Title: THE SISTERS
Author: Dervla McTiernan
Narrator: Aoife McMahon
ISBN: 979 8212 4352 53
Publisher: Audible Original
Length: 3hours 8 mins
Source: Audible
Two sisters climbing the ranks of Dublin’s criminal justice system. A murder case that could change their lives forever. The Sisters is a gripping new thriller from one of the most exciting voices in crime fiction.
In this prequel to the international bestseller The Ruin, set 10 years prior, bright-eyed Carrie Ryan is at the very start of her career. When she has a hunch about an ongoing murder investigation, she knows it could be her only chance to prove herself and truly break into the “boy’s club” of Dublin’s police force.
Carrie uncovers this make-or-break moment in a case file her sister Aifric, a newly qualified barrister, leaves on their kitchen counter: Robert Collins has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend after a fight in a local pub, and all signs point towards a guilty verdict. But both sisters quickly begin to find evidence that complicates the story. All the while, Carrie is very aware that she’s crossed the line – if the detective sergeant running the investigation finds out she’s been messing around with his case, her career will be over before it has begun.
Official Summary
07 February 2024
I was introduced to this author when I participated in a blog tour for The Murder Rule in May 2022 (read review: https://featzreviews.com/the-murder-rule-book-review/ ) Since then I have been keen to read more of her work. When I see her name flash across my Audible page, I cannot help myself.
The Sisters is a gripping crime thriller that delves into the intricate web of Dublin’s criminal justice system. Set ten years before the events of McTiernan’s international bestseller, The Ruin the novel introduced the ambitious and bright-eyes Carrie Ryan, a young police officer eager to make her mark in the male-dominated world of Dublin’s police force.
The narrative unfolds as Carrie stumbles upon a murder investigation, discovering a case file left by her sister Aifric, a newly qualified barrister. The case revolves around Robert Collins, accused of murdering his girlfriend after a pub brawl, seemingly an open-and-shut scenario. However, as the sisters dig deeper, they unearth evidence that challenges the straightforward narrative, forcing them to navigate a complex and potentially career-ending situation.
The author captures the tension and challenges faced by these women attempting to break into the “boy’s club” of law enforcement. The dynamic between the two sisters adds a layer of complexity, weaving family ties into the already intricate plot. Carrie’s determination to prove herself and Aifric’s commitment to justice create a compelling duo that keeps you engaged throughout the story.
Dervla McTiernan skilfully combines suspense, mystery and a touch of familial drama, creating a page-turner that holds your attention right to the end. The exploration of the murder case and the intricacies of the criminal justice system adds depth to the storyline, showcasing the author’s expertise in the field as well as her ability to craft compelling crime fiction.
This book with its well-developed characters, tight plot and a satisfying blend of mystery and family dynamics is a must-read for fans of the genre. The Prequal is a thrilling standalone, so do not skip it if you haven’t read The Ruin – I have not had the chance to read that either. Rest assured it has been added to my wish list.
Also By Dervla McTiernan
The Wrong One
In this new novella from the number one internationally best-selling author of The Sisters and The Murder Rule, Dervla McTiernan, a mother and son fighting to prove her innocence are reunited with an estranged friend—a detective who may hold the key to her freedom—as they’re forced to put their differences aside to uncover the shocking truth behind the crime.
When Clara Coleman is taken into custody, her teenage son, Sebastien, wastes no time before calling Simon Miller: an estranged family friend and detective in their old hometown of Hartford, Connecticut. Clara’s been arrested for the murder of Rachel Stapleton, a wealthy housewife and prominent figure in Lavender Valley, their well-to-do New Jersey suburb. But she swears she did not commit the crime.
Simon knows that Clara is not capable of murder and will do anything he can to prove her innocence—he’s felt indebted to the Coleman family since her husband, Will, Simon’s best friend, passed away years before. He arrives in Lavender Valley and hits the ground running on the case. With time, details surrounding the crime as well as the Colemans’ family history are revealed, unravelling the complex web of cause and effect that will finally bring the truth to light.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Internationally bestselling and critically acclaimed writer, Dervla McTiernan is the author of The Ruin, The Scholar and The Good Turn. The Ruin was published in 2018 and is the first in the detective Cormac Reilly series. The Ruin was a top ten bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of July 2018. Dervla was a New Blood Panellist at Harrogate Festival. The Scholar was published in 2019 and was a top-five bestseller. The Good Turn will be published in 2020. The Ruin has been optioned for TV by Hopscotch Features.
Shortlisted: Barry Awards, Kate O’Brien Award, Australian Book Industry Awards, Irish Book Awards, Western Australian Premier Book Awards
Dervla spent twelve years working as a lawyer. Following the global financial crisis, she moved from Ireland to Australia and turned her hand to writing. Dervla is a member of the Sisters in Crime and Crime Writers Association and lives in Perth, Australia, with her husband and two children.
February had a slow start – mainly because my day job has been interfering with my blogging time, but I have some fantastic books heading your way the rest of the month. Thank you for visiting the blog, your support keeps me motivated to keep sharing. Remember to share your thoughts on this title – leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
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