from diffusing a difficult situation to solid police-work, but fear not the pace doesn’t let up one iota Claire and her colleague Philip Flynn, along with the rest of the team set about searching for Leah. Phillip Flynn has been injured so can’t go racing about but that doesn’t stop him following up on hunches but there are no wild guesses that solve the crime, my pet hate, this crime will only ever be solved by following up on leads and finding the one with the perpetrator at the end.
I started this review by saying how much I love the very modern aspect of this series and one theme that runs through this book is the rise of the Celtic Tiger, and sadly its very rapid decline. Dublin has a whole host of people caught up in both the boom and bust and the catastrophes that followed are illustrated within this book with such a moving story which for me was by far the highlight of the book especially. This more reflective element was elegantly handled particularly as a back-drop to what is ultimately a fast-paced action paced read.
In this, the third book in the series, DS Claire Boyle takes centre stage being right at the heart of an incident in a Doctor’s surgery. The story includes the back story, stretching back through the decades, of Dr Heather Gilmore and her childhood friend Eileen Delaney but Eileen has a grudge against the Doctor. So while a gun is being waved around in the surgery in the present the reader has the far happier memories of two girls who were once so close.
This is the fastest moving of the novels in this series but the author doesn’t neglect what I like so much about her books which is that they are realistic with people absolutely at their heart. Claire’s own personal life is ever-present as she juggles life with her husband and young daughter with her single-minded approach to solving cases within the force. Needless to say, as in many families, this can sometimes be a bumpy ride particularly as Mark’s own business is taking off and scheduling in time to look after their child isn’t always easy or possible when in the middle of a major investigation. There are times that Claire can come across as a bit unfeeling in this area but I do think it’s an incredibly realistic portrayal of the lives of so many couples who are building careers or businesses whilst also managing to bring up a child in a loving home.
We are not even over the sit on the edge of the seat read about the incident in the Doctor’s surgery when are then launched into the hunt for a kidnapper and the kidnapped girl, Leah, Heather Gilmore’s nineteen year old daughter. This needs the police to switch from diffusing a difficult situation to solid police-work, but fear not the pace doesn’t let up one iota Claire and her colleague Philip Flynn, along with the rest of the team set about searching for Leah. Phillip Flynn has been injured so can’t go racing about but that doesn’t stop him following up on hunches but there are no wild guesses that solve the crime, my pet hate, this crime will only ever be solved by following up on leads and finding the one with the perpetrator at the end.
I started this review by saying how much I love the very modern aspect of this series and one theme that runs through this book is the rise of the Celtic Tiger, and sadly its very rapid decline. Dublin has a whole host of people caught up in both the boom and bust and the catastrophes that followed are illustrated within this book with such a moving story which for me was by far the highlight of the book especially. This more reflective element was elegantly handled particularly as a back-drop to what is ultimately a fast-paced action paced read.
May 20, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books from r an advance copy of One Bad Turn, the third novel to feature DS Claire Boyle of the Dublin Gardai.
Claire is visiting her doctor, Heather Sterling, when a woman with a gun bursts in and takes Heather hostage. It seems that the two women have a history Eileen Delaney, the woman with the gun, is determined to make Heather suffer. The reasons for this are rooted in their shared history.
This is the first novel I have read in this series so I have no reference points. The plot is clever and the pacing excellent with just enough snippets of information doled out at a time to keep the reader interested and keen to learn more. I wasn't, however, so fond of the format. The first half of the novel covers the hostage situation with many flashbacks in italics (my pet hate) to their shared past. The second half deals with the aftermath, again with italicised flashbacks. I prefer a more linear narrative so I skim read most of the flashbacks to get back to the action faster. Looking back from the end of the novel this was probably a mistake as these flashbacks are actually very cleverly drawn portraits of the characters through the situations they find themselves in. It's skilfully done.
Claire Boyle is a fairly stereotypical police officer, smart and dedicated and that's where the problems lie. Her husband thinks she puts her job before him and their daughter and she thinks he's being unreasonable. It'll be interesting to see where Ms Crowley takes it.
I enjoyed One Bad Turn and have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
Claire is visiting her doctor, Heather Sterling, when a woman with a gun bursts in and takes Heather hostage. It seems that the two women have a history Eileen Delaney, the woman with the gun, is determined to make Heather suffer. The reasons for this are rooted in their shared history.
