This book has some very descriptive, gory death scenes in it but it helped set the pace of the novel. I thought the plot was fun and the only thing I didn't like was the supernatural bit at the very end of the book. ( )

First in the Katie Maguire series, this is another good novel from this author who I consider to be one of the most original and scary storytellers there is. This author is well known for writing horror but has now turned his hand partly to crime, although this book does have its supernatural moments. It can be gory so if this upsets you then better not read it, although you’ll be missing out on a very good read and series. ( )

I've been reading Masterton since his first novel, [b:The Manitou|1828266|The Manitou (Manitou #1)|Graham Masterton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1387738423s/1828266.jpg|2949432]. I absolutely adored his horror novels, but then, for whatever reason, I kind of fell away from him. Likely due to the fact that I simply couldn't find a lot of his works in the bookstores in town.

Fast forward several decades, and I see that he's now writing crime thrillers (on top of all the other genres he's in). Which leads us to the first in the Katie Maguire series.

I really enjoyed this novel. Not much gets to me, but I actually found myself cringing when the author relayed certain scenes. They were visceral. I've read so much, in so many genres, and know so much about the mechanics of writing, I've become a rather jaded reader. So, for me, any author that pulls a reaction from me, well, they win.

Aside from that, I also found myself grinning, because, unlike most crime thrillers, this one carried a very heavy horror undertone that I think only made it stronger.

The novel is not without its faults. There's a domestic violence bit that's unfortunately underplayed a touch, though I believe I know why (and can't really say without spoilers). There's also a bit of an awkward lesbian scene toward the end that simply didn't work for me. Again, I know what the author was doing and why, but it didn't quite get to where it needed to go.

Other than that, just knowing all the burning hoops of fire Katie had to jump through in this, her first story, I can't imagine what the author has in store for her in the next few books.

And that's part of the fun, isn't it? ( )

This was very far fetched, I don't know if I missed something but I still don't know who the man was that committed the crimes. ( )

If you like Irish folklore and stories of irish ancient magic, and if you don't mind some scenes of graphic ritual torture, maiming and death, and if a few scenes of sudden violence peppered about doesn't bother you, all set to an unstoppable pace, then you will love this book. I surprisingly truly enjoyed it. It's visceral and shocking, but there are scenes of human warmth and comfort as well. The only reason that I don't give it 5 stars is because Katie Maguire just doesn't ring true at times. Her unexplained forbearance for her wayward and cheating husband didn't make sense to me. To all intents and purposes though, Detective Superintendent Katie Maguire is a strong, fearless woman, and she is the first female DS Gardai in Irelend's hisotry in County Cork. She has a lot to prove and she has to be twice as tough as the men. She pretty much handles everything that is thrown at her which includes a mass of 80-year-old human bones found under an old shed, a girl from the present day, found dismembered and laid out on a wet Irish field, to an attempt on Katie's own life as well as that of her husband, who is paying the price for trying to swindle some very dangerous local gang members. This is an edge-of-your-seat thriller, and with the mix of the occult and Irish magic throughout, it is one that will get me back to read more. ( )