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The Galway Murders #1
Connemara Girl
DS Fiona Madden is back in Galway and living happily with her partner Ashling McGoldrick. Her quiet life is disrupted by the disappearance of a teenager and the arrival of a young man claiming to be the son she gave up for adoption.The disappearance of the girl brings Fiona back to her native village and resonates with her own past. If the young arrival is indeed her son, Fiona must face up to decisions she made.Both events dredge up ghosts from Fiona’s past. Solving the mystery of the girl’s disappearance and murder will expose the immorality hiding beneath the normal exterior of her village. And can she reconcile with the fact that she gave her son away.Connemara Girl is a mixed genre police procedural and psychological novel. It is the first book in the Galway Murders series.
- GenresIreland
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2020
94 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Derek Fee
48 books43 followersI was born in Ireland and after graduating in engineering and business I decided that I wanted to see the world. With Shell International Petroeum and the National Iranian Oil Company I worked in England, Holland and Iran. As an international diplomat I lived in Belgium, Malta, Kenya and Zambia. I had the great good fortune to have a career which fulfilled all my travel desires. Since retiring in 2011, I have been living on the West Coast of Ireland and I've been writing full time. I love reading and concentrate on thrillers and history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 15, 2020
Not bad but not Wilson
I always preordered Derek Fee's Wilson series releases. It’s one of the top series in the police procedural genres. Mr Fee is an exceptional storyteller and writer so I was expecting a lot from his new Connemara Girl series when I preordered it. But this book feels like someone else wrote it. I felt like I was reading it because it was better than nothing and actually it was. The next books in the series will hopefully develop the characters into unique individuals, not the requisite stereotypes that populate this book - the tough lesbian with a deep dark secret who’s mentoring a sweet novice detective and her idiot of a guv who must be avoided because he’s always threatening to remove her from the case if she doesn’t find the murderer in the next ten minutes because his neck is on the block if she doesn’t. As if.
I always preordered Derek Fee's Wilson series releases. It’s one of the top series in the police procedural genres. Mr Fee is an exceptional storyteller and writer so I was expecting a lot from his new Connemara Girl series when I preordered it. But this book feels like someone else wrote it. I felt like I was reading it because it was better than nothing and actually it was. The next books in the series will hopefully develop the characters into unique individuals, not the requisite stereotypes that populate this book - the tough lesbian with a deep dark secret who’s mentoring a sweet novice detective and her idiot of a guv who must be avoided because he’s always threatening to remove her from the case if she doesn’t find the murderer in the next ten minutes because his neck is on the block if she doesn’t. As if.
November 5, 2020
So many guilty secrets
I have read most , or if not all of Derek’s previous novels , and with anticipation started to introduce myself to his newest detective and the team . As with any new series it takes a while for us to be familiar with the characters and there inter-action but I found this a great start , the author is a master of suspense , mis-leading our assumptions whilst putting enough clues to the outcome before the hammer falls
This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone whilst I look forward to learning more about the characters involved , so I hope this is the first of many Fiona Madden novels
I have read most , or if not all of Derek’s previous novels , and with anticipation started to introduce myself to his newest detective and the team . As with any new series it takes a while for us to be familiar with the characters and there inter-action but I found this a great start , the author is a master of suspense , mis-leading our assumptions whilst putting enough clues to the outcome before the hammer falls
This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone whilst I look forward to learning more about the characters involved , so I hope this is the first of many Fiona Madden novels
January 30, 2022
Have read Derek Fee's Wilson series, and thoroughly enjoyed that, so picked this one up because of that. The locale of this story is Galway - and Fiona Madden is definitely a character worth reading about. The back story of Fiona comes into play when she and her (new) partner Sean Tracy try to solve the murder of Sarah Joyce. Turns out that Fiona came from this same village and the shadow of her past is still there. Enjoyed the twist and turns. I like Mr. Fee's style of writing very much.