This is the first novel I have read in this series so I have no reference points. The plot is clever and the pacing excellent with just enough snippets of information doled out at a time to keep the reader interested and keen to learn more. I wasn't, however, so fond of the format. The first half of the novel covers the hostage situation with many flashbacks in italics (my pet hate) to their shared past. The second half deals with the aftermath, again with italicised flashbacks. I prefer a more linear narrative so I skim read most of the flashbacks to get back to the action faster. Looking back from the end of the novel this was probably a mistake as these flashbacks are actually very cleverly drawn portraits of the characters through the situations they find themselves in. It's skilfully done.
Claire Boyle is a fairly stereotypical police officer, smart and dedicated and that's where the problems lie. Her husband thinks she puts her job before him and their daughter and she thinks he's being unreasonable. It'll be interesting to see where Ms Crowley takes it.
I enjoyed One Bad Turn and have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
June 28, 2017
4.5 stars
Review to follow...
Review to follow...
May 29, 2017
3.5* ~ An easy read!!
Sergeant Claire Boyle is about to have a very bad day!!!
Having arrived at her GP for a consultation, Claire is looking forward to some time out with a cuppa and an hour’s peace afterwards. With her little girl sound asleep after a feed, Claire needs to clear her mind and consider her options about some family matters that have been playing around in her head.
Dr Heather Gilmore, Claire’s GP, is still in her office after Claire’s appointment and as Claire is in the bathroom she hears angry voices and distressful sounds outside. With the practice now closed for lunch, Claire soon realises that she, with her baby, are the only others still there.
It isn’t long before circumstances get out of control and Claire finds herself caught up in a frightening hostage crisis.
Using all her police training, Claire attempts to calm the situation as she is made aware that Dr Gilmore and Eileen Delaney, the hostage taker, know each other.
And so begins a story that takes the reader back in time to the mid 1980’s when Heather Gilmore and Eileen Delaney first meet. Both dealing with the impact of teenage angst, they form a loose alliance that continues into adulthood.
Two lives lived very differently over the years, yet two lives that seemed to be entwined by invisible thread.
Claire Boyle, with the assistance of her police colleague Flynn, is soon embroiled in a much bigger case, as it is discovered that as well as the hostage scenario, Heather Gilmore’s daughter Leah has been kidnapped.
Claire must try and figure out what happened that caused such hatred from Eileen towards Heather. What secrets are hidden in their past? But Claire has to work this case under the scrutiny of the media, as Heather Gilmore is the ex-wife of a very influential Irish business man who is looking for immediate answers.
Claire Boyle is a difficult character to pin down. Her husband Mark has been managing most of the running of their home-life, allowing Claire the freedom to pursue her career. But now Mark’s own business is beginning to develop further taking him away from home on a more regular basis. Claire is trying her best to balance her new work/home-life situation but she is clearly struggling. As a result, her attitude at times can come across as quite selfish. Sinéad Crowley deals with this topic in the book in a very ‘real’ way, as this is a position that many couples do face in the busy society we live in today.
One Bad Turn is not like the usual police procedurals I have been reading recently. This is not a gritty novel, as Sinéad Crowley tackles more than just the criminal aspect of life.
One Bad Turn is a very human story. It is a story that deals with relationships in many different forms, from the first tentative steps into the teenage years up to marriage and children. It is story that deals with the impact of decisions made and how the aftermath can have a bearing on so many.
I have not read the two previous novels in this series but I think One Bad Turn is perfect as a stand alone. The characters are well developed and the narrative flows easy. It is an ideal novel for those looking for their crime fiction to have little less blood and with a very personal story running through the pages.
Sergeant Claire Boyle is about to have a very bad day!!!
Having arrived at her GP for a consultation, Claire is looking forward to some time out with a cuppa and an hour’s peace afterwards. With her little girl sound asleep after a feed, Claire needs to clear her mind and consider her options about some family matters that have been playing around in her head.
Dr Heather Gilmore, Claire’s GP, is still in her office after Claire’s appointment and as Claire is in the bathroom she hears angry voices and distressful sounds outside. With the practice now closed for lunch, Claire soon realises that she, with her baby, are the only others still there.
It isn’t long before circumstances get out of control and Claire finds herself caught up in a frightening hostage crisis.
Using all her police training, Claire attempts to calm the situation as she is made aware that Dr Gilmore and Eileen Delaney, the hostage taker, know each other.
