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Boyle & Keneally #1
Dancing with the Dead
She had taken only one step towards the hotel when she heard the car door opening, and then something had her by the shoulders in a grip like steel. Penny tried to fight, but it was no good. The last thing she heard as consciousness drifted away was the whisper of a familiar song…
On a cold night in October a pretty, blonde girl named Penny O’Dwyer is snatched from the quiet main street of a small, coastal town in the west of Ireland. No one saw anything, and a desperate search leads nowhere… Until her abductor sends a video declaring Penny only has ten days to live and a deadly countdown begins.
Criminal behaviourist Jessie Boyle hoped never to work a case in Ireland again. But when her career in London is cut short by a brutal tragedy, she returns to her homeland to grieve – only for her oldest friend to call in a long overdue debt. ‘Help us catch this monster and bring Penny home. We need you, Jessie.’
Throwing herself into the investigation, Jessie makes a chilling discovery: Penny wasn’t the first girl to be taken. As her team find more missing women, she becomes convinced that a serial killer has been hiding in plain sight for years. Nothing seems to tie the victims together, until Jessie realises that that each abduction site is linked to the old Irish myths she read as a child.
Time is running out for Penny, and Jessie’s only hope is to understand the killer’s twisted logic. But he is closer than she imagined… and Jessie is next in his sights. Will she risk everything to save an innocent life?
A totally breathtaking and chilling crime thriller that will keep you gripped to the very last page, perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, A.J. Rivers, Tana French and Lisa Gardner.
On a cold night in October a pretty, blonde girl named Penny O’Dwyer is snatched from the quiet main street of a small, coastal town in the west of Ireland. No one saw anything, and a desperate search leads nowhere… Until her abductor sends a video declaring Penny only has ten days to live and a deadly countdown begins.
Criminal behaviourist Jessie Boyle hoped never to work a case in Ireland again. But when her career in London is cut short by a brutal tragedy, she returns to her homeland to grieve – only for her oldest friend to call in a long overdue debt. ‘Help us catch this monster and bring Penny home. We need you, Jessie.’
Throwing herself into the investigation, Jessie makes a chilling discovery: Penny wasn’t the first girl to be taken. As her team find more missing women, she becomes convinced that a serial killer has been hiding in plain sight for years. Nothing seems to tie the victims together, until Jessie realises that that each abduction site is linked to the old Irish myths she read as a child.
Time is running out for Penny, and Jessie’s only hope is to understand the killer’s twisted logic. But he is closer than she imagined… and Jessie is next in his sights. Will she risk everything to save an innocent life?
A totally breathtaking and chilling crime thriller that will keep you gripped to the very last page, perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, A.J. Rivers, Tana French and Lisa Gardner.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2021
282 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
December 20, 2023
Bring Her Home (Boyle & Keneally #1) by S.A. Dunphy, narrated by Shelley Atkinson
Irish noir police procedural, anyone? Criminal behaviorist Jessie Boyle's life has just been blown to smithereens. She finds partner/lover's tortured, mutilated body and she knows his murderer is a serial killer who is taunting her. Not able to keep on with her London job, she quits, only to find herself called to a small town on Ireland’s west coast where she is needed to save the life of a young woman. Her new partners are Detective Seamus Keneally, almost young enough to be her son, and even younger historian Terri Kehoe, whose historical skills have been useful in solving crimes in the past. They are dealing with one or more serial killers who won't hesitate to kill over and over again.
I enjoyed this mismatched team, with simmering attractions that should never be acted upon. Jessie is heartbroken and lonely and her work is the distraction that she needs. The sense of danger is ongoing and there is a long claustrophobic scene that made the tension worse. Add in some unwise decisions by members of the team and I would have thought everyone would be a goner if I didn't know that this story seems to be leading up to another one in the future. I'm there for it and can't wait to read more. The narration of the audiobook version of this story made it all the more interesting.
Pub September 3, 2021
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.
Irish noir police procedural, anyone? Criminal behaviorist Jessie Boyle's life has just been blown to smithereens. She finds partner/lover's tortured, mutilated body and she knows his murderer is a serial killer who is taunting her. Not able to keep on with her London job, she quits, only to find herself called to a small town on Ireland’s west coast where she is needed to save the life of a young woman. Her new partners are Detective Seamus Keneally, almost young enough to be her son, and even younger historian Terri Kehoe, whose historical skills have been useful in solving crimes in the past. They are dealing with one or more serial killers who won't hesitate to kill over and over again.
I enjoyed this mismatched team, with simmering attractions that should never be acted upon. Jessie is heartbroken and lonely and her work is the distraction that she needs. The sense of danger is ongoing and there is a long claustrophobic scene that made the tension worse. Add in some unwise decisions by members of the team and I would have thought everyone would be a goner if I didn't know that this story seems to be leading up to another one in the future. I'm there for it and can't wait to read more. The narration of the audiobook version of this story made it all the more interesting.
Pub September 3, 2021
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 7, 2021
All it took was a comparison to Tana French to pique my interest in S. A. Dunphy’s new series. This police procedural takes the time to give us the background on all of the main characters. We learn about each of the investigators, the victim, the police commissioner, a criminal with information about the case and even the serial killer himself.
Jessie Boyle is a criminal behaviorist and the senior member of the team. Recently resigned from her post with the London police, she is brought into an Irish investigation of the missing daughter of an important politician. Detective Seamus Keneally is almost young enough to be her son. And Terri Keongh, younger still, is an historian, genealogist and computer technician. This is a great team and it was fun to watch them come together. I’m glad the ending made it clear there will be a second book coming.
The story is fast paced with healthy doses of Irish history and mythology. Yes, I was pretty sure from early on who was behind all of the crimes and I was right. But that didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the book and how it all played out. Dunphy does a good job setting locations and I found it easy to envision the story.
I listened to this and the narrator, Shelley Atkinson, did a great job.
My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture Audio for an advance copy of this book.
Jessie Boyle is a criminal behaviorist and the senior member of the team. Recently resigned from her post with the London police, she is brought into an Irish investigation of the missing daughter of an important politician. Detective Seamus Keneally is almost young enough to be her son. And Terri Keongh, younger still, is an historian, genealogist and computer technician. This is a great team and it was fun to watch them come together. I’m glad the ending made it clear there will be a second book coming.
The story is fast paced with healthy doses of Irish history and mythology. Yes, I was pretty sure from early on who was behind all of the crimes and I was right. But that didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the book and how it all played out. Dunphy does a good job setting locations and I found it easy to envision the story.
I listened to this and the narrator, Shelley Atkinson, did a great job.
My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture Audio for an advance copy of this book.
September 5, 2021
"I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than a poet can help the inspiration to sing. When I was born the evil one stood as sponsor over my bed, and he has been with me ever since. " - H.H. Holmes
After a brutal tragedy, criminal behaviourist Jessie Boyle returns to her homeland only to have her friend call in a debt. A young woman, Penny has been taken and she needs Jessie's help to bring her home. With time running out, Jessie must work closely with new partner, Detective Seamus Keneally, along with Terri Kehoe, a computer whiz and historian work day and night to solve the case of Penny's disappearance.
Soon, they find that Penny was not the only woman taken and that this is not a simple kidnapping. Archelogy, Celtic legends/folklore, criminals, serial killers are all part of the mix. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? But this mash up really worked in this book. Did some things seem a little implausible and far fetched? Yes, but I didn't care, nor should you.
This was an absorbing and gripping start to a new series. The characters are quirky and likeable, the writing is top notch, and the plot was riveting! I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
After a brutal tragedy, criminal behaviourist Jessie Boyle returns to her homeland only to have her friend call in a debt. A young woman, Penny has been taken and she needs Jessie's help to bring her home. With time running out, Jessie must work closely with new partner, Detective Seamus Keneally, along with Terri Kehoe, a computer whiz and historian work day and night to solve the case of Penny's disappearance.
Soon, they find that Penny was not the only woman taken and that this is not a simple kidnapping. Archelogy, Celtic legends/folklore, criminals, serial killers are all part of the mix. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? But this mash up really worked in this book. Did some things seem a little implausible and far fetched? Yes, but I didn't care, nor should you.
This was an absorbing and gripping start to a new series. The characters are quirky and likeable, the writing is top notch, and the plot was riveting! I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
September 1, 2021
Boyle and Keneally #1.
A new series to get my teeth into?? Yes please! I’m now kicking myself for not reading this author sooner!
