Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for Broken Souls by Patricia Gibney. I also read all of the previous books in the series. Each book will be briefly summarized before the review for this tour.
In the first book of this incredible series by Patricia Gibney, The Missing Ones, readers are introduced to Detective Lottie Parker. The case before her involves two bodies, found at different times, with a unique similarity. They each have a crude tattoo that resembles the other. No other connection can be found, so Lottie and her team must work from that first clue. As Lottie digs deep in the case, she discovers a shocking connection to her own past. The closer Lottie gets to discovering answers, danger is presented up close-and-personal. In fact, her own children, Sean, Chloe and Katie, might now be in danger. This exciting story did a fine job laying the groundwork for this thrilling series. 4 Stars
We move on to the second book in the series, The Stolen Girls, where Lottie's next case begins on her doorstep. She is approached by a young pregnant woman asking for help. She disappears, and tragically, the body of a woman is soon found, and Lottie is not only concerned that it might have been the woman at her door, but what of the young child that was with her? Sadly, this is the beginning of something horrible, as Lottie soon learns that other young women have also been killed. True to form as in Lottie's previous case, a lot happens, including the stress and drama in her personal life concerning her children and her mother. Meanwhile, Lottie is drawn to co-worker Boyd and they become closer as time moves on. This entry in the series deals with a deep subject matter and is truly a moving story. 4.5 Stars
Next we have The Lost Child, book 3. Lottie and Boyd have their hands full with three very different scenarios that begin with an old woman found brutally murdered. Her daughter has experienced horrific trauma and the murdered woman's granddaughter has disappeared. The clock is ticking and Lottie leaves no stone unturned in trying to solve these related cases. Meanwhile, by now, if readers are anything like me, have fallen in love with Lottie as this series spins forward. Lottie is far from perfect, however. She drinks too much, depends on mood stabilizers and struggles in her personal relationships with her family. Lottie and Boyd are an item by now, but the road is most certainly rocky. Lottie's past faces her again in this book, as her father's long-ago suicide is examined and secrets begin to unravel. With lots of twists and turns, this was another excellent read. 4 Stars
Book 4, No Safe Place, begins with an average funeral. It is far from that, however, when a body of a woman is found just as the casket is about to be lowered. Lottie begins her investigation immediately. As a matter of fact, there is a missing person and Lottie wonders if they are one and the same. Then two more women disappear, and there is a real concern that a serial killer is about and Lottie and her team are quite concerned that even more women will end up killed. Lottie also discovers a connection to a long-ago case, so she has to consider things from different aspects. Lottie herself soon faces danger in this fast-moving story in this series. As before, Lottie's personal issues and her home life are part of this exciting, tension-filled story. 4 Stars
I actually had the opportunity to read Tell Nobody, book 5, in June, and the review link for that title is: https://www.robinlovesreading.com/2019/06/review-tell-nobody.html. 4 Stars
We literally jump into the action from the very beginning in book 6, Final Betrayal, Lottie and her team are called to a murder scene where two female bodies are found. To her annoyance, her team members try and hold her back. When she does enter the scene of the crime, she is immediately reminded of a case from years ago that has a very eerie similarity to what is before her now. And this is why they tried to keep her away. Not only must Lottie bring the past and present together to solve the murders, she faces the terrifying fact that her two daughters, Chloe and Katie, soon disappear and she is quite naturally overwhelmed with worry for their safety. This is a hard-hitting story and was literally impossible to put down. 4.5 Stars
Please note: I have a "thing" for series. I read as many as I can as often as I can. Therefore, I took several days and devoured these books one after another. I love the continuity that occurs with the characters and this helps me to develop a strong bond as I read. With regard to the D.I. Lottie Parker series, each book has a different case, thus readers will have no problems reading any of the stories singularly or out of order.
Now ... to the purpose of this blog post ... the Blog Tour.
‘She shivered, though the kitchen was warm. Icicles of foreboding trickled down her spine. With trembling hands she whipped back her hair at the nape of her neck. As she turned away from the window, she missed the shadow passing by.’
One dark winter’s morning, bride-to-be Cara Dunne is found hanging in her home, dressed in her wedding dress, with a lock of hair removed. Detective Lottie Parker is first on the scene. Looking at Cara’s bruised and battered body, she wonders who could have hated her enough to kill her at the happiest time of her life.
The case takes a darker turn that afternoon with another shocking discovery – the broken body of a second young woman, pushed from the roof of the hospital where she worked. Fiona Heffernan was also due to be married, and her body is clad in a wedding dress, a lock of her hair cut off.
The killings seem so personal that Lottie is convinced the girls have been killed by someone they knew. When she goes to break the news to Fiona’s family, she’s on the alert for anything suspicious. But then she makes a discovery that causes her blood to run cold – Fiona’s eight-year-old daughter Lily didn’t return home from her dance recital that afternoon. Terrified that Lily will be the next victim of a twisted and dangerous individual, Lottie takes the case into her own hands, risking her life when she comes face-to-face with the killer…
If you love Karin Slaughter, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine, you’ll be hooked by this heart-stopping thriller from Patricia Gibney. Broken Souls will keep you guessing until the very last page!
MY THOUGHTS:
Author: Patricia Gibney
Series: D.I. Lottie Parker #7
Genre: Mystery/Thrillers
Publisher: Bookouture
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 446
No. of Pages: 446
Date of Publication: October 18, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Killings are happening and there is a common thread. D.I. Lottie Parker is trying to determine what wedding garb has to do with the bodies that are being found. Then when Lottie discovers that one of the victim's eight-year-old daughter has gone missing, she works feverishly from all angles to find the missing child while solving the murders.
As per usual in this progressive and incredibly effective series, there is a lot to offer readers. There are always the cases Lottie and her team deal with on a regular basis, but the growing pains Lottie and her children, as well as her relationship with her mother, is always a pivotal part of each story. With the crime element of the series, it is a nice bonus that Lottie and Boyd are working on their relationship. I love watching that develop, and that feels very real.
Over this series, readers have come to know Lottie, her children, Boyd and even Lottie's unlikable boss. However, this story is focused on current cases and thus could serve as a standalone. As mentioned already, I read the entire series because I absolutely love continuity.
Lottie has overcome quite a bit as the series has gone, and I loved watching her growth. I feel like I know each of primary characters, and have been strongly affected by all of the trauma they have dealt with. I am already eager for book 8.
Many thanks for Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
As per usual in this progressive and incredibly effective series, there is a lot to offer readers. There are always the cases Lottie and her team deal with on a regular basis, but the growing pains Lottie and her children, as well as her relationship with her mother, is always a pivotal part of each story. With the crime element of the series, it is a nice bonus that Lottie and Boyd are working on their relationship. I love watching that develop, and that feels very real.
Over this series, readers have come to know Lottie, her children, Boyd and even Lottie's unlikable boss. However, this story is focused on current cases and thus could serve as a standalone. As mentioned already, I read the entire series because I absolutely love continuity.
Lottie has overcome quite a bit as the series has gone, and I loved watching her growth. I feel like I know each of primary characters, and have been strongly affected by all of the trauma they have dealt with. I am already eager for book 8.
Many thanks for Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Looks like a stellar series - this is excellent and thoughtful reviewing, Robin
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great series! Will definitely have to check out the first book and see what I think. Love those covers too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this series!
ReplyDeleteI love the covers to these. I'll have to check them out!
ReplyDeleteAmazing reviews Robin, this book series looks and sounds really fantastic and right up my alley as well. I'm really glad you fully enjoyed each book. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
ReplyDeleteGreat review and well put together tour!
ReplyDeleteThese look really interesting!
ReplyDeleteI have the first book on my kindle to read soon.
ReplyDeleteI really need to read her books they all look so good. Great review.
ReplyDelete