Broken Souls Book Review

Title: Broken Souls

Author: Patricia Gibney

ISBN: 9781838880804

Publisher: Bookouture

Pages: 434

Source: Private Copy

‘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…

Official Summary

I had my first taste of the Lottie Parker series late last year when I reviewed Silent Voices by Patricia Gibney. I fell in love with the characters and added the entire series to my Christmas wish list. (My adorable husband made sure they landed under the tree).

I have not gotten to any of the other books in the series until now and I want to kick myself for the delay. Patricia Gibney is a talented author, and I am determined to make time for at least one of her books every month until I have managed to work through the entire series.

The body of a young woman, dressed in a wedding gown, is found hanging in her bathroom – Lottie Parker is not convinced it is a suicide. When only hours later, yet another young woman dressed in a wedding gown is found dead, Lottie knows she is dealing with murder.

The second woman, Fiona Heffernan’s eight-year-old daughter cannot be found, leaving Lottie and her team racing against time to solve the murders and find the little girl before it is too late.

Patricia Gibney draws you into her story with rich details and unspoken questions that leave you desperate to find out the truth. I just love her writing.

I love Ragmullin – the author does a wonderful job describing this village, the scenery and all the residents. I felt as if I travelled there while reading this book.

Lottie Parker is a complex character, not only dealing with the heavy load of a murder investigation, she also deals with being a single parent, the loss of her husband and her attempt to start a new relationship with Mark Boyd….. how can you not adore this incredible woman?

Yep, you guessed it, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have no problem adding this to my 2021 Loved list.

Broken Souls and the DI Lottie Parker series will appeal to crime fiction and thriller enthusiasts alike.

Be warned, once you read one of the books in this series, you will simply have to get your hand on the rest – I cannot wait to read another one, so keep an eye out, I hope to include one in next month’s TBR.

Books In The Series

About the Author

Bio from Amazon

Patricia Gibney is the million-copy bestselling author of the DI Lottie Parker series. She always yearned to be a writer but between her full-time work and raising a family, she could never find the time or commitment to fulfil that ambition. However, tragedy was to intervene which caused a major shift in her life.

In 2009, after her husband died following a short illness, Patricia had to retire from her job and found that writing helped her cope through her grief. She then started to write seriously. Fascinated by people and their quirky characteristics, she always carries a notebook to scribble down observations and ideas.

Patricia lives in the Irish midlands with her children.

Thank you for reading my review, I hope you enjoy Patricia Gibney’s Lottie parker series as much as I do. Which is your favourite Lottie Parker book? Leave a comment below. Until next time…..Happy Reading!