Three people are brought to the Garda Siorcana in Dublin by Dawn Wilson, the Police Commissioner for Ireland. There’s Jessie Boyle, a criminal behaviour analyst, formerly of The Met and grieving the loss of her partner William Briggs brutally murdered by a killer known as Uruz who is now taunting Jessie. Then there’s Detective Seamus Keneally, a hero for his actions during an attempt to release a prisoner. Finally, there’s Terri Kehoe, a genealogist and tech wizard. Their first case? To find kidnapped Penelope O’Dwyer the daughter of former Taoiseach Dominic O’Dwyer. They have until the eve of Samhain (Halloween) so the clock is ticking. This is an incredibly dangerous case taking the trio into the heart of Irish gangland and murky finance and even worse into deep and terrifying shark infested waters of a network of serial killers.
Wow. This is just my kind of book! It’s very well written with whip smart and authentic dialogue, the plot is intelligent and extremely clever and the pace is fast. Not only does it have the criminal elements mentioned above it also takes us into the fascinating world of Irish prehistoric times with standing stones, cairns, Celtic legends, legendary figures and runes. The unfolding drama becomes extremely dark with utterly twisted minds at work, it oozes menace, it’s chilling and it is hard to put down, exactly as described on the cover!! It’s a brace yourself and buckle up read! The newly formed team are fantastic characters who are all very different yet they gel well and compliment each other and they are very likeable so you root for them. What they learn drives them to the west of Ireland to beautiful Kerry which provides a glorious backdrop to the evil which lurks beneath.
Overall, I so enjoy this one and I wait for the next instalment with eager anticipation!
4-5 stars
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
A new series to get my teeth into?? Yes please! I’m now kicking myself for not reading this author sooner!
Three people are brought to the Garda Siorcana in Dublin by Dawn Wilson, the Police Commissioner for Ireland. There’s Jessie Boyle, a criminal behaviour analyst, formerly of The Met and grieving the loss of her partner William Briggs brutally murdered by a killer known as Uruz who is now taunting Jessie. Then there’s Detective Seamus Keneally, a hero for his actions during an attempt to release a prisoner. Finally, there’s Terri Kehoe, a genealogist and tech wizard. Their first case? To find kidnapped Penelope O’Dwyer the daughter of former Taoiseach Dominic O’Dwyer. They have until the eve of Samhain (Halloween) so the clock is ticking. This is an incredibly dangerous case taking the trio into the heart of Irish gangland and murky finance and even worse into deep and terrifying shark infested waters of a network of serial killers.
Wow. This is just my kind of book! It’s very well written with whip smart and authentic dialogue, the plot is intelligent and extremely clever and the pace is fast. Not only does it have the criminal elements mentioned above it also takes us into the fascinating world of Irish prehistoric times with standing stones, cairns, Celtic legends, legendary figures and runes. The unfolding drama becomes extremely dark with utterly twisted minds at work, it oozes menace, it’s chilling and it is hard to put down, exactly as described on the cover!! It’s a brace yourself and buckle up read! The newly formed team are fantastic characters who are all very different yet they gel well and compliment each other and they are very likeable so you root for them. What they learn drives them to the west of Ireland to beautiful Kerry which provides a glorious backdrop to the evil which lurks beneath.
Overall, I so enjoy this one and I wait for the next instalment with eager anticipation!
4-5 stars
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 28, 2024
Forty pages in and I ordered the next two in the series!! Having read AM Shining's first couple of books these past two months this one reminded me of his. Of course Dunphy would be the first in line with books based in his native Ireland and based on a lot of the folklore that comes with Ireland. As I said with regards to Shining's second I am glad that there is so much Irish folklore that it can spew so many original stories and I echo those sentiments again here. It would seem that three books in basically two months on Irish folklore may be a bit much and yet here I am loving it all and ordering more of it!
This one is kind of a police procedural too. Our hero Jessie Boyle is a criminal behavioralist and works for the London Police Dept but when a case goes south and a serial killer escapes her and kills someone dear to her she feels she has to resign and ends up going home to her native Ireland.
She doesn't get to stay away long from her policing days as her old college friend Dawn Wilson is now the police commissioner of Ireland and has a serious case of her own where the daughter, Penelope O'Dwyer, of the former Irish Prime Minister has been abducted. The serial killer from Boyle's past is involved as well but has promised to allow her to live if the authorities can find her in two weeks. Wilson knows Boyle is indebted to her and intends to make good on that fact by bringing in Boyle as part of the team to locate and save O'Dwyer. When you actually find out about why Boyle owes Wilson it is really something.......
So clearly there would be big time pressure to save O'Dwyer. A 3 person team is formed with Boyle, detective Seamus Keneally and computer expert and historian Terri Kehoe. So two civilians and one detective.
So the kidnapping quickly becomes associated with old Irish Folklore and the stone of Balor which when unearthed actually led a few university professors mad. Apparently Balor is associated to a great evil and the folklore behind it all is quite crazy. Does Boyle serial killer connect to Balor as it would seem so? The folklore here and the fact that it may actually be part of the kidnapping is so cool and fun to read about.
There are so many twists and turns along the way with our threesome encountering gangsters and the like and the interplay between all the characters is quite intriguing. O'Dwyer worked in finance but she moonlighted at her job setting up her own investment deals with some pretty sketchy people. Sketchy people who clearly liked what O'Dwyer was doing for them personally but not likely to like some of the other people she was helping out as bad guys are often pitted against each other. She was not really the girl her father the Prime Minister thought she was. She was a big drinker, she had a lot of sex with multiple planners and what are threesome really key in on is her dealings with the underworld characters and is it them who have really kidnapped her versus the whole Balor thing?
The novel is a narrative generally but there are chapters written on behalf of various characters so as to fill you in as to what they are really like. I really liked the way the book came together and how it was put together and led you on one crazy and exciting wild ride. Like I first mentioned it is quick paced and really good, and again so good I was convinced it would finish strong and at the mere 40 page mark or end of chapter 3 I was ordering the next two in this series from Amazon.
I am so loving my newfound Irish authors and highly recommend them. A well put together novel with so much excitement and twists and turns. An easy five stars. Can't wait for the next :)
This one is kind of a police procedural too. Our hero Jessie Boyle is a criminal behavioralist and works for the London Police Dept but when a case goes south and a serial killer escapes her and kills someone dear to her she feels she has to resign and ends up going home to her native Ireland.
She doesn't get to stay away long from her policing days as her old college friend Dawn Wilson is now the police commissioner of Ireland and has a serious case of her own where the daughter, Penelope O'Dwyer, of the former Irish Prime Minister has been abducted. The serial killer from Boyle's past is involved as well but has promised to allow her to live if the authorities can find her in two weeks. Wilson knows Boyle is indebted to her and intends to make good on that fact by bringing in Boyle as part of the team to locate and save O'Dwyer. When you actually find out about why Boyle owes Wilson it is really something.......
So clearly there would be big time pressure to save O'Dwyer. A 3 person team is formed with Boyle, detective Seamus Keneally and computer expert and historian Terri Kehoe. So two civilians and one detective.
So the kidnapping quickly becomes associated with old Irish Folklore and the stone of Balor which when unearthed actually led a few university professors mad. Apparently Balor is associated to a great evil and the folklore behind it all is quite crazy. Does Boyle serial killer connect to Balor as it would seem so? The folklore here and the fact that it may actually be part of the kidnapping is so cool and fun to read about.
There are so many twists and turns along the way with our threesome encountering gangsters and the like and the interplay between all the characters is quite intriguing. O'Dwyer worked in finance but she moonlighted at her job setting up her own investment deals with some pretty sketchy people. Sketchy people who clearly liked what O'Dwyer was doing for them personally but not likely to like some of the other people she was helping out as bad guys are often pitted against each other. She was not really the girl her father the Prime Minister thought she was. She was a big drinker, she had a lot of sex with multiple planners and what are threesome really key in on is her dealings with the underworld characters and is it them who have really kidnapped her versus the whole Balor thing?
The novel is a narrative generally but there are chapters written on behalf of various characters so as to fill you in as to what they are really like. I really liked the way the book came together and how it was put together and led you on one crazy and exciting wild ride. Like I first mentioned it is quick paced and really good, and again so good I was convinced it would finish strong and at the mere 40 page mark or end of chapter 3 I was ordering the next two in this series from Amazon.
I am so loving my newfound Irish authors and highly recommend them. A well put together novel with so much excitement and twists and turns. An easy five stars. Can't wait for the next :)
September 3, 2021
This turned out to be a really good introductory book to a new series by a new to me author. All new and all good!