And so begins a story that takes the reader back in time to the mid 1980’s when Heather Gilmore and Eileen Delaney first meet. Both dealing with the impact of teenage angst, they form a loose alliance that continues into adulthood.
Two lives lived very differently over the years, yet two lives that seemed to be entwined by invisible thread.
Claire Boyle, with the assistance of her police colleague Flynn, is soon embroiled in a much bigger case, as it is discovered that as well as the hostage scenario, Heather Gilmore’s daughter Leah has been kidnapped.
Claire must try and figure out what happened that caused such hatred from Eileen towards Heather. What secrets are hidden in their past? But Claire has to work this case under the scrutiny of the media, as Heather Gilmore is the ex-wife of a very influential Irish business man who is looking for immediate answers.
Claire Boyle is a difficult character to pin down. Her husband Mark has been managing most of the running of their home-life, allowing Claire the freedom to pursue her career. But now Mark’s own business is beginning to develop further taking him away from home on a more regular basis. Claire is trying her best to balance her new work/home-life situation but she is clearly struggling. As a result, her attitude at times can come across as quite selfish. Sinéad Crowley deals with this topic in the book in a very ‘real’ way, as this is a position that many couples do face in the busy society we live in today.
One Bad Turn is not like the usual police procedurals I have been reading recently. This is not a gritty novel, as Sinéad Crowley tackles more than just the criminal aspect of life.
One Bad Turn is a very human story. It is a story that deals with relationships in many different forms, from the first tentative steps into the teenage years up to marriage and children. It is story that deals with the impact of decisions made and how the aftermath can have a bearing on so many.
I have not read the two previous novels in this series but I think One Bad Turn is perfect as a stand alone. The characters are well developed and the narrative flows easy. It is an ideal novel for those looking for their crime fiction to have little less blood and with a very personal story running through the pages.
August 20, 2020
This was my first read of Sinead Crowley's work and I enjoyed every page. She didn't try to over sell any part of it, the plot was well conceived, some of the characters were a bit unfinished but I liked Claire, she came across well.
I guess if I was going to pick out something to be critical of it would be the build up of the friendship between the two Mom's. Rather than a longstanding childhood friendship; which petered out when one woman became successful while the other had a more humdrum existence, they seemed to have a few supportive encounters spaced out over years. I think the betrayal and hatred would have worked better in my mind if the friendship had been stronger before it was broken.
Like I said, that is being nit-picky.
So, from me it's a double thumbs up and a recommendation for any of you that like your thrillers a little less bullet riddled.
I guess if I was going to pick out something to be critical of it would be the build up of the friendship between the two Mom's. Rather than a longstanding childhood friendship; which petered out when one woman became successful while the other had a more humdrum existence, they seemed to have a few supportive encounters spaced out over years. I think the betrayal and hatred would have worked better in my mind if the friendship had been stronger before it was broken.
Like I said, that is being nit-picky.
So, from me it's a double thumbs up and a recommendation for any of you that like your thrillers a little less bullet riddled.
August 10, 2017
This was a great story. I managed to make this one a really quick read in just a morning.
Worked well as a stand alone although it is part of a series.
I liked the descriptions of the area and the characters were well filled out.
I was disappointed with the ending as I felt like the culprit got away with the crime.
Worked well as a stand alone although it is part of a series.
I liked the descriptions of the area and the characters were well filled out.
I was disappointed with the ending as I felt like the culprit got away with the crime.
August 13, 2019
Audio version of this book 📚- Good storyline and good narration
April 22, 2020
2.5stars
August 26, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This was an utterly absorbing book. The author is very talented and I love her writing style.
This is the third book in the DS Claire Boyle series. I read the first one and then read this one. It can be read as a standalone, but I do prefer to try and read any book series in chronological order as it enriches the whole experience when reading it.
Claire Boyle is caught up in a hostage situation with her baby. Things get out of hand and it is up to Claire to see that justice gets served in the end.
I must say that I am quite fond of Claire Boyle. She is a gutsy character and she is passionate about her work and seeing that justice is served. It is also good to see how she is handling motherhood. This was a fast-paced book with some surprising twists. I highly recommend it. I plan on reading the second book and eagerly await the fourth book in the series.
This was an utterly absorbing book. The author is very talented and I love her writing style.
