Taken for Dead : a darkly gripping must-read thriller, part of the unmissable Katie Maguire series for 2026

'One of this country's most exciting crime novelists.' Daily MailNot even one of Ireland's best detectives can catch these killers. In a secluded cove just outside the reaches of the city of Cork, a woman wakes up buried in the sand, unable to pull herself free.

The gulls wheel silently overhead, oblivious to her nightmare… DS Katie Maguire of the Cork Garda is soon tracking the terrifying gang of torturers who call themselves the High Kings of Erin.

But, somehow, they are always one step ahead. Is Maguire losing her touch? Or is somebody close to her less trustworthy than they seem?Perfect for fans of Peter James, CJ Tudor and Chris Carter, Taken for Dead is part of the darkly original million-copy-bestselling DS Katie Maguire thriller series, which can be read in any order. Also in the DS KATIE MAGUIRE series #1 White Bones #2 Broken Angels #3 Red Light #4 Taken for Dead #5 Blood Sisters #6 Buried #7 Living Death #8 Dead Girls Dancing #9 Dead Men Whistling #10 Begging to Die #11 The Last Drop of Blood #12 Pay Back the Devil Why readers love Katie Maguire... 'A tough and gritty thriller.' Irish Independent‘A natural storyteller.' New York Journal of Books 'Any fan of mysteries should grab this book.' Irish Examiner 'Books in this series and they never fail to entertain.' Reader review ***** 'A fierce read with a plot that feels topical.' Reader review ***** 'Devastatingly brilliant...Brilliant, exhilarating writing.' Reader review ****'Riveted from start to finish.' Reader review **** 'A first class detection novel.' Reader review **** 'Amazing, the man is a genius.' Reader review ****