Linda Hagan’s Lasting Influence delivers a gripping, action-packed mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. At the heart of the story is Gawn, a seasoned investigator with a reputation for excellence. Pulled back into the office from what should have been a respite, Gawn is tasked with solving the sudden and chilling disappearance of two young adults on a seemingly carefree road trip adventure.

From the outset, the stakes are high, and Hagan expertly crafts an atmosphere of tension and urgency. The plot unfolds at a brisk pace, with each chapter packed with twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. Hagan’s ability to layer suspense while developing her characters is impressive. Gawn, in particular, stands out not just for her skills but for her emotional depth and determination, making her a protagonist readers will root for.

The action scenes are vivid and well-paced, delivering just the right amount of intensity without overshadowing the mystery’s complexity. Hagan also excels at integrating twists that never feel forced, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Each clue and revelation builds upon the last, culminating in a satisfying and well-earned conclusion.

In Lasting Influence, Hagan proves her mastery of the mystery genre, blending action, intrigue, and character-driven storytelling. Fans of fast-paced mysteries with a strong lead will find this novel a compelling read. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a mix of tension and emotional depth in their thrillers.

This is actually the 8th book in the series. I found it ok to be read as a standalone. I do like a book that involves social media. Perfect amount of both character and plot driven.

A good police procedural, set in Northern Ireland. The first I have read by this author and although the book was fine as a stand alone regarding the cases being investigated, I did not really get to know or understand the main detective Gawn Girvan in this book. She has been on extended leave and has now been asked back to headthis case. There is enough action here, the case has links to the past which gradually become apparent. The team were well described and the writing kept my interest throughout . The plot is fairly intricate which I enjoy.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Lasting Influence: A Few Clicks Away from Murder by Linda Hagan is a gripping thriller that delves into the dark side of social media and the far-reaching consequences of online influence. Hagan crafts a narrative that is timely and chilling, exploring how the digital age can blur the lines between reality and illusion, and how a single click can lead to devastating outcomes.

The story follows Emma, a popular social media influencer whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel when she becomes the target of a sinister plot. As Emma navigates the treacherous waters of online fame, she discovers that her every move is being watched and manipulated by an unseen enemy. The tension builds as Emma races against time to uncover the truth and protect herself from a threat that is closer than she could have ever imagined.

Hagan’s writing is sharp and engaging, drawing readers into a world where the virtual and real collide with deadly consequences. The characters are well-developed, with Emma standing out as a particularly compelling protagonist. Her journey from a confident influencer to a woman fighting for her life is believable and heart-wrenching. The supporting characters add depth to the story, each with their own secrets and motivations that keep the reader guessing until the very end.

One of the standout elements of Lasting Influence is its exploration of the psychological impact of social media. Hagan deftly examines how the quest for online validation can lead to dangerous behavior and how the anonymity of the internet can embolden malicious actions. This theme is woven seamlessly into the plot, making the novel not only a thrilling read but also a thought-provoking commentary on contemporary society.

The pacing of the book is excellent, with each chapter ending on a note of suspense that compels the reader to keep turning the pages. Hagan’s ability to maintain a high level of tension throughout the novel is impressive, and the twists and turns are both surprising and satisfying.

Overall, Lasting Influence: A Few Clicks Away from Murder is a standout thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Linda Hagan has crafted a story that is entertaining and reflective of the darker aspects of our digital lives. This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and human behavior. Whether you’re a seasoned thriller enthusiast or new to the genre, this novel offers a compelling and chilling experience that will stay with you.

This crime thriller tingles with intrigue from beginning to end and is compulsive reading. The Belfast setting helped add a sense of realism to a plot that was both clever and complex.
Linda Hagan is a writer new to me; Inspector Gawn Girvin a character new to me; and social media influencers on par with aliens in my world, but what a thrill to realise there's a whole lot of catching up I can do with this series.
All the police procedural stuff is very authentic and there's plenty of strong characterisation which helped make this novel as much character driven as plot driven and the quality of the writing was absolutely pitch perfect throughout.

This is another great addition to an excellent series written by Linda Hagan. The central character Detective Chief Inspector Gawn Girvin has just returned from a year’s leave in America and is thrown in at the deep end immediately dealing with a challenging kidnapping case, murder and a link to the past which quickly becomes personal. This is another gripping instalment with suspense and drama in equal measure.
A very small criticism is that we never picked up on Nina’s story at the end which felt like an unfinished element to the book. However, the author continues to provide a fast paced plot and well drawn characters. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one.

This is the first book written by Linda Hagan that I have read, but let me tell you, it won't be the last.

This book is for sure a page turner, and it will get you sucked in and invested right from the very first chapter. It has all the mystery, investigation and suspense that one could ask for in a book.

If you enjoy reading books that has a strong focus on the police aspect of crimes, then you will enjoy this book!


Gawn went on leave but was asked to come back early to help with a high profile case. When he returns and starts working on the case, he realizes that there is more to this case than what it appears to be at first. There are links to the past that she can't seem to figure out right away, and needs to be able to piece together what happened? What will come of social media these days.

This is a great book, I really enjoyed it!

Readers that enjoy investigative, suspense book should enjoy this one. This is my first time reading anything by Linda Hagan. Lasting Influence is part of a series and I recommend reading earlier books in the series to get a better feel for the characters and their history.

Lasting Influence is a good police procedural set in and around Belfast. It's the eighth in a series featuring DCI Gawn Girvin, bit works well as a standalone.

Gawn has been on leave and is asked to return early to take on a high profile abduction case. The involvement of a senior civil servant she is sure has a hidden role makes her suspicious that there is more to the case than first appears. But what are the links to the past? And why was she chosen to lead the investigation?

This is a well paced novel, with clues and revelations building the tension towards the eventual conclusion. Even without having read the previous novels, this was attention grabbing throughout.

A kidnap, a murder, and a very tricky situation for a tough female detective… Good book! I enjoyed reading this one! This book had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, a great who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The story was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Lasting Influence is a fun murder mystery, if you can imagine fun in a murder book;) There were lots of jaw dropping twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the book. I’ve never read any works by Linda Hagen before, but I’m definitely going to read more.