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Detective Iris Locke #1
Her Sister's Bones
When Anna Crowe is killed in her sleep alongside her children, the quiet local community of Corbally is shocked. It's also a chilling reminder of when her sister, Janey, disappeared as a baby, 29 years ago, never to be seen again.
Detective Iris Locke is assigned to the case, and, after a year undercover which ended in failure when her cover got blown, she's desperate to make her mark - and to live up to the reputation of her ex-cop father, the former head of the Limerick Murder Squad.
Jack Locke ran the investigation into the disappearance of baby Janey. But by reopening the old case, Iris is also reopening old wounds for the team. Can she untangle the dark secrets that lead to one sister vanishing and the other's death - even if it means digging into the past of someone very close to her?
Detective Iris Locke is assigned to the case, and, after a year undercover which ended in failure when her cover got blown, she's desperate to make her mark - and to live up to the reputation of her ex-cop father, the former head of the Limerick Murder Squad.
Jack Locke ran the investigation into the disappearance of baby Janey. But by reopening the old case, Iris is also reopening old wounds for the team. Can she untangle the dark secrets that lead to one sister vanishing and the other's death - even if it means digging into the past of someone very close to her?
282 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2019
146 people are currently reading
2753 people want to read
About the author
Geraldine Hogan
2 books76 followersGeraldine Hogan was born in Ireland. She gained an Honors Degree in English Literature and Psychology from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate Degree in Training and Management from University College, Galway. She is an Irish award-winning and bestselling author of four contemporary fiction novels under the pen name Faith Hogan.
HER SISTER'S BONES is her first crime novel, her second WHY SHE RAN is due out in December 2019.
She is currently working on her next novel. She lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and a very busy Labrador named Penny. She's a writer, reader, enthusiastic dog walker and reluctant jogger - except of course when it is raining!
You can find out more about Geraldine here:
www.Facebook/GeraldineHoganAuthor.com
Twitter @gerhogan
https://www.instagram.com/faithhogana...
HER SISTER'S BONES is her first crime novel, her second WHY SHE RAN is due out in December 2019.
She is currently working on her next novel. She lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and a very busy Labrador named Penny. She's a writer, reader, enthusiastic dog walker and reluctant jogger - except of course when it is raining!
You can find out more about Geraldine here:
www.Facebook/GeraldineHoganAuthor.com
Twitter @gerhogan
https://www.instagram.com/faithhogana...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
October 27, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
Ah yes, the good old days when they moved you every couple of weeks. It tended to weed out the men from the boys, and the women entirely.
Boran was an electric eel of a man, long and reedy, jumpy and giddy; with deep-set eyes that Iris supposed might set him aside as an artist, or in Iris’s line of work, a player.
Rumour has it she’s looking to catch you out, Slattery, better watch yourself. That one, she’s a hairy bit of work on a bicycle, take it from me. You watch yourself up there now.
Iris lowered her voice, conscious once more of her surroundings. St Abbati’s Terrace wasn’t exactly Soho. It was the kind of place, Iris figured, where the neighbours knew if you flushed twice within the hour and they would be counting.
Slattery, more than anyone, knew that truth was a costly commodity; he knew it because from what he could see, it was rarer than hens’ teeth.
My Review:
While the clever story threads and plot lines were unpredictable and smartly paced, I was far more taken by Ms. Hogan’s exquisitely crafted, evocative, and slowly evolving storytelling. She snared my attention on page one and kept me immersed in her intriguing tale to the last sentence. Her writing was deftly penned and scrolled smoothly through my brain with ease. It was as if I were watching a film.
Each scene was thoroughly set to engage all the senses from vivid visuals to heart-squeezing emotional tones, with an added treat of agilely inserted incidental details and keenly entertaining observations that tickled my brain cells and continually prodded my curiosity.
What an unexpected delight! I am all in with the lovely Iris and am eager to see what the crafty Ms. Hogan shakes loose for her next murder case. And for a bonus, I learned a fun Irish idiom of “on the gargle” - meaning to be boozy.
Ah yes, the good old days when they moved you every couple of weeks. It tended to weed out the men from the boys, and the women entirely.
Boran was an electric eel of a man, long and reedy, jumpy and giddy; with deep-set eyes that Iris supposed might set him aside as an artist, or in Iris’s line of work, a player.
Rumour has it she’s looking to catch you out, Slattery, better watch yourself. That one, she’s a hairy bit of work on a bicycle, take it from me. You watch yourself up there now.
Iris lowered her voice, conscious once more of her surroundings. St Abbati’s Terrace wasn’t exactly Soho. It was the kind of place, Iris figured, where the neighbours knew if you flushed twice within the hour and they would be counting.
Slattery, more than anyone, knew that truth was a costly commodity; he knew it because from what he could see, it was rarer than hens’ teeth.
My Review:
While the clever story threads and plot lines were unpredictable and smartly paced, I was far more taken by Ms. Hogan’s exquisitely crafted, evocative, and slowly evolving storytelling. She snared my attention on page one and kept me immersed in her intriguing tale to the last sentence. Her writing was deftly penned and scrolled smoothly through my brain with ease. It was as if I were watching a film.
Each scene was thoroughly set to engage all the senses from vivid visuals to heart-squeezing emotional tones, with an added treat of agilely inserted incidental details and keenly entertaining observations that tickled my brain cells and continually prodded my curiosity.
What an unexpected delight! I am all in with the lovely Iris and am eager to see what the crafty Ms. Hogan shakes loose for her next murder case. And for a bonus, I learned a fun Irish idiom of “on the gargle” - meaning to be boozy.
August 15, 2019
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4
Anna Crowe and her two children were murdered in their home. Detective Iris Locke has need given the case to investigate. Iris has a complicated past. Her dad was also a policeman with a reputation that's hard to live up to. Iris feels she is being constantly compared to him. Anna's sister had mysteriously disappeared out of her pram twenty nine years ago. As the investigation progresses, a connection between the two tragedies emerge. With some of the records missing, Iris is forced to ask her father for help.
The pace of this book is a little slow. I liked Iris's character and fully understood why she would hate working in her fathers shadow. The story is well written and the plot believable. A great start to a new series and I look forward to learning more about Iris and her team in future.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Geraldine Hogan for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Anna Crowe and her two children were murdered in their home. Detective Iris Locke has need given the case to investigate. Iris has a complicated past. Her dad was also a policeman with a reputation that's hard to live up to. Iris feels she is being constantly compared to him. Anna's sister had mysteriously disappeared out of her pram twenty nine years ago. As the investigation progresses, a connection between the two tragedies emerge. With some of the records missing, Iris is forced to ask her father for help.
The pace of this book is a little slow. I liked Iris's character and fully understood why she would hate working in her fathers shadow. The story is well written and the plot believable. A great start to a new series and I look forward to learning more about Iris and her team in future.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Geraldine Hogan for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2019
Though she grew up there, Limerick wasn’t the first place where Detective Iris Locke wanted to work. However, Murder Squad jobs don’t come around often, and the case itself … well, it’s too tempting to pass up. Initially thought to have died in a fire in her countryside home, closer inspection reveals Anna Crowe was actually shot. Iris is drawn to Anna not only because they had briefly met, but also because her sister was the subject of an unsolved kidnapping case from thirty years prior. To solve the murder, Iris must solve the kidnapping, even if digging up old bones uncovers secrets that threaten everything in her professional and personal worlds.
Crafty twists and a clever hook makes Silent Night a refreshing police procedural. Author Geraldine Hogan has tossed aside cheap gimmicks in favor of a solid mystery and character-driven action. From the opening scenes of Iris descending on her new job in Limerick to the final reveal as everything comes clashing to a close, Hogan meticulously layers atmospheric tension with genuine surprises.
Does this sound like an awful lot of praise being heaped? It should.
A large part of Silent Night’s success relies on Iris herself. From the start, she’s at a crossroads. She understands what she wants: to be part of a Murder Squad. But as her own father is a bit of a legend in Limerick, Iris would prefer a jurisdiction like Dublin Castle. This provides ample friction as Iris struggles against being cast as a nepotism hire while also being pulled into a case that forces her to examine a past where her father looms large. Ultimately, Hogan has infused her with a vulnerable strength that’s hard not to root for.
With such a compelling main character, it’s almost an embarrassment of riches that she’s backed up be an eclectic supporting cast who help her navigate a complicated case. Her partner, Slattery, acts as a gruff foil while never skewing into cartoonish territory. And the suspects themselves lead Iris and Slattery on a wild chase, through strained interviews and plenty of secrets. While this could have led to an obvious ending, the close is both satisfying and surprising.
Solid characters, an engrossing case, and cleverly plotted reveals make Silent Night a fantastic start to a new series.
Crafty twists and a clever hook makes Silent Night a refreshing police procedural. Author Geraldine Hogan has tossed aside cheap gimmicks in favor of a solid mystery and character-driven action. From the opening scenes of Iris descending on her new job in Limerick to the final reveal as everything comes clashing to a close, Hogan meticulously layers atmospheric tension with genuine surprises.
Does this sound like an awful lot of praise being heaped? It should.
A large part of Silent Night’s success relies on Iris herself. From the start, she’s at a crossroads. She understands what she wants: to be part of a Murder Squad. But as her own father is a bit of a legend in Limerick, Iris would prefer a jurisdiction like Dublin Castle. This provides ample friction as Iris struggles against being cast as a nepotism hire while also being pulled into a case that forces her to examine a past where her father looms large. Ultimately, Hogan has infused her with a vulnerable strength that’s hard not to root for.
With such a compelling main character, it’s almost an embarrassment of riches that she’s backed up be an eclectic supporting cast who help her navigate a complicated case. Her partner, Slattery, acts as a gruff foil while never skewing into cartoonish territory. And the suspects themselves lead Iris and Slattery on a wild chase, through strained interviews and plenty of secrets. While this could have led to an obvious ending, the close is both satisfying and surprising.
Solid characters, an engrossing case, and cleverly plotted reveals make Silent Night a fantastic start to a new series.
