[ About The Wrath ]
You will not know the day, or the hour, but I am coming for you…
When DS Lucy Golden discovers an abandoned car showing signs of a recent and bloody escape, the race is on to find the injured occupant, who must be somewhere close by on the Irish island of Achill. But when an anonymous threatening note is found in a pool of blood, the search team is briefed to look for a body, rather than a survivor.
Once the victim is revealed to be a retired police officer, Lucy and her team are on edge . . . was the brutal killing an act of personal revenge? Or is the killer making a statement against the wider Gardaí?
Tensions rise as bizarre clues, conflicting witness testimony, viral videos and family feuds send Lucy and her partner Detective Dan Brown across Ireland on the hunt for a vicious murderer. They’re feeling the pressure at work and at home . . . Lucy’s son Luc is in a stormy relationship with a wannabe social media influencer, Dan’s mother-in-law is conducting a steamy affair under his roof, and Lucy fears that a recent case that got a little too personal could be the cause of her boss DI William’s noticeable coldness towards her.
Meanwhile, the killer is only just getting started…
[ My Review ]
The Wrath by Martina Murphy published January 2026 with Constable | Little Brown. It is the fifth instalment, and second last book, in this exciting series. Having recently received a copy of The Taken (August 6th, 2026), I decided to catch up with my Lucy Golden reading picking up my copy of The Wrath (I was not disappointed). Do check out my previous review of The Bone Fire (DS Lucy Golden #3).
Set in Mayo on the west coast of Ireland, DS Lucy Golden has been witness to, and experienced, many traumatic scenes. Her ability to absorb all she sees has taken its toll, leaving her exhausted and guilty at all times. Lucy lives with her mother, having had no choice but to leave her life in Dublin years previously. Her son, Luc, has his own life to lead but Lucy is always aware of their personal history and how it must have affected him over the years.
While heading home one evening Lucy sees a car abandoned on an isolated stretch of road. Her instinct is to investigate and what she discovers is shocking. A pool of blood, no trace of a body and, following closer examination, a very disconcerting anonymous note. When the team discover that the victim is an ex member of the force, the investigation steps up a notch but with no obvious motive, they have to spread their net a little wider.
Lucy and her co-workers start to unravel a very sinister tale that takes them across borders and counties as the investigation starts to gather momentum. Who is this killer? And is this case linked to any historical ones?
The Wrath is a compelling story set in an area that has seen its fair share of trouble. Lucy Golden is a such an authentic protagonist. She is flawed, guilt-ridden, disillusioned, drained, yet always tries to do her best for her peers, her community and those she loves. She is excellent at her job, respected by most of her colleagues, but Lucy knows that she is hiding a secret, one that could potentially implode and finish her career within the force. This constant feeling of remorse and shame sits on her shoulders at all times. As this current case builds momentum, she has to push all this dread to the back of her mind and continue her search for a sadistic murderer.
Martina Murphy is winding down this series and, although I was late to it I have really enjoyed my time getting to know Lucy Golden. In The Taken we will see her story pivot but her sense of justice will remain strong.
With multiple red-herrings and a great cast of characters, The Wrath is another engaging and thrilling read, a marvellous addition to this Irish crime fiction series.
[ Bio ]
Martina Murphy lives with her family in Maynooth, County Kildare. She is the author of the DS Lucy Golden crime series and has previously written general fiction as Martina Reilly and YA as Tina Reilly.
