Bring Her Home by S.A. Dunphy
Boyle & Keneally #1

A story to be savored…not eaten in one bite. In the first pages I was caught in the web the author began to weave wondering who the killer was and what he was up to. Why had he chosen to kill the man we were first told about and how would that killing impact the woman who will be one of the lead characters in a new series that I really want to read more of. I am thrilled to have come into this series in the first book, meet the characters, and be able to follow them as they grow as a team and solve more cases.

What I liked:
* Jessie Boyle: Human behaviorist with over twenty years of experience working with the London Metropolitan Police, lost her partner to a serial killer, resigned, called to assist a friend, intelligent, skilled at what she does, survivor, leader, friend, team player, and a woman I want to learn a lot more about.
* Seamus Keneally: detective, “hero”, talkative, fit, intelligent, humorous, son with great mother, team player, humble, survivor, someone I am eager to learn more about as the series progresses.
* Terri Kehoe: small but mighty, grew up in care, historian, genealogy wiz, computer savvy, researcher, assists on police cases, survivor, quiet, observant, someone that slowly emerges as a force to be reckoned with. I want to know more about her, too.
* Dawn Wilson: police commissioner, Jessie’s friend, intelligent, capable, needs to be in charge and keep her hand in, capable, skilled, hope to hear more about her in future books.
* The way characters were developed over the story, the way they came together as a team, and that I felt invested in them and in their story.
* The historical element that uses history on using ogham markings on stone to give weight to the killings while also teaching a bit of history.
* The introduction to and visit with some creepy killers that may show up again in future books.
* That we know there is at least one killer still out there to be found
* The way some gang-mafia types were brought into the story and how they were presented as bad but not all bad.
* The mythology tied into some of the killings
* The location – Ireland is a place I have always wanted to visit – Had never heard of “The Reeks”
* That I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the characters and would love to have them as friends.

What I didn’t like:
* The murderers and what they did
* Knowing that people are as twisted, ruthless, and evil as some in this story
* Having to wait for book two

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

"I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than a poet can help the inspiration to sing. When I was born the evil one stood as sponsor over my bed, and he has been with me ever since. " - H.H. Holmes

After a brutal tragedy, criminal behaviourist Jessie Boyle returns to her homeland only to have her friend call in a debt. A young woman, Penny has been taken and she needs Jessie's help to bring her home. With time running out, Jessie must work closely with new partner, Detective Seamus Keneally, along with Terri Kehoe, a computer whiz and historian work day and night to solve the case of Penny's disappearance.

Soon, they find that Penny was not the only woman taken and that this is not a simple kidnapping. Archelogy, Celtic legends/folklore, criminals, serial killers are all part of the mix. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? But this mash up really worked in this book.

This was an absorbing and gripping start to a new series. The characters are quirky and likeable, the writing is top notch, and the plot was riveting! I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Jessie Boyle is a criminal behaviorist who once had a successful career in London. However, Jessie experienced a horrid tragedy and had planned on leaving policing behind. However, her oldest friend Dawn contacts her and reminds Jessie of a long overdue debt, and soon Jessie realizes that she has two short weeks to work on a case. Jessie simply cannot say no to Dawn.

As mentioned, Jessie is pulled into a time-sensitive case. The victim is Penny O'Dwyer who has been kidnapped. With a prominent father, Penny's case is a demanding one. It has becomes more than evident that her kidnapping is not the first of its type in Ireland. Jessie is not doing this on her own. She is working alongside Seamus Keneally, a decorated detective. There is a third person on this newly created team, and she is Terri Kehoe, who has a unique skillset that will prove valuable in the search for Penny.

This case is not easy for more than one reason for Jessie. Forced to face her previous partner‘s killer at the mental facility where he will spend the rest of his life is necessary in order to try to find information on what happened to Penny. This is a chilling thing for Jessie and she would rather be anywhere but she knows she must find her. How can someone under 24-hour guard have anything to do with the kidnapping? Jessie can see the link but not the how he has at least some knowledge of what happened to Penny. Therefore, Jessie and Seamus work feverishly together to try and find Penny before the clock runs out.

The case is complicated, and somehow involves Celtic mythology and old Irish myths. Slowly, things begin to unravel that lead to other kidnappings and murders of several women, and one thing after another brings them ever closer to the killer. However, how close is too close and how does Jessie play into the killer's plans?

Jessie and Seamus make a wonderful team, despite how strikingly different they are. They face danger with aplomb, and as they do the tension is raised higher and higher. In fact, there was a point in this book that I just all but held my breath. Danger and tension, mixed with a sudden course of action meant that everything could be lost.

