The Blurb:
Forensic psychologist Paula Maguire returns in BLOOD TIDE, the fifth novel in Claire McGowan’s series.
Called in to investigate the disappearance of a young couple during a violent storm, Paula Maguire, forensic psychologist, has mixed feelings about going back to Bone Island. Her last family holiday as a child was spent on its beautiful, remote beaches and returning brings back haunting memories of her long-lost mother.
It soon becomes clear that outsiders aren’t welcome on the island, and with no choice but to investigate the local community, Paula soon suspects foul play, realising that the islanders are hiding secrets from her, and each other.
With another storm fast approaching, Paula is faced with a choice. Leave alive or risk being trapped with a killer on an inescapable island, as the blood tide rushes in…
This is the fifth instalment in the Paula Maguire series which sees Paula being asked for her expertise to investigate the disappearance of Matt and Fiona, a couple from London who recently moved to Bone Island. As Paula starts to delve deeper Paula realises there’s something more sinister going on in the Island – a storm is setting in where the inhabitants are acting strangely, the blood tide is coming and a killer is lurking in their midsts, one that is watching her every move.
Nail-biting! I have so far enjoyed the other books in the series and this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s been nearly three years since Paula had a daughter, Maggie, but her personal life is as confusing and compelling as ever. With her personal life in tatters Paula finds her life in danger, without any back-up, on a treacherous Island where everything and everyone seems to be out to get her. It was great to see the familiar cast of characters back with more heartache and complicated personal lives – will Paula ever get her happy ending? Probably not, its crime fiction, but it doesn’t stop me hoping.
One of the best things about this novel is the creepy and harsh setting of Bone Island, with its beautiful sands and charming wildlife – it just made the events on this island and its inhabitants even more chilling. I also loved the vivid descriptions and the treacherous storm which just made me feel plain terrified. It was good to see Paula out on a limb without being on familiar territory seeing her pushed to her limits and cut off from everything and everyone. It really brought out more of Paula’s character and I couldn’t stop reading.
The novel also features Sergeant Bob Hamilton’s viewpoint of past events where it seems he may know more than he’s been telling about Paula’s missing mother, Margaret Maguire. I loved finding out more about her mother’s past which ran alongside the present day action and just when I thought I had it figured out the author reveals a massive bombshell – and now I have to wait until the next instalment to find out what happened.
Again the author does a fantastic job of describing the Troubles in Ireland and highlighting a period of history which I was too young to properly understand at the time. I loved the new setting of Bone Island the author sets the story in which created an atmosphere of fear for the characters and a chilling narrative, while still tantalising me as the reader with new information about Paula’s missing mother whose story threads throughout the series.
I think this is the best novel in the series so far and would highly recommend this book for any avid crime reader! If you haven’t already done so should I would recommend reading the other books in the series.
I would like to say a big thanks to Millie Seaward and Headline Publishers for my advanced review copy.
This novel isn’t out until 23rd March but the good news is you can preorder this book from Amazon just click here
Or to preorder this book from Waterstones click here.
To find out more about Claire McGowan follow her on Twitter at @inkstainsclaire or check out her website here.
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