August 23, 2019
Silent Night is the first book in the Detective Iris Locke series, and it's a superb start to what looks to be a promising, prospective new crime series. There are twists and turns galore throughout this excellent police procedural and a beautifully constructed plot for maximum tension. Of course, the novel is setting up for the instalments to come and so we get a lot of backstory and attention to detail regarding the characters and especially Limerick's Detective Locke and partner in crime-fighting sergeant Ben Slattery. The point of view seamlessly toggles between Locke and Slattery and to a lesser extent other characters but it does so in an easy to follow fashion, which I loved.
Much of the book is primarily focused on building the personality and life stories of the protagonists and the investigation doesn't kick into full gear until around the 70% mark. Locke and Slattery have somewhat typical traits for this genre. Locke is intrepid, ambitious and knows her way around due to her father having also worked in law enforcement. Slattery is a cynic with both drink problems and a crumbled marriage to his name. Both of them are interesting, though, and I can't wait to read more about them.
Hogan then makes the leads they follow in the investigation absolutely fruitless and tricks the reader into thinking that it is all going nowhere. Then all of a sudden something very exciting occurs and this sends us hurtling headfirst towards one of the most surprising and utterly compulsive conclusions I have read in a while. All in all, this a terrific series opener. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
Much of the book is primarily focused on building the personality and life stories of the protagonists and the investigation doesn't kick into full gear until around the 70% mark. Locke and Slattery have somewhat typical traits for this genre. Locke is intrepid, ambitious and knows her way around due to her father having also worked in law enforcement. Slattery is a cynic with both drink problems and a crumbled marriage to his name. Both of them are interesting, though, and I can't wait to read more about them.
Hogan then makes the leads they follow in the investigation absolutely fruitless and tricks the reader into thinking that it is all going nowhere. Then all of a sudden something very exciting occurs and this sends us hurtling headfirst towards one of the most surprising and utterly compulsive conclusions I have read in a while. All in all, this a terrific series opener. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
August 23, 2019
Silent Night by Geraldine Hogan is the first in the Detective Iris Locke series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
While the undercover work that just ended for Detective Iris Locke feels like it was all for nothing, she now has the opportunity of fulfilling her real dream. Her goal has always been to work on a Murder Team. Unfortunately, she will be working in Limerick, the same place that her father John Locke retired from after 40 years of excellent service. She will have to battle those who think she is only there because of her father. She will be living in his shadow.
When the body of Anna Crowe and her two children are found inside the burnt remains of their cabin, all with gunshots in their heads, the Murder Team is called to action. Iris feels a connection to Anna, whom she had met once in a parking lot. It turns out that Anna Crowe is actually Anna Fairley, whose sister Janey had been kidnapped over 30 years ago, presumed dead. Although this was before Iris's time on the force, the memory of this case has never left some. Her father was actually the officer in charge of the case. When asked, John Locke says there was no case, everyone knew the depressed mother had killed her baby, and she ended up in an institution.
Iris is about to open some very old wounds in her new department, and within her own family. But she can't let the murder of this family rest.
My Opinions:
This was a good start to a new detective series. I liked the main character, who seems determined.
The plot was good, and everything flowed smoothly. Although I sometimes felt it was moving a little slow, it ended up being a fast read. I think the best part was that although I had anticipated some of the ending, I certainly didn't see other parts coming. That was good.
I am looking forward to more in this series.
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
August 18, 2019
Detective Iris Locke is now a detective in her hometown of Limerick, despite her father's reticence. As a detective on the force for over 40 years, Jack Locke is worried for his daughter. He doesn't want her to face anything like what he had to deal with during his career. When she approaches a horrifying crime scene, Iris is rather shocked to discover that she knew one of the victims, Anna Crowe.
Anna Crowe is a name Iris has heard many times before. She was related to a case that her father was never able to solve. That case involved her sister's disappearance from her pram decades ago. It soon seems more than likely that Anna's death definitely had something to do with what happened to her sister.
Iris is forced to dig deep, even bringing her father into the case, although he is long retired. This case begins to open up secrets and unlikely occurrences affecting people much too close to Iris. I loved the pacing of this book, and was rather shocked at some of the developments.
Silent Night is the first book in a new series. With such a harrowing case, Iris has proved her worth to her team, and no doubt, to readers of this series. I am addicted to series, especially ones related to mysteries and crime. I enjoy coming in at the start of this and really look forward to watching Iris excel as a detective. Reading books straight through is especially rewarding when they are written with the flair Geraldine Hogan possesses.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Anna Crowe is a name Iris has heard many times before. She was related to a case that her father was never able to solve. That case involved her sister's disappearance from her pram decades ago. It soon seems more than likely that Anna's death definitely had something to do with what happened to her sister.
Iris is forced to dig deep, even bringing her father into the case, although he is long retired. This case begins to open up secrets and unlikely occurrences affecting people much too close to Iris. I loved the pacing of this book, and was rather shocked at some of the developments.
Silent Night is the first book in a new series. With such a harrowing case, Iris has proved her worth to her team, and no doubt, to readers of this series. I am addicted to series, especially ones related to mysteries and crime. I enjoy coming in at the start of this and really look forward to watching Iris excel as a detective. Reading books straight through is especially rewarding when they are written with the flair Geraldine Hogan possesses.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 16, 2019
For my complete review of "Her Sister's Bones" visit my blog: Fictionophile.
It is a rare treat when a police procedural series debut 'ticks all the boxes'. I can confidently say that "Her Sister's Bones" definitely met all my requirements in a crime novel.
I loved that the author introduced each of the Murder Team in such a way that the reader gets to connect with them all and wants to learn more about them.
The Limerick location, the outstanding characterization and the well executed plot all came together in a package that most readers of the genre will love.
In fact, I can find nothing to criticize (I know... strange for me right?)
One thing is for sure, I'll be the first to pick up the second installment in what promises to be a stellar series. Can't wait for DS Iris Locke's next foray in the Limerick crime fighting scene.
Very highly recommended!
It is a rare treat when a police procedural series debut 'ticks all the boxes'. I can confidently say that "Her Sister's Bones" definitely met all my requirements in a crime novel.
I loved that the author introduced each of the Murder Team in such a way that the reader gets to connect with them all and wants to learn more about them.
The Limerick location, the outstanding characterization and the well executed plot all came together in a package that most readers of the genre will love.
In fact, I can find nothing to criticize (I know... strange for me right?)
One thing is for sure, I'll be the first to pick up the second installment in what promises to be a stellar series. Can't wait for DS Iris Locke's next foray in the Limerick crime fighting scene.
Very highly recommended!
August 25, 2019
This was fabulous!! What a twist!! Before I started this book, I had only one wish to the book gods - let this be a different police procedural. I wished someone would write a story which had a twist that I wanted. And it happened. Geraldine Hogan in her debut in this genre did exactly that.
A police procedural has certain routine things like cops, team, friendly banter, forensics, investigation. But what this brilliant author did was put those routine stuff in a box, shake it well, and write the story so different from the regular formula. It felt as if she knew where the ending ought to be and then developed the story. She almost read my mind. Amazing.
The author Geraldine Hogan went against the flow.
A great team with supportive partner and friendly banter, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. Iris Locke, our main character, who was transferred to Murder, had to come home to take up that post. A new face in a group which had years of working together, most times, Iris was not told much and had to prove herself to this group. Her partner too had my eyes rolling, alcoholic with secrets and a rough bedside manner. Not too friendly, was he?
A larger than life main character, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. Iris Locke was real, she had her strengths and flaws. She was a normal human being, she was scared, she made mistakes. But what she had made her a great cop. Her intelligence and her determination and perseverance brought a lot of secrets to light.
Friendly banter, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. Iris had to come back home where her father was a well known ex-cop. She hardly had anyone to speak to. She was the outsider and kept there in most of the book.
A routine murder then, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. A murder, a mother and her 2 kids shit and burned, the most dreadful of deaths. A file opened on the current case had its links to an old one with a disappearing newborn. Iris opened the can and worms fell out, most wanted to stay buried.
Subtle subplots and normal twists in the story of the murder victims and identity of murderer, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. She took a whopping risk and brought these twists in a way that the story turned upside down. All that had been laid down in most of the book suddenly took on a new flavor and a new interpretation.
A faster pace and adding a bit of shine and emotions to the prose would have made it perfect. This was the first book in the series which was paving the way for Iris Locke and the team, so it was understandable. Overall, a fun read with a massive twist. A good debut.
A police procedural has certain routine things like cops, team, friendly banter, forensics, investigation. But what this brilliant author did was put those routine stuff in a box, shake it well, and write the story so different from the regular formula. It felt as if she knew where the ending ought to be and then developed the story. She almost read my mind. Amazing.
The author Geraldine Hogan went against the flow.
A great team with supportive partner and friendly banter, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. Iris Locke, our main character, who was transferred to Murder, had to come home to take up that post. A new face in a group which had years of working together, most times, Iris was not told much and had to prove herself to this group. Her partner too had my eyes rolling, alcoholic with secrets and a rough bedside manner. Not too friendly, was he?
A larger than life main character, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. Iris Locke was real, she had her strengths and flaws. She was a normal human being, she was scared, she made mistakes. But what she had made her a great cop. Her intelligence and her determination and perseverance brought a lot of secrets to light.
Friendly banter, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. Iris had to come back home where her father was a well known ex-cop. She hardly had anyone to speak to. She was the outsider and kept there in most of the book.
A routine murder then, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. A murder, a mother and her 2 kids shit and burned, the most dreadful of deaths. A file opened on the current case had its links to an old one with a disappearing newborn. Iris opened the can and worms fell out, most wanted to stay buried.
Subtle subplots and normal twists in the story of the murder victims and identity of murderer, you ask? What's that, the author said. Not even close. She took a whopping risk and brought these twists in a way that the story turned upside down. All that had been laid down in most of the book suddenly took on a new flavor and a new interpretation.
A faster pace and adding a bit of shine and emotions to the prose would have made it perfect. This was the first book in the series which was paving the way for Iris Locke and the team, so it was understandable. Overall, a fun read with a massive twist. A good debut.
August 23, 2019
A crime thriller that will keep you frantically turning the pages as you race toward a most unexpected resolution.
What it's about: DS Iris Locke returns to her childhood home, Limerick, after a failed undercover operation in Dublin. Her first assignment in the Murder Team is to attend the scene of a burnt out cottage in the forest with 3 dead bodies inside. A mother and her two children. "Anna Crowe had died tragically and violently but she had died and it was down to Iris to find out why." A complicated police procedural with many suspects but no motive. A clash of personalities, not the least of which is how Iris feels working in the squad where her father, former Superintendant Jack Locke, had reigned supreme. The case is complicated by what Iris feels is a link to a vanished baby 30 years ago, but no one wants to talk about it and the files are missing. NO SPOILERS.
Why you should read it. What a great new series with so much going on it's hard to get your head around. There are many details that provide important information and clues and the descriptions of the setting make you feel like you are right there. The character of Iris is definitely strong and I could relate to her immediately. A daughter following in her revered father's footsteps in the station he commanded is not an easy road. The other players are equally interesting and I can't wait for the next installment so as to get to know them even better. The writing is excellent and the plot is well down, and hey, Geraldine Hogan, you surprised me! I love it when that happens!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I hope the next book in the series is coming soon!
What it's about: DS Iris Locke returns to her childhood home, Limerick, after a failed undercover operation in Dublin. Her first assignment in the Murder Team is to attend the scene of a burnt out cottage in the forest with 3 dead bodies inside. A mother and her two children. "Anna Crowe had died tragically and violently but she had died and it was down to Iris to find out why." A complicated police procedural with many suspects but no motive. A clash of personalities, not the least of which is how Iris feels working in the squad where her father, former Superintendant Jack Locke, had reigned supreme. The case is complicated by what Iris feels is a link to a vanished baby 30 years ago, but no one wants to talk about it and the files are missing. NO SPOILERS.
Why you should read it. What a great new series with so much going on it's hard to get your head around. There are many details that provide important information and clues and the descriptions of the setting make you feel like you are right there. The character of Iris is definitely strong and I could relate to her immediately. A daughter following in her revered father's footsteps in the station he commanded is not an easy road. The other players are equally interesting and I can't wait for the next installment so as to get to know them even better. The writing is excellent and the plot is well down, and hey, Geraldine Hogan, you surprised me! I love it when that happens!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I hope the next book in the series is coming soon!
August 23, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Silent Night is the first book in a new series by Geraldine Hogan. Released 23rd Aug 2019 by Bookouture, it's 301 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a modern Irish police procedural set in the mid-west region of Ireland, in Limerick. DS Iris Locke is perpetually trying to avoid comparisons with her legendary father, a former police inspector in the same district. I enjoyed that the author managed to make Iris believable and avoided making her completely perfect. She's keen to prove herself and that makes her impatient and sometimes abrasive. She's got a chip on her shoulder from trying to compete with the shadow of her father (who's retired). She's sensitive to criticism and especially so from her male colleagues. On the other hand, she's also intelligent and meticulous.
The plot of the novel turns on the fact that the first murders in the book are linked to a kidnapping disappearance almost 30 years ago. Locke is convinced the disappearance (unsolved) of the current murder victim's infant sister 29 years ago is tied to her murder now. The writing and plotting are very solid and the characterizations are strong and believable. The police colleagues are well fleshed out and their motivations are written clearly and adroitly. There is a fair bit of foreshadowing and the big denouement for me was more of an aHA! It was cleverly done, and fans of modern procedural thrillers will find a lot to enjoy here. The Irish setting was lovely and very much an atmospheric part of the story. Interestingly, I usually find dialect dialogue tiresome, and I didn't find myself yanked out of the story once by the very strong Irish accent in the dialogue. I could definitely 'hear' it in my head though. The writing and slang are Irish, so readers from elsewhere will need to keep that in mind (fag, lift, torch, flat, petrol, biscuit, etc). It didn't seem to be any problem at all in context.
The writing is exceptionally good. The editing is seamless and invisible (as it should be). I didn't find any continuity breaks or spelling or formatting problems in the electronic ARC I received.
I would recommend this one to fans of procedurals who don't mind some violence and rough language. This would make a good buddy read or group read.
Four stars. Very strong start to the series. I'll be looking out for the next ones.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Silent Night is the first book in a new series by Geraldine Hogan. Released 23rd Aug 2019 by Bookouture, it's 301 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a modern Irish police procedural set in the mid-west region of Ireland, in Limerick. DS Iris Locke is perpetually trying to avoid comparisons with her legendary father, a former police inspector in the same district. I enjoyed that the author managed to make Iris believable and avoided making her completely perfect. She's keen to prove herself and that makes her impatient and sometimes abrasive. She's got a chip on her shoulder from trying to compete with the shadow of her father (who's retired). She's sensitive to criticism and especially so from her male colleagues. On the other hand, she's also intelligent and meticulous.
The plot of the novel turns on the fact that the first murders in the book are linked to a kidnapping disappearance almost 30 years ago. Locke is convinced the disappearance (unsolved) of the current murder victim's infant sister 29 years ago is tied to her murder now. The writing and plotting are very solid and the characterizations are strong and believable. The police colleagues are well fleshed out and their motivations are written clearly and adroitly. There is a fair bit of foreshadowing and the big denouement for me was more of an aHA! It was cleverly done, and fans of modern procedural thrillers will find a lot to enjoy here. The Irish setting was lovely and very much an atmospheric part of the story. Interestingly, I usually find dialect dialogue tiresome, and I didn't find myself yanked out of the story once by the very strong Irish accent in the dialogue. I could definitely 'hear' it in my head though. The writing and slang are Irish, so readers from elsewhere will need to keep that in mind (fag, lift, torch, flat, petrol, biscuit, etc). It didn't seem to be any problem at all in context.
The writing is exceptionally good. The editing is seamless and invisible (as it should be). I didn't find any continuity breaks or spelling or formatting problems in the electronic ARC I received.
I would recommend this one to fans of procedurals who don't mind some violence and rough language. This would make a good buddy read or group read.
Four stars. Very strong start to the series. I'll be looking out for the next ones.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
July 15, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
A good start for a police procedural.
This is story about Anna Crowe and her two children who were killed in their home. Detective Iris is assigned to the case we learn she has a complicate past and that she struggles to live up to her father who was amazing cop. As she and her partner Slattery who I didn't particularly like but we got to know him better with his family I get why he is the way he is investigate we learn Anna family's was victim of crime 29 years ago when Anna baby sister Janey disappear and Iris father Jack was the leading investigator Iris goes over the cases she never imagine the things she uncovers.
This was a bit slow but it's just the first book hopefully the next one will speed up a little.
A good start for a police procedural.
This is story about Anna Crowe and her two children who were killed in their home. Detective Iris is assigned to the case we learn she has a complicate past and that she struggles to live up to her father who was amazing cop. As she and her partner Slattery who I didn't particularly like but we got to know him better with his family I get why he is the way he is investigate we learn Anna family's was victim of crime 29 years ago when Anna baby sister Janey disappear and Iris father Jack was the leading investigator Iris goes over the cases she never imagine the things she uncovers.
This was a bit slow but it's just the first book hopefully the next one will speed up a little.
February 14, 2020
As a fan of crime fiction and police procedurals, after a while many of them tend to be a little "samey" in the sense that they have all the same cliches - usually a bit of tension between the ranks as well as the token drunken cop with no life outside of work or the pub. While SILENT NIGHT did have these, it also had something a little different to offer. Something that you probably wouldn't see coming.
The fact that I did probably shows I read a little too much crime fiction thrillers that I see a twist around every corner. Ironically, I pieced most of the puzzle together at about a quarter of the way through...just because the conclusion I foresaw was a twist I honestly didn't see happening. I just though it would make things interesting if it did...
The story opens in a Prologue some 30 years ago with ten year old Anna in complete awe of her newborn baby sister, whom she silently named "Janey" after her doll. She was so enamoured by her that she even replicated the little birthmark Janey had on her right hand on her own and on her doll, so they were triplets of a kind.
One afternoon, with a storm in the air, Anna is gazing lovingly into baby Janey's pram whilst her mother is bustling about the kitchen and telling Anna to "stop bothering the baby and to go play with Ollie". Ollie was a boy who lived in the next cottage and they had played together for as long as she could remember. But now that baby Janey was here, Anna could see no point in such frivolities when she had a new baby sister to take care of. Even when Ollie came calling, she sent him away with a flea in his ear informing him that she was "minding her new baby sister".
But then suddenly, Anna felt a cold shiver up her spine and she turned to look back at where baby Janey's pram stood in the afternoon sun, her eyes wide. Her mother looked up and saw Anna's face as both mother and daughter ran to the pram, pulling back the shade. The pram was empty. Janey was gone.
Thirty years later and after a marginally successful undercover operation that went belly up, Detective Sergeant Iris Locke is now stationed in her hometown of Limerick, despite her father's reservations. As a detective who quickly moved up the ranks to Superintendent and on the force for over 40 years, Jack Locke cannot help but worry for his daughter. He doesn't want her to see the things he used to see and face the things he had to face during his career. But all Iris ever wanted to be was a detective on a Murder Squad like her father...and to make him proud.
Early one morning, Iris is called out to a horrifying crime scene that every guard, whether detective or uniform, hates the most. The burnt out remains of a house with three victims inside...and one of them is Anna Crowe, formerly Fairley, whose baby sister vanished without a trace 30 years before. Now Anna has been killed along with her own two children. But it's not as simple as it first appears. There was no electrical fault, no embers from the fireplace, no cooking accident. The three victims were all shot in the head before as they lay sleeping in their beds by the time the fire took hold. Who would do such a thing?
