This was my first book by Patricia Gibney & it did not disappoint! Extremely gripping from the very beginning with excellent twists & turns. Highly recommend

I really enjoyed this book with its setting in Galway. Lottie Parker’s back and on a rare holiday with her partner Boyd to attend his sister’s wedding. She gets pulled aside and asked to find her fiancé’s long-lost girlfriend and child, and Lottie agrees. And then a murder takes place nearby Lottie inserts herself into the investigation, to the consternation of the SIO (senior investigation officer). Her relationship with Boyd suffers, to the point where it seems irreparable. The murder investigation leads to the not-so-distant past history of Ireland, where incorrigible boys and pregnant unwed girls are sent to reform schools, and to religious institutions, where the girls were forced into slave labor in laundry facilities. Their babies were taken away for adoption. The descriptions of these places was difficult to read but was necessary for the book to proceed. I did not see the ending coming. More Lottie Parker please.

Wow book 15 in the series didn’t disappoint, this was a cracking read

Lottie and Boyd are on vacation for a week for Boyd’s sister Graces wedding. There is a local murder and as the body count starts to mount Lottie can’t help herself but get involved. Boyd isn’t impressed, will their relationship weather this storm?

Really enjoyed this book, it was a change from the normal Lottie Parker book because it’s mainly set away from the usual area. With Lottie being on leave it made room to introduce a new face which I really liked. Recommend this book but also the whole series which is excellent. Well worth a read once you get sucked into the story it’s hard to put the book down.

Publication Date 25 June 2025.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC in return for an honest review.

It took me a bit longer than normal to properly get into this book, picking it up and putting it back down after a few pages. Not sure if it was the different dynamic of Lottie away for the week in Galway (it’s Graces wedding) and Kirby in charge back in Ragmullin. I wasn’t overly fussed in that to be honest, Lottie trying to insinuate herself in the murder case that of course occurs in the very place she’s staying, that was a bit predictable.
I’m not overly fussed on Boyd’s sister Grace either, obviously she’s on the spectrum, but she’s an ignorant cow too and being subjected to more of her than normal was off putting.

But as I got more into the plot I enjoyed it as always. A whole heap of people are involved in a past history at a convent for unwanted girls, some pregnant and a home for wayward, troublesome boys. Someone from the past is murdering people connected to these places and everyone seems to be connected in some way.

I’ve said in the past that Lottie and Boyd’s relationship has spoiled the plot at times and I believe they should either get married or separate for good. Lottie is hard work most of the time, but she has stood by Boyd and he has put her through a lot, not all intentional, but he’s hard work too. I feel that she needs to cut romantic ties with him and move on, he’s a waste of space and I’ve really grew to dislike him.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in return for an honest review and I look forward to the next book in the series and the dramas that will befall Detective Lottie Parker.

4.5 Stars

Book 15 of the Detective Lottie Parker series and still going strong!

A great combination of mystery and character development.

Lottie and Boyd are taking some time out ahead of his sister's wedding, however, spotting flashing police lights, Lottie can't help but be drawn in to find out what is going on and after a whiff of the crime, she can't let it go, she inserts herself into the Investigaton.

We meet Boyd's sister Grace's fiancé Bryan who, ahead of his wedding asks Lottie to help find out some information from his past. Information that ties him to the case that she has inserted herself into. The dynamics of this group is an interesting one to follow and tensions run high, accusations are made, and priorities are not aligned.

Kirby has the opportunity to step up and lead the team while Lottie is on leave and there are some great moments to make you smile as he finally finds some happiness.

There are characters is this book that had me feeling totally frustrated, growling at them aloud for their behaviour. Love or hate them, it was a dynamic read that pulled me in and kept me engaged to the end.

Lottie Parker is back with a bang! Off duty as she is on holiday she still cannot help herself and gets involved in a serial killer murdering women connected to a convent.

A brilliant read which I loved and stayed up to finish as it was gripping. Already looking forward to the next one.

5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this arc.

Lottie and Boyd have taken a break to Connemara to attend Boyd’s sisters Grace’s wedding. Whist Kirby is left to lead a new investigation in Ragmullin. When Boyd's brother law to be be asks Lottie to find out something from his past. She ends up getting involved in a case as a consultant to the local Police. which Boyd is not happy about. As the delve further into the case not only they discover that Boyd’s future brother law is involved but the murder of the woman and the other bodies turn up but have got to do with the local convent and the laundries that were run so many years ago.
Hidden Daughters by Patricia Gibney is book 15th in the Lottie Parker series and another fabulous read. It is another well plotted storyline, great characters and also emotional one emphasising what happened years ago with the convent laundries. Yet again, I couldn’t put this down. I can’t wait to hear more from this author and the future of Lottie and Boyd. 5 stars from me.

another great addition to the series. its like we know these people now! and i love how i can identify Patricia and her writing style by now too. its almost a comfort.
this book gives us of course our Detective Lottie. shes on a break(yeh right)| with her partner to attend his sisters wedding. but of course things dont go as planned as Boyd isnt happy when Lottie gets involved in a case. but there are more things going on here. more things closer to home. and the more Lottie finds out the harder it becomes to not see the links in victims to one very dark place. sadly we all know these places existed and im sure still do under some radar. so it felt even more hard hitting to read about a very very dark occurrence that could've gone on in one of them.
its not an easy case. and not everyone is very happy with her involvement. but we know Lottie by now. she's going to be involved people, suck it up.
and we are once again going to be needing to worry about Lottie!

I loved this installment. Alot of twists and turns. I enjoyed the storyline. Already looking forward to next Lottie mystery
Thankyou for opportunity to read this

Another great book in this series. This time Lottie is away for Grace's wedding when she stumbles across a murder scene and becomes involved in the investigation. Grace's husband to be also asks Lottie to investigate something which turns out to be connected to his past in an institution. There are ups and downs between Lottie and Boyd as the case develops, with Lottie getting more involved. Back home, Kirby is investigating a case in her absence which appears to be connected. Is this book the end of Lottie and Boyd or can they overcome the difficulties? Fingers crossed as they are a great team. Triggers in this book include child abuse and the Magdalene Laundries.
Already looking forward to the next one.

The latest instalment, number 15, in the DI Lottie Parker series. As with other books in this series, this one is ok as a standalone, though there are quite a few references that need a bit of background, more so than in the other books.

This offering’s plot is bound up in the Magdalene Laundries, a well covered and much written about period in Irish history that is shameful and unforgivable.

Parker and Boyd are attending Boyd’s sister’s wedding in Connemara, Galway. Arriving a few days early they are going to make the best of a break away from their busy lives to enjoy themselves. That is until Parker gets caught up in some local murders that have a possible connection to a murder that has just occurred on her home turf of Ragmullin. Despite the lack of enthusiasm from the local Garda of her being involved, Parker is more than intrigued enough to ignore all the warnings, including those from Boyd.

A dark plot line that is handled very well.

After a dip with book 14, I really enjoyed this latest book.

I’m not so keen on the love interest between Parker and Boyd, as I’m not sure he deserves her!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture.

I can not believe that this is the fifteenth book in the Lottie Parker series. What heartache that woman has been through throughout the series.

After reading a couple books by Helen Phifer I stumbles upon this author who was labeled as suggestion because I like the books by Helen and she really didn’t disappoint. I went through those books in no time and have been on the lookout for new ones ever since.

Hidden Daughters by Patricia Gibney will be released on the 25th of June.

Lottie and Boyd are on leave to attend the wedding of Boyd’s sister Grace all the way up near Glasgow, leaving Kirby in charge of the team back in Ragmullin. Budget reports and the like don’t take to much attention because what is a Lottie Parker book without murder, right?


A woman on her morning jog spots a body in the river and calls it in; A woman in her fifties with bad blistery burns lays in the river, dead. The team start their enquiries and soon make the discovery of who the woman is, but the who, where and why are lacking.

Meanwhile in Connemara Lottie and Boyd are taking a walk and just taking in the surroundings which are astounding. The serene quiet soon becomes loud when police sirens sound in the near vicinity; Lottie going in full DI mode and wants to check it out but Boyd doesn’t want to hear it, they’re on vacation, they should just unwind.

With murders happening in Connemara Lottie just can’t take that step back and weasels her way into the investigation. Investigating either with the inspector in charge in Connemara or on her own, causing friction between her and Boyd. With a little side quest from Bryan (soon to be brother-in-law) of finding out what happened to his ex-girlfriend from his teen years who was pregnant by him. Which causes even more friction between Lottie and Grace; Grace wanting Lottie to just leave them alone and tells her to leave her home.

The murders started after a radio-maker called Imelda started asking questions about a convent called The Sisters of Forgiveness; where young girls forgotten by their parents or girls that in the eyes of their parents needed to abscond from their sins ended up there without any fault of their own. The things that happened when kids stayed there are chilling and when Imelda tried to uncover everything a certain someone decided it was time to level out the playing field so his truth would stay hidden.

Everything seems to unravel, but I have to say that the suspect I had in mind was the actual person who’d done it, so it wasn’t as mind blowing as I thought it would be. I really liked this book but I do hate that Lottie and Boyd seem to be drifting apart, since Boyd survived Cancer and has his son back in his live, he has lost all his adventure and his flirtatious self and Lottie really needs to get her priorities straight.

I’m still giving it ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars!

This felt quite different to the previous instalment I read in this series. Lottie is staying with her partner’s family outside of her jurisdiction but is immediately drawn into a local investigation.

This was a little predictable but the subject matter kept me engaged as the Laundries will forever be an indelible stain on our history. The cruelty to innocent children and young mothers is unfathomable so while this is a fictional story, sadly the truth lies somewhere between the lines.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC,

Another great addition to the series. In my opinion, this one was stronger than the last few instalments, mainly because of its strong connections with Ireland's past and the well developed back story and secondary characters. We have all heard stories and even seen movies of the "Laundries" but it is hard to imagine what horrors actually went on there. This book gives us more of an idea and makes us realise the seriousness and consequences of the abusive behaviours of certain religious orders. Headstrong detective Lottie had my support all the way through the story even though other characters kept asking her to do things and then blaming her when she actually followed through. The series has lost none of its appeal and I always wait impatiently for every new Gibney novel. Read the series if you haven't yet.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Lottie Parker is one of my favorite fictional police 🚓 detectives.

Patricia Gibney’s "Hidden Daughters" is a gripping psychological thriller that thrives on tension, layered secrets, and the unsettling truths buried beneath family histories. True to Gibney’s signature style, this novel delivers a compelling blend of mystery and emotional depth, wrapped in a police procedural that keeps readers hooked until the very last page.

"Hidden Daughters" is a story about concealment—the lies families tell, the identities obscured by circumstance, and Lottie Parker's relentless pursuit of truth. Gibney crafts a narrative that oscillates between past and present, allowing the weight of history to press against the unfolding investigation. Themes of betrayal, trauma, and justice permeate the pages, adding psychological complexity to the crime at hand.

The mystery in this novel isn’t simply a puzzle to be solved—it’s deeply intertwined with the emotional and moral dilemmas of the characters, particularly Detective Lottie Parker, whose internal conflicts add another layer of tension.

Gibney excels at character work, crafting individuals who feel lived-in and shaped by experiences beyond the immediate plot. Lottie Parker remains a formidable yet flawed detective, her struggles with past trauma making her investigative instincts both sharp and deeply personal. Her emotional vulnerability is woven seamlessly into the case, creating an interplay between professional duty and personal reckoning.

The supporting cast—both victims and suspects—are equally nuanced, each carrying motives and secrets that blur the moral lines. Gibney’s ability to humanize even the most elusive characters ensures that the reader remains emotionally invested, beyond the mechanics of solving the crime.

Gibney’s writing is taut and immersive, maintaining a steady pace while allowing space for introspection. She uses alternating perspectives to keep the reader engaged, ensuring that the mystery unfolds with a balance of suspense and revelation.

Dialogue is sharp and realistic, reinforcing the novel’s procedural authenticity without sacrificing emotional impact. Gibney’s ability to heighten tension through small, seemingly innocuous details keeps the reader on edge, ensuring that every clue—every interaction—feels significant.

"Hidden Daughters" is a masterfully woven thriller that builds a deeply atmospheric experience rooted in psychological nuance. Fans of detective fiction and psychological suspense will find much to admire in Gibney’s deft storytelling. It’s a novel that lingers—not just for its intricate plot but for the haunting echoes of its characters’ choices.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy crime fiction with emotional depth, character-driven mysteries, and narratives that explore the intersections of justice and personal reckoning.

Gibney's Lottie Parker is reminiscent of Prime Suspects Lynda LaPlante's Jane Tennison... and that is a HUGE compliment.

What a wonderfully written book. It has twists and turns. The storyline was intriguing. Following the clues was very different for Lottie this time. Her relationship with Boyd is perilous once again. I eagerly turned the pages. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I absolutely love this series and Patricia Gibney has stepped it up once again! With a long standing series, it's often difficult to keep it fresh and make sure the characters keep developing, but Patricia Gibney has no problem with this. I loved getting to know Detective Kirby a little better, and it was interesting to see how he managed his extra responsibilities in Lottie's absence. There was also a different dynamic for Lottie, as this time she was on the outside of the investigation and I loved seeing how this affected her actions.

There are sections of Hidden Daughters which take us back to the past, to the events that happened in a laundry run by nuns. These scenes were horrifying, but Patricia Gibney has described what happened so well and I immediately wondered how this was connected to the crimes in the present day and was rooting for the detectives to find justice.

Hidden Daughters moves effortlessly between different investigations in two different locations and Patricia Gibney easily weaves together some complex plots. I was totally hooked the whole way through and found it very difficult to tear myself away, especially as the tension continued to rise!

Patricia Gibney has set the next instalment of the series up brilliantly and I can't wait to see what happens next! I would also love a spin off series…

Wow. What an amazing read. I couldn’t put it down. Loved the way it jumped seamlessly from the past to the present. It was also an emotional rollercoaster reading about the child cruelty and abuse in the convent laundries. Having read all the previous books, this was by far the best. Can’t wait for the next one. Would give it 6 stars if I could.

It's lovely when a new book in a favourite series comes out. Like visiting family. Dropping in to visit Lottie Parker usually involves getting involved in some very nasty goings on and Hidden Daughters is no exception. Patricia Gibney confronts the heartache brought to so many Irish families by the Catholic church and their ways of dealing with 'fallen women' and orphan children. The murders in this book are based around a particularly horrifying incident happening in one of these places and what the long lasting consequences could be for so many people. Despite it's subject matter I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are moving on in their lives as families do. I can't wait for my next visit.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Huge fan of this series and I was excited to read the latest installment.

Although part of a series, it could easily be read as a stand alone. The established characters from previous stories are all involved, as well as new characters that were well developed. Only criticism I do have is that I found it tricky to keep up with the volume of new names mentioned, and I really had to concentrate to remember who people were, but this is definitely a 'me' problem!
Despite this, I still really enjoyed it. A difficult and emotive subject to write about, but good that these issues aren't shyed away from.
A 5*s from me!