We meet Jessie Boyle, a criminal psychologist, who has resigned from her job in the Met after her partner is killed in a shocking way. She returns home to Dublin to hide away and recover but is almost immediately called by the Police Commissioner, who is a personal friend, to help solve another serious crime. Her team consists of herself, Detective Seamus Keneally and Terri Keogh, a genealogist. The three of them are all very likeable and seem to bond almost immediately.
The book opens brilliantly with brief back stories, insights into a deranged murderer's mind, and a kidnapping. As Jessie's team is formed the story moves forward with good, solid police work but with a constant background theme of Irish myths and legends. I must confess to getting a bit lost in that part but it did not matter because events proceeded apace and of course the eventual killer was not a myth but a flesh and blood man.
One overarching theme indicates the direction this series is going to take and I am absolutely committed to finding out what happens. Roll on book two!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
We meet Jessie Boyle, a criminal psychologist, who has resigned from her job in the Met after her partner is killed in a shocking way. She returns home to Dublin to hide away and recover but is almost immediately called by the Police Commissioner, who is a personal friend, to help solve another serious crime. Her team consists of herself, Detective Seamus Keneally and Terri Keogh, a genealogist. The three of them are all very likeable and seem to bond almost immediately.
The book opens brilliantly with brief back stories, insights into a deranged murderer's mind, and a kidnapping. As Jessie's team is formed the story moves forward with good, solid police work but with a constant background theme of Irish myths and legends. I must confess to getting a bit lost in that part but it did not matter because events proceeded apace and of course the eventual killer was not a myth but a flesh and blood man.
One overarching theme indicates the direction this series is going to take and I am absolutely committed to finding out what happens. Roll on book two!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 4, 2021
That was quite refreshing, a serial killer story with a slight difference. Meet the team Dr. Jessie Boyle, 45 - applied social psychologist and criminal behavioural specialist. Sergeant Seamus Keneally - a young man decorated for bravery and remaining cool under fire, and Terri Kehoe - historian and computer hacker/researcher. Jessie was working with the Met in London but chucked it all in after her partner (professional and persona) Inspector William Briggs, was brutally murdered by a killer calling himself Uruz. Thankfully, while we know this murder was long drawn out and brutal we were not given the gory details!
Two days after arriving back in Ireland a debt she has with Dawn Wilson is called in. Dawn is now the Police Commissioner of Ireland but the two have been friends for decades. Dawn brings in Jessie and the other team members to find the kidnapped 30 year old Penny O’Dwyer, daughter of the former Taoiseach, Dominic O’Dwyer. They have until the eve of Samhain (Halloween) to find her or she will die a grisly death.
This story had quite a few threads running through it. There were old artefacts with historical significance that told of a demon called Balor. Someone calling themselves Balor, Uruz and a long time resident of a psychiatric facility, Frederick Morgan are all involved somehow with a string of murders spanning decades. The police team must sort through pagan religious elements and work how they relate to modern gangsters from the region. It was an interesting and different way to look at Ireland.
The characters sparkled. Jessie was the ultimate professional and very, very good at her job. Seamus was endearingly boyish and it didn’t take him long to respect Jessie and follow her willingly. Terri was a sweet young woman who was painfully shy but fitted in with the group very well. Terri nearly came unstuck but she is tougher than she looks. The remote area they were based in, the dangerous caves that had to be explored, the dangerous criminal elements and the ancient religious elements all lead to a real sense of menace the builds throughout. I also think that we will see Uruz again sometime. This was a fast paced story with a great plot and great characters and it was good the jump into the series at book 1. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Two days after arriving back in Ireland a debt she has with Dawn Wilson is called in. Dawn is now the Police Commissioner of Ireland but the two have been friends for decades. Dawn brings in Jessie and the other team members to find the kidnapped 30 year old Penny O’Dwyer, daughter of the former Taoiseach, Dominic O’Dwyer. They have until the eve of Samhain (Halloween) to find her or she will die a grisly death.
This story had quite a few threads running through it. There were old artefacts with historical significance that told of a demon called Balor. Someone calling themselves Balor, Uruz and a long time resident of a psychiatric facility, Frederick Morgan are all involved somehow with a string of murders spanning decades. The police team must sort through pagan religious elements and work how they relate to modern gangsters from the region. It was an interesting and different way to look at Ireland.
The characters sparkled. Jessie was the ultimate professional and very, very good at her job. Seamus was endearingly boyish and it didn’t take him long to respect Jessie and follow her willingly. Terri was a sweet young woman who was painfully shy but fitted in with the group very well. Terri nearly came unstuck but she is tougher than she looks. The remote area they were based in, the dangerous caves that had to be explored, the dangerous criminal elements and the ancient religious elements all lead to a real sense of menace the builds throughout. I also think that we will see Uruz again sometime. This was a fast paced story with a great plot and great characters and it was good the jump into the series at book 1. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
August 18, 2021
Boyle and Keneally #1
In a small town in Ireland's west coast, a young woman called Penelope O'Dywer leaves a restaurant. It should take five minutes to walk back to where she is staying. In those five minutes she disappears without trace.
Jessie Boyle is a criminal behavioural specialist who lost the love of her life when William Briggs' body was found on the banks of the river Thames. She returns home to Dublin. Police Commissioner Dawn Wilson is also Jessie's friend and Dawn asks Jessie to help out the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. She is partnered with Detective Seamus Keneally. Their first case working together is to fine Penny O'Dwyer, the daughter of former Taoiseach (Prime Minister)who has been kidnapped.
I was hooked from the first page in this gripping new police procedural series. The pace is fast from the beginning. The author has did his research into Celtic and Irish mythology. The story has also a creepiness about it. It's also intriguing with well developed characters. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
I would like to thank #NetGallley #Bookouture and the author #SADunphy for my ARC of #DancingWithTheDead in exchange for an honest review.
In a small town in Ireland's west coast, a young woman called Penelope O'Dywer leaves a restaurant. It should take five minutes to walk back to where she is staying. In those five minutes she disappears without trace.
Jessie Boyle is a criminal behavioural specialist who lost the love of her life when William Briggs' body was found on the banks of the river Thames. She returns home to Dublin. Police Commissioner Dawn Wilson is also Jessie's friend and Dawn asks Jessie to help out the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. She is partnered with Detective Seamus Keneally. Their first case working together is to fine Penny O'Dwyer, the daughter of former Taoiseach (Prime Minister)who has been kidnapped.
I was hooked from the first page in this gripping new police procedural series. The pace is fast from the beginning. The author has did his research into Celtic and Irish mythology. The story has also a creepiness about it. It's also intriguing with well developed characters. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
I would like to thank #NetGallley #Bookouture and the author #SADunphy for my ARC of #DancingWithTheDead in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2021
This is the first in what is to be the Boyle and Keneally series. It is somewhat unique in that it teams together a detective, a profiler, and an historian.
The beginning reminded me of a “Criminal Minds” episode with its emphasis on serial killers and their psychopathic minds. Then it evolved into a decent police procedural but, to me, it then descended into a bit of absurdity.
I liked the technique of interspersing the action with short chapters providing the backgrounds of the various characters. I also enjoyed learning a bit of Irish mythology/culture.
The ending sets up the next in the series. I really liked the characters and their interactions. I just hope the next plot is a bit less incredulous.
The beginning reminded me of a “Criminal Minds” episode with its emphasis on serial killers and their psychopathic minds. Then it evolved into a decent police procedural but, to me, it then descended into a bit of absurdity.
I liked the technique of interspersing the action with short chapters providing the backgrounds of the various characters. I also enjoyed learning a bit of Irish mythology/culture.
The ending sets up the next in the series. I really liked the characters and their interactions. I just hope the next plot is a bit less incredulous.
August 31, 2021
Yes, this is the start of another book series! And although I don’t care for them, I've decided audiobook is the way to go. If I could listen to a whole series at once, it would be heaven. I’d feel like I was binge-watching a Netflix series, lol!
This is Boyle & Keneally #1 and if you like ritualistic murders, creepy serial killers, and disturbing mythology, you need to read this one! The narrator and the two mismatched detectives were excellent.
There is too much to this story to give a clear picture of what kind of a wild ride you are in for, but I highly recommend this one! Dunphy is a new-to-me author and his writing is extraordinary. There wasn’t a boring moment!
