The Silent Dead (Paula Maguire 3)

Paula Maguire, Book 3

By: Claire McGowan

Narrated by: Joanne King

Victim: male. Mid-30s. Five foot seven. Cause of death: hanging. Initial impression - murder. ID: Mickey Doyle. Suspected terrorist and member of the Mayday Five.

The officers at the crime scene know exactly who the victim is. Doyle was one of five suspected bombers who caused the deaths of 16 people. The remaining four are also missing, and when a second body is found, decapitated, it's clear they are being killed by the same methods their victims suffered.

Forensic psychologist Paula Maguire is assigned the case, but she is up against the clock - both personally and professionally. With moral boundaries blurred between victim and perpetrator, will Paula be able to find those responsible? After all, even killers deserve justice, don't they?

©2015 Claire McGowan (P)2015 Claire McGowan

Critic reviews

"A knockout new talent." (Lee Child)

"Ireland's answer to Ruth Rendell." (Ken Bruen)

"Astonishing, powerful and immensely satisfying." (Peter James)

"Page-turning." ( Guardian)

"McGowan...knows how to tell a cracking story. She will go far." ( Daily Mail)

A good one

I stumbled into this one. The publisher's blurb did not prepare my for the depths of collateral damage left by old murders and the echoes of those deaths. This book caught my ignorant self and did not let go until I saw the ravages of The Troubles in Ireland. I could not put it down. I thought of people all over the world who live with loss from bombs and killings.

Poor recording

Enjoyed book Wish One and two were available. Poor recording. Skipped frequently. Actually missed a whole part. Not like a hard copy where you can leaf through and find what you missed.

Good story but

I enjoyed the book but the narrator drove me crazy swallowing , and making sounds trying to wet her mouth.
I hope JK reads this, your good but God stop swallowing

Fantastic story and narrative

This is the best book bought the whole series, fantastic story and narration! Love it

I'm Caught By Paula

Would you consider the audio edition of The Silent Dead (Paula Maguire 3) to be better than the print version?

Have not read the print version, but will search out other titles because of this reading.

What did you like best about this story?

Paula is vulnerable, but good at her job. I get her. Reminds me of Jane Tennison later in her career.

Have you listened to any of Joanne King’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. Her reading is real and adds to the story. She does men's voices well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

After the birth of her baby, she is torn between new feeling of motherhood and need for her job.

Any additional comments?

Look forward to reading more in the series.

I used to enjoy this author's books, but...

This author's Paula McGuire's series have become... boring. Perhaps if you have a vested interest with the "Ra" or Irish history, but for mainstream listeners looking for a captivating police procedural, nah, give it a pass.