This is McTiernan at her finest, I think. It was refreshing and comforting to return to moody, misty, miserable Galway. The eldritch twist to the bog murders was genuinely creepy and the mystery unwound itself in a very satisfying and intriguing way - was interested in the answers from the very beginning. The ending felt a tiny bit rushed and so fell a little flat compared to the skillful building of the rest of the book, but honestly it was so atmospheric and compelling that it really didn’t matter. Probably my fave McTiernan so far, and I REALLY liked What Happened to Nina?

It’s great to have one of my favourite fictional detectives, Cormac Reilly, back with a new case! The Unquiet Grave by Dervla McTiernan was well worth the wait.

Set in Galway, Ireland, Cormac is called to a bog where a body—showing signs of torture and ritualistic elements—is discovered. Initially believing it to be a historic find, he soon realises it's a recent murder, likely that of a missing high school principal who vanished two years earlier. Meanwhile, his ex-girlfriend, Emma Sweeney, reaches out in desperation—her husband has disappeared on his way home from a business trip to France, and with authorities unwilling to help, she turns to Cormac. When two more mutilated bodies surface in different parts of Ireland, Cormac begins to suspect a serial killer. But with no clear connections between the victims, he’s left with more questions than answers, forcing him to dig deeper into a case that grows more complex at every turn.

Cormac is such a strong, authentic character, and I loved seeing familiar faces like Emma return. As always, Dervla masterfully builds suspense and atmosphere, making you feel every bit of the tension. The multiple storylines keep the pace fast and the mystery gripping—I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

I really hope this fourth instalment means more books in the series soon! If you haven't started this series yet, I highly recommend beginning from book one. While each can be read as a standalone, they’re too good not to enjoy from the start!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Dervla McTiernan has done it again. The Unquiet Grave sees Dervla back at her best and it was great to step back into Cormac’s world.

This story focuses on the body found in a bog which has been tortured. There are 2 further bodies which leads them on a search for a serial killer.

There are also 2 other side stories going on at the same time as the main murder investigation. At times these side stories become confusing as to how they fit into the story. However, Dervla shows her master storytelling by weaving all the stories together drawing the story to a satisfying conclusion.

The Unquiet Grave ends with the possibility of another Cormack story which I will definitely be first in line for.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I LOVE all of Dervla McTiernan's books, especially her Cormac series. She delivers another outstanding novel in this series—so worth the wait. This book was an absolute page turner, packed with suspense until the end. The writing was sharp, the plot masterfully woven and the sense of place so vividly described, I felt completely transported to Ireland (as I usually do reading these books!). McTiernan has a rare talent for juggling multiple perspectives without ever losing the reader, creating a mystery that twists and turns without becoming convoluted.

Cormac Reilly finds himself pulled into a case involving the discovery of a body in a bog - the body turns out to be a school principal who vanished two years ago. Cormac is under increasing pressure to advance his career within the force while simultaneously being drawn into a desperate plea for help from his ex-girlfriend, Emma (I love that Emma was back again too!). Her husband, Finn, has gone missing and she turns to Cormac for help as she hasn't been able to get far with the police since his disappearance. As the body count rises the investigation becomes increasingly complex and unrelated cases gradually revealing shocking connections.

It was fantastic to have Cormac back in action and his character continues to develop in fascinating ways, making me eager to see where McTiernan takes him next. There were lots of other stand out characters which made this book al the more enjoyable to devour! Clearly Dervla has left it open for more in this series - I can't wait for the next one.

The ending was definitely satisfying, every piece of the puzzle fit together perfectly, making for an incredibly rewarding read. Keep writing please Dervla! I did also love What Happened to Nina but The Cormac series is definitely my favourite!


Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

In “The Unquiet Grave” McTiernan returns to Ireland, and Cormac Reilly, the central character in her first three novels. Many readers will welcome the return of this interesting and complex character, and McTiernan gives him an equally complex and absorbing investigation to handle.

Cormac knows he’s not the most popular police officer in Ireland, not after exposing a corrupt colleague. Other officers might not like that corruption, but they’re still uneasy with Cormac’s actions. Still, his competence is undisputed and enough officers respect him for him to be able to do his work.

Cormac and his long term subordinate, Peter Fisher, find themselves investigating a gruesome murder. As more bodies turn up, it gets more complicated: are they dealing with a serial murderer or with copycats?

Both men also have personal investigations making claims on their time. Cormac is helping a friend look for a missing husband; Peter is helping a friend who’s worried about the safety of a woman and children who’ve left a violent husband. Both men are also wrestling with significant decisions about their professional future.

The result is a complex and satisfying novel. The characters are well rounded, and have a lot to deal with – realistically. They don’t work in a vacuum, and the way their personal commitments and concerns intertwine with their work is believable. It also adds depth to both the investigation and the characters.

The central investigation is complex and layered, and few readers will sort it out before Cormac does. Even then, McTiernan has some last twists to stun the reader. Her novels have developed a sharp edge when it comes to the intersection between the law and justice, and here again she’ll leave you with something to think about.

I loved this. It’s well written and powerful, and not a book you can put down and forget about. The characters, setting, and investigation are all vivid and will live on in your mind for some time. Highly recommended for readers who want a meaty and impactful crime novel.

I’ve really enjoyed the Cormac Reilly series and this is another great installment. While reading it you feel transported to Ireland. The characters are all so well written and feel like real people. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fan of McTiernan’s books I was thrilled to read her latest novel, especially as Cormac Reilly features again. This time he is confronted with a body in a bog, a body that suggests a strange ritual. The murdered man is Thaddeus Grey, a local school principal, not seen for two years. There does not appear to be a reason for his murder, and Cormac finds it difficult to concentrate on his investigation as his ex-girlfriend Emma has pleaded with him to help her find her husband Finn, who has gone missing in Paris. As Cormac juggles the two cases, more bodies appear. Is there any connection or is a serial killer on the loose?

The background to the novel was fascinating with its brooding Irish countryside, descriptions of historical bodies found in bogs, military use of cybersecurity and ways of cheating winners of the lottery. Cormac’s struggle with his feelings about Emma and the fact that she is married and pregnant is vividly described, while his internal conflict about taking on a new job in the police force and his relations with his co-workers adds depth the story.

The theme of justice is a thought-provoking one. Cormac is clear that it is the justice system that makes the final decision about guilt or innocence but has fears about tackling police corruption and how his colleagues will react. Meanwhile, his off-sider Peter finds that for him justice is not so easily defined.

I was amazed at McTiernan’s ability to juggle three separate investigations and kept wondering how she would manage to tie all the clues together. Of course she did that brilliantly in this clever, twisty police procedural. I am looking forward to more books with Cormac investigating.

I discovered Dervla’s books a while ago with the first in the Cormac Reilly series and eagerly devoured them. I enjoyed her latest offerings too but was pleased to Cormac back in book four of the series. Once again Dervla has written an engaging and clever police procedural weaving together many different elements. Perfectly paced I enjoyed being transported to Ireland, you always learn a lot about Dublin and Ireland. I particularly found the bog person and its history and the military history side of things interesting. Cormac himself is always an interesting character and I enjoyed his flaws and his pursuit of justice even when things aren’t always black or white. He was surrounded by a cast of well fleshed side characters. I hope to see him back a lot sooner next time.

Oh how I've missed the DS Cormac Reilly. With its well-paced, slow-burn tension and sharp writing, I was just as gripped as I was with the previous three.

This book continues an exploration on justice - what is it and how do those enforcing it nagivate the grey areas? Cormac doggedly pursues it, but it came at the expense of his career and relationship with Dr Emma Sweeney. Two years on, he's living like a student without the social life, and distrusted by his colleagues. Emma reappears, now pregnant and needing his help to find her missing husband. While Cormac gets some closure, this plot felt gratuitous and pulled focus from the main action, especially given the resolution was pretty flat.

With its atmospheric descriptions Ireland (I ended up looking up what bogs were), I think Dervla McTiernan is at her best. She manages to capture a slight melancholy mood which permeates this series. Cormac is also such a compelling lone wolf hero that keeps me coming back. Will we get more Cormac? I certainly hope so.

Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for the ARC.

It's been a long time between books but it was so good to catch up with Cormac Reilly . He's still in Galway but things are very different for him. He is being pressured to take on a new role, Emma has suddenly reappeared in his life and he has a murder to solve. He is constantly pulled in different directions and had people around him manipulating the case. I certainly hope this isn't the last we see of Cormac and his new role.

Thankyou NetGalley, for the chance to read an advanced readers copy of The Unquiet Grave in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
What a ride Dervla McTiernan takes you on.
From the opening pages , the storyline grabs you and doesn't let up until the final pages.
The storyline was well thought out and written with compelling characters.
Enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend to others.

This is book four in the Dervia McTiernan series featuring Cormac Reilly. As the books have progressed, I have really taken a liking to this character and the author has done an excellent job in developing his personality and attributes as the books have continued.

This is a mystery/police procedural and quite an engaging one. A very puzzling case presents itself for Cormac whose initial thoughts culminate when events happen taking a vastly different turn to what he initially envisioned. A mutilated corpse has been discovered in Galway, the investigation then becomes so much more with clues slowly presenting themselves, adding to Cormack’s frustrations as he endeavours to solve the case. Thaddeaus Gray disappeared over two years ago but as Cormac delves deeper into the circumstances of his death, he becomes aware that there is a much more recent connection to activities which are now taking place. Even once Cormac feels he is progressing, more bodies are found and once again the book takes another turn. Emma Sweeney is present again in this book and I enjoyed this side of the story as Cormack will always have a soft spot for her.

A very well thought out story that is an excellent addition to this series and one that as a reader, I became thoroughly immersed in. I look forward to more books which may follow in the future. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

BRILLIANT. Thank you SO MUCH Harper Collins AU and Netgalley for this ARC.

The 4th instalment in the Cormac Reilly series, long awaited and so worth the wait. This book was so unpredictable and held suspense all the way to the end. It was so well written and I felt transported to Ireland. The way Dervla can write from so many perspectives and wind together this mystery with out losing the reader is a true talent.

Cormac Reilly has found himself on the case of what appears to be identifying a body from a historical murder, the body long preserved in a bog. Upon closer investigation, the body belongs to Thaddeus Grey, a local school principal who has been missing for 2 years. On top of this investigation, Cormac must contend with pressure for him to further his career in the police force and the awkward situation of helping his ex girlfriend, Emma, who has in desperation turned to him to help find her missing husband. The body count continues to grow and it's almost impossible to find the links between them. Almost.

This book was just excellent and I truly hope that Dervla continues with the Cormac Reilly series. I think I'll be rereading these again from the start.

She did it again. Another great read. Detailed, intricate, twist and turns and built out characters. Great read. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This is an outstanding read. Brilliantly maintained suspension. An extremely well written book.

It was great to have Cormac back! Emma reappearing as a character in a side story involving her husband Finn was excellent. Peter Fisher was an excellent character. Carl Rigney and David Scully were the sly scum of the earth and each deserved their respective nasty fates.

The German family at the outset of the story was interesting. Thaddeus was a vile, malicious, begrudging character who deserved to get his as he did, in spades! I felt sorry for his poor mum and dad as the idea of his being so grasping and demanding money for them presented as realistic, as I know adult children in real life who have done the same thing to their parents.

Cecelia was an interesting character. You could see how being so protective of her brother and mum she got herself into the terrible situation that she did. I liked Liam’s dad. An admirable take no crap kind of person. Inspector Beltin could have done with a belting!

Bringing in Cormac’s sister Lili and her kids to the story was a nice touch. Cormac heading off to join the Complaints is I’m assuming leaving things wide open for a further Cormac book that I’ll look forward to reading.

I loved the ending and cheered for Peter, and not just because I’m a defence lawyer. I thought ah, justice is served! The book was very engaging and absorbing throughout. There was just nothing missing plot / story wise. I wouldn’t change a thing other than the typos! Much kudos to Dervla McTiernan on another brilliant read. The legal profession’s loss is the reader’s gain.

I highly recommend this book to others who enjoy police procedurals and mysteries. Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Netgalley was great to deal with. I requested the book at the weekend and it arrived in my Netgalley App early on Monday morning. I read the book over the one day as I couldn’t wait to find out the ending.