This is the third book in the DS Claire Boyle series. I read the first one and then read this one. It can be read as a standalone, but I do prefer to try and read any book series in chronological order as it enriches the whole experience when reading it.
Claire Boyle is caught up in a hostage situation with her baby. Things get out of hand and it is up to Claire to see that justice gets served in the end.
I must say that I am quite fond of Claire Boyle. She is a gutsy character and she is passionate about her work and seeing that justice is served. It is also good to see how she is handling motherhood. This was a fast-paced book with some surprising twists. I highly recommend it. I plan on reading the second book and eagerly await the fourth book in the series.
February 16, 2018
*Thanks to Quercus Books and Net Galley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book breaks into two halves very effectively with back story running throughout to build up a fuller picture of the characters involved. The characters are well developed and the narrative flows easy. It is an ideal novel for those looking for their crime fiction to have little less blood and with a very personal story running through the pages. Not your usual police procedural.
Although there are two previous publications in this series, this book works perfectly well as a standalone.
This book breaks into two halves very effectively with back story running throughout to build up a fuller picture of the characters involved. The characters are well developed and the narrative flows easy. It is an ideal novel for those looking for their crime fiction to have little less blood and with a very personal story running through the pages. Not your usual police procedural.
Although there are two previous publications in this series, this book works perfectly well as a standalone.
July 4, 2017
The third in the Claire Boyle series and the best yet.
"How could your good friend become your worst enemy?
Being held hostage at gunpoint by her childhood friend is not Dr Heather Gilmore's idea of a good day at work. It only gets worse when she hears that her nineteen-year-old daughter Leah has been kidnapped.
Sergeant Claire Boyle wasn't expecting to get caught up in a hostage situation during a doctor's appointment. When it becomes apparent that the kidnapping is somehow linked to the hostage-taker, a woman called Eileen Delaney, she is put in charge of finding the missing girl.
What happened between Eileen and Heather to make Eileen so determined to ruin her old friend? Claire Boyle must dig up the secrets from their pasts to find out - and quickly, because Leah is still missing, and time is running out to save her."
This story gripped me right from the start. I was looking forward to catching up with Claire Boyle and the other recurring characters in this series, but I didn't expect to be dropped into the middle of such a nail-biting, life threatening situation. Alongside this the author skilfully weaves the back story of Heather and Eileen until a sense of foreboding builds up and leads to a shocking conclusion.
The character development, especially Claire's family situation, is as enthralling as the main plot - this is not your average police procedural. I would recommend reading the previous two books in the series, Can Anybody Help Me? and Are You Watching Me?, before this book, though it could definitely be read as a standalone.
Highly recommended for crime thriller fans looking for a fast-paced read.
My copy was a competition prize from @ShazsBookBlog - thanks, Sharon.
"How could your good friend become your worst enemy?
Being held hostage at gunpoint by her childhood friend is not Dr Heather Gilmore's idea of a good day at work. It only gets worse when she hears that her nineteen-year-old daughter Leah has been kidnapped.
Sergeant Claire Boyle wasn't expecting to get caught up in a hostage situation during a doctor's appointment. When it becomes apparent that the kidnapping is somehow linked to the hostage-taker, a woman called Eileen Delaney, she is put in charge of finding the missing girl.
What happened between Eileen and Heather to make Eileen so determined to ruin her old friend? Claire Boyle must dig up the secrets from their pasts to find out - and quickly, because Leah is still missing, and time is running out to save her."
This story gripped me right from the start. I was looking forward to catching up with Claire Boyle and the other recurring characters in this series, but I didn't expect to be dropped into the middle of such a nail-biting, life threatening situation. Alongside this the author skilfully weaves the back story of Heather and Eileen until a sense of foreboding builds up and leads to a shocking conclusion.
The character development, especially Claire's family situation, is as enthralling as the main plot - this is not your average police procedural. I would recommend reading the previous two books in the series, Can Anybody Help Me? and Are You Watching Me?, before this book, though it could definitely be read as a standalone.
Highly recommended for crime thriller fans looking for a fast-paced read.
My copy was a competition prize from @ShazsBookBlog - thanks, Sharon.
July 15, 2017
This is my first Sinead Crowley book and obviously won’t be my last. I must admit that I will have to read the first two books involving Sergeant Claire Boyle and her family.
