Mystery thriller book 2. featuring investigator journalist Isla Joyson, I was on the edge of my seat reading this novel, very gripping thriller based in London high society with a slow burn romance. I was such a fan of Isla and Declan, and hurt that Isla wouldn't or couldn't trust Declan with her job investigation. He was hurt that his daughter got caught up in the middle. Drugs, Castle, Duke and Nuns hit Convent oh my. Yeah to Isla she got her story you have to read the book to see if she got what she wanted. Great read.

I was hoping for something a little different from Martyrs’ Convent, but I still ended up enjoying this dark and twisty mystery. It’s the second book in the Isla Joyson series, but it worked well enough on its own for me, and now I’m definitely curious about the first.

The premise really grabbed me: a mysterious phone call from a nun, a body pulled from the Thames, and a trail that leads from a sinister convent to the upper levels of British society. I loved the mix of gothic atmosphere and investigative journalism, and the setting was rich and unsettling in the best way.

That said, I did struggle a bit in the middle. The pacing slowed down more than I expected, and while I appreciated the dual timelines and historical layers, some of it felt a little too exposition-heavy. Still, Isla is a strong, relatable lead and the final act definitely pulled me back in.

It’s a dark, thoughtful mystery with a unique voice, and I’m glad I stuck with it. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and especially to author Jody Brettkelly for the ARC!

I have not read the first book I this series, so was not familiar with the characters. This started out well, an intriguing and original premise of a murder involving a nun in a closed convent in London. The main characters Isla, the journalist, and Declan, the budding Parliamentarian, are in a romantic relationship, as they have been since the first book.
Very quickly, the story becomes less and less credible, and more and more improbable. It begins to read like a Girls Own adventure novel, with Isla, who appears to be very scatty and disorganised, determined to solve this monumental crime single handedly. She has no care for her own safety, or anyone else’s in her efforts to ‘save the women’ because ‘only she can save them’ It dipped pacing significant in the middle with Isla telling Declan so many lies, then feeling guilty about it, but not enough to stop her in her tracks for a second. She gets into so many crazy unbelievable scrapes, dangerous situations etc. but always escapes.
The accidental pregnancy had me rolling my eyes - really?!
The denouement of the crime was beyond ridiculous, then the ending was pure Mills and Boon. We never did get to hear what happened to Cassius?
Some glaring errors too, like the nurse with the long, beautifully painted nails, alluded to twice in the story. Nurses are absolutely not allowed to have long painted nails, they would not be able to carry out the many intricate procedures required of them otherwise. Sadly disappointing.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

I loved this fast paced story! I was guessing right up until the end and I didn’t have a clue what would happen. I was satisfied with the journey as well as the destination. Excited to read more of Brettkelly in the future!

Really enjoyed the writing style of this one! Fast paced and easy to get in to. I didn't realise this was the second in the series but now I'm excited for this series to continue!

“Martyrs’ Convent” by Jody Brettkelly is a chilling and atmospheric thriller that pulled me in with its haunting setting and slow-burn suspense. The writing is rich with detail, and the eerie mood of the convent looms over every chapter like a ghost in the shadows.

There’s a quiet intensity to the way the story unfolds, layer by layer, secret by secret, and it kept me curious throughout. The characters felt grounded and real, each with their own secrets and scars. At times, the pacing dipped just a bit for me, but the overall payoff made it worth the wait.

This one is perfect for fans of gothic suspense and stories where the setting becomes a character of its own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Read the first book a while ago and was so hooked, so delving into the immersive story of the second instalment in this series was no challenge.

Jody Brettkelly explores themes of historical secrets, allowing the reader to be hooked by the story since the first page.

The themes of trauma explored felt so incredibly natural and realistic, making the story and the plot far more interesting and engaging.

The lead travels through the story alongside the reader, a character who is compelling as she is strong, yet still holding an element of vulnerability.

The twists and turns of this mystery held me from page 1, causing me to fall deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole that was the plot.

I stayed up till 3:30 in the morning to finish this book last night.
It's a sequel to another book but is easily read as a stand alone with the writing giving enough context and explanation without being a rehash or " where the heck did this character come from".

Martyrs’ Convent by Jody Brettkelly starts with potential, especially with its intriguing mix of crime, dark secrets, and a touch of drama.

Journalist Isla Joyson is a relatable character who is determined and ambitious, which makes her journey engaging. The initial call for help from the nun sets an exciting tone, and the immediate shift from hope to tragedy holds your attention. However, as the story unfolds, parts of it feel a bit slow. I had difficulty connecting with some of the characters or believing their interactions. While there are tension-filled moments, there are also sections that lag, filled with exposition that detracts from the pacing.

Overall, the book is a decent read with some compelling ideas and twists, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark as a standout thriller for me.

#NetGalley

When a nun turns up dead in the Thames, Isla Joyson has a race against time to find her story.

This is book 2 in the series and it is filled with drama and plenty of wows.

I really liked this book. It is an pacy exciting read and the plot is well planned and the characters all added something to the tale.

I enjoyed the setting if the creepy convent and come the end I was happy with how it all turned out... is there a book 3? Can't wait..

Stayed up late to Read this in a night, I really enjoyed this book. I would read more books by this author

Martyrs Convent ended up flopping for me as a follow up to the first Ilsa Joyson book. I was so excited to see where Ilsa and Declan were and to dive into a new mystery. But between the writing and pacing which I struggled to follow, it was Ilsa and Declan's inability to communicate that really made me dislike the book. I felt like the growth they had in the first book vanished. The unplanned pregnancy trope was also just a little overboard with the foreshadowing that she was pregnant

Thank you NetGalley and Jody Brettkelly for the eARC.
Journalist Isla Joyson needs a compelling story to get to the next level of her career.
When she gets a phone call from a nun who tells her there'll be a drug drop soon, she thinks that may be what she needs. Especially when the nun's body is found in the Thames river!
The story is a fun read with a good dollop of romance as well as an absorbing mystery.
Jody is feisty and I liked her get-up-and-go attitude and her handling of her boyfriend's daughter, who's an interesting teen.

Martyrs' Convent by Jody Brettkelly is a suspenseful and thrilling mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. Isla Joyson, a determined journalist, is drawn into a web of intrigue when she receives a cryptic call from a nun about a drug shipment, only to find the nun’s body in the Thames the next day. What follows is a fast-paced race against time as Isla uncovers dark secrets tied to a convent and a manipulative aristocrat.

The blend of suspense, drama, and mystery was well-executed, and I appreciated the layers of tension that built up throughout the story. Isla’s character was compelling, and I enjoyed following her as she navigated dangerous situations to uncover the truth. The atmosphere, especially in the convent setting, added an eerie and gripping quality to the plot.

While the pacing was solid, I felt the ending could have been a bit more satisfying in terms of resolution. Still, Martyrs' Convent is a great read for fans of thrillers with a mix of mystery and societal intrigue. I’d rate it 3.5 stars—entertaining, with some minor areas that could have been stronger.