Rob and Cassie may be relatively new to the Murder Squad of their Ireland town, but no one would react impassively to the murder of a 12-year old girl. Alerted by the team of archeologists who’d stumbled upon the body that morning, they are brought to the scene and immediately get to work trying to figure out what monster may have committed this heinous crime. Throughout the investigation, however, Rob is plagued by one nagging detail: he is also a survivor of sorts. When he was about the age of this victim, he lived in this area and had survived the disappearance of his two best friends. Since that time, he has never been able to recover the memory of what happened to them. But in order to stay on this case, because the two might be linked, he must keep his history a secret – one that plagues him perhaps even more than this murder itself.
This is a well-woven crime novel, narrated through the voice of Rob. With each new slice of evidence, we are engaged more and more, and the intrigue continues to mount. French also writes these characters not just as “detectives” drawing out the facts of the case, but as humans, with deeply complicated pasts, fighting demons of their own. We come to know Rob, in particular, whose struggles and conflicting feelings both help and hinder the investigation.
This story is certainly not a light, uplifting read, nor is it for the feint of heart. There are a few gruesome scenes, ugly characters, grisly twists. But it is suspenseful and fun, perhaps in a twisted, dark fashion. Perhaps read it with the lights on?
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