Irish DS Cormac Reilly becomes personally involved in a murder case when his girlfriend, Dr. Emma Stone, discovers the body of a girl near the Darcy Therapeutics lab where she works as a researcher. The victim is tentatively identified as Carline Darcy, granddaughter of John Darcy, billionaire owner of the largest pharmaceutical company in Ireland. But Carline is found alive and well in her apartment.

The plot is twisted and engaging, although we know half of the connections and motives by the middle of the story. I did find Cormac’s jumping to the right or wrong conclusions so quickly a little disconcerting. Everyone has secrets, even Cormac and Emma.

It’s a good police procedural. Characters are likable with enough problems in their lives to keep them interesting. I’m not sure why the series is labeled the “Cormac Reilly” series; Detective Carrie O’Halloran has an almost equal role in this novel. But this is the first book by McTiernan I’ve read.

I will look for more books by McTiernan.