Blood Mothers

The first autopsy was a good scene forensically speaking. There are enough details to hint at what is happening without the author getting in too deep and tripping over themselves. The Rohypnol is conjecture but the ME says “don’t quote me” implying an educated guess. The Vicks was funny. A fresh body really doesn’t smell overpowering, especially in a fit person who wasn’t sick. It is not pleasant by any means. You’re better off with strong gum or a mint unless you have decomposition.

No one likes dead bodies but for a veteran Murder Squad member, she is very queasy. And Corcoran is as blundering idiot. If someone were to write what they think a black and white silent film detective was saying, here is the transcript. He barged into a successful and flowing interview to make accusations when he could have waited and gleaned information. At one point later on they are referred to as the "elite" murder squad when the impression is they barely have it together, honestly.

The premise was so good but the characters were overwritten and the plot ultimately proved predictable.

Kate Hamilton is a detective that spent time in Quantico and is now back in Dublin.
A wealthy woman is brutally stabbed to death, and within a day, a piano teacher is killed and stabbed. Kate has to find the connection between these two women and find the killer before he can strike again. The caretaker at a convent is beaten to death and Kate finds that the Convent is the link between the victims.
The Convent was a home for unmarried mothers in the past, and were confined there as their pregnancies were an embarrassment to their families.

This is a really engrossing book. Another one I read in just one sitting. I am a fan of a strong female lead in a police procedural, and Kate is just that. A strong woman. She might be strong, but she is empathetic, I hope as this series progresses, she does not lose the softer side of her personality.

4/5 stars from me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book is not on Goodreads where I post my reviews. Once it is there, I will post this review. Unfortunately, I do not qualify to post reviews on Amazon.

This is an excellent start to a new series, set in Dublin. Kate Hamilton, the lead character is a detective investigating a series of murders. The victims appear to have been involved in the illegal adoption of babies born to unmarried mothers. The plotting is good, the characterisation is good and there is plenty of suspense as well as twists. A great start by the author of a promising series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley & Inkubator Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own.

The description of this book grabbed me right away. It seemed like a different concept than I am used to reading with mystery/thrillers. Kate is a detective assigned to the case of solving the mystery behind a murder spree. While at first it seemed like the murders were unconnected it, it turns out they actually all did have a connection regarding an old illegal adoption scheme. Someone is targeting individuals who had any part in this scheme and Kate is in a race against time to figure out who is behind it before more murders occur or worse, before she is murdered.

I quite enjoyed this novel. It was fast-paced and easy to root on Kate. The twists & turns were great. Not all were completely unpredictable, but it was still a great read.

I would definitely recommend.

Thanks to Gaye and NetGalley for allowing me to read Blood Mothers.

Whilst this is a work of fiction, at the heart of the story is the alleged influence of Archbishop McQuaid and the contentious laws on the termination of pregnancies in Ireland. ( Think of the Magdalene Sisters).

In Dublin in 1967, a naïve, starry eyed 14 year old girl, Rosie, is plied with alcohol by her 16 year old cousin who then rapes her.
8 weeks later, Rosie realises that she is in trouble.
Her mother seeks a solution, one which is illegal in Ireland.
She consults with an obstetrician, who after a cursory examination, insists that Rosie is more than 8 weeks pregnant. Arrangements are made for Rosie to enter St. Mary’s Convent…….at a price.

In 2010, DS Kate Hamilton has returned to the Dublin Murder Squad after a secondment to the FBI.
She is faced with the misogyny of some of her male colleagues on a daily basis.
In her private life, she has the responsibility for her mother, who is living with dementia, in a care home.

When 2 seemingly unconnected women are found murdered within 24 hours, Kate and the team have to contend with the possibility that there is a serial killer on the loose.
As the investigation continues, they realise that the victims are linked by St Mary’s convent.

With so many people connected to the convent, can Kate and the team identify and protect who is at risk and find the killer?
This is a thought provoking book.

This book is set in Ireland and follows Di Corcoran and sergeant Hamilton and the murder squad. It was in 2 different time zone 2010 and 1967 it was well written and easy to follow the different story lines. I enjoyed the plot it was interesting and kept me wanting to know more. There’s 4 murders in just over a week in 2010 while 1967 was about a mother and baby home run by nuns. It all comes together at the end and we find out who’s the killer and his crazy back story which I wasn’t expecting. I did struggle with the main characters I felt no emotion to them I didn’t really know who they are. I didn’t feel an attachment to them. I felt the main character Kate had no feelings and I just didn’t warm to her. I enjoy the story line but not the characters

A good read, I have never read any books of theirs but I could get into them as I enjoyed this one, a strong starting to a new author I will continue to read

Wow what an explosive new author and series of books. Devoured this book in one sitting loved it. This was well written and the twists and turns were fantastic.
This book spans from the late 60s till today and the story is cleverly brought together for a fantastic read.
Kate is a detective sergeant in the Garda her journey starts with the murdering spree in Dublin, it there is more to the victims than meets the eye.
Can’t wait for more from this author and another instalment in Kates journey.
Highly recommended

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the eARC.
Kate Hamilton is a gifted detective who spent time in Quantico and puts her capabilities to good use in Dublin.
A wealthy socialite is brutally murdered and soon more killings occur, definitely by the same person. It looks like Ireland has her first serial killer. Kate and her team find there's a definite link to a now defunct convent for pregnant girls.
We go back and forth between 2010 and 1968. In 1968 a 14-year old pregnant girl is sent to the convent to have her baby. In those days unmarried girls were the cause of a family's ruin and had to be hidden away. This part of the book was extremely sad, those poor girls!
The start of a promising new series, I'm looking forward to the next outing and find out more about Kate's personal life. Recommended!