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: Sept 3 2021
Audio: 9 hours 22 minutes
Recommend: Yes
#BringHerHome #SADunphy #NetGalley #BookReview #InExchangeForReview #ARC #JustFinished #MustRead #PsychologicalThriller #AudioBook #Irish #Mythology
After publication, my reviews can be found at Amazon, Twitter, GoodReads, Barnes and Noble, BookBub, NetGalley, and Edelweiss
@dunphyshane1 @bookouture @NetGalley
This is Boyle & Keneally #1 and if you like ritualistic murders, creepy serial killers, and disturbing mythology, you need to read this one! The narrator and the two mismatched detectives were excellent.
There is too much to this story to give a clear picture of what kind of a wild ride you are in for, but I highly recommend this one! Dunphy is a new-to-me author and his writing is extraordinary. There wasn’t a boring moment!
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: Sept 3 2021
Audio: 9 hours 22 minutes
Recommend: Yes
#BringHerHome #SADunphy #NetGalley #BookReview #InExchangeForReview #ARC #JustFinished #MustRead #PsychologicalThriller #AudioBook #Irish #Mythology
After publication, my reviews can be found at Amazon, Twitter, GoodReads, Barnes and Noble, BookBub, NetGalley, and Edelweiss
@dunphyshane1 @bookouture @NetGalley
September 6, 2021
Bring Her Home is a promising start to a new police procedural series set in Ireland and featuring a pair of detectives who work together superbly. Great characterisation, some exciting twists and plenty of dead ends and twisty turns to keep you invested in the story. Highly recommended.
May 12, 2025
When bright, beautiful Penny O’Dwyer disappears from Cahirsiveen, a small town in the west of Ireland, the local police frantically search for her, but find no leads.
Unfortunately, I was not the right reader for this book.
When selecting the title, I thought this was a female abduction thriller.
I do not enjoy Satan/mythology books with rich historical references.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Shelley Atkinson.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book's original title was "Dancing with the Dead" and is now entitled "Bring Her Home."
September 12, 2021
This new crime thriller series has an original bent with its inclusion of Celtic history and mythology. Set in Ireland, the partnership of criminal behavioral specialist Jessie Boyle and Detective Seamus Keneally of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, brings that lore to life as they search for a missing woman.
Penelope O'Dwyer is the daughter of a former Taoiseach (prime minister of the Irish Republic) and worked in finance -- perhaps some of her work was bordering on criminal -- so one of the local gang factions might have kidnapped her. Then Jessie gets a message saying that Penny has only until Samhain until she will be killed. Joined by Terri Kehoe, a genealogist and expert in Irish history and folklore as well as being a tech wizard, the trio learns that a serial killer has been operating in the Sligo/Leitrim area for years and that the murders might be related to the myth of Balor - the fire demon or the Celtic equivalent of Satan. What have they all got themselves into with this case? NO SPOILERS.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel with its setting, rich historical references, and very likeable characters. Though Jessie has experienced a recent tragedy, she focuses her attention and energy on the case and develops a great relationship with her two new partners. The writing was good and the story was clever. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
Note - original title was Dancing with the Dead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.
Penelope O'Dwyer is the daughter of a former Taoiseach (prime minister of the Irish Republic) and worked in finance -- perhaps some of her work was bordering on criminal -- so one of the local gang factions might have kidnapped her. Then Jessie gets a message saying that Penny has only until Samhain until she will be killed. Joined by Terri Kehoe, a genealogist and expert in Irish history and folklore as well as being a tech wizard, the trio learns that a serial killer has been operating in the Sligo/Leitrim area for years and that the murders might be related to the myth of Balor - the fire demon or the Celtic equivalent of Satan. What have they all got themselves into with this case? NO SPOILERS.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel with its setting, rich historical references, and very likeable characters. Though Jessie has experienced a recent tragedy, she focuses her attention and energy on the case and develops a great relationship with her two new partners. The writing was good and the story was clever. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.
Note - original title was Dancing with the Dead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.
August 24, 2021
This new to me author wrote a brilliantly complex, engrossing mystery thriller. And the choice of using Shelley Atkinson for the narrator was a perfect fit. She brought another layer to this that had me feeling like I was there with them. I just didn’t want to stop listening until the end. I needed everyone to leave me alone with this great story. She created realistic, well-developed characters and wrote with incredible details. The way the events unfolded kept me on the edge of my seat and I’m very excited about this series.
I highly recommend this audiobook if you love true crime. I would love to see this made into a movie. It was good and you need to read it.
Thanks Bookouture via Netgalley.
I highly recommend this audiobook if you love true crime. I would love to see this made into a movie. It was good and you need to read it.
Thanks Bookouture via Netgalley.
June 5, 2022
BRING HER HOME was the first book in the new series by S.A. Dunphy. It is labeled “Boyle and Keneally #1” but, in fact, there are four members of the team — Jessie Boyle, Seamus Keneally, Terri Kehoe, and Dawn Dawn Wilson — and all seem to be given equal weight in this first story. The narrative combines elements of modern police forensic analysis with ancient Irish Celtic history and mythology.
I found this book interesting enough to order the second instalment in the series. It wasn’t outstanding — it mainly followed the typical police procedure formula — but the sections on Irish Celtic history and mythology were unfamiliar to me and added a unique perspective to the story.
I found this book interesting enough to order the second instalment in the series. It wasn’t outstanding — it mainly followed the typical police procedure formula — but the sections on Irish Celtic history and mythology were unfamiliar to me and added a unique perspective to the story.
September 5, 2021
Chilling. Creepy.
I had to take breaks, savor each word.
Kessie returns to Ireland after the devastating loss of her long time partner and lover.
Ireland's Commissioner cashes in a favor - dragging Jessie into a kidnapping case.
Penny, daughter of previous Ireland leader, is kidnapped on her way back to her hotel.
Joined by Seamus and Terry, Jessie pushes to solve before the deadline of Halloween.
Not to mention serial killer mentors, Celtic legends.
What a great book!
I had to take breaks, savor each word.
Kessie returns to Ireland after the devastating loss of her long time partner and lover.
Ireland's Commissioner cashes in a favor - dragging Jessie into a kidnapping case.
Penny, daughter of previous Ireland leader, is kidnapped on her way back to her hotel.
Joined by Seamus and Terry, Jessie pushes to solve before the deadline of Halloween.
Not to mention serial killer mentors, Celtic legends.
What a great book!
November 22, 2021
My ongoing affair with serial killer thrillers continues. At one point I swore off reading any more of these types of books as the pictures they engender in my mind are disturbing. However, I've come to realize that the psychology - the intelligent and ingenious methods of bringing serial killers to justice - is just too fascinating to give up.
With "Bring Her Home", we encounter just such a scenario. The crime fighting team of Jessie Boyle, Seamus Keneally, and Terri Kehoe make for the perfect team to fight the deranged and evil minds of the truly psychopathic. In this book the team has just formed and they are getting to know one another. By the end of the book, we have learned their individual strengths, and they have become a small family.
The setting, Cork, the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, the Ring of Kerry, and Cahirsiveen are all real locations in Ireland. Locations that abound with history and atmosphere. The novel was rife with Celtic legends and lore, all of which I found fascinating.
The novel moved along at a fast pace, and the plot developed in such a way that kept me glued to the pages.
To be fair, some of the Celtic legend backstory was confusing to me at times, but the great characterization of the small investigating team more than made up for it.
After finishing the novel, I reflected that I preferred the book's original title, "Dancing With The Dead" as it seems to 'fit' the narrative much better.
In short, I liked these characters and this setting, so will be keen to read their next adventure together in "Lost Graves", the second book in this series.
4.5 stars rounded up
With "Bring Her Home", we encounter just such a scenario. The crime fighting team of Jessie Boyle, Seamus Keneally, and Terri Kehoe make for the perfect team to fight the deranged and evil minds of the truly psychopathic. In this book the team has just formed and they are getting to know one another. By the end of the book, we have learned their individual strengths, and they have become a small family.
The setting, Cork, the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, the Ring of Kerry, and Cahirsiveen are all real locations in Ireland. Locations that abound with history and atmosphere. The novel was rife with Celtic legends and lore, all of which I found fascinating.
The novel moved along at a fast pace, and the plot developed in such a way that kept me glued to the pages.
To be fair, some of the Celtic legend backstory was confusing to me at times, but the great characterization of the small investigating team more than made up for it.
After finishing the novel, I reflected that I preferred the book's original title, "Dancing With The Dead" as it seems to 'fit' the narrative much better.
In short, I liked these characters and this setting, so will be keen to read their next adventure together in "Lost Graves", the second book in this series.
