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The County Cork Killings #2
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
About the author
Michelle Dunne
16 books198 followersMichelle Dunne is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers /horror suspense & domestic noir set in Ireland.
Readers love the unique characters that drive her tightly plotted stories, which are often described as dark, twisty and suspensful. Perfect for fans of John Marrs, Jason Rekulak and Frieda McFadden. They include The Good Girl and The Imaginary Friend and A Good Mother. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and have been optioned for television.
Michelle is also the founder and organiser of the Spike Island Literary Festival as well as working on Dublin’s International crime festival, Murder One.
Readers love the unique characters that drive her tightly plotted stories, which are often described as dark, twisty and suspensful. Perfect for fans of John Marrs, Jason Rekulak and Frieda McFadden. They include The Good Girl and The Imaginary Friend and A Good Mother. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and have been optioned for television.
Michelle is also the founder and organiser of the Spike Island Literary Festival as well as working on Dublin’s International crime festival, Murder One.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 4, 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 4, 2026
5⭐️ | 3.5🔪
Most of Michelle Dunne’s books leave me feeling like I need to stare at a wall, and this one is no exception. 😮💨
What I also always find in her books are characters I love, a deeply human-centered plot, incredibly dark and unsettling subject matter, and less-than-happy endings. Or maybe they aren’t unhappy endings, they’re just…human. Which is the risk and reward of diving into her work. The reward is well worth the risk.
This story starts off in a small-town café and ends in a way I could have never imagined. So many things in this book made me feel a lot of complex things, and that’s exactly why I always look forward to reading Michelle Dunne’s work.
Read “While Nobody Is Watching” and then go straight into this one! I can’t wait for the next installment.
I love Lyndsey Ryan! 🖤☕️🥊🪖🐾
Most of Michelle Dunne’s books leave me feeling like I need to stare at a wall, and this one is no exception. 😮💨
What I also always find in her books are characters I love, a deeply human-centered plot, incredibly dark and unsettling subject matter, and less-than-happy endings. Or maybe they aren’t unhappy endings, they’re just…human. Which is the risk and reward of diving into her work. The reward is well worth the risk.
This story starts off in a small-town café and ends in a way I could have never imagined. So many things in this book made me feel a lot of complex things, and that’s exactly why I always look forward to reading Michelle Dunne’s work.
Read “While Nobody Is Watching” and then go straight into this one! I can’t wait for the next installment.
I love Lyndsey Ryan! 🖤☕️🥊🪖🐾
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.
August 26, 2026
If you love gritty, atmospheric crime thrillers with a strong, complex female lead, this one needs to be on your TBR! 👀🩸
Set in Cobh, Cork, this gripping second instalment in Michelle Dunne’s County Cork Killings series follows former soldier Lindsey Ryan, who is trying to outrun the trauma of her past and build a quieter life.
But quiet doesn’t last long.
When Lena, a badly beaten Syrian refugee, suddenly enters Lindsey’s life, her instincts immediately tell her something is very wrong. And when Lindsey discovers a child is being smuggled into the stronghold of ruthless kingpin Patrick Adebayo, she knows she can’t stand by and do nothing.
In a town where corruption runs deep and the police are willing to look the other way, Lindsey has no choice but to call upon the soldier she desperately tried to leave behind.
Get them out. Get them safe. Or die trying. 🔥
I was completely hooked by this one! The story is dark, tense and incredibly atmospheric, with a constant sense of danger that kept me turning the pages. Lindsey is such a fascinating protagonist — tough, determined and deeply haunted by her past, but driven by an unwavering need to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
The themes of corruption, human trafficking, trauma and survival give this thriller real weight, while the fast-paced plot keeps the tension high from beginning to end.
A brutal, compelling and utterly gripping read that pulls you in and refuses to let go.
✨ Gritty Irish crime
✨ Strong female protagonist
✨ Former soldier
✨ Corruption & organised crime
✨ Human trafficking
✨ Dark & atmospheric
✨ Fast-paced and suspenseful
Perfect for fans of Jane Casey and Tana French. 🇮🇪📚
This is definitely one for crime thriller lovers who like their mysteries dark, gritty and impossible to put down. 🔥
Set in Cobh, Cork, this gripping second instalment in Michelle Dunne’s County Cork Killings series follows former soldier Lindsey Ryan, who is trying to outrun the trauma of her past and build a quieter life.
But quiet doesn’t last long.
When Lena, a badly beaten Syrian refugee, suddenly enters Lindsey’s life, her instincts immediately tell her something is very wrong. And when Lindsey discovers a child is being smuggled into the stronghold of ruthless kingpin Patrick Adebayo, she knows she can’t stand by and do nothing.
In a town where corruption runs deep and the police are willing to look the other way, Lindsey has no choice but to call upon the soldier she desperately tried to leave behind.
Get them out. Get them safe. Or die trying. 🔥
I was completely hooked by this one! The story is dark, tense and incredibly atmospheric, with a constant sense of danger that kept me turning the pages. Lindsey is such a fascinating protagonist — tough, determined and deeply haunted by her past, but driven by an unwavering need to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
The themes of corruption, human trafficking, trauma and survival give this thriller real weight, while the fast-paced plot keeps the tension high from beginning to end.
A brutal, compelling and utterly gripping read that pulls you in and refuses to let go.
✨ Gritty Irish crime
✨ Strong female protagonist
✨ Former soldier
✨ Corruption & organised crime
✨ Human trafficking
✨ Dark & atmospheric
✨ Fast-paced and suspenseful
Perfect for fans of Jane Casey and Tana French. 🇮🇪📚
This is definitely one for crime thriller lovers who like their mysteries dark, gritty and impossible to put down. 🔥
August 18, 2026
Is Lindsey Ryan my new favorite FMC?? Could she be anymore badass?? I cannot get over her mental strength, bravery and how much she cares for people, especially those easily overlooked by society. I just love her.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this book. If I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it or wishing I was at home reading it. I continue to be blown away by Michelle Dunne’s ability to write compelling stories that not only entertain but also shine a light on some not so pleasant topics.
Wow. Just wow.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this book. If I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it or wishing I was at home reading it. I continue to be blown away by Michelle Dunne’s ability to write compelling stories that not only entertain but also shine a light on some not so pleasant topics.
Wow. Just wow.
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 .
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 7, 2026I was gripped from the beginning!
This book had everything I love in a thriller. It was dark, it was twisty and it was so well paced.
The premise of the book was made a lot deeper and more complex as it was based off of the authors personal experiences as an Irish infantry soldier and UN Peacekeeper. This aspect offered a strong sense of believability and fostered a real sense of connection with the characters.
This truly was a well crafted, harrowing read.
I am now a huge fan of Michelle Dunne!
This book had everything I love in a thriller. It was dark, it was twisty and it was so well paced.
The premise of the book was made a lot deeper and more complex as it was based off of the authors personal experiences as an Irish infantry soldier and UN Peacekeeper. This aspect offered a strong sense of believability and fostered a real sense of connection with the characters.
This truly was a well crafted, harrowing read.
I am now a huge fan of Michelle Dunne!
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?
August 28, 2026
Lindsey Ryan walked away from her military family. She finally settled running a café with her silent business partner Eileen Chambers in the small quiet town of Cobh. She minds her business and deals with her PTSD as best as she can. Patrick,a regular at the café and a known pimp, is always trying to get under her skin. When a woman is found naked and beaten in her backyard and the pimp comes claiming his property, it is no longer as simple as the town turning a blind eye. Someone needs to stand up and do something about it.
Hidden In Plain Sight is a tough pill to swallow. The human sex trafficking world is prevalent and continues to function due to the complacency of others. The lack of action is what allows the abuse and the abusers to continue profiting. Lindsey is a tough character and she knows the type of evil that is someone running a brothel. Though topics are discussed in the book but they are done in a necessary way without making them salacious.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Hidden In Plain Sight is a tough pill to swallow. The human sex trafficking world is prevalent and continues to function due to the complacency of others. The lack of action is what allows the abuse and the abusers to continue profiting. Lindsey is a tough character and she knows the type of evil that is someone running a brothel. Though topics are discussed in the book but they are done in a necessary way without making them salacious.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
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!
September 20, 2026
Lindsey Ryan, ex soldier and current owner of a cafe in Cobh, finds herself embroiled in a nasty case of prostitution and people trafficking. Being the person she is, she can't just ignore what is happening on her own doorstep.
There are so many characters in this book that I really loved: Eileen who does the cooking for the cafe, Lindsey's mates from the Army and Lena, the woman who started the whole case. Patrick is a nasty piece of work, as is Ben, but their characters are very well written because I had an almost visceral reaction to their behaviour.
Quite a complex story and gritty with it.
Not sure that "enjoyed" is the best way to describe my reading of this novel, but I found it hard to put down and I really like Lindsey despite her flaws.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.
There are so many characters in this book that I really loved: Eileen who does the cooking for the cafe, Lindsey's mates from the Army and Lena, the woman who started the whole case. Patrick is a nasty piece of work, as is Ben, but their characters are very well written because I had an almost visceral reaction to their behaviour.
Quite a complex story and gritty with it.
Not sure that "enjoyed" is the best way to describe my reading of this novel, but I found it hard to put down and I really like Lindsey despite her flaws.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.
September 19, 2026
'Hidden In Plain Sight' is the second of the Lindsay Ryan series by Michelle Dunne. Peaceful Cobh is not as idyllic as you'd think. Former UN Soldier Lindsay Ryan has been running a coffee shop in the town. Somehow she crossed paths with the dangerous crime boss Patrick Adebayo when she gave Lena, one of his human cargo women, refuge. She then saved a couple of boys from the gang as well. But will she succeed in bringing them to safety with the help of her loyal dog Frank and her friends?
It was good to hear from Lindsay Ryan again. The beginning of the thriller was a little slow but it led to a nailbiting finale which made me eagerly turn the pages.
I really enjoyed this adventure and am very much looking forward to the next installment of the County Cork Killings series which will be released this October.
It was good to hear from Lindsay Ryan again. The beginning of the thriller was a little slow but it led to a nailbiting finale which made me eagerly turn the pages.
I really enjoyed this adventure and am very much looking forward to the next installment of the County Cork Killings series which will be released this October.
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 26, 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
July 19, 2026
A brilliantly written second instalment in this amazing series. I loved everything the character Lindsey, she is a fantastic female protagonist. Her relationships with her friends are truly remarkable and the bond they all share is amazing. This series is fast becoming one of my all time favourites. Highly recommended 5 stars! Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc in return for an honest review.
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.
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https://bertyboy123.wordpress.com/
September 16, 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.
September 3, 2026
Hidden in Plain Sight by Michelle Dunne is the second book in the The County Cork Killings series and it was another excellent book from start to finish and so addictive before I realised I was on the last few chapters and now I had to finish it before I went to sleep!
This series is set in Set in Cobh, Cork, where there is a bug migrant crisis in a corrupt harbour town, with so many things and people who have become invisible around them. Former soldier Lindsey Ryan who is battling to her own private battle with PTSD, will not stand for it especially when Lena, Syrian woman was raped and badly beaten and this brings back bad personal memories for Lindsey Ryan and now she is left with no choice but to find her part in this new war and play it as best she can.
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.
WoW, this book was excellent and full of excellent twists and turns with excellent characters. I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to book 3 within this excellent series.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.
This series is set in Set in Cobh, Cork, where there is a bug migrant crisis in a corrupt harbour town, with so many things and people who have become invisible around them. Former soldier Lindsey Ryan who is battling to her own private battle with PTSD, will not stand for it especially when Lena, Syrian woman was raped and badly beaten and this brings back bad personal memories for Lindsey Ryan and now she is left with no choice but to find her part in this new war and play it as best she can.
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.
WoW, this book was excellent and full of excellent twists and turns with excellent characters. I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to book 3 within this excellent series.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.
August 22, 2026
Ahhh this was a hard read. Incredibly well written, but so tragic, brutal, and a harsh reminder of the reality of the world we live in. This book will stay with me for a while.
May 2, 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.
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