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fureverlove's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
readsnspeeds's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
gaulien's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
4.0
“Some stories demand to be told. They keep coming back, echoing down through the decades until they find a teller.”
I found Where They Lie to be a beautifully written, atmospheric, literary thriller set in Ireland in 1968. Those who know the history of Ireland know that religion and the Catholic church often feature at the center of political and social issues within the country. Coughlan’s book brings a story about a fledgling journalist into the heart of those issues, offering commentary on the gender imbalance and the prejudice that women face when they act in ways the church and society may disagree with.
In 1943, an actress named Julia Bridges disappeared. She was last seen in Dublin entering the home of Gloria Fitzpatrick, who was tried for murder after assisting in an abortion that ended in the death of a woman named Elizabeth Rourke after complications with the procedure. Gloria will later take her own life when committed to an institute for the criminally insane. There was no evidence as to what role (if any) Gloria may have played in Julia’s disappearance, nor was it discovered what happened to Julia.
Until Christmas Eve, 1968 when Julia’s corpse is discovered in the garden of a house on the outskirts of Dublin. A young reporter named Nicoletta Sarto is working for the Irish Sentinel and has recently moved into a flat away from her mother when the discovery is made. Nicoletta happens to answer the call about the bones, sending her heart racing and drawing Nic into the mysterious case of Julia Bridges.
As Nic begins to investigate the cold case, she uncovers details that tell a very different story than the one that was published after Julia’s disappearance. Nic knows that this may be her chance to have a big story that will earn her credibility as a journalist. She pursues her investigation with tenacity, even if some of what she finds may hit uncomfortably close to home.
Coughlan draws from her own experience as a journalist to add authenticity and depth to Nic’s story and investigation. Nic is a woman working in an industry that is predominantly male, and she faces discrimination and misogyny as she works to be seen as equal at a time when women are seen as anything but.
Coughlan’s portrayal of Dublin in the late 1960s is like a glimpse into a different world. Today Dublin is seen as a cosmopolitan city, but the Dublin of the past felt more like a countryside village where rumors and gossip spread rapidly across the town. Nic herself can be a mysterious figure, and it was clear that there were a lot of pieces of her past that were yet to be revealed. Flashing back in time and forward again, Coughlan weaves the story together in a dazzling and satisfying conclusion to the story.
An engaging and atmospheric novel featuring standout female characters and intricately plotted mysteries.
I found Where They Lie to be a beautifully written, atmospheric, literary thriller set in Ireland in 1968. Those who know the history of Ireland know that religion and the Catholic church often feature at the center of political and social issues within the country. Coughlan’s book brings a story about a fledgling journalist into the heart of those issues, offering commentary on the gender imbalance and the prejudice that women face when they act in ways the church and society may disagree with.
In 1943, an actress named Julia Bridges disappeared. She was last seen in Dublin entering the home of Gloria Fitzpatrick, who was tried for murder after assisting in an abortion that ended in the death of a woman named Elizabeth Rourke after complications with the procedure. Gloria will later take her own life when committed to an institute for the criminally insane. There was no evidence as to what role (if any) Gloria may have played in Julia’s disappearance, nor was it discovered what happened to Julia.
Until Christmas Eve, 1968 when Julia’s corpse is discovered in the garden of a house on the outskirts of Dublin. A young reporter named Nicoletta Sarto is working for the Irish Sentinel and has recently moved into a flat away from her mother when the discovery is made. Nicoletta happens to answer the call about the bones, sending her heart racing and drawing Nic into the mysterious case of Julia Bridges.
As Nic begins to investigate the cold case, she uncovers details that tell a very different story than the one that was published after Julia’s disappearance. Nic knows that this may be her chance to have a big story that will earn her credibility as a journalist. She pursues her investigation with tenacity, even if some of what she finds may hit uncomfortably close to home.
Coughlan draws from her own experience as a journalist to add authenticity and depth to Nic’s story and investigation. Nic is a woman working in an industry that is predominantly male, and she faces discrimination and misogyny as she works to be seen as equal at a time when women are seen as anything but.
Coughlan’s portrayal of Dublin in the late 1960s is like a glimpse into a different world. Today Dublin is seen as a cosmopolitan city, but the Dublin of the past felt more like a countryside village where rumors and gossip spread rapidly across the town. Nic herself can be a mysterious figure, and it was clear that there were a lot of pieces of her past that were yet to be revealed. Flashing back in time and forward again, Coughlan weaves the story together in a dazzling and satisfying conclusion to the story.
An engaging and atmospheric novel featuring standout female characters and intricately plotted mysteries.
nuebi's review
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
robertjackson's review against another edition
4.0
It is hard to describe this powerful book! Atmospheric certainly - educational - insightful and creative are words that also come to mind.
I have often sympathetically thought that single Mums have a potentially overwhelming life. I base that on experience of how difficult it is to bring up children when there are two of you. This book showed that societal pressures are an extra unnatural pressure point. I take my hat off to the author for opening my eyes further on this subject.
I reckon this is a book that more people should read!!
My feeling is that I want to read more about the tenacious and impressive main character! The plot evolved in a way where her life met quite a few unexpected challenges. Would I have coped in facing them - I very much doubt it!!!
Thanks to the author Claire Coughlan and NetGalley for providing the opportunity to read such an insightful book on relationships and society!
I have often sympathetically thought that single Mums have a potentially overwhelming life. I base that on experience of how difficult it is to bring up children when there are two of you. This book showed that societal pressures are an extra unnatural pressure point. I take my hat off to the author for opening my eyes further on this subject.
I reckon this is a book that more people should read!!
My feeling is that I want to read more about the tenacious and impressive main character! The plot evolved in a way where her life met quite a few unexpected challenges. Would I have coped in facing them - I very much doubt it!!!
Thanks to the author Claire Coughlan and NetGalley for providing the opportunity to read such an insightful book on relationships and society!
finny_cat's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this mystery, set in my hometown of Dublin. It’s very atmospheric and you really feel like you’re back in that decade. It was a great story, some have said it was too slow at the beginning but I think it was necessary to set everything up. Looking forward to the next one already.
cin19's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0