4.5 stars rounded up
August 13, 2021
Wow, wow, where did this one come from? I hadnt heard of the author before and didnt know what to expect but this was a very pleasant surprise.
The first in a series featuring a partnership of Jessie Boyle, a criminal psychologist and Seamus Keneally, a Detective, this hits the ground running and then some. Im sure the first few chapters actually made me sit up straighter in my seat!
It starts off with a real Silence Of The Lambs feel and eventually settles into its story of mass murder in Ireland, Irish folklore, serial killers and their apprentices and some pretty messed up stuff.
The partnership is great(theres actually three of them eventually). They have a really nice dynamic and some great back stories to all three.
There is a story within itself here and also a wider story arc that will at least carry into the next book(thats not a spoiler). It can get a little complicated at times but it finds itself out the other end before you know it and you find yourself really caring and rooting for the main characters.
This is a really exciting start to a series. Those first three or four chapters were absolutely mesmerising for me. If you get the chance check this one out. Dont let it fly under your radar.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
The first in a series featuring a partnership of Jessie Boyle, a criminal psychologist and Seamus Keneally, a Detective, this hits the ground running and then some. Im sure the first few chapters actually made me sit up straighter in my seat!
It starts off with a real Silence Of The Lambs feel and eventually settles into its story of mass murder in Ireland, Irish folklore, serial killers and their apprentices and some pretty messed up stuff.
The partnership is great(theres actually three of them eventually). They have a really nice dynamic and some great back stories to all three.
There is a story within itself here and also a wider story arc that will at least carry into the next book(thats not a spoiler). It can get a little complicated at times but it finds itself out the other end before you know it and you find yourself really caring and rooting for the main characters.
This is a really exciting start to a series. Those first three or four chapters were absolutely mesmerising for me. If you get the chance check this one out. Dont let it fly under your radar.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
September 13, 2021
A good story, I thought that it was thought our really well, I will definitely look out for this author again.
I did struggle with the way the narrator read, and it put me off a little bit.
I did struggle with the way the narrator read, and it put me off a little bit.
March 4, 2022
“Will she ever see her family again?”
Wow! What an explosive start to a brand new series and whilst this book works perfectly well as a stand alone story, if you think I am about to miss out on the chance to follow Jessie, Seamus, Terri and Dawn, as this brand new team gets up and running; you must be joking, just try and stop me!
To reveal too much about this gripping, interesting and unique storyline, would undoubtedly reveal far too many spoilers, so just to whet your appetite…
Dawn is Police Commissioner for Ireland and she has been tasked with rescuing Penny O’Dwyer, the kidnapped daughter of a high profile politician, before the deadline of Halloween when her captors are going to kill her. Following initial investigations by local forces and with leads in short supply, Dawn gathers around her, a small and specialised team, led by her one time friend Jessie Boyle, now a successful Criminal Behavioural Specialist. Jessie, who has just buried her recently murdered life and work partner, William, back on the English mainland, is not really ready to return to work, but can see the advantages of packing up and restarting her life back in her mother country and away from all the bad memories, although she knows that William’s killer is still taunting her and haunting her every waking moment and will continue to do so until they are captured. Besides which, Dawn is calling in a favour, which, should the secret ever leak out, will undoubtedly cost both of them their careers and probably their freedom!
Once the team gets up and running, it soon becomes apparent that Penny is not the good all round girl next door, that everyone believes her to be. The company she keeps is far from salubrious, the extra-curricula deals she does are barely legal and her captors truly believe in the Irish myth and folklore they have built around themselves to disguise and possibly justify to themselves, their nefarious activities. The suspects are many, leading Jessie and the team to uncover a labyrinth of human suffering, which transcends their collective wildest imaginations and spans decades. The abductor quotes from a fantasy fiction book when making their demands and although their many protegees might just be expendable, does their mentor face the same fate, or will they live to fight another battle?
Filled with dread and menace, this multi-layered, well structured storyline, is gritty, intense, highly textured and rich in atmosphere. Told in short, well signposted chapters, which all begin with a short quote or reflection by a selection of notorious and infamous murderers and abductors. Multi-timeline, there are short flashbacks by the four principal characters, as they introduce themselves and perceptively place into cameo, important moments from their lives, offering insights into the individual mind spaces they occupy today. The suspects are many, the twists and turns in the suspenseful storyline just keep on coming and red herrings plague Jessie’s every waking hour. Fluently written and totally immersive, with a keen and honed observational eye for detail, the powerful narrative and dialogue offers great visual depth and a genuine sense of time and place. The locations are real, are easy to explore virtually and never having visited Ireland, the ‘armchair traveller’ in me was left completely sated, if with a slightly disturbing feeling of having been buried alive amongst the claustrophobic intensity of the myth, legend and folklore of the area, which is blended seamlessly into the storyline.
Shane Dunphy has created a cast of well drawn central characters, in Dawn, Jessie, Terri and Seamus, who whilst all from different backgrounds, are linked by a common trait, that of being damaged as children, albeit in separate ways. One has personally experienced the child social care system from the inside, two have been the victims of parental abuse and violence, whilst the other has had to face the premature death of a much-loved parent. All individual experiences, but each resulting in the same common feeling of loss and mental fragility, which still haunts them now, even in later life. Right now, despite being totally focussed on their careers and undoubtedly top notch in their individual areas of expertise, they still show signs of complex and raw emotional vulnerabilities. However this never makes them unreliable, but only adds to their authenticity and determination, making them easy to connect to and identify with. The vibrant synergy between them, makes them compelling and adds strength to the common voice with which they tell their story, discovering a comforting sense of ‘belonging’, as they work together to develop ideas and strategies to solve the crime. There is so much scope for the development of these characters in upcoming storylines, both individually and as a team and I have a feeling that they are destined to grow from strength to strength.
In this debut episode of the series, the remaining, bit part characters, are all pretty much as Shane probably intended them to be, despicable, unreliable, totally unlikable, duplicitous and manipulative. I even began to wonder if the victim, whose life hangs so precariously in the balance, is really worth all the effort and danger she puts the team through, in their efforts to save her. That she is not at all the ‘bright young thing’ she is lauded as by her father and some of her colleagues, becomes only too obvious when the company she keeps in her private life and the ‘alternative’ business dealings she conducts, are thrown into sharp relief by Dawn and her team!
This book works a treat if you are in the market for an outstanding, stand alone crime story, however, as with so many other great detective series, there is one important loose thread from this story, which I have no doubt will come back to haunt the team again and again in forthcoming episodes, especially Jessie, for whom this unfinished business is intensely personal. I have my nagging suspicions about the true identity of Uruz, but my lips are sealed, as I have made bad judgement calls before, so I am just hoping that patience will prove to be the virtue it is claimed to be!
To read about the author and to check out my personal memorable extracts and lines from the book, visit...
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews...
Wow! What an explosive start to a brand new series and whilst this book works perfectly well as a stand alone story, if you think I am about to miss out on the chance to follow Jessie, Seamus, Terri and Dawn, as this brand new team gets up and running; you must be joking, just try and stop me!
To reveal too much about this gripping, interesting and unique storyline, would undoubtedly reveal far too many spoilers, so just to whet your appetite…
Dawn is Police Commissioner for Ireland and she has been tasked with rescuing Penny O’Dwyer, the kidnapped daughter of a high profile politician, before the deadline of Halloween when her captors are going to kill her. Following initial investigations by local forces and with leads in short supply, Dawn gathers around her, a small and specialised team, led by her one time friend Jessie Boyle, now a successful Criminal Behavioural Specialist. Jessie, who has just buried her recently murdered life and work partner, William, back on the English mainland, is not really ready to return to work, but can see the advantages of packing up and restarting her life back in her mother country and away from all the bad memories, although she knows that William’s killer is still taunting her and haunting her every waking moment and will continue to do so until they are captured. Besides which, Dawn is calling in a favour, which, should the secret ever leak out, will undoubtedly cost both of them their careers and probably their freedom!
Once the team gets up and running, it soon becomes apparent that Penny is not the good all round girl next door, that everyone believes her to be. The company she keeps is far from salubrious, the extra-curricula deals she does are barely legal and her captors truly believe in the Irish myth and folklore they have built around themselves to disguise and possibly justify to themselves, their nefarious activities. The suspects are many, leading Jessie and the team to uncover a labyrinth of human suffering, which transcends their collective wildest imaginations and spans decades. The abductor quotes from a fantasy fiction book when making their demands and although their many protegees might just be expendable, does their mentor face the same fate, or will they live to fight another battle?
Filled with dread and menace, this multi-layered, well structured storyline, is gritty, intense, highly textured and rich in atmosphere. Told in short, well signposted chapters, which all begin with a short quote or reflection by a selection of notorious and infamous murderers and abductors. Multi-timeline, there are short flashbacks by the four principal characters, as they introduce themselves and perceptively place into cameo, important moments from their lives, offering insights into the individual mind spaces they occupy today. The suspects are many, the twists and turns in the suspenseful storyline just keep on coming and red herrings plague Jessie’s every waking hour. Fluently written and totally immersive, with a keen and honed observational eye for detail, the powerful narrative and dialogue offers great visual depth and a genuine sense of time and place. The locations are real, are easy to explore virtually and never having visited Ireland, the ‘armchair traveller’ in me was left completely sated, if with a slightly disturbing feeling of having been buried alive amongst the claustrophobic intensity of the myth, legend and folklore of the area, which is blended seamlessly into the storyline.
Shane Dunphy has created a cast of well drawn central characters, in Dawn, Jessie, Terri and Seamus, who whilst all from different backgrounds, are linked by a common trait, that of being damaged as children, albeit in separate ways. One has personally experienced the child social care system from the inside, two have been the victims of parental abuse and violence, whilst the other has had to face the premature death of a much-loved parent. All individual experiences, but each resulting in the same common feeling of loss and mental fragility, which still haunts them now, even in later life. Right now, despite being totally focussed on their careers and undoubtedly top notch in their individual areas of expertise, they still show signs of complex and raw emotional vulnerabilities. However this never makes them unreliable, but only adds to their authenticity and determination, making them easy to connect to and identify with. The vibrant synergy between them, makes them compelling and adds strength to the common voice with which they tell their story, discovering a comforting sense of ‘belonging’, as they work together to develop ideas and strategies to solve the crime. There is so much scope for the development of these characters in upcoming storylines, both individually and as a team and I have a feeling that they are destined to grow from strength to strength.
In this debut episode of the series, the remaining, bit part characters, are all pretty much as Shane probably intended them to be, despicable, unreliable, totally unlikable, duplicitous and manipulative. I even began to wonder if the victim, whose life hangs so precariously in the balance, is really worth all the effort and danger she puts the team through, in their efforts to save her. That she is not at all the ‘bright young thing’ she is lauded as by her father and some of her colleagues, becomes only too obvious when the company she keeps in her private life and the ‘alternative’ business dealings she conducts, are thrown into sharp relief by Dawn and her team!
This book works a treat if you are in the market for an outstanding, stand alone crime story, however, as with so many other great detective series, there is one important loose thread from this story, which I have no doubt will come back to haunt the team again and again in forthcoming episodes, especially Jessie, for whom this unfinished business is intensely personal. I have my nagging suspicions about the true identity of Uruz, but my lips are sealed, as I have made bad judgement calls before, so I am just hoping that patience will prove to be the virtue it is claimed to be!
To read about the author and to check out my personal memorable extracts and lines from the book, visit...
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews...
September 3, 2021
Jessie Boyle is a criminal behaviorist who once had a successful career in London. However, Jessie experienced a horrid tragedy and had planned on leaving policing behind. However, her oldest friend Dawn contacts her and reminds Jessie of a long overdue debt, and soon Jessie realizes that she has two short weeks to work on a case. Jessie simply cannot say no to Dawn.
As mentioned, Jessie is pulled into a time-sensitive case. The victim is Penny O'Dwyer who has been kidnapped. With a prominent father, Penny's case is a demanding one. It has becomes more than evident that her kidnapping is not the first of its type in Ireland. Jessie is not doing this on her own. She is working alongside Seamus Keneally, a decorated detective. There is a third person on this newly created team, and she is Terri Kehoe, who has a unique skillset that will prove valuable in the search for Penny.
This case is not easy for more than one reason for Jessie. Forced to face her previous partner‘s killer at the mental facility where he will spend the rest of his life is necessary in order to try to find information on what happened to Penny. This is a chilling thing for Jessie and she would rather be anywhere but she knows she must find her. How can someone under 24-hour guard have anything to do with the kidnapping? Jessie can see the link but not the how he has at least some knowledge of what happened to Penny. Therefore, Jessie and Seamus work feverishly together to try and find Penny before the clock runs out.
The case is complicated, and somehow involves Celtic mythology and old Irish myths. Slowly, things begin to unravel that lead to other kidnappings and murders of several women, and one thing after another brings them ever closer to the killer. However, how close is too close and how does Jessie play into the killer's plans?
Jessie and Seamus make a wonderful team, despite how strikingly different they are. They face danger with aplomb, and as they do the tension is raised higher and higher. In fact, there was a point in this book that I just all but held my breath. Danger and tension, mixed with a sudden course of action meant that everything could be lost.
As this exciting story was being told, snippets of all of the characters lives were blended in. This was an excellent way for us to meet all the the primary players that we will see in successive books in what promises to be a thrilling series. I was reviewing Bring Her Home as an audiobook and let me tell you, the narrator, Shelly Atkinson. did a superb job! I loved her Irish accent, and she did all of the voices remarkably well. This took an already fabulously written story to new levels and pulled me even deeper into it even more than I already was.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
As mentioned, Jessie is pulled into a time-sensitive case. The victim is Penny O'Dwyer who has been kidnapped. With a prominent father, Penny's case is a demanding one. It has becomes more than evident that her kidnapping is not the first of its type in Ireland. Jessie is not doing this on her own. She is working alongside Seamus Keneally, a decorated detective. There is a third person on this newly created team, and she is Terri Kehoe, who has a unique skillset that will prove valuable in the search for Penny.
This case is not easy for more than one reason for Jessie. Forced to face her previous partner‘s killer at the mental facility where he will spend the rest of his life is necessary in order to try to find information on what happened to Penny. This is a chilling thing for Jessie and she would rather be anywhere but she knows she must find her. How can someone under 24-hour guard have anything to do with the kidnapping? Jessie can see the link but not the how he has at least some knowledge of what happened to Penny. Therefore, Jessie and Seamus work feverishly together to try and find Penny before the clock runs out.
The case is complicated, and somehow involves Celtic mythology and old Irish myths. Slowly, things begin to unravel that lead to other kidnappings and murders of several women, and one thing after another brings them ever closer to the killer. However, how close is too close and how does Jessie play into the killer's plans?
Jessie and Seamus make a wonderful team, despite how strikingly different they are. They face danger with aplomb, and as they do the tension is raised higher and higher. In fact, there was a point in this book that I just all but held my breath. Danger and tension, mixed with a sudden course of action meant that everything could be lost.
As this exciting story was being told, snippets of all of the characters lives were blended in. This was an excellent way for us to meet all the the primary players that we will see in successive books in what promises to be a thrilling series. I was reviewing Bring Her Home as an audiobook and let me tell you, the narrator, Shelly Atkinson. did a superb job! I loved her Irish accent, and she did all of the voices remarkably well. This took an already fabulously written story to new levels and pulled me even deeper into it even more than I already was.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
April 17, 2022
First Sentence: I left his body where I knew it would be found, nestled gently in the tidal mud of the Thames in the shadow of the Tate Modern in Southwark.
A man known only by the Celtic rune Uruz or ᚢ, murders the former professional and personal partner of criminal behaviorist Jessie Boyle and is now stalking her. After retiring from London's Metropolitan Police, Jessie returns home to Ireland. Her friend, Dawn Wilson, newly appointed Police Commissioner of Ireland, calls in an old debt.
Penelope (Penny) O’Dwyerhe, the daughter of Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) is gone. The kidnapper threatens to kill her unless the police find her first. They have twelve days. Serial killer Frederick Morgan, imprisoned for life, claims he has the information needed to save Penny, but Jessie is the only one with whom he will negotiate. As Boyle and her team investigate, they learn there is much more to Penny than first thought, and that she is not the only woman who has gone missing.
There are a lot of threads and characters in this story. There is much to like, and Dunphy's voice galvanizes the reader to continue reading. But there are several things which, upon reflection, cause one to pause.
The book, in some ways, feels introductory, a prologue to the upcoming series while clearly being a story in and of itself. One is introduced to every character, including the secondary ones, with each given a separate chapter detailing their background. As opposed to interfering with the story, the characters are brought to life with even the bad guys given full dimensionality and shades of gray. However, one may wonder at the necessity of this and how many of these characters will reappear in the future.
The principal police characters: Jessie Boyle, Detective Seamus Keneally, genealogist and IT tech Terri Kehoe, and Dawn Wilson are an interesting, diverse team, each with strengths and weaknesses. They contrast and complement each other and are characters one wants to know. When at risk, the tension is palpable as one doesn't want any harm to come to them.
The story includes quite a bit of ancient folklore and references to Celtic artifacts. While germane to the plot, this slows the pace and can lead to confusion with the number of characters who spiral off the person who fashions himself after the folklore character of Uruz or ᚢ. One already knows he will be back.
BRING HER HOME is an exciting read with great characters, occasional good humor, and powerful suspense. The book would have benefited from stronger editing. Even with a satisfactory ending, once one thinks about it, it causes curiosity about the fate of several characters. Book two awaits. It will be interesting to see how things progress.
BRING HER HOME (PolProc-Boyle/Keneally/Kehoe-Ireland-Contemp) – Good/B
Dunphy, S.A. – 1st in series
Bookouture, Aug 2021, 346 pp.
A man known only by the Celtic rune Uruz or ᚢ, murders the former professional and personal partner of criminal behaviorist Jessie Boyle and is now stalking her. After retiring from London's Metropolitan Police, Jessie returns home to Ireland. Her friend, Dawn Wilson, newly appointed Police Commissioner of Ireland, calls in an old debt.
Penelope (Penny) O’Dwyerhe, the daughter of Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) is gone. The kidnapper threatens to kill her unless the police find her first. They have twelve days. Serial killer Frederick Morgan, imprisoned for life, claims he has the information needed to save Penny, but Jessie is the only one with whom he will negotiate. As Boyle and her team investigate, they learn there is much more to Penny than first thought, and that she is not the only woman who has gone missing.
There are a lot of threads and characters in this story. There is much to like, and Dunphy's voice galvanizes the reader to continue reading. But there are several things which, upon reflection, cause one to pause.
The book, in some ways, feels introductory, a prologue to the upcoming series while clearly being a story in and of itself. One is introduced to every character, including the secondary ones, with each given a separate chapter detailing their background. As opposed to interfering with the story, the characters are brought to life with even the bad guys given full dimensionality and shades of gray. However, one may wonder at the necessity of this and how many of these characters will reappear in the future.
The principal police characters: Jessie Boyle, Detective Seamus Keneally, genealogist and IT tech Terri Kehoe, and Dawn Wilson are an interesting, diverse team, each with strengths and weaknesses. They contrast and complement each other and are characters one wants to know. When at risk, the tension is palpable as one doesn't want any harm to come to them.
The story includes quite a bit of ancient folklore and references to Celtic artifacts. While germane to the plot, this slows the pace and can lead to confusion with the number of characters who spiral off the person who fashions himself after the folklore character of Uruz or ᚢ. One already knows he will be back.
BRING HER HOME is an exciting read with great characters, occasional good humor, and powerful suspense. The book would have benefited from stronger editing. Even with a satisfactory ending, once one thinks about it, it causes curiosity about the fate of several characters. Book two awaits. It will be interesting to see how things progress.
BRING HER HOME (PolProc-Boyle/Keneally/Kehoe-Ireland-Contemp) – Good/B
Dunphy, S.A. – 1st in series
Bookouture, Aug 2021, 346 pp.
August 2, 2021
A new to me author as well as a new series that didn't disappoint me at all. Had me setting on edge the entire time .Plus it takes place in Ireland and beings together 2 thing I love to read about which Celtic mythology and cold cases.
October 2, 2021
After the brutal murder of her partner William Briggs by a killer called Uruz, criminal behaviourist Jessie Boyle who has worked for MET returns to her homeland Ireland to grieve in private only to have her old friend Dawn Wilson, the Police Commissioner of Ireland, seek her out to solve a kidnapping case of a young woman Penelope O' Dwyer. A tape arrives where the kidnapper talks about performing a ritual murder using Penelope as sacrifice. Teamed up with two other officers, Detective Seamus Keneally and tech geek/historian Terri Kehoe, Jessie begins to investigate the case only to discover that it is not as straightforward a case as they expected it to be and Penelope is not the first woman to be kidnapped under similar circumstances. What they encounter is an age old Irish/Celtic legend/myth being brought to life involving Balor who in Irish mythology is leader of a group of malevolent supernatural beings called the Fomorians. The team only has until Samhain to save Penelope and prevent Balor and his followers from unleashing their fiery wrath.
A brand new police procedurial/crime thriller involving age old archaeological finds, Celtic folklore/mythology and serial killers.... yes please!! A well written, gripping, fast paced thriller with a cast of great characters, this book is an excellent start to the series and I loved it! listened to the audiobook version of the book and Shelley Atkinson has done a great job with her narration considering how fast paced the book is with a lot of different characters and a lot of different things happening together at the same time. I also loved the quotations by different serial killers and criminals the author used before the start of each new part.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture Audio and the author S. A. Dunphy for the audio ARC of the book. Can't wait to read (or listen) to the next book in the series!
A brand new police procedurial/crime thriller involving age old archaeological finds, Celtic folklore/mythology and serial killers.... yes please!! A well written, gripping, fast paced thriller with a cast of great characters, this book is an excellent start to the series and I loved it! listened to the audiobook version of the book and Shelley Atkinson has done a great job with her narration considering how fast paced the book is with a lot of different characters and a lot of different things happening together at the same time. I also loved the quotations by different serial killers and criminals the author used before the start of each new part.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture Audio and the author S. A. Dunphy for the audio ARC of the book. Can't wait to read (or listen) to the next book in the series!
February 23, 2022
This book came out last fall and it was popping up everywhere and readers seemed to be really enjoying it. I picked up this first book in this new series and I found it to be a completely enjoyable and engrossing read. The story kicked off right away, jumping in with both feet. I liked the characters and the chemistry they have with each other. Even though I did figure out who the killer was and the second half of the book, I still doubted myself but in the end, was proven to be correct. That said, this did not make the story any less enjoyable. I like reading stories based in Ireland so that was another plus for me. This was a quick read and I liked it and I’m looking forward to the second book in the series, Lost Graves.
August 28, 2021
Bring Her Home is the first book in a brand new crime series featuring Jessie Boyle and Seamus Keneally which is set in Ireland.
The story has a shocking and chilling start and it was a great taster of what I could look forward to with this book. It makes for a dark and tense read that I struggled to put down. In between chapters there is almost like an introduction to different characters which was great to find out more about them and I loved these as it kept it separate from the actual storyline and it had me wholly invested in wanting to know more and keep reading.
Jessie and Seamus work well together along with Terri who is a whizz with all the tech stuff. I can't wait to see them in action again as things will never be dull that's for sure! Not sure how the author will top the case in this one though as it seriously gave me the creeps with the old myths. The closer to the ending I got, the more on edge I was and I was scared to turn the pages to see how it was all going to end. There was definitely plenty of heart stopping moments and I am already eagerly counting down the days until book 2 is out!
The story has a shocking and chilling start and it was a great taster of what I could look forward to with this book. It makes for a dark and tense read that I struggled to put down. In between chapters there is almost like an introduction to different characters which was great to find out more about them and I loved these as it kept it separate from the actual storyline and it had me wholly invested in wanting to know more and keep reading.
Jessie and Seamus work well together along with Terri who is a whizz with all the tech stuff. I can't wait to see them in action again as things will never be dull that's for sure! Not sure how the author will top the case in this one though as it seriously gave me the creeps with the old myths. The closer to the ending I got, the more on edge I was and I was scared to turn the pages to see how it was all going to end. There was definitely plenty of heart stopping moments and I am already eagerly counting down the days until book 2 is out!
September 10, 2021
Dnf
I was hoping this was a serial killer/detective story but it evolved into a history story of ancient violence and waring alliances. Started to get boring about the 3rd chapter.
Revised review:
I persevered.....note to the author....the beginning was very interesting for a serial killer reader....but then you bogged down the story with a bunch of historical rock stuff that got me so bored I stopped reading. But a few days later I started again and it did get better. The characters are great and likeable. The action scenes were very moving and exciting. But the story would drag between those scenes. Sooo many suspects that I couldn't remember who they were and what they did. So much so...that I wasnt sure who the killer was except for his name. Im not sure I will continue with this series.
Regarding the audiobook...the accents were fun but the men's voices were child like...certainly not menacing. Especially the monster in the end...I picture a little pixie on steroids. I like the characters and their back stories but story was unnecessarily confusingly.
I was hoping this was a serial killer/detective story but it evolved into a history story of ancient violence and waring alliances. Started to get boring about the 3rd chapter.
Revised review:
I persevered.....note to the author....the beginning was very interesting for a serial killer reader....but then you bogged down the story with a bunch of historical rock stuff that got me so bored I stopped reading. But a few days later I started again and it did get better. The characters are great and likeable. The action scenes were very moving and exciting. But the story would drag between those scenes. Sooo many suspects that I couldn't remember who they were and what they did. So much so...that I wasnt sure who the killer was except for his name. Im not sure I will continue with this series.
Regarding the audiobook...the accents were fun but the men's voices were child like...certainly not menacing. Especially the monster in the end...I picture a little pixie on steroids. I like the characters and their back stories but story was unnecessarily confusingly.
September 2, 2021
I've been a huge fan of Shane's work since I started reading his books as a teenager so I was delighted when Bookouture offered me a copy of Bring Her Home and a place on the book tour.
Bring Her Home is the beginning of a new series for S.A. Dunphy which follows his widely well received Dunnigan series. As with any of Dunphy's books there's an immediate palpable darkness which reeks from the pages, making sure you're very aware that you're about to experience something dark, twisted and deeply disturbing.
The book follows the journeys of a group of fantastically mismatched characters who together create a team which are hellbent on bringing Penny O'Dwyer home, whatever the cost. What they meet along the way is a sequence of menacing, macabre and sinister events.
Shane also intertwines some disturbing sub plots and Irish folklore elements to make sure you're left sitting on the edge of your seat, nervously trying to figure out who has done what and what happens next.
My only reason not giving 5 stars was for me as someone who is employed within the CMH and work as a trained psychiatric nurse I found it hard to separate my knowledge of the above from some of the sections which contained a little bit of artistic license.
This is the perfect Irish noir police procedural to pick up as we head into the chilly Autumn months. Make sure you're wrapped up under a blanket and be sure to keep a light on, as I guarantee you will be watching over your shoulder.
Bring Her Home is the beginning of a new series for S.A. Dunphy which follows his widely well received Dunnigan series. As with any of Dunphy's books there's an immediate palpable darkness which reeks from the pages, making sure you're very aware that you're about to experience something dark, twisted and deeply disturbing.
The book follows the journeys of a group of fantastically mismatched characters who together create a team which are hellbent on bringing Penny O'Dwyer home, whatever the cost. What they meet along the way is a sequence of menacing, macabre and sinister events.
Shane also intertwines some disturbing sub plots and Irish folklore elements to make sure you're left sitting on the edge of your seat, nervously trying to figure out who has done what and what happens next.
My only reason not giving 5 stars was for me as someone who is employed within the CMH and work as a trained psychiatric nurse I found it hard to separate my knowledge of the above from some of the sections which contained a little bit of artistic license.
This is the perfect Irish noir police procedural to pick up as we head into the chilly Autumn months. Make sure you're wrapped up under a blanket and be sure to keep a light on, as I guarantee you will be watching over your shoulder.
August 28, 2021
4.25⭐️
Boyle and Keneally #1
🎧audiobook version the narrators soft Irish lilt is easy on the ears. The narrator does a decent job with the male voices, my least fav voice is the main characters.
A new author to me. The novel is
set in a small town in Ireland.
Jessie Boyle is an applied social psychologist and criminal behavioural analyst ( profiler) who previously worked for the Met but resigned after a brutal case. She returns to Ireland where she is pulled into a high profile case by an old friend.
The daughter of Ireland’s ex prime minister has been kidnapped and the police are taunted by the killer they have til Samhain (Halloween) to save her. A new team is formed with Detective Seamus Keneally and Terri Keogh who is a genealogist. Historical and folklore themes are explored. I like the team dynamics, the characters are likeable. I especially like the timid Terri, her back story is so sad.
Ireland’s only serial killer claims to have information which connects this case to historical cases, but he only wants to communicate with Jessie.
There’s always lots going on, so it keeps a good level of interest and pace. We learn of Jessie’s back story and her long standing friendship with Dawn the Commissioner of the Irish police. I guessed who the killer was, but it didn’t spoil the book for me.
The continual use of …..said to denote who the owner of the dialogue, is annoying especially on the audio version, and old school.
I loved this book.
We are given a snippet of book 2 which I’m really looking forward to.
Boyle and Keneally #1
🎧audiobook version the narrators soft Irish lilt is easy on the ears. The narrator does a decent job with the male voices, my least fav voice is the main characters.
A new author to me. The novel is
set in a small town in Ireland.
Jessie Boyle is an applied social psychologist and criminal behavioural analyst ( profiler) who previously worked for the Met but resigned after a brutal case. She returns to Ireland where she is pulled into a high profile case by an old friend.
The daughter of Ireland’s ex prime minister has been kidnapped and the police are taunted by the killer they have til Samhain (Halloween) to save her. A new team is formed with Detective Seamus Keneally and Terri Keogh who is a genealogist. Historical and folklore themes are explored. I like the team dynamics, the characters are likeable. I especially like the timid Terri, her back story is so sad.
Ireland’s only serial killer claims to have information which connects this case to historical cases, but he only wants to communicate with Jessie.
There’s always lots going on, so it keeps a good level of interest and pace. We learn of Jessie’s back story and her long standing friendship with Dawn the Commissioner of the Irish police. I guessed who the killer was, but it didn’t spoil the book for me.
The continual use of …..said to denote who the owner of the dialogue, is annoying especially on the audio version, and old school.
I loved this book.
We are given a snippet of book 2 which I’m really looking forward to.
August 27, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Bring Her Home, the first novel to feature profiler Jessie Boyle and detective Seamus Keneally of An Garda Síochána, set mostly in Co. Kerry.
Jessie returns to Dublin to heal a private tragedy after years of working with the Met and the last thing she expects is to be strong armed into working with the National Crime Bureau to find kidnap victim Penny O’Dwyer. She teams up with detective Seamus Keneally and historian Terri Kehoe and they quickly realise that they are hunting a serial killer who has an obsession with Irish mythology.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bring Her Home, which is a good start to a new series. It is told mostly from the investigative point of view, so the perpetrator and some of the motive are hidden and that is always a good thing in my book as I like guessing along with the investigators. I must admit that I had an inkling of identity and the motive gets clearer as the novel progresses. I like the way the author inserts chapters in italics to digress from the plot and give potted explanations to the characters’ pasts and their current experiences. It gives depth without disrupting the story.
On the whole the novel bowls along at a clip with several suspects investigated and occasionally discarded. It has all the requisite tension and an action packed finale so no complaints there. I do, however, feel that it sometimes loses it way in the mythology and gets bogged down in unnecessary detail, which slows the narrative. The solution is rather far fetched in some ways but makes perfect sense in others and I think it will depend on the individual reader to make their own judgement. Anyway, so what? The novel held my attention throughout so it’s entertaining and I don’t ask more than that.
I like this new team. They have their own strengths and bond quickly into an effective unit. This brings a warmth to the novel that the subject matter doesn’t suggest.
Bring Her Home is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Jessie returns to Dublin to heal a private tragedy after years of working with the Met and the last thing she expects is to be strong armed into working with the National Crime Bureau to find kidnap victim Penny O’Dwyer. She teams up with detective Seamus Keneally and historian Terri Kehoe and they quickly realise that they are hunting a serial killer who has an obsession with Irish mythology.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bring Her Home, which is a good start to a new series. It is told mostly from the investigative point of view, so the perpetrator and some of the motive are hidden and that is always a good thing in my book as I like guessing along with the investigators. I must admit that I had an inkling of identity and the motive gets clearer as the novel progresses. I like the way the author inserts chapters in italics to digress from the plot and give potted explanations to the characters’ pasts and their current experiences. It gives depth without disrupting the story.
On the whole the novel bowls along at a clip with several suspects investigated and occasionally discarded. It has all the requisite tension and an action packed finale so no complaints there. I do, however, feel that it sometimes loses it way in the mythology and gets bogged down in unnecessary detail, which slows the narrative. The solution is rather far fetched in some ways but makes perfect sense in others and I think it will depend on the individual reader to make their own judgement. Anyway, so what? The novel held my attention throughout so it’s entertaining and I don’t ask more than that.
I like this new team. They have their own strengths and bond quickly into an effective unit. This brings a warmth to the novel that the subject matter doesn’t suggest.
Bring Her Home is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
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