What do you think?
Rate this book
Frankie Sheehan #4
The Murder Box: some games can be deadly
Some games can be deadly
At first, Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan believes the murder mystery game sent to her office is a birthday gift from one of her colleagues. But when Frankie studies the game's contents, she notices a striking resemblance between the 'murder victim' and missing twenty-two-year-old Lydia Callin.
As Frankie and her team investigate, a series of grisly crimes connected to the game are discovered across Dublin city and Lydia's involvement with a shadowy network of murder mystery players becomes clear.
On the hunt for Lydia's murderer, Frankie is drawn more deeply into the game. Every successful move brings her closer to the killer. But the real question is not what happens should she lose -- but what happens if she wins.
At first, Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan believes the murder mystery game sent to her office is a birthday gift from one of her colleagues. But when Frankie studies the game's contents, she notices a striking resemblance between the 'murder victim' and missing twenty-two-year-old Lydia Callin.
As Frankie and her team investigate, a series of grisly crimes connected to the game are discovered across Dublin city and Lydia's involvement with a shadowy network of murder mystery players becomes clear.
On the hunt for Lydia's murderer, Frankie is drawn more deeply into the game. Every successful move brings her closer to the killer. But the real question is not what happens should she lose -- but what happens if she wins.
326 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2021
28 people are currently reading
677 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Kiernan
16 books311 followersOlivia Kiernan is a writer of crime thrillers and suspense fiction. She holds an MA in Creative Writing. In the past, her work has been longlisted for the Bath and Fish Short Story Awards, the Bath Children’s Novel Award and shortlisted for the BBC Writersroom. She is author of THE END OF US, a thriller published in 2023. She has also written four novels in the critically acclaimed Detective Frankie Sheehan series. Recently, LA based Freedom Films and actor/producer Victoria Smurfit have optioned the series for TV. Kiernan’s fourth novel, The Murder Box, was released in 2021 and sees Detective Frankie Sheehan receive a murder mystery game only to discover that the fictional victim at the game’s centre bears a striking resemblance to a missing woman. On release, the Irish Independent said of The Murder Box: “A clever, original story is augmented by Kiernan’s masterful writing, credible characters, and a smashing finale”. The Daily Mail said, “The plot crackles from first page to last, and the tension never lifts until the darkest of twists brings it to a superb conclusion.”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
December 3, 2025
Our protagonist is Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan of the Bureau for Serious Crime in Dublin. She is currently dealing with the disappearance of a popular tv presenter, Teddy Dolan.
A red box addressed to her, is delivered to the Bureau. It contains a very well-presented murder game. Frankie's partner, Baz Harwood, who she trusts completely, is behaving in a very strange manner. He keeps making excuses for not accompanying her as she begins investigations on the source of the mysterious box. The clues in the box include a forensic slide containing a section of a human heart, wherein the Bureau's forensics deduce that the sample was not taken by a professional, as it is too thick. The internet reveals that Frankie is not the only recipient of the box, it has also been sent to several students at Trinity College.
Shortly after this, a young woman reports her flatmate, 22 year old Lydia Callin,missing.
Frankie becomes convinced, without any real evidence, that the disappearance of Teddy Dolan and the young woman are linked, and that they were perpetrated by a psychotic serial killer.
Frankie's boss completely disagrees with this idea and tries to take her off the case, but she pursues it secretly, with the aid of her team. They have a few suspects, including some of the students. Then a parcel is sent to the Bureau containing one of Teddy Dolan's fingers. The team are ordered to concentrate on the Teddy Dolan case. But a young woman's body is found in the River Dodder, dismembered and packed in two suitcases. Forensics reveal it to be that of the missing Lydia.
The remainder of the novel is increasingly exciting and keeps the reader on tenterhooks until almost the final page.
A red box addressed to her, is delivered to the Bureau. It contains a very well-presented murder game. Frankie's partner, Baz Harwood, who she trusts completely, is behaving in a very strange manner. He keeps making excuses for not accompanying her as she begins investigations on the source of the mysterious box. The clues in the box include a forensic slide containing a section of a human heart, wherein the Bureau's forensics deduce that the sample was not taken by a professional, as it is too thick. The internet reveals that Frankie is not the only recipient of the box, it has also been sent to several students at Trinity College.
Shortly after this, a young woman reports her flatmate, 22 year old Lydia Callin,missing.
Frankie becomes convinced, without any real evidence, that the disappearance of Teddy Dolan and the young woman are linked, and that they were perpetrated by a psychotic serial killer.
Frankie's boss completely disagrees with this idea and tries to take her off the case, but she pursues it secretly, with the aid of her team. They have a few suspects, including some of the students. Then a parcel is sent to the Bureau containing one of Teddy Dolan's fingers. The team are ordered to concentrate on the Teddy Dolan case. But a young woman's body is found in the River Dodder, dismembered and packed in two suitcases. Forensics reveal it to be that of the missing Lydia.
The remainder of the novel is increasingly exciting and keeps the reader on tenterhooks until almost the final page.
March 26, 2021
DCS Frankie Sheehan #4; Bureau of Serious Crime, Dublin
Frankie and her team are investigating the disappearance of TV personality Terry Dolan which, despite their best efforts, is going nowhere. She receives a gleaming red box which she assumes is a birthday gift, it contains objects for a murder mystery game. However, this ‘game’ is one with real victims. Who would be that devious or perverse to dream that up or indeed to actually subscribe to ‘play’ the game? The box contents prove to belong to 22 year old Lydia Callin who has a connection to Dolan.
This is a good crime thriller series with the central character of Frankie being really intriguing. She’s dogged, hard working, driven, independent and prepared to dig her heels in when those above her pay-grade affect her Investigations through budget constraints. She needs every ounce of intuition she possesses to solve this case, talk about twisted sister! The premise is good and the further the team go in the inquiry you realise they are being led, with the narrative controlled, with pieces of evidence dangling on strings and red herrings thrown into the equation. It’s frustratingly unclear and the elusive perpetrator is clearly someone who is cold blooded, heartless and totally merciless. The case is gritty to say the least and the police team have to exercise all their creative juices just to keep up. There are several heart in the mouth, chilling moments, there’s tension so thick you could cut the atmosphere with a knife as we reach a tense and exciting conclusion. There’s much to like in this series, the author creates believable characters in the police team and includes just the right balance of personal issues so you can see them as ‘real people’. The novel is well written and has a good pace throughout. Although this is the fourth in the series it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Overall, a compelling and easy to read novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.
With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books, riverrun for the arc in return for an honest review.
Frankie and her team are investigating the disappearance of TV personality Terry Dolan which, despite their best efforts, is going nowhere. She receives a gleaming red box which she assumes is a birthday gift, it contains objects for a murder mystery game. However, this ‘game’ is one with real victims. Who would be that devious or perverse to dream that up or indeed to actually subscribe to ‘play’ the game? The box contents prove to belong to 22 year old Lydia Callin who has a connection to Dolan.
This is a good crime thriller series with the central character of Frankie being really intriguing. She’s dogged, hard working, driven, independent and prepared to dig her heels in when those above her pay-grade affect her Investigations through budget constraints. She needs every ounce of intuition she possesses to solve this case, talk about twisted sister! The premise is good and the further the team go in the inquiry you realise they are being led, with the narrative controlled, with pieces of evidence dangling on strings and red herrings thrown into the equation. It’s frustratingly unclear and the elusive perpetrator is clearly someone who is cold blooded, heartless and totally merciless. The case is gritty to say the least and the police team have to exercise all their creative juices just to keep up. There are several heart in the mouth, chilling moments, there’s tension so thick you could cut the atmosphere with a knife as we reach a tense and exciting conclusion. There’s much to like in this series, the author creates believable characters in the police team and includes just the right balance of personal issues so you can see them as ‘real people’. The novel is well written and has a good pace throughout. Although this is the fourth in the series it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Overall, a compelling and easy to read novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.
With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books, riverrun for the arc in return for an honest review.
July 18, 2021
On the day before her birthday DCS Frankie Sheehan, of the Irish Gardaí’s Bureau for Serious Crime, receives an unusual, anonymous gift. A Murder Box mystery game containing forensic clues to the hypothetical murder of a young woman with the initials LC, including an authentic looking post-mortem report. The instructions in the box invite her to play the game on a website and share her findings with the other amateur sleuths taking part.
Frankie and her team are already under pressure investigating the disappearance of popular TV identity Teddy Dolan. Teddy disappeared without a trace a month ago and so far there have been no leads as to what happened to him. Teddy happens to be the nephew of Frankie’s Commissioner, which explains why the investigation hasn’t been trimmed back yet due to budget constraints. Teddy’s wife, the media and the Commissioner are all becoming frustrated with Frankie’s lack of progress. Although they definitely don’t have the time to play games, Frankie and her partner, Baz start to follow the clues in the Murder Box as a welcome distraction from their high-profile case that’s going nowhere.
However, when a young woman, Lydia Callin, is reported missing, Frankie notices similarities between her case and the clues in the Murder Box that can’t be coincidental, and she realises the game is more than just a party game. It is in fact a deadly game that she must play to its conclusion to find the killer, in the process become part of the game herself. It doesn’t help that the game website has a clock chillingly counting down the time left to play. Frankie tries hard not to think about what will happen if she doesn’t beat the clock and solve the case, but is sure it won’t be anything good.
Although this is the fourth book in this series featuring Frankie Sheehan, it works very well as a stand-alone novel. The plot is fresh and novel and moves along at a brisk pace. Frankie is a clever and hard-working detective, but it will take all her skills and those of her team to work out who is pulling the strings behind the scenes and what has motivated them to set up this bizarre game. At the same time continuing to prioritise their investigation into Teddy’s disappearance. There is a cast of fellow game players for Frankie to investigate and plenty of red herrings along the way. It’s certainly not a mystery where the perpetrator is obvious and their identity was just as much as a surprise to this reader as to the police.
This clever and original, tightly written thriller makes for a gripping and engrossing read as the designer of the murder game stays one step ahead of the police until the shocking and suspenseful ending. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a really good thriller.
With many thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for a copy to read. Expected publication 22nd July. Original review first posted at Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
Frankie and her team are already under pressure investigating the disappearance of popular TV identity Teddy Dolan. Teddy disappeared without a trace a month ago and so far there have been no leads as to what happened to him. Teddy happens to be the nephew of Frankie’s Commissioner, which explains why the investigation hasn’t been trimmed back yet due to budget constraints. Teddy’s wife, the media and the Commissioner are all becoming frustrated with Frankie’s lack of progress. Although they definitely don’t have the time to play games, Frankie and her partner, Baz start to follow the clues in the Murder Box as a welcome distraction from their high-profile case that’s going nowhere.
However, when a young woman, Lydia Callin, is reported missing, Frankie notices similarities between her case and the clues in the Murder Box that can’t be coincidental, and she realises the game is more than just a party game. It is in fact a deadly game that she must play to its conclusion to find the killer, in the process become part of the game herself. It doesn’t help that the game website has a clock chillingly counting down the time left to play. Frankie tries hard not to think about what will happen if she doesn’t beat the clock and solve the case, but is sure it won’t be anything good.
Although this is the fourth book in this series featuring Frankie Sheehan, it works very well as a stand-alone novel. The plot is fresh and novel and moves along at a brisk pace. Frankie is a clever and hard-working detective, but it will take all her skills and those of her team to work out who is pulling the strings behind the scenes and what has motivated them to set up this bizarre game. At the same time continuing to prioritise their investigation into Teddy’s disappearance. There is a cast of fellow game players for Frankie to investigate and plenty of red herrings along the way. It’s certainly not a mystery where the perpetrator is obvious and their identity was just as much as a surprise to this reader as to the police.
This clever and original, tightly written thriller makes for a gripping and engrossing read as the designer of the murder game stays one step ahead of the police until the shocking and suspenseful ending. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a really good thriller.
With many thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for a copy to read. Expected publication 22nd July. Original review first posted at Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
June 25, 2021
That was SO clever! DCS Frankie Sheehan heads up a team in the Irish Bureau for Serious Crime. Her team have spent a month fruitlessly chasing leads in the disappearance of Teddy Dolan, a well known TV presenter who also happens to be the nephew of the Police Commissioner. Another day - another round of pointless….hello what’s that? Delivered to her desk is a shiny bright red box. At first she thinks it’s some sort of birthday present because it is actually her birthday. But no. It is the murder box - an invitation to play a game to find the murderer from the clues within the box. Hmm very interesting.
She logs into the game site and finds that others are also ‘playing the game’ but more worryingly there is also a countdown clock. Who knows what will happen when the timer runs down? She doesn’t get a chance to think much about it because a young woman, Neve Jameson, comes to the office to report her flatmate, Lydia Callin, missing. The local Gardai station had not done much with this report so Neve is taking it higher. Now the clues in the murder box take on a much more sinister tone as Frankie realises they have an actual victim. And then the plot really thickens. And it oozes menace.
It is clear that whoever designed this game has spent a long time planning it and is heavily invested in the outcome. As the game pieces move around the board and the timer ticks down Frankie fears for the safety of the other players, including herself. The puppet master seems to be one step ahead of the police at every turn. Every move seems to be anticipated. How can that be?
I didn’t realise (again) that this book was part of a series, number 4 to be precise. But it didn’t matter, the story worked fine as a stand alone although if I get a chance I may well work backwards as I was hugely impressed by this book. Frankie and her partner, Baz Harwood, had a tenacity bordering on the insane in their drive to catch the culprit. All the characters were wonderfully depicted and seemed larger than life. The pace was very brisk and never let up. The ending was shocking in its audacity. If I have whetted your appetite with this review, my work is done. I loved this book! I received a free copy of the book from Netgalley and am providing this review voluntarily.
She logs into the game site and finds that others are also ‘playing the game’ but more worryingly there is also a countdown clock. Who knows what will happen when the timer runs down? She doesn’t get a chance to think much about it because a young woman, Neve Jameson, comes to the office to report her flatmate, Lydia Callin, missing. The local Gardai station had not done much with this report so Neve is taking it higher. Now the clues in the murder box take on a much more sinister tone as Frankie realises they have an actual victim. And then the plot really thickens. And it oozes menace.
It is clear that whoever designed this game has spent a long time planning it and is heavily invested in the outcome. As the game pieces move around the board and the timer ticks down Frankie fears for the safety of the other players, including herself. The puppet master seems to be one step ahead of the police at every turn. Every move seems to be anticipated. How can that be?
I didn’t realise (again) that this book was part of a series, number 4 to be precise. But it didn’t matter, the story worked fine as a stand alone although if I get a chance I may well work backwards as I was hugely impressed by this book. Frankie and her partner, Baz Harwood, had a tenacity bordering on the insane in their drive to catch the culprit. All the characters were wonderfully depicted and seemed larger than life. The pace was very brisk and never let up. The ending was shocking in its audacity. If I have whetted your appetite with this review, my work is done. I loved this book! I received a free copy of the book from Netgalley and am providing this review voluntarily.
May 18, 2021
This is the fourth instalment in the Frankie Sheehan series, which follows Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan through the various cases she is working on. I had not read the previous three books but it did not impact my understanding or enjoyment, here.
On the day before Frankie's Birthday a red box appears at her office. Its contents include a number of clues and instructions that the recipients must piece together to solve a fictional crime. Excited by the prospect of a murder mystery game and eager to escape the dead-ends she is encountering on the real crime she is supposed to be working on, she begins to play. This continues until a young woman arrives wishing to make a statement about her missing friend, Lydia Callin. The same Lydia Callin who has just appeared inside Frankie's game.
