Broken Souls: An absolutely addictive mystery thriller with a brilliant twist (Detective Lottie Parker Book 7)

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I haven’t faced what the female protagonist has faced (and may no one have to go through it), just that at some point, we're all trying to heal in some way or the other. I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Broken Souls, the seventh novel to feature Detective Lottie Parker of the Ragmullin Garda. Even though the novel is set in the run up to Christmas, this is a story that chilled me in more ways than just the weather!

There were definitely some strong points to book 7 in the Lottie series, but, I did have a few things that bugged me so, the lower rating is applied. A great storyline with all the usual twists and turns we expect from Patricia's writing but a few red herrings in there. I would not be inviting this girl to sleep on my couch after she acted unhinged like that two days in a row, but the plot must go on, right?

Oh and there's the many times she just stands there shamelessly checking out the flex of his muscles while we suffer through more inner monologue. 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. Lottie thinks he's found someone younger so that puts her in a continually bad mood, sniping and snarling at everyone. The victims and suspects are all linked together in a complicated web of family ties and business dealings. Several cases of suicide in a nearby neighborhood soon spell that a serial killer is on the loose and as the team scrambles to get answers, a little girl goes missing.

Lastly, wtf is up with the random chapter from a third character we've never seen before in the story? And I found her kids incredibly frustrating as well when they should have been drawn together, particularly after the last case.I never like to actually go into that because I think its important to go into mysteries blind so you're surprised. A series of suicides suddenly seemed off when the pathologist realized that it was all building up to be murder. I raised the question with Better World Books and although they could not supply a hardcover version they were extremely generous in making up for the descepency. Alicia and Mark have an hilarious and crazy beginning that you just instantly knew they were perfect for each other.

And is Lily's abduction the handiwork of the same perpetrator or an opportunistic endeavour on the part of the kidnapper? It's always a pleasure when an author finds a good narrator and retains her/him throughout the series. It's so good to see Patricia Gibney back in form, with Irish DI Lottie Parker investigating a series of murders and a missing child without any of her own family being abducted or threatened (goodness knows, they've suffered enough in the past! The She's recently become engaged to DS Mark Boyd (but hasn't told anyone yet) and seems happier and a little less bitchy, but is concerned that Boyd is acting a little distant. As she can't work out why and he doesn't want to talk about it her mind begins to think the unthinkable.But this one was really good in all aspects (their relationships, other characters input, things like that) and over all a dreamy experience (I want a hot neighbor 🥹). Some parts are scary to read about the fear of rejection because of your insecurities, that makes me tear up a little. It was poignantly written and didn’t shy away from the hard and tough moments a survivor of any kind of assault goes through each day. We all struggle with something, and this book showed me how beautiful and fulfilling life can be once you step out of the darkness that holds you as tightly as a prisoner, and step into the light and simply start your own healing process. Both Cara Dunne and Fiona Heffernan look to have committed suicide and were both residents of the sleepy village of Ragmullin; Cara by hanging and Fiona by jumping from the roof of her workplace.

All in all, good police procedural with an interesting enough plot and great improvement after the last two books in the series. If someone in Ragmullen were to be murdered on December 24, though, she'd not be around for her kids and grandson until the new year. Lottie has overcome a lot, but may be faced with her toughest challenge yet as she realizes her daughters and son are growing up. I had my first taste of the Lottie Parker series late last year when I reviewed Silent Voices by Patricia Gibney.Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Patrica Gibney for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I feel like shaking the detective sometimes when she can be so self-involved and impulsive but I always want her to come through. Book 6 was the first in the series that I felt wobbled a bit in balance and quality(although I still enjoyed it) but I’m glad to report she is back on form here.