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David Dunnigan #3
If She Returned
David Dunnigan just received the phone call he has spent eighteen years waiting for.
A young woman has been found -- and she's claiming to be his niece Beth, who disappeared as a child. Is she telling the truth? And, if she is, will Dunnigan finally rid himself of his demons, and help her to rebuild her life?
Meanwhile, an investigation into a gruesome murder leads the criminologist to five prominent men, seemingly unlinked, who say they are being stalked by a shadowy figure. But 'Mother Joan' seems to merely be an urban legend, a ghostly avenger who punishes the wicked. So, if these men fear her wrath, what sins have they committed?
As Dunnigan pursues this strange mystery, enemies from his past are closing in. And when the case leads him to the crowded streets of London and then to the dark forest of Kielder, myth and reality become terrifyingly linked.
But is Dunnigan prepared for what, and who, he will face?
A young woman has been found -- and she's claiming to be his niece Beth, who disappeared as a child. Is she telling the truth? And, if she is, will Dunnigan finally rid himself of his demons, and help her to rebuild her life?
Meanwhile, an investigation into a gruesome murder leads the criminologist to five prominent men, seemingly unlinked, who say they are being stalked by a shadowy figure. But 'Mother Joan' seems to merely be an urban legend, a ghostly avenger who punishes the wicked. So, if these men fear her wrath, what sins have they committed?
As Dunnigan pursues this strange mystery, enemies from his past are closing in. And when the case leads him to the crowded streets of London and then to the dark forest of Kielder, myth and reality become terrifyingly linked.
But is Dunnigan prepared for what, and who, he will face?
- GenresCrime
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2019
17 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 5, 2019
3.5 really. Almost 4. Loved the writing but I like my thrillers to end with the book... A personal thing.
September 15, 2019
I started this series last weekend, and I’ve been no good to anyone this week while I zipped my way through the 3 books in the series.
I loved them all, but this is my favourite. While I missed Miley (and hope he returns in book 4), I was intrigued by Beth and her resilience. The chills were spilling over in this book, and I have no doubt that my dreams will be haunted by Mother Joan and The Slender Man. I don’t read horror, but the threads of horror in this book were surprisingly right up my street.
My only complaint is that I’m not able for the long wait for book 4.
Great series, highly recommended for its uniqueness.
I loved them all, but this is my favourite. While I missed Miley (and hope he returns in book 4), I was intrigued by Beth and her resilience. The chills were spilling over in this book, and I have no doubt that my dreams will be haunted by Mother Joan and The Slender Man. I don’t read horror, but the threads of horror in this book were surprisingly right up my street.
My only complaint is that I’m not able for the long wait for book 4.
Great series, highly recommended for its uniqueness.
September 15, 2019
Chilling!
My fav yet in this fab series. I have all chills after reading it and I hold Shane Dunphy responsible if I have nightmares tonight!
My fav yet in this fab series. I have all chills after reading it and I hold Shane Dunphy responsible if I have nightmares tonight!
March 25, 2022
It was only when I had this book that I realised it was the third in the series. While it can be read on its’ own it probably makes more sense to be read in sequence. A consultant to the Guards David Dunnigan’s niece went missing 18 years ago while on a trip to Dublin City centre with him. He has been searching for her ever since. When Beth reappears there are major trauma issues to be faced. At the same time David is called in to help find the truth behind the murders of a number of men involving the elusive Mother Joan. There are some graphic violent scenes and you need a suspension of belief in terms of how Mother Joan operates.
October 30, 2019
Wow, this was a wild ride! I'm still trying to process what happened in this book and how I feel about all of it. Like with the previous two, it took me but a couple of days to swallow it - and I desperately want the next one! I have no idea how I'm supposed to wait till March, yikes! But also... I've got some conflicted feelings about it, as well.
Being a fan of urban legends myself (although not a member of the creepypasta fandom), I found Mother Joan an amazing villain. For the longest time, I did think she was indeed a spirit, and although it would have gone against the established genre and ventured into something paranormal, if she was, I wouldn't have minded that. That being said, even as a villain made of flesh and blood, she was remarkable. Black Bibles also made a spectacular addition to the story - not going to lie, If She Returned gave me a nightmare or two. And I LOVE how fast-paced this whole series is. Given a chance, I could have probably finished each of the books in a day - which I appreacite, as a reader.
Now onto the stuff I didn't like... Beth. Gosh, she's been through some stuff and no one is taking that away from her, but try as I might, I couldn't find it in me to care for her one way or another. To me, she was an entirely unlikable character. Before, we only had a glimpse of her through Davey's memories of her a little girl, but I still imagined her to be entirely different from what we got and... Well, I really don't care for her. She clearly needs some serious mental therapy and anger management therapy, and for as long as she remains a brat, I couldn't care less for her.
Also, the shippy romantic in me was very, very disappointed that Davey and Diane broke up. I was really rooting for them in the first two books, and I do think they are a good match. They clearly have feelings for one another though, so there's still hope they'll work it out in book 4, but S.A. Dunphy doesn't strike me as an author who cares for such things. Few male writers do, in my experience. I'll be honest, this small bit really dampened my experience with the series.
That being said, I do want the next book ASAP.
Being a fan of urban legends myself (although not a member of the creepypasta fandom), I found Mother Joan an amazing villain. For the longest time, I did think she was indeed a spirit, and although it would have gone against the established genre and ventured into something paranormal, if she was, I wouldn't have minded that. That being said, even as a villain made of flesh and blood, she was remarkable. Black Bibles also made a spectacular addition to the story - not going to lie, If She Returned gave me a nightmare or two. And I LOVE how fast-paced this whole series is. Given a chance, I could have probably finished each of the books in a day - which I appreacite, as a reader.
Now onto the stuff I didn't like... Beth. Gosh, she's been through some stuff and no one is taking that away from her, but try as I might, I couldn't find it in me to care for her one way or another. To me, she was an entirely unlikable character. Before, we only had a glimpse of her through Davey's memories of her a little girl, but I still imagined her to be entirely different from what we got and... Well, I really don't care for her. She clearly needs some serious mental therapy and anger management therapy, and for as long as she remains a brat, I couldn't care less for her.
Also, the shippy romantic in me was very, very disappointed that Davey and Diane broke up. I was really rooting for them in the first two books, and I do think they are a good match. They clearly have feelings for one another though, so there's still hope they'll work it out in book 4, but S.A. Dunphy doesn't strike me as an author who cares for such things. Few male writers do, in my experience. I'll be honest, this small bit really dampened my experience with the series.
That being said, I do want the next book ASAP.
March 24, 2019
Another amazing read and what a story. Beth is back, David Dunnigan's niece that went missing 18 years ago and his latest case is very dark and sinister. Mother Joan is killing people and Davey is on the hunt for this mysterious, ghostly creature. All the favourite characters from book 1 and 2 return in this book except for Miley. This book was darker than the others and very creepy. The writing was excellent, the story amazing, and I can't wait to read the concluding book when it releases next year.
March 5, 2019
A definite edge of your seat or hold your breath thriller. I'm glad there are more books from Shane in the pipeline and... as this is the first of his I've read, I'm thrilled that there's more to read NOW! Keep them coming Shane, a staggeringly great read.
April 7, 2020
I really like this writer and the central protagonist. These are above the usual thrillers and I very much recommend them to read. This did not disappoint! Read during lockdown in NZ so not back to the library yet but a really good read.
February 21, 2021
3.5
I’m unsure as to what to rating to give...
I am getting bored with Frobisher and Ressler. I’d like to see a book without them in it, but I’m not hopeful on that front.
I was also disappointed that there were several other characters that featured heavily in the first 2 books that were either non-existent in this, or featured very little.
But at the same time, I enjoyed the Mother Joan storyline, and it kept me captivated enough to finish the book in a day.
Still, I’m looking forward to the fourth and (I think) final instalment of this series.
I’m unsure as to what to rating to give...
I am getting bored with Frobisher and Ressler. I’d like to see a book without them in it, but I’m not hopeful on that front.
I was also disappointed that there were several other characters that featured heavily in the first 2 books that were either non-existent in this, or featured very little.
But at the same time, I enjoyed the Mother Joan storyline, and it kept me captivated enough to finish the book in a day.
Still, I’m looking forward to the fourth and (I think) final instalment of this series.
February 10, 2019
Wow the best in the series kept me awake what a character mother Joan is couldn't put it down
September 19, 2019
Continuing Dunnigans investigations ... a gripping read, the 3rd in the series.
April 17, 2020
Gripping
Great book and progression to the original story! Definitely recommend all three of the books! Can’t wait for the next one!
Great book and progression to the original story! Definitely recommend all three of the books! Can’t wait for the next one!
May 22, 2020
Deducting a star for the clumsy Carlow plot point.
August 15, 2021
At first I didn't know After She Vanished was part of the David Dunnigan series until I read the reviews for When She Was Gone! I am so glad I did! The main characters are amazing! I finally finished reading the series when the given If She Returned and Why She Ran on my birthday! Totally worth the wait! An absolutely amazing ending! Miley has to be my favourite character!
April 5, 2022
Another excellent follow up story, couldn't put it down, had me on the edge of my seat, now for number 4
November 30, 2022
The cliffhanger endings are really beginning to annoy me.
May 8, 2024
Excellent gripping series
Read
December 4, 2025Learned about creepy pasta.
March 9, 2019
The 3rd book of the Dunnigan series and I am blown away by it I absolutely loved it like the first two books it ended totally different then I expected. So the long anticipated wait comes has Beth been found?? Go check this book out and yes more good news there is a forth book.
September 16, 2020
Very good book
December 30, 2020
Lots of characters but surprising easy to keep up. Can tell it’s part of a set.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews