The Ruin Audiobook By Dervla McTiernan cover art

The Ruin

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The Ruin

By: Dervla McTiernan
Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
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About this listen

“Compelling, unexpected twists and a hold-your breath standoff . . . Hand this one to readers of Tana French and to police-procedural fans.” —Booklist

It’s been twenty years since Cormac Reilly discovered the body of Hilaria Blake in her crumbling Georgian home. But he’s never forgotten the two children she left behind.

When Aisling Conroy’s boyfriend Jack is found in the freezing black waters of the river Corrib, the police tell her it was suicide. A surgical resident, she throws herself into study and work, trying to forget—until Jack’s sister Maude shows up. Maude suspects foul play, and she is determined to prove it.

Cormac Reilly is the detective assigned with the reinvestigation of a seemingly accidental overdose twenty years ago—the overdose of Jack and Maude’s drug and alcohol addled mother. Detective Reilly is under increasing pressure to charge Maude for murder when his colleague Danny uncovers a piece of evidence that will change everything.

This unsettling small-town noir draws us deep into the dark heart of Ireland, where corruption, desperation, and crime run rife. A gritty look at trust and betrayal where the written law isn’t the only one, The Ruin asks who will protect you when the authorities can’t—or won’t.

©2018 Dervla McTiernan (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Crime Fiction Crime Thrillers Fiction Noir Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Mystery Scary Detective Irish Mystery

Critic reviews

"Narrator Aoife McMahon delivers Cormac's low-key, hard-working style of detective work in an easy-listening manner in this multilayered police procedural.... This debut novel has a compelling storyline deepened by McMahon's Irish-accented voice, perfect pacing, and riveting attention to details. Building tension seems to come naturally to McMahon; his precise pauses add to the emotional impact. McTiernan's well-written story and McMahon's top-notch narration make this a compelling listen." (AudioFile)

Editorial Review

For fans of Tana French

It may have been risky to choose a gritty & disturbing thriller set in one of my favorite places in the world as my pick this month, but I could not resist the Galway setting of The Ruin, even if it might reveal a disturbing side of life in this otherwise idyllic Irish city. Not unexpectedly, the setting does add a distinct air of Irish melancholy that permeates the story, but dare I say it's in a "good" way? In the end, the unnerving themes explored in this cleverly composed police procedural speak more to the universal demons that haunt so many people—just in an Irish accent. Debut author Deverla McTiernan makes full use of her Irish upbringing, legal training, and calculating mind to create the perfect tale for those who like their mysteries on the darker side. Brace yourself, but don't let it keep you from visiting Galway! —Tricia F., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Ruin

Highly rated for:

Gripping Mystery Intricate Plotting Excellent Narration Atmospheric Setting Unpredictable Twists
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Marvelous!

The Cormac Reilly Series started with two prequel novellas titled The Sisters and The Roommate. THE RUIN is the first novel in the series which is set in Ireland. Cormac Reilly is a cop and the genre is police procedural. The Ruin is a marvelously dark and complex novel which manages to keep suspense at a high level. Irish actress Aoife McMahon does a great job of narration. (Aoife is pronounced e-fa.)

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22 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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If you like French's Dublin Murder squad series...

you'll appreciate this book. I very much hope this is the beginning to a series.

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7 people found this helpful

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Excellent

This was excellent.
The characters were extremely rounded and well developed. Everyone felt like a real person with their own inner world and experiences.
The story was both heartfelt and suspenseful. I was taken on a ride with the characters and followed the puzzle along with them. It never feel contrived or predictable.
The writing was very fluid and solid, and it very effectively created images in my head of the places, the people and the events.
I think this one is going to stay with me for a while, and that says it all.

As for the narrator: I couldn't have asked for a better performance. Such a storyteller. Magnificent.

#PastMeetsPresent #Heartfelt #Suspenseful #Ireland #Accents #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

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4 people found this helpful

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Twisted and entertaining

A great read from start to finish. When I started listening I didn't plan on staying up all night to the end.

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2 people found this helpful

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Irish who done it

good characters and plot. You'll enjoy this one and the disappearance/murderer on St. Pat's Day.

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1 person found this helpful

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Grand

loved it. binge listened as much as I could. characters were well described and the details were just enough to hold my suspicion high.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great detective story!

I really enjoyed this book. Great storyline, amazing characters, awesome twists. It has a the perfect blend of suspense and explanation. You never feel like the twists come out of left field, but also you’re never sure who it is! Highly recommend and I can’t wait till the next book.

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Completely sucked in!

I absolutely loved this book! The narration was inviting, the story was intriguing, and I was genuinely disappointed when it was over.

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Intriguing and well written

Great overall story! My only complaint is that there are a LOT of important characters to keep track of. I had to go back and re-listen several times just to keep everyone straight.

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A new favorite

It’s hard to believe such a good story and performance was offered free. I did have some trouble in the middle following the large cast of characters but , as expected, it became much clearer toward the end.
I enjoyed the reader’s accent which somehow made it teal.
I plan to obtain more of this author.

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