cover image The Killer in Me

The Killer in Me

Olivia Kiernan. Dutton, $16 trade paper (352p) ISBN 978-1-524-74266-9

In Irish author Kiernan’s well-paced sequel to 2018’s Too Close to Breathe, Dublin Det. Chief Supt. Frankie Sheehan is asked by attorney Tanya West, who happens to be her sister-in-law, to look into the case of Seán Hennessy. He’s newly released from prison after 17 years for killing his parents when he was 15 years old, and for the attempted murder of his then 10-year-old sister. Tanya works with Justice Meets Justice, which investigates possible wrongful convictions, and the organization believes the personable Seán could be innocent. A documentary film company is also involved. Despite her misgivings, Frankie agrees to examine the case. Meanwhile, she and her team are called to the scene of the murder of Geraldine and Alan Shine, whose bodies are found in a Dublin suburb. More murders, seemingly unrelated, occur, and Kiernan skillfully handles the intersection of the cases. Frankie’s insights at crime scenes, her close relationships with squad members, and the vivid picture of Dublin lift this police procedural. [em]Agent: Susan Armstrong, C&W Agency (U.K.). (Apr.) [/em]