Member Reviews
Another brilliant read from Patricia. I can’t believe we have had 13 books with Lottie Parker and gang. Hopefully we will have many more. Story begins with the discovery of the bodies of two little girls. Naomi and Willow. There are quite a few suspects and Lottie has her work cut out trying to figure out the relationships between some of the suspects. She has to do this without the assistance of Boyd who is off trying to find his own son who has disappeared. A lit of twists in this one.
This the thirteenth book in the DI Lottie Parker series by author Patricia Gibney. I have read this series completely out of order which is not my normal way and would suggest others don’t follow my lead. This is another solid novel and a good addition to this successful series.
Detective Lottie Parker is facing a chilling mystery with the disappearance of two young girls. Eight year old Willow Devine went to choir practice but never returned home. Hours later a body of a child is found wearing a shroud and clutching rosary beads. But the child is not Willow but Naomi Kiernan, who has not been reported missing. Lottie Parker needs to solve this case quickly as she tries to unravel the sinister events unfolding in the cathedral’s shadow.
I enjoy the character Lottie Parker and I am really warming to her with the excellent writing. This is another well thought out plot dealing with very difficult subject matter. Trust, betrayal, secrets all come under the spotlight in this excellent police procedural novel.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
A young altar girl, Willow, is found dead. Murdered. Panic arises. What is going on? What has she ever done to anyone? Lottie and her team are hard at it. Then another young altar girl, Naomi, is found dead as well. Who would want to hurt this two young girls and their families this badly?
This is a very twisty book, and it seems like everyone is a possible suspect until proven not guilty. There are surprisingly many people who could have done this. There are surprisingly many people with things in their pasts they are desperately trying to hide.
It was quite the challenge thinking of the murder suspects. Who cold it be and why?
Boyd is going through a very rough patch in this book, dealing with some very heavy stuff regarding his own life. Lottie still has a lot to deal with at home, especially with her mother being around, but not always fully being mentally present.
I absolutely love this series, and cannot get enough of Patricia Gibney's writing! I love how the words just flow on paper, and at times I forget the gruesome things that happen in the book due to the excellent writing. And now I have to wait for the next book, which sucks, but I am sure it will be a superb reading experience as well, and it is always great to know there is something fantastic to look forward to!
Book 13 in the Lottie Parker series and here we find her investigating the death of a young girl found in church grounds with another young girl missing.
A solid if at times silly addition to the excellent series. We have a big list of suspects and all seem to end up abducting or assaulting someone which I found hard to swallow. It kind of spoiled what was a well told and snappy story.
A few too many twists and turns and unrealistic scenarios muddied the waters of this one for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC through Netgalley.
I have devoured each Lottie Parker book with relish and for me this is one of the best books in the series. This is a busy read but don't worry as it all comes together in the end. Two young girls are found dead and Lottie and her team have no real evidence. I had my list of suspects which I was whittling down and I still got it wrong. Peppered with red herrings, at times my heart was in my mouth and as for the ending or the big reveal was both abhorrent and heartbraking. Another MUST READ in this gripping and very addictive series. A well deserved five stars, absolutely loved It!!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc in return for an honest review.
Another absolute page turner from Patricia Gibney!
Book 13 has Detective Lottie Parker and her team initially on the case of a missing child, little Willow who has been reported missing. Soon they are dealing with the murder of both Willow and another young girl Naomi and the suspect pool is continually growing, so many players with something sinister to hide, with some, such as Father Maguire perhaps still having some secrets not yet discovered.
As Lottie devotes her time to finding a killer, we also get the character development with her family as she tries to manage/cope with her mother's dementia. Boyd's story also continues in his search for his son Sergio who was snatched away by his ex-wife at the end of book 2 but will keep any spoilers out of my review.
The Altar Girls is book 13 in the Detective Lottie Parker series and my favoirite one to date.
Lottie and her team are fighting against the clock to solve who murdered two young altar girls and left them posed one in a church and the other on the cathedral grounds.
Boyd is not with the team as he is frantically searching for his son and Lottie misses his wisdom and guidance.
Lottie is also dealing with her mother who is ailing mentally and there just are not enough hours in the day.
Twists and turns, multiple suspects that had me changing my mind several times as to who was guilty.
The Altar Girls has quite the cast of characters both likeable and unlikeable.
The suspense mounts with each page that keeps the lights on and the pages turning rapidly.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for another fascinating book in one of my favourite series.
It was September 2018 when I first met DI Lottie Parker in book 5 in the series. I cannot believe that I have been following her already 5 years now and she is still going strong.
Altar girls... it immediately makes me shiver. I have been watching a documentary on the Flemish television about all the scandals with priests in Belgium and I was utterly disgusted. It is still very fresh in my mind and it took be back there straight away. I was hoping it would not be history repeating itself.
Is a priest a culprit in this book? Up to you to find out when you immerse yourself in this intriguing story.
As per usual, Lottie and her team race against the clock to figure out who is responsible, while she is also trying to keep her personal life on the rails.
This turns out to be a very complex case and let this kind of books be one of my favorites.
Once again the author delivers and I cannot wait for the next book. 5 stars
Thank you
The Altar Girls (Detective Lottie Parker Book 13): An addictive crime thriller packed with mystery and suspense by Patricia Gibney has a good storyline, good characters, and is fast-paced.
Even though this is book 13 in the series, the story and characters are still fresh and engaging. There are lots of suspicious characters to choose from, with an exciting plot.
The Altar Girls is a good mystery and a good addition to the series. I would recommend this book and this series.
#TheAltarGirls #NetGalley @Bookouture
This thirteenth book in Patricia Gibney's Detective Lottie Parker series delivers a tricky murder mystery with a number of suspects and a deficit of evidence so DI Parker and her team have to be very determined in solving the case.
The murder of two eight year old girls on a snowy winter's day, one found behind a church spread on the snow in a white robe and the other in a crib being prepared for a church nativity scene, is a shocking double murder. Lottie's team have to suspect everyone, and particularly take a hard look at those close to or involved with the girls lives. The investigation is not helped by Lottie's team being at odds with each other and Boyd, her partner and usually reliable sergeant, distracted by looking for his son, abducted by his ex wife. Lottie's mother's dementia is also getting worse and Lottie and her family are stretched trying to care for her. With lots of short, sharp chapters to step up the pace and keep the reader invested, this is another engaging read and great addition to the series.
I have read all of the previous Lottie Parker books since the first one so I was really pleased to see there was a book 13.
I always enjoy books with detective work, the police interviews and looking for clues. I like the familiarity of the main character, Lottie Parker, she will always go with her gut, rubs people up the wrong way and won’t let anything stand in the way of her finding the truth.
Although this is book 13, it can be read as a standalone. However, it does have continuity with the characters and their back stories which I like so I would recommend reading them in order from the start.
A great storyline, fast-paced and an all round, easy to read detective book. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
DI Lottie Parker yet again has her hands full in the latest instalment. She is struggling with her mother who is suffering with Dementia. Boyd is gone off to search for his ex – wife and his son Sergio.
She is also investigating a case of a missing 8-year-old girl Willow. Who was supposed to be going to choir practice but, she never returned home? Hours later a body of a child is found wearing a shroud and clutching rosary beads. But the child is not Willow but Naomi Kiernan. Who has not been reported missing. So, who Killed Naomi and why and where is Willow?
The Altar Girls by Patricia Gibney is book 13 in the series and another fabulous read from the author. Where did the time ago. We are back finding out the continuation of the characters that we have come to know and love. Told in several points of view, this is a harrowing story of an investigation of murdered children, with links to the local church. It is fast paced and kept me gripped throughout. The quality of this author’s writing never wains and always look forward to the next one. I can’t wait to see what is instore for Lottie and Boyd. 5 stars from me.
The Altar Girls in the thirteenth novel in the DI Lottie Parker series by Patricia Gibney. A strong entry in a series that in going from strength to strength. I always look forward to the release of a new novel by Patricia Gibney as I know that I will enjoy an exciting storyline, lead by well-developed and entertaining characters. Since first meeting Lottie Parker, the character has developed and undergone many changes; Lottie is by no means perfect, but she has grown over the series and the reader has seen her battle her personal demons as she supports her family, alongside tackling some gruesome murders and discovering the truth about her past. Within the opening pages, Gibney manages to grab your attention and does not let your attention escape.
The author uses a combination of storyline slides (some long running) to keep up a fast pace and ensure that the action does not stop.
In previous reviews, I've mentioned that Gibney does not shy away from gruesome plotlines, but I will admit that I struggled with the dementia storyline in this book. While sensitively handled, it was difficult to read from a personal perspective but I do admire the author for continuing to cover tough storylines.
Gibney also manages to mix these storylines with plenty of light relief in the humour between the team members.
There are plenty of twists in this storyline and even when I think that I’ve spotted the direction of the story, there is another curveball to keep me on my toes! An excellent tale that mixes murder, horror and epic twists.
Love the Lottie Parker novels. Great writing and premise. Amazing characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing..Definitely looking forward to the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it
The Altar Girls (Detective Lottie Parker Book 13) by Patricia Gibney
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: November 9, 2023
The Altar Girls is the 13th book in the Detective Lottie Parker series by Patricia Gibney. This book can be read as a standalone mystery or as part of the series. I still have not read all of the books, even though they are on my "to be read" list.
This was so good! It was absolutely gripping and had me on the edge of my seat. I loved it so much!
There was so much going on, with several mysteries being unwound throughout the book. I love these characters so much! I love visiting their little town and can't wait to return with the next book!
The Altar Girls is a must read for sure!!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Although this is book 13 in the Lottie Parker series, it can easily be read as a stand alone. It's a very well written and emotional read, the characterisation is excellent and the plotting is first class. I love reading about the personal lives of the team, especially Boyd, and I really hope the next book has more from him. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Bookoutune and the fantastic author Patricia gibney for an early copy of her book to read.
This is one of my favourite series,This is book 13,I've still to catch up with this series.Another fantastic read. Theres two different storylines first Boyd looking for his ex wife who taken there son,will he find them.Lottie and her team trying to solve a case of two young girls murdered one was found in the grounds of the cathedral the second was near by of a church both going to a choir there so many suspects...who is the killer? A fast paced intense read a brilliant book brilliantly written..Highly recommend this series looking forward to reading the next instalment. A five star review.
This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk and waterstone's
The Altar Girls is the 13th installment in the Lottie Parker detective series. Ragmullin is covered by a blanket of snow. School is cancelled, as is the children's choir practice and the streets are largely deserted. When the body of a young girl is found behind the church, Lottie is under pressure to locate the girl's killer sooner rather than later. There is already a lot going on in Lottie's life, her mother has dementia and her partner Boyd's son has been taken away from Ragmullin by his ex-wife Jackie.
Another young girl is reported missing, will Lottie find her before it's too late?
This latest book by Patricia Gibney takes many twists and turns. There are so many viable suspects that it's hard to pin down exactly who the murderer is. There are a few things alluded to during the book that I hope will appear in future stories. (What exactly is Father Maguire hiding in his desk?! @patriciagibneyauthor) I liked the fact that Lottie's family weren't directly involved in the crimes in this book. I also enjoyed the breadcrumbing of the second storyline. I felt this book needed a little more comic relief from Kirby, he's my favourite detective and a fellow McDonald's lover!
Can't wait to read the next one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When Detective Lottie Parker receives word that the body of a young girl has been found in the grounds of the cathedral, she immediately fears that this will be Willow Devine, an eight-year-old who was reported missing that morning. On viewing the body, however, she realises that this is not the missing girl, but the body of another child. Who is she and why has she not been reported missing? With Willow still missing and an ever-growing list of suspects, Lottie must try to find a killer while dealing with challenging issues of her own.
This is the thirteenth book in a series that I am still thoroughly enjoying; it is always good to catch up with Lottie, Boyd and the rest of the cast that we were introduced to The Missing Ones back in 2017. Ever since that first book, we have seen the character of Lottie develop into a confident detective while still having numerous crises in her personal life. Patricia Gibney creates a perfect balance between the police procedural part of the book and the personal side of Lottie’s life, both parts playing an integral part in the plot.
In The Altar Girls, we have an array of suspicious characters, each one with motives in their own right. By throwing in several red herrings, the author kept me on my toes throughout my reading as I constantly changed my mind as to who the guilty party was going to be. This was something I really enjoyed – it was good not to have the killer signposted right from the start. The secondary plot concerning Boyd was another great read and it was good, as a reader, to have this story resolved even though there are still going to be consequences for the detective in future books.
In recent books in the series, we have seen one of the characters dealing with dementia, something that is having a huge impact on Lottie and the life of her entire family. Patricia Gibney is writing this so well, dealing with this issue with sensitivity and honesty.
The Lottie Parker books are ones that I eagerly anticipate reading and I hope that this series continues for a long time to come.
Once again DI Lottie Parker is up to her eyes in tragic events. Despite having ongoing issues with her mother’s health, along with two of her mainstays back at the station also having major personal problems, to Lottie the job always comes first.
Another corker from Gibney. Well written, exciting plot, great characters, this has it all. The culprit was very well hidden!
Number thirteen of the series and it just gets better if that’s possible. I’m not reading the books in order, and a few references and events do occur that could do with a bit of background, but in no way does this spoil what is a great read.
Thank you NetGalley.