Blood Sisters (Katie Maguire, 5)

This is really good writing. I was introduced to the series by being offered a chance to try this book for $1 on Amazon Kindle through Bookbub.com, one of the greatest services around for introducing readers to new authors at a low cost of entry. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing, got hooked immediately and enjoyed it immensely. Needless to say that, thanks to BookBub, Mr. Masterton has now acquired a reader who will pay retail for the rest of the series. It is somewhat gruesome as a plot (one has to wonder from what dark places in his mind the author conjures up all the various tortures described) but a terrific read with well developed characters. Issues dealt with include a number of women's issues, such as both present and past attitudes toward pregnancy out of wedlock, lesbian attraction between policewomen, The long term effects of childhood abuse among others, all within a really packed police detective story. You almost feel sorry for the main villain, she is so well thought out. Some reviewers have complained about the use of Irish slang as being difficult to read - well there is some, it does take place in Ireland (I suppose it could have been written in Irish instead of colloquial English, but then neither this American reader nor the Americans who submitted that criticism would ever have read it) but come on, folks, do Europeans complain about pervasive American slang in novels and movies coming out of the US, or simply accept it as being true to life? I had little trouble understanding the slang, so I would not be put off by that critique.

Good story line well constructed a little too similar to previous titles in the same series so the stories are quite repetitive, but an interesting read despite that.

I was amazed by this book. So much going on all the time. Actually worn me out at times. First murder mystery where I caught myself rooting for the killer. I laughed, I cried. Very emotional for me. I love Ireland and most of all the Irish people. There are some really good ones in this story. If you have never been to Ireland or never seen the movie THE QUITE MAN you may have problems with the Irish use of the English language. But this story is worth the trouble of trying to figure out what is being said at times. HA. Just remember it is us in America who have raped the English language and not them altogether on the other side of the Atlantic. Thanks again so.

The plot and sub-plots are starting to get somewhat formulaic with this series of books. As a standalone good story and a good read, however there is a fair amount of similarity to the other books with pretty grisly and graphic serial killers, continuing undermining of Katie by her superiors, on-again off-again relationship with John, the single truncated sex scene per book, and the fairly poor longevity prospects of Katie's team.

The latest in the series of the Katie McGuire series. Katie is the intelligent & attractive Superintendent of the Garda in Cork. She battles personal loss, the death of her baby son, the murder of her no account husband, the murder of her police partner and her lover leaving to pursue a career in America. Her job is tough as some will never accept a woman Superintendent. She battles crooked cops, pimps, the Catholic Church all in the name of justice. In this book Katie investigates the brutal murders of elderly nuns. Also on the agenda are the numerous tiny skeletons found in the septic tank in the yard of a convent. Who is connected to whom? Very suspenseful & you cheer Katie on . But Katie being Katie suffers more loss. You may shed a tear but you will be looking forward to the next book!

Multiple, interwoven plots with unimaginable murderous schemes. Altogether maniacal. Gripping read that's hard to put down. It will keep you reading late into the night. I gave it four stars because the editing failed to catch a number of misspellings and typos.

Another superb addition to the Katie Maguire series. A total page turner, well developed but intrinsically detailed without being boring. Awesome the way this series has developed the attractive Katie as a likeable but formidable character. Graham Masterton is a master of his craft. Highly recommended for very intelligent material. Recommended follow up: SILVER... one beautifully intense tale. Also, if you have any problems with the vernacular in the Katie Maguire series, go to the Katie Maguire web site and you can get a free rundown on the Cork slang ( unlike Lady of Fortune, a great book as well, but Graham, Dear Graham, we need an explanation of the Scottish vernacular , please !! :-) )

Suspenseful. Good to the end. My kind of Great mystery. Lots of twists and turns. Lots of things going on at once.