The Altar Girls is book 13 in the Lottie Parker series. The series keeps getting better with believable characters and a plot full of twists. Gibney is a wonderful writer who delivers a gripping read. Her books are a treat for lovers of crime fiction.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc.

Patricia Ginny is one of my very favourite authors.
She writes from the heart and leaves no emotion untouched.
This series is one of the best in publication at the moment

Lottie Parker has a lot on her plate again. Ragmullin is under a thick blanket of snow. A child is missing after a cancelled choir practice. They find a child's body in the church grounds. Wrong child. Boyds son Sergio is still missing. They find the right child but too late. Lotties mom is sinking deeper into dementia. And that's just the first few chapters! But anything can happen in the murder capital of Ireland. Seriously, if I were Lottie and Boyd, I'd ask for a transfer to Tallaght. It would be a safer job.

This was an excellent page turner, but then I've come to expect nothing less from Patricia Gibney. The story is pacy and gripping throughout. No mean feat at over 500 pages. I still think Lottie needs a good shake sometimes. For example, she's stunned and disapproving when a mother doesn't know where her kid was. A glance through the previous books and her family calamities brings to mind pot,kettle black. But darn it, I still love her and her whole team (well, maybe not McKeown). It wouldn't take much detective work to know this series will be around for a while.

A little girl is found dead in the cathedral grounds and everyone assumes it is Willow Devine who has been missing. When Lottie Parker attends the scene she realises it is another little girl. Who is this little girl? Where is Willow? What is the connection between them? Days later Willow is found. Lotties team have to find the culprit but Boyd is having some personal issues and that takes his focus away.
I love catching up with Lottie and the team and look forward to every book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me an advance copy.

Another great installment with Lottie Parker. Its what you come to expect from Gibney. Great story triggering subject but great nonetheless.

Snow closes schools for the day
But two altar girls don't know - they go anyway.
Willow's Mum reports her missing - where has she gone
The search to find her is now on.

When a body is found the police are shocked to discover
It isn't the missing girl - it is another.
What's the connection between these two?
Where is Willow and what's she going through?

Detective Lottie Parker and her team are on the case
With so many things feeling out of place.
There's personal anguish and family drama, too,
As people reveal what they're going through.

There's a sense of community as well as turmoil
As the killer the team attempt to catch and foil.
With secrets from the past and other children missing, too,
This is a fascinating read I highly recommend to you!

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
Such an engaging read - and this is my honest review.

A great episode in the series set in Ireland. Lottie, Boyd and the team investigate to murder of two young girls who are found in the grounds of two churches in the town. There is a lot going on, in the lives of the girls and for both, the choir at the cathedral has been a steady activity in their week. On this particular day, choir has not gone ahead because of snowfall.
The narrative is told in short chapters and from multiple points of view. There is also lots going on in the private lives of both Lottie and Boyd. There are lots of different leads to follow and these are so well described that they all seem plausible, you come to understand the quandries that the detectives find themselves in. The evidence is added to by a social worker with knowledge of the earlier lives of the families turning up, but being selective with what he is willing to tell. The two priests also have knowledge, but they too are not telling much.
I love the descriptions, you feel the desparation of different characters and although the book is quite long, I rushed through it and it kept me interested all the way through .
Thanks to Net Galley for another great read in exchange for an honest review

There are a lot of suspects and a lot going on in this 13th installment of Lottie and her team. Boyd is off dealing with personal problems so Lottie and the gang are shorthanded while trying to solve the murder of 2 little girls. Another good one!
**Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. **

#TheAltarGirls #NetGalley Book 13 in the DI Lottie Parker series and it is still as fresh as book 1! Perfectly capable of being read as a standalone but it does help the reader to know more of the background of the main characters. As always it is packed full of action with lots and twists and turns. As well as the murder of two young girls which Lottie and the team are investigating, Boyd is also trying to discover the whereabouts of his son Sergio, recently kidnapped by his mother. There is lots going on in this book but the chapters are short and snappy which is just what I like. I look forward to the next installment in this series and another 5 stars from me for this book!!

The Altar Girls by Patricia Gibney is the thirteenth book in the excellent Detective Lottie Parker series and this series is another one of the best series of books out there at the moment, to get your teeth into!. With these books I never get bored of them, they just get better and better.

I wonder what case Lottie will get next, Looking forward to it whatever it is! Especially as this book was her best!

I just love these books and Patricia is a 1st class author.

I highly recommend this book and a great holiday read.

Another 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and especially Bookouture for my Arc.

This novel takes place during a cold winter snowstorm and its aftermath of freezing temperatures and icy conditions. And this is both a metaphor for the investigation as well as a character whose tension exacerbates the search for the missing girls. There are many twists and red herrings that will keep you guessing and reading.

I am a huge Patricia Gibney fan. And a huge fan of this series starring Lottie Parker. It seems that Lottie can’t catch a break, with children that have basically raised themselves because Lottie seems to be always at work, solving crimes that need her full attention. She has a team that doesn’t act like a team, and clashes with her constantly. Her mother is sinking into dementia, so she can no longer help at home. Lottie’s love life is non-existent, with her love interest looking for his lost son. I wish Lottie would have some down time with her family and her love interest, but that isn’t who Lottie is. Please write the next book fast!

* 4 & 3/4 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

A great read. You had to feel for Lottie for what she was trying to do, with finding 2 missing girls plus with what her mother was going through and Boyd trying to find his son. She had so many people to interview but in the end she got her suspect. Great characters and a good ending.

An action packed novel which had me turning the pages of my Kindle long into the night. I can't believe that this is already the 13th Lottie Parker!

Lottie and her team are investigating the shocking deaths of two small girls on their patch. Lottie would like to have Boyd by her side as she tries to figure out the why and who, however, Boyd is distracted because his ex has taken off with his son and he has no idea where he is. Lottie also has an ongoing worry about her mother's state of mind.

So, Lottie chases the leads and she has to somehow make sense of all the facts that she gathers. There are many red herrings in this book and I had no clue who the killer was until the author revealed it!

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

The thirteenth installment of the Lottie Parker series, I'm beginning to wonder if Lottie and Boyd are ever getting married. They've been engaged forever. But then again, life hasn't gotten easier either.

Last book Boyd had brought his 8 year old son Sergio to England to live with him...until Boyd's ex-wife Jackie returned and snatched him back, thus scarpering and living in hiding for the past three months. Boyd has spent the past three months searching for them to no no avail. Jackie and Sergio had vanished.

As for Lottie, her mum's dementia is progressing and this time I am finding that part of the storyline a little confronting as my own dad suffers from dementia and we have just put him in a care facility kicking and screaming, so it was just a little too close to home for him this time round. Of course, I don't see why her children don't help out a little more. They are all living at home and are better placed to do so rather than Lottie who works 20 hour days, especially when on an investigation.

This time the case at hand are two little girls found within hours of each other in the midst of a snowtstorm in the cathedral ground, clasping a hymn sheet in their hands. Why would someone kill two 8 year old girls? They were both in the choir there and from single parent families struggling to make ends meet. Is this a coincidence? The more Lottie digs, the answers keep coming back to Father Keith Macguire and the cathedral. Is he as innocent as he claims?

A parallel story is one of a car crash in Ballina in the north of the country with the body of an unidentified woman inside. No one knows who she is. There was no handbag, no identification, nothing to indicate who she might be. What has she to do with the case in Ragmullin?

This is one of the longer tales Gibney has spun at over 500 pages but it didn't feel as such with the short snappy chapters that kept the pace moving steadily along. But every time I pick up a book in this series it always seems to be snowing and is perpetually freezing. I know they have a totally different climate to me but it can't always be that cold ALL THE TIME. hahaha. I have friends from Northern Ireland and it rains...a lot...but they do get blue skies and the occasional nice day. Every book in this series seems to be shrouded in snow.

Anyway, it is another exciting addition to the series and wrapped up nicely by the end. I do have to wonder will Boyd and Lottie ever get married? They very nearly made it twice but now life just seems to get in the way. Ms Gibney, please give them their happy ending.

Overall, another compelling and enjoyable addition to the series.

I would like to thank #PatriciaGibney, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheAltarGirls in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Book 13 in the brilliant Detective Lottie Parker series.

When Detective Lottie Parker receives news that a child’s body has been found in the frozen grounds of the cathedral, a shiver runs down her spine. She’s terrified it will be eight-year-old Willow Devine, reported missing that morning.

But when she arrives at the cathedral, holding a photo of Willow with her blonde ponytail and gap-toothed smile, she gets a terrible shock. The body is a young girl, wrapped in a white shroud, a rosary clutched in her frozen fingers. But her hair is dark, not fair. This girl isn’t Willow but another eight-year-old, Naomi.

This is a heart breaking book that had me hooked from the start. Love This series and I loved this book.

Although it's hard for me to imagine anyone who's life is so, well, discombobulated, I always look forward to reading more about Detective Lottie Parker from Ragmullin, Ireland. This is the 13th book in the series, and if nothing else, the edge-of-my-seat ending made this one a favorite so far. To be sure, the topic - the murder of children - isn't exactly fun, but coupled with Lottie's love and coworker Mark Boyd's exhaustive search for the son his ex-wife stole from him, the whole thing is a barn-burner.

It begins with the discovery of a young girl's body on the grounds of the local cathedral; Lottie is crossing her fingers that it isn't little Willow Devine, whose mother reported her missing earlier in the midst of a terrible snowstorm. Turns out it's Willow's friend, Naomi Kiernan; but while that brings some relief, it still means a child has been murdered - and the question of whether Willow has met the same fate.

After questioning numerous potential suspects, including a priest who isn't terribly forthcoming (and several parents with similar attitudes), the worst happens; Willow's body is found. In the midst of all this, Lottie must deal with her mother's ever-worsening dementia and Boyd's abandonment of the case as he runs off to follow a trail he hopes will lead to his son.

There's plenty of action throughout as the investigation and Boyd's search continue, as well as plenty of murder suspects, and it was a struggle putting it down as activities of daily life - like cooking dinner - intervened. By the time I reached the three-quarter mark, though, you couldn't have pried it out of my hands. Fortunately, it's easy to read, so my long-suffering hubby didn't have to go hungry for long. Now, I'm ready for the next one - and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

I have followed this series of books from the start & now feel as if Lottie Parker & her family are close friends. As always Lottie's personal life is far from easy. Her mother is suffering from dementia & Lottie wonders how long they can keep her in her own home. Her lover & close work partner is desperately searching for his son Sergio who has been taken by his scheming ex wife. The town is struggling with the worst snow in years.

When a frantic mother reports her daughter missing the search is urgent. A body is found in the cathedral grounds posed angel like - horrific enough but it isn't the girl they were looking for! Both girls belonged to the cathedral choir. The priests seem helpful but do they have something to hide? Then there is the young lad that found the body- a troubled boy! As always Lottie has her hands full.

This was a great read with not too much angst for Lottie (I'd begun to be a bit jaded with all the things that happened to her & her family! A great five star read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

THE ALTAR GIRLS - Patricia Gibney: MY REVIEW 🗞

Number 13 is considered unlucky for some,but definitely not for Patricia Gibney,who delivered another *mic drop* of a book. Is it any wonder everyone who reads the Lottie Parker series keeps coming back for more!? Nope.

Lottie and Co. are called to the scene of a child's body found in the Cathedral grounds. Armed with a picture of a young blonde child she prepared herself for confirmation this is missing Willow Devine. But,It's not Willow. It's another 8 year old..Naomi. Lying peacefully in the snow,hair splayed like a halo,wearing a white shroud,hands clutching a rosary. What has happened to her,and where is Willow?
When they find Willow in a similar fashion the next day,Lottie continues her tenacious hunt for the culprit.

The Detectives learn both girls were Altar servers at the church but they're not getting much from the parents. One claiming the 2 girls didn't know each other,the other having no photos of her daughter in her house. What are the hiding? The local priests have airtight alibis, but as usual everyone's a suspect where Lotties concerned.
Like the books gone before,we get an insight into Lotties personal life,her mum has dementia and needs alot of care,even if she doesn't think so. Boyds home life is turbulent too,as his son Sergei can't be found. Things are never easy for this team,who are always balancing an all encompassing career and messy family dynamics. There's plenty to keep you gripped in this latest installment of the series. No pressure Patricia,but keep them coming! Loved it..

Time flies by and I almost can’t believe that it’s already been seven years since I met Lottie Parker for the first time. After thirteen installments she’s still going strong, and if you’re in the mood for a good police procedural you should look no further.

The body of a little girl is found in the grounds of the cathedral with a white robe and her fingers interlaced as if praying. DI Lottie Parker thinks it could be Willow Devine, an 8 year old who disappeared during a blizzard, but when she steps into the scene she realizes it’s another girl. When a day later Willow’s body is found, Lottie will discover they were both altar servers at the cathedral. Will she stop the killer before another life is stolen?

Gibney delivers another complex story with plenty of twists that keep the story going and the reader really invested on it. The own nature of the crimes and some of the possible implications make this a harsher investigation for Lottie. This also contributes to keep the tension at a high during the whole novel until the shocking resolution.

Lottie’s sadness and dread when facing that kind of violence against children become truly palpable. You can certainly feel them. Boyd is going through his own kind of hell with the disappearance of his son, Sergio, and his despair not knowing what happened to him was also really well portrayed.

Once again Lottie will find herself trying to balance her personal and professional lives, the investigation into the girl’s deaths with caring for her forgetful mother. Her strong personality still clashes some times with her family and colleague, but she’s much more mellowed out than she was. She’s gone through so much you just wish for her to have some quiet and happy time along Boyd and her kids.

The Altar Girls was, at its core, a story about motherhood, the different ways to face it and the consequences of it.

With each new installment, Lottie Parker is earning herself her place at the top with the biggest names in the crime genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Altar Girls' by Patricia Gibney.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Patricia Gibney, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 9th November 2023.

This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the thirteenth book in the 'Detective Lottie Parker' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read book 10 in this series 'Little Bones', book 11 'Guilty Girl' and book 12 'Three Widows' and would highly recommend them all.

This novel consists of 99 chapters and an epilogue and the book is set over 5 weekdays. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

WARNING ⚠ ADDICTION ALERT ⚠

Wow!! What an absolutely riveting, non stop action packed crime thriller!!!

I was absolutely hooked from the first page to the last!!! This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that absorbs the reader into the storyline. The cover, title and synopsis suit the plot perfectly.

What I love about Patricia is that I don't even have to read the synopsis of any of her books to know that whatever that says the book is guaranteed to be a unique, gripping and addictive read and as always this book was no exception!!! This was yet another explosive addition to this fantastic series where Patricia completely emerges the reader into the storyline. The storyline is filled with suspense, crime, friendship, romance, murder, betrayal , heartache, secrets, family, lies and is absolutely rammed with tension which left me on the edge of my seat biting my nails with my heart pounding throughout. It is extremely fast paced and rammed with action and loads of red herrings. I loved the fact that you get to see what was going on from so many perspectives. The main ones are Lottie and Mark but you also get to see what happens through the eyes of several other characters including the journalist Sinead Healy, unknown characters and Father Keith Maguire among others!! Patricia manages to weave the chapters by different protagonists together perfectly and does not give a drip of information unless she wants you to know it!!! Patricia has absolutely everything covered and I absolutely love books like this as you really do get to see so much that it means you get further and further emerged into the storyline leaving you shocked and bewildered when you look up to discover your reality!! Patricia manages to drip feed the reader with titbits of information to allow you to try to solve it yourself without giving too much away. It is like you are Lottie trying to discover what is going on with your team surrounding you! However, I had no idea who was involved and was shocked when it was revealed so a HUGE well done to Patricia on shocking me. There were such a huge pool of suspects in this book and so many has the motivation , amongst other things that I had no idea who to believe until the bitter end!! I have read so many crime books it is getting harder and harder for me to be surprised but you achieved it so congratulations!! Patricia also did an amazing job of weaving the subject of dementia into the storyline as we see how Lottie's mother is struggling in the same terrible way that so many dementia sufferers do and how it affects the family. My Grandparents had dementia and it is a truly terrible thing to watch a loved one suffer with it. My heart truly went out to Lottie while she was trying to look after her while trying to solve a crime. There was also the lovely Mark who is searching for his son who was taken away by his ex wife months ago. With so much going on in work as well as in personal lives will this amazing team be able to catch the killer this time? You'll have to grab your copy of this amazing read to find out for yourself but I promise you won't regret it!!! An epic, emotional, addictive and explosive addition to this absolutely gripping must read series!!! I cannot wait to see what Lottie, Mark and the rest of the team get up to next!!!

Although this is the thirteenth book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE FIRST PAGE WITHOUT CLEARING YOUR SCHEDULES AS THIS WILL KEEP YOU HOOKED!!!

I absolutely love Lottie, Mark and the majority of the team and they have become like old friends to me who I Iook forward to meeting again in every book and miss them between books. It was quite sad coming to the end of this book and knowing I am going to have to say Goodbye to them for a while. It is vital for me that I 'click' with the main protagonists and I love Lottie's kick butt attitude and that she doesn't take any CRUD. You see Lottie's more sensitive side in this book with the victims being children but you can also see the disgust when certain events are revealed. I'm looking forward to getting to know her better from the previous books. Mark is a sweet guy and my heart absolutely went out to him when it came to his son and his ex wife after what she has done to him taking his son away from him. Mark has been trying to hunt them down for months but will he have any luck in this book? You'll have to grab your copy to find out.

I absolutely love the fiery team dynamics and enjoyed that there was tension and fights in the team as it portrays the truth that a team won't always get along. All of these amazing, strong, unique and memorable characters come to life and jump out of the pages thanks to Patricia's fantabulous evocative writing skills and they have all become friends that I miss every time I turn the last page and always look forward to meeting them again and again. Keep up the amazing work Patricia!!

Congratulations Patricia on yet another fantastic book and this is exactly why you are on my favourite crime author list!!! I am looking forward to reading your previous and future successes and here's to your next 🥂!!

Overall a page turning and addictive explosive crime thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat throughout!!

504 pages

This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £11.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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