Gripping

The Puppet Maker by Jenny O’Brien is a gritty contemporary murder suspense that I just could not put down. It is the first book in the Detective Alana Mack series. I am looking forward to the subsequent books.

The plotline is extremely well thought out and executed. This is not a book for the faint-hearted as there are some gruesome scenes. The author has clearly done her research into police and medical procedure.

All the characters are well drawn and realistic. There are some very unsavory characters. The leading lady is fair, kind to the innocent and tenacious in her pursuit of justice.

The weather mirrors the action. The tale is set in the week before Christmas with snow on the ground and generally very inclement weather.

Dublin is the location as we travel from police headquarters around the city.