THE GUILTY GIRL

5 stars out of 5

Calling detective Lottie Parker's life in Ragmullin, Ireland, chaotic somehow seems like an understatement, and I admit to wondering how anybody could live, much less thrive, in that kind of environment. But by this time, though, I think I've become accustomed to all the goings on, because this very hectic one is a favorite of the bunch I've read previously (this is the eleventh).

On the work front, Lottie is called to investigate the murder of a teenage girl at her fancy home following - or perhaps in the middle of - a clandestine party she hosted while her parents were away. One of the guests, the victim's friend, had been the subject of online bullying and becomes the primary suspect. Problem is, she's apparently been drugged and has no recollection of anything that happened during the event - making Lottie less than certain about her involvement in her friend's death.

The investigation continues with little progress, but Lottie also knows her teenage son Sean was at the party as well (after all, she found out, waited outside and drove him home). There's no doubt that he isn't the killer, but on the other hand, Lottie is pretty sure he's not telling the whole truth about what he knows. And then another, even younger partygoer turns up murdered - and the possible motive is that he knew too much. So what does that mean for Sean? Could he be next?

Amid all this are secondary plots involving a gang of drug-dealing kids on bikes and a local boxing gym where some of the kids hang out, both with possible connections to both murders. Lottie's husband, detective sergeant Mark Boyd, usually can be counted on for support - but not this time. He's in Malaga, meeting up with the young son who, until recently, he never knew he had. Alas, at least for readers like me who love Boyd, he's around only for the occasional phone consultation until the very end. And as if all this isn't enough to drive Lottie bonkers, her mother Rose, with whom she has a sort of like-dislike relationship, isn't doing well and moves in with the rest of the Parker clan.

Given the multitude of suspects and need to resolve the story lines takes Lottie - and readers - for a thrill-a-minute ride complete with a few twists (although I won't call them totally surprising). It all makes for another installment well done plus the hope that another one will be out soon. Until then, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one. Well done!

The Guilty Girl by Patricia Gibney (Bookouture, June 2022); 507 pp.