The team begin their investigations, looking into Anna's estranged husband Adrian and an art teacher at a college she had once attended. But Iris believes the key to Anna and her children's murders lay in the past...and a missing baby that was never found. She begins digging around and finds that the case files for the Fairley investigation have gone missing from archives and those uploaded to PULSE are restricted.
Frustrated, Iris is forced to ask her father about the case and is shocked to learn that he was the senior investigating officer in charge of the investigation. Her father had had a stellar career with an almost 100% solve rate...but the Fairley case was the only one he couldn't solve. But Jack is reluctant to discuss it saying only that it was the general consensus that the mother had been responsible for killing the baby whilst suffering post natal depression and was later institutionalised.
Iris doesn't understand why, not only her father but everyone else, brushes off her concerns surrounding the missing baby and the current case with the possibility of them being linked. She is determined to get to the bottom of both cases and prove one way or the other whether they are connected.
From her first day on the Murder Squad, Iris is teamed with DS Ben Slattery, an overweight aging gruff copper who enjoys a pint of Guinness and a whiskey chaser a little too much. The pair clearly do not hit it off but Iris refuses to let the bad-tempered detective get under her skin...and even if he does, she is just as determine not to show it. But as the investigation goes deeper, Slattery appears to gain a fresh appreciation for his new partner...even if she is the daughter of the old "guv".
But when it seems Slattery's days are numbered on the force, his first instinct is to head to the pub but instead he parks up in front of the house he shared with his wife for more than twenty years. Pondering her recent diagnosis after a car accident that almost killed her and claimed the life of another, Slattery wonders where he fits into anything - her life, the job - before his mind wanders to the case of Anna Crowe. He receives a phone call from a snout he'd visited with Iris earlier that day with some information on a senior officer that could turn everything on its head, and in turn he pieces the puzzle together with a shocking clarity.
The characters in SILENT NIGHT are an odd bunch that compliment each other. Iris, as the lead, is the typical strong determined detective that I often find irritating in books but I didn't in this case...though I'm not sure why. She's hardworking and ambitious but is a closed book. She doesn't want to live in her father's shadow but rather make her own mark in the guards, and resents any thought of favouritism.
Slattery is the stereotypical type. Failed marriage, drink problem and a bad attitude to boot...although this tough exterior hides his soft underbelly and the fact that he truly cares deeply about his cases and the victims. Despite his gruff nature, I quite liked Slattery.
DI Coleman Grady is another closed book. It is hinted that only Slattery and another detective know of his past which apparently affects him deeply...though to watch him at work you wouldn't know it. I look forward to picking his secrets apart and getting to know him further.
There are a few other characters peppered throughout that are crucial to the investigation such as June Quinn and Westmont (I think his name is), and another I can't begin to spell or pronounce (LOL). Their roles, while still significant, aren't at the forefront though I am sure we will get to know them as the series develops. However, we are introduced to everyone on the team in such a way that we do get to connect with them on some level that we look forward to getting to know them better.
Overall, the pace was rather slow to begin with although it did end up being a fast read. But it was well worth it to get to that ending.
The twist, when it came, was shocking despite having pieced it together myself just a quarter of the way into the story. I still didn't expect it eve though I had suspected it. And it was that twist that set this procedural apart from others. I just hope the series continues as one that is set apart from the rest which would make it unique and interesting.
SILENT NIGHT, which I believe has had its titled changed to HER SISTER'S BONES, is a brilliant debut to this fresh new series. It is compelling and intriguing with something a little different in store for readers despite its slow pace to begin with. Normally, that is something that would irk me, as I loathe slow burns, but there was just something immediately compelling about this book I simply had to devour.
I enjoyed SILENT NIGHT far more than I thought I would and as I am a little behind in my reading, I thought I would slot this one in first before tackling DS Locke's second installment. And I am glad I did because I didn't want to come across any reference to the first book made in the second to spoil what I essentially had yet to read. So my recommendation is read SILENT NIGHT aka HER SISTER'S BONES before tackling further cases by DS Locke.
As an aside, I don't see how either title SILENT NIGHT or HER SISTER'S BONES have much bearing on the story. I can see why the second was chosen but after reading it, I still fail to see its significance.
I would like to thank #GeraldineHogan, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #SilentNight #HerSistersBones in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
The fact that I did probably shows I read a little too much crime fiction thrillers that I see a twist around every corner. Ironically, I pieced most of the puzzle together at about a quarter of the way through...just because the conclusion I foresaw was a twist I honestly didn't see happening. I just though it would make things interesting if it did...
The story opens in a Prologue some 30 years ago with ten year old Anna in complete awe of her newborn baby sister, whom she silently named "Janey" after her doll. She was so enamoured by her that she even replicated the little birthmark Janey had on her right hand on her own and on her doll, so they were triplets of a kind.
One afternoon, with a storm in the air, Anna is gazing lovingly into baby Janey's pram whilst her mother is bustling about the kitchen and telling Anna to "stop bothering the baby and to go play with Ollie". Ollie was a boy who lived in the next cottage and they had played together for as long as she could remember. But now that baby Janey was here, Anna could see no point in such frivolities when she had a new baby sister to take care of. Even when Ollie came calling, she sent him away with a flea in his ear informing him that she was "minding her new baby sister".
But then suddenly, Anna felt a cold shiver up her spine and she turned to look back at where baby Janey's pram stood in the afternoon sun, her eyes wide. Her mother looked up and saw Anna's face as both mother and daughter ran to the pram, pulling back the shade. The pram was empty. Janey was gone.
Thirty years later and after a marginally successful undercover operation that went belly up, Detective Sergeant Iris Locke is now stationed in her hometown of Limerick, despite her father's reservations. As a detective who quickly moved up the ranks to Superintendent and on the force for over 40 years, Jack Locke cannot help but worry for his daughter. He doesn't want her to see the things he used to see and face the things he had to face during his career. But all Iris ever wanted to be was a detective on a Murder Squad like her father...and to make him proud.
Early one morning, Iris is called out to a horrifying crime scene that every guard, whether detective or uniform, hates the most. The burnt out remains of a house with three victims inside...and one of them is Anna Crowe, formerly Fairley, whose baby sister vanished without a trace 30 years before. Now Anna has been killed along with her own two children. But it's not as simple as it first appears. There was no electrical fault, no embers from the fireplace, no cooking accident. The three victims were all shot in the head before as they lay sleeping in their beds by the time the fire took hold. Who would do such a thing?
The team begin their investigations, looking into Anna's estranged husband Adrian and an art teacher at a college she had once attended. But Iris believes the key to Anna and her children's murders lay in the past...and a missing baby that was never found. She begins digging around and finds that the case files for the Fairley investigation have gone missing from archives and those uploaded to PULSE are restricted.
Frustrated, Iris is forced to ask her father about the case and is shocked to learn that he was the senior investigating officer in charge of the investigation. Her father had had a stellar career with an almost 100% solve rate...but the Fairley case was the only one he couldn't solve. But Jack is reluctant to discuss it saying only that it was the general consensus that the mother had been responsible for killing the baby whilst suffering post natal depression and was later institutionalised.
Iris doesn't understand why, not only her father but everyone else, brushes off her concerns surrounding the missing baby and the current case with the possibility of them being linked. She is determined to get to the bottom of both cases and prove one way or the other whether they are connected.
From her first day on the Murder Squad, Iris is teamed with DS Ben Slattery, an overweight aging gruff copper who enjoys a pint of Guinness and a whiskey chaser a little too much. The pair clearly do not hit it off but Iris refuses to let the bad-tempered detective get under her skin...and even if he does, she is just as determine not to show it. But as the investigation goes deeper, Slattery appears to gain a fresh appreciation for his new partner...even if she is the daughter of the old "guv".
But when it seems Slattery's days are numbered on the force, his first instinct is to head to the pub but instead he parks up in front of the house he shared with his wife for more than twenty years. Pondering her recent diagnosis after a car accident that almost killed her and claimed the life of another, Slattery wonders where he fits into anything - her life, the job - before his mind wanders to the case of Anna Crowe. He receives a phone call from a snout he'd visited with Iris earlier that day with some information on a senior officer that could turn everything on its head, and in turn he pieces the puzzle together with a shocking clarity.
The characters in SILENT NIGHT are an odd bunch that compliment each other. Iris, as the lead, is the typical strong determined detective that I often find irritating in books but I didn't in this case...though I'm not sure why. She's hardworking and ambitious but is a closed book. She doesn't want to live in her father's shadow but rather make her own mark in the guards, and resents any thought of favouritism.
Slattery is the stereotypical type. Failed marriage, drink problem and a bad attitude to boot...although this tough exterior hides his soft underbelly and the fact that he truly cares deeply about his cases and the victims. Despite his gruff nature, I quite liked Slattery.
DI Coleman Grady is another closed book. It is hinted that only Slattery and another detective know of his past which apparently affects him deeply...though to watch him at work you wouldn't know it. I look forward to picking his secrets apart and getting to know him further.
There are a few other characters peppered throughout that are crucial to the investigation such as June Quinn and Westmont (I think his name is), and another I can't begin to spell or pronounce (LOL). Their roles, while still significant, aren't at the forefront though I am sure we will get to know them as the series develops. However, we are introduced to everyone on the team in such a way that we do get to connect with them on some level that we look forward to getting to know them better.
Overall, the pace was rather slow to begin with although it did end up being a fast read. But it was well worth it to get to that ending.
The twist, when it came, was shocking despite having pieced it together myself just a quarter of the way into the story. I still didn't expect it eve though I had suspected it. And it was that twist that set this procedural apart from others. I just hope the series continues as one that is set apart from the rest which would make it unique and interesting.
SILENT NIGHT, which I believe has had its titled changed to HER SISTER'S BONES, is a brilliant debut to this fresh new series. It is compelling and intriguing with something a little different in store for readers despite its slow pace to begin with. Normally, that is something that would irk me, as I loathe slow burns, but there was just something immediately compelling about this book I simply had to devour.