This concept so intrigued me that I entirely ignored how few crime/police procedural books I enjoy and dove straight in. I remained intrigued throughout. The initial appearance of the murder box was met with more reveals related to it, as the case progressed. It culminated in a shocking and final reveal I did not consider and I was pleased by how the various clues and suspects were aligned.
There was a focus on the differing, policies, plans, and procedures, which slowed the pace slightly, and I did find a repetition of facts presented to the various individuals working on the case, which meant the reader also had to read through information that had already been transmitted on more than one occasion. These were facets which I also find in many books in this genre, I must add, and not a failing of this particular read, for me.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Olivia Kiernan, and the publisher, Quercus Books, for this opportunity.
On the day before Frankie's Birthday a red box appears at her office. Its contents include a number of clues and instructions that the recipients must piece together to solve a fictional crime. Excited by the prospect of a murder mystery game and eager to escape the dead-ends she is encountering on the real crime she is supposed to be working on, she begins to play. This continues until a young woman arrives wishing to make a statement about her missing friend, Lydia Callin. The same Lydia Callin who has just appeared inside Frankie's game.
This concept so intrigued me that I entirely ignored how few crime/police procedural books I enjoy and dove straight in. I remained intrigued throughout. The initial appearance of the murder box was met with more reveals related to it, as the case progressed. It culminated in a shocking and final reveal I did not consider and I was pleased by how the various clues and suspects were aligned.
There was a focus on the differing, policies, plans, and procedures, which slowed the pace slightly, and I did find a repetition of facts presented to the various individuals working on the case, which meant the reader also had to read through information that had already been transmitted on more than one occasion. These were facets which I also find in many books in this genre, I must add, and not a failing of this particular read, for me.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Olivia Kiernan, and the publisher, Quercus Books, for this opportunity.
January 16, 2023
My Rating Style: 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ wickedly fantastic, super amazing LOVED IT!!!
It is Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan’s birthday… not that you would know it. She is busy at work pretending not to notice the work drinks her team are planning when a mystery present arrives. Inside a Murder Box. A very realistic murder mystery board game, which she believes one of her friends or family sent her.
When there is a lull in the current case she is working on Frankie picks up the murder box and decides to give it a crack… but that is when she realises there are striking similarities between a new case that has just walked in the door and the evidence provided in the game.
The game just became deadly and Frankie is now player number 1. What happens if you win the Murder Box game… but more importantly…
What happens if you lose???
Alright so, my Goodreads lovelies you are probably sick and tired of me banging on about this series but strap in because this was the last (hopefully not forever please Olivia Kiernan 🙏) book in the Frankie Sheehan series that is currently available and in my very excited opinion the BEST so far.
This story was rocking… it hooked me in straight away. I mean I am now best friends with all the characters so know them really well, and was super excited to start another in the series so I figured it would be good… but the CASE Holy Guacamole!!! What a case. The premise alone would have sucked me in but the author has put tougher an intricate web of clues, lies, red herrings, murder and tied it all up in a big old game!!! Needless to say I LOVED IT!!!
The writing was on point yet again and the humour was there I have a few little teasers to get you giggling and enticed:
Baz tidies his jacket over his shirt. Adjusts his tie.
“Feel like if I stand here long enough money will just fall into my pocket.”
He inhales deeply.
“You smell it.”
I look down the street. “I know what you mean.”
But there you are, death isn’t fussy about what kind of house you live in and oftentimes, neither is murder. And although we’ve no hard evidence that Teddy Dolan is dead, I’ve yet to see a body return alive when parts of it have started to come through the post.
Ok so that one was part giggle and part serious, but that is what I love about this series you get to laugh and then you get to feel things and understand the case.
You get to get inside the heads of the suspects, victims and family members… such as….
“Everything was happy in your marriage?”
“Teddy sometimes strayed but…” she shrugs her right shoulder, “they were nothing. He knows it. I know it.” She flicks a glance over my shoulder towards the window. “They were minor distractions that mean nothing to our marriage. We both understand that.”
I wait to see if she will add more. But she stares through the silence as if it were a competition. I don’t buy open relationships. Too many downsides. For one, where’s the fire in an affair if you’re not getting away with anything? Isn’t that the point? At best, you’re shagging one person only, at worst, you’re snapping two and at least one of them is planning revenge.
Again, this instalment is heavy on the procedure but great on the delivery. You go through the motions of a case proper. No shortcuts and if there are shortcuts there are reasons for them and usually someone gets in trouble for it. There is always an emphasis on spending tax payer money and how certain things cannot be justified… but also always the moral argument of but… someone was killed isn’t that justification. I imagine that this is the truth of the police everywhere… understaffed, underfunded but full of people who want justice.
As I have said in my other reviews (if you haven’t checked them out pretty please do 🥰) this is all written in a way that doesn’t make it sound like a lecture to the reader. It comes across as matter of fact or to the point and is part of the narrative and very well done. Very well researched and executed.
Ok, one more little giggle before I get to the ending…
‘Frankie! Are you in?’
Christ’s sake. I sit up, rub my eyes.
‘Frankie, its Cedric.’
New neighbour.
I get up. Open the door. ‘Hi Cedric.’
He’s the type who’s built himself into looking good but is too aware of it, which is one of the many off-putting things about him. Even though it’s late, wraparound sunglasses sit in his dark hair, which he has brushed down into a fringe to hide a receding hairline. His smile is generous, but there is a tightness to it that makes his blue eyes appear too fixed like he’s attempting to pin me to the spot just by looking and grinning. ‘
He’s in thigh-length shorts, flip-flops and a navy workout shirt. Every time I see him, he’s dressed similarly, as if he’s always prepared should a triathlon spring up. 🤣
I love the little one liners, and sarcastic thoughts that Frankie has (and the others for that matter). It just takes some of the tension away while tension builds elsewhere.
The ending…. OMG - I was on the edge of my seat, gripping my kindle until it almost broke in two like a Kit-Kat. Once I picked up this book I couldn’t stop I basically finished it in one day and to be honest with you after that ending I could have had more. It was action packed, even more so than the others but the action came from tension build up, OMG moments and reveals. It was just boom boom boom and I loved it. With all fiction there is the need to suspend your disbelief but these ones are fairly easy to bend your mind around what is happening… fairly realistic in an action packed sense.
But you know what - I don’t care if it was realistic or if it was too much I LOVE IT AND WANTED MORE MORE MORE!!!!
Overall - would I recommend… ummm duh!!! Yes of course I would. Read it… read them all!!! AND please tell me if you loved them as much as me 🤩
I am wishing and hoping that Olivia Kiernan writes another instalment of this series… then another and another… please 🙏 I feel like I need it 🤣
It is Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan’s birthday… not that you would know it. She is busy at work pretending not to notice the work drinks her team are planning when a mystery present arrives. Inside a Murder Box. A very realistic murder mystery board game, which she believes one of her friends or family sent her.
When there is a lull in the current case she is working on Frankie picks up the murder box and decides to give it a crack… but that is when she realises there are striking similarities between a new case that has just walked in the door and the evidence provided in the game.
The game just became deadly and Frankie is now player number 1. What happens if you win the Murder Box game… but more importantly…
What happens if you lose???
Alright so, my Goodreads lovelies you are probably sick and tired of me banging on about this series but strap in because this was the last (hopefully not forever please Olivia Kiernan 🙏) book in the Frankie Sheehan series that is currently available and in my very excited opinion the BEST so far.
This story was rocking… it hooked me in straight away. I mean I am now best friends with all the characters so know them really well, and was super excited to start another in the series so I figured it would be good… but the CASE Holy Guacamole!!! What a case. The premise alone would have sucked me in but the author has put tougher an intricate web of clues, lies, red herrings, murder and tied it all up in a big old game!!! Needless to say I LOVED IT!!!
The writing was on point yet again and the humour was there I have a few little teasers to get you giggling and enticed:
Baz tidies his jacket over his shirt. Adjusts his tie.
“Feel like if I stand here long enough money will just fall into my pocket.”
He inhales deeply.
“You smell it.”
I look down the street. “I know what you mean.”
But there you are, death isn’t fussy about what kind of house you live in and oftentimes, neither is murder. And although we’ve no hard evidence that Teddy Dolan is dead, I’ve yet to see a body return alive when parts of it have started to come through the post.
Ok so that one was part giggle and part serious, but that is what I love about this series you get to laugh and then you get to feel things and understand the case.
You get to get inside the heads of the suspects, victims and family members… such as….
“Everything was happy in your marriage?”
“Teddy sometimes strayed but…” she shrugs her right shoulder, “they were nothing. He knows it. I know it.” She flicks a glance over my shoulder towards the window. “They were minor distractions that mean nothing to our marriage. We both understand that.”
I wait to see if she will add more. But she stares through the silence as if it were a competition. I don’t buy open relationships. Too many downsides. For one, where’s the fire in an affair if you’re not getting away with anything? Isn’t that the point? At best, you’re shagging one person only, at worst, you’re snapping two and at least one of them is planning revenge.
Again, this instalment is heavy on the procedure but great on the delivery. You go through the motions of a case proper. No shortcuts and if there are shortcuts there are reasons for them and usually someone gets in trouble for it. There is always an emphasis on spending tax payer money and how certain things cannot be justified… but also always the moral argument of but… someone was killed isn’t that justification. I imagine that this is the truth of the police everywhere… understaffed, underfunded but full of people who want justice.
As I have said in my other reviews (if you haven’t checked them out pretty please do 🥰) this is all written in a way that doesn’t make it sound like a lecture to the reader. It comes across as matter of fact or to the point and is part of the narrative and very well done. Very well researched and executed.
Ok, one more little giggle before I get to the ending…
‘Frankie! Are you in?’
Christ’s sake. I sit up, rub my eyes.
‘Frankie, its Cedric.’
New neighbour.
I get up. Open the door. ‘Hi Cedric.’
He’s the type who’s built himself into looking good but is too aware of it, which is one of the many off-putting things about him. Even though it’s late, wraparound sunglasses sit in his dark hair, which he has brushed down into a fringe to hide a receding hairline. His smile is generous, but there is a tightness to it that makes his blue eyes appear too fixed like he’s attempting to pin me to the spot just by looking and grinning. ‘
He’s in thigh-length shorts, flip-flops and a navy workout shirt. Every time I see him, he’s dressed similarly, as if he’s always prepared should a triathlon spring up. 🤣
I love the little one liners, and sarcastic thoughts that Frankie has (and the others for that matter). It just takes some of the tension away while tension builds elsewhere.
The ending…. OMG - I was on the edge of my seat, gripping my kindle until it almost broke in two like a Kit-Kat. Once I picked up this book I couldn’t stop I basically finished it in one day and to be honest with you after that ending I could have had more. It was action packed, even more so than the others but the action came from tension build up, OMG moments and reveals. It was just boom boom boom and I loved it. With all fiction there is the need to suspend your disbelief but these ones are fairly easy to bend your mind around what is happening… fairly realistic in an action packed sense.
But you know what - I don’t care if it was realistic or if it was too much I LOVE IT AND WANTED MORE MORE MORE!!!!
Overall - would I recommend… ummm duh!!! Yes of course I would. Read it… read them all!!! AND please tell me if you loved them as much as me 🤩
I am wishing and hoping that Olivia Kiernan writes another instalment of this series… then another and another… please 🙏 I feel like I need it 🤣
July 24, 2021
The Murder Box is the fourth book in the DCS Frankie Sheehan series, about a detective from Dublin’s Bureau for Serious Crime. This is a new author to me, and while I don’t usually like to read series out of order, the early rave reviews swayed me, and I didn’t have a problem from not reading the earlier books; in fact if it weren’t for the present tense narration, I would’ve been tempted to go back and read from the start. I liked Frankie and her team and this was a clever police procedural which makes up for its implausibility with good pace, twists and a very unpredictable reveal.
Frankie’s team have been bogged down in their investigation of the disappearance of a local celebrity, when a mysterious birthday present, in the form of an elaborate “Murder Box” containing clues like pieces of evidence and forensic reports, arrives on her desk. Initially dismissing it, she is persuaded to enter the game when a young woman reports her flatmate missing: a link to the missing man and an earring in the photo she provides suggest that the game may actually be real. Sure that the young woman is dead, with a countdown ticking and pressure from above to either solve or dismiss the case, Frankie must play along to solve the game before another player ends up dead.
I do like Irish crime fiction, but sometimes find the dialogue slows me down as I have to play the voices in my head for them to work - something I can do naturally with Scottish books having lived there. This is set in 2013 - I’m not sure if that’s when it was written, or if there’s some other reason why it’s not set more recently - obviously the plot needed it to be set pre-covid.
It’s almost all told in Frankie’s first person POV, so it was slightly jarring to switch briefly to another player’s third person narrative at around 60%.
This was well constructed with lots of red herrings and potential suspects, and I defy anyone to guess the perpetrator in advance. There are some background sub-plots, like Frankie’s relationships with her partner Baz and senior officer Jack, which would clearly mean more if one had read the previous books. Maybe Irish departments are run differently to the UK-based procedurals I’m more used to, but I was surprised that Frankie takes such an active role in the investigation, when usually her rank would have her behind a desk. These minor quibbles certainly don’t spoil the book, which is well written without too much gore or descriptive cruelty, and I would recommend it particularly to anyone who likes mystery games & puzzles.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus books for the ARC and apologies that it’s a few days late. I am posting this review voluntarily. The Murder Box is available now.
Frankie’s team have been bogged down in their investigation of the disappearance of a local celebrity, when a mysterious birthday present, in the form of an elaborate “Murder Box” containing clues like pieces of evidence and forensic reports, arrives on her desk. Initially dismissing it, she is persuaded to enter the game when a young woman reports her flatmate missing: a link to the missing man and an earring in the photo she provides suggest that the game may actually be real. Sure that the young woman is dead, with a countdown ticking and pressure from above to either solve or dismiss the case, Frankie must play along to solve the game before another player ends up dead.
I do like Irish crime fiction, but sometimes find the dialogue slows me down as I have to play the voices in my head for them to work - something I can do naturally with Scottish books having lived there. This is set in 2013 - I’m not sure if that’s when it was written, or if there’s some other reason why it’s not set more recently - obviously the plot needed it to be set pre-covid.
It’s almost all told in Frankie’s first person POV, so it was slightly jarring to switch briefly to another player’s third person narrative at around 60%.
This was well constructed with lots of red herrings and potential suspects, and I defy anyone to guess the perpetrator in advance. There are some background sub-plots, like Frankie’s relationships with her partner Baz and senior officer Jack, which would clearly mean more if one had read the previous books. Maybe Irish departments are run differently to the UK-based procedurals I’m more used to, but I was surprised that Frankie takes such an active role in the investigation, when usually her rank would have her behind a desk. These minor quibbles certainly don’t spoil the book, which is well written without too much gore or descriptive cruelty, and I would recommend it particularly to anyone who likes mystery games & puzzles.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus books for the ARC and apologies that it’s a few days late. I am posting this review voluntarily. The Murder Box is available now.
April 14, 2021
Review to follow
July 22, 2021
This is the fourth book in Olivia Kiernan's Frankie Sheehan series and although I haven't read the first instalment 'Too Close to Breathe', I have enjoyed books two and three, 'The Killer in Me' and 'If Looks Could Kill'.
In The Murder Box the story kicks off with a glossy red box that arrives at Frankie's office at the Bureau for Serious Crime and as it's her birthday the next day, she assumes it contains a gift. But it doesn't...
Set in Dublin, this well-written story flows beautifully and as the mystery deepens, a plethora of perplexing puzzles and links surface. Speedily-paced and compelling, there are many twists and there was never a dull moment. Protagonist Frankie is tenacious and loves her job, stopping at nothing to get to the truth. The stylish plot is really intriguing as misdirection merges with taxing clues that serve to intensify the mystery. The author's odd dashes of humour add some lightness to the dark, extremely atmospheric tone and the eventual conclusion in this police procedural/ thriller is neatly done and rather a shocker.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Quercus Books/ Riverrun via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
In The Murder Box the story kicks off with a glossy red box that arrives at Frankie's office at the Bureau for Serious Crime and as it's her birthday the next day, she assumes it contains a gift. But it doesn't...
Set in Dublin, this well-written story flows beautifully and as the mystery deepens, a plethora of perplexing puzzles and links surface. Speedily-paced and compelling, there are many twists and there was never a dull moment. Protagonist Frankie is tenacious and loves her job, stopping at nothing to get to the truth. The stylish plot is really intriguing as misdirection merges with taxing clues that serve to intensify the mystery. The author's odd dashes of humour add some lightness to the dark, extremely atmospheric tone and the eventual conclusion in this police procedural/ thriller is neatly done and rather a shocker.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Quercus Books/ Riverrun via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
June 18, 2021
This is a really original thriller and I loved it. It starts when DCS Frankie Sheehan gets a murder box interactive game through the post. The victim turns out to be real & Frankie has to play the game to find out what is going on. For me it felt like a unique twist on the genre. There may be other game based mysteries out there but I haven't read them. It's fast paced. There is a countdown on the game that becomes really important. There's a bomb threat part way through the story & no clue what will happen at the end of the countdown so to the reader anything could happen.
It works well as a standalone but as I have yet to read the first 3 (but will) there's reference a few times to Frankie's partner saving her life so may be worth it to some to find out what that is first. It doesn't detract though. There are quite a few twists and turns and I was surprised by the big one towards the end. There are 2 female leads - Frankie who is great as a female leader and written really well and her boss who is also written well but has a completely different outlook on crime solving as it's one that is more about budgets and the cost. I really enjoyed their sparring about what's more important.
All in all a book I devoured in one sitting and didn't finish until 1.30am (thank heavens for annual leave). I can't wait to go back and see where it all began.
It works well as a standalone but as I have yet to read the first 3 (but will) there's reference a few times to Frankie's partner saving her life so may be worth it to some to find out what that is first. It doesn't detract though. There are quite a few twists and turns and I was surprised by the big one towards the end. There are 2 female leads - Frankie who is great as a female leader and written really well and her boss who is also written well but has a completely different outlook on crime solving as it's one that is more about budgets and the cost. I really enjoyed their sparring about what's more important.
All in all a book I devoured in one sitting and didn't finish until 1.30am (thank heavens for annual leave). I can't wait to go back and see where it all began.
July 25, 2021
★★★ 2.5 stars (rounded up)
Well...that was some hours I'll never get back. I can't even begin to detail my thoughts because I simply could not connect to the story. I don't know why because I really enjoyed the previous book "If Looks Could Kill" in this series. The premise for THE MURDER BOX was intriguing to say the least and I was looking forward to beginning the game that DCS Frankie Sheehan found herself playing.
The day before her birthday, Frankie receives an anonymous gift sent to her at the Bureau for Serious Crime. Inside is a box containing forensic clues to a hypothetical murder of a 22 year old woman, including an earring and a histology slide with a piece of human tissue, and an authentic looking post mortem report. Instructions invite her to play the game on a website and to share her findings with the other amateur sleuths also participating so as to advance further and ultimately win the game.
Welcome to the Murder Box murder mystery game. Where participants play to win or play to survive?
However, Frankie and her team are already investigating a high profile missing persons case of celebrity Teddy Dolan who disappeared over a month ago with no leads thus far as to his whereabouts or even if he is dead or alive. Of course it hasn't helped matters that Teddy is the nephew of the Commissioner, explaining why after over a month of no leads and no no clues and no idea they are still investigating. That and Teddy's wife play up to the media to ensure his case remains in the spotlight.
But then a woman comes into the Bureau, asking for Frankie, to report her friend and flatmate missing. Lydia Callin was last seen four weeks previously, just a week after teddy's disappearance, and has not been seen since. Not only that, Lydia had been seeing Teddy prior to her disappearance. Frankie immediately suspects the two cases are linked and that the similarities between her case and the clues in the Murder Box cannot be coincidence. This is more than a party game. It's a deadly game. And Lydia Callin, the hypothetical victim, is missing. Frankie knows that she and her team must play to it's conclusion to catch the killer, becoming part of the game herself.
But the game has a counter...ticking down the time left to play...to solve the riddle which she's been handed in the form of a game. But can she outsmart the killer before it's too late?
Despite being the fourth book in the series, THE MURDER BOX can be read as a standalone. There really isn't anything that remotely connects it with previous books so the reader is not lost in a wealth of useless information. Maybe what I didn't like so much in this book was the partnership I had so enjoyed between Frankie and Baz wasn't there this time. Baz was distracted by his on/off girlfriend maybe? Or was it something else? Either way, he wasn't riding shotgun to Frankie this time whereas the Assistant Commissioner Jack Clancy or ring-in DI Smith Mullins were in his place.
The pace was steady and the plot gritty. The ending was somewhat shocking but also cleverly played. It's not that I didn't like the book...I just didn't enjoy as much a I had anticipated and I found that disappointing.
THE MURDER BOX is taut and tense throughout that is tightly written and perfect for fans of gritty police procedurals like Stuart MacBride, Angela Marsons and M.L. Arlidge.
I would like to thank #OliviaKiernan, #Netgalley and #Quercus for an ARC of #TheMurderBox in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Well...that was some hours I'll never get back. I can't even begin to detail my thoughts because I simply could not connect to the story. I don't know why because I really enjoyed the previous book "If Looks Could Kill" in this series. The premise for THE MURDER BOX was intriguing to say the least and I was looking forward to beginning the game that DCS Frankie Sheehan found herself playing.
The day before her birthday, Frankie receives an anonymous gift sent to her at the Bureau for Serious Crime. Inside is a box containing forensic clues to a hypothetical murder of a 22 year old woman, including an earring and a histology slide with a piece of human tissue, and an authentic looking post mortem report. Instructions invite her to play the game on a website and to share her findings with the other amateur sleuths also participating so as to advance further and ultimately win the game.
Welcome to the Murder Box murder mystery game. Where participants play to win or play to survive?
However, Frankie and her team are already investigating a high profile missing persons case of celebrity Teddy Dolan who disappeared over a month ago with no leads thus far as to his whereabouts or even if he is dead or alive. Of course it hasn't helped matters that Teddy is the nephew of the Commissioner, explaining why after over a month of no leads and no no clues and no idea they are still investigating. That and Teddy's wife play up to the media to ensure his case remains in the spotlight.
But then a woman comes into the Bureau, asking for Frankie, to report her friend and flatmate missing. Lydia Callin was last seen four weeks previously, just a week after teddy's disappearance, and has not been seen since. Not only that, Lydia had been seeing Teddy prior to her disappearance. Frankie immediately suspects the two cases are linked and that the similarities between her case and the clues in the Murder Box cannot be coincidence. This is more than a party game. It's a deadly game. And Lydia Callin, the hypothetical victim, is missing. Frankie knows that she and her team must play to it's conclusion to catch the killer, becoming part of the game herself.
But the game has a counter...ticking down the time left to play...to solve the riddle which she's been handed in the form of a game. But can she outsmart the killer before it's too late?
Despite being the fourth book in the series, THE MURDER BOX can be read as a standalone. There really isn't anything that remotely connects it with previous books so the reader is not lost in a wealth of useless information. Maybe what I didn't like so much in this book was the partnership I had so enjoyed between Frankie and Baz wasn't there this time. Baz was distracted by his on/off girlfriend maybe? Or was it something else? Either way, he wasn't riding shotgun to Frankie this time whereas the Assistant Commissioner Jack Clancy or ring-in DI Smith Mullins were in his place.
The pace was steady and the plot gritty. The ending was somewhat shocking but also cleverly played. It's not that I didn't like the book...I just didn't enjoy as much a I had anticipated and I found that disappointing.
THE MURDER BOX is taut and tense throughout that is tightly written and perfect for fans of gritty police procedurals like Stuart MacBride, Angela Marsons and M.L. Arlidge.
I would like to thank #OliviaKiernan, #Netgalley and #Quercus for an ARC of #TheMurderBox in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
August 31, 2021
3.5 stars.
It felt at times that this story needed more time to be told, going against my usual "too long" moan. Olivia had a great idea, but delivered it in a little over 300 pages, which meant under developed characters in my personal opinion. It never feels the same when an author info-dumps at the end.
Hopefully, given Olivia's gift at concepts, she'll let the next one breathe a little more, reducing the likelihood of that rushed feeling I got from this one.
Still good though :)
It felt at times that this story needed more time to be told, going against my usual "too long" moan. Olivia had a great idea, but delivered it in a little over 300 pages, which meant under developed characters in my personal opinion. It never feels the same when an author info-dumps at the end.
Hopefully, given Olivia's gift at concepts, she'll let the next one breathe a little more, reducing the likelihood of that rushed feeling I got from this one.
Still good though :)
August 2, 2021
This is the best book I've read for a really long time!! When I was given the opportunity to read this book, I was initially a little disappointed as I wasn't aware that it was the fourth book in a series. However, I was thrilled when I started it and realised that it was absolutely perfect as a standalone book.
The story follows Detective Frankie Sheehan on a roller coaster ride of a case when she receives 'The Murder Box' and becomes a player in a real life murder mystery game. The story is fast paced and the characters are both likeable and relatable. The book is well written and I will certainly be looking to read the earlier books in this series.
Overall, I can't praise this book highly enough. It kept me up late reading many a night and I loved every minute of it.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The story follows Detective Frankie Sheehan on a roller coaster ride of a case when she receives 'The Murder Box' and becomes a player in a real life murder mystery game. The story is fast paced and the characters are both likeable and relatable. The book is well written and I will certainly be looking to read the earlier books in this series.
Overall, I can't praise this book highly enough. It kept me up late reading many a night and I loved every minute of it.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
June 26, 2023
Who knew gaming could be so intriguing?
Despite the fact that this was a complex, layered plot full of rising tension, for me it was the character development that was key to the pace of this novel. Reading the series in order rather than as standalones really enhances the narrative. As each episode is published the crime team are fleshed out, warts and all, which gives the reader a far more immersive experience.
Our protagonist Detective Frankie Sheehan is sent a game for her birthday. The story centres on whether she and the other players are potential victims, detectives or the killer? This is a fiction riff on true crime with an element of the closed room detection classic as it has a limited cast of "players". I found it clever, immersive and
Despite the fact that this was a complex, layered plot full of rising tension, for me it was the character development that was key to the pace of this novel. Reading the series in order rather than as standalones really enhances the narrative. As each episode is published the crime team are fleshed out, warts and all, which gives the reader a far more immersive experience.
Our protagonist Detective Frankie Sheehan is sent a game for her birthday. The story centres on whether she and the other players are potential victims, detectives or the killer? This is a fiction riff on true crime with an element of the closed room detection classic as it has a limited cast of "players". I found it clever, immersive and
March 10, 2021
"Well, isn't that a dark little box of tricks," he said.
I've read some amazing crime novels, with engaging characters and creepy villains. Sadly, this wasn't one of them. The first few chapters really dragged me in but there was an abrupt stop about a third of the way in. There was such a long gap before anything of substance happened and by that time I was bored. I struggled to finish it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for my free ARC.
I've read some amazing crime novels, with engaging characters and creepy villains. Sadly, this wasn't one of them. The first few chapters really dragged me in but there was an abrupt stop about a third of the way in. There was such a long gap before anything of substance happened and by that time I was bored. I struggled to finish it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for my free ARC.
Read
October 6, 2021I abandoned this book after 100 pages. I found the present tense narration with jumps to past tense distracting, the descriptions odd, the dialogues flat. I couldn't relate to the characters, there were too many of them with no distinguishing features, everyone sounded the same. I liked the concept and I'm sure there was a surprising, clever solution as I flicked forward to the end, but it wasn't worth finishing it for me.
January 8, 2022
Flimsy plot,boring.Explaining every little thing as if readers were fools.
July 20, 2021
The Murder Box by Olivia Kiernan will be published with riverrun July 22nd and is the latest book in this series featuring Irish DCS Frankie Sheehan. As someone who has not read the previous three books in the series, I can safely say that The Murder Box holds its own as a standalone thriller, capturing my attention from the opening pages. Definitely one for all fans of Jane Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan series.
The Murder Box is an intriguing premise set around a game and we all know that in any game there can only ever really be one winner. Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan is knee-deep in a missing persons case of a famous Irish TV celebrity when she receives a subscription style gift box for a murder mystery game. Initially curious and a little excited at some much needed distraction, she looks at the items in the box and is impressed by its authenticity. Being that it is her birthday she suspects it is a gift from a well-meaning friend. But the truth is quickly realised when Frankie makes the connection between its contents and a description brought to her of a local young woman who never came home. After her flatmate reports her disappearance, Frankie quickly grasps the seriousness of what she has in front of her. And when a colleague identifies a clock in the game, Frankie and her team are under serious pressure to collect and analyse the clues and catch a killer before the time runs out.
Frankie Sheehan is cool headed and loyal to the extreme. As she gathers her team close together their focus shifts to a group of Trinity College students who all too are playing the game. To them it is a challenge, a distraction from their studies but their reality takes on a different hue when Frankie catches up with them.
Terry Dolan is the original missing person that Frankie was looking for before she received the box and, with pressure from above, due to family connections, Frankie is feeling the strain. As she slowly makes progress gathering evidence and expertise where she can, the case blows open when a connection is found between the two individuals missing. What is this link? How could a celebrity TV star have any association with this game? Is it a ruse? Is it a publicity stunt? All are viable options until a macabre discovery is made by a bunch of teenage boys.
The Murder Box is just a great read. It’s a solid and believable story with a fabulous host of characters, all very real. Olivia Kiernan clearly knows her audience bringing all on a very thrilling and engaging journey. Expertly plotted with all the threads neatly woven together, The Murder Box is a clever, clever novel. Highly enjoyable, a book I will happily recommend to all looking for a discerning and smart crime fiction novel.
The Murder Box is an intriguing premise set around a game and we all know that in any game there can only ever really be one winner. Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan is knee-deep in a missing persons case of a famous Irish TV celebrity when she receives a subscription style gift box for a murder mystery game. Initially curious and a little excited at some much needed distraction, she looks at the items in the box and is impressed by its authenticity. Being that it is her birthday she suspects it is a gift from a well-meaning friend. But the truth is quickly realised when Frankie makes the connection between its contents and a description brought to her of a local young woman who never came home. After her flatmate reports her disappearance, Frankie quickly grasps the seriousness of what she has in front of her. And when a colleague identifies a clock in the game, Frankie and her team are under serious pressure to collect and analyse the clues and catch a killer before the time runs out.
Frankie Sheehan is cool headed and loyal to the extreme. As she gathers her team close together their focus shifts to a group of Trinity College students who all too are playing the game. To them it is a challenge, a distraction from their studies but their reality takes on a different hue when Frankie catches up with them.
Terry Dolan is the original missing person that Frankie was looking for before she received the box and, with pressure from above, due to family connections, Frankie is feeling the strain. As she slowly makes progress gathering evidence and expertise where she can, the case blows open when a connection is found between the two individuals missing. What is this link? How could a celebrity TV star have any association with this game? Is it a ruse? Is it a publicity stunt? All are viable options until a macabre discovery is made by a bunch of teenage boys.
The Murder Box is just a great read. It’s a solid and believable story with a fabulous host of characters, all very real. Olivia Kiernan clearly knows her audience bringing all on a very thrilling and engaging journey. Expertly plotted with all the threads neatly woven together, The Murder Box is a clever, clever novel. Highly enjoyable, a book I will happily recommend to all looking for a discerning and smart crime fiction novel.
May 28, 2023
This is the first novel by Olivia Kiernan and I do like to read a good detective novel. When I read some reviews about her latest novel I went looking for it and when I stumbled upon a copy of The Murder Box I didn’t think twice. I quite enjoyed reading the story and the Murder Box – a game offering a true crime experience – is actually something I’d be interested in playing myself. Well those were my initial thoughts but can you imagine finding out that the victim is actually a real person, no thanks I think I’ll pass after all!
I liked Frankie and was left wondering why her partner Baz kept on disappearing. It was not only driving Frankie crazy but me as well and I felt sorry for Frankie that she was being kept in the dark about his whereabouts for so long, even if it added a nice little touch of intrigue to the story. Another character I’d like to see more of in future novels was Detective Mullins who transferred from traffic and was one of the brightest ones in the team. All in all Frankie is well surrounded and even her boss Jack is not a bad egg.
There was only a limited cast of suspects who could have been responsible for the murder game but my mind was probably thinking why not complicate a situation if you can so I went looking for other possibilities and no surprise there, I found someone who fit ‘my bill’. Someone who wasn’t listed as a suspect and even though interviewed wasn’t a red flag for the Gardaí. I was completely off the mark with my suspect but I was right that the author did make it extra interesting and the added twist came as real surprise. I do love surprises if they present themselves like this.
Overall I enjoyed this book, I was invested in finding out who was behind it (even though the suspects weren’t particularly interesting or weren’t given enough time to be very fleshed out) and it had a grand finale that had me at the edge of my seat. I look forward to reading the next one of the four novels about Frankie Sheehan titled The Killer In Me (she’s certainly killing it with her book titles!).
I liked Frankie and was left wondering why her partner Baz kept on disappearing. It was not only driving Frankie crazy but me as well and I felt sorry for Frankie that she was being kept in the dark about his whereabouts for so long, even if it added a nice little touch of intrigue to the story. Another character I’d like to see more of in future novels was Detective Mullins who transferred from traffic and was one of the brightest ones in the team. All in all Frankie is well surrounded and even her boss Jack is not a bad egg.
There was only a limited cast of suspects who could have been responsible for the murder game but my mind was probably thinking why not complicate a situation if you can so I went looking for other possibilities and no surprise there, I found someone who fit ‘my bill’. Someone who wasn’t listed as a suspect and even though interviewed wasn’t a red flag for the Gardaí. I was completely off the mark with my suspect but I was right that the author did make it extra interesting and the added twist came as real surprise. I do love surprises if they present themselves like this.
Overall I enjoyed this book, I was invested in finding out who was behind it (even though the suspects weren’t particularly interesting or weren’t given enough time to be very fleshed out) and it had a grand finale that had me at the edge of my seat. I look forward to reading the next one of the four novels about Frankie Sheehan titled The Killer In Me (she’s certainly killing it with her book titles!).
July 29, 2021
Sometimes, there's nothing worse than picking up a book that is part of a series when you are unaware that it's part of a series...The Murder Box may be more nuanced if you are already familiar with the key players, but this story worked well enoughon its own.
With the growing interest in true crime podcasts and with many having an interest in the psychology behind a crime, this story definitely caters to those readers who might have ever been tempted to wonder how to get away with murder.
Our police team - who we are probably meant to be familiar with - are investigating the disappearance of a local celebrity - and relative of the Commissioner - when they learn of a possible connection between him and a young woman whose flatmate has arrived at the station to express concerns about her being missing.
Before we know it, there is a rather intriguing puzzle of a murder mystery game which DCS Frankie Sheehan has been invited to participate in. Initially she thinks the box on her desk is an early birthday present. But there are clues inside, what appears to be human tissue and then we learn that it is connected to the young woman Sheehan has been asked to find. Even more worrying is when human remains are found in a local river. Someone involved in this Murder Box knows more than they are telling, and Sheehan and her team become caught up in the investigation to determine exactly what has happened.
The story had its share of red herrings and attempts to throw us off the scent. We get answers, and they were not necessarily what we were expecting.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication.
With the growing interest in true crime podcasts and with many having an interest in the psychology behind a crime, this story definitely caters to those readers who might have ever been tempted to wonder how to get away with murder.
Our police team - who we are probably meant to be familiar with - are investigating the disappearance of a local celebrity - and relative of the Commissioner - when they learn of a possible connection between him and a young woman whose flatmate has arrived at the station to express concerns about her being missing.
Before we know it, there is a rather intriguing puzzle of a murder mystery game which DCS Frankie Sheehan has been invited to participate in. Initially she thinks the box on her desk is an early birthday present. But there are clues inside, what appears to be human tissue and then we learn that it is connected to the young woman Sheehan has been asked to find. Even more worrying is when human remains are found in a local river. Someone involved in this Murder Box knows more than they are telling, and Sheehan and her team become caught up in the investigation to determine exactly what has happened.
The story had its share of red herrings and attempts to throw us off the scent. We get answers, and they were not necessarily what we were expecting.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication.
July 22, 2021
Let's play a game......
A murder mystery game.....
The murder box game........
Something fun and relaxing. Something to take detective Frankie Sheehan's mind of the missing person case they are struggling with. Just a game.....until Neve Jameson walks in and it all goes to hell!
It's been a tough couple of weeks for Frankie. There's absolutely no leads into the disappearance of well-known television personality Teddy Dolan. Disappearance or was it an abduction? Surely he won't send pieces of himself through the post to his wife? Then a fiction murder mystery box arrives on her desk. A nice distraction from all the problems. The clues and the pieces of evidence seem very realistic.
*cue dramatic music*..... In walks Neve Jameson reporting her flatmate missing with a photo of said flatmate and from there everything turns to hell. This is a real murder investigation.....
On top of it her partner, who's always been mister reliable seems distracted at a time she needs him on his A-game. Is someone targeting her and are these 2 cases related in any way? What will happen on the 14th of September?
What a brilliant read! And the ending! All I can say is WOW!! I did not see that 1 coming at all!
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
A murder mystery game.....
The murder box game........
Something fun and relaxing. Something to take detective Frankie Sheehan's mind of the missing person case they are struggling with. Just a game.....until Neve Jameson walks in and it all goes to hell!
It's been a tough couple of weeks for Frankie. There's absolutely no leads into the disappearance of well-known television personality Teddy Dolan. Disappearance or was it an abduction? Surely he won't send pieces of himself through the post to his wife? Then a fiction murder mystery box arrives on her desk. A nice distraction from all the problems. The clues and the pieces of evidence seem very realistic.
*cue dramatic music*..... In walks Neve Jameson reporting her flatmate missing with a photo of said flatmate and from there everything turns to hell. This is a real murder investigation.....
On top of it her partner, who's always been mister reliable seems distracted at a time she needs him on his A-game. Is someone targeting her and are these 2 cases related in any way? What will happen on the 14th of September?
What a brilliant read! And the ending! All I can say is WOW!! I did not see that 1 coming at all!
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
March 5, 2021
I flew through this book!
The plot was so absorbing I didn't even realise it is written in the present tense until halfway through and that is a testament to the great plot and characterisation - I usually steer clear of books in the present tense as I find them annoying.
I appreciated the harsh truth that law enforcement is political and many cases get lost due to budgetary constraints etc. It was also great to see strong female leads and I liked the irony that the two women who head the division are at loggerheads and it has nothing to do with their sex but their personal beliefs and who they are.
And of course, this is set in Ireland, which was refreshing.
The twist at the end was phenomenal - I definitely did not see that coming.
A good read for those who love a suspenseful mystery story.
The plot was so absorbing I didn't even realise it is written in the present tense until halfway through and that is a testament to the great plot and characterisation - I usually steer clear of books in the present tense as I find them annoying.
I appreciated the harsh truth that law enforcement is political and many cases get lost due to budgetary constraints etc. It was also great to see strong female leads and I liked the irony that the two women who head the division are at loggerheads and it has nothing to do with their sex but their personal beliefs and who they are.
And of course, this is set in Ireland, which was refreshing.
The twist at the end was phenomenal - I definitely did not see that coming.
A good read for those who love a suspenseful mystery story.
March 26, 2023
That was a great read!
It had me totally gripped from start to finish. It was really tense, with some unexpected twists.
I liked Frankie and Baz.
I haven't read any of the previous books, but have definitely added them to my TBR list.
Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia and publishers, Quercus Books for the chance to read this book.
It had me totally gripped from start to finish. It was really tense, with some unexpected twists.
I liked Frankie and Baz.
I haven't read any of the previous books, but have definitely added them to my TBR list.
Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia and publishers, Quercus Books for the chance to read this book.
July 24, 2021
The Murder Box is another thrilling, addictive and original thriller from one of my favourite crime writers.
Firstly I thought the concept of the murder box was very clever and I was instantly intrigued. Having read a few crime books I was very keen to find out what the true meaning behind the box was. I didn’t have long to wait as the case soon kicks off at a great pace which made it hard to stop reading at times. I kept promising myself just one more chapter but then started another and then another as I had to find out what happens next.
It was great fun to be back with Frankie and her team. One of the things I most like about this author is her ability to take the reader along for the journey so that you feel you are really there solving the case alongside them. The reader is taken on every part of the investigation, every false lead and every breakthrough which was fantastic to follow.
Overall I absolutely loved this book which helped distract me from the heatwave in the UK at the moment. The investigation flows at a great pace and I liked how realistic it was with no great leaps or tenuous links. It was very fast paced with lots of twist which kept me guessing until the end. There are some dark moments which might not be to everyone’s taste but I felt these weren’t overdone. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.
Huge thanks to Milly Reid from Quercus for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Quercus for my copy of this book via netgalley. If you are a crime fiction fan you need to read this book, definitely her best so far!
Firstly I thought the concept of the murder box was very clever and I was instantly intrigued. Having read a few crime books I was very keen to find out what the true meaning behind the box was. I didn’t have long to wait as the case soon kicks off at a great pace which made it hard to stop reading at times. I kept promising myself just one more chapter but then started another and then another as I had to find out what happens next.
It was great fun to be back with Frankie and her team. One of the things I most like about this author is her ability to take the reader along for the journey so that you feel you are really there solving the case alongside them. The reader is taken on every part of the investigation, every false lead and every breakthrough which was fantastic to follow.
Overall I absolutely loved this book which helped distract me from the heatwave in the UK at the moment. The investigation flows at a great pace and I liked how realistic it was with no great leaps or tenuous links. It was very fast paced with lots of twist which kept me guessing until the end. There are some dark moments which might not be to everyone’s taste but I felt these weren’t overdone. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.
Huge thanks to Milly Reid from Quercus for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Quercus for my copy of this book via netgalley. If you are a crime fiction fan you need to read this book, definitely her best so far!
February 27, 2021
Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheenan receives what she believes to be a murder mystery game box on her birthday whilst working a very public high profile case. As a bit of light relief her and her partner Baz start to work through the game. The next day they get a visit from a woman reporting her flat mate missing, who just so happens to have the same name as the victim in the ‘game’...
When I saw Steve Cavanagh had called this cracking I new I had to give it a go. I was trying to decipher clues all the way through but I did not figure it out at all. This felt so real - honestly I had chills for the last 25% of the book it’s been a long time since a book has given me a physical reaction like that. There were some points I was a little confused, I had to re-read a few passages because it felt like either I missed something or the story jumped a bit. However that doesn’t take away from the brilliance of the storyline.
I would definitely recommend this to any thriller fan - and I’ll certainly be checking out more of Olivia’s books.
When I saw Steve Cavanagh had called this cracking I new I had to give it a go. I was trying to decipher clues all the way through but I did not figure it out at all. This felt so real - honestly I had chills for the last 25% of the book it’s been a long time since a book has given me a physical reaction like that. There were some points I was a little confused, I had to re-read a few passages because it felt like either I missed something or the story jumped a bit. However that doesn’t take away from the brilliance of the storyline.
I would definitely recommend this to any thriller fan - and I’ll certainly be checking out more of Olivia’s books.
October 15, 2024
The Murder Box is smooth and easy to follow. It's clear that a lot of effort went into crafting its lovely sentences. It's also one of the blandest novels I've ever read.
The central conceit is cool -- a Dublin cop receives a murder mystery game to solve as a birthday present, but OOPS, the case is real and the clock is ticking -- but it's delivered in the most workmanlike way possible. There are a couple of characters who are compelling, but neither of them are the detective or the victim. I would honestly struggle to tell you a single fact about our main character. She... likes... chicken chow mein???
Give me a glorious mess over this type of polished nothing.
P.S. There's a line in the middle of the novel where the MC randomly sees a flyer for something called "the gathering" and I was like OHOHO! file that one away for later! definitely a clue! definitely going to come back! The gaaaaaathering. It's a cult. Gotta be a cult.
Reader, it was nothing.
The central conceit is cool -- a Dublin cop receives a murder mystery game to solve as a birthday present, but OOPS, the case is real and the clock is ticking -- but it's delivered in the most workmanlike way possible. There are a couple of characters who are compelling, but neither of them are the detective or the victim. I would honestly struggle to tell you a single fact about our main character. She... likes... chicken chow mein???
Give me a glorious mess over this type of polished nothing.
P.S. There's a line in the middle of the novel where the MC randomly sees a flyer for something called "the gathering" and I was like OHOHO! file that one away for later! definitely a clue! definitely going to come back! The gaaaaaathering. It's a cult. Gotta be a cult.
Reader, it was nothing.
July 21, 2021
Another great read in the Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan series.
The book starts with Frankie receiving an unusual item in the post - The Murder Box.
At first she thinks it’s a strange game that someone has sent her but when she looks more closely, it’s clear one of the items in the box has blood on it.
A woman is reported missing and Frankie recognises one if the items from the murder box as belonging to the missing person.
A body is found in pieces so it’s hard to identify the person but they think it’s the missing woman.
The murder box takes on a life if it’s own as it is clearly linked to their murder investigation so Frankie and Baz need to work out who is behind it.
This is a very clever crime thriller that well and truly had me hooked.
Whilst the series is brilliant, you could also read this book as a standalone.
Thanks to Quercus books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The book starts with Frankie receiving an unusual item in the post - The Murder Box.
At first she thinks it’s a strange game that someone has sent her but when she looks more closely, it’s clear one of the items in the box has blood on it.
A woman is reported missing and Frankie recognises one if the items from the murder box as belonging to the missing person.
A body is found in pieces so it’s hard to identify the person but they think it’s the missing woman.
The murder box takes on a life if it’s own as it is clearly linked to their murder investigation so Frankie and Baz need to work out who is behind it.
This is a very clever crime thriller that well and truly had me hooked.
Whilst the series is brilliant, you could also read this book as a standalone.
Thanks to Quercus books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
December 17, 2021
This has to be one of the best crime novels ever.
A roller coaster of a ride reading this.
So cleverly plotted.
A genius idea! Loved it!
A roller coaster of a ride reading this.
So cleverly plotted.
A genius idea! Loved it!
July 18, 2023
This book held my interest from start to finish, a clever plot that kept me guessing right up to the grand finale. I could see this being made into a movie … really enjoyed it.
October 4, 2024
Fantastic read . highly recommended
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews