I enjoyed this fast-paced police procedural, set in Ireland.

Focusing on the murder of Katy Devlin being investigated by detectives Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox, the book presents the parallel themes of acting and lying. Are these traits requirements to be successful investigators? Ryan and Maddox believe so. Ryan is proud of the suits (uniform? costume?) he wears when he joins the Murder squad, and the "BBC" accent he picked up in boarding school. He tells us that "Central Casting would definitely think I was a good detective." Later, he and Maddox "get into character" to perform routines in front of witnesses.

In the course of the murder investigation, the detectives manipulate suspects, just as the psychopathic bad guys in the story manipulate others—and this creates dissonance in the minds of the protagonists. These techniques have served them well in the past, but the Devlin case brings to light how similar Ryan and Maddox may be to their prey; the case also brings to light their weaknesses.

We learn that Cassie Maddox has been hurt (both physically and psychologically). She becomes protective of Ryan—is she being a vigilant detective or is she hypersensitive because of her past? When they are not in character, they go to great lengths to hide their vulnerabilities and end up the worse for it.

Ryan's backstory involves the disappearance of two children, Ryan's best friends, 20 years ago, and how this event continues to haunt him. I am very pleased with the way that Tana French resolved this plotline. I'd say more, but I don't want to ruin it for you!

Spoiler here! I would have rated the book one star higher had I not been so bothered by the fact that Ryan's backstory was unknown by any of his superior officers. Really? In this day and age, wouldn't he have undergone a background check that would have brought his past to light?