This was so much more than a mystery thriller and for a debut novel its shows so much promise and a lot more to come from the author. It did take me a little while to connect with the characters and their backgrounds but once I did I was hooked till the end. I loved the setting of the book and it made me really want to visit Dublin with some fabulous descriptions it really made you feel like you were there. The twists in the story were clever and unexpected and although I had my suspicions about the outcome it I was never quite sure. So all in all it was a read that really enjoyed not just for the mystery but also for the well crafted characters and setting and I look forward to reading more from Claire Coughlan in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unfortunately I struggled to get into this book. I was intrigued by the concept.

Dublin 1943 Actress Julia Bridges disappeared, last seen entering the house of Gloria Fitzpatrick, who was later put on trial for the murder of a woman whose abortion she facilitated. Although it was never proved she had anything to do with Gloria’s disappearance it was always believed she had a hand in it.

Dublin 1968 Nicoletta Sarto, an ambitious journalist, is working for the Irish Sentinel when Julia Bridges bones are discovered. Drawn into the 25 year old mystery and the link to notorious Gloria. Nicolletta becomes immersed in the case, stirring up long buried secrets from her own past…….

The story was interesting, however I didn’t feel it was particularly well written. I struggled with several parts, having to constantly go back and re read bits to make it clear. I struggled with who was who and what relationship they had with either character or plot and this made it very confusing and unclear at times. It felt like a hard slog and at times I wanted to give up, but I also wanted the answers to what could have been a much better and well written book.
That said the storyline was a good one and just because I struggled doesn’t mean everyone will so definitely worth giving it a go.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book

A very atmospheric read set in Dublin in 1968 where fledgling reporter Nicoletta Sarto is investigating the disappearance of actress Julia Bridges in 1943 for the Irish Sentinel. I know Dublin quite well and I really felt like I was following Nicoletta as she walked the streets looking for evidence. A well written and classic detective noir style read with an emotional plot.

Briefly, Gloria Fitzpatrick was involved with an illegal abortion clinic and was a suspect in Julia Bridges disappearance. Gloria committed suicide in an institution for the criminally insane and her involvement with the missing woman never proven. As Nicoletta digs deeper into Julia’s disappearance she makes a shocking personal discovery.

The author has done a great job of recounting the misogyny present not only in many jobs at this time, but also in day to day life, and Nicoletta does a great job in dealing with it. She’s a good character; ambitious and dedicated and relentless in her investigations. With Ireland not legalising abortion until December 2018 (yes really) illegal abortion clinics must have been fairly commonplace and the author has dealt with this sensitively. A very enjoyable read with a well paced, engaging story and good characters. I liked it a lot. 4.5⭐️

This was such an immersive story. I felt completely drawn in by the characters as much as I was by the story itself. The author provided plenty of backstory to each character so that I felt I knew them well enough to get a picture of each one in my head.

There were multiple small twists within the story. However, the whopper comes towards the end.. I had a slight inkling, but I was never 100% certain I was on the right path.

The writing was superb, and the whole book turned out to be an enjoyable mystery to get lost in.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

Where They Lie by Claire Coughlan

A very good thriller which also has a dual timeline.
Nicoletta Sartos a local reporter and sets out to solve the mystery.
I enjoyed both times and the twists that the story had.

I really enjoyed this debut novel set in Dublin in the 1960s. A young female reporter is trying to progress in her career but finds herself drawn to a missing persons cold case. The parallels to the case in the 1940s and Nicoletta's own situation were well written. I found it really atmospheric and incredibly moving. The plot was really absorbing and fast paced. The dual time lines were well written and pacy. I devoured the book and look forward to reading anything more by this author.

Set in Ireland in 1968, this novel is set in a Dublin newspaper office- ‘the Irish Sentinel’ where females are rare and misogyny is common. Nicoletta Sarto is trying to forge her career within the male newsroom and making a name for herself. Set in Christmas 1968, the story revolves around a case from 1956 when the last woman, Gloria Fitzpatrick, was sentenced to hang for the murder of Julia Bridges although no body was found. Claire Coughlan weaves a tale around the social issues of the time, women’s rights (or lack of them) and the difficulties women faced in every aspect of their lives. A clever story with many layers that is cleverly sown together with a satisfying ending. Atmospheric and capturing the less than romantic Ireland from 50 plus years ago.

