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Frankie Sheehan #3
If Looks Could Kill
DCS Frankie Sheehan is experiencing a crisis of confidence - having become wary of the instincts that have led her face-to-face with a twisted killer and brought those she loves into direct jeopardy.
She is summoned to the rural Wicklow mountains, where local mother of two, Debbie Nugent, has been reported missing. A bloody crime scene is discovered at Debbie's home, yet no body. Not only is foul play suspected, but Debbie's daughter, Margot, has been living with the scene for three days.
Aware her team cannot convict Margot on appearances alone, Sheehan launches a full investigation into Debbie Nugent's life. And, before long, the discrepancies within Debbie's disappearance suggest that some families are built on dangerous deceptions, with ultimately murderous consequences.
She is summoned to the rural Wicklow mountains, where local mother of two, Debbie Nugent, has been reported missing. A bloody crime scene is discovered at Debbie's home, yet no body. Not only is foul play suspected, but Debbie's daughter, Margot, has been living with the scene for three days.
Aware her team cannot convict Margot on appearances alone, Sheehan launches a full investigation into Debbie Nugent's life. And, before long, the discrepancies within Debbie's disappearance suggest that some families are built on dangerous deceptions, with ultimately murderous consequences.
313 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
15 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Kiernan
16 books311 followersOlivia Kiernan is a writer of crime thrillers and suspense fiction. She holds an MA in Creative Writing. In the past, her work has been longlisted for the Bath and Fish Short Story Awards, the Bath Children’s Novel Award and shortlisted for the BBC Writersroom. She is author of THE END OF US, a thriller published in 2023. She has also written four novels in the critically acclaimed Detective Frankie Sheehan series. Recently, LA based Freedom Films and actor/producer Victoria Smurfit have optioned the series for TV. Kiernan’s fourth novel, The Murder Box, was released in 2021 and sees Detective Frankie Sheehan receive a murder mystery game only to discover that the fictional victim at the game’s centre bears a striking resemblance to a missing woman. On release, the Irish Independent said of The Murder Box: “A clever, original story is augmented by Kiernan’s masterful writing, credible characters, and a smashing finale”. The Daily Mail said, “The plot crackles from first page to last, and the tension never lifts until the darkest of twists brings it to a superb conclusion.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
June 19, 2020
4+.
The novel starts in a very dramatic way with an incident in a park in Dublin. A few weeks later DCS Frankie Sheehan and DS Baz Harwood of the Bureau of Serious Crime are called to Wicklow to help investigate the case of missing woman, Debbie Nugent. Her house shows evidence of foul play but for now, no body. Debbie has two daughters one of whom lives with her. As the team question them over the next few days it becomes very apparent that something very strange is going on in the Nugent household. The unfolding drama is told by Frankie and the ensuing investigation takes the team into dark, unexpected and dangerous territory.
The plot is really intriguing with plenty of twists as perplexing contradictions emerge that deepens the mystery. The novel is well written, the storyline flows and the plot is fast paced and compelling. The characters are good and mostly likeable especially Frankie. I like that’s she’s complex, by no means perfect but she’s dogged and brave in the pursuit of the truth. She makes for a good and clear voice in the narration. I like Baz too and he’s a good sidekick. There are touches of humour which helps to lighten the increasing dark mood, there’s lively scene setting so it’s easy to imagine and as a whole it feels plausible and realistic.
Overall, an enjoyable read. The case is enthralling and has elements of a thriller so goes behind a run of the mill police procedural crime fiction.
With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.
The novel starts in a very dramatic way with an incident in a park in Dublin. A few weeks later DCS Frankie Sheehan and DS Baz Harwood of the Bureau of Serious Crime are called to Wicklow to help investigate the case of missing woman, Debbie Nugent. Her house shows evidence of foul play but for now, no body. Debbie has two daughters one of whom lives with her. As the team question them over the next few days it becomes very apparent that something very strange is going on in the Nugent household. The unfolding drama is told by Frankie and the ensuing investigation takes the team into dark, unexpected and dangerous territory.
The plot is really intriguing with plenty of twists as perplexing contradictions emerge that deepens the mystery. The novel is well written, the storyline flows and the plot is fast paced and compelling. The characters are good and mostly likeable especially Frankie. I like that’s she’s complex, by no means perfect but she’s dogged and brave in the pursuit of the truth. She makes for a good and clear voice in the narration. I like Baz too and he’s a good sidekick. There are touches of humour which helps to lighten the increasing dark mood, there’s lively scene setting so it’s easy to imagine and as a whole it feels plausible and realistic.
Overall, an enjoyable read. The case is enthralling and has elements of a thriller so goes behind a run of the mill police procedural crime fiction.
With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.
July 21, 2020
Frankie Sheehan #3
DCS Frankie Sheehan has been summoned to the Wicklow mountains. Mother of two, Debbie Nugent, has been reported missing. There's a bloody crime scene at Debbie's house, but there is no body. Debbie's daughter, Margot has been living with the scene for three days. Frankie launches a full investigation into Debbie's life. But what will it uncover?
I did not know that this was the third book in this series when I requested it. The story starts off quite slow. Although this looks like a open and shut case, Frankie is not convinced even though Margot had been charged with her mother's murder. While awaiting trial, more evidence is uncovered and sends the investigation in a new direction. I found the story a bit confusing at the beginning but it did become clearer the more I read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Olivia Kiernan for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DCS Frankie Sheehan has been summoned to the Wicklow mountains. Mother of two, Debbie Nugent, has been reported missing. There's a bloody crime scene at Debbie's house, but there is no body. Debbie's daughter, Margot has been living with the scene for three days. Frankie launches a full investigation into Debbie's life. But what will it uncover?
I did not know that this was the third book in this series when I requested it. The story starts off quite slow. Although this looks like a open and shut case, Frankie is not convinced even though Margot had been charged with her mother's murder. While awaiting trial, more evidence is uncovered and sends the investigation in a new direction. I found the story a bit confusing at the beginning but it did become clearer the more I read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Olivia Kiernan for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2020
I throughly enjoyed this book even though it was the third in the series and I hadn’t read the first two, it didn’t matter this was a stand alone book. It had the twists and turns that I love in a crime book and I couldn’t decide who’d done what for quite awhile.
I loved the characters and the way the police sorted out clues and investigated everything to get the killer. Brilliant!!!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
I loved the characters and the way the police sorted out clues and investigated everything to get the killer. Brilliant!!!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
January 15, 2023
My Rating Style: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ticked almost all the boxes AWESOME & ENTERTAINING!!!
Wicklow mountains, a small out of the way community where Debbie Nugent lives with her adult daughter Margot. When Debbie’s eldest daughter returns home from France for a visit a frantic call to the local Gardai reveals that not only is Debbie missing, but there appears to be a very bloody crime scene in her living room.
DCS Frankie Sheehan and team are called in to inspect this odd state of affairs. The case becomes even more perplexing when it is revealed that Margot has been living with the crime scene for a number of days, parachuting her to suspect number one.
Not able to arrest her on the weird scenario alone a full scale investigation is launched to find Debbie’s body and get to the bottom of what becomes a very complex and dangerous case.
Well, it appears I have made it my mission to try to finish all these books before the end of January 2023, and I am well on the way. Once again Olivia Kiernan did not disappoint. Like books 1 and 2 this one is full of action and there is lots to enjoy. The first chapter is not so much a prologue but a really good lead in to the case and Frankie’s state of mind. After the previous case (book 2) she is feeling a little off kilter but what I liked about it was she didn’t retreat inside herself and lean away from her job or her team. No, she leaned on her team and their skills even more. She investigated the facts thoroughly and every step of the way tried to make damn sure that she wasn’t making mistakes.
I have said it before and I will say it again what I love about this series is the research the author has gone into the get the policing right. All without making it a boring playbook of Irish Police protocols and policies. We get to follow the team while they search down suspects, follow up leads and talk to the community gathering up evidence that might come in handy down the track.
A little excerpt of cautious thorough policing:
“You want me to bring Margot in?” Steve asks pre-emptying our next move.
It can be a a great temptation to bring a suspect in as soon as you feel you have something on them. But all of this could still be explained away. A good lawyer could easily say that yes, Debbie was ill, yes, Margot did answer those calls. That yes, she was confused and in grief when she talked to us. We need more. We need solid evidence that Margot was directly involved in her mother’s disappearance. We need something that will nail this case in court. We need a body.
“We‘ll need to talk to her again, but let’s wait.”
“I thought you might say that,” Steve says. “I’ll keep digging.”
I like that we get insights into how this should go, not just randomly pulling suspects in for questioning and badgering them into a confession, actual police work is taking place here. I like that we get a little of Frankie’s thought process in between the conversation as to why we have to wait longer to question that person that seems to be the guilty party. This for me is excellent writing and excellent storytelling. Keeping me hooked on the why and the how as well as the possible who’s in the case. I kept me thinking well… that does look suspicious but maybe there is another person that could be guilty.
Littered throughout the story is each of the characters personalities and their personal lives, without it over taking the whole story. We get little insights into Frankie, Baz, Clancy, Helen, Ryan and Steve. We get to find out more about the team as a whole, and we get to help solve the case. As it turns out I absolutely didn’t solve this case it was complex and I did guess one baddie but another involved baddie completely blind sighted me.
Fair warning there is mention and involvement of organised crime in this book, HOWEVER, it is not random Russian Mob BS that is thrown in for fun. It has a bearing on the story, it makes sense why its in there and the bulk of the organised crime is set in Dublin which is actually believable. So while that would normally put me off, in this case I think it worked and it didn’t go Die Hard, hanging off the side of a building while shooting up the place with an M16 mental. It stayed the course and did exactly what it was supposed to do within the realms of this story.
I really like these characters and I am currently reading book 4 which I think is gonna be a doozy! Although having said that, it seems like there are no more Frankie Sheehan books waiting for me so I really hope the author has one in the wings waiting to be released into my hot little hands ASAP.
Overall: would I recommend?? HELL YES!! I recommend them all!! So far book 2, The Killer in Me, has my 5star rating but I definitely recommend all three that I have read so far. If you are a police procedural fan like I am and you are looking for something outside of the US, then this Irish based, badass female MC may just be what you are after.
Wicklow mountains, a small out of the way community where Debbie Nugent lives with her adult daughter Margot. When Debbie’s eldest daughter returns home from France for a visit a frantic call to the local Gardai reveals that not only is Debbie missing, but there appears to be a very bloody crime scene in her living room.
DCS Frankie Sheehan and team are called in to inspect this odd state of affairs. The case becomes even more perplexing when it is revealed that Margot has been living with the crime scene for a number of days, parachuting her to suspect number one.
Not able to arrest her on the weird scenario alone a full scale investigation is launched to find Debbie’s body and get to the bottom of what becomes a very complex and dangerous case.
Well, it appears I have made it my mission to try to finish all these books before the end of January 2023, and I am well on the way. Once again Olivia Kiernan did not disappoint. Like books 1 and 2 this one is full of action and there is lots to enjoy. The first chapter is not so much a prologue but a really good lead in to the case and Frankie’s state of mind. After the previous case (book 2) she is feeling a little off kilter but what I liked about it was she didn’t retreat inside herself and lean away from her job or her team. No, she leaned on her team and their skills even more. She investigated the facts thoroughly and every step of the way tried to make damn sure that she wasn’t making mistakes.
I have said it before and I will say it again what I love about this series is the research the author has gone into the get the policing right. All without making it a boring playbook of Irish Police protocols and policies. We get to follow the team while they search down suspects, follow up leads and talk to the community gathering up evidence that might come in handy down the track.
A little excerpt of cautious thorough policing:
“You want me to bring Margot in?” Steve asks pre-emptying our next move.
It can be a a great temptation to bring a suspect in as soon as you feel you have something on them. But all of this could still be explained away. A good lawyer could easily say that yes, Debbie was ill, yes, Margot did answer those calls. That yes, she was confused and in grief when she talked to us. We need more. We need solid evidence that Margot was directly involved in her mother’s disappearance. We need something that will nail this case in court. We need a body.
“We‘ll need to talk to her again, but let’s wait.”
“I thought you might say that,” Steve says. “I’ll keep digging.”
I like that we get insights into how this should go, not just randomly pulling suspects in for questioning and badgering them into a confession, actual police work is taking place here. I like that we get a little of Frankie’s thought process in between the conversation as to why we have to wait longer to question that person that seems to be the guilty party. This for me is excellent writing and excellent storytelling. Keeping me hooked on the why and the how as well as the possible who’s in the case. I kept me thinking well… that does look suspicious but maybe there is another person that could be guilty.
Littered throughout the story is each of the characters personalities and their personal lives, without it over taking the whole story. We get little insights into Frankie, Baz, Clancy, Helen, Ryan and Steve. We get to find out more about the team as a whole, and we get to help solve the case. As it turns out I absolutely didn’t solve this case it was complex and I did guess one baddie but another involved baddie completely blind sighted me.
Fair warning there is mention and involvement of organised crime in this book, HOWEVER, it is not random Russian Mob BS that is thrown in for fun. It has a bearing on the story, it makes sense why its in there and the bulk of the organised crime is set in Dublin which is actually believable. So while that would normally put me off, in this case I think it worked and it didn’t go Die Hard, hanging off the side of a building while shooting up the place with an M16 mental. It stayed the course and did exactly what it was supposed to do within the realms of this story.
I really like these characters and I am currently reading book 4 which I think is gonna be a doozy! Although having said that, it seems like there are no more Frankie Sheehan books waiting for me so I really hope the author has one in the wings waiting to be released into my hot little hands ASAP.
Overall: would I recommend?? HELL YES!! I recommend them all!! So far book 2, The Killer in Me, has my 5star rating but I definitely recommend all three that I have read so far. If you are a police procedural fan like I am and you are looking for something outside of the US, then this Irish based, badass female MC may just be what you are after.
April 27, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of If Looks Could Kill, the third novel to feature DCS Frankie Sheehan of An Garda Síochána.
Frankie and her team go to Wicklow to investigate the disappearance of Debbie Nugent. Judging from the blood in the house Debbie is almost certainly dead, but more puzzling is the behaviour of her daughter, Margot, who has been living in the house and didn’t report her mother missing. Further investigation hints at family secrets with a long history.
I thoroughly enjoyed If Looks Could Kill which has an unusual premise, plenty of twists and turns and finishes in an unexpected and possibly unforeseeable conclusion. After the prologue, whose connection will only become apparent late in the novel, the novel is told exclusively in the first person from Frankie’s point of view. In this novel there is good and bad in this approach and as the good outweighs the bad I like it. A single point of view allows the reader to get immersed in the story and live the plot developments along with the characters. It also means that the reader is not privy to additional information and can work the clues to reach their own conclusions. It adds to the interest and encourages page turning. Also, Frankie has a clear, likeable voice. The downside in this novel is that her thinking is muddled. There are plenty of things she should have been doing early in the investigation and didn’t. This, it turns out, is a deliberate ploy by the author as these things come into play later when the investigation takes a turn in a new direction, but their early omission creates a frustrating impression of muddle and unprofessionalism.
This early false start aside the novel jogs along at a fast clip and is quite compulsive as Frankie and the team strive to find out what happened to Debbie and deal with a host of other issues uncovered during their investigation. I certainly didn’t foresee where the novel would end after the first few chapters. It’s quite a feat to move the novel as far as the author does.
If Looks Could Kill is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Frankie and her team go to Wicklow to investigate the disappearance of Debbie Nugent. Judging from the blood in the house Debbie is almost certainly dead, but more puzzling is the behaviour of her daughter, Margot, who has been living in the house and didn’t report her mother missing. Further investigation hints at family secrets with a long history.
I thoroughly enjoyed If Looks Could Kill which has an unusual premise, plenty of twists and turns and finishes in an unexpected and possibly unforeseeable conclusion. After the prologue, whose connection will only become apparent late in the novel, the novel is told exclusively in the first person from Frankie’s point of view. In this novel there is good and bad in this approach and as the good outweighs the bad I like it. A single point of view allows the reader to get immersed in the story and live the plot developments along with the characters. It also means that the reader is not privy to additional information and can work the clues to reach their own conclusions. It adds to the interest and encourages page turning. Also, Frankie has a clear, likeable voice. The downside in this novel is that her thinking is muddled. There are plenty of things she should have been doing early in the investigation and didn’t. This, it turns out, is a deliberate ploy by the author as these things come into play later when the investigation takes a turn in a new direction, but their early omission creates a frustrating impression of muddle and unprofessionalism.
This early false start aside the novel jogs along at a fast clip and is quite compulsive as Frankie and the team strive to find out what happened to Debbie and deal with a host of other issues uncovered during their investigation. I certainly didn’t foresee where the novel would end after the first few chapters. It’s quite a feat to move the novel as far as the author does.
If Looks Could Kill is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
February 18, 2020
Really excellent addition to a series that gets better with each novel. I love Frankie Sheehan as a character and the plots are excellent and addictive.
Full review to follow nearer publication in April.
Full review to follow nearer publication in April.
July 19, 2020
Another great crime thriller in the Frankie Sheehan series.
Frankie and Baz are called out to a crime scene that is a bloodbath, but there is no body.
The family found the blood and carnage but have no idea where their mum is.
They’re quite a distant family who seemingly don’t fall from one week to the next and the daughter who lives there doesn’t mention that she’s staying with her boyfriend so communication is a bit lacking.
Frankie thinks there’s more to this situation and is determined to find out what’s going on, but has to ruffle a few feathers to get anywhere.
This book is full of secrets and lies and I had no idea who the killer was as it was very cleverly written.
A great crime thriller.
Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Frankie and Baz are called out to a crime scene that is a bloodbath, but there is no body.
The family found the blood and carnage but have no idea where their mum is.
They’re quite a distant family who seemingly don’t fall from one week to the next and the daughter who lives there doesn’t mention that she’s staying with her boyfriend so communication is a bit lacking.
Frankie thinks there’s more to this situation and is determined to find out what’s going on, but has to ruffle a few feathers to get anywhere.
This book is full of secrets and lies and I had no idea who the killer was as it was very cleverly written.
A great crime thriller.
Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
June 25, 2020
DCS Frankie Sheehan is summoned to the rural Wicklow mountains, where local mother of two, Debbie Nugent, has been reported missing. A bloody crime scene is discovered at Debbie's home, yet no body. Not only is foul play suspected, but Debbie's daughter, Margot, has been living with the scene for three days.
Sheehan launches a full investigation into Debbie Nugent's life. And, before long, the discrepancies within Debbie's disappearance suggest that some families are built on dangerous deceptions, with ultimately murderous consequences.
This is the third book in the Frankie Sheehan series. Even though I haven't read the previous two books, I did enjoy reading this one.
When I first started reading this book, I couldn't understand which direction this book was going. But as I went on reading, the plot became more clear and the twists and turns along the way made it interesting. The ending was a good surprise.
I liked the main character, DCS Frankie Sheehan's, grit and determination to solve the case while locking horns with senior officials. Would love to read more books featuring her in the future!
Thank You to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this ARC!!
Sheehan launches a full investigation into Debbie Nugent's life. And, before long, the discrepancies within Debbie's disappearance suggest that some families are built on dangerous deceptions, with ultimately murderous consequences.
This is the third book in the Frankie Sheehan series. Even though I haven't read the previous two books, I did enjoy reading this one.
When I first started reading this book, I couldn't understand which direction this book was going. But as I went on reading, the plot became more clear and the twists and turns along the way made it interesting. The ending was a good surprise.
I liked the main character, DCS Frankie Sheehan's, grit and determination to solve the case while locking horns with senior officials. Would love to read more books featuring her in the future!
Thank You to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this ARC!!
November 29, 2020
Book 3 and it could still be enjoyed for the investigation into a mother's life. FRANKIE was called when the mother Debbie was reported missing. There was blood at home but no body. So it was up to Frankie to start her investigation and get to the truth.
Year 2020 has been filled with police procedural and this too was interesting when secrets were dug up about Debbie's life.
It was slow initially then got interesting when the investigation sped up. I liked Frankie and she made me stick to my kindle till the end.
A good read.
Year 2020 has been filled with police procedural and this too was interesting when secrets were dug up about Debbie's life.
It was slow initially then got interesting when the investigation sped up. I liked Frankie and she made me stick to my kindle till the end.
A good read.
December 14, 2020
The first time I've read Olivia Keirnan and I will read this author again and recommend you do too.
We are with DS Frankie Shetland while she investigates a difficult case while struggling in her own private life.
We are with DS Frankie Shetland while she investigates a difficult case while struggling in her own private life.
July 23, 2020
When I requested this book I had no idea it was part of a series, and I do prefer to read them in order if possible. It felt as though I may have missed something by coming in on the third book and I was somewhat puzzled with its introduction although that is cleared up further into the story. Still, I felt as though I was missing something.
IF LOOKS COULD KILL opens with a very dramatic scene in a park in Dublin as a man places a gun to his temple in full view of all around and pulls the trigger. Several weeks later, Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan and DS Baz Harwood are on their way to rural Wicklow to investigate the disappearance of Debbie Nugent.
A bloody scene greets them in Debbie's home with the living room covered in blood, and yet there is no body. Judging by the amount of blood, Frankie suspects that the woman almost certainly dead but the behaviour of her daughter is even more puzzling. Margot has been living in the house amidst the scene for three days, having not reported her mother missing until after her sister Kristen arrives from France. And even then, it is her boyfriend David Sutton who calls it in.
Frankie launches an investigation into Debbie's life but before long discovers that the woman kept to herself and practically lived off the grid. She had no mobile phone, no internet and no real contact with the outside world but for her job at the garden centre and her weekly trips to Dublin.
Believing Debbie to be almost certainly dead, Frankie organises a search team of volunteers to work alongside the Gardai to scour to woodlands near Debbie's home, in the hope of uncovering her remains. Meanwhile, Frankie and Baz question friends, neighbours and Debbie's two daughters. But as they question them over the coming days, it soon becomes clear that something strange surrounds the Nugent house.
As the team delve deeper, it is revealed the case has links to something darker and leads them into very dangerous territory.
Somewhat slow to begin with, I wasn't sure which direction the story was taking at first. The crime and the story appeared to be predictable with a hint of something untoward. As the story unfolded, it soon became clear that there was something else at play though I didn't expect it to take the turn it did.
An intriguing plot, IF LOOKS COULD KILL had plenty of twists filled with contradictions as the mystery continued to deepen. The pace picked up about 40% into the story which resulted in a compelling read. It's only as you near the end that the opening Prologue suddenly falls into place, giving it an interesting twist.
Told solely from Frankie's first person perspective, with the exception of the Prologue, IF LOOKS COULD KILL is certainly an interesting read and by the end I was congratulating the author that I had started out cursing for the slow beginning.
I liked both Frankie and Baz, who clearly work well together. The two complement each other and is far more enjoyable to read than the angst between partners and ranks found in other novels. I even liked the gruff Jack Clancy, assistant commissioner. Whilst the crime is a puzzling one for the team, when the direction changed I became suspicious of exactly who might be involved and correctly guessed two of the big reveals. But that doesn't spoil my enjoyment of a book. I love trying to work out "whodunnit" and quietly congratulate myself when I get it right. It's like a goal I set myself in trying to work it out...lol
Olivia Kiernan is not an author I have heard of before and I will be interested to read her other books in the Frankie Sheehan series. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, considering I was disappointed with the start and found it slow and ungripping at that stage. However, that all changed and it ended up being a compelling crime thriller that kept both Frankie and the reader on their toes.
IF LOOKS COULD KILL is perfect for fans who like their crime thrillers with a twist.
I would like to thank #OliviaKiernan, #NetGalley and #Quercus for an ARC of #IfLooksCouldKill in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
IF LOOKS COULD KILL opens with a very dramatic scene in a park in Dublin as a man places a gun to his temple in full view of all around and pulls the trigger. Several weeks later, Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan and DS Baz Harwood are on their way to rural Wicklow to investigate the disappearance of Debbie Nugent.
A bloody scene greets them in Debbie's home with the living room covered in blood, and yet there is no body. Judging by the amount of blood, Frankie suspects that the woman almost certainly dead but the behaviour of her daughter is even more puzzling. Margot has been living in the house amidst the scene for three days, having not reported her mother missing until after her sister Kristen arrives from France. And even then, it is her boyfriend David Sutton who calls it in.
Frankie launches an investigation into Debbie's life but before long discovers that the woman kept to herself and practically lived off the grid. She had no mobile phone, no internet and no real contact with the outside world but for her job at the garden centre and her weekly trips to Dublin.
Believing Debbie to be almost certainly dead, Frankie organises a search team of volunteers to work alongside the Gardai to scour to woodlands near Debbie's home, in the hope of uncovering her remains. Meanwhile, Frankie and Baz question friends, neighbours and Debbie's two daughters. But as they question them over the coming days, it soon becomes clear that something strange surrounds the Nugent house.
As the team delve deeper, it is revealed the case has links to something darker and leads them into very dangerous territory.
Somewhat slow to begin with, I wasn't sure which direction the story was taking at first. The crime and the story appeared to be predictable with a hint of something untoward. As the story unfolded, it soon became clear that there was something else at play though I didn't expect it to take the turn it did.
An intriguing plot, IF LOOKS COULD KILL had plenty of twists filled with contradictions as the mystery continued to deepen. The pace picked up about 40% into the story which resulted in a compelling read. It's only as you near the end that the opening Prologue suddenly falls into place, giving it an interesting twist.
Told solely from Frankie's first person perspective, with the exception of the Prologue, IF LOOKS COULD KILL is certainly an interesting read and by the end I was congratulating the author that I had started out cursing for the slow beginning.
I liked both Frankie and Baz, who clearly work well together. The two complement each other and is far more enjoyable to read than the angst between partners and ranks found in other novels. I even liked the gruff Jack Clancy, assistant commissioner. Whilst the crime is a puzzling one for the team, when the direction changed I became suspicious of exactly who might be involved and correctly guessed two of the big reveals. But that doesn't spoil my enjoyment of a book. I love trying to work out "whodunnit" and quietly congratulate myself when I get it right. It's like a goal I set myself in trying to work it out...lol
Olivia Kiernan is not an author I have heard of before and I will be interested to read her other books in the Frankie Sheehan series. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, considering I was disappointed with the start and found it slow and ungripping at that stage. However, that all changed and it ended up being a compelling crime thriller that kept both Frankie and the reader on their toes.
IF LOOKS COULD KILL is perfect for fans who like their crime thrillers with a twist.
I would like to thank #OliviaKiernan, #NetGalley and #Quercus for an ARC of #IfLooksCouldKill in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
July 29, 2020
This is the third book in the Frankie Sheehan series, about a female senior Dublin police detective. Although I hadn’t read previous books in the series, I think this stands pretty well alone; Frankie is called to a small town outside Dublin to investigate the disappearance of Debbie Nugent, ordinarily not a case she would look into… except the sheer volume of blood found at the scene make it unlikely Debbie has survived.
As Frankie digs deeper into the case, uncovering inconsistencies in witness statements and discovering Debbie’s past may have influenced her fate, she begins to realise the case is far more than it appears on the surface. Organised crime figures may have had parts to play, and then it transpires that crooked cops are involved, covering up past secrets and current crimes they need to keep buried.
Anything with police protagonists is a tough sell at the moment, but this does it really well; Frankie plays by the rules. She never thinks wistfully that it would be so much easier if she was allowed to take shortcuts; she just does her job with excellent police work, and when it comes to light that fellow officers are crooked, she dedicates herself to cleaning up.
One thing I really liked about Frankie was her complete disinterest in romance. She starts off the book having a sexual encounter (off page) with another police officer she meets for the first time at a social event, and she is just utterly disinterested in pursuing a romantic relationship with him. It’s not even on her radar. And she’s completely unbothered about the fact that she’s single. She doesn’t regret it for a moment; she even mildly pities colleagues who are struggling to balance their work lives and personal relationships. It’s absolutely refreshing to read a female protagonist who is unashamed of their own sexuality and also not interested in romance - and a dead giveaway that this is by a female author. Male authors just don’t seem to be able to resist giving their female protagonists Complicated Feelings that honestly, some professional women actually don’t have. They choose their career and they’re not conflicted about it at all, and it was genuinely great to read that portrayed so well here.
The only issues I really had were with the pacing of the story; it starts off incredibly slowly and then sort of rushes to a conclusion, and there were a few threads which didn’t really seem to get tied off. With that said, I thought it was very well done as a police procedural, and I particularly liked Frankie as a protagonist. I’ll give it four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
As Frankie digs deeper into the case, uncovering inconsistencies in witness statements and discovering Debbie’s past may have influenced her fate, she begins to realise the case is far more than it appears on the surface. Organised crime figures may have had parts to play, and then it transpires that crooked cops are involved, covering up past secrets and current crimes they need to keep buried.
Anything with police protagonists is a tough sell at the moment, but this does it really well; Frankie plays by the rules. She never thinks wistfully that it would be so much easier if she was allowed to take shortcuts; she just does her job with excellent police work, and when it comes to light that fellow officers are crooked, she dedicates herself to cleaning up.
One thing I really liked about Frankie was her complete disinterest in romance. She starts off the book having a sexual encounter (off page) with another police officer she meets for the first time at a social event, and she is just utterly disinterested in pursuing a romantic relationship with him. It’s not even on her radar. And she’s completely unbothered about the fact that she’s single. She doesn’t regret it for a moment; she even mildly pities colleagues who are struggling to balance their work lives and personal relationships. It’s absolutely refreshing to read a female protagonist who is unashamed of their own sexuality and also not interested in romance - and a dead giveaway that this is by a female author. Male authors just don’t seem to be able to resist giving their female protagonists Complicated Feelings that honestly, some professional women actually don’t have. They choose their career and they’re not conflicted about it at all, and it was genuinely great to read that portrayed so well here.
The only issues I really had were with the pacing of the story; it starts off incredibly slowly and then sort of rushes to a conclusion, and there were a few threads which didn’t really seem to get tied off. With that said, I thought it was very well done as a police procedural, and I particularly liked Frankie as a protagonist. I’ll give it four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
March 3, 2021
If Looks Could Kill is the third book in the DCS Frankie Sheehan series by Olivia Kiernan. I raced through this book, and now that I’ve finished it, I can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s going to be really interesting to see where Frankie and her team go from here.
There is a complex investigation for Frankie and her team to get to grips with. A woman has gone missing, but early signs show that it isn’t likely she’ll turn up alive. Her disappearance is treated almost from the off as a murder investigation. Her daughter is immediately a suspect in the eyes of the police. She acts strangely when Frankie interviews her. But what is the bigger picture here? It’s clear that Frankie thinks that something is not quite right, but she has no idea where her thoughts will take her.
Frankie is a detective who will see things through to the very end, no matter what the consequences might be. That is certainly true in If Looks Could Kill. It’s been fascinating watching her character grow over the last three books. It is hard to see where things will go from here for Frankie and her team, but I am certainly interested to find out; book four can’t come soon enough.
As things began to heat up in the investigation, when Frankie realises what might be at stake here, the darkness really begins to deepen. You get the feeling that she is walking around on eggshells and that any wrong move could have disastrous consequences. I wanted to know what was really the reason behind Debbie’s disappearance. Could it be possible that her daughter was responsible? The writing is taut as the novel races towards its conclusion, and my eyes were glued to the page.
Olivia Kiernan’s books are partly slow-burners, but Olivia Kiernan knows how to keep her readers hooked, and the tension and race to the finish really pick up. There is atmosphere on every single page, and she makes the Irish setting come to life in her writing. The opening chapter sets the scene for what is to come, and that final line made me want to race through the book right at that moment. I was hooked.
If Looks Could Kill is so cleverly plotted. Crime fiction fans, if you’re not yet reading this series, then you’re really missing out. I’ll be waiting as patiently as I can for the next book in the series, which will be going straight to the top of my TBR pile when it’s released.
There is a complex investigation for Frankie and her team to get to grips with. A woman has gone missing, but early signs show that it isn’t likely she’ll turn up alive. Her disappearance is treated almost from the off as a murder investigation. Her daughter is immediately a suspect in the eyes of the police. She acts strangely when Frankie interviews her. But what is the bigger picture here? It’s clear that Frankie thinks that something is not quite right, but she has no idea where her thoughts will take her.
Frankie is a detective who will see things through to the very end, no matter what the consequences might be. That is certainly true in If Looks Could Kill. It’s been fascinating watching her character grow over the last three books. It is hard to see where things will go from here for Frankie and her team, but I am certainly interested to find out; book four can’t come soon enough.
As things began to heat up in the investigation, when Frankie realises what might be at stake here, the darkness really begins to deepen. You get the feeling that she is walking around on eggshells and that any wrong move could have disastrous consequences. I wanted to know what was really the reason behind Debbie’s disappearance. Could it be possible that her daughter was responsible? The writing is taut as the novel races towards its conclusion, and my eyes were glued to the page.
Olivia Kiernan’s books are partly slow-burners, but Olivia Kiernan knows how to keep her readers hooked, and the tension and race to the finish really pick up. There is atmosphere on every single page, and she makes the Irish setting come to life in her writing. The opening chapter sets the scene for what is to come, and that final line made me want to race through the book right at that moment. I was hooked.
If Looks Could Kill is so cleverly plotted. Crime fiction fans, if you’re not yet reading this series, then you’re really missing out. I’ll be waiting as patiently as I can for the next book in the series, which will be going straight to the top of my TBR pile when it’s released.
August 3, 2020
A man goes into a park in Dublin & shoots himself. This is the way the story starts but no explanation is given & we move on to Wicklow. The front room of the cottage is the scene that screams of violence but no victim. No-one seems to know where Debbie Nugent, (the lady who lives there) has got to. One daughter has just returned from France but the other lives with her. Frankie Sheehan is both suspicious and perplexed by the situation. Along with Baz, her sidekick they attempt to find answers. This is not their patch so finding out how the land lies takes some time. Their investigations take them down some very dark roads & they are soon wondering who they can trust.
This is the third in the series & I don't know how I missed out on the earlier ones as they would have given me some background but it really didn't matter as this was an engaging puzzling police procedural that I really enjoyed. I may have missed the earlier books, but I'll be looking out for the next one. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
This is the third in the series & I don't know how I missed out on the earlier ones as they would have given me some background but it really didn't matter as this was an engaging puzzling police procedural that I really enjoyed. I may have missed the earlier books, but I'll be looking out for the next one. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
July 21, 2020
What a gripping and entertaining read. I didn't read, I inhaled it in one setting and couldn't put it down.
The story starts with a bang and it's fast paced and full of twists and turns.
There's a lot of secrets and you don't know till the end who's to be trusted and who can be involved in the mystery.
The characters are well written and I loved Frankie and Baz. I loved the descriptions of the setting, wish to be there and visit the places, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing till the last page.
Ms Kiernan is a talented storyteller and she kept my attention till the last page with a growing tension and a lot of questions that are answered in the last pages.
A great mystery and an excellent read, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to riverrun and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The story starts with a bang and it's fast paced and full of twists and turns.
There's a lot of secrets and you don't know till the end who's to be trusted and who can be involved in the mystery.
The characters are well written and I loved Frankie and Baz. I loved the descriptions of the setting, wish to be there and visit the places, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing till the last page.
Ms Kiernan is a talented storyteller and she kept my attention till the last page with a growing tension and a lot of questions that are answered in the last pages.
A great mystery and an excellent read, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to riverrun and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
June 20, 2023
Frankie Sheehan and her team feel, to me, just the right side of narky, clever and determined. This is a plot of past and present that unravels with incredible tension and such complexity that, even in the final pages, I was trying to work out was/had been happening.
Crime writing at its best!
Crime writing at its best!
July 23, 2020
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
debbie is missing
but the crime scene and the missing persons report dont add up
two sisters questioned, but there are more questions than answers
a suicide in the park
a frustrating case for frankie and her team but they have the bit between their teeth and could the answers be a lot closer to home than they would like
a compelling read with all the answers coming together at the end...
#IfLooksCouldKill
@RiverrunBooks
@QuercusBooks
@LivKiernan
debbie is missing
but the crime scene and the missing persons report dont add up
two sisters questioned, but there are more questions than answers
a suicide in the park
a frustrating case for frankie and her team but they have the bit between their teeth and could the answers be a lot closer to home than they would like
a compelling read with all the answers coming together at the end...
#IfLooksCouldKill
@RiverrunBooks
@QuercusBooks
@LivKiernan
May 29, 2020
Thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley and Olivia Kiernan for this copy of this book!
If Looks Could Kill is number 3 in the Frankie Sheehan Series!♥️
Frankie and her team are sent to the rural and urban place of Wicklow where a woman who has mysteriously disappeared, which then makes her family to worry about her. Debbie has 2 daughters, one in which lives with her in her own home and the other one who just returned from her holiday. Frankie decides to question both of them, neighbours to Debbie and other people who have had contact with her/knew her. The circumstances in which Debbie goes missing are suscpicious and very unusual straight from the onset. Could she of gone missing before people realised? How did the daughter she lived with not realise?
This is a twisty but unexpected novel, where you get sucked into the book and drawn into the investigation, characters and the plot and makes you put all the clues together to reach your own conclusions which is brilliant and i loved that i could do that! with an unexpected plot reveal/twist which was amazing
Thank you Olivia Kiernan for such an amazing thriller! 5 Stars Definitely recommend! Will review on Amazon as well! and Post on social media (Instagram)
If Looks Could Kill is number 3 in the Frankie Sheehan Series!♥️
Frankie and her team are sent to the rural and urban place of Wicklow where a woman who has mysteriously disappeared, which then makes her family to worry about her. Debbie has 2 daughters, one in which lives with her in her own home and the other one who just returned from her holiday. Frankie decides to question both of them, neighbours to Debbie and other people who have had contact with her/knew her. The circumstances in which Debbie goes missing are suscpicious and very unusual straight from the onset. Could she of gone missing before people realised? How did the daughter she lived with not realise?
This is a twisty but unexpected novel, where you get sucked into the book and drawn into the investigation, characters and the plot and makes you put all the clues together to reach your own conclusions which is brilliant and i loved that i could do that! with an unexpected plot reveal/twist which was amazing
Thank you Olivia Kiernan for such an amazing thriller! 5 Stars Definitely recommend! Will review on Amazon as well! and Post on social media (Instagram)
July 23, 2020
I can’t believe this is already the third instalment in the Frankie Sheehan series! I think you could possibly just about get away with reading this as a stand-alone but I’m pretty sure there’s a rule against that. If there isn’t, there should be. Bear in mind that Frankie Sheehan is a complicated, complex and multi-layered character with an already interesting background story behind her and it’s obviously one you’d be missing out on if you haven’t read the previous two books in the series. Stating the obvious here.
If Looks Could Kill starts out with a bang in the first chapter but it’s also a scene we leave behind rather quickly in order to move on to the actual story. That story is set in the rural Wicklow mountains and the home of Debbie Nugent, where there is a bloody crime scene but no sign of a victim. Detectives quickly suspect foul play and zero in on Debbie’s youngest daughter, Margot, who has been living with this scene for three days like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
You’d think being in this small rural community, everybody would know everybody else’s business and gossip would be rife. But that isn’t the case here. Few people, if any, seem to have really known Debbie. She was a person of routine, very reclusive and private, seemingly without any close friends at all. So who would want to harm her? Could it really be Margot? To all intents and purposes, this looks remarkably like an open-and-shut case. I honestly had no idea what to think about any of it but I will say, that this incredibly cleverly plotted story went in an entirely different direction than I expected.
There’s a bit of a slow start and I may have had a tiny moment where I was wondering when something would actually happen (current mood : impatient) but the latter chapters of the book more than made up for that little blip. For the most part, If Looks Could Kill is gripping, hugely intriguing and quite unpredictable. Throughout the story, I was mindful of that opening chapter but I couldn’t at all see how it connected to everything else that was going on. Overall, this is a great addition to the series and although not my favourite, I do look forward to the next book.
If Looks Could Kill starts out with a bang in the first chapter but it’s also a scene we leave behind rather quickly in order to move on to the actual story. That story is set in the rural Wicklow mountains and the home of Debbie Nugent, where there is a bloody crime scene but no sign of a victim. Detectives quickly suspect foul play and zero in on Debbie’s youngest daughter, Margot, who has been living with this scene for three days like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
You’d think being in this small rural community, everybody would know everybody else’s business and gossip would be rife. But that isn’t the case here. Few people, if any, seem to have really known Debbie. She was a person of routine, very reclusive and private, seemingly without any close friends at all. So who would want to harm her? Could it really be Margot? To all intents and purposes, this looks remarkably like an open-and-shut case. I honestly had no idea what to think about any of it but I will say, that this incredibly cleverly plotted story went in an entirely different direction than I expected.
There’s a bit of a slow start and I may have had a tiny moment where I was wondering when something would actually happen (current mood : impatient) but the latter chapters of the book more than made up for that little blip. For the most part, If Looks Could Kill is gripping, hugely intriguing and quite unpredictable. Throughout the story, I was mindful of that opening chapter but I couldn’t at all see how it connected to everything else that was going on. Overall, this is a great addition to the series and although not my favourite, I do look forward to the next book.
July 23, 2020
This is the third book in Olivia Kiernan's Frankie Sheehan series and although I haven't read the first instalment Too Close to Breathe, I did manage to get a copy of book two, The Killer in Me.
In If Looks Could Kill the story kicks off with an occurrence in a Dublin park in February. Later, DCS Frankie Sheehan and DS Baz Harwood of the Bureau for Serious Crime are called to Wicklow, near Ballyalann to assist in the investigation of missing person, Debbie Nugent. She was last seen by one of her daughters, three days prior, but her house shows evidence that a crime may have taken place. As the team begins their questioning, it transpires that something rather odd is happening in the Nugent household...
This well written story flows beautifully and as the mystery deepens, a plethora of perplexing contradictions surface. Fast paced and compelling, there are many twists and there was never a dull moment. Protagonist Frankie is tenacious and loves her job, stopping at nothing to get to the truth. The stylish plot is really intriguing with plenty of twists as taxing contradictions emerge that intensify the mystery. The author's splashes of humour add some lightness to the dark tone and the eventual conclusion in this police procedural/ thriller is neatly done and rather satisfying.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Quercus Books/ Riverrun via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
In If Looks Could Kill the story kicks off with an occurrence in a Dublin park in February. Later, DCS Frankie Sheehan and DS Baz Harwood of the Bureau for Serious Crime are called to Wicklow, near Ballyalann to assist in the investigation of missing person, Debbie Nugent. She was last seen by one of her daughters, three days prior, but her house shows evidence that a crime may have taken place. As the team begins their questioning, it transpires that something rather odd is happening in the Nugent household...
This well written story flows beautifully and as the mystery deepens, a plethora of perplexing contradictions surface. Fast paced and compelling, there are many twists and there was never a dull moment. Protagonist Frankie is tenacious and loves her job, stopping at nothing to get to the truth. The stylish plot is really intriguing with plenty of twists as taxing contradictions emerge that intensify the mystery. The author's splashes of humour add some lightness to the dark tone and the eventual conclusion in this police procedural/ thriller is neatly done and rather satisfying.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Quercus Books/ Riverrun via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this book once the pace picked up a bit. I’d say around the 40% mark was where it became unputdownable. My biggest worry reading If Looks Could Kill was the fact that I hadn’t read the first two books in the series but I think this works really well as a stand alone-there were a couple of instances where I thought “maybe that makes more sense with context from books 1 & 2” but it was never anything major and it didn’t take me out of the story.
My favourite thing about If Looks Could Kill is the amount of times you think you’re racing towards a conclusion only to be twisted around abs pointed in another direction-I feel this is how working on real cases might feel to detectives. I marked it 4 stars but it probably would have been 4.5 if I hadn’t figured out some of the “shocking” twists quite early on.
Highly recommended to fans of police procedurals, crime thrillers etc. I can’t wait to read the first two now.
My favourite thing about If Looks Could Kill is the amount of times you think you’re racing towards a conclusion only to be twisted around abs pointed in another direction-I feel this is how working on real cases might feel to detectives. I marked it 4 stars but it probably would have been 4.5 if I hadn’t figured out some of the “shocking” twists quite early on.
Highly recommended to fans of police procedurals, crime thrillers etc. I can’t wait to read the first two now.
October 25, 2020
3.5 stars
June 21, 2020
DS Frankie Sheehan is involved in a seemingly open-and-shut case involving the disappearance of Debbie Nugent, whose daughter has been charged with her murder even though her body hasn't appeared. Frankie is not convinced Margot is guilty and embarks in the search for the truth.
Wow!
Talk about starting with a bang.
If Looks Could Kill was a very fast-paced, enjoyable read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Lots of twists and turns, and a surprise ending make this an all around book. There really isn't much to say bout this novel except for you-won't-regret-it!
This is the third installment in the Frankie Sheehan series but I don't think you need to read the previous two to enjoy this one as a standalone novel. This was my first Olivia Kiernan novel and definitely not the last.
Disclosure: I'd like to thank the publisher for my advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
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Wow!
Talk about starting with a bang.
If Looks Could Kill was a very fast-paced, enjoyable read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Lots of twists and turns, and a surprise ending make this an all around book. There really isn't much to say bout this novel except for you-won't-regret-it!
This is the third installment in the Frankie Sheehan series but I don't think you need to read the previous two to enjoy this one as a standalone novel. This was my first Olivia Kiernan novel and definitely not the last.
Disclosure: I'd like to thank the publisher for my advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
https://jemimareads.wordpress.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jemimareads...
April 1, 2020
Frankie Sheehan is a bit of a complex character so, as this is book three of her series, you might be better starting at book one and reading in order if you want to get the very best from her.
In this book Frankie is summoned to rural Wicklow where a woman has disappeared, leaving behind a scene that gets her family worried. Debbie Nugent has two daughters, one she lives with, the other having just returned from abroad, on the same day as the scene was discovered. As Frankie starts to question both daughters and also Debbie's neighbours and other people who knew her, a strange story starts to come out. Could she have gone missing earlier than they thought and, if so, how on earth could Margot, the daughter living with her, have not noticed her disappearance, let alone the bloody scene left behind? Does she know more than she's telling, and if so, why?
This book hit the ground running for me, kept my attention nicely throughout and spat me out in the end wholly satisfied. I was aching to find out the truth, cut through all the secrets, lies and duplicitous behaviour peppered throughout the narrative. Frankie is an excellent character who I already connected to in her previous books and that relationship continues during this one. She is not infallible and does make mistakes which makes her come across as real as she, after all, is only human. She's good at her job too, like a little yappy dog that you just can't keep quiet, she chips away at all the stuff and nonsense going on, exposing the truth bit by bit.
Pacing is good and matches what is going on in the story very well. Characterisation is good, main and bit part characters alike all come across, within the bounds of their parts to play, as well crafted.
All in all, a cracking addition to a series that is firmly on my watch list. Looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for Frankie next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
In this book Frankie is summoned to rural Wicklow where a woman has disappeared, leaving behind a scene that gets her family worried. Debbie Nugent has two daughters, one she lives with, the other having just returned from abroad, on the same day as the scene was discovered. As Frankie starts to question both daughters and also Debbie's neighbours and other people who knew her, a strange story starts to come out. Could she have gone missing earlier than they thought and, if so, how on earth could Margot, the daughter living with her, have not noticed her disappearance, let alone the bloody scene left behind? Does she know more than she's telling, and if so, why?
This book hit the ground running for me, kept my attention nicely throughout and spat me out in the end wholly satisfied. I was aching to find out the truth, cut through all the secrets, lies and duplicitous behaviour peppered throughout the narrative. Frankie is an excellent character who I already connected to in her previous books and that relationship continues during this one. She is not infallible and does make mistakes which makes her come across as real as she, after all, is only human. She's good at her job too, like a little yappy dog that you just can't keep quiet, she chips away at all the stuff and nonsense going on, exposing the truth bit by bit.
Pacing is good and matches what is going on in the story very well. Characterisation is good, main and bit part characters alike all come across, within the bounds of their parts to play, as well crafted.
All in all, a cracking addition to a series that is firmly on my watch list. Looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for Frankie next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
August 7, 2020
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Quercus Books for the ARC.
This is Book #3 in the Frankie Sheehan series - although I have to admit I haven't read previous ones, this is fine as a standalone. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The characters are really good and you really get to know them; it's well-written with believable and sometimes witty dialogue. I like the relationships in Frankie's team and how they all work together for the Bureau for Serious Crime in Dublin, where Frankie is the Detective Chief Superintendent.
It all starts off with a 'bang' - literally, but you have to keep reading to the conclusion which brings all the strands of this fast-moving investigation together.
Twenty years ago Debbie Nugent moved herself and her daughters, Margot and Kristen, to an isolated farmhouse outside Ballyalann, a small community with the backdrop of mountains and forest, and of course the wettest of Irish weather. Present-day, on a Saturday morning, Margot's boyfriend David calls the Station to report Debbie had been missing for 3 days, describing what could be the scene of an attack at her home. Frankie has only the story from the daughters to go on - no motive, no weapon, and no body, but it becomes increasingly likely that Margot knows more than she's telling.
Debbie has no social media presence, doesn't own a mobile phone and has very few friends. When Frankie starts to delve deeper into her background the layers of intrigue mount. We are taken into the realms of Police corruption, rival underworld gangs and undercover detective work. All leading to a cleverly plotted conclusion.
This was a really good read, I look forward to reading more of the series.
This is Book #3 in the Frankie Sheehan series - although I have to admit I haven't read previous ones, this is fine as a standalone. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The characters are really good and you really get to know them; it's well-written with believable and sometimes witty dialogue. I like the relationships in Frankie's team and how they all work together for the Bureau for Serious Crime in Dublin, where Frankie is the Detective Chief Superintendent.
It all starts off with a 'bang' - literally, but you have to keep reading to the conclusion which brings all the strands of this fast-moving investigation together.
Twenty years ago Debbie Nugent moved herself and her daughters, Margot and Kristen, to an isolated farmhouse outside Ballyalann, a small community with the backdrop of mountains and forest, and of course the wettest of Irish weather. Present-day, on a Saturday morning, Margot's boyfriend David calls the Station to report Debbie had been missing for 3 days, describing what could be the scene of an attack at her home. Frankie has only the story from the daughters to go on - no motive, no weapon, and no body, but it becomes increasingly likely that Margot knows more than she's telling.
Debbie has no social media presence, doesn't own a mobile phone and has very few friends. When Frankie starts to delve deeper into her background the layers of intrigue mount. We are taken into the realms of Police corruption, rival underworld gangs and undercover detective work. All leading to a cleverly plotted conclusion.
This was a really good read, I look forward to reading more of the series.
May 20, 2020
“If Looks Could Kill” is the third in the DCS Frankie Sheehan series, where she takes interest in a rural missing persons enquiry which unexpectedly leads to a wide-ranging investigation into more than anyone could have imagined.
The circumstances of Debbie Nugent’s disappearance look unusual from the beginning. Margot, her daughter, seems to know a lot more than she is prepared to admit but at the same time doesn’t really seem capable of harming her mother. The recent arrival from France of Margot’s sister and her partner make a cover-up look all the more likely. Frankie Sheehan and the team start putting the evidence together to secure a conviction. However while awaiting trial, more evidence comes to light that shifts the investigation in a totally new direction. By the end of the book DCS Sheehan has clashed with senior figures running undercover operations, become involved with two major drug cartels, contemplates a possible leak from inside the force and believe it or not, a good bit more!!
Olivia Kiernan has created another gripping thriller with such an unexpectedly clever plot that hits you like a truck!!
The circumstances of Debbie Nugent’s disappearance look unusual from the beginning. Margot, her daughter, seems to know a lot more than she is prepared to admit but at the same time doesn’t really seem capable of harming her mother. The recent arrival from France of Margot’s sister and her partner make a cover-up look all the more likely. Frankie Sheehan and the team start putting the evidence together to secure a conviction. However while awaiting trial, more evidence comes to light that shifts the investigation in a totally new direction. By the end of the book DCS Sheehan has clashed with senior figures running undercover operations, become involved with two major drug cartels, contemplates a possible leak from inside the force and believe it or not, a good bit more!!
Olivia Kiernan has created another gripping thriller with such an unexpectedly clever plot that hits you like a truck!!
June 3, 2020
Aman kills himself in a park in Dublin , no trying to hide it he shoots himself in public , there is no obvious reason at the time but things start to reveal themselves later . Shortly after DCS Frankie Sheehan is called to a house in the Wicklow mountains where the mother of two daughters(Debbie) is found murdered and the house ransacked . One of the daughters lives abroad and is returning home to be collected from the Airport by the other daughter Margot, and her boyfriend . Suspicion falls on Margot and she is charged with the Murder . Frankie , however, is not convinced that she is guilty and continues o search for the truth , despite being told from "above" to drop it as they have a result . What follows is a plot by an undercover police officer to protect his family , police corruption and an unexpected result . A great read .
July 23, 2020
In Dublin, a man walks into a park with a blue holdall one lunch time, he had hoped it would be busier but this will have to do. He picks his spot, stops and gets the gun from the holdall. A woman notices but before she can react, he points the gun at his temple and pulls the trigger.
End of March, DCS Frankie Sheehan spotted a report of a missing woman only just reported at Wicklow. Her name is Debbie Nugent, mum of two daughters, one still living at home. When they arrive at her home, there is a bloody crime scene. A search of the area is arranged but they advise it may be a body they find with that amount of blood loss.
Margot advised she hadn’t seen her mother for three days and reported her missing when they got back from the airport after picking her sister Kristen up. Her mum had gone off to Dublin on Wednesday and Margot had stayed with her boyfriend David for a couple of nights.
Kristen has come to visit her mum. Frankie is interested to know when the arrangements were made and when she told her sister that she was arriving at the airport. David had agreed to pick her up from the airport with her sister on the Friday evening. Was this true?
The blood found on the carpet in the living room was well dried, but it could be tested. When the test came back it said it was at least two weeks old therefore this put Margot in the frame and meant her mum had been dead nearer ten days. Pictures were appearing on a friends social media account, showing Margot enjoying herself on the day she reported her mum missing. When they questioned the friend, apparently they had been out before then as well. All this did not look good for Margot.
They get enough out of Margot to take her to trial but Frankie is still not happy. Something is still not right. She orders a full investigation into Debbie Nugent’s life and she gets a tip off about the man who committed suicide in the park….
When she shows Debbie’s Uncle where her body was found and he walks away with his bodyguard, she is left alone. She finally gets back to her car in the darkness. As she drives down the hill, bright car headlights dazzle her from behind, getting close, trying to drive her off the road. Then a final bump, a twisting grinding noise. Frankie is thrown forward, covered in glass and bump, she falls back in her seat.
Is someone out to kill her now? How far will this killer go? Is knowledge dangerous?
This was absolutely fantastic. Really well written and an excellent plot. I totally enjoyed this story and thought this was a great book. I managed to read it in a day as I got into it straight away, it was unputdownable. Best one of the series so far for me.
#Iflookscouldkill @RiverrunBooks @QuercusBooks @LivKiernan
End of March, DCS Frankie Sheehan spotted a report of a missing woman only just reported at Wicklow. Her name is Debbie Nugent, mum of two daughters, one still living at home. When they arrive at her home, there is a bloody crime scene. A search of the area is arranged but they advise it may be a body they find with that amount of blood loss.
Margot advised she hadn’t seen her mother for three days and reported her missing when they got back from the airport after picking her sister Kristen up. Her mum had gone off to Dublin on Wednesday and Margot had stayed with her boyfriend David for a couple of nights.
Kristen has come to visit her mum. Frankie is interested to know when the arrangements were made and when she told her sister that she was arriving at the airport. David had agreed to pick her up from the airport with her sister on the Friday evening. Was this true?
The blood found on the carpet in the living room was well dried, but it could be tested. When the test came back it said it was at least two weeks old therefore this put Margot in the frame and meant her mum had been dead nearer ten days. Pictures were appearing on a friends social media account, showing Margot enjoying herself on the day she reported her mum missing. When they questioned the friend, apparently they had been out before then as well. All this did not look good for Margot.
They get enough out of Margot to take her to trial but Frankie is still not happy. Something is still not right. She orders a full investigation into Debbie Nugent’s life and she gets a tip off about the man who committed suicide in the park….
When she shows Debbie’s Uncle where her body was found and he walks away with his bodyguard, she is left alone. She finally gets back to her car in the darkness. As she drives down the hill, bright car headlights dazzle her from behind, getting close, trying to drive her off the road. Then a final bump, a twisting grinding noise. Frankie is thrown forward, covered in glass and bump, she falls back in her seat.
Is someone out to kill her now? How far will this killer go? Is knowledge dangerous?
This was absolutely fantastic. Really well written and an excellent plot. I totally enjoyed this story and thought this was a great book. I managed to read it in a day as I got into it straight away, it was unputdownable. Best one of the series so far for me.
#Iflookscouldkill @RiverrunBooks @QuercusBooks @LivKiernan
September 2, 2020
This is the third book in the Frankie Sheehan series, but I haven’t read any of the others and this works fine as a standalone book.
DCS Frankie Sheehan and her trusted sidekick, Baz, investigate the disappearance of Debbie Nugent. Set in rural Ireland, the descriptions of the local scenery are definitely worth a mention, you can easily picture where the events would take place and the relevance of the other houses in relation to Debbie’s which helps to set the scene and events that follow.
This has a great plot. The answer to what happened to Debbie seems quite obvious to begin with, she must definitely be dead for a start and who did it? Most likely Frankie’s first thought, the daughter who has lived with the murder scene for so long… definitely suspicious! Sheehan is relentless with finding her supporting evidence, but, trusting her instincts, all is not what it seems.
Kieran does an excellent job of bringing us along with the thoughts of the investigators and the investigation with its various twists and turns. Nothing is obvious but not shocking either. This has a good solid plot that could easily be based in the real world instead of fiction.
The characters are strong and well developed. I particularly enjoyed the strong lead woman, Frankie. The book demonstrates how well Frankie handles being in a male-dominated police force which is interesting to see, she is intelligent and strong in her field but also kind and loyal. There are other secondary characters which are mostly just as well developed though a couple would have been nice to hear a little more about, especially towards the end.
I enjoyed the opening scenes the most…quite a different start to most books and quite shocking. A man enters a busy park in the middle of Dublin and shoots himself. There is no explanation for this, and it feels a bit remote until the thread is picked up and makes perfect sense towards the end of the book when you have almost forgotten about it even happening.
Overall a great book and I am looking forward to more in the series and finding some time to go back and read the two before!
DCS Frankie Sheehan and her trusted sidekick, Baz, investigate the disappearance of Debbie Nugent. Set in rural Ireland, the descriptions of the local scenery are definitely worth a mention, you can easily picture where the events would take place and the relevance of the other houses in relation to Debbie’s which helps to set the scene and events that follow.
This has a great plot. The answer to what happened to Debbie seems quite obvious to begin with, she must definitely be dead for a start and who did it? Most likely Frankie’s first thought, the daughter who has lived with the murder scene for so long… definitely suspicious! Sheehan is relentless with finding her supporting evidence, but, trusting her instincts, all is not what it seems.
Kieran does an excellent job of bringing us along with the thoughts of the investigators and the investigation with its various twists and turns. Nothing is obvious but not shocking either. This has a good solid plot that could easily be based in the real world instead of fiction.
The characters are strong and well developed. I particularly enjoyed the strong lead woman, Frankie. The book demonstrates how well Frankie handles being in a male-dominated police force which is interesting to see, she is intelligent and strong in her field but also kind and loyal. There are other secondary characters which are mostly just as well developed though a couple would have been nice to hear a little more about, especially towards the end.
I enjoyed the opening scenes the most…quite a different start to most books and quite shocking. A man enters a busy park in the middle of Dublin and shoots himself. There is no explanation for this, and it feels a bit remote until the thread is picked up and makes perfect sense towards the end of the book when you have almost forgotten about it even happening.
Overall a great book and I am looking forward to more in the series and finding some time to go back and read the two before!
July 23, 2020
** BLOG TOUR REVIEW **
Firstly a big thank you to the publishers Quercus Books for the invitation to take part in my first Blog Tour.
*****************************
Talk about starting with a "BANG"
This is a book you literally inhale, you dont read it... you breathe it in and have it running through your veins! Major book hangover commencing!
Now I've got to be truthful here and raise my hand... I hadn't read the two previous books in this series (Too Close to Breathe & The Killer in Me) semi did have reservations on how I would get along BUT this can easily be read as a stand alone. I have since downloaded the first two and will be straight onto them!
I literally devoured this book. Its exciting, fast paced, well executed in every way and full to the brim of twists and turns... most definitely my kinda read.
The main character Frankie Sheehan is so well written she literally bursts from the pages.. she obviously has quite a backstory (which I will hopefully catch up on) but you cam tell even from only reading the third in the series that shes a very complex character with so many layers to her. I loved her relationship with Baz (no spoilers) and just how relatable all the characters were.
Set I'm Ireland the storyline whacks you in the face right at the beginning and then once the dust has settled starts to build gradually, all the while dripping in more and more clues that are investigated brilliantly. The storyline is not one I've come across before which is a rarity in this genre and did have me guessing throughout. This is definitely a novel full of secrets and lies which just add to the mystery of this amazing book with it's super intriguing plot.
This had me gripped from the very start and I could not put down until the very last line... grab yourself a cuppa, get comfy and enjoy!
The biggest thanks to netgalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.
@livkiernan
@quercusbooks
@riverrunbooks
Firstly a big thank you to the publishers Quercus Books for the invitation to take part in my first Blog Tour.
*****************************
Talk about starting with a "BANG"
This is a book you literally inhale, you dont read it... you breathe it in and have it running through your veins! Major book hangover commencing!
Now I've got to be truthful here and raise my hand... I hadn't read the two previous books in this series (Too Close to Breathe & The Killer in Me) semi did have reservations on how I would get along BUT this can easily be read as a stand alone. I have since downloaded the first two and will be straight onto them!
I literally devoured this book. Its exciting, fast paced, well executed in every way and full to the brim of twists and turns... most definitely my kinda read.
The main character Frankie Sheehan is so well written she literally bursts from the pages.. she obviously has quite a backstory (which I will hopefully catch up on) but you cam tell even from only reading the third in the series that shes a very complex character with so many layers to her. I loved her relationship with Baz (no spoilers) and just how relatable all the characters were.
Set I'm Ireland the storyline whacks you in the face right at the beginning and then once the dust has settled starts to build gradually, all the while dripping in more and more clues that are investigated brilliantly. The storyline is not one I've come across before which is a rarity in this genre and did have me guessing throughout. This is definitely a novel full of secrets and lies which just add to the mystery of this amazing book with it's super intriguing plot.
This had me gripped from the very start and I could not put down until the very last line... grab yourself a cuppa, get comfy and enjoy!
The biggest thanks to netgalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.
@livkiernan
@quercusbooks
@riverrunbooks
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