Winner of the 2007 Edgar Award for Best First NovelSet in Ireland
Detective mystery set outside Dublin. Main male character was woosy and irksome but there was a strong female lead.
The background plot involving the male detective is nicely woven into the main plot. While it is not resolved, it accounts for his personality and actions (friends disappeared when he was young ... did he do it? did he see something?)
Main plot has a few clunky moments : "Where's the trowel?" says a character ... and guess what?? It is the murder weapon!!! Less than subtle!
But even with character and plot shortcomings it was a worthwhile read.
