The Puppet Maker by Jenny O'Brien

The Puppet Maker by Jenny O’Brien

Release: October 17, 2023
Format: Ebook
Publisher: ‎ Storm Publishing
Source: Rachel’s Random Resources
Find it at: Amazon US , Amazon UK

The scrap of paper looked as if it is a torn piece from a diary. The words written in faint pencil. The letters rounded, almost childlike: Please look after her. Her life and mine depend on you not trying to find me.

Detective Alana Mack arrives at Clonabee police station, in a small Irish seaside town on the outskirts of Dublin. There, she doesn’t expect to find a distressed two-year-old girl sobbing on the floor. Alone, in a local supermarket, the child tells them her name is Casey. All Alana and her team have to go on is a crumpled note begging for someone to look after her little girl probably her mother.

Alana is Still recovering from a terrible accident navigating a new life as a wheelchair user. Now she finds herself suddenly responsible for Casey. She tries to track down the missing mother and also solve another missing retired newsagent case from his home.

She takes the help of her ex-husband and child psychiatrist Colm through Forensic Art Therapy. Alana discovers that whatever darkness lies behind the black windows in Casey’s crayon drawing in her house, has terrified the little girl.

She finds a bag of human remains in a bin and discovers a chilling link – the DNA matches Casey’s.

Alana and her team must find the body and make the connection with the missing newsagent fast. She has to prevent another loss of life. But someone in her department leaks confidential details of the investigation to the media. Can Alana set aside her emotional involvement in this case and find Casey’s mother and the killer before it’s too late?

About the Author:

Born in Dublin, Jenny O’Brien moved to Wales and then Guernsey, where she tries to find time to write in between working as a nurse and ferrying around 3 teenagers.

In her spare time she keeps frowning at her wonky cakes and even wonkier breads. But you will note she won’t be entering Bake-Off. She’s also an all-year-round sea swimmer.

Jenny is represented by Nicola Barr of The Bent Agency and published by Storm Publishing and HQ Digital (Harper Collins).

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The Puppet Maker Review:

First and foremost, I was impressed by the way the author crafted Alan’s character. Throughout the story, Alan experiences a range of emotions as she delves into her investigation. Her unique situation, being confined to a wheelchair, forces her to adapt to new challenges, and the author’s portrayal of her interactions with other characters like Paddy and Casey was a highlight. The camaraderie between Alan and Paddy is fun, and I found myself deeply touched by how Alan’s care for Casey grows as the plot unfolds. With a serial killer on the loose, the burden of unraveling the mystery falls upon Alan and Paddy.

Additionally, the narrative skillfully shifts between various perspectives, but it was Penny’s storyline that truly captivated me. Although some scenes are quite graphic and may not be suitable for everyone, the author skillfully creates an atmospheric backdrop, immersing us in the dire circumstances faced by Penny. Another character worth noting, albeit with limited development in this installment, is Alfred Gaunt. His enigmatic past piqued my curiosity, and I hope the author explores his character further in subsequent books. The interpersonal drama involving Alan and her challenges working with individuals like Ox adds depth to the narrative.

One minor drawback to the story lies in its pacing, particularly in the second half. The scenes involving Penny tend to linger on her reminiscences about her grandparents, which I felt could have been condensed to maintain a more brisk pacing. Perhaps a judicious edit to streamline the narrative would have kept the story feeling consistently fresh.

Overall, “The Puppet Maker” was an enjoyable read, and I eagerly anticipate revisiting these well-crafted characters in future installments.