Un grande thriller
«Ci sono così tanti colpi di scena che è impossibile non venire risucchiati tra le pagine.»
Doveva essere la rimpatriata perfetta: sei amici dell’università che si ritrovano dopo vent’anni.
L’ospite, Ali, ha la vita che ha sempre voluto, una carriera di cui andar fiera e uno splendido marito, che è il suo ragazzo di allora. Ma quella notte succede qualcosa di scioccante e imprevedibile.
La sua migliore amica Karen, infatti, rientrando in casa dal giardino, lancia un’accusa scioccante che scuote i presenti. Sanguinante e sconvolta, afferma di essere stata aggredita dal marito di Ali, Mike. Ali deve prendere una decisione immediata: a chi credere? Al suo sconcertato marito o alla sua migliore amica? La versione dei fatti di Mike è completamente diversa da quella data da Karen, quindi uno dei due sta mentendo, ma chi? E perché?
E così, appena dopo aver rievocato i bei tempi passati, Ali si rende conto che ci sono ricordi oscuri rimasti sopiti per decenni, misteri per i quali qualcuno sarebbe disposto a uccidere.
Bestseller del «Washington Post»
«Un talento incredibile. Da leggere immediatamente!»
Lee Child
«Un thriller brillante, che ti lascia senza fiato e sulle spine fino all’ultima, scioccante pagina.»
Erin Kelly
«Ho letteralmente divorato Indovina chi è l’assassino. In questo avvincente thriller psicologico, Claire McGowan ha creato il dilemma morale definitivo. Non potrò mai consigliarlo abbastanza.»
Jenny Blackhurst
«Lo stile di McGowan è deciso e diretto, e i colpi di scena ti sorprendono quando meno te lo aspetti.»
The Irish Times

È nata nel 1981 in un piccolo villaggio irlandese, in cui l’evento più eccitante mai accaduto è stato trovare delle mucche che si riposavano in mezzo alla strada. È autrice dell’acclamata serie crime con protagonista Paula Maguire. Scrive anche romanzi al femminile con lo pseudonimo di Eva Woods.

“A brilliant, breathless thriller that kept me guessing to the last shocking page.” —Erin Kelly, Sunday Times bestselling author of He Said/She Said

An Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestseller.

It was supposed to be the perfect reunion: six university friends together again after twenty years. Host Ali finally has the life she always wanted, a career she can be proud of and a wonderful family with her college boyfriend, now husband. But that night her best friend makes an accusation so shocking that nothing will ever be the same again.

When Karen staggers in from the garden, bleeding and traumatised, she claims that she has been assaulted—by Ali’s husband, Mike. Ali must make a split-second decision: who should she believe? Her horrified husband, or her best friend? With Mike offering a very different version of events, Ali knows one of them is lying—but which? And why?

When the ensuing chaos forces her to re-examine the golden era the group shared at university, Ali realises there are darker memories too. Memories that have lain dormant for decades. Memories someone would kill to protect.

Some say they deserve their fate. But isn't everyone entitled to justice?

Forensic psychologist Paula Maguire is in a race against time to solve a deadly crime in THE SILENT DEAD, the third novel in Claire McGowan's terrific, hard-hitting crime series. The perfect read for fans of Val McDermid and Elly Griffiths.

'Astonishing, powerful and immensely satisfying' - Peter James

Victim: Male. Mid-thirties. 5'7".
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 sixteen 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...

What readers are saying about The Silent Dead:

'Great atmosphere - it's tense and chilling. I simply did not want to put this book down. Superb fast-paced plot and wonderful storytelling'

'A gripping story covering grief and frustration as it explores the moral dilemma of people failed by the system to may just be taking justice into their own hands. A great read'

'Absorbing story that constantly holds your attention. Steady, tense layering, building up to the nerve-wrecking end'

An Amazon Charts bestseller.

She’s a total stranger. But she knows who you are…

Suzi did a bad thing. She’s paying for it now, pregnant, scared, and living in an isolated cottage with her jealous husband, Nick.

When Nora moves into the only house nearby, Suzi is delighted to have a friend. So much so that she’s almost tempted to tell Nora her terrible secret. But there’s more to Nora than meets the eye. It’s impossible—does she already know what Suzi did?

Meanwhile, Elle spends her days in her perfect home, fixated on keeping up appearances. But when her husband betrays her, it unravels a secret going all the way back to her childhood. She’ll do whatever it takes to hold on to him, even if that means murder. After all, she’s done it before…

Caught up in their own secrets and lies, these strangers will soon realise they have more in common than they could ever have imagined. When a shocking event brings them together, their lives will never be the same again.

From the bestselling author of What You Did comes a stunning psychological thriller. One party. Thirteen people. By 3.02 p.m., one of them will be dead.

The party should have been perfect: six couples from the same baby group, six newborns, a luxurious house. But not everything has gone to plan, and while some are here to celebrate, others have sorrows to drown. When someone falls from the balcony of the house, the secrets and conflicts within the group begin to spill out …

DS Alison Hegarty, herself struggling with infertility, is called in to investigate. She’s convinced the fall was not an accident, and finds the new parents have a lot to hide. Wealthy Ed and Monica show off their newborn while their teenage daughter is kept under virtual house arrest. Hazel and Cathy conceived their longed-for baby via an anonymous sperm donor—or so Hazel thinks. Anita and Jeremy planned to adopt from America, but there’s no sign of the child. Kelly, whose violent boyfriend disrupted previous group sessions, came to the party even though she lost her baby. And then there’s Jax, who’s been experiencing strange incidents for months—almost like someone’s out to get her. Is it just a difficult pregnancy? Or could it be payback for something she did in the past?

It’s a nightmare of a case, and as events get even darker it begins to look impossible. Only one thing is clear: they all have something to hide. And for one of them, it’s murder.

In this tense thriller from the bestselling author of What You Did and The Other Wife, a woman finds a dead body. Will she make the same mistake as last time?

Rachel lives a quiet life in the peaceful countryside, content with her perfect man and her lovely dog. But when she stumbles upon a body in the woods one day, all that shatters. She knows what she has to do: run. Don’t get accused of murder. But when this victim is identified as her boyfriend’s estranged wife, Rachel realises she’s already the prime suspect.

With mounting evidence against her, Rachel’s only hope is to keep her past well hidden. Because before she was Rachel, she was Casey, a young nanny trying to make it as an actress in Los Angeles—and when the family she worked for were brutally murdered, she narrowly escaped the death penalty. Now, she’ll do anything to save the life she’s spent years piecing back together.

But the police are closing in, and Rachel can’t help wondering: Was her discovery in the woods really just an awful coincidence, or is someone framing her for murder? Someone who knows who she is, and wants revenge…

Not everyone who's missing is lost

Hard-hitting and unputdownable, THE LOST follows Forensic psychologist Maguire back to her hometown in the search for two missing girls. This exhilarating introduction to the Paula Maguire series by Claire McGowan is sure to grip fans of Elly Griffiths and LJ Ross.

'Claire McGowan is a knockout new talent' - Lee Child

When two teenage girls go missing along the Irish border, forensic psychologist Paula Maguire has to return to the hometown she left years before. Swirling with rumour and secrets, the town is gripped by fear of a serial killer. But the truth could be even darker.

Not everyone who's lost wants to be found

Surrounded by people and places she tried to forget, Paula digs into the cases as the truth twists further away. What's the link with two other disappearances from 1985? And why does everything lead back to the town's dark past- including the reasons her own mother went missing years before?

Nothing is what it seems

As the shocking truth is revealed, Paula learns that sometimes, it's better not to find what you've lost...

What readers are saying about The Lost:

'Well written and keeps you guessing. The best book I have read this year'

'Fantastic read. Had me gripped from start to finish - I just couldn't put it down. Highly recommended'

'Compelling and thrilling. Claire McGowan has a clever ease of storytelling that draws you in and leaves you wanting more'

A twisty, unputdownable thriller about the secrets people keep and the lies people tell, for fans of THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN and BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. "Compelling and flawless" Sharon Bolton

What would you do if the man you love was arrested for murder?

Bad things never happen to Charlotte.

But her fiancé Dan has been hiding a secret, and the pressure is pushing him over the edge.

When he's arrested for killing a nightclub owner, Charlotte's future is shattered.

Then she opens her door to Keisha, an angry and frustrated stranger with a story to tell.

Convinced of Dan's innocence, Charlotte must fight for him - even if it means destroying her perfect life. But what Keisha knows will threaten everyone she loves, and put Charlotte's own life in danger...

Three stories. One truth. Brace yourself for The Fall.



What people are saying about Claire McGowan:

'A knockout new talent' Lee Child

'Astonishing, powerful and immensely satisfying' Peter James

'Compelling and flawless' Sharon Bolton

'A keeps-you-guessing mystery' Alex Marwood

'Clever and entertaining' Jane Casey

'Original and compelling' Mark Edwards

'Terrifically assured and pulse pounding' Stav Sherez

'Taut plotting and assured writing' Good Housekeeping

'A cool and twisted debut' Daily Mirror

'She knows how to tell a cracking story' Daily Mail

'Page turning' Guardian

'Chills you to the bone' Daily Telegraph

Stolen. Missing. Dead...


Forensic psychologist Paul Maguire is up against the clock to stop a merciless killer in THE DEAD GROUND, the second novel in the highly acclaimed Paula Maguire series and the gripping follow up to The Lost. Claire McGowan's thrillers are sure to enthral readers of Michael Connelly and Karin Slaughter

'Fresh and accessible without ever compromising on grit or suspense' - Erin Kelly

Forensic psychologist Paula Maguire, already wrestling with the hardest decision of her life, is forced to put her own problems on hold when she's asked to help find a baby taken from a local hospital.

Then the brutal, ritualistic murder of a woman found lying on a remote stone circle indicates a connection to the kidnapping and Paula knows that they will have to move fast if they are to find the person responsible.

When another child is taken and a pregnant woman goes missing, Paula finds herself caught up in a deadly hunt for a killer determined to leave no trace, and discovers every decision she makes really is a matter of life and death...

What readers are saying about The Dead Ground:

'Another gripping page-turner from a fabulous writer!'

'Every time you think you've got it all worked out there will be another twist to it. Definitely worth reading'

'A powerful read that touched nicely on women's rights and pro-choice in an Irish context. Cleverly done; I felt a great deal of empathy for all concerned. An excellent read'

A missing couple. A lurking killer. A perfect storm.

Forensic psychologist Paula Maguire returns to solve a dark and dangerous case on a small Irish island in the taut and terrifying BLOOD TIDE, the fifth novel in Claire McGowan's acclaimed series. The perfect read for fans of Joy Ellis and Karin Slaughter.

'A brilliantly executed thriller with a haunting and atmospheric setting. Spine tingling' - Sunday Mirror

Called in to investigate the disappearance of a young couple during a violent storm, Paula Maguire, forensic psychologist, has mixed feelings about going back to Bone Island. Her last family holiday as a child was spent on its beautiful, remote beaches and returning brings back haunting memories of her long-lost mother.

It soon becomes clear that outsiders aren't welcome on the island, and with no choice but to investigate the local community, Paula soon suspects foul play, realising that the islanders are hiding secrets from her, and each other.

With another storm fast approaching, Paula is faced with a choice. Leave alive or risk being trapped with a killer on an inescapable island, as the blood tide rushes in...

What readers are saying about Blood Tide:

'A very clever plot with many shocking moments. The island setting added to the atmosphere as did the ongoing storm. What a terrific book'

'I caught myself holding my breath as I followed the characters avidly. This is definitely the series that keeps on giving and keeps getting better'

'A masterfully plotted and executed novel. The pace never lets up, with new developments in every chapter. An excellent read'

Long-buried secrets are being unearthed. And they're very close to home...

Forensic psychologist Paula Maguire returns yet again to her hometown to investigate a spine-chilling case in THE KILLING HOUSE, the sixth novel in Claire McGowan's series. The Paula Maguire series is the perfect read for fans of Michael Connelly and Peter May.

'A delicious spookiness is added to McGowan's customary mix of complex characterisation and sweat-inducing excitement, offering a new level of chilling thrills' - Sunday Mirror

When a puzzling missing persons' case opens up in her hometown, forensic psychologist Paula Maguire can't help but return once more.

Renovations at an abandoned farm have uncovered two bodies: a man known to be an IRA member missing since the nineties, and a young girl whose identity remains a mystery.

As Paula attempts to discover who the girl is and why no one is looking for her, an anonymous tip-off claims that her own long-lost mother is also buried on the farm.

When another girl is kidnapped, Paula must find the person responsible before more lives are destroyed. But there are explosive secrets still to surface. And even Paula can't predict that the investigation will strike at the heart of all she holds dear.

What readers are saying about the Paula Maguire series:

'I have loved every single book. It's the characters and their own personal lives that really stand out in Claire McGowan's novels'

'Claire McGowan knows how to pull us in. Her future releases are always lined up on my kindle way ahead of time!'

'McGowan keeps developing her characters to be more rounded and complex. I've really fallen in love with the character of Paula Maguire and I can't wait to read more about her'

Blood stains the altar. Can she be found?

Paula Maguire, forensic psychologist is called in to investigate a missing girl and the disappearance of a holy relic in Claire McGowan's exhilarating fourth novel in the series, A SAVAGE HUNTER. The Paula Maguire series is sure to enthral fans of Stuart MacBride and Lee Child.

'A complex, disturbing, resonant novel that remains light on its feet and immensely entertaining' - Irish Times

Victim: Female. Twenty-two years of age.
Reason for investigation: Missing person.
ID: Alice Morgan. Student. Last seen at a remote religious shrine in Ballyterrin.

Alice Morgan's disappearance raises immediate questions for forensic psychologist Paula Maguire. Alice, the daughter of a life pee0r in the Home Office, has vanished along with a holy relic - the bones of a saint - and the only trace is the bloodstains on the altar.

With no body to confirm death, the pressure in this high-profile case is all-consuming, and Paula knows that she will have to put her own life, including her imminent marriage, on hold, if they are to find the truth.

A connection to a decades-old murder immediately indicates that all may not be as it seems; as the summer heat rises and tempers fray, can Alice be found or will they learn that those that are hungry for vengeance may be the most savage of all?

What readers are saying about A Savage Hunter:

'A compelling story with twists and turns, intelligently written to include history and current issues'

'An excellent, well-written series, giving you an insight into the troubles that have plagued Northern Ireland and how all their lives have been affected'

'I found the twisty threads really engrossing and couldn't wait to see how they were brought to a climax. And boy, talk about explosive ending!'