This featured a criminal profiler/behaviourist, but read more like a regular police procedural. There were individual chapters from the perspective of many of the main characters, which served to flesh out their personalities. At times the Balor/apprentice/Uruth thing got confusing and the whole plot was a bit 'out there', but overall I really enjoyed this. ( )

Bring Her Home by S.A. Dunphy
Boyle & Keneally #1

A story to be savored…not eaten in one bite. In the first pages I was caught in the web the author began to weave wondering who the killer was and what he was up to. Why had he chosen to kill the man we were first told about and how would that killing impact the woman who will be one of the lead characters in a new series that I really want to read more of. I am thrilled to have come into this series in the first book, meet the characters, and be able to follow them as they grow as a team and solve more cases.

What I liked:
* Jessie Boyle: Human behaviorist with over twenty years of experience working with the London Metropolitan Police, lost her partner to a serial killer, resigned, called to assist a friend, intelligent, skilled at what she does, survivor, leader, friend, team player, and a woman I want to learn a lot more about.
* Seamus Keneally: detective, “hero”, talkative, fit, intelligent, humorous, son with great mother, team player, humble, survivor, someone I am eager to learn more about as the series progresses.
* Terri Kehoe: small but mighty, grew up in care, historian, genealogy wiz, computer savvy, researcher, assists on police cases, survivor, quiet, observant, someone that slowly emerges as a force to be reckoned with. I want to know more about her, too.
* Dawn Wilson: police commissioner, Jessie’s friend, intelligent, capable, needs to be in charge and keep her hand in, capable, skilled, hope to hear more about her in future books.
* The way characters were developed over the story, the way they came together as a team, and that I felt invested in them and in their story.
* The historical element that uses history on using ogham markings on stone to give weight to the killings while also teaching a bit of history.
* The introduction to and visit with some creepy killers that may show up again in future books.
* That we know there is at least one killer still out there to be found
* The way some gang-mafia types were brought into the story and how they were presented as bad but not all bad.
* The mythology tied into some of the killings
* The location – Ireland is a place I have always wanted to visit – Had never heard of “The Reeks”
* That I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the characters and would love to have them as friends.

What I didn’t like:
* The murderers and what they did
* Knowing that people are as twisted, ruthless, and evil as some in this story
* Having to wait for book two

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

This is the first in what is to be the Boyle and Keneally series. It is somewhat unique in that it teams together a detective, a profiler, and an historian.

The beginning reminded me of a “Criminal Minds” episode with its emphasis on serial killers and their psychopathic minds. Then it evolved into a decent police procedural but, to me, it then descended into a bit of absurdity.

I liked the technique of interspersing the action with short chapters providing the backgrounds of the various characters. I also enjoyed learning a bit of Irish mythology/culture.

The ending sets up the next in the series. I really liked the characters and their interactions. I just hope the next plot is a bit less incredulous. ( )