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The Ruin

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The Ruin

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

The Top Ten fiction bestseller and critically acclaimed crime debut featuring everyone's favourite new detective, Cormac Reilly

'The Ruin is spectacularly good. So CONFIDENT ... excellently written and, at times, heartachingly sad' Marian Keyes

'Corruption, clandestine cover-ups and criminal conspiracy ... as moving as it is fast-paced' Val McDermid

'Dervla McTiernan's first novel outclasses some of the genre's stalwarts making her a crime writer to watch ... fans of Ian Rankin and Tana French will feel right at home' Bookseller + Publisher (4.5 stars)

Galway 1993: Young Garda Cormac Reilly is called to a scene he will never forget. Two silent, neglected children—15-year-old Maude and five-year-old Jack—are waiting for him at a crumbling country house. Upstairs, their mother lies dead.

Twenty years later, a body surfaces in the icy black waters of the River Corrib. At first it looks like an open-and-shut case, but then doubt is cast on the investigation's findings—and the integrity of the police. Cormac is thrown back into the cold case that has haunted him his entire career—what links the two deaths, two decades apart? As he navigates his way through police politics and the ghosts of the past, Detective Reilly uncovers shocking secrets and finds himself questioning who among his colleagues he can trust.

What really did happen in that house where he first met Maude and Jack? The Ruin draws us deep into the dark heart of Ireland and asks who will protect you when the authorities can't—or won't.

©2018 HarperCollins Publishers Australia pty Ltd (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers Australia pty Ltd
Crime Fiction Crime Thrillers Fiction Police Procedural Suspense Thriller Mystery Ireland Haunted Exciting Heartfelt Detective

Critic Reviews

"Dervla McTiernan's first novel outclasses some of the genre's stalwarts making her a crime writer to watch...fans of Ian Rankin and Tana French will feel right at home." (Bookseller + Publisher)

"The Ruin is a terrific debut and a rare gem: a compelling crime thriller that delivers depth as well as twists." (Sara Foster, author of The Hidden Hours)

What listeners say about The Ruin

Average Customer Ratings
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superb story well read

McTiernan's debut novel is a superbly read by McMahon. Brilliantly written, McTiernan's style is detailed and comprehensive. I couldn't wait for opportunities to listen and hear the story unfold. I thoroughly recommend both writer and reader.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, well read.

Binged it to get to the end. Always a sign of a well crafted detective novel.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic!

What a great story and so beautifully read. Highly recommend this book - I couldn’t stop listening!

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good but...

Thought the story was pretty good but the Australian accent was really hard to listen to. I found myself listening more to the actual accent each time than what was being said.

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really good read

well told mystery. narrator was good except for the worst australian accent i have ever heard. made me laugh though.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

A great story. Tinged with the true cruelty of the Church and the Irish Foster Care System, and the Legal System of the times.
Beautifully narrated.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Compelling, But Often a Sea of Detail

Ultimately, I enjoyed The Ruin. The writing is highly skilful, the characters are complex and most chapters end in a manner that prompts the reader to keep going. May have rolled my eyes slightly at the conclusion - but in the end it's satisfying enough.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent story and fabulous narration

Excellent story and fabulous narration!
Thoroughly enjoyable story that kept me engaged till the very end.

The narrator’s attempt at an Australian accent was valiant but not quite on the money. But as an Australian I’m probably a bit critical 😀

Overall it was really well told!
Worth a listen that’s for sure 👍🏼

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The Ruin

Enjoyed nearly every moment of the book well done thank you so much for your reading

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, holds your interest


Bad Australian accent but overall is a good read. Easy listening and good story.
Looking forward to the next book

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.