I enjoyed SILENT NIGHT far more than I thought I would and as I am a little behind in my reading, I thought I would slot this one in first before tackling DS Locke's second installment. And I am glad I did because I didn't want to come across any reference to the first book made in the second to spoil what I essentially had yet to read. So my recommendation is read SILENT NIGHT aka HER SISTER'S BONES before tackling further cases by DS Locke.
As an aside, I don't see how either title SILENT NIGHT or HER SISTER'S BONES have much bearing on the story. I can see why the second was chosen but after reading it, I still fail to see its significance.
I would like to thank #GeraldineHogan, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #SilentNight #HerSistersBones in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
October 24, 2019
Senseless violations and crimes against children always are an emotional read to me. The trauma is almost always tangible in those books, and in a sense a great way to capitalize and work on it to make the characters more "driven". Sadly, I did not find Iris Locke or the story using this grief and this story failed to evoke any emotional response from me. I am in the minority here and this book has amazing reviews from other people so this story might just work for you - let my views not deter you in any way.
When charred remains of two children and their mother are found in a cottage, the quiet town of Corbally is shocked. When the police discover that the victim Anna Crowe and her children had moved out of their family home to Corbally they immediately suspect her husband of getting rid of her and the children. Soon the police discover that the family is not shy of tragedies. Years ago, Anna Crowe's sister Janey was stolen from her pram outside the very same cottage in Corbally. Detective Iris Locke is assigned to the case and, after a year undercover which ended in failure. She’s desperate to make her mark – and to live up to the reputation of her ex-cop father, the former head of the Limerick Murder Squad who incidentally headed the Baby Janey case. Solving this case leads Iris down a dangerous road and she soon unwittingly becomes a target. Reopening old case files and asking questions that were best left unanswered, Iris realizes that there's more to the case than she realizes. Are the two crimes separated by 3 decades connected? And will Iris solve the murder of Anna of her children before its too late?
The characters while objective lacked any "warmth" and are not emotive. In police procedurals I expect the story to be a good mix of character content and story content. This one, however, leaned very heavily towards building the characters of not just Iris who is the main character but devoted a large number of unnecessary chapters to this character called Slattery whose backstory had no connection to the case whatsoever. I understand it is important to set strong foundations in the first books of what is a promising new series. However, this was in my opinion too much of Slattery and too little police work. I also had a problem identifying with the main character Iris. Her story got interesting only in the last 25% of the book, which by then I lost all interest. The first few chapters did not captivate my attention and I struggled to read the rest of the book especially the chapters on Slattery. He's an interesting character, no doubt. But as I said before, too many Slattery chapters had me losing interest with every page turn. The plot was interesting there was a lot of potential for creating a nice suspenseful thriller, but the real police work started way too late in the book and that was kind of a downer for me. Iris had a good backstory and I just hoped I'd seen more of that tenacious, determined and bright officer work the case as I was promised in the blurb. There was a good twist in the end, however, it was a tad too late for me to change my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Geraldine Hogan for an arc!
When charred remains of two children and their mother are found in a cottage, the quiet town of Corbally is shocked. When the police discover that the victim Anna Crowe and her children had moved out of their family home to Corbally they immediately suspect her husband of getting rid of her and the children. Soon the police discover that the family is not shy of tragedies. Years ago, Anna Crowe's sister Janey was stolen from her pram outside the very same cottage in Corbally. Detective Iris Locke is assigned to the case and, after a year undercover which ended in failure. She’s desperate to make her mark – and to live up to the reputation of her ex-cop father, the former head of the Limerick Murder Squad who incidentally headed the Baby Janey case. Solving this case leads Iris down a dangerous road and she soon unwittingly becomes a target. Reopening old case files and asking questions that were best left unanswered, Iris realizes that there's more to the case than she realizes. Are the two crimes separated by 3 decades connected? And will Iris solve the murder of Anna of her children before its too late?
The characters while objective lacked any "warmth" and are not emotive. In police procedurals I expect the story to be a good mix of character content and story content. This one, however, leaned very heavily towards building the characters of not just Iris who is the main character but devoted a large number of unnecessary chapters to this character called Slattery whose backstory had no connection to the case whatsoever. I understand it is important to set strong foundations in the first books of what is a promising new series. However, this was in my opinion too much of Slattery and too little police work. I also had a problem identifying with the main character Iris. Her story got interesting only in the last 25% of the book, which by then I lost all interest. The first few chapters did not captivate my attention and I struggled to read the rest of the book especially the chapters on Slattery. He's an interesting character, no doubt. But as I said before, too many Slattery chapters had me losing interest with every page turn. The plot was interesting there was a lot of potential for creating a nice suspenseful thriller, but the real police work started way too late in the book and that was kind of a downer for me. Iris had a good backstory and I just hoped I'd seen more of that tenacious, determined and bright officer work the case as I was promised in the blurb. There was a good twist in the end, however, it was a tad too late for me to change my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Geraldine Hogan for an arc!
August 14, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Silent Night, the first novel in a projected series to feature Limerick detective Iris Locke and her fellow sergeant Ben Slattery.
After an undercover operation went wrong, through no fault of hers, Iris Locke is cooling her heels in the floater pool, desperate to get into the Dublin Murder Squad. She is offered a murder squad assignment, unfortunately it’s in her home town of Corbally, Limerick rather than Dublin so despite her reservations she accepts and is soon in the thick of an investigation into the murder of Anna Crowe and her two children. Why would anyone kill this lovely woman and is it linked to the disappearance of her baby sister many years ago?
I thoroughly enjoyed Silent Night which is a police procedural with plenty of twists and turns and some likeable characters. The novel is told mostly from Iris and Slattery’s points of view with other characters, including the ubiquitous unnamed man, added as required. With this concentration on two main characters who have the same goals the change of perspective is not as distracting as in other novels so I didn’t lose concentration. The author spends much of the novel introducing and exploring her protagonists which I liked as they have quite a story but the downside is that the investigation takes second place until the excellent and explosive final quarter when it all kicks off. Despite the hard work and long hours the investigation is rather desultory and consists mainly of the team picking a few suspects with little evidence and clearing them. There is no in depth investigation and very little forensics. The solution is worth waiting for, however, as it is ingenious, action packed and exciting.
I really liked the characterisation which is much stronger than in many crime novels. Slattery is fairly stereotypical, failed marriage, drink problem and a cynical attitude hiding the fact that he cares deeply about his cases but his way of getting out of his professional duties made me love him and want to read more of him. Iris Locke is more difficult to categorise. She’s hardworking and ambitious but quite closed off emotionally. She also has the added problem of working in the station her father “ruled” for many years and she resents any thought of favouritism or comparison. I’m also looking forward to meeting her again.
Silent Night is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
After an undercover operation went wrong, through no fault of hers, Iris Locke is cooling her heels in the floater pool, desperate to get into the Dublin Murder Squad. She is offered a murder squad assignment, unfortunately it’s in her home town of Corbally, Limerick rather than Dublin so despite her reservations she accepts and is soon in the thick of an investigation into the murder of Anna Crowe and her two children. Why would anyone kill this lovely woman and is it linked to the disappearance of her baby sister many years ago?
I thoroughly enjoyed Silent Night which is a police procedural with plenty of twists and turns and some likeable characters. The novel is told mostly from Iris and Slattery’s points of view with other characters, including the ubiquitous unnamed man, added as required. With this concentration on two main characters who have the same goals the change of perspective is not as distracting as in other novels so I didn’t lose concentration. The author spends much of the novel introducing and exploring her protagonists which I liked as they have quite a story but the downside is that the investigation takes second place until the excellent and explosive final quarter when it all kicks off. Despite the hard work and long hours the investigation is rather desultory and consists mainly of the team picking a few suspects with little evidence and clearing them. There is no in depth investigation and very little forensics. The solution is worth waiting for, however, as it is ingenious, action packed and exciting.
I really liked the characterisation which is much stronger than in many crime novels. Slattery is fairly stereotypical, failed marriage, drink problem and a cynical attitude hiding the fact that he cares deeply about his cases but his way of getting out of his professional duties made me love him and want to read more of him. Iris Locke is more difficult to categorise. She’s hardworking and ambitious but quite closed off emotionally. She also has the added problem of working in the station her father “ruled” for many years and she resents any thought of favouritism or comparison. I’m also looking forward to meeting her again.
Silent Night is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
August 11, 2019
There's something almost joyous about being at the start of a new detective series. The Detective Iris Lock series is just that - a new series by Geraldine Hogan set in Limerick, Ireland with new flawed characters to love, be frustrated with, and hope at the end of the day they just make it home.
Thoughts:
One of the things I noticed right off the bat in the first sections was an overwhelming sense of being kept at arms length by the characters. Of not being invited in by the story. Slowly, I realized it was because the characters weren’t inviting each other in. To me, it seemed that each investigator was determined to keep their own counsel for the most part. Slattery and Iris continually doing their own investigations and digging where they could, but not really discussing it with each other and therefore no major discussions that we, the reader, get to be part of and learn from. Please don’t misunderstand – there are discussions going on with certain individuals stating their case or giving us glimpses. But it never feels full and complete, although there was one point where Iris informs Slattery of where her thoughts were leading that feels more cohesive than others….toward the Baby Fairley case. However, it wasn’t just the two main characters it was the secondary characters too, such as Grady. Every investigator felt like they were an individual island – there to do their job and go home. Grady even admits it to us in a brief section.
Our two main characters each have an issue or two they need to overcome before they will start opening up to us and to each other. For Iris, it is the stigma that she is the daughter of a well known detective celebrity of sorts. This is her first murder squad and to become a full-time member of the team she needs to get out of the probationary period. For Slattery, he has his own demons that we don’t necessarily know all about, but there are some that are obvious. He drinks too much, that is for certain and then during the investigation his wife (separated) has a car accident, which forces upon him even more to cope with.
The story itself is well written and contains a twist I didn’t see coming. At the end, everyone involved knows healing is needed and we’re left wondering and hoping that this is the start of this team slowly being able to support each other from a human standpoint, which is greatly needed for all of them.
