Only the Children

The little girl stares up at Tessa, trembling so hard her whole body shakes. Her brothers stand clutching her hands, both pale with shock. ‘They told us not to speak,’ she finally whispers. But the terror in her tear-filled eyes tells Tessa all she needs to know…

When a cargo ship runs aground off the Irish coast, the police are horrified to find the captain dead at the helm, the crew missing, and three little red-haired children, terrified but unharmed, locked in the galley kitchen. As an expert detective running a child-centred taskforce, Detective Tessa Burns is called in to lead the case.

Despite Tessa’s best efforts, the children won’t reveal a thing – not even their own names. Slowly gaining their trust, Tessa uncovers a deadly secret about their past – and the mystery of their missing parents’ whereabouts – that turns everything she thought she knew on its head.

But just as it seems she’s cracked the case, Tessa’s team is attacked one dark night, and the youngest boy is kidnapped yet again. It’s clear the children are still in terrible danger. And when another senseless killing sends shockwaves through her team, Tessa realises the murderer is someone much closer to home than they could have ever imagined. Will she be able to uncover the truth in time, or will it be too late for her, and, most devastating of all, for the children…?

A totally unputdownable Irish police procedural with jaw-dropping twists. Perfect for fans of Patricia Gibney, Lisa Regan and Angela Marsons.

What readers are saying about S.A. Dunphy:

‘Oh man, what a rollercoaster of a ride… jaw-dropping and edge-of-the-seat… Instantly hooked… I literally couldn’t put it down… Fantastic!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘All I can say is WELL HOLY what a rollercoaster of a read. I haven’t left it down since I started it 2 days ago. Great pace with no let up and such an original storyline with so much going on… As for the twists and turns – just buckle up.’ @corinnecowman, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!!… Addictive. I was completely absorbed from page one until the fantastic explosive ending. It is ram packed with suspense…Everything you want in an unputdownable page turner.’ bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I can’t recommend this book enough!!!! Packed with tension and suspense… Had me sat on the edge of my seat!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Outstanding… Blew my mind!… Simply brilliant!’ Tove Reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘READ THIS!!… Once you start, you will not want to put this book down.’ My Novel Addiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow. This is just my kind of book!… A brace yourself and buckle up read!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gripping and magnificent… The Irishness of it all is just perfect… Dark and utterly compelling.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Hooked from the first to the last page and finally turned the last page at 2 a.m. Yes, this book is that good!!!… Intense, thrilling, with plenty of heart in your mouth moments and packed to the rafters with tension and suspense. I loved it!!!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