Wow wow wow. Absolutely addictove. Stunning. Great writing. A suspenseful, heart pounding read. Loved this one so much. Just cannot wait for more from this amazing author.

Wow, that was not what I expected--and I mean in an absolutely good way! This was my first book by this author and I can tell you, before I even go into detail, that this will not be my last book by him!
If you know me, you know I love fast-paced. This book didn't only give me that, but it also gave me a crazy combination of my favorite thriller/mystery/suspense novel elements: kidnapping, murder, sociopaths, behavioral analysis, crazy twists, and computer forensics. However, the book didn't stop there. In addition, the author added Celtic mythology and computer forensic to the mix and he did a phenomenal job combining all these elements without making it confusing, unrealistic, or boring in any way. Hold your breath before you go into this book because you will not have time to come up from it for air. That is how fast this plot moves. I love love love it!!!!
First, the chapters all start with a quote by one of the more or less real-life sociopathic serial killers, e.g., Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer. Then, the reason why Jessie leaves her career with the police in London will knock you off your chair because it is not written from Jessie's POV but from someone with very sinister motives (sorry, can't say more to avoid any spoilers ;-)). And then the mind-blowing, jaw-dropping moments don't stop there. How in the world does a lunatic in solitary confinement know that Jessie is in Ireland? How does he know that Penny was abducted and he even knows who the culprit is, well more or less? Those are just the opening chapters. This book has roughly 70 chapters and the remaining chapters are no less unputdownable (I think that is a word now since Stephen King has used it multiple times lol). I can't wait to get my hands on book 2 in the series!

Serial killer chiller fans will want to devour S A Dunphy’s spine-tingling Irish-set thriller, Bring Her Home, in a single sitting.

Penny O’Dwyer was abducted one cold October night from a quiet street in the west coast of Ireland. The police had searched far and wide for her, but despite not leaving a single stone unturned, Penny seemed to have vanished off the face of the earth – until a chilling video is sent by her attacker declaring that she has been kidnapped and that she has ten days to live. The clock is ticking and with every single resource having been exhausted, a favour is called out compelling criminal behaviourist Jessie Boyle to return to Ireland after swearing never to set foot on the Emerald Isle ever again.

Ireland is the last place on earth Jessie Boyle wants to be in, but with her oldest friend begging her to help crack this case, she found herself with no other choice but to return. As she begins her investigation into Penny O’Dwyer’s disappearance, she makes a blood-curdling discovery: Penny was not the first girl to be abducted and she will certainly not be the last. As more women are found, it becomes apparent that a serial killer has been hiding in plain sight and if he isn’t caught soon, the consequences and repercussions simply do not bear thinking about. There is nothing that links all the victims, however, Jessie is convinced that the answers lie hidden in the old Irish myths she used to read as a child.

Time is not on her side and the pressure is mounting. Jessie needs to find the killer and fast – because he has her in her sights and is waiting for the right moment to pounce.

S A Dunphy adds a fiendishly clever twist to the serial killer thriller genre with Bring Her Home. A dark, sinister and hard-hitting page-turner that simmers with tension, menace and foreboding, Bring Her Home raises the stakes and ratchets up the suspense by leaving readers barely able to catch their breath as they are taken on a creepy and heart-stopping journey where the shocks and surprises come thick and fast.

Bring Her Home is the first title in the Boyle and Keneally series and having thoroughly enjoyed S A Dunphy’s debut installment, I cannot wait to read what they get up to next.

What a ride! I started it late in the afternoon and ended now. I couldn't stop reading as there's plenty of twists and turns.
A breathtaking thriller, gripping and fast paced. There're elements of folklore, history and some very interesting villains.
I loved Jessie, Seaumus, Terri and Dawn. They are a great team and I loved how they worked and how the different skill were used.
The plot is full of twists and turns, I was able to guess a couple of them and who the villain was but it didn't stop me from enjoying the story.
The excellent start for a new series, can't wait to read the next instalment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This new crime thriller series has an original bent with its inclusion of Celtic history and mythology. Set in Ireland, the partnership of criminal behavioral specialist Jessie Boyle and Detective Seamus Keneally of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, brings that lore to life as they search for a missing woman.

Penelope O'Dwyer is the daughter of a former Taoiseach (prime minister of the Irish Republic) and worked in finance -- perhaps some of her work was bordering on criminal -- so one of the local gang factions might have kidnapped her. Then Jessie gets a message saying that Penny has only until Samhain until she will be killed. Joined by Terri Kehoe, a genealogist and expert in Irish history and folklore as well as being a tech wizard, the trio learns that a serial killer has been operating in the Sligo/Leitrim area for years and that the murders might be related to the myth of Balor - the fire demon or the Celtic equivalent of Satan. What have they all got themselves into with this case? NO SPOILERS.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel with its setting, rich historical references, and very likeable characters. Though Jessie has experienced a recent tragedy, she focuses her attention and energy on the case and develops a great relationship with her two new partners. The writing was good and the story was clever. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.

Note - original title was Dancing with the Dead.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

What a brilliant start to a new series...
I adore getting in on a new series from the very beginning because somehow you feel part of it and you get caught up on the excitement of it in real time...
I am a huge fan of this authors work and I adore Bookouture as publishers so it puts a huge smile on my face to see them working together.
And what makes this new series so exciting is that author Shane Dunphy always seems to have his finger on the button when it comes to crime writing. He has done his research, knows his genre and has the experience.
We meet Jessie Boyle, a criminal behaviourist in this series and her trusted sidekick Seamus Keneally.
A relationship I really think works well..
I love the dynamics of it, the banter between them and the care shown to one another..
Me being the ever romantic has asked Shane will there be a romance between them but he gave nothing away..His lips were sealed..
When a prominent Irish figure's daughter is snatched one night, Jessie & Seamus must work fast to solve the case before it is too late.
What starts as one abduction leads to others and the link between them remains within a hair's breadth.
I loved the dark intensity to this story, at times almost brutal..
I could feel the chill down the back of my neck more times than I would like to admit.. Characters were established and I finished this book wanting much more.
I'm excited for Book two to see where the author will take his characters..
Well worth your time..

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Bring Her Home’ by S.A. Dunphy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first in a series of Irish police procedurals featuring criminal behavioural specialist Jessie Boyle and Detective Seamus Keneally.

There’s nothing quite as exciting for a crime fiction enthusiast as to be presented with the first book in a new series. Add to the mix a dangerous serial killer and elements of folk horror and you can count on me being a very happy bunny. As for the plot, just a taster in order to avoid spoilers.

In a small town on Ireland’s west coast, Penelope O’Dwyer disappears while walking a short distance from a restaurant to her hotel. A few days later a tape is received by the police in which her masked kidnapper provides ‘proof of life’ and advises that she will be ritually murdered on the eve of Samhain. He promises that following this there will be many more murders. With less than two weeks before that date, the police have no leads.

Then imprisoned murderer Frederick Morgan offers vital information connecting the case to a series of historic murders but he will only speak to one person: criminal behaviourist Jessie Boyle. …

This was a sterling police procedural and I loved the elements of mythology and folklore woven throughout the story. Boyle and Keneally had great chemistry and I enjoyed their banter. I also liked the quotes from serial killers at the beginning of each of the novel’s parts.

Overall, ‘Bring Her Home’ was dark and compelling. It ticked all my boxes with respect to a police procedural. It was well written with strong characterisations and plenty of room to expand on their individual arcs.

I was slightly perplexed about the change of title from ‘Dancing with the Dead’, though it may have been thought best by those who make these decisions to downplay the folk horror/mythological elements and opt for a more mundane title.

On a personal note, an awareness of the unseen, including respect for fairy mounds, cairns, standing stones and local mythology is very much part of the psyche of the Irish people and so including these aspects increased my appreciation of this novel.

Definitely a strong start for this series and I will be eagerly awaiting the next case for Boyle and Keneally.

Overall 4.5🌟
This would have been a 5🌟 read for me but parts of the story just seemed to drag on and on. The information included was very interesting and intriguing. The author certainly researched her facts. It was just tooooo much!
Definitely a thrilling new series!
Definitely a book I had a hard time putting down!
Definitely well developed characters!
And
Definitely a engrossing and intriguing plot!
I hope to read book #2 to see where the author takes Detectives Boyle and Keneally..
Thank you to NetGallery, Bookouture and author, S.A. Dunphy, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I read this book and enjoyed it. Then went to do the review and couldn't find the book (the title had changed). So the book that I downloaded was called Dancing with the Dead and apparently now it is called Bring her home. Regardless, this is a great read. Jessie is at an all time low and is sucked back into things by her friend Dawn. Characters are interesting, the mystery is good. All around fun to read..kept me on my toes. 3.5 stars

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley, too,
For my copy of this book, here's my honest review:

This story starts when a man's murdered body is found
And Jessie Boyle is one of the first around
But the man was her love and she has to leave
To give herself time to heal and grieve.

She returns to Ireland, she's been left for twenty years
Hoping being there will help her overcome her tears.
She's a criminal behaviourist and hasn't been there a day
When the police commissioner calls in a debt to repay.

A young woman, Penny, has been kidnapped and a challenge set
For them to find her before Samhain or she'll die is the threat.
With Detective Seamus Keneally and Terri Kehoe too
This team will endeavour to follow every clue.

They find old Irish myths play a serious part
In what is happening from the very start.
With a serial killer hiding in plain sight
Can they catch him whilst Penny is still alright?

An enthralling page turner I have to say
That kept me reading all the day.
This is a book I highly recommend to you
If crime thrillers are what you enjoy, too!

Loved this book so much! Loved the characters, loved how well the story was told. Excited to read more from this author

Bring Her Home is a promising start to a new police procedural series set in Ireland and featuring a pair of detectives who work together superbly. Great characterisation, some exciting twists and plenty of dead ends and twisty turns to keep you invested in the story. Highly recommended.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Bring Her Home' by S.A Dunphy.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for S.A Dunphy, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 3rd September 2021.

This is the fourth book I have read by this author under Shane Dunphy but his first book under S.A Dunphy. It is also the first book in the 'Boyle & Keneally' series. This book was previously titled 'Dancing With The Dead'.


I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, A.J. Rivers, Tana French and Lisa Gardner.' I am a huge fan of Lisa Gardner and Lisa Regan so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Shane Dunphy and if this is half as good as Shane's previous books it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 66 chapters and an epilogue The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Ireland 🇮🇪 UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that this book is based in Ireland is even better as I have been on holiday in Ireland many times so may even recognise some places Shane has set the book around.

This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Jessie Boyle, Seamus Keneally and Terri Kehoe. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!! Well I must say Shane you are very talented man!!! What an absolutely addictive read!!

This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that leave you shivering in the caves and leaves your heart pounding. The new title, cover and synopsis work perfectly with the storyline although I think the previous title would have worked just as well.

I had yet to read any of Shane's crime novels before I finished this. I had read most of his non fiction books from when he was working as a child protection worker and loved them all. They were heartbreaking and I shed many tears but they were fantastic books. Shane then started writing crime novels and although I've bought a few I haven't managed to read them yet. I was intrigued by the change of genre and was looking forward to seeing if this book would be as good as his previous non fiction work. I am very pleased to say that Shane writes fiction just as fantastically as non fiction!!!

This storyline is definitely unique which I loved. I'm a big can of crime but it can be tedious reading similar storylines so this one was a nice refreshing change. It is very fast paced and addictive. I was completely absorbed from page one until the fantastic explosive ending. It is ram packed with suspense, mystery, history, mythology, tension, humour and everything you want in an unputdownable page turner.

It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.

There were chapters from/about Penelope, Giles, Dawn, Uruz and Balor which gave some interesting background information. The fact that Shane has obviously either done some research or knows alot about mythology and Ireland (the fact that he lives there probably helps) shines through and I was intrigued by all the mythology and history in the storyline. I also enjoyed learning some of the Irish sayings scattered through. This book is an explosive start to a promising new series and I cannot wait to get my hands on thenext in the series. I cannot say I was completely surprised when I discovered about Balor but it didn't actually disappoint as the storyline was such a heart racing and unique one.

I absolutely loved meeting all the new characters for this series and I became really invested in each of them. Jessie, Seamus and Terri worked as a perfect team and I loved the team dynamics. Each of the main characters were strong, realistic and their own unique personalities and they came together perfectly as a team and as friends. I absolutely love Jessie and Dawn's kick ass take no crap attitude and although Terri gives the impression of a timid mouse she has definitely got a surprise roar and bite to her. I love seeing strong women leads in books being female myself and you can't get much stronger than these three!!! Jessie is absolutely ruthless and I just loved her attitude. Although Dawn is the commissioner she is down to Earth and friendly and cares about her team. I really enjoyed watching Jessie and Seamus friendship grow and develop and I'm looking forward to watching them together and seeing what happens. They clicked together really well and although Seamus calls Terri his sister in the book the three actually seem to have the family feel about them with Jessie and Seamus being Terri's Mum and Dad who are protective of her. I haven't read a book with such fantastic team dynamics in a long time. In terms of personalities Jessie seems to be quite serious but can relax and have fun. Seamus is definitely the class clown and brought alot of humour to any situation. Terri is the wild card and I'm looking forward to watching her come out of her shell. Seamus is cute and I think his relationship with his mum Katie is lovely and Katie is another character I really like and am looking forward to meeting again. I wasn't a fan of a certain someone from the start and got bad vibes from them which turned out to be right. I won't say any more about them though as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. I am looking forward to seeing this great gang again soon.

Congratulations Shane, a man of many talents, on an absolutely fantastic explosive start to what is looking to be a very addictive series. Here is to yet another success 🍻!!!

Overall an absolutely addictive, unique and unputdownable explosive start to what promises to be a page turning new series

Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Thriller, Crime, Thriller and Mystery amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Carol Wyer, Angela Marsons, Lisa Regan, Lisa Gardiner and ANYONE looking for a unique and addictive storyline.


316 pages.

This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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A beautifully crafted book with a lot of depth (and more than a few thrilling moments), I am very excited that this is the first book in a new series! This is the first book I have read by this author and it absolutely won't be the last.

Jessie Boyle and Seamus Keneally are a partnership that shouldn't really work, but it does. Add young Terri to the mix and they are an unbeatable combination. The mix of skills and personalities is fantastic, even as they are all in danger in various ways, after they try to find Penny O'Dwyer - the daughter of the former Prime Minister of Ireland. Penny is an interesting young woman, and she has a whole other life that many in her everyday life have no idea about. The story was very gripping and occasionally confronting as well, but it just added to my interest in how it was all going to unfold.

I love that this book is set in Ireland and Irish music, language, fables and culture generally are a huge part of it. It made me want to get on the nearest plane! One day, COVID permitting :)

Can't wait to read the next one! It is so nice discovering a new (to me) author.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

Jessie Boyle, a criminal behaviourist is reeling from the death of her partner & lover when Police Commissioner of the Garda Siochana in Dublin Dawn Wilson, calls in a favour. Penny, the daughter of a retired Irish leader has been kidnapped & they have till Halloween to find her. This message also refers to Uruz- who claimed to be the one who killed Jessie's lover. It would seem that this is tied up with ancient Irish history. Jessie is to be assisted by Terri, a shy young girl with a talent for historical research & Seamus Kenneally, a young detective. Combining Irish mythology, criminal gangs against the backdrop of Co. Kerry is a magic combination. Often the start of a new series means that a lot of time is spent setting up the characters. In this book we are straight in & we learn of the characters as we go along which works really well. I particularly liked the Irish myths element.

This was a fantastic read & is up there with the best that I've read this year. I'm already looking forward to the next in the series- hopefully it won't be too long coming. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- it's a cracker!
Hide entire review because of spoilers

It took me a bit to get into the story. It starts fairly slow paced. I was about a third of the way through before it sucked me in. The characters are interesting. The plot intriguing. The mystery full of tension. All in all a good beginning to a new series. I would definitely give the next one a try.

Jessie Boyles is a criminal behaviorist that flees back to her native Ireland after her lover is murdered by a serial killer. Simultaneously, Penelope O’Dwyer, a prior Irish Prime Ministers daughter, is kidnapped. The police have no leads and are at a loss as to how to proceed. That is, until an incarcerated prisoner claims to have information. But he will only divulge it to Jessie. Police Commissioner Dawn Wilson is an old friend of Jessie’s and asks her for a favor, despite her current personal tragedies. Can they find the killer and save Penelope?

This is a solid start to a new serial killer series set in Ireland. There is some Irish folklore that is woven into the story which is an interesting and fresh addition to the serial killer realm. I enjoyed the dynamic of the partnership between Jessie and Seamus, the detective assigned to the case.

I was also given the audio arc and I really enjoyed the narrators depiction of different accents. The only critique would be the overuse of “she said” “he said” and “Jessie said” which comes through really strong while listening to it and was almost a distraction to the story.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture, Bookouture Audio, and the author for these ARC’s in exchange for an honest review.

I heard about this book yesterday and I had to find out more… the book sounded good, it is set in South Kerry which is where I hail from.
Safe to say I’ll be reading every single book of SA Dunphy’s. I totally enjoyed it.
It’s the start of a series featuring Detective Seamus Keneally and criminal behaviourist Jessie Boyle.
It’s dark, fast paced and a thrilling thriller as this duo go on the hunt for Penelope O’Neill who has been kidnapped.
All set against a very familiar background (for me!)
They spoke to a girl in the newsagents and I pictured it vividly, I worked in the newsagents in Cahersiveen over 20 years ago 😀
I’m so looking forward to travelling more of Ireland with the dynamic duo of Boyle and Keneally and hearing more of their side kick Terri.
There were so many hints given at future stories to be told. Roll on the rest of the series.
I am so thankful to Bookouture and NetGalley for the read of this book.

S.A. Dunphy has written a corker of a new crime series opener! We meet forty-five-year-old criminal behaviourist and social psychologist, Jessie Boyle and decorated detective, Seamus Keneally. Jessie, formerly of London Met's Violent Crime Task Force, has only just returned to her homeland when a friend, Police Commissioner Dawn Wilson turns up at the hotel she is staying at and asks for her help. Penny O’Dwyer has gone missing and Jessie works with Seamus, and historian and computer mavin Terri Kehoe against a ticking clock - a deadline of Samhain - to find her and bring her home.

Set in a small, coastal town in the west of Ireland, this is mythological tale is disturbing and creepy. Snippets of the characters' backstories are blended into the current action to create an intriguing tale. Jessie, Seamus and Terri make a marvellous team, and I will be following this promising series. A clever and compelling police procedural.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

That was quite refreshing, a serial killer story with a slight difference. Meet the team Dr. Jessie Boyle, 45 - applied social psychologist and criminal behavioural specialist. Sergeant Seamus Keneally - a young man decorated for bravery and remaining cool under fire, and Terri Kehoe - historian and computer hacker/researcher. Jessie was working with the Met in London but chucked it all in after her partner (professional and persona) Inspector William Briggs, was brutally murdered by a killer calling himself Uruz. Thankfully, while we know this murder was long drawn out and brutal we were not given the gory details!

Two days after arriving back in Ireland a debt she has with Dawn Wilson is called in. Dawn is now the Police Commissioner of Ireland but the two have been friends for decades. Dawn brings in Jessie and the other team members to find the kidnapped 30 year old Penny O’Dwyer, daughter of the former Taoiseach, Dominic O’Dwyer. They have until the eve of Samhain (Halloween) to find her or she will die a grisly death.

This story had quite a few threads running through it. There were old artefacts with historical significance that told of a demon called Balor. Someone calling themselves Balor, Uruz and a long time resident of a psychiatric facility, Frederick Morgan are all involved somehow with a string of murders spanning decades. The police team must sort through pagan religious elements and work how they relate to modern gangsters from the region. It was an interesting and different way to look at Ireland.

The characters sparkled. Jessie was the ultimate professional and very, very good at her job. Seamus was endearingly boyish and it didn’t take him long to respect Jessie and follow her willingly. Terri was a sweet young woman who was painfully shy but fitted in with the group very well. Terri nearly came unstuck but she is tougher than she looks. The remote area they were based in, the dangerous caves that had to be explored, the dangerous criminal elements and the ancient religious elements all lead to a real sense of menace the builds throughout. I also think that we will see Uruz again sometime. This was a fast paced story with a great plot and great characters and it was good the jump into the series at book 1. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.