What do you think?
Rate this book
The Invisible
A migrant crisis. A corrupt harbour town. Who will stand for those who have become invisible to the rest of the world?People have become one of the world's most valuable commodities. Trafficked on the promise of a new life only to be hidden away as modern day slaves. When Lena, a raped and badly beaten Syrian woman, literally falls into Lindsey Ryan's life, she's left with no choice but to find her part in this new war and play it as best she can.But before she can work out a safe plan to get Lena away from her very own hell at the hands of Patrick Adebayo, Lindsey hears of an unconscious child being smuggled into Patrick's building just two doors up. Despite having Patrick's unwanted attention, she has to help the child and get Lena to safety regardless of the cost. In doing so, she finds herself face to face with the worst of humanity.Added to her own private battle with PTSD, former soldier Lindsey Ryan is in a race against time and must once again fight for her life. But if she fails to protect those around her, what if anything, will that life be worth?
370 pages, Paperback
Published March 22, 2022
1 person is currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Dunne
11 books120 followersMichelle Dunne is a crime and thriller writer from Cork whose new number 1 Best Seller The Good Girl is out now. A psychological thriller that begs the question: Would you know a serial killer if you met one? What if she served you your coffee every day?
Her much anticipated follow-up, The Hotel Maid follows June Calloway, a maid who finds the body of a murdered woman in her hotel room, just as a child is reported missing on hotel grounds. The Hotel Maid was released to rave reviews in August 24.
Michelle also wrote While Nobody is Watching and The Invisible, a series of thrillers following former soldier and UN Peacekeeper Lindsey Ryan as she tries to adapt to her new life in the clutches of PTSD. The series is currently in development for television and is inspired by Michelle’s own experiences as an infantry soldier and United Nations Peacekeeper.
Michelle is organiser and programmer of the Spike Island Literary Festival – a crime-themed festival set in Ireland's very own Alcatraz!
Her much anticipated follow-up, The Hotel Maid follows June Calloway, a maid who finds the body of a murdered woman in her hotel room, just as a child is reported missing on hotel grounds. The Hotel Maid was released to rave reviews in August 24.
Michelle also wrote While Nobody is Watching and The Invisible, a series of thrillers following former soldier and UN Peacekeeper Lindsey Ryan as she tries to adapt to her new life in the clutches of PTSD. The series is currently in development for television and is inspired by Michelle’s own experiences as an infantry soldier and United Nations Peacekeeper.
Michelle is organiser and programmer of the Spike Island Literary Festival – a crime-themed festival set in Ireland's very own Alcatraz!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 23, 2022
I had 'The Invisible' on pre-order because I'd gotten to know Lindsey Ryan in 'While Nobody Is Watching' and I wanted to know what she did next. I'd expected a continuation of the low-key but honest and insightful storytelling style of the first book. To my surprise and delight, while the honesty and insight remained, the storytelling was anything but low-key. I was ten per cent into the book and the tension was already almost unbearable. I could see that this wasn't going to be a thriller that kept hinting at dark secrets buried in the past to create tension; it was a book that banged me, face-first, into a wall of unpleasant reality and promised that there'd be much worse to come.
The plot setup is fairly simple. Lindesy Ryan has established herself in the tiny town of Cobh running a very basic teashop in a ramshackle building that she bought cheap and has done up herself. She's left her past and her friends behind in Cork City so that she can fight her PTSD demons somewhere where no one knows that she's Corporal Lindsey Ryan, the Irish soldier that got so badly hurt by an IED when she was on a tour of duty as a UN peacekeeper in Syria. She's keeping her head down as best she can. She, like everyone else, knows that there's a brothel run by a violent crime boss two houses up from her café. The reality of what that means only becomes clear to her when a woman from the brothel falls, naked, used and beaten into Lindsey's yard and the brothel owner comes looking for his property back and quietly promises dire consequences for Lindsey if this doesn't happen.
I thought using Cobh for this story was inspired. It's a pretty little town built on a steep hill on Great Island in Cork Harbour and connected to the mainland by a single bridge. Once the main point of departure for the millions of Irish emigrating to America, these days Cobh is mainly a tourist destination, famous for its colourful buildings. Showing that this pretty little place is home to something as banally evil as sexual slavery and that everyone in the town turns a blind eye is a powerful way of showing how human trafficking flourishes.
What I liked even more, was that 'The Invisible' doesn't read like an attack on the concept of sexual slavery. It's far more direct and personal than that. There's nothing theoretical here, just the reality of callous abuse, human misery and public indifference. The storytelling is characterised by an intense immediacy that doesn't allow for any emotional distance. Lindsey is confronted with the humanity of the abused and the unsensationalised brutality of the abusers. Once she sees this, she knows she can't look away.
What raises 'The Invisible' above other thrillers, in my view, is that, while Lindsey Ryan is tough and competent, she isn't invulnerable. She's not some ex-special forces guy who always has a plan. She's not Jack Reacher or Evan Smoak. She's a woman so scarred by what's already happened to her that death sometimes feels like it might be a release. But she can't walk away from the evil next door. She refuses to have more people on her conscience. So she stands up and does what's needed. But there's no macho confrontation. No calling out of the bad guy. She's trying hard to be seen as the tea lady next door until she can find a way off the island.
I found the story totally engaging, not in a 'How will Lindsey get out of this?' intellectual way but more in a watching each scene from behind my hands and going 'This is bad. Very bad. And it's going to get worse.' Lindsey is competent and brave but that doesn't mean that she's going to win and it certainly doesn't mean that she's not going to get hurt, on the other hand, it's clear she's not going to stop.
'The Invisible' is stronger because the other characters in the book, the ones who want to help Lindsey, the ones she wants to help and the ones who want to stop her, all seem very real. The book captures the reactions of people in a small town ridden by both fear and guilt and seeded with a little bit of hope, very well.
The ending caught me by surprise. It's tough and plausible and not very pleasant.
I had a great time with this book and I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants a well-crafted, edge- of-theseat thriller that also engages unblinkingly with the ugly realities of modern slavery.
April 20, 2022
The Invisible by Michelle Dunne will be published April 25th with Bad Press Ink and is the second book in this series featuring the gutsy and indomitable ex-soldier Lindsey Ryan. Having read and thoroughly enjoyed While Nobody is Watching (Book 1), I was delighted with the opportunity to read The Invisible and was certainly not disappointed.
While Nobody is Watching was set primarily on the Northside of Cork City but, for The Invisible, Michelle Dunne takes the readers right into her own home town of Cobh. Located roughly 23km outside the city of Cork, Cobh is probably best known as the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912. For many Irish families it was also the place where many left their home soil forever making transatlantic journeys in search of the American dream. Now, Ireland, like many countries, has become a haven for immigrants & refugees escaping terrible hardships and frightening experiences in their own homelands. As the name implies, The Invisible, tackles one of the seedy aspects of the immigrant crisis, people trafficking.
Lindsey Ryan is now living in Cobh, having moved on from her time working with underprivileged youth in the city. Needing a project to challenge and distract her, Lindsey renovated an old house and opened a café on the ground floor. Not your typical tea lady, Lindsey’s place attracts all sorts, a place where anyone and everyone is welcome. Her wing woman, and chief baker, is Eileen, a member of the travelling community. Labels mean nothing to Lindsey and she sees beyond the stereotypical, accepting Eileen for who she is and for the skills she brings to the business.
Lindsey Ryan has a past, a history that she can’t shake off and one that has left her permanently scarred, both physically and emotionally. As a former soldier with the Irish army, Lindsey was based near the Golan Heights and was left severely impacted by an explosion of an IED. She lost many friends and the memories of that day keep playing on repeat in her head. She survived but the guilt is eating her up. Lindsey clearly suffers from PTSD but refusing any help, she deals with it in her own way. Lindsey is a fighter, tough to the extreme and unafraid to face her death at any given time. She is fanatical about her exercise regime using this time to unwind and recalibrate her thoughts. Her time alone, pushing herself at all times, releases the constant coil that is forever tightening inside her. The only beating heart that Lindsey really cares for is Frank, her four-legged friend. Frank is her saviour when she hits the doldrums, or The Dreads, as Lindsey calls that terrible onset of black thoughts that frequently invade her mind. Frank is her safety net always there for her, never demanding anything, always prepared to protect Lindsey when he thinks she needs it.
One evening when she is alone in her home Lindsey is surprised by a noise in her backyard. She makes a very shocking discovery when she sees what’s there. It is a young woman, naked, obviously tortured and, without asking, Lindsey knows this woman has been raped and subjected to a terrible ordeal.
‘Her face was bloodied, her hair wild and dishevelled. Bit it was her eyes that jolted Lindsey. They were wide and filled with terror. Lindsey instantly recognised it as a look of pure animal fear.’
Her name is Lena. She is Syrian and was tricked by human traffickers who promised her a very different life. Under the ‘ownership’ of a local known criminal, Patrick Adebayo, Lena decided she could take no more of the savage and brutal constant attacks that she had endured so escaped, finding Lindsey’s backyard as the only refuge. Lindsey is appalled and immediately welcomes Lena into her home knowing that she will be threatened for harbouring this woman but also knowing that she could not send her back to her jailer.
Trouble always comes knocking on Lindsey Ryan’s door and it’s not long before she finds herself in a very precarious situation. Taking in Lena was sure to draw unwanted attention but when Lindsey hears that there are possibly children involved in a local smuggling operation, she sees red. This cannot be allowed to happen on her doorstep. This inhumane activity has to be stopped. But Lindsey has to deal with corrupt police and a heinous individual who all stand to lose if Lindsey blows their cover. Lindsey is about to embark on a fight that will test all her physical strength, as well as her psychological state at any given moment.
The Invisible is another cracker from Michelle Dunne. Although fictional, the themes of coercion, immigration, human trafficking and mental health are all very relevant to society today. Michelle was a UN Peacekeeper with the Irish army, which adds an extra, and very authentic, layer to Lindsey Ryan’s backstory. One would almost believe that Michelle Dunne is Lindsey Ryan! Setting the book in Cobh allowed Michelle to really develop her setting for many of the scenes, as it all exists, and I know this, as Cobh is only down the road from where I live.
‘During the summer months, some of the largest cruise liners in the world came to visit Cobh. Usually they were greeted by pipe bands, and those same bands would play as they pulled off after spending a day or two marvelling at the town’s beauty and hospitality. It didn’t feel as hospitable these days. Not to Lindsey at least, but she tended to have that effect on places.’
Lindsey Ryan has no fear for her personal safety which makes her a very formative enemy. She is passionate about doing the right thing and helping others in the community who need a lift up. She cannot bear to see another human being in distress and if she can, she will always assist. Human trafficking on her own doorstep is just not something Lindsey is prepared to ignore and, with her tenacious spirit and a little help from friends, both old and new, Lindsey Ryan steps up and prepares to fight for her life and the lives of her precious charges.
The Invisible is a shocking tale, one that is brought very much to life by Michelle Dunne. The anguish is palpable, the fear is real, the pain is visible. Michelle Dunne perfectly captures the wit and the banter of Cork, while also engaging the reader in a taut, vivid and compelling read. There are scenes of a very distressing nature from the beginning but the smart dialogue breaks up the intensity, allowing for a little breathing space. Raw, realistic, frightening and altogether engrossing The Invisible is a marvellous addition to this series. Congratulations Michelle Dunne!
While Nobody is Watching was set primarily on the Northside of Cork City but, for The Invisible, Michelle Dunne takes the readers right into her own home town of Cobh. Located roughly 23km outside the city of Cork, Cobh is probably best known as the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912. For many Irish families it was also the place where many left their home soil forever making transatlantic journeys in search of the American dream. Now, Ireland, like many countries, has become a haven for immigrants & refugees escaping terrible hardships and frightening experiences in their own homelands. As the name implies, The Invisible, tackles one of the seedy aspects of the immigrant crisis, people trafficking.
Lindsey Ryan is now living in Cobh, having moved on from her time working with underprivileged youth in the city. Needing a project to challenge and distract her, Lindsey renovated an old house and opened a café on the ground floor. Not your typical tea lady, Lindsey’s place attracts all sorts, a place where anyone and everyone is welcome. Her wing woman, and chief baker, is Eileen, a member of the travelling community. Labels mean nothing to Lindsey and she sees beyond the stereotypical, accepting Eileen for who she is and for the skills she brings to the business.
Lindsey Ryan has a past, a history that she can’t shake off and one that has left her permanently scarred, both physically and emotionally. As a former soldier with the Irish army, Lindsey was based near the Golan Heights and was left severely impacted by an explosion of an IED. She lost many friends and the memories of that day keep playing on repeat in her head. She survived but the guilt is eating her up. Lindsey clearly suffers from PTSD but refusing any help, she deals with it in her own way. Lindsey is a fighter, tough to the extreme and unafraid to face her death at any given time. She is fanatical about her exercise regime using this time to unwind and recalibrate her thoughts. Her time alone, pushing herself at all times, releases the constant coil that is forever tightening inside her. The only beating heart that Lindsey really cares for is Frank, her four-legged friend. Frank is her saviour when she hits the doldrums, or The Dreads, as Lindsey calls that terrible onset of black thoughts that frequently invade her mind. Frank is her safety net always there for her, never demanding anything, always prepared to protect Lindsey when he thinks she needs it.
One evening when she is alone in her home Lindsey is surprised by a noise in her backyard. She makes a very shocking discovery when she sees what’s there. It is a young woman, naked, obviously tortured and, without asking, Lindsey knows this woman has been raped and subjected to a terrible ordeal.
‘Her face was bloodied, her hair wild and dishevelled. Bit it was her eyes that jolted Lindsey. They were wide and filled with terror. Lindsey instantly recognised it as a look of pure animal fear.’
Her name is Lena. She is Syrian and was tricked by human traffickers who promised her a very different life. Under the ‘ownership’ of a local known criminal, Patrick Adebayo, Lena decided she could take no more of the savage and brutal constant attacks that she had endured so escaped, finding Lindsey’s backyard as the only refuge. Lindsey is appalled and immediately welcomes Lena into her home knowing that she will be threatened for harbouring this woman but also knowing that she could not send her back to her jailer.
Trouble always comes knocking on Lindsey Ryan’s door and it’s not long before she finds herself in a very precarious situation. Taking in Lena was sure to draw unwanted attention but when Lindsey hears that there are possibly children involved in a local smuggling operation, she sees red. This cannot be allowed to happen on her doorstep. This inhumane activity has to be stopped. But Lindsey has to deal with corrupt police and a heinous individual who all stand to lose if Lindsey blows their cover. Lindsey is about to embark on a fight that will test all her physical strength, as well as her psychological state at any given moment.
The Invisible is another cracker from Michelle Dunne. Although fictional, the themes of coercion, immigration, human trafficking and mental health are all very relevant to society today. Michelle was a UN Peacekeeper with the Irish army, which adds an extra, and very authentic, layer to Lindsey Ryan’s backstory. One would almost believe that Michelle Dunne is Lindsey Ryan! Setting the book in Cobh allowed Michelle to really develop her setting for many of the scenes, as it all exists, and I know this, as Cobh is only down the road from where I live.
‘During the summer months, some of the largest cruise liners in the world came to visit Cobh. Usually they were greeted by pipe bands, and those same bands would play as they pulled off after spending a day or two marvelling at the town’s beauty and hospitality. It didn’t feel as hospitable these days. Not to Lindsey at least, but she tended to have that effect on places.’
Lindsey Ryan has no fear for her personal safety which makes her a very formative enemy. She is passionate about doing the right thing and helping others in the community who need a lift up. She cannot bear to see another human being in distress and if she can, she will always assist. Human trafficking on her own doorstep is just not something Lindsey is prepared to ignore and, with her tenacious spirit and a little help from friends, both old and new, Lindsey Ryan steps up and prepares to fight for her life and the lives of her precious charges.
The Invisible is a shocking tale, one that is brought very much to life by Michelle Dunne. The anguish is palpable, the fear is real, the pain is visible. Michelle Dunne perfectly captures the wit and the banter of Cork, while also engaging the reader in a taut, vivid and compelling read. There are scenes of a very distressing nature from the beginning but the smart dialogue breaks up the intensity, allowing for a little breathing space. Raw, realistic, frightening and altogether engrossing The Invisible is a marvellous addition to this series. Congratulations Michelle Dunne!
September 20, 2022
The invisible I was hooked from the minute i read the first sentence. could not put it dien. I wanted to find out Linsey story and how she helps Lena.Michelle Dunne writing style is gripping snd keeps you on your toes. i really liked Linsey dog Frank. There was characters i liked espeally Ellieen and Linsey and there was some characters i did not like. The invisible is a psychological thriller which is my favourite genera. Great read 5 stars highly recommed this book. Thank you @rararesources and @ Michelle Dunnecfor letting me part of this your and reviewing this book
April 30, 2022
The Invisible is the second Lindsey Ryan thriller by Dunne but can be read as a stand-alone.
Lindsey is a former soldier suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts and PTSD. Her only companion is Frank, her support dog, who helps her cope with her mental health issues. Lindsay renovates an old building in Cobh, Co. Cork and opens a little cafe with the help of Eileen, a young traveller who works as the chef. When a young woman literally falls into her back yard, Lindsay is determined to help her. The town is run by Patrick Adebayo, a local crime Lord who wants his property back.
Dunne isn’t afraid to tackle some very difficult subjects in this book- human trafficking, child abuse, rape and sexual abuse, drugs, police corruption, racism. But they are all treated with a sensitivity and clarity to open the readers’ eyes to the dark, corrupt underbelly of Irish society.
Lindsey is a broken woman but she’s willing to put herself in harm’s way to protect the weak and vulnerable- and even welcomes her potential death if that is meant to be. She literally breaks herself up fighting men three times her size to protect those in her care. While reading this, I continually compared her in my head to the likes of Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher and I loved how Dunne lets us really see all facets of Lindsey’s character. She’s a very believable figure and as someone who has had family members in the military, what Lindsey goes through is very accurate.
It’s a fast-paced, gripping story full of action, suspense and heartbreaking moments. There are some twists along the way that will shock the reader. I would love to see another Lindsey Ryan book in the future. Well written and a compulsive read!
Thanks to Deirdre Roberts Books, the author & Bad Ink Press for a copy of the book. 4 ⭐️ The Invisible is out now! Go check out the first book in the series “While Nobody is Watching” which has been optioned for tv.
Lindsey is a former soldier suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts and PTSD. Her only companion is Frank, her support dog, who helps her cope with her mental health issues. Lindsay renovates an old building in Cobh, Co. Cork and opens a little cafe with the help of Eileen, a young traveller who works as the chef. When a young woman literally falls into her back yard, Lindsay is determined to help her. The town is run by Patrick Adebayo, a local crime Lord who wants his property back.
Dunne isn’t afraid to tackle some very difficult subjects in this book- human trafficking, child abuse, rape and sexual abuse, drugs, police corruption, racism. But they are all treated with a sensitivity and clarity to open the readers’ eyes to the dark, corrupt underbelly of Irish society.
Lindsey is a broken woman but she’s willing to put herself in harm’s way to protect the weak and vulnerable- and even welcomes her potential death if that is meant to be. She literally breaks herself up fighting men three times her size to protect those in her care. While reading this, I continually compared her in my head to the likes of Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher and I loved how Dunne lets us really see all facets of Lindsey’s character. She’s a very believable figure and as someone who has had family members in the military, what Lindsey goes through is very accurate.
It’s a fast-paced, gripping story full of action, suspense and heartbreaking moments. There are some twists along the way that will shock the reader. I would love to see another Lindsey Ryan book in the future. Well written and a compulsive read!
Thanks to Deirdre Roberts Books, the author & Bad Ink Press for a copy of the book. 4 ⭐️ The Invisible is out now! Go check out the first book in the series “While Nobody is Watching” which has been optioned for tv.
April 16, 2022
I eagerly awaited The Invisible , the follow up to Michelle Dunne's first Lindsey Ryan book, While Nobody Is Watching, with that mixed feeling of excitement and fear that I would face disappointment. No such fears!! Within the first few pages I was already back with old friends in the characters of Lindsey and Frank (the support dog who is almost human). Lindsey is such a well drawn character that we are at once familiar with her and concerned with her episodes of PTSD ( the treatment of her illness is heartbreakingly accurate). Whilst her army training leaves Lindsey capable of extreme physical violence, her natural empathy and care for people seems to land her in trouble that she surely can't get out of. Is it too much to hope for that running a cafe in Cobh will be a nice, peaceful "retirement" for Lindsey? Damn right it is - trouble follows Lindsey around and even the heroic Frank will struggle to keep her safe. The other characters in this story are excellent - ballsy Traveller Eileen, nosy neighbour octogenarians, potential "love interests" and menacing villains who seem to be untouchable. Is this one battle too far for Lindsey? Well, you will need to read that for yourself. I won't risk adding spoilers by saying too much but if you enjoy a real good thriller with well developed characters I would highly recommend this book. It was well worth the wait. Thank you Michelle Dunne for creating these characters .
April 28, 2022
The theme of this book is so current.
A migrant crisis, a small Irish town where corruption rules and everyone turns a blind eye to Patrick Adebayo and his thuggish companions. Some people see and do nothing, others don't want to see.
Lindsey Ryan, ex-soldier, suffering from PTSD and now running a cafe in Cobh. Lena, a Syrian woman, who has been trafficked, raped, beaten and abused and who, quite literally, falls into Lindsey's back yard one night.
Lindsey takes a risk and hides her but at a cost to her business. She then hears that Patrick also deals in young boys, a step too far for Lindsey.
She rescues two boys along with one of Patrick's "trainees", Charlie. All very well and good but how will she move them from under Patrick's nose and find them somewhere safe to live. Patrick Adebayo has people everywhere watching Lindsey's every move. Can she pull this off without getting herself and her charges killed?
A migrant crisis, a small Irish town where corruption rules and everyone turns a blind eye to Patrick Adebayo and his thuggish companions. Some people see and do nothing, others don't want to see.
Lindsey Ryan, ex-soldier, suffering from PTSD and now running a cafe in Cobh. Lena, a Syrian woman, who has been trafficked, raped, beaten and abused and who, quite literally, falls into Lindsey's back yard one night.
Lindsey takes a risk and hides her but at a cost to her business. She then hears that Patrick also deals in young boys, a step too far for Lindsey.
She rescues two boys along with one of Patrick's "trainees", Charlie. All very well and good but how will she move them from under Patrick's nose and find them somewhere safe to live. Patrick Adebayo has people everywhere watching Lindsey's every move. Can she pull this off without getting herself and her charges killed?
April 25, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed (although also horrified by) The Invisible by Michelle Dunne, which I read stave by stave with the Pigeonhole, and was deeply immersed in the dark world of Lindsey Ryan.
The book is set in the idyllic town of Cobh, near Cork, in modern-day Ireland, which has an underbelly of people trafficking and abuse of women and children by the nasty Patrick and his cronies, who seem to control the whole village and beyond. But they haven’t reckoned with the local tea room owner and ex-soldier Lindsey, who sparks a war with them when she gives asylum to a young woman who drops into her back yard one night.
I was immersed in this horrifying, dark and well-written novel, with its well-drawn characters, good and evil, until the ending, which was inconclusive and somewhat disappointing, and looked like it was set up for a sequel, which I have just found out is the case. I hope I get to watch a series set on Michelle’s books.
The book is set in the idyllic town of Cobh, near Cork, in modern-day Ireland, which has an underbelly of people trafficking and abuse of women and children by the nasty Patrick and his cronies, who seem to control the whole village and beyond. But they haven’t reckoned with the local tea room owner and ex-soldier Lindsey, who sparks a war with them when she gives asylum to a young woman who drops into her back yard one night.
I was immersed in this horrifying, dark and well-written novel, with its well-drawn characters, good and evil, until the ending, which was inconclusive and somewhat disappointing, and looked like it was set up for a sequel, which I have just found out is the case. I hope I get to watch a series set on Michelle’s books.
April 29, 2022
I haven't read the first book in the Lindsey Ryan series but this worked well as a standalone. Lindsey is a former soldier suffering from PTSD and now running a cafe in Cobh. One evening she hears a noise in her yard and discovers a young woman in great distress. She is a Syrian woman called Lena who has been trafficked and has been living in a house with several other trafficked women under the watchful eye of Patrick Adebayo a known criminal. Lindsey decides to hide Lena while trying to find a safe place for her. However she then learns that children have also been trafficked and Lindsey vows to try and rescue them.
The Invisible is a tense, dark story which is all the more shocking when one considers that these events really do happen.
The ending was rather abrupt but I gather there is to be a sequel so that could be the reason.
The Invisible is a tense, dark story which is all the more shocking when one considers that these events really do happen.
The ending was rather abrupt but I gather there is to be a sequel so that could be the reason.
April 30, 2022
I’ve had to think about this review before posting. This book deals with important subjects; PTSD, people smuggling, police corruption and yet I didn’t find myself as absorbed as I thought I would be.
Maybe it’s because it’s the second book in a series about the hero, Lindsey Ryan, and I haven’t read the first?
There’s lots to admire here - Lindsey is a strong and feisty protagonist, with an excellent canine sidekick. She’s not afraid of the evil mobsters trafficking women and children in the Irish Port town where she lives, and she’s certainly able to survive physical threats and attacks which would leave others in the hospital.
I think I just didn’t feel an emotional connection to her. I read this with the Pigeonhole and others loved it, so I’m prepared to say that this is personal preference and you might love it!
Maybe it’s because it’s the second book in a series about the hero, Lindsey Ryan, and I haven’t read the first?
There’s lots to admire here - Lindsey is a strong and feisty protagonist, with an excellent canine sidekick. She’s not afraid of the evil mobsters trafficking women and children in the Irish Port town where she lives, and she’s certainly able to survive physical threats and attacks which would leave others in the hospital.
I think I just didn’t feel an emotional connection to her. I read this with the Pigeonhole and others loved it, so I’m prepared to say that this is personal preference and you might love it!
April 25, 2022
Propulsive, compelling, don’t start this book if you’ve anything important to do because you won’t be able to stop reading. Lindsey is a character that draws you to her; tough, heart broken but with a massive heart. She's a highly skilled ex-soldier, capable and determined, and just wants a quiet life. She tries hard to make herself an island, but never manages it - people are drawn to her as she is drawn to them. There are a whole host of well rounded characters that felt so real, so authentic. There were several jaw-drop moments & tears in my eyes more than once. This is a one-sitting read that deserves all the stars!
April 28, 2022
The Invisible by Michelle Dunne is the second book in the Lindsey Ryan series.
Former soldier Lindsey now living in Cobh with her trusty dog Frank finds herself in trouble when she crosses the line by rescuing a young Syrian girl who had been trafficked by a corrupt violent gang of traffickers working in Cobh. Lindsey’s nightmare begins.
This is a dark harrowing tale which isn’t easy to read at times yet it’s very compelling and written well. I loved Lindsey’s character although at times she came across as superhuman and Eileen definitely lightened the mood with her Irish wit which was peppered throughout the book, a pleasant relief in this brutal story.
Former soldier Lindsey now living in Cobh with her trusty dog Frank finds herself in trouble when she crosses the line by rescuing a young Syrian girl who had been trafficked by a corrupt violent gang of traffickers working in Cobh. Lindsey’s nightmare begins.
This is a dark harrowing tale which isn’t easy to read at times yet it’s very compelling and written well. I loved Lindsey’s character although at times she came across as superhuman and Eileen definitely lightened the mood with her Irish wit which was peppered throughout the book, a pleasant relief in this brutal story.
April 25, 2022
I haven't read the first book in the series but I will be now.
Lindsey Ryan is a great character - a tough and highly trained ex-soldier that wants to hide inside a quiet life as she's dealing with PTSD. However much she wants peace and quiet, she can't turn a blind eye when vulnerable are being exploited. Lindsey kicks off war with a man who abuses women and children, and is willing to take the consequences of never backing down. Highly enjoyable, entertaining and a real slice of escapism.
Lindsey Ryan is a great character - a tough and highly trained ex-soldier that wants to hide inside a quiet life as she's dealing with PTSD. However much she wants peace and quiet, she can't turn a blind eye when vulnerable are being exploited. Lindsey kicks off war with a man who abuses women and children, and is willing to take the consequences of never backing down. Highly enjoyable, entertaining and a real slice of escapism.
April 26, 2022
The Invisible by Michelle Dunne is a thought provoking book about trafficking in Ireland. It was an interesting perspective of a different area of the country where you wouldn’t expect this trade in human life. The main characters were very well thought out and with some of them being in the same army unit they had formed a very close bond.
An interesting and fascinating storyline.
Highly recommended
An interesting and fascinating storyline.
Highly recommended
April 25, 2022
4.5* for this tense escapade into the world of human trafficking, drugs, prostitution and the one woman army that takes on the kingpin, Lindsey Ryan.
Suspend belief at her sheer inability to fold and this is a sit down and read in one sitting type of book.
Suspend belief at her sheer inability to fold and this is a sit down and read in one sitting type of book.
April 25, 2022
Somewhere between 3.5 and 3.75 for me.
4 stars for tension.
5 stars for the grim reality.
3 stars for Lindsey. I liked her but I found her implausibly machine like, surviving on so little sleep and so many attacks it was a wonder she could lift an eyelash given the extent of her injuries, and yet she carried on, courting more violence and tackling it all head on. Maybe life as a soldier really is like this, in which case the story deserves 5 stars. It is well written, extremely sad, and full of vicious men doing unspeakable things.
I did like the camaraderie between Damo, Lindsey and Street, with a bit of Levi thrown in and Lindsey's relationship with Eileen added another layer to the story.
Just not quite my cup of tea. There isn't a single character in the book who would drink the weak, milky stuff I love which is why they are mercenaries and I am not!
4 stars for tension.
5 stars for the grim reality.
3 stars for Lindsey. I liked her but I found her implausibly machine like, surviving on so little sleep and so many attacks it was a wonder she could lift an eyelash given the extent of her injuries, and yet she carried on, courting more violence and tackling it all head on. Maybe life as a soldier really is like this, in which case the story deserves 5 stars. It is well written, extremely sad, and full of vicious men doing unspeakable things.
I did like the camaraderie between Damo, Lindsey and Street, with a bit of Levi thrown in and Lindsey's relationship with Eileen added another layer to the story.
Just not quite my cup of tea. There isn't a single character in the book who would drink the weak, milky stuff I love which is why they are mercenaries and I am not!
September 16, 2022
2nd book in the Lindsey Ryan series. Read as a standalone. Lyndsey battles PTSD and unwillingly the gang dealing with human trafficking of immigrants in prostitution etc. More on the blog tour.
https://bertyboy123.wordpress.com/
https://bertyboy123.wordpress.com/
September 18, 2022
3.5⭐
I was fortunate to receive a space on the blog tour from Boldwood Books for this book.
This is a tough read! Obviously from the blurb it's clear the subject matter is intense. This is the second in the Lindsey Ryan series, but I didn't struggle having not read the first. OMG, the violence that woman had to endure!
The ending came as a shock to me, I wasn't sure how the book was going to end, but I certainly didn't expect that.
My favourite quote:
"You know Specsavers check ears now too, Jimmy."
I was fortunate to receive a space on the blog tour from Boldwood Books for this book.
This is a tough read! Obviously from the blurb it's clear the subject matter is intense. This is the second in the Lindsey Ryan series, but I didn't struggle having not read the first. OMG, the violence that woman had to endure!
The ending came as a shock to me, I wasn't sure how the book was going to end, but I certainly didn't expect that.
My favourite quote:
"You know Specsavers check ears now too, Jimmy."
April 28, 2022
Lots of violence scattered with tension.
Ex Army machines that don't function like normal people, able to dig rubble with fractured ribs and climb mountains with knife wounds. Can I have some of what they're on please?
Not really my cup of tea, but thanks to Pigeonhole and Michelle for the opportunity to read this.
Ex Army machines that don't function like normal people, able to dig rubble with fractured ribs and climb mountains with knife wounds. Can I have some of what they're on please?
Not really my cup of tea, but thanks to Pigeonhole and Michelle for the opportunity to read this.
October 15, 2022
This sounded like exactly the sort of book I love to read, though it definitely a different vibe to it with the fantastic character of Lindsey Ryan. Instead of the usual police/detective role, Lindsey is a former soldier and such a brilliantly written, complex character. The book was pretty action packed from the start and drew me in straight away, tackling such an important subject as human trafficking, it felt gritty and real.
I will certainly be reading the first book in the series, While Nobody Is Watching.
I will certainly be reading the first book in the series, While Nobody Is Watching.
May 18, 2022
Not all heroes wear capes, some brandish baseball bats, dark pasts and have a thing for beating the living daylights out of people, but they are still heroes and get the job done.
The second instalment of the Lindsey Ryan thrillers does not disappoint. Set in the harbour town of Cobh, Ryan finds herself back in the thick of things, forced to be the hero again when trouble literally falls in her lap.
Extortion, human trafficking and echoes of the troubled past that Ryan keeps running from, make for an exciting and fast paced story that seems to be becoming Dunne’s trade mark. Ryan is surrounded once again by her team when she needs them most and we’re left wondering where this squad and more importantly Lindsey will find themselves next.
Gritty and gripping, a page turner that opens your eyes to the dirty under belly of the world we live in. Five stars for sure, a book not to be missed.
The second instalment of the Lindsey Ryan thrillers does not disappoint. Set in the harbour town of Cobh, Ryan finds herself back in the thick of things, forced to be the hero again when trouble literally falls in her lap.
Extortion, human trafficking and echoes of the troubled past that Ryan keeps running from, make for an exciting and fast paced story that seems to be becoming Dunne’s trade mark. Ryan is surrounded once again by her team when she needs them most and we’re left wondering where this squad and more importantly Lindsey will find themselves next.
Gritty and gripping, a page turner that opens your eyes to the dirty under belly of the world we live in. Five stars for sure, a book not to be missed.
October 1, 2022
I was absolutely gripped from the very beginning, completely taken into the small town dynamic and Lyndsey her is an amazing main character. I was constantly willing her on as we learnt more and more about her, her troubles and her past.
I had never read the first in this series so it really does work as a stand along book.
The story does take you over some dark subjects and Dunne has done an amazing job in writing enough to create the atmosphere and a very clear picture of what’s unfolding, but does not go down an unnecessarily graphic route for shock value. I think this is what really makes the book so gripping.
I had never read the first in this series so it really does work as a stand along book.
The story does take you over some dark subjects and Dunne has done an amazing job in writing enough to create the atmosphere and a very clear picture of what’s unfolding, but does not go down an unnecessarily graphic route for shock value. I think this is what really makes the book so gripping.
September 25, 2022
Lindsey Ryan is suffering from her own PTSD, trying to live her life in a small town and run a little tea shop. However, when a woman from the brothel 2 doors down is found beaten and raped Lindsey must fight for herself as well as the woman.
It isn't long before more is uncovered when a small child is seen being taken into the building and Lindsey knows something bigger is happening.
From the first page, you can feel the tension of this novel, which had me hooked as well as scared. This was a heavy read but one that had my adrenaline going and I couldn't put it down.
For anyone who wants to read this, there are definite trigger warnings, which are very raw subjects. Dunne writes in a way that the hero will be your favorite character but who also has human emotions and difficulties.
This is the second novel in a series with the main character, Lindsey Ryan, and I look forward to going back to read the first.
It isn't long before more is uncovered when a small child is seen being taken into the building and Lindsey knows something bigger is happening.
From the first page, you can feel the tension of this novel, which had me hooked as well as scared. This was a heavy read but one that had my adrenaline going and I couldn't put it down.
For anyone who wants to read this, there are definite trigger warnings, which are very raw subjects. Dunne writes in a way that the hero will be your favorite character but who also has human emotions and difficulties.
This is the second novel in a series with the main character, Lindsey Ryan, and I look forward to going back to read the first.
September 19, 2022
Some cover appreciation here if you please! What a cover! I love my covers and I love this one!
On with the review!
This is the second book in the ‘Lindsey Ryan Thrillers’ series but can totally be read as a stand-alone, which was perfect for me because I haven’t read the first book.
I became immediately aware that Linsey was going to be a strong female lead and I just knew that I was going to have a good time with this book! Linsey finds herself in a very difficult position when she rescues a Syrian girl who has been trafficked by a violent gang of traffickers working in Cobh - the town where she and her dog ‘Frank’ live.
The story is pumped full of adrenaline, steroids have nothing on this plot! Seriously, it’s crazy! Plenty of fast paced action and unexpected twists.
Definitely one for the adrenaline junkie!
On with the review!
This is the second book in the ‘Lindsey Ryan Thrillers’ series but can totally be read as a stand-alone, which was perfect for me because I haven’t read the first book.
I became immediately aware that Linsey was going to be a strong female lead and I just knew that I was going to have a good time with this book! Linsey finds herself in a very difficult position when she rescues a Syrian girl who has been trafficked by a violent gang of traffickers working in Cobh - the town where she and her dog ‘Frank’ live.
The story is pumped full of adrenaline, steroids have nothing on this plot! Seriously, it’s crazy! Plenty of fast paced action and unexpected twists.
Definitely one for the adrenaline junkie!
September 18, 2022
This is an amazingly well written story. It relates in alot of ways to today's important issues of PTSD, people smuggling, police corruption and depression. Lindsey Ryan just wants a quiet life or so she thinks until one night Lena a badly beaten and raped Syrian woman lands in her backyard, then Lindsey finds herself up against the worst of humanity. Lindsey is a tough character with a big heart and with her loveable sidekick Frank the support dog, they are an indomitable team. I loved this book as it had my heart beating out of my chest with all the action and suspense. It is the second in the series but can be read as a standalone as I read it. I enjoyed it so much that I am going to get the first in the series to read now which is called While nobody is watching. If you like suspense, thrillers and action packed books by authors like Vince Flynn then this is for you!
September 20, 2022
A highly relatable read for me being the partner of a former soldier with PTSD myself.
Fast paced, highly immersive and such an Intriguing plotline. It's the first book I've read of Dunne's but will definitely check out her other works now.
One of the main themes throughout was people/child trafficking so it does make for some uncomfortable reading in places.
The characters are real, relatable and made for interesting reading.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot and gifted copy.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fast paced, highly immersive and such an Intriguing plotline. It's the first book I've read of Dunne's but will definitely check out her other works now.
One of the main themes throughout was people/child trafficking so it does make for some uncomfortable reading in places.
The characters are real, relatable and made for interesting reading.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot and gifted copy.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 10, 2022
The Invisible by Michelle Dunne is a thrilling contemporary novel that had my heart racing and my pulse rising. It is the second book in the A Lindsey Ryan Thriller series but can be read as a stand-alone. I cannot wait for more.
Lindsey Ryan is a very strong leading lady. She is an army veteran who has seen terrible things and is still suffering from guilt over things she cannot alter. Her heart is huge and she hates injustice. Her tough exterior contrasts with how she feels inside. She will do what she has to in order to see justice and righteousness prevail.
We see the role of a service dog to help lives. “Frank was the force that got her out of bed each day.” PTSD threatens to cripple but the love and bond of a dog brings a character back from the brink. Frank is very much a character in his own right.
The bonds made in the military remain. No matter how much time has passed or how many miles, your military buddies are there for you.
The reader enters the seedy underworld in Ireland as we witness the horrors of trafficking. Evil lurks in the neighbourhood. Many turn a blind eye – but blindness is not in Lindsey Ryan’s nature. What happens next is both thrilling and horrifying. The reader experiences a roller coaster ride as we cling on for dear life.
Our pasts form our characters. We must not live there but we can learn from them. “Scars remind us of what we’ve come through.” Our scars show that we survived.
The Invisible is a read you cannot ignore. It demands a response from the reader. The heroine is admirable with her tenacity and strength. She is both likable and realistic.
The Invisible was a compulsive read. I was totally committed to the action, gasping out loud towards the end. It was marvellously constructed and incredibly well executed. Grab your copy today.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
A word of caution: there are scenes, themes, situations and language that some may not like.
Lindsey Ryan is a very strong leading lady. She is an army veteran who has seen terrible things and is still suffering from guilt over things she cannot alter. Her heart is huge and she hates injustice. Her tough exterior contrasts with how she feels inside. She will do what she has to in order to see justice and righteousness prevail.
We see the role of a service dog to help lives. “Frank was the force that got her out of bed each day.” PTSD threatens to cripple but the love and bond of a dog brings a character back from the brink. Frank is very much a character in his own right.
The bonds made in the military remain. No matter how much time has passed or how many miles, your military buddies are there for you.
The reader enters the seedy underworld in Ireland as we witness the horrors of trafficking. Evil lurks in the neighbourhood. Many turn a blind eye – but blindness is not in Lindsey Ryan’s nature. What happens next is both thrilling and horrifying. The reader experiences a roller coaster ride as we cling on for dear life.
Our pasts form our characters. We must not live there but we can learn from them. “Scars remind us of what we’ve come through.” Our scars show that we survived.
The Invisible is a read you cannot ignore. It demands a response from the reader. The heroine is admirable with her tenacity and strength. She is both likable and realistic.
The Invisible was a compulsive read. I was totally committed to the action, gasping out loud towards the end. It was marvellously constructed and incredibly well executed. Grab your copy today.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
A word of caution: there are scenes, themes, situations and language that some may not like.
November 9, 2023
4.5 Stars......
The Invisible, by an Irish author called Michelle Dunne, is a thrilling contemporary novel that had my heart racing and rising.
Lindsey, a former soldier, struggles with depression, suicidal thoughts, and PTSD. Her only companion is Frank, her support dog, who helps her manage her mental health problems. Lindsay renovates an old building in Cobh, Co. Cork, and opens a little cafe with the help of Eileen, a young traveler who works as the chef. When a young woman literally falls into her backyard, Lindsay is determined to help her. The town is run by Patrick Adebayo, a local crimelord who wants his property back.
In this book, Dunne bravely addresses a number of touchy subjects, including human trafficking, child abuse, rape and sexual abuse, drugs, police corruption, and racism. But each is handled sensitively and with clarity to open the reader's eyes to the dark, corrupt side of Irish society.
Even though Lindsey is a broken person, she will put herself in danger to protect the weak and vulnerable, even if it means death. She literally breaks down in combat with men three times her size in order to keep people under her care safe. I thought it was great how Dunne showed us every aspect of Lindsey’s personality.
It's a fast-paced, gripping story full of action, suspense, and heartbreaking moments. The reader will be shocked by a few of the plot twists along the way. In the future, I would adore reading another Lindsey Ryan novel. Excellently written and an engrossing read.
The Invisible, by an Irish author called Michelle Dunne, is a thrilling contemporary novel that had my heart racing and rising.
Lindsey, a former soldier, struggles with depression, suicidal thoughts, and PTSD. Her only companion is Frank, her support dog, who helps her manage her mental health problems. Lindsay renovates an old building in Cobh, Co. Cork, and opens a little cafe with the help of Eileen, a young traveler who works as the chef. When a young woman literally falls into her backyard, Lindsay is determined to help her. The town is run by Patrick Adebayo, a local crimelord who wants his property back.
In this book, Dunne bravely addresses a number of touchy subjects, including human trafficking, child abuse, rape and sexual abuse, drugs, police corruption, and racism. But each is handled sensitively and with clarity to open the reader's eyes to the dark, corrupt side of Irish society.
Even though Lindsey is a broken person, she will put herself in danger to protect the weak and vulnerable, even if it means death. She literally breaks down in combat with men three times her size in order to keep people under her care safe. I thought it was great how Dunne showed us every aspect of Lindsey’s personality.
It's a fast-paced, gripping story full of action, suspense, and heartbreaking moments. The reader will be shocked by a few of the plot twists along the way. In the future, I would adore reading another Lindsey Ryan novel. Excellently written and an engrossing read.
September 14, 2022
What a great read. I haven’t read this author before but I definitely will again. Well written with a good plotline this is quite an emotional and at times upsetting read. Great characters really add to this story with Lindsey a great protagonist, a woman who has seen the worst life can throw at you and who really doesn’t care what happens to her. Her rock is Frank her dog, he’s her reason to keep going.
Briefly, Lindsey Ryan is a former soldier suffering from PTSD and living in Cobh, Ireland, running a coffee shop. However, her peaceful life is about to be shattered. Patrick Adebayo runs the town through fear. When one of his ‘girls’ literally falls into Lindsey’s hands she can’t turn her back on this abused woman. Then her problems are exacerbated when she hears of a young boy being taken into one of Patrick’s buildings.
The main theme of people trafficking is a real and harrowing one. I hated Patrick and his enforcers with a passion, you could feel the evil dripping off the pages. Yes this was a bit far fetched but it’s fiction, it’s allowed! This is a real page turner. I didn’t want to put it down and the shocking climax was heartbreaking. A few loose ends leads me to think that we haven’t seen the last of Lindsey. Great read.
Briefly, Lindsey Ryan is a former soldier suffering from PTSD and living in Cobh, Ireland, running a coffee shop. However, her peaceful life is about to be shattered. Patrick Adebayo runs the town through fear. When one of his ‘girls’ literally falls into Lindsey’s hands she can’t turn her back on this abused woman. Then her problems are exacerbated when she hears of a young boy being taken into one of Patrick’s buildings.
The main theme of people trafficking is a real and harrowing one. I hated Patrick and his enforcers with a passion, you could feel the evil dripping off the pages. Yes this was a bit far fetched but it’s fiction, it’s allowed! This is a real page turner. I didn’t want to put it down and the shocking climax was heartbreaking. A few loose ends leads me to think that we haven’t seen the last of Lindsey. Great read.
April 25, 2022
This book, the second in a trilogy,
delivers in many ways. The premise is promising. Lindsey Ryan, army veteran psychologically scarred by her experiences in the Middle East, calls on her training to deal with arch-baddy Patrick, who traffics in women, children, drugs and arms. She calls on her army buddies for help. The action sequences are exciting and the characters well drawn. The presumed author’s choice to leave the showdown between the major protagonists until the last instalment leaves the climax somewhat underpowered.
delivers in many ways. The premise is promising. Lindsey Ryan, army veteran psychologically scarred by her experiences in the Middle East, calls on her training to deal with arch-baddy Patrick, who traffics in women, children, drugs and arms. She calls on her army buddies for help. The action sequences are exciting and the characters well drawn. The presumed author’s choice to leave the showdown between the major protagonists until the last instalment leaves the climax somewhat underpowered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2022
I've read both books in this series and I can see why it's being developed for TV. Chocked full of fantastic characters, knowledgeable portrayal of PTSD and military people in general. The Invisible is quite dark and very tense, made even more so by the fact that these terrifying things are actually happening all over the world. I highly recommend this and book one in the series, While Nobody is Watching.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews