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Blue Bird
A new cop. A fresh start. A dark secret.
It’s the blisteringly hot summer of 1976, and WPC Samantha Barrie is Wyre Hall police station’s newest recruit.
When young girls start to go missing, Sam finds herself at the centre of an investigation which goes far deeper than anyone expected, exposing divisions in both the community and the police force itself.
As Sam gets pulled further and further into the dark and seedy underbelly of her town, she finds herself battling against not only organised criminals and the prejudices of her new colleagues, but also her own demons.
Who can she trust? How can she keep safe those she’s pledged to protect? How can she keep her head when forced to confront her own terrifying past?
Blue Bird is the debut novel from Trish Finnegan, a police thriller with a twist. A story of dark secrets, and innocence lost.
It’s the blisteringly hot summer of 1976, and WPC Samantha Barrie is Wyre Hall police station’s newest recruit.
When young girls start to go missing, Sam finds herself at the centre of an investigation which goes far deeper than anyone expected, exposing divisions in both the community and the police force itself.
As Sam gets pulled further and further into the dark and seedy underbelly of her town, she finds herself battling against not only organised criminals and the prejudices of her new colleagues, but also her own demons.
Who can she trust? How can she keep safe those she’s pledged to protect? How can she keep her head when forced to confront her own terrifying past?
Blue Bird is the debut novel from Trish Finnegan, a police thriller with a twist. A story of dark secrets, and innocence lost.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2020
20 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 16, 2020
It is telling that the first thing I did on finishing reading this was look for the sequel: the characterisation was good enough for me to want to know what Samantha Barrie did next.
For me technical accuracy is very important - I want to be taken out of myself and into a different world - so errors are a real turn-off. This book immediately appealed, because I used to operate out of police stations in the late 70s/early 80s and the description of the station in this story rang entirely true. Also the procedures, jargon,etc. all seemed genuine: the portrayal of the way a beat officer can win the cooperation of local people was excellent, for instance. Also, the characters were all believable. Of course there are exaggerations for dramatic effect - above all, there can't be many probationer constables, who have such a hectic introduction to the job - but making that realistic would have made the novel far too long. (Dr. Zhivago anyone?) My one serious reservation is the love interest: how true to life is that really?
It may be that I am making too much of this: a particular hate of mine is the TV detective series, where the primcipal character always seems to have a disfunctional relationship (missing parents'meetings, failing to pick up the kids from school, forgetting birthdays/anniversaries, etc. etc.). This has become such a cliché that I am perhaps unusually sensitive to it. Anyway, I do wish the author hadn't given in to the temptation - even to this limited extent - to involve Samantha in a relationship with a senior officer, who should know better.
That apart, I do hope Trish Finnegan will write a sequel in due course: I would like very much to know what Sam Barrie did next. Just don't muddy the waters, please, with too much about personal relationships!
For me technical accuracy is very important - I want to be taken out of myself and into a different world - so errors are a real turn-off. This book immediately appealed, because I used to operate out of police stations in the late 70s/early 80s and the description of the station in this story rang entirely true. Also the procedures, jargon,etc. all seemed genuine: the portrayal of the way a beat officer can win the cooperation of local people was excellent, for instance. Also, the characters were all believable. Of course there are exaggerations for dramatic effect - above all, there can't be many probationer constables, who have such a hectic introduction to the job - but making that realistic would have made the novel far too long. (Dr. Zhivago anyone?) My one serious reservation is the love interest: how true to life is that really?
It may be that I am making too much of this: a particular hate of mine is the TV detective series, where the primcipal character always seems to have a disfunctional relationship (missing parents'meetings, failing to pick up the kids from school, forgetting birthdays/anniversaries, etc. etc.). This has become such a cliché that I am perhaps unusually sensitive to it. Anyway, I do wish the author hadn't given in to the temptation - even to this limited extent - to involve Samantha in a relationship with a senior officer, who should know better.
That apart, I do hope Trish Finnegan will write a sequel in due course: I would like very much to know what Sam Barrie did next. Just don't muddy the waters, please, with too much about personal relationships!
December 5, 2020
This another almost read in one sitting (meal-time spent wondering how Sam was going to extricate herself), delight furthered by the knowledge that, starting in the hot summer of 1976 as a probationer, there will be be many more to come.
Age twenty-one, Sam is a mix of vulnerable and eager-to-learn headstrong and I look forward to seeing her mature and develop, along with the rest of the well and knowledgably-drawn team she works with, especially how the things learnt - good and very, very bad - in this fast-paced and well-focused tale, affect and change her.
Age twenty-one, Sam is a mix of vulnerable and eager-to-learn headstrong and I look forward to seeing her mature and develop, along with the rest of the well and knowledgably-drawn team she works with, especially how the things learnt - good and very, very bad - in this fast-paced and well-focused tale, affect and change her.
September 23, 2020
A captivating story about a feisty, at times hot-headed and impulsive WPC who underneath has a heart of gold. Tension steadily builds as the book progresses until it demands you sit down and continue reading until you have reach the end.
October 22, 2021
It has the Kate Atkinson early reveal that only makes sense some time later. I have never felt so immersed in the everyday life and procedures in a police station. On the face of it that life is mundane but there is a far bigger story that builds so well. Also a telling reminder of not only aggressive misogyny but also the everyday version so rife in the 1970s.
June 1, 2023
Blue Bird - Trish Finnegan
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
If you are a fan of police procedurals and looking for your next sensitive but tough caring heroine, you have found her in Samantha Barrie, for me, this is the perfect pice procedural, minimal "romance" but a lot of hard-earned comradery and a bit of levity for this female police officer (the only one on her squad). I am excited there are two more moves for me to read by this author, ATHOUGH this first one might remain my favorite as she was single and fearless in this first one, but I fear in the next two f the series she gets involved with and eventually impregnated by, her boss. I hate romance novels, and I truly hate unequal relationships, such as student/ teacher, boss/employee relationships specifically. however, due to this first novel (I was SO HAPPY to. discover it is the first of a burgeoning series) I will certainly read the other two (at the time of this writing) with. a relatively open mind.
This is the type of novel that readers and reviewers hope to find, a rare treasured gem among scattered sparking (but ultimately disappointing) rhinestones.
Blue Bird is truly one of the BEST novels out of the 100s of mysteries and police procedurals I have read this year, and I am so excited to have found this book, and to discover this author!
WPC Samantha Barrie is my new hero, and if you are a fan of strong and kind female police officers who paved their own way in what was essentially a man's world (as the police force solidly was in this novel's timeframe) then she just might be the heroine you are searching for too...
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
If you are a fan of police procedurals and looking for your next sensitive but tough caring heroine, you have found her in Samantha Barrie, for me, this is the perfect pice procedural, minimal "romance" but a lot of hard-earned comradery and a bit of levity for this female police officer (the only one on her squad). I am excited there are two more moves for me to read by this author, ATHOUGH this first one might remain my favorite as she was single and fearless in this first one, but I fear in the next two f the series she gets involved with and eventually impregnated by, her boss. I hate romance novels, and I truly hate unequal relationships, such as student/ teacher, boss/employee relationships specifically. however, due to this first novel (I was SO HAPPY to. discover it is the first of a burgeoning series) I will certainly read the other two (at the time of this writing) with. a relatively open mind.
This is the type of novel that readers and reviewers hope to find, a rare treasured gem among scattered sparking (but ultimately disappointing) rhinestones.
Blue Bird is truly one of the BEST novels out of the 100s of mysteries and police procedurals I have read this year, and I am so excited to have found this book, and to discover this author!
WPC Samantha Barrie is my new hero, and if you are a fan of strong and kind female police officers who paved their own way in what was essentially a man's world (as the police force solidly was in this novel's timeframe) then she just might be the heroine you are searching for too...
December 18, 2020
An absolutely amazing story! I was drawn in right from the start and could hardly put it down.
WPC Samantha Barrie is the new girl at the Wyre Hall police station, and as a result gets her fair share of initiation pranks played on her. However she has a dark and tragic past that she managed to escape from and that causes some pranks to go go wrong. But she is on probation still, and gets involved in a crime consisting of under age teenagers and prostitution. As a result because of her inexperience she often feels left out of how things should be properly handled by the police force.
To add to that a a new transferred sergeant from another station knows her past, and tries his best to subvert her to his will. Eventually this doesn't turn out well for him and of course he blames Sam for this. Sam eventually goes undercover to assist CID in bringing down this criminal gang. The finale involves this crooked sergeant abducting Sam, and involves a tremendous fight for her life.
I don't really want to add spoilers here, but the story involves quite a few tragedies that Sam feels responsible for, but they're not her fault. It also involves her acquiring a new friend, Karen who is a solid woman although a prostitute herself, and a lovely heartwarming rescue of a young 14 year old girl.
All in all I can't wait for more from Trish Finnegan, and have no hesitation in recommending this book as an enthralling, exciting read!
WPC Samantha Barrie is the new girl at the Wyre Hall police station, and as a result gets her fair share of initiation pranks played on her. However she has a dark and tragic past that she managed to escape from and that causes some pranks to go go wrong. But she is on probation still, and gets involved in a crime consisting of under age teenagers and prostitution. As a result because of her inexperience she often feels left out of how things should be properly handled by the police force.
To add to that a a new transferred sergeant from another station knows her past, and tries his best to subvert her to his will. Eventually this doesn't turn out well for him and of course he blames Sam for this. Sam eventually goes undercover to assist CID in bringing down this criminal gang. The finale involves this crooked sergeant abducting Sam, and involves a tremendous fight for her life.
I don't really want to add spoilers here, but the story involves quite a few tragedies that Sam feels responsible for, but they're not her fault. It also involves her acquiring a new friend, Karen who is a solid woman although a prostitute herself, and a lovely heartwarming rescue of a young 14 year old girl.
All in all I can't wait for more from Trish Finnegan, and have no hesitation in recommending this book as an enthralling, exciting read!
October 18, 2020
This is an interesting, well paced novel with a good storyline and a strong main character. I like that the story is set in 1976 and describes policing pre mobile phones and pre the national databases now widely available. It is also just after the merger of female officers with the male on all shifts and in all departments and describes realistically the sometimes difficult integration process for both. This is a promising debut and I look forward to reading more by this author.
3.5 stars.
Thank you to Burning Chair for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
3.5 stars.
Thank you to Burning Chair for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
February 22, 2021
Unrealistic but totally charming
A fairy tale for mystery novel lovers even though there is no mystery of a who done it nature. The characters are purely likable and purely hateable. The main character is a woman who becomes a police person back in the 1970’s . She is brave strong and true, a bit weepy but she saves it by being a serious scrappy fighter and fighting to the near death to save helpless victims. I would like to see what this author could do after some better research but I would definitely read her again . Who doesn’t love a good fairy tale ?
A fairy tale for mystery novel lovers even though there is no mystery of a who done it nature. The characters are purely likable and purely hateable. The main character is a woman who becomes a police person back in the 1970’s . She is brave strong and true, a bit weepy but she saves it by being a serious scrappy fighter and fighting to the near death to save helpless victims. I would like to see what this author could do after some better research but I would definitely read her again . Who doesn’t love a good fairy tale ?
October 20, 2020
Great book. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
Mildly gritty police thriller based in England in the 1970s with a female protaganist battling both criminals and the sexism inherent in the police at that time.
It had a bit of everything and kept the pace throughout.
Looking forward to the author's next book!
Mildly gritty police thriller based in England in the 1970s with a female protaganist battling both criminals and the sexism inherent in the police at that time.
