Maria just took her eyes off three year old Rosie, but that was long enough for her to disappear from Memorial Park. Dog handler Lucy Halliday, along with her dogs Iggy & Moss search for a trace of the girl. The case goes to DCI Jack Ellis , who has is own dreadful memories of when he was eleven, his best friend disappeared and that mystery has never been solved. Every missing per son case always hits hard. Rosie's family are a mixed lot and trying to get to the truth and find the child is hampered by the things they say- or don't say.

I'm really sorry I missed the first one in this series. I enjoy police procedurals & love dogs, so a dog handler and her dogs were instantly appealing. This was a good story with lots of interesting characters & I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book,

Fast Paced…
The second outing in the PC Lucy Halliday series and a traumatic missing persons case for the team stirs up past events. A fast paced police procedural with a credible and well drawn cast, a compelling and propulsive plot and a firm sense of time and place. Character continuity with the first in series although can be read as a standalone.

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

I found this to be a really interesting read with great characters. This had a lot of lies and guily in it and if so many people hand't lied, things would have progressed more quickly. You have to feel for Jack because of the way he was treated. Lucy and her dogs were a great help. The ending surprised me, it was not at all what I was expecting. I'd love to read more in this series. Would recommend.

I really enjoyed this book i like lucy moss iggy and jack this book was full of suspense and emotions lots of turns and lies and no idea where the story was going to go. Can't wait for the next one

Certainly sold on this series by the end of book 2, which as if I wasn't after book 1... police doggo procedural, yes please! Looking forward to picking up the next from Louisa Scarr - always written well.

I loved Gallows Wood and was excited to read this new addition to the series. PC Lucy Halliday is a great character - flawed but tenacious.

This is book #2 in the Lucy Halliday series. This is the first book I've read by this author so I have shamefully read the books out of series order, and whilst there are some references to events that have happened in the first book, I did find it can easily be read as a standalone book. PC Lucy Halliday is a police dog handler and is called upon to look for a missing little girl, 3 year old Rosie Logan. DCI Jack Ellis, who is in charge of the investigation, obviously had a big part in the first book of the series, and this and Jack's own personal history are still an integral part of the storyline in this book.

I loved this book and found myself gripped straight away into the investigation to find little Rosie Logan. This has to be every mother's nightmare and I initially really felt for Rosie's mother. Of course, not everything is how it seems and the Logan family cause more questions to be asked than are answered. As well as looking for Rosie, we also find ourselves caught up in a cold case investigation from Jack's childhood, and with both storylines running alongside each other the author makes sure that you won't want to put this book down for even a second! The police dogs also play a big part in the storyline and I loved reading about how they worked.

The pace is fast and furious and it will keep you thinking about what it going on with every turn of the page. Some of the subject themes can be a little upsetting, and for a crime read I was surprised to find myself quite tearful with parts of the story. Although Lucy and Jack are the main characters, the supporting characters within the book are great, and you get to work out who you should like and who you shouldn't. The storyline twists and turns and everything from the two main storylines unravels to a brilliant ending! I definitely have to go back now and read the first book in the series, and can't wait to see if there are any more to follow! Would definitely recommend!

Number two in this series, I warmed more to Lucy in this book than the first one. She has had a difficult past though and is now working as a police dog handler after being a detective for years. This book deals with the difficult subjects of child abuse and abduction/disappearance of children. Saying that it is a good read, fast paced and most of the loose ends are tied up by the last chapters. It did trigger emotions for me, sadness about some of the events and the effect this had on relationships. Lucy is discouraged from following her instincts on one case by Jack, a good friend and detective who himself was involved in a murder case as a child. Lots of food for thought about percussions of some of the events, some of which can last for years.
A police procedural, with a difference . Thanks to Net Galley for a great read

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.
I have read a previous police procedural by this author and really enjoyed it. I found this to be a very promising start with the same great writing. I found the characters interesting and well fleshed out. The mystery was gripping and I am looking forward to reading more

Once again , I have jumped in at number 2 in the series. I loved the fact that this book involves dogs. I connected to the characters, even though the plot of a missing child is one I have read many a time, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I am a fan of Louisa Scarr so was keen to read this latest offering. The characters roll on from the last one in the series and we find enough out about their past to answer a few questions including quite a few I wasn’t really bothered about. I read it more or less in one sitting so I must have had something good to a certain level but it just didn’t quite hit the high notes either. Interesting but not interesting enough.

