No Easy Answer

Dublin Murder #6

by Valerie Keogh

An Irish police detective must juggle multiple murder cases when macabre clues start appearing . . .

Detective Garda Sergeant Mike West just wants to take a break and settle down with his fianc�e. But now two new cases have come A hit and run in which the victim's family is acting suspiciously, and a missing woman found dead with the post-mortem suggesting foul play.

It only gets worse when human body parts start turning up. Everybody avoids using the words serial killer--but West fears that if he can't make some progress, someone else is bound to die . . .

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2021

About the author

Valerie started to write several years ago. She self-published eight crime novels and one psychological thriller before signing a two book contract with Bookouture in March 2018. The first of these, Secrets Between Us, is available now and the second is due in Feb 2019. She is a registered nurse with a degree in English and a Masters in American Literature. Recently she has given up nursing to concentrate on her writing career.

Reviews

["Avonna]

Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

NO EASY ANSWER (The Dublin Murder Mysteries Book #6) by Valerie Keogh is a perfectly plotted, twisted and unique crime thriller/Irish Garda procedural. I finally had time to read this latest in the Detective Garda Sergeant West books and I was pulled into the investigation and mystery immediately. Even though this is the sixth book in the series, it is easily read as a standalone, but I will be making time to go back and read the previous books.

Detective Garda Sergeant Mike West and his team are hoping for a break after the complicated cases they have had recently. At first glance, the two new cases to cross his desk are seemingly simple and unrelated, but after the first interviews with relatives and the autopsies, West and his team are left with facts from interviews that do not match the science and results of the autopsies.

And then the dismembered body parts are discovered.

West and his team have clues that defy science, no motives, and contradictory statements from those involved. Will West and his team be able to solve the seemingly unsolvable?

I was captivated by the plot in this crime thriller and the intricate step-by-step investigation. This book has a plot which seems unconnected and easily solved, but it just keeps getting turned back on itself and getting more and more tangled. From comments made throughout this book, I feel this team has been involved in previous twisted plots and I will definitely be going back to read them. Mike West and team all work well together and his fiancée, being a crime writer makes the discussions in his home helpful and interesting. Ms. Keogh has written a group of recurring characters that are all fully fleshed and I would love to meet them in a pub and have a Guinness with them.

I highly recommend this crime thriller/Irish Garda procedural!

[Sarah]

This was another easy 5-star rating to give, with Keogh’s series going from strength to strength. My enjoyment of this series has increased as the novels as progressed, with each book being different from the last.

Familiar faces return with this story, so it is ideal to have read the previous books in the series to get an understanding of previous crimes and the characters’ backstories. However, it’s not essential. This time, seemingly disconnected crimes grow to have more in common than just the age of the victims. I could not see how the team were able to solve these cases because I was scratching my head as much as the police! The unexpected turn of events made this a real-page turner and I really enjoyed watching the team unravel two cases that were frequently considered as bizarre, with discoveries based on ‘luck’ rather than predictions.

I still have yet to like West’s fiancee… this has been my criticism throughout the series! However, she does not really feature much in the story this time, and for this I was grateful. There is a small subplot involving Edel, but I liked how West’s colleague, Andrew, becomes more involved instead. This part of the story lightened the atmosphere and I enjoyed seeing Andrew take the lead a bit more in the plot.

However, one thing that really sparked my enjoyment in this story was the reference to ‘Bunty’. This really brought back a wealth of memories, in particular the comic strip featuring ‘The Four Marys’.

I remember reading the ‘Bunty’ annual for every Christmas and my mum talking about how often she used to read these stories too. It was such a trip down memory lane! Even though they do not feature very much (literally, a couple of references near the beginning of the story), I could not shake that rosy feeling of remembrance for the rest of the novel. A great and unexpected addition to this crime story.

This was an exciting, pacey investigation and I hope there are further, equally obscure cases for West and his team to solve. The cases are all so different that I hope the writer can maintain this in future stories.

With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sue]

NO EASY ANSWER is the sixth book, a psychological Crime/Mystery thriller in the Garda West Series by best-selling author Valerie Keogh. Although this is the sixth book in this series, it is easily read as standalone as the author provides adequate background information, to follow. The Garda West series is set in Dublin where Garda Sergeant Mike West battles a series of crimes.

The books in the Dublin Murder Mystery Series Include:
1. No Simple Death (2019)
2. No Obvious Cause (2020)
3. No Past Forgiven (2020)
4. No Memory Lost (2020)
5. No Crime Forgotten (2020)
6. No Easy Answer (2021)

This might be one of Garda Sergeant Mike West’s toughest cases.

Detective Garda Sergeant Mike West could do with a break. He’s had his fill of complicated cases and wants nothing more than to settle down with his fiancée, Edel, a crime writer... but life doesn’t let up.

Garda Detective Sergeant Mike West and his partner Detective Peter Andrews and his team in Foxrock, are called in to work on two new cases.

The first case is a hit and run which resulted in the death of an elderly woman, Doris Whitaker. The family of the victim show up at the station, Darragh Checkley (victim was his cousin) and wife Lynda. Lynda went to visit the elderly woman weekly, to see if she needed anything, and had discovered the victim’s body at the side of the road.

The second case is a missing person elderly woman, Muriel Hennessy, who had been reported missing by her son Liam Hennessy and sister, Cara Donaldson, soon to be discovered in an alleyway, far from her home. She was found dead from natural causes until the post-mortem suggests foul play.

An investigation into both cases leads nowhere, when a third case comes in of the discovery of body parts in a recycling center. Is a serial killer disposing of body parts? Four bodies…all decomposed…no heads?

With no motives, no clues and contradictory evidence. Will West be able to solve these difficult cases?

Nothing is as it seems.

No Easy Answer is a murder mystery with a touch of romance, set in the Dublin suburbs. Lots of shocking twists that will keep the reader totally gripped to the storyline and its outcome. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author, and Bloodline Books for my digital copy.

[Booklover BEV]

Book six in the Dublin Murder Mystery Ireland, it's another case for D.S. Garda Mike York.
Foxrock Garda Station and it's been a busy few weeks and the team were due a quiet spell, but dealing with a hit and run a ninety year old lady Doris Whitaker, her death is horrific shocked for her family in Foxrock Village, Muriel Hennessy eighty five years old is reported missing, and four gruesome finds at the recycling centre, a body at the back of a takeaway is also found could this be Mrs Hennessy?
well I must say so much for a quiet spell ? surely all this cannot be from one serial killer.
This book is not for the faint hearted, and is pretty squeamish stuff that are going shock this authors readers. it gave me goosebumps in places but the team were on the job with a few shocking surprises.
Mike and Edel Johnson are still pretty much loved up and their relationship has took a step up to the next level leaving her now wearing a very expensive sparkler on her finger.
I love this series and all the character that add a bit of humour at the station.
Pretty good stuff all round it gets the thumbs up from me.

[Skyesmum]

Absolutely LOVED this book.
The setting in Ireland was made all the more authentic as the author used the correct police ranks rather than anglicised it.
The story was brilliant, had me rolling my eyes, gasping, shaking my head and with the fantastic writing the occasional smile at real life humour.
Highly recommended 👌 and perfect for an afternoon/evening's read.
Looking forward to the next one!

[Livia]

Detective Sergeant Mike West and Edel, his soulmate are still living at Greystokes, she busy writing her crime novel, whilst West and his team are having a quiet lull after the last two major cases ...But at Foxtrot Station it's never quiet for long ,and when not one - but three separate cases suddenly come along , one after the other..West ,along with his partner Garda Peter Andrew's and the rest of the team have their hands full with perhaps the strangest of cases they have ever come across ..90 year old Doris Whitaker has been found dead in the road by her cousin's wife Lynda Checkley in an apparent hit and run ..Lynda's husband Darren wants answers ..Then they are called to a recycling centre where a shocking find is discovered in a domestic waste container....When another elderly lady Muriel Hennessey is reported missing , West is seriously concerned for her safety as its bitterly cold outside .As more Garda are called in to assist from Dan Laoghaire and BlackRock , a call from Whitefriar Street Church ,where the remains of St. Valentine are stored ..takes West down to a cellar ...that gives him chills as he remembers a case from the past...DI Morrison ( or Mother as he is called in secret ) doesn't like loose ends and wants the cases closed ASAP ...With all that is going on around them , plus drugs on the streets of Dublin , West knows that deceit and misdirection are all lies in altered means...and just as the team are becoming down hearted, it's a comment from Edel and a startling discovery that opens West's mind ...One thing is for sure each and every one of these cases will be those that everyone involved in will never forget ...Of all the books I have read by Valerie Keogh ..The Dublin Murder series is for me her best writing ...Absolutely riveting...Stunning reads..l'eamh ion.. tach Ms.Keogh ...A Wonderful read ..

[Alyson Read]

It’s hard to believe we are already on book six of this excellent detective series and having already thoroughly enjoyed the first five stories I can tell you this next one does not disappoint! Set in the Foxrock Garda Station in a suburb of Dublin, this story starts literally the day after book 5 and Detective Garda Sergeant Mike West could be forgiven for hoping that things might be a little quieter for him. Things are looking especially good for him after his girlfriend Edel accepted his proposal of marriage the previous evening. But no, in rapid succession they have the hit and run of an elderly woman, Doris Whitaker, whose cousin Darragh Checkley is being a pain and acting strangely, and also the disappearance of another elderly lady, Muriel Hennessey, whose body is found behind some bins soon afterwards. Then comes the grim discovery of body parts at the local recycling centre. The total count comes to four bodies, all missing their heads and detectives are all thinking the same thing but don’t want to say the words out loud- serial killer?!! However then it transpires that the whereabouts of the heads is already known and they are being kept nice and safe. As everyone points out, they do seem to have a knack of pulling some very strange cases, and it isn’t long before all their investigations start to converge in a bizarre way no one could possibly imagine.
The usual team are all there and are well introduced by now – Detective Gardaí Pete Andrews, Sam Jarvis, Seamus Baxter, Mark Edwards and Mike Allen led by West and overseen by Inspector “Mother” Morrison, together with the great cake lover Dr Niall Kennedy the pathologist. I like the way a few other smaller side cases are also dealt with alongside the main thread and provide plenty of variety for the team.
Once again the story is well written with a clever plot and great characters that are easy to take to and who have grown familiar as the series has progressed. There is now quite a lot of history that gets referred to and so, whilst the books are all extremely enjoyable on their own, I would suggest reading them to order to get the most out of the series. I have heard a rumour that this is the last in the series for a while but I certainly hope there will be more to come! 5*

[Caroline Kerdouci]

In No Easy Answer Valerie Keogh invites you to join DS Garda Mike West and his team in Foxrock as they begin their latest investigation which centres around a hit and run accident and a missing elderly woman. Doris Whitaker is found dead by the roadside by her cousin Darragh Checkley’s wife Lynda, the victim of the hit and run whilst Muriel Hennessy is the elderly woman reported missing by her son and daughter, soon to be found dead in an alleyway far from her home. If these two separate incidents weren’t enough to keep West and his team busy, the gruesome discovery of body parts at a local recycling site surely will. Given that these body parts belong to four different bodies, their heads the only parts missing, suggests there could be a serial killer on the loose, an automatic assumption to make. With three concurrent cases to solve, which one should take priority? As the relatives of Doris Whitaker arouse suspicion and there is conflict between Muriel’s daughter’s statement of her mother’s last known whereabouts and the scientific findings of the pathologist of Niall Kennedy plus four heads to be found to match to the discarded bodies, this storyline provides all the intrigue and shocking twists and turns you could wish for.

Valerie Keogh deserves praise for her highly creative plot which features perhaps some of the most unbelievable set of events I’ve come across. This really shouldn’t work as well as it does; I couldn’t decide if this writing is ingenious or a complete stretch of the imagination but either way the author took me by surprise, time and time again. I could forgive the author for presenting her readers with DS Garda West’s weirdest case yet,because the inclusion of humour detracts from the bizarre, contrived and almost farcical plot. Normally I find it impossible to refrain from picking holes at every opportunity ( should I feel it necessary!) but there’s something about Mike West and his team that enabled me to cast aside my skepticism and simply ‘go with the flow!’ Perhaps the author caught me in a fantastically upbeat mood because even the repetitious Inspector Morrison didn’t grate on my nerves. Mike, a coffee fanatic who seems to guzzle the beverage by the gallon doesn’t strike me as your typical, married to the job type detective. There’s a down to earth ordinariness about him that is refreshing, still devoting time to his fiancée Edel and I appreciated the strand of the storyline in which Mike comes face to face with a less than scrupulous jeweller, outside of the main investigation. He doesn’t seem to dominate other members of his team either, all of whom are funny, articulate and intelligent, which is unusual. Mike’s lack of arrogance or need to hog the limelight curries favour with this reader making him an all round nice guy. Oh and I mustn’t forget the fact he isn’t above an innocent bit of bribery with all the meringues and eclairs he buys for Niall as an incentive to carry out the pathological side of the investigation as thoroughly and quickly as possible. This is a team devoid of rivalry and egos, all working cohesively to bring the perpetrator(s) of these crimes to justice.

Yes there is an awful lot of luck, rather than great detective work involved in unravelling the mystery of the hit and run incident and the case of the missing elderly woman, with developments in the two investigations turning more ludicrous (not a criticism!) by the minute but I thoroughly enjoyed this rather surreal reading experience. Plus the way in which the third strand of the plot fits snugly into the bigger picture will have you gasping with shock, horror and disbelief. Having not read any previous books in the series, I have no idea if every other investigation is hampered by such outlandish twists and turns (although there are a few hints this may be the case) but I hope they are! Whilst this mystery won’t win any prizes in the plausibility stakes, Valerie Keogh has won me over to this series with No Easy Answer so that I feel the urge to start with book number one and work my way through before the next one hits the shelves. Surely that must be music to any author’s ears! Although I consider myself a harsh critic and too much of a realist particularly when it comes to crime fiction my commendable 4 star review reflects my love of the sheer craziness of the plot and the fact I still found it intriguing despite the contrivance. That the detectives still retain a sense of humour, however dark or plain silly it may be, as they work together to solve this latest crime was unexpected but delightfully welcome. Check this series out! I was pleasantly surprised! My thanks to Bloodhound books for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen]

I absolutely love this authors books and the Dublin murders series is no exception love this series it would make a fab tv drama. Great to find out more about the characters particularly Mike and his partner and also his colleagues. The story had lots of twists and turns combined with some gore which made for a great read. Once I had started reading I couldn’t put it down.

[Nicky Mottram]

Audio version of this book 📚- an easy listen with good narration though I found the storylines extremely unbelievable to the point of being a bit ridiculous which spoilt the book for me

[BRT]

Sad to see this series end. Good mysteries, interesting characters, both good and bad. West and Edel go out with a bang in this most convoluted and weird series of murders.

[Diane]

Where on earth does Valerie Keogh get her ideas and inspiration from to conjure such weird and intriguing crimes created in her books......no easy answer! But I'm thrilled that she does. Such clever plotting. I have read every book in the series and each one is a gem. This book is the strangest yet. Seems like the start to an easy week for DI West, ha ha, not any more. The investigation starts slow with no real leads but the more they dig the more complicated and puzzling the investigation becomes. Forensics V suspect/witness.....they can't both be right.
Mike has a bit of a romantic moment (bless him) but at what cost? Twists and turns aplenty it had my head spinning but it all came together beautifully. A very entertaining read. Looking forward to book 7.

[Karolyn]

Detective Garda Sergeant Mike West and his team are having a very hard time at the moment with cases they can’t get to grips with. The first case is a hit and run with the family of the victim acting suspiciously and then another elderly lady that is missing but when she is found dead, it would appear to be natural causes until the post mortem suggests foul play. The team then got reports of human body parts possibly turning up at the local rubbish tip, a headache they all could do without. It meant closing the tip and doing a methodical search and it turned out not to be just one body but four although there were no heads! The other thing was they hadn’t been killed recently, the bodies were at least 50 years old, three were related.

Could there have been a serial killer on their patch? Why were the family of the hit and run acting suspiciously, what were they hiding? It was down to Mike and the team to try and work it all out if they could.

This was my first time reading this author and I was completely hooked from the first page to the last. It was like being on a fast roller coaster ride, loads of excitement and thrills, just what you want from a thriller. I found the story easy to follow although there was lots going on with quite a few characters but Valerie tied the story up really neatly.
It was a joy to read something different and I will be looking to read more from this author. The book was set in the suburbs of Dublin.

[Danny Matheson]

This is the 6th in the Dublin Murders series although it reads well as a standalone. Once again the author, Valerie Keogh, has excelled herself with this book. I must congratulate her on her sense of imagination in what is a very intriguing storyline.

Garda Detective Sergeant Mike West and his partner Detective Peter Andrews really have their work cut out to solve the most unusual cases of an elderly woman killed in an alleged hit and run incident, and another elderly woman found dead in a back alley from a supposed heart attack. Nothing however its straightforward when it comes to these two detectives and their team. Add to the mix some dissected bodies turning up in a recycling centre and you have a wonderful thriller on your hands. 

This book flows really well and is a certain page turner.  As normal with these cases Mike West's domestic life with Edel Johnson comes to the fore and adds to the story well. I have no hesitation in giving this book a five star review and highly recommend it. 

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC which I've reviewed voluntarily 

[Ruth Matheson]

Book 6 in the series and the best one yet! This may be read as a standalone however I would highly recommend reading the others as they are great books too. Detective Garda West always seems to end up with the most bizarre of cases to solve and Valerie has surpassed herself with this one. Brilliant story with lots of twists and turns and an outcome you will certainly not guess! Definitely one to read.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.

[Jude Srivalsan]

I love Valerie Keogh's books and especially the Dublin Murders. This didn't disappoint. It doesn't matter if you've not read any of the others although I would certainly recommend you to do so!! The characters are so great and I love following Garda Mike West and his partner Edel on their own journeys.
No Easy Answer is the best yet I think as it combines three different crimes - a hit and run, a death in an alleyway and bodies dumped in a recycling plant after 40 years. The first two are elderly ladies which makes it even more sinister.
I loved the way the crimes were investigated and how the team struggled to work out what was happening.
I had to read it in one go as I couldn't put it down!
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.

[Lynn]

Valerie Keogh quickly became one of most favourite authors when I discovered her books.

With each book I have read, I am always wanting more. This is certainly the case with the Dublin Murder Series.

Although this can be read as a standalone read, I would highly recommend going back and reading the others in the series first. You will not be disappointed.

With fantastic, believable characters that I have grown to love, it’s very easy to become involved in their personal story, as well has Detective Mike West’s professional one.

Nothing ever goes to plan for Mike and his team. This case is no different. With great twists and turns, this makes for a gripping and fantastic read.

In this, the latest in the Dublin Murders Series, she has blown me away again. .

[Diane]

I’ve absolutely loved all six books about Garda Sergeant Mike West and his relationship with Edel and also his team. This book is by far the most unusual case for Mike. First he gets a hit and run, and then a missing old lady. Mike and his team have no idea of all the twists and turns to come before the can solve the case. As if that’s not enough for Mike to be getting on with he ends up getting duped at the jewellers as well. You won’t want to put this book down. Another fantastic five star read.

[Lynda]

I’ve read all the books in The Dublin Murders series so was looking forward to this one and of course I wasn’t disappointed. I often wonder how authors manage to come up with original storylines but they do. And as far as I’m aware this is totally original.

Briefly, Detective Sergeant Guarda Mike West and his team are investigating a number of crimes; an old lady who has been killed by a hit and run, another elderly lady has been found dead in an alley seemingly from natural causes and most strangely the discovery of a number of body parts in a council refuse collection site. But where are the heads? Could any of the deaths be connected? They need to wait for forensics to point them in the right direction.

From the start the team suspect a relative of the lady in the hit and run, but is his wife also involved? The twists and turns in this book will keep you guessing. Just when you think you have the answer another clue pops up and you have to rethink it all. Another thoroughly enjoyable story from Valerie Keogh. Roll on number 6. And it’s a 5* from me.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs']

I hadnt read any of this series but it really looked interesting when I read the blurb and I wasnt disappointed. It really was a page turner.

I am not going to go into the plot as the publishers do this better than I do. But a really good way to spend the afternoon you will be engrossed.
I was given an advance copy by Bloodhound book but the review is entirely my own.

[Dan]

This series is just 🥰. And I keep on saying it every time....but this might be my favourite one ❤📚⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Cathy]

A thoroughly enjoyable detective story of three cases of unusual nature. Although part of a series this novel can easily be read as a stand alone but I think it would urge readers to purchase the rest of the series. This author has a way of writing that makes you feel part of the story, a great talent.

[Liz]

Thank you to Bloodhound Books for an ARC of No Easy Answer.
Although I had not read any of the previous books in the Dublin Murder Mysteries I soon became immersed in the story and it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. The characters are well written and the three different cases were intriguing. The end of the investigation ties up all the loose ends of what appeared to be an insolvable case. Although it can be read as a stand alone book it definitely made me want to read the rest of the series, albeit now in the wrong order!

[Allison Valentine]

This is book 6 of the Dublin Murder Mystery but can still be read as a stand alone book.
When Detective Garda Sargeant Mike West and his team is given two new cases to solve they seem unrelated and should give a quick result.
A hit and run of an elderly woman found by a family member passing by in her car to visit her, and another elderly woman a few days later that had seamlessly wondered to far after feeling Ill and died of a heart attack behind a large refuse bin.
Close closed.....until West and his team discovers four dismembered bodies at the local tip missing their heads!
DNA discovers that the bodies are related to one of the victims but which one?
And which family member of the two victims are lying?

[Bobbi Wagner]

I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites by her yet. This is a well written story that kept me turning pages to the end. The twists and turns left me guessing and waiting to see what would happen next. The characters are relateable and brought the story to life on each page. This is a fast paced story that I found to be engaging and truly enjoyed. I was pulled into the story by the characters and really enjoyed them. This is a story of two different cases, one a missing person and the other a hit and run. The problem is that there is no clues and no motive. What will happen next is up to you to read to find out. I highly recommend this book and this author.

[Rica]

Splendid.

[Rosemary Hughes]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title. (Audible Membership)

Three complicated cases all have a degree of morbidity about them, plus another more personal situation that needed finesse to accomplish a required outcome.
As usual, all officers under Det Garda Sgt Mike West step to the forefront and solve the most tangled of crimes.
The author's has developed skill over the six books, with the first four easily solved by the armchair detective, whereas the last two books should a growth and need to keep the reader fully engaged, until that last word, at the end of the last chapter.

[Sebastian Barrow]

The best of the series.

Definitely kept the best until last. Best summed up by this passage from the novel: West looked around the room. ‘We did very well indeed to tie up three messy, complicated cases into one incredibly complex one.'
And that is what this book is all about and the complexities involved in solving 50 year old murders as well as up to date ones. Add in an extra plot regarding Mike and Edel and you really do have one cracking read. I hope there will be more in the future.

[Kim Read]

Quite enjoyed, but rather staggered at the stupid and insane decisions made by detective West, and his ridiculous, weak girlfriend. During the whole series of books. Eg going down a hidden burrow in the cliff and someone closing the trap door on them. Are you kidding me. I'm not a detective, but who would EVER do such a thing without support. And, his silly girlfriend giving blackmail money to a random convict and 'upset when he touches her. God, weak and insipid woman.
Love the stories, but above makes it tiresome and exasperating to read.

[Caroline]

Well this is an intriguing read, I feel like this is a series best read in order although I started with this book and still felt like it made sense as a standalone I’m just annoyed I’ve missed the other no doubt fab books in the series until now. Even the little spin off cases in this are cool and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed this read although it is a little dark in places it was refreshingly different for a police procedural 5* from me