Really enjoyed this book, this is one of my favourite authors. I can ‘t wait for the next instalment of this series. Five star recommendation

Many thanks to netgalley and SA. Dunphy for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily

The first of a new series set in Ireland . Shane Dunphy is a new author for me, though this is definately not the last book I will read by him. Tessa, the main detective here, is a woman with a past. After her parents were killed, she had a difficult childhood in care. I got the impression that she has a devil may vcare attitude because of this. Her co-workers who join her in her new team also have their own problems, on similar lines which also have long lasting effects on their adult lives. The characterization is done very well. I was rooting for them from the start of the book.
The crimes are not pretty, a lot of shooting and insights into the criminal underworld in Ireland, a strange group of contract killers who cannot personally be identified. The plot is well thought out and interesting, the pacing good and a couple of twists to add to the mix. A police procedural, I suppose, but not really based on detection techniques.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read in exchange for an honest review

This is Irish police procedural at its best. I loved the cast of characters that we meet in this one. This is the start of what’s a brilliant series. I am already waiting for more.

These are reads that do not disappoint. These absorb you and keep you gripped from the beginning. I love how these are written, you feel as though you are watching the events are panning out.

It’s easy to become absorbed in these. I had no hesitation in delving straight into book 2 when I finished book 1. Tessa Burns is fantastic and this is one which is packed full of trafficking, terrorism and corruption.

These are fast paced and completely brilliant! This is an author I have adored reading and have no hesitation in recommending to other readers.

Little Witness introduces us to Tessa Bailey and the crew. Poor little Aisling is found in a shipping container. Her parents are nowhere to be found and Tessa and Maggie need to solve the case. I absolutely adored this book. I was pulled in and found myself devouring page after page.

Only the Children sees us transported to the Irish coast. There’s a child who isn’t speaking and Tessa once again has a case to solve. This has been another addictive instalment.

I highly recommend these books.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝑪𝒐𝒑𝒚

Little Witness by S.A. Dunphy
DI Tessa Burns #1

Excellent introduction to a new series that captured my interest from page one and provided the perfect introduction to a new team that will work together to solve cases involving children and/or vulnerable adults.

What I liked:
* Tessa Burns: parents murdered when she was young, spent years in the child-care system, ex-military, has nightmares, survivor, strong, lethal, dedicated, wise, mature, good friend, intriguing, good people skills, team player and egalitarian leader
* Danny Murphy: lost his parents when young, raised in foster system, has anger management issues but can be a gentle giant, has great potential, sees Tessa as a mentor, interested to see how his character develops
* Maggie Doolan: family liaison officer, psychology and sociology degrees, qualified therapist, teaches wheelchair self defense classes, has cerebral palsy, friends with Tessa since childhood
* Pavlov: Maggie’s partner, a small black-and-white terrier-mix, bright, calming presence, protective, great addition to the character list
* Aisling Connolly: strong, resilient, survivor, quick thinking, parents disappeared
* Starting the series with book one, finding out how Tessa is put in charge of the team and why, and getting to see the team begin to work together
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The police procedural aspects and how the case unfolded
* That I became invested in the story and cared about the outcome
* The hook at the end that introduces the next book
* All of it and too many things to list every one of them

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Little Witness opens with DS Tessa Burns saving a young girl who has been kidnapped. It also results in her killing some members of a terrorist gang. She is called in to see the Police Commissioner, who congratulates her and asks her what she wants to do with her career. She becomes DI Tessa Burns and she assembles her own team, a team that will specialize in cases involving children and vulnerable adults. She brings people that she knew from her time in foster care, those with specialized skill sets and they are quickly put to the test.

This is the first book in the DI Tessa Burns series and what a great start it was. Tessa is a great character. Her parents were killed when she was young and she lived in care homes. She became friends with some of the kids who were weaker and picked on showing her compassion and sense of fairness. She brought that into her role while working with the Garda, as well as her number one thing, to be kind. Her team also consists of Maggie as a family liaison officer and her service dog Pavlov and well as DS Danny Murphy, a rather large man, but kind and gentle with one flaw, he has a hair trigger temper. The case they are called in on has to do with a couple who make illegal alcohol. They are taken and their daughter Aisling is found hiding. She is frightened and there is suspicion that she is in danger. I loved how the team rallied around to keep her safe. This case was convoluted and difficult to figure out, especially when there were more victims. The description of the murderers gave no indication of who they could be and their faces were described as made from putty. This book was gripping, twisty and chilling. There were times it moved slower, building up, then it zoomed forward. I enjoyed this book, the team that Tessa put together, the procedures and clues they used to solve the crime and the development of the story.

These books are filled with unexpected twists. DI Tesa Burns works with her team in Ireland’s Special Detective Unit, helping the children in their cases.

Tessa, Danny, Maggie & her pup, Pavlov(my fav) work together seamlessly. We’re introduced to them in Book 1 on a case very similar to Tessa’s own childhood trauma that still impacts her today.

Dunphy fantastically uses his own knowledge to write this series and his talent is amazing.

Thank you, S. A. Dunphy, Bookouture, & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

Detective Tessa Burns has to gain the trust of seven-year-old Aisling after her parents turned up missing. Why the child was able to run away and stay hidden for a couple of days is a mystery to Tessa and her fellow officers. As she slowly brings Aisling out of her shell, Tessa hopes that the child will be able to provide any evidence as to what happened to Aisling's parents.

Aisling did not speak at first. However, the more Tessa is able to get Aisling to open up, the more Tessa discovers. In fact, there was a murder most recently, and Tessa fully understands the child's fear. Keeping Aisling safe is just as important to Tessa as to discovering the killer and what has happened to her parents.

This first book in the DI Tessa Burns series was an excellent read. In fact, having this book as an audiobook was quite enjoyable. The series is set in Ireland and the accents and voices really made this story come to life.

This story was definitely intriguing, especially as the reason for Aisling's parents disappearance was discovered. Also, I loved the characters in this book. Not only were Tessa and Aisling strong protagonists, I also loved wheelchair-bound Maggie, a family liaison officer and her dog Pavlov.

I loved this book, as well as the second book in the series, Only the Children, which is released alongside this book, The Little Witness. These enjoyable reads leave me eager for the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Little Witness by SA Dunphy is the 1st book in the DI Tessa Burns series was due to be published on February 12th 2024 by bookouture.

Seven-year-old Aisling Connolly is the only witness to what occurred the fateful evening there was a knock at the door.
Hiding, cold and alone after her parents were taken, she recognizes something in Detective Tessa Burns that tells the young girl that she can trust her. Tessa can't help but feel for Aisling, she was once a child witness herself. Tessa and her team are all unique and have their own challenges. The team is made up of Tessa, Danny, and Maggie. Plus, there is Pavlov, the brilliant and loyal dog who is both a calming presence and courageous protector. Detective Tessa Burns was raised in foster care due to her parents being murdered. She witnessed the murder. She knows how it feels to be a frightened and alone with no one she can trust. So, as an adult she dedicates her life to helping child victims.
When a 7 year old girl is found hiding and her parents missing, Tessa is determined to protect the girl and find her parents.
Tessa has a special team of police to help her. Her team is made up of two other foster care children from her past, Danny and Maggie. As adults they have their own strengths and weaknesses and Tessa knows how to put them to use.
The book was so interesting I had to keep reading to find out what happened I could not put it down.


This is the very first book I’ve read from this author and I gotta say it definitely will not be my last!

Excellent start to a new series by this author. Loved the setting & the creation of the new unit headed by DI Tessa Burns. Well plotted & looking forward to book 2.

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.

This was a solid police procedural with well developed characters and a compelling mystery which kept me hooked.

DI Tessa Burns Book 1.

This is book 1 in a brand new series. I've read books from this author before so I had high hopes for this. And I was not disappointed!

Fantastic, quirky characters and a great plot that kept me guessing made this a very enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the next one.

They came in the dark. They took her parents. And now she is the only one who can save them.

Hidden away in an isolated cabin on the edge of her farm, seven-year-old Aisling Connolly shivers as the cold night air whistles through her thin jacket. It’s been two days since the men came, since her mammy told her to run like she’d never run before, to not look back. She hasn’t seen her parents since. And she’s terrified.

But when Aisling is finally found by the police, she knows instinctively she can trust Detective Tessa Burns. A former child-witness herself, Tessa understands what Aisling has been through, and that Aisling must remember everything she can about that terrible, dark night if she’s to save her parents. Something Tessa was unable to do for her own parents all those years ago.

Little Witness by S.A. Dunphy and narrated by Melanie MacHugh is the first book in the new DI Tessa Burns series and what a brilliant first book this was. Once I started to listen to this audiobook I was hooked and found it hard to put it down.
Tessa Burns is a Detective Inspector in Ireland, and she received a great promotion for rescuing a kidnapped child. She was also given a great opportunity of recruiting her own special team that will devote their time working on crimes which involves children......
DI Tessa Burns recruits a great team Danny who is a Police Officer, who has a short temper and Maggie who has cerebral palsy and is mostly confined to a wheelchair, They all have something in common; when they were younger they were all in foster care and “care homes”, Sadly this left them all with psychological issues. But DI Tessa Burns knows they will all work great together on new and old cases.

Hidden away in an isolated cabin on the edge of her farm, seven-year-old Aisling Connolly shivers as the cold night air whistles through her thin jacket. It’s been two days since the men came, since her mammy told her to run like she’d never run before, to not look back. She hasn’t seen her parents since. And she’s terrified.

Aisling is finally found by the police, she knows instinctively she can trust DI Tessa Burns. Who is a former child-witness herself, Tessa understands what Aisling has been through, and that Aisling must remember everything she can about that terrible, dark night if she’s to save her parents......Slowly Aisling starts to open up and trusts her.

The clock is ticking............. and they need to find Aisling’s parents alive but, it is rapidly fading, with every minute!. DI Burns and her team must do everything in her power to ensure the little girl isn’t next....

WoW!!!! This book is so good and the narrator Melanie MacHugh is excellent. I highly recommend this book/audiobook. I loved it and it kept me on my toes!

Big Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook.
Plus, especially lucky to get the next instalment which was brilliant as well.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I was eagerly anticipating diving into the first two novels of S A Dunphy’s new DI Tessa Burns series, and they did not disappoint, delivering a powerful impact both figuratively and literally!

In Little Witness, the first book, DI Tessa Burns assembles her team of detectives, including Maggie and her dog Pavlov, who exhibits more humanity than canine! They are joined by Danny, a formidable presence. Each team member has a background in the care system. Their mission is to locate a frightened seven-year-old named Aishling and reunite her with her parents.

The second book, Only the Children, follows the team's investigation of three children abandoned on a ship that has run aground without its crew.

The captivating plot twists kept me engaged throughout. The characters are so authentic that they feel like friends you have yet to meet. I wouldn't want to be on their bad side!

Don't miss out on these gripping reads - get your copies now!

Dunphy drops you into this story with an action scene and then the action just never stops. Because of that, it’s hard to put down. I needed to know what happened, and why. Of course these officers find themselves in a pickle a time or two, but ultimately, they are awesome.

I cannot forget the best character in the whole book Pavlov, or Pav, Maggie’s dog! He’s a great addition to this book and to this team. I love how his presence really helps with Ash.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Tessa is fantastic, and I love how she treats her team. I recognize a good “boss” when I see one and she’s definitely one of the good ones.

I highly recommend this book!

Today I am delighted to be taking part on the blog tour for Little Witness by S.A. Dunphy.

Publication Date: 12th February 2024
Publisher: Bookouture

My Review
I finished up Little Witness last week with such complete satisfaction. The first book in the DI Tessa Burns series by author Shane Dunphy, I think he could have a winner with this series...
His characters are very relatable and I think they make a great team, all very different in their own right.
We meet Tessa, Danny, Maggie & Pavlov the dog in this story...
A young girl Aisling Connolly has been found by herself on a family farm with her parents having completely vanished into thin air.
The team are baffled as to what has happened most especially when it looks like the farm has been disturbed.
Neighbours and business associates are keeping quiet as to what has happened if they know anything so the team have their work cut out to solve the case.
Little Aisling has taken a shine to Maggie and her beautiful dog Pavlov, she trusts them and she knows they will protect her.
I enjoyed this new team. They respond well to each other and it felt like they were becoming friends.
The team must work quickly to find the parents before it's too late.
Gripping oh so gripping a story, I am really excited to be starting book two Only The Children and see where he takes the team.
What's so interesting and quite fascinating about this series is the author is bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience from his days as a social worker to the pages along with his vast work done with children. How very unique...
Thoroughly enjoyed Little Witness, actually loved it and it is so well worth your time...

Thank you kindly to author S. A. Dunphy and his publisher Bookouture for my copy of this book and inviting me to take part on this blog tour. Much appreciated.

Little Witness Book Blurb
They came in the dark. They took her parents. And now she is the only one who can save them.
Hidden away in an isolated cabin on the edge of her farm, seven-year-old Aisling Connolly shivers as the cold night air whistles through her thin jacket. It’s been two days since the men came, since her mammy told her to run like she’d never run before, to not look back. She hasn’t seen her parents since. And she’s terrified.
But when Aisling is finally found by the police, she knows instinctively she can trust Detective Tessa Burns. A former child-witness herself, Tessa understands what Aisling has been through, and that Aisling must remember everything she can about that terrible, dark night if she’s to save her parents. Something Tessa was unable to do for her own parents all those years ago.
As the little girl slowly starts to open up, Tessa uncovers much more than she’d bargained for – another murder, clearly a horrific warning to Aisling not to speak. But time is running out, and any hope of finding Aisling’s parents alive is rapidly fading. And Tessa must do everything in her power to ensure the little girl isn’t next…
An utterly gripping Irish police procedural filled with unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of Peter May, Lisa Regan, and Patricia Gibney.

Only the Children Book Blurb
The little girl stares up at Tessa, trembling so hard her whole body shakes. Her brothers stand clutching her hands, both pale with shock. ‘They told us not to speak,’ she finally whispers. But the terror in her tear-filled eyes tells Tessa all she needs to know…
When a cargo ship runs aground off the Irish coast, the police are horrified to find the captain dead at the helm, the crew missing, and three little red-haired children, terrified but unharmed, locked in the galley kitchen.As an expert detective running a child-centred taskforce, Detective Tessa Burns is called in to lead the case.
Despite Tessa’s best efforts, the children won’t reveal a thing – not even their own names. Slowly gaining their trust, Tessa uncovers a deadly secret about their past – and the mystery of their missing parents’ whereabouts – that turns everything she thought she knew on its head.
But just as it seems she’s cracked the case, Tessa’s team is attacked one dark night, and the youngest boy is kidnapped yet again. It’s clear the children are still in terrible danger. And when another senseless killing sends shockwaves through her team, Tessa realises the murderer is someone much closer to home than they could have ever imagined. Will she be able to uncover the truth in time, or will it be too late for her, and, most devastating of all, for the children…?
A totally unputdownable Irish police procedural with jaw-dropping twists. Perfect for fans of Patricia Gibney, Lisa Regan and Angela Marsons.

About The Author
Shane Dunphy (S. A. Dunphy) was born in Brighton in 1973, but grew up in Ireland, where he has lived and worked for most of his life. A child protection worker for fifteen years, he is the bestselling author of seventeen books, including the number one Irish bestseller Wednesday’s Child and the Sunday Times Bestseller The Girl Who Couldn't Smile. His bestselling series of crime novels (written under the name S. A. Dunphy) feature the criminologist David Dunnigan. Stories From the Margins, his new series of true crime books written for Audible, has been critically acclaimed and the second title in the series, The Bad Place, is an Audible True Crime bestseller.

Author Contact Details
https://shanedunphyauthor.org/
https://www.facebook.com/shanewritesbooks
https://www.instagram.com/shanewritesbooks/
https://twitter.com/dunphyshane1

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from S.A. Dunphy here: https://www.bookouture.com/s-a-dunphy

Purchase Links
Little Witness: https://geni.us/B0CLL1S4CGsocial
Audio:
UK: https://ow.ly/VLH450Qx7vn US: https://ow.ly/MvqW50Qx7vo 🎧https://ow.ly/GAXE50Qx7vm
Only the Children: https://geni.us/B0CLKZQCGBsocial
Audio:
UK: https://ow.ly/ihy850Qx7up US: https://ow.ly/E8Op50Qx7us 🎧https://ow.ly/Af1b50Qx7uq

Publisher Details
You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Two of the things that is cool about this police procedural is it has non-traditional police officers on the team. One lady has cerebral palsy and it in a wheelchair and has a service dog, Pavlov. And you know how I am about dogs in books. Another of her team was headed to jail. The second thing is we watch Tessa build her team and how they learn to be a team and build each other up. There is also a case to solve, but that is expected in this type of book.

Her team focuses on helping children. They work to solve what happened to a child’s parents. And it hits a little too close to home for Tessa. I am intrigued by the people with no face from her past and can’t wait to see where that goes.

I like the quirky team and its members. I liked that the story was a little gritty. And I loved learning a little about each of the members as they acclimated to each other.

I had the audiobook in addition to the ebook and thought Melanie MacHugh did a great job narrating the book. I loved her accent and didn’t have any difficulty following along like I have with some narrators with accents.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “Little Witness” by S.A Dunphy. He is a new author to me, but will definitely be in my rotation.
If you are looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this story is for you!! Detective Tessa Burns has a horrible past but does her best to help children and vulnerable adults. She works with Maggie, her best friend, who happens to be in a wheelchair, and Danny, an officer with anger issues. The characters are realistic and relatable.
I am looking forward to the next books in this series! Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#LittleWitness #OnlyTheChildren #SADunphy #NetGalley #Bookouture #BookLove #BooksSetInIreland #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

S.A Dunphy introduces us to Tessa, a member of the Irish Garda, as she is on a mission to rescue an kidnapped child. She is alone, in danger, and absolutely not showing any signs of fear. Immediately the reader knows she is a force to be reckoned with. Color me intrigued and an instant fan.

Once Tessa completes her mission, she is given the opportunity to create her own team, a task force essentially set up to find missing children or to help those in need. She enlists her best friend, Maggie (also a Garda) as the family liaison and Maggie's trustful pup, Pavlov, as the emotional support kids often need. To round out her team, she recruits Danny, another Garda, who has found himself in a bit of a bind (unable to express emotions correctly due to childhood trauma) but has the biggest heart. Combined, they are the ultimate team.

They soon get their first case when they are asked to find and rescue a missing girl. The little girl, Aisling, has hidden from people who kidnapped her mom and dad. The parents' tale is a sordid one of mobsters, underground distilling, and a fight for power and money, all things that make a good thriller!

There are so many things I love about this book. I love the Irish backdrop (I learned a lot of new words along the way!). The plot was fast, flowed well, and really well developed. Most of all, I loved all four (yes I include Pavlov!) characters so much. I felt a connection with each one of them and grew anxious when any of them seemed to be in danger. My heart broke for their traumatic pasts, but was in awe they used their pasts as a way to help save others. The character development was spectacular.

Fantastic read.

this took me a while to get in to but i loved it in the end!

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Having rescued a child, Tessa Burns is promoted to Detective Inspector and heads a special team dedicated to work on crimes involving children. We have Maggie, a woman with cerebral palsy mostly confined to a wheelchair, her dog Pavlov and Danny, a police officer with a short temper. Tessa, Danny and Maggie have been in care or foster homes growing up and that makes them a strong team.

Set in Dublin, together, they now investigate the case of the missing parents of a young girl, Aisling who after her parents have been abducted is hiding in an isolated cabin on the edge of her farm. She may have witnessed something which would be the key to why and who are responsible for the crime.

This was a gripping read from start to finish. Intriguing and mysterious with unexpected twists and a lot of action. The Irish police procedural was meticulous and held my interest. I loved the characters with their different personalities, they did gel well together and had me rooting for them especially Tessa who is kickass. The characters definitely added a unique touch to the story.

On the surface, this seems like a typical missing persons investigation but it was so much more than that. This is the first book in DI Tessa Burns series and now I will be reading the second book soon which was relased alongside this one. Highly recommend if you are looking for a thrilling, Irish crime mystery.