Sgt Boyle goes to see her Dr for an appointment but really she’s just looking forward to a cuppa and some peace to think for a change. As she’s leaving the surgery’s bathroom she hears loud voices from the consultation room: Dr Heather Gilmore and Eileen Delaney old friends and now enemies. Four things that Sgt Boyle didn’t know were that the surgery was closed for lunch, Eileen has a gun and Dr Gilmore’s daughter Leah has been kidnapped.
We meet her family, her not quite house husband Matt, her work partner Flynn amongst many others. She can and did behave selfishly regarding her work but which of us wouldn’t in her shoes? Matt was content to keep the home fires burning so to speak as her career took off, but now he sees things differently as his own business is taking off and he is away more and more. Claire doesn’t deal with the change particularly well.
These stories is revealed in a typically now and then hostage/kidnap scenario each section offers us just enough information to keep us guessing and quickly turning the pages and I certainly kept turning them.
Read for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Quercus
Sgt Boyle goes to see her Dr for an appointment but really she’s just looking forward to a cuppa and some peace to think for a change. As she’s leaving the surgery’s bathroom she hears loud voices from the consultation room: Dr Heather Gilmore and Eileen Delaney old friends and now enemies. Four things that Sgt Boyle didn’t know were that the surgery was closed for lunch, Eileen has a gun and Dr Gilmore’s daughter Leah has been kidnapped.
We meet her family, her not quite house husband Matt, her work partner Flynn amongst many others. She can and did behave selfishly regarding her work but which of us wouldn’t in her shoes? Matt was content to keep the home fires burning so to speak as her career took off, but now he sees things differently as his own business is taking off and he is away more and more. Claire doesn’t deal with the change particularly well.
These stories is revealed in a typically now and then hostage/kidnap scenario each section offers us just enough information to keep us guessing and quickly turning the pages and I certainly kept turning them.
Read for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Quercus
March 26, 2020
There seems to be quite a lot here that is padding. The initial showdown where the real action of the book kicks-off is drawn out to more than its maximum. I cannot help thinking that the whole pre-history of the two leading non-official characters is irrelevant, and does not add much to the story. I also can’t see why one of the characters is said to be American, in some sense. Nothing comes of that apart from giving the author the chance to mimic American teen speak with its emphatic ,like,s. The other character turns from being a normal person into an Erinye, with some motivation, but essentially, off-stage. Sergeant Claire gets some likes from the press (GR), but it’s essentially for people who have already invested in the series and the story and are concerned about her work/domestic interface or lack of. The author works hard to create a balance between condemnation of and sympathy for the ultimate kind-of perpetrator. It’s consumable, but it doesn’t make me want to look for the sequel.
June 28, 2017
Being held hostage at gunpoint by her childhood friend is not Dr Heather Gilmore's idea of a good day at work. It only gets worse when she hears that her nineteen-year-old daughter Leah has been kidnapped.
Sergeant Claire Boyle wasn't expecting to get caught up in a hostage situation during a doctor's appointment. When it becomes apparent that the kidnapping is somehow linked to the hostage-taker, a woman called Eileen Delaney, she is put in charge of finding the missing girl.
What happened between Eileen and Heather to make Eileen so determined to ruin her old friend? Claire Boyle must dig up the secrets from their pasts to find out - and quickly, because Leah is still missing, and time is running out to save her.
A well written book that unfortunately didn’t hold my attention. I found it very distracting going from one time to another. It did improve towards the end though. 3.5*
Sergeant Claire Boyle wasn't expecting to get caught up in a hostage situation during a doctor's appointment. When it becomes apparent that the kidnapping is somehow linked to the hostage-taker, a woman called Eileen Delaney, she is put in charge of finding the missing girl.
What happened between Eileen and Heather to make Eileen so determined to ruin her old friend? Claire Boyle must dig up the secrets from their pasts to find out - and quickly, because Leah is still missing, and time is running out to save her.
A well written book that unfortunately didn’t hold my attention. I found it very distracting going from one time to another. It did improve towards the end though. 3.5*
May 27, 2017
One Bad Turn is the latest book in the DS Claire Boyle series. It works as a standalone but having read the previous books it allows you to get to know Claire more.
Dr Heather Gilmore finds herself caught up in a situation at work where she is held hostage by her childhood friend and that her daughter has been kidnapped. DS Boyle didn't expect a simple visit to her doctor to result in her being taken hostage too. But then it becomes apparent that maybe the hostage situation and kidnapping are linked. Claire is put in charge of finding the missing girl and discovering what happened between Heather and her old friend Eileen for things to take this dramatic turn.