November 1, 2020
Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Thoroughly enjoyed the book, well thought out story with just the right amount of who did it to get you going and the son turning up was the icing on the cake.
Introducing Fiona and Sean who will undoubtedly turn out to be a good partnership and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book, well thought out story with just the right amount of who did it to get you going and the son turning up was the icing on the cake.
Introducing Fiona and Sean who will undoubtedly turn out to be a good partnership and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 3, 2020
Connemara girl ranks up with the top of Derek Fee's work. I love all of his books and the beginning of this new series doesn't disappoint. I'm very much looking forward to the next book. The characters are wonderful and very much fleshed out. Fiona Madden is a world apart from Ian Wilson but just as interesting.
November 3, 2020
More of the same please
Waited for it and read it in 2 days! It was well worth the wait and a new star was born! Fiona is going to be a part of a great series just like Wilson. Great storyline characters and ending in that order. I, for one, can't wait for the next in this series. Well done Derek another triumph for you!
Waited for it and read it in 2 days! It was well worth the wait and a new star was born! Fiona is going to be a part of a great series just like Wilson. Great storyline characters and ending in that order. I, for one, can't wait for the next in this series. Well done Derek another triumph for you!
November 8, 2020
Different from Wilson
I really liked this story. It showed the reader that an undercurrent of emotions exist in the most beautiful places ...I grew up in a similar environment ... Many secrets, though no murders, this series promises to be good, if not great. Different from Wilson in many ways.
I really liked this story. It showed the reader that an undercurrent of emotions exist in the most beautiful places ...I grew up in a similar environment ... Many secrets, though no murders, this series promises to be good, if not great. Different from Wilson in many ways.
November 14, 2020
This was a wonderful, easy read book by Derek Fee. The start of a new series with a fascinating central character who brings some issues that bring challenge to many a police department buried in the past.
The story fits nicely with the community it is set in and issues still relevant today.
Again, a “I cannot put this book down” read.
I cannot wait until his next book.
Thank you Derek.
The story fits nicely with the community it is set in and issues still relevant today.
Again, a “I cannot put this book down” read.
I cannot wait until his next book.
Thank you Derek.
November 20, 2021
Another brilliant read
Derek Fee is an brilliant author!
Loved this book and hoping there will be a sequel.
Loved the twists and turns in this crime thriller book,just when I thought I had worked it all out another huge unexpected twist to throw my whole theory out the window! Well done on such a brilliant book Derek Fee
Derek Fee is an brilliant author!
Loved this book and hoping there will be a sequel.
Loved the twists and turns in this crime thriller book,just when I thought I had worked it all out another huge unexpected twist to throw my whole theory out the window! Well done on such a brilliant book Derek Fee
January 25, 2023
A very good read.😛
Well worth five 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and more.I have read most of the Wilson series three to purchase.The Wilson storylines were exceptional this one Connemara was in the same vane,the third Galway murder was a top read,I recommend these Derek Fee two series.I shall be looking to buy more.😎😎
Well worth five 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and more.I have read most of the Wilson series three to purchase.The Wilson storylines were exceptional this one Connemara was in the same vane,the third Galway murder was a top read,I recommend these Derek Fee two series.I shall be looking to buy more.😎😎
November 21, 2020
Made me want to.go to Connemara
A great new location andcharacters. P?ease blurry and publish more. Again full.of current Yards procedire and superb descriptions of the West coast location.
A great new location andcharacters. P?ease blurry and publish more. Again full.of current Yards procedire and superb descriptions of the West coast location.
June 24, 2021
Great to read a novel with familiar settings. The characters I believe will develop and will I certainly continue with the series. Would have added another star but felt that the opening couple of chapters were a little draggy.
July 10, 2021
I was not a fan. I got annoyed with Fiona and Ashling and their bad decisions. I didn't feel connected to the characters at all and the story was predictable. Fans of Derek Fee seemed to enjoy it but this was my first introduction and I am not compelled to read another at this time.
