I absolutely loved this book. The Lottie Parker Series never disappoints. Book #15 in the series and I couldn’t put this one down. A totally addictive page turner. I was completely immersed from the first page right up to the last.
Lottie and Boyd are on holiday for his sister Grace’s wedding, where Lottie gets involved with a murder case.
It’s gripping, chilling, fast paced, with plenty of action, tension, suspense and lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout.
The storyline is compelling, intriguing and thought provoking, setting is beautifully portrayed with interesting and flawed characters who are likeable and realistic. I enjoyed the new detective Mooney who added something new to the story. It’s easy to follow the story and flashbacks.
I can’t wait for the next instalment @patricia_gibney_author. Definitely recommend this unputdownable serial killer thriller. It’s well worth the read.
With thanks to #NetGallery @bookouture @sarahhardy for an arc of #HiddenDaughters in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 25 June 2025

With Lottie Parker on holiday for a week it falls to Kirby to lead the investigation when a woman's body is found in the river in Ragamullin. Edie Butler was a widow with two sons and had suffered a gruesome death. Her ex-boyfriend Robert Hayes becomes the prime suspect when he leaves the town shortly after being questioned.

Lottie and Mark Boyd are in Connemara to attend the wedding of Grace, Boyd's sister. When a woman is brutally murdered in a local holiday cottage Lottie can't help but get involved. With other women targeted it becomes clear there is a serial killer at large and that all the victims have links to a local convent which had been exposed for its cruelty to the young women who were sent there. Although warned several times by the SIO and Boyd, Lottie can't help but get involved in the case.

Another great instalment in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Patricia Gibney for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Patricia Gibney hits hard and fast with this book. This series never disappoints. I would recommend you read from book 1.
Book 15 in the DI Lottie Parker series has a deep and harrowing story, with modern day murders to solve of vulnerable women, while delving into the horrific Irish history of the Magdalene laundries and Christian Brothers institutions.
This is a fast paced book, connecting historical crimes with modern day murders .
A lot of characters, some likeable, some not. A few twists, and a hell of a lot of story.
Great read, look forward to book 16.

Patricia Gibney is back with another first-rate Lottie Parker crime thriller that readers will devour in one sitting: Hidden Daughters.

The discovery of a young woman’s incinerated body in a deserted cottage makes Lottie Parker wonder about the deceased’s family. Discovering that she was all alone in the world and that she had nobody to mourn her compels Lottie to look into the woman’s past and she finds out that as a young girl her parents had abandoned the victim and left her at the Sisters of Mercy Convent. Could the victim’s past have somehow led to her murder? When Lottie uncovers that the deceased had been visited by a young journalist called Imelda, the detective vows to do everything in her power to find the last woman who had spoken to the victim.

Knowing that the old convent holds the key to uncovering this mystery, Lottie decides to visit and on her arrival is immediately creeped out by the imposing dark walls and echoes of past terrors that reverberate all around the abandoned building. The caretaker on site reveals to Lottie that a woman matching Imelda’s description had been at the convent a day earlier. Just what was Imelda’s connection to the dead woman? Was Imelda one of the girls at the convent? And could she somehow have something to do with the murder of the young woman?

When the caretaker is murdered in the same way as the victim, Lottie realises that she needs to find Imelda – fast! However, when Imelda’s jacket is found, Lottie fears she might be too late. Can she get to her in time before the killer strikes again? Can Lottie untangle the mysteries of the past to put a stop to the murders happening in the present? Or will all the daughters of the Sisters of Mercy convent end up meeting a grisly end?

Patricia Gibney is one of the best writers of crime fiction writing today and she exceeds all of her readers’ expectations with Hidden Daughters. Brilliantly plotted, immensely readable and full of twists and turns, heart-pounding suspense and nail-biting tension, Hidden Daughters is a crime novel aficionados of the genre will thoroughly enjoy.

Lottie Parker – like its creator – is on top form and in one of the toughest cases of her career, she once again uses her skills, compassion, humanity and instincts to bring a killer to justice.

Readers looking for the crème de la crème of contemporary crime fiction need look no further than Hidden Daughters by Patricia Gibney.

Hidden Daughters is the 15th Book in the DI Lottie Parker series. Yet again Patricia Gibney has written another absolutely unputdownable read in what is one of my favourite detective series. Right from the prologue I was pulled right into the story and just knew without a shadow of a doubt it was going to be another cracker of a read . I’ve been reading the Lottie Parker series from book one and they honestly just keep on getting better and better. This one in my opinion was one of the best. It’s dark and disturbing in places and the chapters relating to the past were heart wrenching at times. I just love being back with Lottie, Boyd, Kirby etc. as I’ve been with them from the start I feel like they’ve become my friends ! I honestly can’t recommend this book and the previous ones enough and I’m already looking forward to book 16.

When it comes to Cults and Religious themes I’m going to be all over it. I honestly couldn’t read this one fast enough. Loved it from start to finish. It starts off strong and never lets up throughout and the twists and turns just keep coming. It’s a really well developed storyline and Gibney really knows how to write a storyline that just draws you in and grabs you but so much so that you feel all the feels. I loved the majority of the characters especially Lottie, Boyd and Kirby. Others not so much with one in particular I honestly detested. This is such a good read and one you won’t be able to put down. Thank me later 😉..

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #HiddenDaughters

Another exciting installment in this crime thriller series.

Detective Lottie Parker is off to a wedding in Connemara but soon becomes involved in a series of horrific murders there. She and Detective Sergeant Boyd are meant to attend his sister’s wedding, but it seems that Grace’s fiancé, Bryan, has a secret that might derail the nuptials.

This episode details the horrors of the Magdalene laundries in one of the most disgusting and terrible periods in the Catholic Church in Ireland. Many young women and children were sent to convents. Some abandoned by families who couldn’t care for them or didn’t want them. Others were unwed and pregnant and sent there for their sins. Too many did not make it out alive. They were abused in every way possible and those nuns and priests were never held accountable for these crimes. It was evil and unimaginable — the stories told by the survivors are difficult to hear. Imelda Conroy is in Connemara to product a radio documentary about those women who were basically locked away in a convent there in the 1970s and 80s.

But someone doesn’t want Imelda to reveal those details. Women connected to the convent are being murdered, scalded and burned in fact. Even though Lottie is out of her home area, she immediately gets herself involved in the investigation along with local policeman, Detective Sergeant Matt Mooney. Lottie irritates everyone involved in this case. She enrages Grace and gets herself kicked out of their house, and Boyd is over it so their relationship hits the rocks. But, she continues her singleminded focus despite all.

I have to say that Lottie is definitely a person with whom it would be tough to be in a relationship with. I think Boyd’s words to her ring true and I hope she pulls herself together or gets some therapy so that she doesn’t ruin a good thing with him. If family is so important to her, she really needs to spend more time with her people.

I love the series and looks forward to the next installment. The plots are always complex and interesting. The author doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff. Thank you to Bookouture for the ARC to read, review, and recommend.

Hidden Daughters grips from the first page and doesn't let up. I loved that it took on a slightly different format with Kirby at the helm. And as usual it didn't take long before Lottie got herself in trouble! Gibney has skillfully weaved a twisty story that keeps the pages turning. Hidden Daughters is probably the darkest novel in the series due to the subject matter. The plot revolves around the laundries and the horrific treatment of the women who were sent there. This may be triggering for some although I thought it was handled very well and considering the laundries are a huge part of our history it made for harrowing reading. I thorough enjoyed this instalment. I think my heart rate has started to come down!

This can be read as a stand-alone but I always recommend going back to the start to fully appreciate the characters development. It's like meeting up with old friends everytime a new book is released 😍

Huge thank you to @netgalley and @bookouture for the opportunity to read and review

As this 15th book in the D. I. Lottie Parker series begins, Imelda Conroy is recording a telling documentary. Imelda has done countless research into the convent laundries in Ireland that began in the 18th century and carried on for over a century.

Meanwhile, Lottie and Boyd have escaped to Connemara to attend the wedding of Boyd’s sister Grace. Their rare time together is interrupted when Lottie is asked to assist as a consultant on a local police investigation. A man named Robert Hays has disappeared, and the police are desperately seeking for answers. This greatly displeases Boyd, as he’d rather Lottie focus on their relationship and on the upcoming wedding of his sister.

The more Lottie investigates, the more she becomes unsettled. One thing very disconcerting to Lottie is it becomes more and more possible that Grace’s fiancé Bryan just may have something to do with Robert’s disappearance. Soon, Imelda also disappears and this makes Lottie look even closer at Bryan. This causes her genuine desire to maintain the wedding plans to take a backseat. However, Lottie’s unwavering commitment to justice remains unshaken.

The unfolding tragedy is a poignant reminder of the injustices faced by women in the past. As an avid bibliophile, I had no prior knowledge of the convent laundries, making this discovery particularly disheartening. These institutions had promised to be a safe haven for women in need, yet they were subjected to brutal treatment, often worse than that of servants. They were also subject to forced labor. The scandals that plagued these convents were numerous, yet the victims rarely received justice. It is disheartening to learn that these convents existed not only in Ireland but also in other parts of Europe.

From the very beginning, I have been captivated by the author’s thrilling series, and Lottie Parker has become a compelling character. Her relationship with her family and Boyd is heartwarming, and I appreciate the contrast between the drama of the past and the drama of the present. The intensity of the drama in this book has solidified its place as one of my favorites within the series. Book 16 offers a lot of hope, albeit with a touch of desperation for me as a reader.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book...

omg i cant believe what i have just read.... its jaw droppingly good but horrific at the same time....

when the first victim is found they know its not suicide because of the burns and scald marks all over the body.... what they dont know is who the victim is

lottie is away for a week for a wedding but she gets caught up in another murder investigation one so horrific that its beyond words.... again the victim is found in the bath with severe burns and scalds

tension is high and its not helped that lottie keeps getting pulled into a murder investigation but when the groom asks lottie to find something out about his past who knew what a can of worms that would open...

this storyline is horrific to read but man can this author write a compelling storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat... i look forward to seeing what is next for lottie and her family

I always look forward to spending time with Lottie Parker and Co. She's one of my favourite police characters,and this book of Patricia's was another example of why. The fact this is book 15 should say plenty about the love us readers have for the series. D.I Lottie and Boyd are away on a getaway to Galway for his sister Grace's wedding. Unfortunately tragedy finds them when a body is discovered nearby,and Lottie being Lottie, offers to help local Detectives. Boyd is not happy that once again she chooses the job over them. Meanwhile back in Ragmullen Kirby is holding down the fort and dealing with a similar case to that in Galway..could there be a link? Great read

I took a chance on this book as it is part of a series that I had never read and absolutely loved it so much that I started looking to see if my local library or book shops had the previous books. The characters were all well rounded and the writing made me feel like I was there with them. I didn't suspect the culprit until the chapter before it was revealed and it was a shocker. Definitely a must read series for anyone who loves mysteries and psychological thrillers as this definitely fell into that category.

I also really liked that it gave us some insight into an important piece of Irish history.

Hidden Daughters is one of those books that'll make you read through the night. It's a gripping and sad story about being young, poor and helpless in Ireland and being led to places where demons had their ways in the name of religion, greed, corruption, repentance and simple evil. Lottie will also be facing her demons as she's supposedly on holidays with Boyd to attend to his sister's wedding when she gets herself immersed in horrible killings that seem to be tied to the groom. There's action from the beginning to the end, characters are relatable and well developed, and hopefully, this story is just a work of fiction with no hold on reality in view of its cruelty (but I doubt it!). Highly recommended!
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Patricia Gibney delivers yet another phenomenal entry with Hidden Daughters, book fifteen in the D.I. Lottie Parker series. For fans of the inimitable Lottie Parker, this installment offers a refreshing change of scenery alongside the familiar, gripping suspense we've come to expect.

This time the action shifts partially, as Lottie and Boyd find themselves in picturesque Connemara for Boyd's sister Grace's wedding, leaving Kirby in charge back in Ragmullin. However, the respite is short-lived. It soon becomes apparent that a murder investigation Kirby is handling in Ragmullin has disturbing ties to a separate, unfolding murder case in Connemara. True to form, Lottie, never one to shy away from stepping on toes, finds herself inescapably drawn into the local investigation, much to the reader's delight.

My adoration for this series and the entire cast of characters Gibney has created knows no bounds; I have yet to encounter a single disappointing book, and "Hidden Daughters" is no exception. As always, the narrative is packed with twists and turns that will keep you guessing right up to the end.

However, it's important for potential readers to be aware of the profound and sensitive themes explored within. Hidden Daughters focuses very heavily on the harrowing history of abuse by the church in Ireland, particularly around the mother and baby homes. This subject matter is handled with gravity, and while vital to the story, it is undeniably dark and potentially triggering for some readers. The causes of death also felt even more disturbing than usual, contributing to an overall darker tone for the book. This heightened darkness likely stems from the deeply tragic and somber historical foundation upon which the story is built.

Despite its somber themes, this is not a book I will forget in a hurry. Gibney once again showcases her incredible talent for crafting compelling mysteries with deep emotional resonance. "Hidden Daughters is undoubtedly another 5-star read and a powerful, memorable addition to the D.I. Lottie Parker series.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Book Fifteen in the Detective Lottie Parker series is another hit! Even on vacation, Lottie gets tangled up in a murder and must investigate. This series goes from strength to strength!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Detective Lottie Parker and her long suffering fiance & work partner Mark Boyd are having a rare holiday- a week off in Galway to attend Boyd's sister's wedding. The groom to be, asks Lottie if she could try to find out what happened to a girl he got pregnant many years ago and was sent to the nuns. Somehow she gets involved in a murder investigation that seems to have links to another back at home. She is unable to keep out of it and this causes a lot of bad feeling with Boyd and his sister.

I have loved this series from the start and I am always delighted to see the arrival of the next installment. By this time the characters have become familiar and it is like meeting up with old friends. This was a bit different as it took Lottie away from her usual turf and comfort zone. I was kept glued to the page until 2am! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read this book= not long to the next one I hope!

This series never disappoints. The setting is beautifully portrayed, the plotting is always spot on and the characters are interesting. The lives of the principals are to the fore in Hidden Daughters are to the fore here, which adds to the enjoyment. The story of children in care and what happens to young mums is heart-rending.

A decent tale with the right amount of gore and excruciating death content to make it suitably dark. The characters and their interactions are poignant and gritty and a good picture is painted to stir your emotions and pique your interest. The only reservation I have really is that the premise is one I’ve grown (slightly) weary of and over familiar with. Young girls, fallen pregnant and sent to a convent at the mercy of less than sympathetic, moreover psychopathic nuns. In later years someone is murdering the aforementioned nuns as some sort of revenge for past misdemeanours.
As a member of this rather specific genre, this is probably one of the best I’ve read, I’m just a bit fatigued and ready for something completely different.

This is a great read.
Lottie and Boyd have taken a break from work to go to his sister's wedding.
Whilst there, Lottie is asked to find out something by his sister's future husband, and she ends up getting involved in a case with the local Police when a body is found.
It's soon discovered that Bryan's request for information is linked to the murder and also the local convent.
This is a gripping crime thriller and a great addition to the series.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.

The brilliant detective and fabulously flawed Lottie is back in a brilliant addition to this must read series.
Lottie and Boyd get a rare break and head to Connemara to attend Boyd’s sisters wedding but murder is never far away and Lottie can’t help herself and has to get involved.
This book deals with some harrowing subjects and shines a light on the horrific abuse that was prevalent in the laundries, convents and correction institutions in Ireland.
Revenge is a dish best served cold but as the likely suspects mount up there’s an exquisite twist when the real perpetrator is revealed.
The subplot continues to delight too, especially the interaction between Lottie’s team in her absence, which is a joy.
As we leave Lottie her chaotic personal life is at a crossroads and I can’t wait to see what happens next.