I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

No Going Back is the third installment of the Lucy Murphy series by Casey Kelleher. Shelby Cooke, whose dad is the powerful gangster, Pete Baker, is pregnant, and against her father’s better judgment, marries Ashley Cooke, a total loser who drinks, gambles, and does drugs. While Shelby is pregnant, he also cheats on her. Ashley borrows £20k from loan sharks and loses it on the horses. When the loan sharks come to collect, Ashley doesn’t have the money, so they beat him up. They also have a man, Jay-Jay, who goes to Ashley’s home to scare his wife and threaten her, but she has been so frustrated and angry that Ashley hasn’t come home, that she decides to leave and walk to her parent’s house not far away. Jay-Jay attacks her, but she gets away and when she arrives at her parent’s home, her father is livid and takes the attack seriously. The trauma of the attack puts Shelby into labor and her mother takes her to the hospital where she has the baby; unfortunately, someone kidnaps the newborn and the fight becomes between the police and gangster.

While the storyline is fascinating and has ups and downs starting at the beginning of the book, Kelleher has some problems with grammar (especially in the prologue) and definitely needs to take some English classes. The errors are quite obvious, and are not because of the differences in American English and UK English. Because the characters are well-developed, however, and the story is compelling, readers will want to ignore the blatant grammatical errors and hope that between books, Kelleher takes a few classes to improve the delivery. She does do a good job of building suspense as the story unfolds, and the gangster influence is enticing.

Lucy Murphy is a great detective, and most readers (who don’t care about grammar or syntax) will likely want to read the previous novels as well as this one.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

The book brings to life all sorts of unsavoury characters, we have murder, violence, kidnap and a fantastic book that I couldn't put down

Absolutely love CK, she is a fantastic writer and I always look forward to her new releases. This one didn’t disappoint. Immerse yourself in their world, what would you do? Brilliant read.

No going back is a really interesting crime thriller. It basically centres around pregnant women being attacked. Riley is one day old when he is stolen from his mother. There were so many different suspects that Lucy and her team find it really difficult to work out the motive behind the kidnapping. All the evidence is pointing one way but sometimes evidenced isn’t reliable...

So I found this book to be overwhelming at times with so many different characters and different storylines, even though they were all intertwined somehow. Although the book seems to be centred around the kidnap of Riley this doesn’t actually happen until halfway through so there was so much stuff that happens beforehand that to be honest I completely forgot that Riley was going to be kidnapped. Now as there was so many different suspects it was just so confusing who did what and why now I had my suspicions which were correct however my suspicions made no sense and that was what I found very difficult because I really felt like the author was telling us one thing but also telling us the complete opposite all at the same time. However once everything is tide together you actually realise what the author has done is absolutely fantastic job of writing a crime thriller.

There were so many different characters in the story and I must say that Pete that gangster grandad was my absolute favourite, he is the kind of man that nobody wants to mess with so when his grandchild is kidnapped he clearly is out for blood he actually was a legend and I loved him. Shelby was a bit of a wet flannel to be honest I could have done without her but obviously someone had to give birth to the baby so I understand why she was in the story however I really don’t think her presence added anything if I’m completely honest. Unlike her partner Ashley he was very central in the storyline and I actually found his storyline to be very compelling although at times it definitely wasn't compelling it was just damn right not okay but I felt like if there were to be a protagonist it would be Ashley. Ashley is a gambler whose luck ran out a while back even though he is a married mum with a child on the way he thinks of him self as a playboy. He ended up married to Shelby after dating her to get in with her father and his business. But they become pregnant and Pete insisted that his daughter were to be a wife before the baby came. Ashley trapped in a life he never wanted gambles for sport. He burrows money of local thugs after a dead cert is given to him, we all know there’s no such thing. So when Riley is kidnapped he can’t help but think of the men he owes money to, as the prime and only suspects.......


What makes this book gripping and the reason i read it in one sitting was that we get to follow all the main players of the story as well as the a police team investigating the kidnapped. Lucy the Detective in charge appwars to be extremely good at her job, but she can feel the similarities between her mothers murder and the first victims too similar bring memories to the surface she hadn’t realise she’d suppressed. You can really feel the intensity of her emotions that we offer his written for this character as you read and I honestly feel that is a skill that deserves to be praised.
So following the police work is very interesting because we are at the forefront of the investigation whilst also being Privy to information that the police don’t have as well as still not really having a clue what is going on it was great because i really felt like i was a fly on everyone’s wall. Who has baby Riley and with everyone appear suspect and innocent concurrently it became a maze of who did what and way. I loved it!

I finish this book and thought I hope there’s more, i wanted to follow Lucy and her gran who is soooooo funny. It turns out she does have a separate series first book of which I’ve already brought.
So its pretty obvious I would recommend this book especially to lovers of crime thrillers. Ite graphic at times and I had to skip a few bits which let’s say involved a belly and a knife so be warned. It was drama from behining to end also happily rate 4.5 🌟 rounded up to 5.

Thanks to Netgalldy, the author and publishers for free digital reviewer copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.

DC Lucy Murphy and her team face a heart-breaking case. Riley is just one day old when he is abducted from the hospital.

Then things really get complicated. Having to deal with a young mother under these circumstances is hard enough ... but the boy's grandfather is a gangster Pete Baker, and he's going to take things into his own hands unless Murphy and her team cam find the culprit.

Someone is going to pay dearly for causing this much pain to his family.

This is a fast-paced novel with an exciting plot. There's plenty of action and twists and turns that don't see to stop. The suspense is intense, starting from the very first page and holding strong to the very last. The characters are solidly defined. Although 3rd in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend starting at the beginning to grab the backstories on these most credible characters.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

This is book 3 of a 3 part book series. They can be read as stand alone, however to get the full benefits of the main character Lucy and her background story, I would highly recommend that you read books 1 and 2 first. This has truly been another fantastic gripping read from Casey. She really does know how to keep her readers entertained.

I loved the story, found it to be a real page turner right from the get go. Absolutely gripping and fast paced, plus it was great to be reacquainted with the characters of Lucy, her Nan, Morgan and Holder, they really are so well written that you forget they are not real as you lose yourself truly into the story. I had my suspicions as to who the murder was and turned out I was right, but this in no way spoiled my enjoyment of the story.

So if you haven't read any of Casey's books before, then don't delay any further as her books are highly entertaining that leave you grasping for more.

No Going Back by Casey Kelleher is the seventh book I have read from this author and Casey's books just get better and better.....I love the way she writes all of her books I have read. This latest book is the third book in the DC Lucy Murphy series and I so recommend you read the two other books within this brilliant series you won't regret it.
Ashley Cooke married to Shelby and they live on the the notorious Griffin estate. Shelby is the daughter of gangster Pete Baker. Shelby who is pregnant with their first child and wants the very best for his wife and he turns to the Boland brothers for a loan and this was not a small loan! It turns out that Ashley can not repay this loan and this is when the nightmare begins!
One evening whilst Shelby was out walking in the park which she used as a shortcut, she is viciously attacked and this triggers an early labour.

Were the Boland brothers responsible for the attack on Ashley's wife?

Ashley is a proud man and does not want to get Pete Baker involved!

How, will Ashley pay this large loan off? The interest is mounting up!!!!!

DC Lucy Murphy gets called to this attack on Shelby. However, this case is very personal for her and it brings back a huge heap of emotions, as her own mother was murdered while pregnant. DC Lucy Murphy wants to prevent other families going through what she has experienced especially as the attacker as never been caught! and she become utterly dedicated to catching the killer before any more pregnant women can be attacked. WoW.....WoW.......Brilliant book!

Big thank to Casey Kelleher, NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of A Death At Seascape House in exchange for an honest review.

Casey Kelleher NEVER fails to impress me with her books and this one is no different. I have really taken to Lucy Murphy as a lead character and her backstory is so interesting and makes reading about her that little bit more intriguing. This time around Lucy and the team have to deal with a missing child. However, it's not quite that simple as there has been a recent case involving the murder of a pregnant woman nearby. Ashley Cooke and his girlfriend Shelby are the people on the harrowing end of their child being taken. What doesn't help matters is that Shelby's father Pete is a known gangster and Ashley has also got himself into hot water in other ways, so are either of those factors cause for somebody to steal their baby?

 This storyline had me gripped from the beginning to the end and although I did finally work out the kidnapper it was pretty late in the game! You could probably read this as a standalone but reading the first two books first of all are brilliant and are worth reading, but they also give you some real background on Lucy and the other supporting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and CK remains one of my favourite authors!

It was a fast paced Thriller, about the disappearance of a new born baby from the hospital, and accusing fingers at practically everyone.

The setting was great, has a well thought out plot, but I didn't like how it kept dragging especially from the beginning. I was tempted to DNF it, but I just decided to keep on reading. It was towards the middle, the real action started, making it interesting.

I also don't know why most thriller action books have to include this 'detective-with-a-horrible-past-assigned-to-a-case-with-a-similiar-story'. It's all so cliche! What is the detective expected to do? Solve this crime and solve their own personal problems?! Oh, and the superiors always keep on asking, 'Are you okay with this case? Can you handle it?' 😬😬
Here too, the Detective had a very horrible childhood and now has to relive it because of this case. At least here, I'm glad it wasn't dwelled on a lot.

Anyways, it was still a good read. Full of action. I love the mafia side story that was included, with bits of suspense. I already guessed who the kidnapper was, but finding out at the end was quite intriguing, most especially what her reaction would be.

A child abduction throws an investigative team into turmoil when the grandson of a known gangster is abducted. A fascinating crime tale that highly recommend.

Another fast moving Casey Kelleher crime story. A fantastic gritty storyline and great characters make for a brilliant book. Anyone who enjoys gripping crime thrillers will love Casey's books.

I enjoyed this thriller book. This is a newer author for me and I look forward to reading more in the future. This is a well written story about a missing child and a family who wants revenge. The characters are connectable and bring the story to life. The twists and turns are sitting on the edge of your seat page turners. This is a fast paced story that is engaging and kept me turning pages to the end. What happens when a baby is stolen from a hospital and it becomes a race against time to bring him home? This is full of action and gangsters at that. This is truly a great story that I enjoyed. I highly recommend it.

Ashley Cooke is determined to prove himself to his pregnant wife Shelby, the daughter of gangster Pete Baker. But he turns to the Boland brothers for a loan he can't repay. Shelby is viciously attacked which triggers an early labour. Were the Boland brothers and Ashley reponsible and will any of them be safe from the wrath of Pete?
No Going Back is the third book to feature DC Lucy Murphy and the notorious Griffin estate. I have previously reviewed the previous books in the series: No Escape and No Fear.
This case gets much too personal for Lucy as it brings back a huge heap of emotions as her own mother was murdered while pregnant. Lucy is anxious to prevent other families going through what she has experienced and is utterly dedicated to catcthing the killer before any more pregnant women can be attacked.
Lucy's personal life inevitably features heavily in this case which has such similarities to her own mother's murder. She has the dilemma of remembering the killer's face from 20 years ago and now has to determine whether to search for him. This is confused by her grandmother's health and concern for her wellbeing that could be negatively affected by reoprning the case. There is further development of Lucy's professional relationships and a potential romance...
The characters created by Casey Kelleher are just so realistic because the writing is so good. I felt like I could understand the motivations of every single person in the book whether I could relate to them myself or found them repugnant. Each character was multi dimensional and had nuances to their behaviour and personalities.
The case is brutal and obviously attacks on pregnant women is very emotive. There is also gang related violence but this is not gratuitous or prominent. The plot and setting are compelling due to their authenticity.
No Going Back is gritty, emotional, thrilling, tense and excellent!

Netgalley gave me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. No Going Back started off with such promise but fell a little flat for me. I wanted more in the way of character development. Some of the story lines started out strong but then just fell off the radar and I am not sure how they are connected now.

'No Going Back' by the fabulous Casey Kelleher is the third DC Lucy Murphy book. This is a brilliant series but I am quite biased as I love Casey's work.
A young pregnant woman is involved in an incident on a dark night in Richmond park. Shelby Cooke was on her way to her parents when she is attacked. Lucy Murphy is called in to investigate the attack as Shelby has some murkier connections than you would think, so it has every possibility of being a revenge attack. The attack is very similar to another one that has been committed so the team are unable to rule out a more sinister motive for the attack.
Lucy's past is a dark one and still affects her to this day. We see this investigation bringing it right back for her. Her D.I is the only person who is aware of what Lucy and her mother experienced. This investigation highlights her fragilities and it soon becomes clear that Lucy's past may need to be explained to the team at some point. I liked seeing the other side to her appearing and that is a thread to the story that I think could have possibilities in the future .
The council estate that features throughout the series, the Griffin Estate, is the place that Lucy herself started from and is the estate that harbours criminals, junkies and everything in between. It always reminds me of the estate I grew up, there was always a police car there or an ambulance. A gritty, rough and dark place... I envision the Griffin Estate the same way. This does add a very tense and realistic edge to the story. Even Lucy with her back story that is a big part of her and I think these things make her as real as possible. Casey Kelleher has delivered another fabulous instalment to the Lucy Murphy series and I can't wait for her next one already.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the copy of the book.

No Going Back by Casey Kelleher
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Publication Date: April 29, 2021

No Going Back by Casey Kelleher is the third book featuring DC Lucy Murphy. I had not read the previous two books, but was able to easily jump into this one.

Wow! This book grabbed me from the start and wouldn't let go! I literally did nothing else today because I HAD to finish this book! I found this book to be fascinating with a great story line, an incredible mystery and interesting characters. I loved how this was fast paced and so good!!!!

I will definitely be reading the first two books (and any others that are released in the future)! This was such an exceptional read! If you enjoy crime dramas, you will love this book. (Did I mention it is available on Kindle Unlimited?)

I'm so grateful to Casey Kelleher, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book of Casey Kelleher that I read, and I should be reading more of her books. This is a good crime / gang / suspense story which maintains good pace and is very well written. There are some books which are very easy to read, moving along smoothly and this is certainly one of them. This is apparently the third book featuring DC Lucy Murphy, and though I read this book out of sequence, it did not matter much as it is a standalone story.

Ashley & Shelby are expecting their first child. Ashley is in some trouble having borrowed money for a bet which he loses, and now struggling to repay. The Boland brothers are not the kind who will wait for long. Ashley is beaten up and warned, and the very same day Shelby is attacked by someone with a knife. Shelby manages to ward off the attacker but enters labour early as a result. She delivers a baby boy who they name Riley, but he is kidnapped the very next day from the hospital. DC Lucy Murphy works on the case and it seems that Shelby’s attack may be connected to another assault on a pregnant woman a few weeks back. Shelby’s father Peter has a reputation himself as a local strongman though he has laid quiet since many years. The assaults bring back painful memories for Lucy as her mother died in an assault herself many years back.

The story moves very fast and keeps you hooked. The twist is not earth shattering but comes at the right time after a good build-up. I loved how the characters were developed, and certainly look to reading the other books featuring DC Lucy.

My rating: 4.5 / 5.

Normally I love this authors work and I just found this one wasn't exactly what I was looking for. It is well written

Shelby and Ashley are newly married and expecting a baby. Things should be good for these 2. But Ashley has a gambling problem and in debt to some loan sharks and he strays outside the marriage.
In the same night he is beaten up by the loan sharks and Shelby is attacked while out walking to her parent's house. When she gets there she ends up going into labor.
As she has baby Riley, no one can find Ashley.
DC Lucy are called in when baby Riley goes missing from the hospital. They have been working on case involving a stabbing of another pregnant woman.
Ashley is also getting threatened from the loan sharks and he needs to find a way to pay them back and he is beside himself thinking they stole his son.
This book is full of suspense and I couldn't really get attached to any of the characters except for Lucy. She has a past that I would like to get to know more about.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC to read and review.