It had a bit of everything and kept the pace throughout.
Looking forward to the author's next book!
August 2, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable
I found this author and book completely by accident, but I am so pleased I did. This book is tremendous. Set in 1976 in the wirral. Sam was abducted aged 15, but escaped. Another girl was killed. Sam is now a police officer, and a current case is linked to her past. Excellent story and characterisation.
I found this author and book completely by accident, but I am so pleased I did. This book is tremendous. Set in 1976 in the wirral. Sam was abducted aged 15, but escaped. Another girl was killed. Sam is now a police officer, and a current case is linked to her past. Excellent story and characterisation.
May 10, 2023
Blue Bird is a breath of fresh air. The storyline features sexual violence and abuse, but it was written with care and tact. As a survivor of something similar, I am glad that Trish Finnegan tackled the subject head on and didn't hold back. Thank you to Netgalley for introducing me to a wonderful author and series.
January 4, 2021
Difficult subject.
Good debut novel concerning the abuse of children. I recommend this book & look forward to further from this author.
Good debut novel concerning the abuse of children. I recommend this book & look forward to further from this author.
February 22, 2021
Excellent read.A real page turner. Great storyline which makes you want to keep reading to find out more. Looking forward to the sequel xx
February 24, 2021
Very readable. Very engrossing story.
July 12, 2023
Great book!!
I enjoyed this book.
The plot was Great and the characters were interesting!!
I enjoyed this book.
The plot was Great and the characters were interesting!!
June 18, 2023
It is the summer of 1976 and WPC Samantha (Sam) Barrie is the newest recruit at Wyre Hall police station. She is thrown straight into the deep end when young girls go missing, bringing back painful memories from her youth for Sam. As she becomes more involved in the investigation, she finds herself amongst the dark underbelly of the town, not knowing who she can trust but determined to help protect these young girls whilst also exorcising some of her own demons.
One of the series I have enjoyed reading in recent years is Lynda La Plante’s Tennison series and this is very reminiscent of the earlier books. Like Lynda La Plante, Trish Finnegan takes you on a journey into the 1970s where female police officers were still a bit of a novelty and had to really prove their worth in order to be taken seriously by certain sections of society. In Sam, we have a naïve young woman who we see gaining in confidence as the story progresses, willing to put herself in danger in order to bring the guilty to justice.
Sam’s back story is a fascinating one, one that certainly affects her involvement in this case. I admired her resilience as she manages to put her past behind her despite being reminded of it constantly, especially as she starts to notice connections to the current spate of missing girls. There is a good range of characters, not all of them trustworthy – this made for great reading as I waited to see whether they would get their comeuppance.
Blue Bird is a great first book of a trilogy and on the strength of this one, I have already downloaded the next two.
One of the series I have enjoyed reading in recent years is Lynda La Plante’s Tennison series and this is very reminiscent of the earlier books. Like Lynda La Plante, Trish Finnegan takes you on a journey into the 1970s where female police officers were still a bit of a novelty and had to really prove their worth in order to be taken seriously by certain sections of society. In Sam, we have a naïve young woman who we see gaining in confidence as the story progresses, willing to put herself in danger in order to bring the guilty to justice.
Sam’s back story is a fascinating one, one that certainly affects her involvement in this case. I admired her resilience as she manages to put her past behind her despite being reminded of it constantly, especially as she starts to notice connections to the current spate of missing girls. There is a good range of characters, not all of them trustworthy – this made for great reading as I waited to see whether they would get their comeuppance.
Blue Bird is a great first book of a trilogy and on the strength of this one, I have already downloaded the next two.
January 14, 2021
A good debut thriller set in the 70d revolving around a young WPC Sam Barrie that brings to the fore the treatment and prejudices faced by women police officers at the time.
A well crafted and intriguing police procedural With a string protagonist and potential for more.
A well crafted and intriguing police procedural With a string protagonist and potential for more.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews