The Girls Upstairs is the latest Maddie Ives police procedural from Charlie Gallagher and it is another page turner that races along at a cracking pace.

Whilst this is the 8th outing it can be read as a stand-alone although you’ll probably want to go and get the other seven books in the series.

A fantastic read.

Fabulous fast paced read. Police officers are deliberately targeted and murdered in this sometimes harrowing heart racing story. So many suspects with twists galore. Loved it!
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

I enjoyed this book but I have some criticisms. I enjoyed the storyline and the twists and turns but kept getting confused due to the title and the blurb. There is a harrowing scene in which the action in the blurb and references from the title happen but for me this isn’t what the story was about. I kept expecting the story to come back to ‘the girls upstairs’ but they are barely mentioned again.
10/10 thriller and storyline but I personally feel the title needs to be changed to something more reflective of the whole story.

Part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

I haven't read any other books in the series, but it was still easy to slip into the storyline. The multiple perspectives was interesting and I really liked how they tied everything up very nicely. I love Eileen and her slippers

Charlie Gallagher is always a guaranteed good read and this one was no different. There were a few tears, which just demonstrates his ability to character build. Believable, a really intense read. Look forward to the next in the series

THE GIRLS UPSTAIRS is the 9th book in the Maddie Ives detective series. Someone is targeting police officers in a small town in England, and DI Maddie Ives and her partner DI Harry Blaker are determined to find whoever is responsible and bring them to justice. They're racing against time to ensure that they catch the culprits, because one of their own could be the murderer's next target. Everything is not as it seems with this case, and you will not see the twist at the end of this book coming! Trigger warning for this book: There are some graphic descriptions of crime scenes in this book, along with some mild gore. Thank you to Charlie Gallagher, NetGalley, and Joffe Books for allowing me to have an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. There are a lot of chapters, but they were so quick and easy to read it didn't feel like that long of a read at all! I didn't realize it was part of a series when I requested the ARC, but I'm still glad I read it. There are some background stories that you don't get reading this book as a standalone, but it's definitely still very readable and enjoyable on its own.

The relationship between the main detectives was really well written, and I loved how you could tell that they both respected each other. They butted heads throughout the book, but challenged each other to be better, both as people and as detectives. I really enjoyed that this book was written from multiple POVs, including the main detectives, the victims, and the killer themselves.

The only perspective that was written in the first person was the killer's perspective. I found that so interesting, and it kept me guessing as to who was the killer until the very last chapters. It also made me more sympathetic to the killer and what they were struggling with, both in their mind and in the world. I was definitely more sympathetic than I would have if it wasn't written from their perspective. It's also interesting reading the story through their eyes, as you can experience them sliding more into the darkness within them. I definitely did not see the twist of who turned out to be the killer coming!

A police officer lured to a village hall and trapped inside hears his police car being destroyed, but when the door opens again for him he cannot expect that it will be some of his final moments. What follows is a potential epidemic for Kent Police - officers being targeted at work or at home, only to be savagely attacked. Can Maddie Ives and Harry Blaker find the perpetrator before the crosshairs turn on them?

Having read some of Charlie's previous books I was very excited to read this one and it did not disappoint. It cracks along at a serious pace and is very emotional in parts, especially to those who have read the previous books! An easy 5*.

This book was full of suspense and tension that kept me hooked, coupled with the twists and turns, a thrilling read overall.

A great crime thriller. With many twists that you don't see coming.
An easy read as well a great edition to the series

Love when books are such a easy read. Mever heard of this author before, but wasn't disappointed. Will definitely be reading more by this author. Highly recommend to others.

I didn’t know this was apart of a series. But it was a good stand alone. I will be going back to read the rest of the others though as this was a great read. I can’t wait to dig in to the next

This was a great classic murder mystery with all the twists and turns that you hope for in this genre. I haven't read the others in the series but will be putting them on my list now.

"The Girls Upstairs" by Charlie Gallagher delivers an electrifying crime thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With a gripping narrative filled with twists and turns, Gallagher crafts a story that hooks readers from the very first page.

The tension is palpable as Emmy and her little sister Dani find themselves in a terrifying situation, held at knifepoint with their parents downstairs. The menacing presence of the intruder sets the stage for a heart-pounding tale of suspense and intrigue.

Detective Maddie Ives, the protagonist tasked with unraveling the mystery, is a compelling character whose determination and resilience drive the investigation forward. As she delves deeper into the case, she uncovers shocking truths that will leave readers reeling.

Gallagher's writing is sharp and evocative, painting vivid scenes that immerse readers in the world of the story. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter delivering another twist that keeps the suspense mounting.

What sets "The Girls Upstairs" apart is its ability to blend intense action with nuanced character development. As the layers of the mystery are peeled back, the complex motivations of the characters come to light, adding depth to the story.

Fans of authors like Kimberley Chambers, Angela Marsons, and Rachel Abbott will find much to love in Gallagher's work. With its gripping plot, memorable characters, and relentless suspense, "The Girls Upstairs" is a must-read for anyone craving an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride.

What a delightful treat to be introduced to this series! Rest assured, The Girls Upstairs is a completely standalone novel. When a call goes horribly wrong and a police officer dies, DI Maddie Ives has another tough day on the job when she must deliver the news to the family. And the days keep getting tougher, when they realize this attack was personal. The beginning is a bit slow but establishes that this is a team of officers who know what they are doing and do it well! However, when the action builds with a targeted home invasion- yikes! The action and anticipation does not stop! The clock is ticking to solve the mystery behind these attacks and prevent anyone else from dying!

Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on Instagram ahead of 3/16.

I thoroughly enjoyed this riveting and gripping read with its non stop drama. Police officers are being deliberately targeted and murdered. I loved the chapters expressing the thoughts of the mystery killer. I thought Eileen Holmans's slippers a nice touch which made me laugh. This is one not to be missed.

Wow.
First I didn’t realise this was book 8 so off I go to get the 1-7
I really enjoyed this!
I was gripped from the started I could not believe how brutal the crime was.
I felt on edge all the way through.
I like how we got to be in the killers mind that was interesting and different.
Loved getting to know Maddie her boss and the team.
Brilliant detective book that I couldn’t put it down. Definitely an intense crazy ride.

I might need some heart or anxiety medication after this one! The Girls Upstairs by Charlie Gallagher is an intense murder mystery novel that will have you sitting at the edge of your seat from the first chapter. Plus, just when you think you have it figured out, you find out you absolutely do not. This story is told in multiple perspectives that change each chapter, which absolutely maximizes suspense!
Follow along with detectives as they try to solve a string of brutal murders. In small, sleepy villages, the violence is out of place... but the only glaring link between the two scenes is that the victims are cops. Evidence discovered at the second crime scene proves that the killer died with his victims, but things don't quite add up...

This one is a wild ride. Charlie Gallagher certainly planned these murd...I mean this book out meticulously! Thank you, #NetGalley for early access to The Girls Upstairs in exchange for an honest review, I'll send you the bill for my heart meds😅🤣😂

Emmy and her little sister Dani are sleeping upstairs. Their parents are downstairs in the kitchen. A knife is jammed to their mother’s throat. Their father has a stack of kitchen plates balanced on his back. The intruder rasps, ‘Don’t be breathing too hard now. I reckon smashing plates is the sort of noise that’ll wake a child. Have them coming down to see what’s going on. There can’t be witnesses . . .’
What Detective Maddie Ives will find in that nice family kitchen will horrify even this most hardened cop! As the Detective investigates and with the death of another officer, we have a cop killer on the loose!! This book gave me the chills!! Unfortunately its a way of life NIW with people so against police officers! Personally I don't get it?! When you need help that's the first person stepping up to help! There's always a few bad apples in there but... That's what this book focuses on to me! It was heart wrenching at times but it also was a fantastic read! I highly recommend! Thank you Netgalley and Joffe books for sharing this book with me! Can't wait for more!!