I must say I’m really enjoying crime and thriller novels. As promised for my October 2nd post, today I’m reviewing Janina Franck’s latest release, Old Ghosts, book one in the Saoirse Kennedy series, an LGBTQ+ crime and suspense novel.
Title: Old Ghosts
Series: (Saoirse Kennedy, book #1)
Author: Janina Franck
Genre(s): Adult, Crime, LGBTQ+, Suspense
Length: 298 pages
Publication Date: October 7, 2025
Publisher: Crimson Fox Publishing
Blurb: Notorious crime boss Saoirse Kennedy finds herself entangled in a web of mystery when she receives orders to eliminate a detective and faces the resurgence of her haunting past.
In the midst of this city plagued by crime, Detective Lily Rose sets out to apprehend Saoirse, but their paths intertwine when a new, sinister force emerges, prompting an uneasy alliance to protect their city.
Available at:
****
I’ve been on a thrillers/crime kick when it comes to reading as of late. So when this book came up to read and review, I was in.
First, I liked that the crime boss of this mysterious “city” is a woman. She is Saoirse Kennedy from Ireland. She plays her cards close to the chest, so a reader gets to know this lovely anti-hero the longer you read on. Although she comes across as a cheeky and fun person, there is a serious side to her regarding the city. Don’t mess with it, or you mess with her. She’s a savvy lady who enjoys playing cat and mouse with the local police, especially Detective Benson.
Then there is Lily Rose, a new transplant to the city who transferred in to follow a case that led her to the city. The local precinct is an old boys’ club, so Lily has a hard time trying to break into the club, but Detective Benson finally gives her a chance when his partner becomes sick.
I enjoyed the plot. There is mention of the Big Five who rule the city’s underworld. Kennedy’s being one of them. So when she is asked to kill Detective Benson, the plot gets rolling.
The author did a great job bringing the crime/mystery to life. As with most thrillers, I find, what you see is what you get. I am new to this genre, and this is my third book, and I must say I am enjoying it. The characters are developed before your eyes with little backstory (that is, until the ending, when we finally learn Kennedy’s), so I did not mind this aspect of the novel. I was in for the crime and mystery.
Are they sympathetic? Yes, for sure, when it comes to Rose. Of course, I wanted the cop to win. As for Kennedy, she’s ambiguous, and I wasn’t sure how to root for her, but she does have morals, which does sway the reader to her side.
I enjoyed the bonding between Benson and Kennedy. Some might feel the novel is slowed by their bar bantering, but I found it added a lot to the story and what happens afterward.
The ending does not have a big climactic finish, but ends in a whisper with hints of more to come, since this is the first book in the series.
The novel does get heavy on internal narrative, with lots of thinking going on with each character. But I found the internal thinking is what gives you a good idea of who each character is and how they operate.
As I said, it’s a crime/mystery, so don’t go into this thinking you are going to read a romance. Instead, Kennedy and Rose find common ground to work together. And I must say, for the first book, when they slowly get to know one another, the author did a great job bringing them together. I wouldn’t have expected less from Kennedy, who isn’t going to open her arms for anyone.
If you enjoy crime/mysteries, do yourself a favour and get a copy.
Maggie Blackbird 