Reviews

 

Guilt RiddenSilent Crossing - Top 10 Irish Bestseller

The Irish Examiner
"Building tension is certainly one of McCarthy's strengths as a writer. Readers of Silent Crossing will find themselves increasingly uneasy as the mood darkens and the plot turns." .

The Irish Post
"Silent Crossing.... An evocative and chilling tale that will haunt the reader throughout."

 Woman's Way
 "Read what happens to Melanie in Silent Crossing. We've read it already and were blown away."

Silent Crossing Reviews from the Poolbeg site...

Ellen is a wonderful and unique writer; this book was full of intrigue and mystery. I could not put it down. I was totally absorbed by it. I have read her other books which I also found fascinating and look forward to her next publication.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Kenny from Wexford


I loved the other 2 books by this author, and have been looking forward to Silent Crossing's release. I wasn't disappointed, as it again told a fascinating story, full of surprises, shocks and emotion. The characters are all believable and you can always see bits of yourself in the characters in Ellen's books, which almost makes you part of the story. I would recommend this book and Ellen's Triple Treat of books to all. I am already looking forward to reading what she comes up with next time.
Reviewed by Charles Townsend from Dublin

Guilt RiddenGuilt Ridden

Guilt Ridden Reviews from the Poolbeg site...

Hi there, have to say that I loved the book. It's full of gripping and tense emotion with a tremendous way of creating loose ends and joining them back up again. The descriptions of places are so vivid that I could almost feel myself there as part of the story. I don't want to give too much away to future readers, but would certainly recommend this book as an excellent read to anyone who loves drama, excitement and intrigue. Reviewed by John Flynn from Waterford

Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed reading Guilt Ridden. Its such a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone out there who wants to be kept in suspense until the end.
Reviewed by Dave from Sydney Australia

This book was so good it kept me awake at night, couldn't wait for the next opportunity to keep reading. Keep up the good work Ellen, I'm looking forward to reading "Guarding Maggie" soon.
Reviewed by Anne from NY


Reviews from Amazon.co.uk
Fab book!, 21 April 2009
My mother-in-law loves to read and I bought "Guilt Ridden" by Ellen McCarthy as a present for her birthday. She told me that at first she found the book quite difficult to get into, but thought she'd give it chance and persevere. She was so glad that she did because she said it is one of the best books she's ever read (and she reads a lot!) She said it's a great book that keeps you in suspense, making it really difficult to it put down as you feel the need to read "just one more page..."
By E. Neville (UK)



GGuarding Maggieuarding Maggie

Irish Independent
'a chilling page-turner..........'

Evening Herald
''........a novel full of surprises, if you like tales of intrigue, this is for you.....'


Reviews from the Poolbeg site...

I got this book and started to read and read - I just could not put it down. I had to continue on to the end to discover Maggie's fate in one sitting. The book is a rollercoaster of emotions - it had me laughing aloud and almost in tears in equal measures. Maggie Breslin is a character that anyone can empathise with and understand instantly - you are immediately in her corner after a few pages and support her throughout. If I had to read only one book this year, then Maggie has my vote.

Reviewed by Paul O'Brien from Waterford


From what I thought was going to be a gentle story from the start turned into one of the most enjoyable page-turners this year. A top class book, go buy it and enjoy
Reviewed by Jack Roche from Wexford

What a Page Turner - Brilliant. From the moment I started this book I could not put it down. Just when I thought I knew what was coming next a new twist developed. You are thrown on to the rollercoaster of emotions with Maggie and kept in suspense until the very last page. Brilliant - highly recommended, go buy and see who is Guarding Maggie?
Reviewed by Catherine Murphy from Wexford


Excellent read the minute I started reading the first page I could not put the book down I, just could not wait to see what was going to happen next it was a real page turner. I will certainly be on the look out for more of her books in the future
Reviewed by Anne Egan from Listowel, Co. Kerry


I love crime fiction and my name is Mags for short, so when I saw this book I just had to read it, and boy, was I glad I did! Its a fantastic story, a real page turner and a burner of the midnight oil type of read.
I had to know how it finished so kept reading all thro the night!
Congratulations to Ellen McCarthy for a superbly written, taut thriller which keeps the suspense going right to the end. Keep em coming, I love your writing!
Reviewed by Margaret Garvey from Cork


Gripping Debut Novel - What begins as a gentle story about Maggie, a sixty year old woman living in Donegal with her older brother quickly turns into a very absorbing thriller.
When Maggie's long-lost son turns up on the doorstep, so begins the strange events - prowlers, graffiti, mysterious telephone calls and even murder. Just when you think you've worked it all out, another twist happens and I was left turning the pages increasingly quickly to find out just who was the perpetrator, and why?
Reviewed by Anne Cter from Gainsborough, England


I've just finished the book. I just thought it was a brilliant read, I couldn't believe it was her 1st book. It was a real page turner, I couldn't put it down till I finished it.
Reviewed by Michelle Flood, Drogheda, Co Louth


Highly Recommended - A fantastic first book by Ellen McCarthy! You won't be able to put it down. Numerous plot twists and surprising characters leaves you constantly thinking "who did it??" throughout your read. Engaging to the very last page. Make room in your life for this book today.

Reviewed by Justin Rohan from London, England


Reviews from Amazon.co.ukGuarding Maggie
 
A Gripping Debut Novel, 2 Nov 2008
I was drawn to this book as it is set in County Donegal, my homeland. I just could not put it down and had to continue on to the end to discover Maggie's fate. The book is a rollercoaster of emotions - it had me laughing aloud and almost in tears in equal measures. What initially begins as quite a gentle story about Maggie, a sixty year old woman living in rural Donegal with her older brother quickly turns into a very absorbing thriller. The character of Maggie so so well drawn - a sad, lonely woman who made one big mistake in her life and has paid for it ever since. When Maggie's long-lost son turns up on the doorstep, so begins the strange events - prowlers, graffiti, mysterious telephone calls and even murder. Just when you think you've worked it all out, another twist happens and I was left turning the pages increasingly quickly to find out just who was the perpetrator, and why? A fabulous debut novel by Ellen McCarthy, and published by the brilliant Poolbeg. I'd recommend this one to all.
By Lincs Reader (Lincolnshire, England)


Best Book I've read in a long time, 18 Aug 2008
I read this book in 1 day flat, I couldn't put it down, it kept me gripped to the end, there is no way of knowing who the prowler is, every page has you wondering "is it them"
Can't wait for Ellen's next book
By Nic


Guarding Maggie, 9 May 2008
This is a fantastic read, I really enjoyed it and it's a hard book to put down. My wife is currently reading it now and we are really looking forward to the next instalment from Ellen McCarthy
By Kevin Houlihan (Ireland)