Read
October 6, 2021Although I live in Galway this writer is new to me
I enjoyed the book immensely
The story and the characters and the descriptionm of life and culture and lifestyle of Connemara all join togethger to make an enjoyable read with several twists to keep the reader engaged
Loved it
I enjoyed the book immensely
The story and the characters and the descriptionm of life and culture and lifestyle of Connemara all join togethger to make an enjoyable read with several twists to keep the reader engaged
Loved it
March 12, 2023
Mystery
At the start it wasn’t clear what crime was the main one. The story soon became clear, although the suspect didn’t. The added twist was the prodigal son! A very goofy read and looking forward to the next book!
Alan
At the start it wasn’t clear what crime was the main one. The story soon became clear, although the suspect didn’t. The added twist was the prodigal son! A very goofy read and looking forward to the next book!
Alan
Read
June 20, 2023A great start to a series
Complex characters and a good story. Bodes well for further reading. Looking forward to finding more about Fiona and Askhling as crime gets solved in what reads like very attractive country.
Complex characters and a good story. Bodes well for further reading. Looking forward to finding more about Fiona and Askhling as crime gets solved in what reads like very attractive country.
July 29, 2024
Good book
I wasn't sure at 1st but as I got to the second chapter I just couldn't put it down Great characters interesting story line And I like the ending can't wait to read the next book
I wasn't sure at 1st but as I got to the second chapter I just couldn't put it down Great characters interesting story line And I like the ending can't wait to read the next book
November 6, 2020
Another great one from Derek Fee!!
Derek's new lady detective is great !!! She's tough and likeable at the same time. Her partner softens her up. A great, fun read!!!!
Derek's new lady detective is great !!! She's tough and likeable at the same time. Her partner softens her up. A great, fun read!!!!
November 7, 2020
Comments girl
Well written and the background typical of the time. Fiona was a character in her own right. A good read
Well written and the background typical of the time. Fiona was a character in her own right. A good read
January 10, 2021
Good read.
This is the 1st of Derek's books I have read, definitely not the last. Well written, great subject and characters.
This is the 1st of Derek's books I have read, definitely not the last. Well written, great subject and characters.
August 5, 2021
Couldn't put it down!
I'd recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good mystery. The setting in Ireland is an added bonus for learning their customs -like a trip to another country.
I'd recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good mystery. The setting in Ireland is an added bonus for learning their customs -like a trip to another country.
August 20, 2021
Believable
A great story gripping from page one. The characters are all very believable. I’m away now to buy the next in the series
A great story gripping from page one. The characters are all very believable. I’m away now to buy the next in the series
August 27, 2021
The comments girl
Brilliant book from the first time I picked it up but that's not unusual all Derek fee books are like that can't wait for Galloway murders book2
Brilliant book from the first time I picked it up but that's not unusual all Derek fee books are like that can't wait for Galloway murders book2
August 28, 2021
3.5 stars
September 28, 2021
This is a wonderful book!
I am old and have managed to read a large number of fine police mysteries. Few have been as enjoyable as this one, and I look forward to reading more.
I am old and have managed to read a large number of fine police mysteries. Few have been as enjoyable as this one, and I look forward to reading more.
March 16, 2022
Who killed Sarah Joyce and why??? Drugs and families!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
December 17, 2023
wonderful
Great suspense in believable style.
Area described accurately and with detail. I hope there are more books. Thank you author!
Great suspense in believable style.
Area described accurately and with detail. I hope there are more books. Thank you author!
January 30, 2021
Great read. Fee has found his feminine side...should have known it would be butch !!!
December 7, 2020
Very good. Liked story development and the team of Fiona and Stacey. Good mix of characters in the mix. Really enjoyed reading.
September 4, 2021
Next chapter
Really enjoyed this stand alone novel,might it be the start of something new.I did feel it was a little slow at the start but really glad I kept at it.
Really enjoyed this stand alone novel,might it be the start of something new.I did feel it was a little slow at the start but really glad I kept at it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews