Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor Series: Maggie D'Arcy #4
Published by Minotaur Books on June 20, 2023
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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After months of training, former Long Island homicide detective Maggie D’arcy is now officially a Garda. She’s finally settling into life in Ireland and so is her teenage daughter, Lilly. Maggie may not be a detective yet, but she’s happy with her community policing assignment in Dublin's Portobello neighborhood.
When she and her partner find former model and reality tv star Jade Elliot murdered—days after responding to a possible domestic violence disturbance at her apartment—they also discover Jade's toddler daughter missing. Shorthanded thanks to an investigation into a gangland murder in the neighborhood, Maggie’s friend, Detective Inspector Roly Byrne, brings her onto his team to help find the missing child. But when a key discovery is made, the case only becomes more confusing—and more dangerous. Amidst a nationwide manhunt, Maggie and her colleagues must look deep into Jade’s life—both personal and professional—to find a ruthless killer.
I’ve been enjoying this Maggie D’arcy series with its Irish and American stories. Maggie is a homicide detective in NY at the start of the series but she visits Ireland to try to find out what happened to her cousin. Her family has a rich history with Ireland, and runs an Irish bar on Long Island. In the first two books, Maggie works with the Garda in Ireland on cases. She also falls for an Irishman.
Now she has moved to Ireland and is living with Connor and their respective children. Her daughter is also dating an Irishman and starting college. Maggie has finished her Garda training and is working patrol, but DI Roly Bryne pulls her into a murder / child abduction case. She isn’t able to work it full time which was frustrating but Maggie had great instincts as a parent and knowing the neighborhood. Her partner was not too impressive and took credit for some of her work.
I really enjoy police procedurals. I won’t spoil this part but I thought it was well done with the investigation and the personal aspects of the team, suspects and witnesses. Any investigation like this turns up a variety of secrets some people don’t want known. There are also things that are known but can’t be proved.
The personal growth for Maggie with her daughter and relationship with Connor are also a nice part of A Stolen Child. Connor has just published a new history book and is anxiously waiting to see how it will be received. They are also renovating the house where they live for sale and then looking for a new home. I look forward to seeing how Maggie and her family develop now that they are fully in Ireland and she is part of the Garda there.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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I’m glad this series is going so well. I love that they live in Ireland now😁
It’s really an interesting story with both American and Irish police and cultures / customs.
I haven’t been reading as many detective stories lately but I do enjoy them This sounds fantastic!
I’ve been enjoying it for the investigations but also the character growth with both American and Irish culture.
I like the sound of the trajectory of this series! Wonderful review, Anne💜 I’m also drawn to police procedurals in Ireland.
Thank you Jonetta. It’s a great story with both American and Irish police and cultures, but as always the characters and their personal growth make it.
This series is on the top of my To Read list. It looks so good and every book looks better.
I’m enjoying them. They are layered with characters and cultures and the investigations.
This sounds good.
The characters and cultures really make this story. But the mysteries and investigations keep it moving at a brisk pace.
Great review! Ireland is a book setting that I really enjoy so this one definitely appeals to me now that the characters are there.
Thank you Suzanne. This series has a great character growth arc as well as interesting mysteries in each book.
Yes, I love that she’s now fully situated in Ireland with Conor now! The only drawback to this installment was that it wasn’t available in audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator for the previous books.
yes I missed having the audio. I’m still happy to have the series. It felt very realistic with the little adjustments to living there and living together. Also her work starting again and working up to detective.