A well written thriller with some nice twists and turns that will have you turning the page to find out what happens next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Quercus and Sinead Crowley for the chance to review.
Dr Heather Gilmore finds herself caught up in a situation at work where she is held hostage by her childhood friend and that her daughter has been kidnapped. DS Boyle didn't expect a simple visit to her doctor to result in her being taken hostage too. But then it becomes apparent that maybe the hostage situation and kidnapping are linked. Claire is put in charge of finding the missing girl and discovering what happened between Heather and her old friend Eileen for things to take this dramatic turn.
A well written thriller with some nice twists and turns that will have you turning the page to find out what happens next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Quercus and Sinead Crowley for the chance to review.
July 18, 2017
An Irish thriller. We start with a situation in a Doctor's surgery and then graduallly see the backstory of the two women involved, and their children. The situation also involves a kidnapping and the cops are trying to link it all together and save the kidnapped girl.
Enjoyed this, well thought out backstory, characters that evolve through the story and a sad reflection on recent times in Ireland. My first by this author, I liked the way the Police were not the main focus and there was no "inspirational" problem solving, just proper policework.
This was a slight book of two halves, the first dealing with the situation at the surgery and the second with tracking the kidnapper. I thought it all came together well, while not exactly being a page-turner. More character driven rather than screaming police chases and dear death experiences and all the better for it.
Enjoyed this, well thought out backstory, characters that evolve through the story and a sad reflection on recent times in Ireland. My first by this author, I liked the way the Police were not the main focus and there was no "inspirational" problem solving, just proper policework.
This was a slight book of two halves, the first dealing with the situation at the surgery and the second with tracking the kidnapper. I thought it all came together well, while not exactly being a page-turner. More character driven rather than screaming police chases and dear death experiences and all the better for it.
August 1, 2017
This is the third book featuring Detective Claire Boyle - the first two being Can Anybody Help Me? and Are You Watching Me. You don't have to have read the others to enjoy the third installment, it works well as a standalone.
I liked the first two books, mainly because of Claire - so I was happy to see her back, she's a likeable and engaging character. In this book, she gets involved in a case that sees an old friendship coming to a dangerous conclusion. We get to see the friendship blossom and then rapidly go downhill thanks to flashback chapters set in the 80s and 90s, which I felt broke the story up nicely. There are also very relevant themes like the banking crisis and homelessness included.
Overall, I devoured this over a couple of hours once I got into it, and I enjoyed it very much - the first one is still my favourite, but this comes a close second. If you're looking for a crime/thriller to take on holiday, I'd recommend that you give this one a go.
I received a copy of this book from the author (thank you, Sinéad).
I liked the first two books, mainly because of Claire - so I was happy to see her back, she's a likeable and engaging character. In this book, she gets involved in a case that sees an old friendship coming to a dangerous conclusion. We get to see the friendship blossom and then rapidly go downhill thanks to flashback chapters set in the 80s and 90s, which I felt broke the story up nicely. There are also very relevant themes like the banking crisis and homelessness included.
Overall, I devoured this over a couple of hours once I got into it, and I enjoyed it very much - the first one is still my favourite, but this comes a close second. If you're looking for a crime/thriller to take on holiday, I'd recommend that you give this one a go.
I received a copy of this book from the author (thank you, Sinéad).
August 16, 2017
From Austen to the O. C. there's a clear link often made between money and aloof selfishness in culture, but this particular book is clever in its use of the celtic Tiger era to justify this point of view. The book has some strengths and this relatable topic as well as its inclusion of suicide and a fairly accurate description of detective work in Ireland are among them. However despite its success as misleading the reader for the most part, it sometimes felt like what could have been a few chapters storyline was filler-ed up with the contemporary concept of differing points of view and timeline, something that worked in some ways given the detailed history of the two lead females but at other times unnecessarily held up the story. For the main, this was a surprisingly enjoyable read, but only once I hit the 100pg mark.
October 13, 2017
Eileen and Heather, two friends who ultimately cause catastrophe in each other's lives. DS Claire Boyle, the detective who finds herself in the middle of the action by chance and ultimately (with help from her colleague, DC Flynn) resolves it. I hadn't read any of the other Claire Boyle series but enjoyed this book as a stand alone novel. If I have a slight criticism it is because I felt the reader could have had a bit more background into Eileen's co-conspirator, Richard, as I felt he was essential to the plot but the reader didn't really get to know him or build a picture of him in their mind. I did enjoy it though and would recommend it. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for letting me read and review this book.
January 14, 2019
The story begins with a kidnapping of a girl who at first glance seems to be an innocent victim caught in the crossfire of her mother's feud with a former friend - but all isn't quite as she appears. The book tells the story of a friendship gone very wrong, Dr Heather Gilmore turning a blind eye as Elaine Delaney (her old school friend) suffers and Elaine exacting her revenge on the family she feels has harmed her. It's full of lies and flawed characters of varying dimensions - quite a few are two dimensional at best - and a plot twist at the end revealing that Elaine was punishing the right person after all.
The protagonist (Sergeant Claire Boyle) is a career driven woman facing some very real professional and personal challenges. Those aren't often present in crime series novels which tend to be focused on male protagonists. I'll be hunting out the first two books in this series.
The protagonist (Sergeant Claire Boyle) is a career driven woman facing some very real professional and personal challenges. Those aren't often present in crime series novels which tend to be focused on male protagonists. I'll be hunting out the first two books in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2019
Heather and Eileen's lives cross paths multiple times from childhood to motherhood, eventually leading to a kidnapped daughter and a dead son, so when Garda Claire Boyle ends up in a tense doctor's surgery with them both it's not surprising that she has to investigate more than one crime.
For a relatively short novel, there's a large amount of plot and timelines going on here but Crowley manages it well. I would have preferred a slightly slower pace to get a better handle on the motivations and emotions of the main characters, but if you like a quick crime read, this is a good one.
Don't expect a standard - bad guys go to jail - ending. It's more complex than that and will leave you thinking.
For a relatively short novel, there's a large amount of plot and timelines going on here but Crowley manages it well. I would have preferred a slightly slower pace to get a better handle on the motivations and emotions of the main characters, but if you like a quick crime read, this is a good one.
Don't expect a standard - bad guys go to jail - ending. It's more complex than that and will leave you thinking.
July 1, 2017
This wasn't my favourite one in the series. I thought the idea was there with the filling in of the story through 'flashbacks' but it didn't come together properly. The 'flashbacks' didn't last throughout the book though, which was a bonus. I enjoyed the characters and started to dislike Boyle's husband immensely. He married a cop you have to deal with the consequences of your actions. It is not right to ask somebody to leave their job. Aside from that and back to heart of it, I liked the storyline. I love reading Irish authors I am so familiar with my own country and our culture/customs.
June 27, 2022
Claire Boyle is having some martial problems where her job as a guard is taking over her life as a mother and wife - according to her husband. When she finds herself in a situation trapped in her GP surgery she has to think her way out of a potentially harmful situation. Heather (the GP) is confronted by Eileen who has kidnapped her daughter blaming Heather for the death of her son. The story line was good and deals with the economic crash in Ireland where many lost their homes as a result of banking and state financial failures.
August 31, 2017
Another fast moving book
I enjoyed this book. Plenty of characters and fast moving action. I've read the 3 books one after another. I've got to know the characters well.
Well written and believe it or not the description of motherhood is incredibly real. To close for comfort perhaps. If you haven't gone through it you wouldn't understand. Bringing up a baby is the hardest thing you'll ever do. God help those mother's that don't bond with their babies.
I enjoyed this book. Plenty of characters and fast moving action. I've read the 3 books one after another. I've got to know the characters well.
Well written and believe it or not the description of motherhood is incredibly real. To close for comfort perhaps. If you haven't gone through it you wouldn't understand. Bringing up a baby is the hardest thing you'll ever do. God help those mother's that don't bond with their babies.
July 13, 2017
Enjoyed reading this but really felt the first section with the back story was far stronger than the second, and was more engaged with the conflict / friendship between Heather and Eileen than with that of the recurring characters. Think I would have liked this even more as a standalone. That said, I enjoyed it.
June 6, 2017
It's a cliche but it's true, this book grabs you from the start and doesn't let go until the very last page. The detective Clare Boyle series goes from strength to strength. I look forward to the next instalment and Sinéad Crowley has a firm place on my "must read" shelf.
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