As this exciting story was being told, snippets of all of the characters lives were blended in. This was an excellent way for us to meet all the the primary players that we will see in successive books in what promises to be a thrilling series. I was reviewing Bring Her Home as an audiobook and let me tell you, the narrator, Shelly Atkinson. did a superb job! I loved her Irish accent, and she did all of the voices remarkably well. This took an already fabulously written story to new levels and pulled me even deeper into it even more than I already was.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This turned out to be a really good introductory book to a new series by a new to me author. All new and all good!

We meet Jessie Boyle, a criminal psychologist, who has resigned from her job in the Met after her partner is killed in a shocking way. She returns home to Dublin to hide away and recover but is almost immediately called by the Police Commissioner, who is a personal friend, to help solve another serious crime. Her team consists of herself, Detective Seamus Keneally and Terri Keogh, a genealogist. The three of them are all very likeable and seem to bond almost immediately.

The book opens brilliantly with brief back stories, insights into a deranged murderer's mind, and a kidnapping. As Jessie's team is formed the story moves forward with good, solid police work but with a constant background theme of Irish myths and legends. I must confess to getting a bit lost in that part but it did not matter because events proceeded apace and of course the eventual killer was not a myth but a flesh and blood man.

One overarching theme indicates the direction this series is going to take and I am absolutely committed to finding out what happens. Roll on book two!

Bring Her Home is the first book in a new Irish procedural series by S. A. Dunphy. Released 3rd Sept 2021, it's 317 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is an engaging and well written crime thriller with an ensemble team of investigators who are trying to solve an abduction before time runs out for the daughter of a famous and well regarded politician. This has all the elements I really enjoy in a procedural murder mystery (with bonus serial killer element): there's a criminal psychologist/behaviorist, an intelligent slightly macho investigator, and a young female tech geek/historian with electric blue hair. The author doesn't stop there - he also juggles plot elements which include high level police politics, Irish crime bosses, academics, eco-warriors, archaeology, and more. It could've been a muddled mess with a less capable author; but here it works very well.

Admittedly, I had worked out most of the twists before the riveting climax and denouement. I was right about the overarching plot line, but had almost dreaded reading the ending because I was afraid of how much mayhem was going to happen before I turned the last page. I also liked the creepy foreshadowing for upcoming books in the series. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next for Jessie & her colleagues.

The unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 9 hours and 22 minutes and is capably narrated by Shelley Atkinson. She manages the read very well. There are both male and female characters of a range of ages and accents, and she keeps them distinct and perfectly understandable. I couldn't really hear distinct differences between regional accents for some of the characters, but it didn't affect my enjoyment overall.

Four stars for both the print and audio versions.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

What an amazing thrill-ride of the new series Boyle & Keneally Book 1! Loved every minute of it. The characters were well developed and the writing style really intrigued me. Looking forward to #2!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

I've been a huge fan of Shane's work since I started reading his books as a teenager so I was delighted when Bookouture offered me a copy of Bring Her Home and a place on the book tour.

Bring Her Home is the beginning of a new series for S.A. Dunphy which follows his widely well received Dunnigan series. As with any of Dunphy's books there's an immediate palpable darkness which reeks from the pages, making sure you're very aware that you're about to experience something dark, twisted and deeply disturbing.

The book follows the journeys of a group of fantastically mismatched characters who together create a team which are hellbent on bringing Penny O'Dwyer home, whatever the cost. What they meet along the way is a sequence of menacing, macabre and sinister events.
Shane also intertwines some disturbing sub plots and Irish folklore elements to make sure you're left sitting on the edge of your seat, nervously trying to figure out who has done what and what happens next.

My only reason not giving 5 stars was for me as someone who is employed within the CMH and work as a trained psychiatric nurse I found it hard to separate my knowledge of the above from some of the sections which contained a little bit of artistic license.

This is the perfect Irish noir police procedural to pick up as we head into the chilly Autumn months. Make sure you're wrapped up under a blanket and be sure to keep a light on, as I guarantee you will be watching over your shoulder.

This is the first in what is to be the Boyle and Keneally series. It is somewhat unique in that it teams together a detective, a profiler, and an historian.

The beginning reminded me of a “Criminal Minds” episode with its emphasis on serial killers and their psychopathic minds. Then it evolved into a decent police procedural but, to me, it then descended into a bit of absurdity.

I liked the technique of interspersing the action with short chapters providing the backgrounds of the various characters. I also enjoyed learning a bit of Irish mythology/culture.

The ending sets up the next in the series. I really liked the characters and their interactions. I just hope the next plot is a bit less incredulous.

This is a brilliant start to a new series.
Jessie heads back to Ireland after a devastating loss and is approached by an old friend, Dawn, who is now Police Commissioner.
Dawn doesn’t give Jessie a choice in helping with a high profile case that she’s dealing with.
Penny has been kidnapped and a cryptic video message has been received saying they have until the eve of Samhain to find her.
Jessie is a criminal behavioural specialist and works with Seamus to try and find Penny.
Dawn also pulls in Terri who is a history expert and her knowledge and research skills prove invaluable with the case.
This is a gripping crime thriller that definitely kept me guessing as to who the kidnapper was.
There’s a historical mystery element to the case as well, which I really liked.
Jessie, Seamus and Terri are a great team, and I look forward to finding out what they next work on together.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

What a great start to a brand new series.

I was hooked just reading the prologue.

I loved how this author took myths and legends and turned them into a modern day thriller. I was enthralled. Although I guessed who one of the perpetrators were I had to keep reading to find out the details and who else was involved.

I loved meeting these characters and this will definitely be a go to series for me. Hopefully it won't be long until Book 2 is out.

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<p>5/5 Stars - Looking forward to more in this series!</p>
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<p>This book is the first in a new series and it really has me super excited for more! The plot was great and the characters even more so - but I'm getting ahead of myself.</p>
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<p>The plot was very intriguing in itself. A high-profile kidnapping occurs and Jessie Boyle, is called in to help, with virtually no clues to go on and a ragtag team at her side. I mean, tell me that doesn't sound like a recipe for a great mystery. And it really is. Though I had suspicions about the identity of the bad guy toward the end, I won't disappointed in the ending at all. Figuring out how everything fit together was really intriguing and kept me turning pages.</p>
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<p>Also, as stated before, I LOVED the characters in this one. Jessie, Terri, Seamus, even some of the secondary characters were just delightful (I don't want to give away who's innocent and who's not). I am so excited to see the this is going to turn into a series! I can't wait to see where things go from here!</p>
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<p>Fans of police procedurals will really enjoys this book, which has a great plot and awesome characters to go with it. </p>
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Boyle and Keneally #1.

A new series to get my teeth into?? Yes please! I’m now kicking myself for not reading this author sooner!
Three people are brought to the Garda Siochana in Dublin by Dawn Wilson, the Police Commissioner for Ireland. There’s Jessie Boyle, a criminal behaviour analyst, formerly of The Met and grieving the loss of her partner William Briggs brutally murdered by a killer known as Uruz who is now taunting Jessie. Then there’s Detective Seamus Keneally, a hero for his actions during an attempt to release a prisoner. Finally, there’s Terri Kehoe, a genealogist and tech wizard. Their first case? To find kidnapped Penelope O’Dwyer the daughter of former Taoiseach Dominic O’Dwyer. They have until the eve of Samhain (Halloween) so the clock is ticking. This is an incredibly dangerous case taking the trio into the heart of Irish gangland and murky finance and even worse into deep and terrifying shark infested waters of a network of serial killers.

Wow. This is just my kind of book! It’s very well written with whip smart and authentic dialogue, the plot is intelligent and extremely clever and the pace is fast. Not only does it have the criminal elements mentioned above it also takes us into the fascinating world of Irish prehistoric times with standing stones, cairns, Celtic legends, legendary figures and runes. The unfolding drama becomes extremely dark with utterly twisted minds at work, it oozes menace, it’s chilling and it is hard to put down, exactly as described on the cover!! It’s a brace yourself and buckle up read! The newly formed team are fantastic characters who are all very different yet they gel well and compliment each other and they are very likeable so you root for them. What they learn drives them to the west of Ireland to beautiful Kerry which provides a glorious backdrop to the evil which lurks beneath.

Overall, I so enjoy this one and I wait for the next instalment with eager anticipation!

4-5 stars

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

The first book in a new series. An easy and enjoyable read.
Jessie has packed in her job after a personal trauma and has decided to head back to Ireland from London.
Not long after arriving back Jessie's friend Irelands commishioner tracks her down to ask for help, when Jessie isn't interested her friend points out that she really does owe her a favour and is cashing in on it.
A former primeministers daughter has gone missing and as a criminal behavioralist, Jessie is needed to help.

A great start to what I believe is going to be a belter of a series. A new author for me and one to look out for for sure. I found this book Interesting, fascinating and engrossing. It didn't take long to fly through the pages and I really didn't want to put it down. This as a first book is brilliant and i'm excited to see what he author has on offer for the next one.

Bring Her Home is the first book in an easy to read, promising new Irish detective series. Criminal behaviourist, Jessie Boyle has walked away from her job in London when her policeman lover is murdered by a serial killer. An old friend calls in a favor and Jessie finds herself in Ireland paired up with Detective Seamus Keneally. A politician’s daughter is missing and an incarcerated serial killer will only share what he knows with Jessie. In a race against the clock, Jessie and Seamus must track down a savage killer while trying to stay alive. Historical researcher, Terry adds some interesting elements to the story as she uses history to bring in new leads for a unique trio of detectives in this story. Interesting and suspenseful, the pages turn quickly and leave this reader looking forward to the next installment in the series. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Chilling. Creepy.
I had to take breaks, savor each word.
Kessie returns to Ireland after the devastating loss of her long time partner and lover.
Ireland's Commissioner cashes in a favor - dragging Jessie into a kidnapping case.
Penny, daughter of previous Ireland leader, is kidnapped on her way back to her hotel.
Joined by Seamus and Terry, Jessie pushes to solve before the deadline of Halloween.
Not to mention serial killer mentors, Celtic legends.
What a great book!

Wow I had a good feeling about this book and now I have read it. I can’t tell how good this book it. S. A. Dunphy is a new author for me, and I can’t wait to read more.
Bring her home is the first book in the Boyle and Keneally series which is set in a small costal town of the west of Ireland. It’s a cold October night and Penny O’Dwyer daughter of a former Prime minister is abducted, and the police are sent a video message saying that she will be murdered in ten days.
Jessie Boyle is a Criminal Behaviourist, previously working for the Met police in London. But when her partner is murdered, she returns home to her hometown. She is depressed and just wants to come home compensates her life, but she is called by the old Police commissioner to assist in the case of the kidnapping, with the help of Seamus Kenneally and Terri Kehoe.
This is a fantastic start to a new series, with all guns blazing from the very start. This is a gripping investigative story with great characters that seem to gel very well together especially Jessie and Seamus and Terri. The story was well paced and so much going on that I was glued to each page and some very tenable moments that kept me wanting more. 5 stars from me.

Having read S.A. Dunphy’s first crime series with criminologist David Dunnigan and loving it, I was excited to read the new Boyle & Keneally series. The story introduces us to Jessie Boyle a criminal profiler and Detective Seamus Keneally as they race to save the abducted daughter of a former Taoiseach. The story is well written, and I loved the inclusion of Irish folklore. The one thing that I did feel let the story down was the over-explanation of everything. Perhaps that is because I am Irish so having the location of different areas explained in fine detail irked me. The first half of the book felt a little slow due to what I felt was over description and I felt it slowed the pace and detracted from the action. There is a build-up of tension as the story progresses and the finale is action-packed and really keeps you turning the pages. My overall impressions were good. This was a slow burn story that didn’t really get going until past the halfway mark, but once I got past that, the story kept me gripped until the last page. I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

Happiness is finding the first book in a new series and knowing there will be more to follow.
Thrown together to solve the case of a missing woman, Jessie a criminal physiologist, Seamus a Garda Detective and Terri a historian, are an interesting group all with intriguing back stories. This is a good read that kept me interested. I liked how the characters individual stories were presented in italics but I got a bit bogged down in the folklore and mythology. That said this was a fast paced read and very well written. I’m looking forward to the next one, a glimpse of the story of which we’ve already been teased with

This is a very promising new series featuring Detectives Boyle and Kenneally. It's well written with an engrossing plot and well developed characters. I liked the well researched facts regarding Celtic mythology and it hooked me in to the story from the start. I would definitely recommend this author. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Bring Her Home, the first novel to feature profiler Jessie Boyle and detective Seamus Keneally of An Garda Síochána, set mostly in Co. Kerry.

Jessie returns to Dublin to heal a private tragedy after years of working with the Met and the last thing she expects is to be strong armed into working with the National Crime Bureau to find kidnap victim Penny O’Dwyer. She teams up with detective Seamus Keneally and historian Terri Kehoe and they quickly realise that they are hunting a serial killer who has an obsession with Irish mythology.

I thoroughly enjoyed Bring Her Home, which is a good start to a new series. It is told mostly from the investigative point of view, so the perpetrator and some of the motive are hidden and that is always a good thing in my book as I like guessing along with the investigators. I must admit that I had an inkling of identity and the motive gets clearer as the novel progresses. I like the way the author inserts chapters in italics to digress from the plot and give potted explanations to the characters’ pasts and their current experiences. It gives depth without disrupting the story.

On the whole the novel bowls along at a clip with several suspects investigated and occasionally discarded. It has all the requisite tension and an action packed finale so no complaints there. I do, however, feel that it sometimes loses it way in the mythology and gets bogged down in unnecessary detail, which slows the narrative. The solution is rather far fetched in some ways but makes perfect sense in others and I think it will depend on the individual reader to make their own judgement. Anyway, so what? The novel held my attention throughout so it’s entertaining and I don’t ask more than that.

I like this new team. They have their own strengths and bond quickly into an effective unit. This brings a warmth to the novel that the subject matter doesn’t suggest.

Bring Her Home is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.