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Thoughts:
One of the things I noticed right off the bat in the first sections was an overwhelming sense of being kept at arms length by the characters. Of not being invited in by the story. Slowly, I realized it was because the characters weren’t inviting each other in. To me, it seemed that each investigator was determined to keep their own counsel for the most part. Slattery and Iris continually doing their own investigations and digging where they could, but not really discussing it with each other and therefore no major discussions that we, the reader, get to be part of and learn from. Please don’t misunderstand – there are discussions going on with certain individuals stating their case or giving us glimpses. But it never feels full and complete, although there was one point where Iris informs Slattery of where her thoughts were leading that feels more cohesive than others….toward the Baby Fairley case. However, it wasn’t just the two main characters it was the secondary characters too, such as Grady. Every investigator felt like they were an individual island – there to do their job and go home. Grady even admits it to us in a brief section.
Our two main characters each have an issue or two they need to overcome before they will start opening up to us and to each other. For Iris, it is the stigma that she is the daughter of a well known detective celebrity of sorts. This is her first murder squad and to become a full-time member of the team she needs to get out of the probationary period. For Slattery, he has his own demons that we don’t necessarily know all about, but there are some that are obvious. He drinks too much, that is for certain and then during the investigation his wife (separated) has a car accident, which forces upon him even more to cope with.
The story itself is well written and contains a twist I didn’t see coming. At the end, everyone involved knows healing is needed and we’re left wondering and hoping that this is the start of this team slowly being able to support each other from a human standpoint, which is greatly needed for all of them.
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
July 19, 2019
I love this kind of book but I usually find myself discovering a series 2 or 3 books in, so I'm thrilled to have met Iris Locke at the very start of her journey.
The fact that this book is set in Ireland is a real bonus, for me. I've read so many police mysteries and thrillers recently that have been set in Manchester or London but Silent Night has a nice air of familiarity about it by being set in Ireland.
There is no let-up in the fast pace of this book and it is a proper page-turner in the truest sense. This case is about to change the life of Iris Locke and those around her in a forever kind of way and we, the readers, get swept up in it all. As we say in Ireland, I didn't "cop on" until things had already happened and I didn't see any twists or turns coming until I as already in the depths of it and I really love when that happens. It keeps me engaged.
Silent Night gets two thumbs up from me!
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Bookouture for the uncorrected ARC in return for an honest review. I'm so happy I got to read it before it hits the shelves on the 23rd of August.
The fact that this book is set in Ireland is a real bonus, for me. I've read so many police mysteries and thrillers recently that have been set in Manchester or London but Silent Night has a nice air of familiarity about it by being set in Ireland.
There is no let-up in the fast pace of this book and it is a proper page-turner in the truest sense. This case is about to change the life of Iris Locke and those around her in a forever kind of way and we, the readers, get swept up in it all. As we say in Ireland, I didn't "cop on" until things had already happened and I didn't see any twists or turns coming until I as already in the depths of it and I really love when that happens. It keeps me engaged.
Silent Night gets two thumbs up from me!
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Bookouture for the uncorrected ARC in return for an honest review. I'm so happy I got to read it before it hits the shelves on the 23rd of August.
August 27, 2019
It’s always fun to start reading a new series. On the one hand you have a whole new team you have to get to know and on the other you have a crime to solve (in your head at least 😉 )
The author picked a female police officer for the leading role who has a male partner. She is new in the team, he has already been there for a few years.
The story is rather slow paced in the beginning. I think it’s because the author has decided to take her time in introducing us to Iris and Ben. This way, at the end of the book, I already had the feeling of knowing them rather well.
It, of course, sometimes takes the focus away from the crime story, but in the end I quite liked this approach.
Little by little this fairly slow streaming creek turns into a white water river and I was left with a serious OMG feeling. I never saw that coming!
A very good start to a series that has every chance to become a great one. 5 stars.
Thank you, Geraldine Hogan and Bookouture (via Netgalley).
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
The author picked a female police officer for the leading role who has a male partner. She is new in the team, he has already been there for a few years.
The story is rather slow paced in the beginning. I think it’s because the author has decided to take her time in introducing us to Iris and Ben. This way, at the end of the book, I already had the feeling of knowing them rather well.
It, of course, sometimes takes the focus away from the crime story, but in the end I quite liked this approach.
Little by little this fairly slow streaming creek turns into a white water river and I was left with a serious OMG feeling. I never saw that coming!
A very good start to a series that has every chance to become a great one. 5 stars.
Thank you, Geraldine Hogan and Bookouture (via Netgalley).
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
July 29, 2019
A fantastic, well written mystery.
Definitely not the usual run of the mill thriller, this was like a well woven tapestry, lots of different threads running throughout to make a very enjoyable whole. It was impossible to guess which thread would unravel the entire clever plot.
The characters were well thought out and fit perfectly into the plot. They had a good amount of background, which fleshed them out and made them entirely believable. The interactions between the characters were realistic and varied.
A good, solid, book. Thoroughly enjoyable
Definitely not the usual run of the mill thriller, this was like a well woven tapestry, lots of different threads running throughout to make a very enjoyable whole. It was impossible to guess which thread would unravel the entire clever plot.
The characters were well thought out and fit perfectly into the plot. They had a good amount of background, which fleshed them out and made them entirely believable. The interactions between the characters were realistic and varied.
A good, solid, book. Thoroughly enjoyable
July 16, 2019
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the chance to read the first in the Iris Locke series. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and slowly getting to know the characters and their back stories. It kept me gripped from beginning to end and I am really looking forward to the next in the series. I thought it was really well written and slowly built up to the ending. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book.
August 23, 2019
A new style of novel from a favourite author; my expectations were high and Geraldine Hogan did NOT disappoint!
Iris Locke is a Detective Sergeant in the Garda; she desperately wants to join the Murder Squad in Dublin, but when she finally gets her chance, she is dismayed to find it's in Limerick - her hometown and the one place she really didn't want to be. However, it's a step in the right direction so Iris just gets her head down and gets on with the job - and a very unpleasant one it is too. Anna and her two children were found dead in their isolated cottage following a blaze which no one could have survived, and it affects all of the officers attending. When Iris sees a photograph of the deceased, she realises that she met Anna - but when, and where? As we continue with the investigation, there is a link to a cold case; did this have any bearing on the current case - or not?
This is a completely different direction for this author, best known for her women's fiction novels which are truly wonderful. As I had expected, this is a very well plotted novel, and a real puzzle! The characters are many and varied; the murder squad made up of both seasoned and inexperienced officers and as the story unfolds we get to know several of them better and to realise what makes them tick. The tale itself is really baffling, not revealing it's secrets until nearly the end of the book and it all adds up to an enigmatic and very rewarding thriller. Beautifully written, as always, this is a gripping story which successfully introduces a new group of characters whom I want to read much more of! I'm excited that this is the beginning in a new series, and really look forward to about Iris and her colleagues in future. A resounding success for an author venturing into a new genre, and earning a solid five stars from me.
Iris Locke is a Detective Sergeant in the Garda; she desperately wants to join the Murder Squad in Dublin, but when she finally gets her chance, she is dismayed to find it's in Limerick - her hometown and the one place she really didn't want to be. However, it's a step in the right direction so Iris just gets her head down and gets on with the job - and a very unpleasant one it is too. Anna and her two children were found dead in their isolated cottage following a blaze which no one could have survived, and it affects all of the officers attending. When Iris sees a photograph of the deceased, she realises that she met Anna - but when, and where? As we continue with the investigation, there is a link to a cold case; did this have any bearing on the current case - or not?
This is a completely different direction for this author, best known for her women's fiction novels which are truly wonderful. As I had expected, this is a very well plotted novel, and a real puzzle! The characters are many and varied; the murder squad made up of both seasoned and inexperienced officers and as the story unfolds we get to know several of them better and to realise what makes them tick. The tale itself is really baffling, not revealing it's secrets until nearly the end of the book and it all adds up to an enigmatic and very rewarding thriller. Beautifully written, as always, this is a gripping story which successfully introduces a new group of characters whom I want to read much more of! I'm excited that this is the beginning in a new series, and really look forward to about Iris and her colleagues in future. A resounding success for an author venturing into a new genre, and earning a solid five stars from me.
July 12, 2019
I love police procedural books and the fact that this is the first book in a new series is an added bonus. Good characters and a well written story with a totally unexpected twist in the end. But my only issue is that the book felt a bit stretched and long-drawn. I'll look forward to the next book and look forward to how the characters are further developed. And a big thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me a chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Merged review:
I love police procedural books and the fact that this is the first book in a new series is an added bonus. Good characters and a well written story with a totally unexpected twist in the end. But my only issue is that the book felt a bit stretched and long-drawn. I'll look forward to the next book and look forward to how the characters are further developed. And a big thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me a chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Merged review:
I love police procedural books and the fact that this is the first book in a new series is an added bonus. Good characters and a well written story with a totally unexpected twist in the end. But my only issue is that the book felt a bit stretched and long-drawn. I'll look forward to the next book and look forward to how the characters are further developed. And a big thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me a chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 22, 2019
A fantastic start to a new series set in Ireland.
Iris Locke is transferred to the murder team in Corbally and is not met with the warmest of welcomes.
Her father was in this team and it seems his are big shoes to fill.
She’s put with Slattery who is an old fashioned Detective who doesn’t seem to like change, but he does like a drink.
They are called to a horrific crime scene where a mother and her children have been shot and then the house set on fire.
The team have no immediate suspects so good old fashioned Police work has to be carried out.
I loved the way the investigation slowly revealed more and more about those involved and it built up to a brilliant conclusion.
This is a real page turner that really had me hooked.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Iris Locke is transferred to the murder team in Corbally and is not met with the warmest of welcomes.
Her father was in this team and it seems his are big shoes to fill.
She’s put with Slattery who is an old fashioned Detective who doesn’t seem to like change, but he does like a drink.
They are called to a horrific crime scene where a mother and her children have been shot and then the house set on fire.
The team have no immediate suspects so good old fashioned Police work has to be carried out.
I loved the way the investigation slowly revealed more and more about those involved and it built up to a brilliant conclusion.
This is a real page turner that really had me hooked.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
August 24, 2019
Many crime thrillers claim to be “absolutely gripping,” but sometimes don’t live up to the hype. I’m happy to say that Silent Night by Geraldine Hogan does live up to the phrase. There is a lot to wade through at the beginning, but once the characters and setting are established, the action takes off. The reader is taken on quite a ride through the twists and turns of the murder investigation. I thought the author did a great job of keeping the action taut because it kept me hooked to the end. For more thoughts on what was so right about this five-star read, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of this book.
August 27, 2019
I will be honest and say when I got asked to be apart of this blog tour, I was in two frames of mind whether to or not, I haven’t read a thriller/crime novel for many years and wasn’t sure if I actually still enjoyed reading them. But there was something about this that caught my attention, it was a mixture of it being the first in the series, the intriguing blurb and it having a female leading investigative officer, but I will say that I am so pleased that I accepted because this is great start to what I am sure is going to be a brilliant series.
The story opens with the kidnapping of a baby from her pram, one minute she was there in the garden and the next she was gone, never to be seen again, fast forward twenty-nine years Anna; the older sister of the missing baby is found brutally murdered along with her two children in their own home. The case is assigned to Detective Iris Locke who has retuned to her home town against her fathers better judgment, once she starts delving in to the murder of Anna, Iris soon comes to the conclusion that something isn’t quite right, she thinks that Anna and her children’s brutal murders are in someway connected to the disappearance o Anna’s sister all those years ago. But how could that be?
Iris isn’t pleased with the idea of moving back to her home town of Limmerick, to be working in the very Police station that her father used to run all those years ago. She feels that because she is the daughter of one of the greatest Detectives that Limmerick has seen, she has to work all the harder to prove that she isn’t in the position because of who she is related to but because of her own merit – unfortunately no matter how much she may want to be her own person she is constantly compared to her father, she knows that the others think that she had a helping hand. On top of that she has her own issues, after being undercover for over a years which didn’t end in the best ways for her she is desperate to get back to what she loves; solving crimes but as we know your past usually comes back to bite you.
To be able to solve the triple murder Iris does the thing she would never have done, she goes to her father for help, her father being the very Detective who investigated the baby’s disappearance all those years ago. The more she delves into the pad, the darker and ,murkier the case becomes.
I love how this is written, you follow the case as it goes along, but we get to know the lead characters more during the first half, especially the two leading Investigators; Iris and her Sergeant Ben Slattery, I think that as the series goes along we are going to see their working relationship evolves into what could be a great detective partnership, both characters are so different with their own views and issues and yet they feed off each other to bring the case together, true they may not always agree and that is what makes Locke and Slattery work.
The only thing I will say against this is that it does set off at a very slow pace, it’s really as the reader is getting to know the lead character’s, it does gradually build up as the story progresses but it isn’t until nearing the final that the story and the case really picks up speed and we finally come to a completely eye-opening and thrilling end.
Overall a pretty decent crime story, that is intriguing, imaginative as well as very real, with twist and turns in the case that will keep you guessing as to who did what and why, the story keeps the readers attention right up to the explosive unexpected finale that makes you sit up and go “wow, I didn’t see that coming.” I am definitely looking forward to more from the Iris Locke series, I feel that there is far more Iris Locke then one the author showed in this. Ms Hogan has done a great job at keeping the reader locked into her darkly imaginative and at times disturbing world of Iris Locke.
If you love a crime caper, then this is a must read.
The story opens with the kidnapping of a baby from her pram, one minute she was there in the garden and the next she was gone, never to be seen again, fast forward twenty-nine years Anna; the older sister of the missing baby is found brutally murdered along with her two children in their own home. The case is assigned to Detective Iris Locke who has retuned to her home town against her fathers better judgment, once she starts delving in to the murder of Anna, Iris soon comes to the conclusion that something isn’t quite right, she thinks that Anna and her children’s brutal murders are in someway connected to the disappearance o Anna’s sister all those years ago. But how could that be?
Iris isn’t pleased with the idea of moving back to her home town of Limmerick, to be working in the very Police station that her father used to run all those years ago. She feels that because she is the daughter of one of the greatest Detectives that Limmerick has seen, she has to work all the harder to prove that she isn’t in the position because of who she is related to but because of her own merit – unfortunately no matter how much she may want to be her own person she is constantly compared to her father, she knows that the others think that she had a helping hand. On top of that she has her own issues, after being undercover for over a years which didn’t end in the best ways for her she is desperate to get back to what she loves; solving crimes but as we know your past usually comes back to bite you.
To be able to solve the triple murder Iris does the thing she would never have done, she goes to her father for help, her father being the very Detective who investigated the baby’s disappearance all those years ago. The more she delves into the pad, the darker and ,murkier the case becomes.
I love how this is written, you follow the case as it goes along, but we get to know the lead characters more during the first half, especially the two leading Investigators; Iris and her Sergeant Ben Slattery, I think that as the series goes along we are going to see their working relationship evolves into what could be a great detective partnership, both characters are so different with their own views and issues and yet they feed off each other to bring the case together, true they may not always agree and that is what makes Locke and Slattery work.
The only thing I will say against this is that it does set off at a very slow pace, it’s really as the reader is getting to know the lead character’s, it does gradually build up as the story progresses but it isn’t until nearing the final that the story and the case really picks up speed and we finally come to a completely eye-opening and thrilling end.
Overall a pretty decent crime story, that is intriguing, imaginative as well as very real, with twist and turns in the case that will keep you guessing as to who did what and why, the story keeps the readers attention right up to the explosive unexpected finale that makes you sit up and go “wow, I didn’t see that coming.” I am definitely looking forward to more from the Iris Locke series, I feel that there is far more Iris Locke then one the author showed in this. Ms Hogan has done a great job at keeping the reader locked into her darkly imaginative and at times disturbing world of Iris Locke.
If you love a crime caper, then this is a must read.
September 1, 2019
3.5/5
"She reached into the pram and placed her hands on the cotton blanket. It was still warm. But her smiling, new baby sister, with her wide blue-grey eyes, was gone...’
Twenty five years later, three bodies are found at a ramshackle cottage in the Irish countryside, and Detective Iris Locke is sick to her stomach. The victims are Anna Crowe and her two young children.
Iris has only recently joined the Limerick Murder Squad. Against her father’s advice, she’s working the narrow lanes and green hills of her childhood. Iris still remembers Anna, who was just a small girl when her baby sister was snatched, never to be seen again. It was the one case Iris’ own father never solved, and Iris can’t help but wonder if the two crimes are connected.
She’ll stop at nothing to find Anna justice, but a fire has destroyed almost all the physical evidence, and Limerick is the same small town she remembers: everybody protects their neighbours, and Iris has been away for too long.
Can Iris unpick the lies beneath the surface of her pretty hometown, and catch the most twisted individual of her career, when reopening the old case means reopening old wounds for her team, the rest of the community, and her own Father?
This is the first instalment in the Detective Iris Locke series which is written by Geraldine Hogan and is based in Ireland. It tells of Detective Locke who is transferred to the Murder Squad in Limerick where she is immediately thrown into a case where the bodies of Anna and her two children are found in the remains of a house fire.
Will reopening an old case from over 30 years ago be somehow connected to this ongoing case where Iris' baby sister Janey was snatched and never to be seen again where Iris' own father worked on but never solved mean reopening old wounds for the team who worked on it and more importantly herself and her own father?? Are these two incidents connected? Will it quite possibly help solve both cases or is there something more sinister lurking within the pages??
Well, Geraldine Hogan has gone to the darkside with her writing of this crime novel and I really enjoyed this book, it started off with a bang with those first few chapters, a few good twists, turns and revelations throughout the novel too but for me it slowed down quite a lot and I felt it was a little dragged out in parts but overall an enjoyable read with great potential for the second instalment in the series which is due out in December and I'm really looking forward to seeing what's in store for Detective Iris Locke and her team.
Silent Night is available from last good bookstores, libraries and on audio. It is also available on Kindle where it is currently £0.99. It is also a definite for fans of Patricia Gibney, L.J. Ross and Angela Marsons.
"She reached into the pram and placed her hands on the cotton blanket. It was still warm. But her smiling, new baby sister, with her wide blue-grey eyes, was gone...’
Twenty five years later, three bodies are found at a ramshackle cottage in the Irish countryside, and Detective Iris Locke is sick to her stomach. The victims are Anna Crowe and her two young children.
Iris has only recently joined the Limerick Murder Squad. Against her father’s advice, she’s working the narrow lanes and green hills of her childhood. Iris still remembers Anna, who was just a small girl when her baby sister was snatched, never to be seen again. It was the one case Iris’ own father never solved, and Iris can’t help but wonder if the two crimes are connected.
She’ll stop at nothing to find Anna justice, but a fire has destroyed almost all the physical evidence, and Limerick is the same small town she remembers: everybody protects their neighbours, and Iris has been away for too long.
Can Iris unpick the lies beneath the surface of her pretty hometown, and catch the most twisted individual of her career, when reopening the old case means reopening old wounds for her team, the rest of the community, and her own Father?
This is the first instalment in the Detective Iris Locke series which is written by Geraldine Hogan and is based in Ireland. It tells of Detective Locke who is transferred to the Murder Squad in Limerick where she is immediately thrown into a case where the bodies of Anna and her two children are found in the remains of a house fire.
Will reopening an old case from over 30 years ago be somehow connected to this ongoing case where Iris' baby sister Janey was snatched and never to be seen again where Iris' own father worked on but never solved mean reopening old wounds for the team who worked on it and more importantly herself and her own father?? Are these two incidents connected? Will it quite possibly help solve both cases or is there something more sinister lurking within the pages??
Well, Geraldine Hogan has gone to the darkside with her writing of this crime novel and I really enjoyed this book, it started off with a bang with those first few chapters, a few good twists, turns and revelations throughout the novel too but for me it slowed down quite a lot and I felt it was a little dragged out in parts but overall an enjoyable read with great potential for the second instalment in the series which is due out in December and I'm really looking forward to seeing what's in store for Detective Iris Locke and her team.
Silent Night is available from last good bookstores, libraries and on audio. It is also available on Kindle where it is currently £0.99. It is also a definite for fans of Patricia Gibney, L.J. Ross and Angela Marsons.
August 23, 2019
This story centres around the murder of Anna and her two young children. Anna’s family has been affected by tragedy before when her baby sister Janey was taken from her pram 29 years ago.
Detective Iris Locke has always wanted a position on a murder squad and she has been seconded onto the case . It means a return to her home town of limerick and treading on her father Jacks old patch. Jack a top detective is now retired but was in charge of Janeys unresolved case.
Iris struggles to be back in her home town. Everyone remembers her father and she is constantly compared to him. Jack disapproval of Iris's involvement is evident. As the investigation proceeds the connection between the two tragedies emerge and with records missing from the first case Iris feels compelled to ask her fathers help.
I struggled initially to get into the book. Police procedure books are new to me and I found the pace a little slow but halfway in the wonderful characters and great storyline had me hooked. Iris and her fathers relationship were beautifully portrayed and Slattery's character I really liked.
The setting in Ireland was fantastic, how a small community seem to remember historical events were spot on. The police family who rally around their own was also fantastically observed .
A great first book in this series and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this great book.
Detective Iris Locke has always wanted a position on a murder squad and she has been seconded onto the case . It means a return to her home town of limerick and treading on her father Jacks old patch. Jack a top detective is now retired but was in charge of Janeys unresolved case.
Iris struggles to be back in her home town. Everyone remembers her father and she is constantly compared to him. Jack disapproval of Iris's involvement is evident. As the investigation proceeds the connection between the two tragedies emerge and with records missing from the first case Iris feels compelled to ask her fathers help.
I struggled initially to get into the book. Police procedure books are new to me and I found the pace a little slow but halfway in the wonderful characters and great storyline had me hooked. Iris and her fathers relationship were beautifully portrayed and Slattery's character I really liked.
The setting in Ireland was fantastic, how a small community seem to remember historical events were spot on. The police family who rally around their own was also fantastically observed .
A great first book in this series and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this great book.
August 26, 2019
This is the first book in a brand new series from an author that I love - as soon as I saw it was being released I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy and I was invited to take part in the cover reveal too - I hope you agree too that is it fabulous!
I thought that the plot for this was superb, it was very well developed and the pace was spot on. I read the book in one sitting after I had put my daughter to bed and when my husband was on nights – complete bliss and it was such a treat!!
This was a book that I became completely engrossed in the book and I thought that the characters and Iris and her team were great – I can’t wait to find out more about them! The setting was excellent, the author really brought it all to life for me and it made me want to go back and visit Ireland!
I thought that this was a brilliant start to the series and I cannot wait for the next book!! Very well written, a completely additive plot with some excellent characters – 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!!
I thought that the plot for this was superb, it was very well developed and the pace was spot on. I read the book in one sitting after I had put my daughter to bed and when my husband was on nights – complete bliss and it was such a treat!!
This was a book that I became completely engrossed in the book and I thought that the characters and Iris and her team were great – I can’t wait to find out more about them! The setting was excellent, the author really brought it all to life for me and it made me want to go back and visit Ireland!
I thought that this was a brilliant start to the series and I cannot wait for the next book!! Very well written, a completely additive plot with some excellent characters – 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!!
July 14, 2019
What a fantastic debut to a brand new series! Geraldine Hogan"s Silent Night, was a harrowing tale of a woman, finding her place in her hometown police force. Iris Locke, is in the middle of a career move, finding herself involved in a case that will change her life forever. It was enthralling, heart wrenching, overall wonderful read, definitely have you feeling all the feels. I am still shaken by the outcome of the case. I loved the fact it was set in Ireland, a break from your usual police procedural. The descriptions and character developments, made you feel like you were in the room with them.
I will be anxiously a waiting the next book in the series!
Thank to the Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced readers copy.
#netgalley
#silentnight
I will be anxiously a waiting the next book in the series!
Thank to the Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced readers copy.
#netgalley
#silentnight
August 13, 2019
I received a free copy of Silent Night from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is about Detective Iris Locke trying to reopen and solve an older case that's connected to Anna Crowe's and her two children's murders. What I liked about this book was the slow build to a fantastic and unexpected ending. I also liked the fact that each character had their own story. We get to know them and understand their way of acting, how life affected and changed them.
I enjoyed this book, the story was good and the characters strong.
I would happily recommend this book.
The story is about Detective Iris Locke trying to reopen and solve an older case that's connected to Anna Crowe's and her two children's murders. What I liked about this book was the slow build to a fantastic and unexpected ending. I also liked the fact that each character had their own story. We get to know them and understand their way of acting, how life affected and changed them.
I enjoyed this book, the story was good and the characters strong.
I would happily recommend this book.
August 24, 2019
Geraldine Hogan’s scintillating debut novel Silent Night introduces a redoubtable, intelligent and brilliant new heroine set to become a huge favourite with crime fiction readers everywhere: Iris Locke.
Having followed in her father’s footsteps and joined the police force, Iris Locke has always had one goal in mind: to join the Murder Squad in Dublin Castle and bring criminals to justice and throw them in jail. Iris’ career had started so promisingly, but when her last assignment went awry, it looked like all of her hopes and dreams for the future were dashed and her ambition to work at Dublin Castle seemed to be getting further and further away for her. Stuck giving talks at careers day in schools, Iris wonders if she will ever get another chance to prove herself. When she gets sent to Limerick to join the Murder Squad there, she is not exactly thrilled, but with no other option available to her, she goes back to the narrow streets and green hills of her childhood where she soon realizes that life is far from quiet in the countryside as evil and murder end up rearing their heads in the most beautiful and idyllic of surroundings.
Three bodies are found burnt to death in a ramshackle cottage in the Irish countryside and its victims are people Iris knows very well. Anna and her two young children were found dead in their beds after a house fire and a determined Iris vows to get to the bottom of this mystery and bring their killer to justice. Anna’s life has always been haunted by tragedy. As a small child, her baby sister had been snatched and her kidnapper has never been found and now nearly three decades later, Anna and her family are once again touched by yet another tragic crime. Who would have wanted to kill Anna and her children? Why was their cottage set on fire? Were these three deaths accidental? Or was it cold-blooded murder?
Iris will leave no stone unturned in her quest for the truth, but with the fire having wiped out all evidence and Limerick being a close-knit community that protects its own, Iris keeps going down one dead end after another. She is determined not to repeat her father’s failure and solve this mystery and bring the criminals who had committed such a heinous act to justice, but Iris has been up in the big smoke for far too long and with time running out, it looks like this will be another case for the Crowe family that will be left hanging…
As she reopens old investigations and untangles a twisted web of old wounds and never forgotten scandals, can Iris find her killer? Or is it already far too late?
A nail-biting chiller that will make your heart race and send shivers up and down your spine, Silent Night is a spellbinding and sensational crime novel that is impossible to put down. Action-packed, suspenseful and absolutely terrifying, Silent Night is a fantastic read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish awaiting each jaw-dropping plot twist with bated breath as they are on tenterhooks desperate to find out what happens next.
A first class Irish thriller written in the best-selling tradition of Tana French and Angela Marsons, Silent Night is a phenomenal debut from an outstanding talent.
Having followed in her father’s footsteps and joined the police force, Iris Locke has always had one goal in mind: to join the Murder Squad in Dublin Castle and bring criminals to justice and throw them in jail. Iris’ career had started so promisingly, but when her last assignment went awry, it looked like all of her hopes and dreams for the future were dashed and her ambition to work at Dublin Castle seemed to be getting further and further away for her. Stuck giving talks at careers day in schools, Iris wonders if she will ever get another chance to prove herself. When she gets sent to Limerick to join the Murder Squad there, she is not exactly thrilled, but with no other option available to her, she goes back to the narrow streets and green hills of her childhood where she soon realizes that life is far from quiet in the countryside as evil and murder end up rearing their heads in the most beautiful and idyllic of surroundings.
Three bodies are found burnt to death in a ramshackle cottage in the Irish countryside and its victims are people Iris knows very well. Anna and her two young children were found dead in their beds after a house fire and a determined Iris vows to get to the bottom of this mystery and bring their killer to justice. Anna’s life has always been haunted by tragedy. As a small child, her baby sister had been snatched and her kidnapper has never been found and now nearly three decades later, Anna and her family are once again touched by yet another tragic crime. Who would have wanted to kill Anna and her children? Why was their cottage set on fire? Were these three deaths accidental? Or was it cold-blooded murder?
Iris will leave no stone unturned in her quest for the truth, but with the fire having wiped out all evidence and Limerick being a close-knit community that protects its own, Iris keeps going down one dead end after another. She is determined not to repeat her father’s failure and solve this mystery and bring the criminals who had committed such a heinous act to justice, but Iris has been up in the big smoke for far too long and with time running out, it looks like this will be another case for the Crowe family that will be left hanging…
As she reopens old investigations and untangles a twisted web of old wounds and never forgotten scandals, can Iris find her killer? Or is it already far too late?
A nail-biting chiller that will make your heart race and send shivers up and down your spine, Silent Night is a spellbinding and sensational crime novel that is impossible to put down. Action-packed, suspenseful and absolutely terrifying, Silent Night is a fantastic read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish awaiting each jaw-dropping plot twist with bated breath as they are on tenterhooks desperate to find out what happens next.
A first class Irish thriller written in the best-selling tradition of Tana French and Angela Marsons, Silent Night is a phenomenal debut from an outstanding talent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews