What an intriguing, fast paced story with wonderful characters!
Taking place around Dublin we follow Detective Alana Mack and her team when they are trying to find someone who suddenly disappeared one morning. Soon they are confronted with body parts, a little girl found in a shop.... But Alana's team works well together, knows each other... But not newcomer William, son of the owner of one of Ireland's biggest newspapers. And then there is her boss, nobody's friend. Time is running out for them, especially with no full bodied, no traces and of course their own personal life also plays part.
I have absolutely loved the writing style of Jenny O'Brien and her building up of this story and the characters.

This book contained some of the most macabre crimes I have ever come across. In spite, or maybe because of this I couldn't put it down. I thought the gardai officers were a strong team and I will be looking out for more books featuring them.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

An abandoned little girl, human remains and a missing man. This is action packed from the very beginning.

I was pulled into this one. I quickly became unwilling to put this down. I ended up devouring this in just one sitting.

I loved everything about this one. The fact that the detective is disabled makes this entirely unique from other books in the genre.

This is perfectly paced. I adored this book. The Puppet Maker Is dark and gritty, a truly unforgettable read.

There is plenty of tension that fill the pages of this gem. This is a plot with enough twists to make this completely unpredictable.

I can’t wait to see what’s coming next from this author because this has been a gem.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Detective Alana (Alan) Mack is coming to terms with the fact that she is now confined to a wheelchair after a work related accident. This will not stop her determination to do her job as well as she ever did. When she comes into Clonabee Police station one morning she finds the place in uproar as a small child is shouting the place down. They manage to find out her name is Casey & she was found outside a supermarket with a note- presumably from the mother begging not to be found to save the life of both of them. Two rough sleepers have also arrived with a bag of meat. One of the men maintains that the meat is human. Two unconnected events- until the DNA eventually comes back to little Casey.

The story is told from Alan's point of view & also Casey's mum. It was a fast moving tale with great characters & I can't wait till the next one- I'm hooked! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Wow this book takes some getting into but it is well worth persisting. I personally prefer lighter introductions to books but this felt like a punch to the stomach right away.
Brilliant characters and deeply involving and moving storyline. I did need to make a few notes to keep up but I have had to do that with some of my favourite books.
Will definitely be seeking more books by O'Brien in future.

This is my first book by this author, but it won't be my last! Puppets can ve creepy, so this one really intrigued me. Well worth checking out!

I am new to this author but I was instantly hooked and eagerly awaiting the rest of this gripping series. I love the originality both in story and writing style. I was immersed in the darkness of the storyline and the characters motives. I love the dual time line and the way it builds this slow burn thriller to a captivating conclusion. I also the strength of character development that makes me feel like I know the characters even from the very start of the story. One of my favourite thrillers of the year it felt unique and fresh - roll on February 14th

The Puppet Maker by Jenny O’Brien opens with an intriguing set-up, with the discovery of a two-year-old girl, who has been abandoned in a supermarket in Ireland. But what is even more unusual, is that the girl has been left with a note from the person, who appears to have abandoned her, asking the police not to find them. But is the writer of the note the girl’s mother or someone else? And this case is about to get all the more intriguing with the discovery of human remains, and a link to the young girl who has been found.

I really wanted to find out who the child was, and why she had been abandoned. It’s very clear to see that her mother must’ve been under an incredible amount of pressure and stress, but what exactly would compel her to leave her child unattended at a supermarket? You can see how much of an interest Detective Alana Mack takes in the young child’s welfare, and she is just as determined to get answers.

Jenny O’Brien delves into some dark places in this book, particularly as it becomes clear that the police are dealing with a serial killer, and whoever they are, they have no plans of stopping any time soon. The crimes this person has committed are really horrific, and I could really feel the intensity for the police to find them. The note left with the child suggests that the child’s mother is also in danger. This is what makes it really tense as the police race to find out who the child is, and who she belongs to, but by doing this, they could be putting the child, and her mother, in even more danger.

Detective Alana Mack is a character who I am keen to find out more about. She has come through a recent, horrific time herself after she was involved in an accident which has left her in a wheelchair. You can see how she is determined to carry on, and not let what has happened to her impact the rest of her life, so I am interested to see where Jenny O’Brien will take Alana next from here.

The Puppet Maker is a great start to a new crime series that I’m looking forward to reading more of. I really enjoyed it.

This book came out on the 17th of October and I received a copy from Storm Publishing via Netgalley.

Wheelchair bound detective Alana Mack didn't expect this case to start out with an abandoned child found in a supermarket. She also investigates the case of a missing person and when a bag of human remains is found, the case takes an unexpected turn. The DNA of the remains matched the DNA of the abandoned child. How are the cases linked and will detective Mack be able to solve this?

This was quite entertaining to read as it had an interesting premise and the main character was likeable. The focus is a bit much on the fact that the character was wheelchair bound, but all in all the character itself was alright. As a reader you had almost all the information beforehand that the characters did not have so that took away a bit of the tension and the thrill. The ending was a nice little twist.

4/5 ⭐

Plot

The Puppet Maker has a lot of dark and difficult themes. That shouldn’t come as a surprise in a narrative whose synopsis involves body parts. There’s a lot more to it than that, however. Poverty, abuse, illness and disability also have their place this book. It colours what could be a beautiful setting (and I’m sure it is when painted in a more natural light) into a city with an underbelly… and that’s perfect for this type of book. It’s gritty and highlights the less savoury side of life - something we are perhaps too keen to look away and ignore otherwise. 
The plot unravels at a perfect pace to keep us readers on our toes and guessing what could possibly come next. Every chapter has a purpose, from setting the scene to sharing pivotal information. Overall, I enjoyed the balance in establishing the setting and characters with the action within. I enjoy both aspects, so taking time  to make the most of both appealed to me as a reader. 
 


Characters

I enjoyed the representation in our protagonist Alana. It isn’t very often we find ourselves with a detective with a disability. Alana’s disability is physical and the book does a fantastic job of illustrating difficulties wheelchair users suffer… even down to being able to perform such basic and mundane tasks by themselves. Taking the time to explore such detail within this complex narrative adds to the overall setting and makes for an immersive experience. 
That said, Alana isn’t defined by her disability either. She is a complex character with a strength of spirit even before you consider her recent history. Alana has suffered more misery than the loss of her legs. It’s abundantly clear to us readers that this has a profound effect on her, but she’s doesn’t let it drag her down into the darkest depths either. 
Alana is just one character amongst a complex cast. Whilst she unravels the mystery of a young girl and a missing parent, there are lots of other characters that add to this interesting narrative. Casey’s mother is also a really exciting character to read the perspective of. Could you imagine leaving your daughter in a supermarket in the hopes that someone will take her in and care for her? A lot of people might consider that unthinkable, but believe me, she has her reasons and those come to light as the book unfolds. 
 


Narrative Style

The Puppet Maker is multi perspective, which really worked for me. This writing style is my preference, and with this type of book and narrative it works really well to unveil plot twists and secrets to the reader in a timely fashion and maintain suspense until all the pieces come together. 
The chapters are a great length. Each voice has plenty of page-time to explore their own stories within the wider narrative. At the same time, they are concise enough to get the message across and have us compulsively reading the next chapter for a further revelation. This balance, in my opinion, was perfect for the genre and subject of the book! 
Each character and perspective has a distinct voice and narrative style, so we know whose perspective we are reading at any given time. With a decent number of characters to pull off, this is well managed throughout. 
 


Summary

The Puppet Maker is a compulsive page-turner with an intricate and twisty plot line to keep readers engaged. It’s a wonder I managed to put the book down from time to time and actually function as an adult. Well, I suppose that’s a matter of opinion, eh?

This is the first book I have read by this author and I think it is the best start of a police procedural book that I have ever read. Featuring Detective Alana Mack who has previously had a accident which has left her in a wheelchair and in this one she faces a case of a two year old girl abandoned in a shopping centre. I easily related to this story as someone who has been through the wheelchair bound scenario myself and I actually felt the exact same feelings as Alana. The young child Casey touched my heart and I really wanted to give her a hug. The characters are what made this book a page turner for me as they are relateable and you easily become invested in there well being. I was thrilled by every word written in the story and am so excited for the rest of the series.

First we meet Penny, living with an abusive controlling half-brother, as she abandons her toddler daughter in a supermarket, praying that whatever happens to her will be better than the life she was leading in that house full of dark secrets. We then meet Detective Alana Mack in charge of a small team of four other detectives, Paddy Quigg, Lottie Deery, Tatty Kearney and Flynn O’Hare, at the small National Bureau of Criminal Investigation branch at Clonabee police station near Dublin in Ireland. They already have a week-old investigation into the mysterious disappearance of retired newsagent Aiden Crossey when two homeless men, one with a surprising past, bring in a bag of human offal found in a bin. It’s not long before the detectives know they are looking for two bodies, meanwhile Casey, Penny’s daughter, is brought into the station with a chilling note left in her coat pocket. As another bag of body parts is discovered, test results soon show a link between all their cases, and another man is missing. Still coming to terms with her losses and life in a wheelchair, Alana realises she has a serial killer on the loose, whilst dealing with an ex-husband who won’t leave her alone, a misogynistic superintendent just looking for her to fail and a mole in the department. And probably more lives at risk if they don’t solve this case fast.
Oh this is so good!! This is the first story in an exciting new series and the team at Clonabee are all very likeable, with the obvious exception of Ox Reilly. I really liked Paddy and Rusty in particular, and I am eager to find out more about Alana’s past. A dark and twisted tale is revealed as the reader starts to realise just what is going on in the house of horrors and the reasons for Penny’s actions. There are some real “wow” moments in this tense and hard-hitting story which had me completely gripped. I absolutely loved it and I’m definitely looking forward to more in the series!

The Puppet Maker is a detailed fast paced story that has a slowly revealed plot.

O'Brien has looked at the topics of crimes homelessness police procedures. The writing style is set in two different timelines that were repetitive at some points.

Penny is shopping for groceries with her daughter... before returning to the home she shared with her violent brother...making the pain staking choice to leave her daughter behind, for her own safety. guilt over her decision determined to run away when she can be sure it's safe.

After a grueling day in court Alana and her fellow partner, Paddy head for a much needed lunch break before returning to work on their missing person case...before Alana can get started she gets a ring from the front desk...a 2 year old toddler had been found unaccompanied in the supermarket and a bag of human remains is brought in by 2 civilians. Alana also has to deal with being recently divorced and adapting her life to being wheelchair dependent, as she and her team members try to solve all the cases.

Overall I feel that The Puppet Maker gives the identity of the killer away to easily and quickly became predictable. I appreciated the fact that the main character was a wheelchair user who shows that it is still possible to achieve goals...there are 6 character viewpoints to try and keep up with...

I would suggest reading The Puppet Maker to people who enjoy reading thrillers, crime and detective fiction, as it is a character driven story about murder, teamwork, and answers as the cases all link into one...

This intriguing new crime thriller series is set in Clonabee,
Near Dublin, in a small town that's by the sea.
Detective Alana Mack and her team are on the case
Whatever else may be taking place!

A man disappears from his home without a trace
Nothing in his home seems out of place.
Where has he gone, with whom and why?
Discovering this, her team have got to try.

Then a toddler is left in a supermarket alone
The note in her pocket sets a dreadful tone.
"Her life and mine depend on you not trying to find me."
What can Alana do, read this book to see!

With great characters and relationships this book unfolds
Sharing more backgrounds as the story is told
Finding out who is leaking info to the media, too,
Makes this a riveting read as you garner each clue.

A great start to a series that is new
More books to read in it, I'm looking forward to!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you -
As I share with you my honest review.

Well, another series to add to the checklist and what a start to the series.

Alana is fantastic! Such depth to a character, determined strong and sensitive to the those she was dealing with. I also enjoyed seeing these traits towards herself as she learns to deal with disability.

I loved the creepiness to the story, not going to risk spoilers, but if you like gore, add this to your TBR! I’m excited to read the next in the series.

Rating - 3/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - September 25, 2023
Publication Date - October 17, 2023

*I received an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @stormbooks_co and @netgalley!

Just because I gave The Puppet Maker 3 stars, it doesn't mean I don't recommend it! I recommend this book to anyone who likes a creepy mystery/crime book and doesn't mind certain triggers. Keep reading to hear more about my thoughts.

I minored in Criminology and I am passionate about Law and Criminology, which is one reason why I love thrillers so much. However, I only really know about Law in the Canadian context. Reading this book was so interesting because I got to learn a lot about Law in Ireland and I really enjoyed the journey

The different points of view really helped move the story along and it gives the reader so much insight into the "why" behind everything going on. I don't always like multiple perspectives but Jenny did a good job of transitioning and using it to enhance the story.

I don’t have many triggers that I won’t read about in books but unfortunately, this book had one that I wasn’t expecting (which also doesn’t happen often for me). Without that part of the book, I would absolutely give this book 4 stars. I would be open to reading more books by Jenny O'Brien!

The Puppet Maker is now published so read it today! 🎉

*Please see trigger warnings*

I was on the edge and holding the breath I didn’t know I was holding which is a a sort of commonplace phrase but there were moment’s I felt like I was in the story.
Alana is strong and abrasive character. The author did an excellent job in developing a character who’s been recently wheelchair bound and how she’s adapting. My brother-in-law is hemiplegic, and some traits of Alana brought me back in time to when he had to learn again to move in a world which is full of barriers and people who consider you too weak to face any difficulty.
This is not a cosy crime. This is a gory, gritty and dark crime that bring us to very dark places, but it also shows a lot of empathy towards the victims.
There’s grief, darker, there’s a lot of evil in this story but also a great team that works together to solve and find the bad guys.
I love them, the descriptions of Dublin and the tightly knitted and adrenaline-fuelled plot.
Can’t wait for the next story.
Many thanks to Storm Publishing and Rachel’s Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

‘The Puppet Maker’ is the start of a new series set in a fictional town, Clonabee Ireland, which features DI Alana Mack as its protagonist. I always love coming to a series from the start and this was a strong opener for this one! This is the first time that I have had a read book by the author but it won't be the last as I really enjoyed this one.

DI Alana (Alan) Mack is recovering from her last case which destroyed her life. She is now in a wheelchair and divorced, working from a small town just outside of Dublin. One morning as she enters the station she doesn't expect to find a distressed two-year-old, who has been abandoned in a local supermarket. Her name is Casey and the team jumped into looking for her parents. All Alan and her team have to go on is a crumpled note that states ‘Please look after her. Her life and mine depend on you not trying to find me’. A missing retired newsagent has gone missing and the team need to juggle both cases. Then a big of human parts is found in a bin in Dublin and the startling thing is that they are a DNA match for them being related to Casey!

I really liked the main character of Alana (Alan) although the shortened name threw me a bit for the first couple of pages, but then I'm biased as Alana is my favourite name! Her resilience radiated off the page, not wanting to admit that she needs help now she is in a wheelchair but also pragmatic with it at times. She definitely has a lot of layers to peel away and I look forward to seeing how she develops through the series.

The story was busy in places but then we also needed to include all the background details for the team as well since this is the first book. How the strands all come together was inventive and tension-evoking! The author has a forthright manner when it comes to describing the events and I liked that.

Let me know if you pick this one up!

The story is told over a few days with the chapters date and time stamped. Books like this always add a little urgency to the story and urgency is needed here. A little girl is found and her mom is missing. Body parts are found in the trash. Something is wrong and the police need to find out the answers quickly. I enjoyed the unique characters and how many things were going on at once. The multiple storylines were easy to follow. If you like police procedurals and an urgency to them you will want to check out this book.

I received an E-ARC with a request for an honest review.

This shocking crime thriller follows Detective Alana Mack at the Clonabee Police Station. Alana is still learning to cope with a recent accident which meant she now requires the use of a wheelchair.

One day Alana discovers a little girl has been brought into the station as she was abandoned in a supermarket with a mysterious note.

Alana finds herself taking the little girl into her care, but meanwhile there are body parts being uncovered in local bins. When a link is found to the little girl, Alana and her team must investigate to find out if there is a serial killer.

Will Alana find the little girls mother? Who is behind the discarded body parts?

This shocking crime thriller was amazing, not only was Alana Mack a strong female character who was determined to solve her case, she also showed care to a little girl in need.

I found myself lost in the case, and although you do kind of know who the killer is, you are still trying to work out why and if the police will work out the mystery behind the case.

I would love to read more from this author, and I hope this continues as a series.

Overall, a shocking crime thriller where Alana must uncover the secrets behind more than one mystery.