Set during Christmas 1968 and young reporter, Nicoletta Sarto is sitting at her desk when a call comes in to say a body has been found. As the only reporter in the building she takes on the case, taking her back to the past and a journey of discovery.
Unfortunately I found this a slow read, I wasn't really invested in the story, it was interesting however to read about Nicolette's introduction to journalism and how different things were for women starting out in what was a predominantly male world

An absolute page-turner! The kind of book that you pick up with the intention of reading just a few chapters and yet find yourself hours later, glued to your seat in front of a cold cup of tea, having just devoured the entire thing in one sitting. I loved it.

Where They Lie is a beautifully atmospheric novel set in 1960s Dublin and following a young journalist, Nicoletta Sarto, as she investigates the disappearance and murder of Julia Bridges back in the 1940s. Claire Coughlan skilfully brings to life the realities of life as an independent career woman in both time periods, with all the misogyny and prejudice that brings, and issues surrounding abortion, miscarriage and still-birth are handled with so much empathy and sensitivity.

And then under all that is a classic crime mystery - an immersive whodunnit with complex characters, multiple plot twists and perfect pacing that just keeps you gripped from start to finish. I can't recommend this book highly enough - an absolute must read for 2024. (And dare I hope that we might see more of Nicoletta Sarto in future novels?)

Claire Coughlan writes a vibrant, engaging, twisty, and atmospheric literary thriller, Irish historical fiction with hard hitting themes that have echoed down the years to the present, providing a social and political commentary on'religion' and the power of the Catholic Church, the position of women, and the social norms and attitudes that reflect the times which resulted in desperate women needing an abortion being pushed to the edge. In Dublin 1943, Julia Bridges goes missing, observed entering Gloria Fitzpatrick's home, Gloria is to find herself on trial for murder and then commits suicide in a institute for the criminally insane, although there was no evidence she had ever been involved in Julia's disappearance.

In 1968, Julia's corpse is discovered in the garden of a well known person. Nicoletta Sarto, a keen young reporter working on the Irish Sentinel, is in a problematic relationship. Highlighted is the thinking on what is a women's place, and the challenges women face as Nicoletta seeks promotion, wanting to climb the career ladder. She becomes immersed in the decades long murder case, determined to uncover the long buried truth, whatever it takes. However, Nicoletta harbours her own secrets and past, as she pursues the investigation which has personal implications for her, as she digs into the illegal abortions and the Dublin underworld, ending up questioning her reluctant mother, the personal issues looming large, occupying a big part of her time and mind.

Coughlin's narrative adroitly shifts between past and present as the dramatic truth slowly begins to emerge, in this affecting story that touches on the most emotionally sensitive and traumatic of issues, and the inequalities, within a murder mystery that underlines and informs the reader of the harsh world in which women were expected to live and survive in. There are surprising turns in this historical fiction debut that I think will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

This book keeps you guessing as to who did what and why. The stories are intertwined with more and more people involved and the truth being stranger than fiction.

A captivating read and makes me want to read more from this author.

Such a riveting read right from the start. A young reporter trying to crack her biggest story so far whilst struggling with her private life. She has no idea what’s coming!
The story is set in the 1960s in Ireland and there seems to be a naivety about life at that time, for our protagonist.
I was captivated by the story and how it gradually revealed itself and the heart of the story came as a real surprise. There were so many characters involved in this story and it seemed each one knew something and had played their part so it was down to our reporter to bring the threads together and the ending was excellent; it was very cleverly done and worded. Loved it.

Where they lie is all set over Christmas week 1968. Junior reporter Nicoletta is chasing up the discovery of skeletal remains in the garden of a local jewellers house. The book flits back and forth to the 1940s and slowly uncovers a story which becomes more and more complex and personal to Nicoletta. I found the book a little slow at times but enjoyed the twists, especially the last one! It was these that seemed to kick start the narrative and keep me reading. A definite 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Set in Dublin in the late 60's, I found this book to be a bit slow and lacking in atmosphere. I failed to like the main character, Nicoletta, or any other character to be honest. The theme of suicide made it difficult to read and I really struggled to remain interested, however, I persevered until the end. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

It is hard to describe this powerful book! Atmospheric certainly - educational - insightful and creative are words that also come to mind.

I have often sympathetically thought that single Mums have a potentially overwhelming life. I base that on experience of how difficult it is to bring up children when there are two of you. This book showed that societal pressures are an extra unnatural pressure point. I take my hat off to the author for opening my eyes further on this subject.

I reckon this is a book that more people should read!!
My feeling is that I want to read more about the tenacious and impressive main character! The plot evolved in a way where her life met quite a few unexpected challenges. Would I have coped in facing them - I very much doubt it!!!

Thanks to the author Claire Coughlan and NetGalley for providing the opportunity to read such an insightful book on relationships and society!

Overplotted and awash with too many twists.

I requested this because writers I like in both the literary fiction and crime fiction genre, were praising this, but unfortunately I was left unmoved, incredulous and irritated. Just about every plot twist in the book is in this one, plus a tangle of bed-hopping, use of any number of mind altering substances to excess and, as a central character a young ambitious local journalist who, weirdly, everyone seems far to keen to endlessly spill their own or someone else’s dirty laundry to. I bet any journalist reading this wonders what THEY must be doing wrong not to have their investigations so eagerly met at every knocked door.

Clearly, others are having a completely different experience with this. Some books and some readers don’t connect well, and this was the case here, obviously.

The opening of this novel set in Dublin in the 1960's really drew me in and I was intrigued to discover the mystery of the disappearance of actress Julia Bridges. The device of using Nicoletta as an ambitious junior reporter desperate to make her name and uncover story is. good one and rang true in the beginning. But sadly I found I didn't much like the main characters in the story and ended up not caring enough about them to read the book avidly, thus I lost track of the plot and the many different characters.
That said, the plot is effective and I didn't see the ending coming, and there are some important twists and turns along the way. It is a shame I wasn't more invested in it because it should have been a good read.
The historical setting and descriptions of life, women's roles, clothes and housing at the time are all well depicted and feel correct. The story might well appeal to those who know Dublin better than I.
With thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

This story follows a reporter called Nicoletta based in Dublin in 1968.
When remains of a body are found Nicoletta investigates Julia Bridges murder that happened over 20years ago.
What she finds out along the way is a lot more than she bargained for!

This book took me a while to get into. As the story went on I started to really get into it.
I enjoyed the way the characters stories were told and the twists and turns throughout the book.

I give this book 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I would recommend this book and would look into reading other books by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley & Simon & Schuster UK for the advanced reading copy of this book.

This is a novel written with dual story lines, both essentially set in time periods when abortion was dangerous in Ireland. There is murder, there is mystery, and there is more than a little trauma.

In 1943, an Irish actress named Julia Bridges disappears after a visit to a woman who is known to be involved with illegal abortion providers. Although the woman, Gloria, is later incarcerated in an institution for what is described as the murder of another woman (due to a botched abortion), she never tells anyone what she knows about Julia's disappearance. And with her apparent suicide, the truth dies with her.

Until Julia's remains are found buried nearly 3 decades later, and an investigative journalist with her own tangled history on this issue decides to dig up the story of what really happened...

This is an atmospheric story that allows readers to travel back in time to a very different era. It exposes, yet again, Ireland's troubled history with issues of women's sexuality and the attempts to control them.

Perhaps most importantly, it gives us a clear sense of what it meant to be a woman who wanted agency at a time when the Church and Society were determined to deprive her of it. Well worth a read for those interested in history and women's rights.

I like murder mystery with a bit of a difference. In this case, the story is set in Dublin in the 60’s. A young woman trying to make her mark in the male-dominated world of newspaper journalism is asked to do a ‘piece’ on the discovery of a body, found to be that of a woman who went missing a number of years earlier.
The story is well written, with various sub-plots woven through it. I was definitely drawn in , and there were enough hints and red herrings to keep you wondering.
As Nicolette digs into the past, she uncovers more than she bargained for.
It got a bit confusing in places trying to fit events into a time line and there were some aspects of the story towards the end which I didn’t think were totally convincing but overall a good read.