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The Body Count
As the banking scandals of 2012 hit Ireland, Jordan PR are about to pitch for their biggest contract yet. The Bank of Leinster desperately need help to rehabilitate their image. Caroline Jordan is ready to step in - the only problem is the body in the meeting room!
This time Caroline is determined not to get involved. Her colleagues/best friends are getting married, political reforms loom and there’s an iconic art exhibition to arrange. Not to mention that Bank contract is still up for grabs. But in Ireland all things are connected and old secrets bind strange bedfellows.
As she begins to realize the web of lies and scandal stretch from the art world to the board room, DS Doyle pulls in a favour - can Caroline possibly resist investigating the rising Body Count?
This time Caroline is determined not to get involved. Her colleagues/best friends are getting married, political reforms loom and there’s an iconic art exhibition to arrange. Not to mention that Bank contract is still up for grabs. But in Ireland all things are connected and old secrets bind strange bedfellows.
As she begins to realize the web of lies and scandal stretch from the art world to the board room, DS Doyle pulls in a favour - can Caroline possibly resist investigating the rising Body Count?
274 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2021
3 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Geraldine Moorkens Byrne
18 books37 followersGeraldine is a writer and poet from Dublin, Ireland. She studied in UCD, worked in Advertising and Publishing and finally returned to her family roots to run a famous music shop in Dublin. She retired in Oct 2021 to become a full time novelist and poet. Her work draws on a variety of inspirational sources - Old Irish mythology, Irish literary forms, modern politics mixed with the ancient tradition of Satire.
Fiction: She is the author of the Caroline Jordan Mystery Series, inc The Body Politic and The Body Count. Inspired by her l8ve of detective fiction since childhood, the third book in the series is due out in 2023.
Non Fiction: due put 2023 Draiocht Ceoil and Guardian: a guide to urban Paganism in Irish traditions
She has several poems in the anthology Poetry From the Lockdown, Willowbrook Press, and her short story "A Stranger Among Friends" was a prizewinner in the Cunningham Short Story Comp and is included in the winners anthology 2020.
Her work has been published in Anthologies (inc Where The Hazel Falls /Electric Publications; Jane Raeburn Collection; Small Things; Pagan Paeans; Brigid's Runes) and Magazines (inc Asian Geographic -frontispiece, Tribes Edition; American Dowser)as well as Ezines (inc Prairie Poetry; Poetry Life and Times.) Her recent work includes Gods and Radicals Anthology "A beautiful Resistance"; The 1916 Rising Commemorative Magazine "Sixteen" (several issues, featured poet.)
Geraldine was a founding editor of the PPP poetry ezine/workshop which is now a small poetry collective dedicated to helping new authors. She was also editor of Pagan Paeans (with Simone L Hogan). In 2011 she was a prize winner, Listowel Writers Week John Creedon Inaugral Poetry Competition. Her work has been performed by theatre groups in the USA and UK - notably "Death of the Hero" and "Bealtine".
Fiction: She is the author of the Caroline Jordan Mystery Series, inc The Body Politic and The Body Count. Inspired by her l8ve of detective fiction since childhood, the third book in the series is due out in 2023.
Non Fiction: due put 2023 Draiocht Ceoil and Guardian: a guide to urban Paganism in Irish traditions
She has several poems in the anthology Poetry From the Lockdown, Willowbrook Press, and her short story "A Stranger Among Friends" was a prizewinner in the Cunningham Short Story Comp and is included in the winners anthology 2020.
Her work has been published in Anthologies (inc Where The Hazel Falls /Electric Publications; Jane Raeburn Collection; Small Things; Pagan Paeans; Brigid's Runes) and Magazines (inc Asian Geographic -frontispiece, Tribes Edition; American Dowser)as well as Ezines (inc Prairie Poetry; Poetry Life and Times.) Her recent work includes Gods and Radicals Anthology "A beautiful Resistance"; The 1916 Rising Commemorative Magazine "Sixteen" (several issues, featured poet.)
Geraldine was a founding editor of the PPP poetry ezine/workshop which is now a small poetry collective dedicated to helping new authors. She was also editor of Pagan Paeans (with Simone L Hogan). In 2011 she was a prize winner, Listowel Writers Week John Creedon Inaugral Poetry Competition. Her work has been performed by theatre groups in the USA and UK - notably "Death of the Hero" and "Bealtine".
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 5, 2022
I absolutely inhaled this book. The story would work as a standalone, for sure, but I really like having read the first in the series [The Body Politic] this being the second. The characters, who I came to know and thoroughly enjoyed in book one, have been developed and deepened in book two, to my delight.
The story itself clicks along, bringing in a grisly murder, a corrupt banking system, and political manoeuvring in modern day Dublin. Byrne's handling of the materials, like bank reforms — of which I had no clue previously, is effortless and intriguing. Her language is excellent and when she throws in snarky bits of humour I always laugh out loud.
I have to say, I waited slightly impatiently for Byrne to finish writing this, once I knew it was in the works, and having just finished it I am truly hoping she has a third book coming out soon. I want more!
The story itself clicks along, bringing in a grisly murder, a corrupt banking system, and political manoeuvring in modern day Dublin. Byrne's handling of the materials, like bank reforms — of which I had no clue previously, is effortless and intriguing. Her language is excellent and when she throws in snarky bits of humour I always laugh out loud.
I have to say, I waited slightly impatiently for Byrne to finish writing this, once I knew it was in the works, and having just finished it I am truly hoping she has a third book coming out soon. I want more!
December 14, 2021
This is the second novel I have read by Geraldine Moorkens Byrne. I was thrilled when the second book came out. Byrne does a splendid job intertwining the characters’ personal lives as they face challenges relatable to real life. The characters are well-written and respond in convincing ways to their circumstances. A central part of the story revolves around the emotional fallout and precarious situation a the various family allegiences. I enjoyed the writing and the tale. I received this novel through BookFunnel. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 2, 2022
A fantastic sequel. Began with a bang and lived up to expectations set by the first, great book.
I loved getting to know previous characters even more and enjoyed meeting new ones. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book, particularly those who enjoy crime novels. A gripping, enjoyable read from start to finish.
I loved getting to know previous characters even more and enjoyed meeting new ones. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book, particularly those who enjoy crime novels. A gripping, enjoyable read from start to finish.
February 7, 2022
You'd think Caroline Jordan would be sick of murders. And in fact, she is. But sometimes you don't get a choice. Caroline is living her best life, power-walking in to the country's biggest bank to seal a deal, when things turn pear-shaped faster than you can say 'bribery and corruption'.
Once again Caroline and her crew must deal with murder, mayhem, misogyny and DS Doyle. Not to mention keeping the country's top politicians happy, and enduring several social occasions with bankers. This quick-witted, thought-provoking page-turner had me laughing out loud. I'm already looking forward to book three!
Once again Caroline and her crew must deal with murder, mayhem, misogyny and DS Doyle. Not to mention keeping the country's top politicians happy, and enduring several social occasions with bankers. This quick-witted, thought-provoking page-turner had me laughing out loud. I'm already looking forward to book three!
December 15, 2021
A great read, worth your time. Good characters and a interesting mystery.
May 27, 2022
Another great book in this series
Loved #2 in this series. Carolyn is back and has to walk the tight rope of political expectations and the solvency of her business. A party at one of her client’s that was meant to be part vacation to her and her staff becomes far more dangerous. When a body is found in their car park, things get far worse. Love the interaction between her and her staff/friends and her friends/political associates. Hard to tell who means her harm. Highly recommend.
Loved #2 in this series. Carolyn is back and has to walk the tight rope of political expectations and the solvency of her business. A party at one of her client’s that was meant to be part vacation to her and her staff becomes far more dangerous. When a body is found in their car park, things get far worse. Love the interaction between her and her staff/friends and her friends/political associates. Hard to tell who means her harm. Highly recommend.
December 28, 2021
This is the second book in the Caroline Jordan series. It's a great mystery and follow up to the first book. the characters of Caroline and DS Doyle are great to follow through the book and investigation. It's also great to immerse the culture of another country from someone who's actually a resident.
November 30, 2022
Loved it, can't wait for the next installment of Jordan PR
July 13, 2022
Another excellent whodunnit from Geraldine Moorkens Byrne - it's like an Agatha Christie murder mystery teleported into Dublin during the 2010s banking crisis!
If you're looking for an old-school mystery novel with a unique and engaging setting, I highly recommend giving The Body Count a read. The four POV characters are thoroughly enganging, and while Byrne treats us with rewarding development of the returning main characters, particular kudos goes to the introduction of Marie Flynn, who gradually became a personal favourite.
Byrne's setting is both a chuckle-inducing pastiche and a hard-hitting honest reflection of what Ireland was like circa 2012, when we plunged into the worst economic recession in Western Europe and the banking scandals erupted onto the centre-stage. Political parties like Cumann na Laochra and financial institutions of the Bank of Leinster are fully fleshed-out expys of their real-world counterparts, and the internal politics and backstabbing provide a colourful and intriguing backdrop to a classic murder mystery.
A gripping and enjoyable read!
If you're looking for an old-school mystery novel with a unique and engaging setting, I highly recommend giving The Body Count a read. The four POV characters are thoroughly enganging, and while Byrne treats us with rewarding development of the returning main characters, particular kudos goes to the introduction of Marie Flynn, who gradually became a personal favourite.
Byrne's setting is both a chuckle-inducing pastiche and a hard-hitting honest reflection of what Ireland was like circa 2012, when we plunged into the worst economic recession in Western Europe and the banking scandals erupted onto the centre-stage. Political parties like Cumann na Laochra and financial institutions of the Bank of Leinster are fully fleshed-out expys of their real-world counterparts, and the internal politics and backstabbing provide a colourful and intriguing backdrop to a classic murder mystery.
A gripping and enjoyable read!
December 28, 2021
This was a fun read over the holiday period. Classic cosy crime: an female amateur sleuth with a casual link to the police; multiple bodies; loads of suspects; and lots of red herrings. But the setting, in the world of PR and banking in 21st Century Dublin marked it out as original. And there was a great sense of humour running through it. A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read.
November 1, 2022
This book is much more than a routine whodunnit. So, it will appeal not only to fans of murder mysteries but also to many other readers. It is engaging and the characters seem real, with wry observations. It is bold and funny and at times I felt like I was enjoying some juicy gossip with a friend (about the main characters) 0ver a long lunch! Kept me interested until the last paragraph!
September 30, 2022
Really enjoyed this sequel. Loved the intricacies of it all and all everything tied together.
Found it tricky to get all the characters straight in my head and why they were suspects but otherwise, brilliant mystery and liked how involved Jordan PR was this time round.
Can't wait for more
Found it tricky to get all the characters straight in my head and why they were suspects but otherwise, brilliant mystery and liked how involved Jordan PR was this time round.
Can't wait for more
August 16, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery that blended politics and the art world together in Dublin, Ireland. When Caroline Jordan's PR firm walks into a meeting room to find one of the bank managers dead, it's just the beginning of the threads that are woven in and around the wealthy and priviledged, as well as those who take advantage of their positions in life.
It was particularly interesting to get insights into how special units operate in the Garda, and the ins and outs of the art world as well. Caroline's job as head of her own PR firm places her adjacent to the movers and shakers in Dublin--and neatly positions her to tie all the loose threads together to a satisfying conclusion.
It was particularly interesting to get insights into how special units operate in the Garda, and the ins and outs of the art world as well. Caroline's job as head of her own PR firm places her adjacent to the movers and shakers in Dublin--and neatly positions her to tie all the loose threads together to a satisfying conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews