I don’t remember Sarah Stewart Taylor’s Sweeney St. George mystery series. The 2003 debut, O’ Artful Death was an Agatha nominee for Best First Novel. That series ended in 2006 when life and raising a family intervened. Now, Taylor is launching a new series with The Mountains Wild, a wonderful mystery that felt as if it was written for me. Well, not really. But, it’s set in Ireland. There’s a cold case, and an intelligent, mature female sleuth. I loved this book, and I’m looking forward to the next one.
In 1993, Maggie D’Arcy’s cousin Erin went missing in Ireland,
and Maggie flew over to help in the search. Although she found Erin’s broken
necklace in the forest near Wicklow, there was no other trace.
and Maggie flew over to help in the search. Although she found Erin’s broken
necklace in the forest near Wicklow, there was no other trace.
Now, twenty-three years
later, the police in Ireland have more evidence and another missing woman, so
Maggie returns. As a homicide detective on Long Island, she brings experience
to the investigation, working with some of the same police officers from the
original case. By now, there’s a name for the predator, the “Southeast Killer”,
and the latest victim could bring the total to four, including Erin. Maggie and
a local detective retrace their steps, and re-interview witnesses in a
desperate attempt to find the new victim before she’s murdered.
later, the police in Ireland have more evidence and another missing woman, so
Maggie returns. As a homicide detective on Long Island, she brings experience
to the investigation, working with some of the same police officers from the
original case. By now, there’s a name for the predator, the “Southeast Killer”,
and the latest victim could bring the total to four, including Erin. Maggie and
a local detective retrace their steps, and re-interview witnesses in a
desperate attempt to find the new victim before she’s murdered.
Taylor skillfully switches time periods from 1993 to 2016 in this atmospheric, intricately plotted story. It builds to a stunning, unforgettable conclusion. The book introduces an intelligent, mature detective caught up in a personal cold case. The first in a new series blends the history and romance of Ireland with a contemporary police investigation of missing women and murder victims.
As I said, Sarah Stewart Taylor knew just how to hit my favorite elements in a mystery, although we’ve never met. The Mountains Wild launches what I hope is a strong, long-running series.
Sarah Stewart Taylor’s website is https://www.sarahstewarttaylor.com/
The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor. Minotaur Books, 2020. ISBN 9781250256430 (hardcover), 416p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to review for a journal.
It sounds interesting
It was terrific, Sandy.
I'm definitely putting this one on my list to read. Sounds like a winner! And I also love getting in on the beginning of new series…
Thanks Lesa. I am looking for something terrific and this seems like my cup of tea.
Oh, yes, Kay. I can't wait to hear what you think of it.
I hope you like it, DJ. I'd love to hear what you think after you read it.
I really enjoyed her series – only 3 books as I remember, but I interviewed her after the first one for Mystery News. I’m so glad she's back and I’m looking forward to her new book
I never read it, Lynn. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!