I love this series and already cannot wait for book 3! What's not to love? British procedural (check); strong, smart female protagonist (check); a smidge of romance (check); DOGS AND MORE DOGS (check and check). Louisa Scarr is THE BEST.

You know I love my crime novels and Louisa Scarr is one of the best in the biz, especially because her new British procedural series includes my other favorite thing: dogs (and a guarantee that they’ll be unharmed!!)!

I’m obsessed with these books! MEMORIAL PARK is the second installment in the PC Lucy Halliday series and it was even better than the first. I think book one (GALLOWS WOOD) understandably had to spend some of its focus on setting the stage with the characters and their backgrounds while teaching me about working dogs. While I absolutely loved it, that breakneck crime novel pacing was slowed down a tad, but not to worry - the plot is extra twisty and addictive in book two!

I will caution that this story is hard to stomach at times and I imagine it would be even harder if you’re a parent. I think because it’s so well written and you’re so invested in the characters the dark parts pack an extra punch. Swipe for full synopsis but a young girl goes missing and while Halliday and her team are looking for her, details emerge about a cold case very close to her friend DCI Jack Ellis’ heart.

If you’re a fan of Cara Hunter or Karin Slaughter you need to be reading Scarr’s books! I say this as the self-proclaimed number one fan of all three of these women so please take me seriously.

Scarr is the only author that has been able to create characters that are up there with my love of the cast of Will Trent. Plus, her gritty crime cases and moody British settings are a bit reminiscent of Hunter’s books while still feeling really unique and fresh!

MEMORIAL PARK is my favorite in this series but I still strongly recommend starting with GALLOWS WOOD. It’s fab and you’ll easily fall in love with Lucy and Moss.

It’s hard to compete with books about dogs, but I think Scarr’s Butler & West series is still my fave by a smidge. Start with LAST PLACE YOU LOOK and thank me later.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader! All opinions are my own!

Memorial Park by Louisa Scarr is a gripping and emotionally charged crime novel that pulls you in with the harrowing search for a missing three-year-old girl, Rosie Logan. Something you wish never to happen to your own kids. I had no idea this was book 2 in the PC Lucy Halliday series but luckily you can read it separately. I received a copy from Canelo via Netgalley and it came out yesterday!

The story skillfully weaves together the present-day investigation with the unresolved trauma from DCI Jack Ellis's past, as he is haunted by the disappearance of his childhood friend, Theo. The case becomes personal for Jack, offering a powerful emotional undercurrent that drives his determination to solve the case and prevent another tragedy.

Scarr excels in creating a tense atmosphere, with unexpected twists and family secrets that hinder progress at every turn. The dynamic between dog handler Halliday, her loyal canine partners Moss and Iggy, and her superior, Jack, adds depth to the investigation. The writing is done superbly which, at specific times in the book with specific descriptions, gives you the shivers. The horrible scenes sometimes make it a tough read.

All in all, a great thriller with so many twists that you keep guessing till nearly the end. I can't wait to read more about these characters.

5/5 ⭐️

I read the first book in this series and loved it, and this one is just as fantastic. The characters are incredibly well-developed, and I really appreciate the depth they bring to the story. I’m a big fan of police procedurals, and I love the unique twist of Lucy working with police dogs.

If you’re looking for a new series to dive into, I highly recommend this one!

I’m not sure why I chose this book to read. I don’t usually go for books about missing children, largely because there are so many, but this one just appealed to me. I liked the idea of a dog handler as part of the investigative team and seeing a crime through those eyes. I’d not read the first in the series, but that in no way impacted on my pleasure in reading this one.

I found this to be a pacy and involving read. Well-rounded characters, a good plot and lots of misdirection helped to make this a one-sit read. I enjoyed getting the back history of both Lucy and her friend and boss, Jack Ellis. Its not that often you see senior policeman face their own vulnerabilities and though DCI Jack Ellis is an exceptional policeman who does not suffer fools gladly, his emotional response to the disappearance of his childhood friend was both plausible and touching.

There’s a good mix of the professional and the personal in both Jack’s and Lucy’s lives, which makes the characters easy to empathise with. The dog handling elements are also fascinating as I read about the difference between searching for a live person and using a different, cadaver dog, in cases when proof of life is not anticipated.

Memorial Park deals with some dark subject matter, as it intertwines a present-day case of a missing child, Rosie Logan, and old (and cold) case – that of DCI Jack Ellis’ childhood friend, Theo, who disappeared one night after the two had been out playing.

The story is well-plotted and has plenty of threads to follow, though choosing which is the right one that will lead to the answer is not as easy as it appears. The action is constant, the tension palpable and emotions run high throughout. I enjoyed Louisa Scarr’s writing style which flows well and can absolutely convey darkness when the plot requires it.

Verdict: I enjoyed this for its engaging characters, interesting plot-line and for the work I had to put in trying to work out what had happened to both children. Memorial Park is a fast-paced, enjoyable and entertaining read. I’ll go back and read the first book before signing up for the rest of the series!

*Book Review *

🄽🄴🅃🄶🄰🄻🄻🄴🅈 🅁🄴🅀🅄🄴🅂🅃

Book Two of the PC Lucy Halliday series!!

I totally loved book one in the series and just couldn’t wait to get more of Lucy and her dogs.

What a book this was. This book I found to be a lot darker than the first one which is always a bonus in my eyes. The way that Louisa deals with some of the heavy topics within this book is just fantastic. There is one part in particular within the book that had me literally balling my eyes out. It felt so raw and real, I felt like I had been through it myself. For an author be able to make a reader feel this sort emotion just shows the quality of their writing. I had to message Louisa straight away and let her know!

Whilst reading you can tell that Louisa has done her research for this book which gives it much more authenticity. It is well written, very easy to read with interesting and rich characters. I felt like I was catching up with old friends. They are strongly written and the connections they have between each other just compliment so well.

As the story unfolds it just twist and turns in ways you don’t expect and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way right up until the very last word. I cannot wait for book three.

I ecstatic to find out that Louisa has also wrote books under the pseudonym of Sam Holland. I can’t wait to read them as well. I’ve heard so many raving reviews about them.

Thankyou to @louisascarrwriter @netgalley and @canelo_co for accepting me to read and review this book.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this gripping novel

where to start with this one....

maria takes her daughter rosie to the park but gets distracted not for long but its enough for rosie to go missing.... and when she cant be found the police are called.....

lucy and her dogs get called to the scene to help find rosie.... but it begins to look more and more like rosie has been abducted....

what a gripping novel this one was.... you just never knew what to expect and the characters in this book are so well thought out and well written its a pleasure to read...

never saw half the things that got uncovered in this book.....

looking forward to reading the next book in this series

I make no secret of the fact that I am a big fan of this author, having devoured her brilliant Butler and West series (which I also wholeheartedly recommend) as well as the series opener to this book - Gallows Wood, which I also recommend you read prior to digging into this one.
We start with a missing child - three year old Rosie Logan disappeared whilst her mother, Maria, was distracted, only for a moment. As is the protocol in these cases, police dogs are called in to search the area, and that means DCI Jack Ellis calls on PC Lucy Halliday and her wonderful dogs Moss and Iggy. But, sadly, there is no sign of Rosie. This case is a bit too close to home for Jack as it brings back memories of his own unresolved trauma around the disappearance of his childhood best mate Theo, still unresolved after all this time.
If that wasn't enough, it soon transpires that the Logan family has many many secrets that they fail to disclose and which would have helped at the start, in the golden hour, but at every turn the police find out more and more to take them off at a tangent, the case really stutters...
There are so many books of this genre around at the moment, the good old police procedural, but, and please correct me if I am wrong, I can't recall another which focuses on the dog handling unit. Which, to me anyway, gives this series a bit of an edge. Something different to get to grips with, the whole search dog or cadaver dog decisions etc etc...
The story and characters are all just perfect and all fit together well. As with all series books there is a balance to be struck between the main episode storyline and that is done well here too. We have the whole Jack and his friend sub-story to be has as well as the personal stuff around Lucy, none of which distracts away from the missing child.
This was all delivered in a no nonsense, no waffle way which meant that it all got on with itself very well indeed. And then, the ending when it eventually came, was perfect and left me completely satisfied.
All in all, a cracking follow-up to what was a great series opener... roll on book three. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another brilliant police procedural with police dogs. Love louisa scarr's writing, great to read and its refreshing to read from a dog handlrs point of view rather that the standard detective.
Highly recommend.