Sa Pholl Báite

This is the fourth detective story from the series by Anna Heussaff where we meet with two main characters Aoife Nic Dhiarmada and Garda Réamonn Seoighe. It follows on from Bás Tobann (2004), Buille Marfach (2010) and Scáil an Phríosúin (2015). While all the stories feature the same two main characters and the same two locations of Dublin and the Beara Peninsula, they can be read as stand-alone books as well.

The start of the story begins when middle-aged woman Emer Ní Ghríofa is reported missing from her home in Dublin. When her body is found on the banks of the Liffey her son Dan is distraught. Her estranged husband Colman Ó Gríofa now lives on the Beara Peninsula, close to ex-journalist Aoife Nic Dhiarmada who begins to investigate his activity and potential involvement in Emer’s death. Meanwhile, Garda Seoighe is tasked with heading the official investigation in Dublin on the cause of Emer’s death and trying to figure out whether it was an accident, suicide or murder.

The story goes between Seoighe’s official investigation in Dublin and Nic Dhiarmada’s very informal investigation in Beara. We meet many sub-characters throughout the story who are all equally as dubious and untrustworthy and it seems like everyone could be a potential suspect in the case.
As well as the main murder case storyline, there are many other themes covered in this book such as workplace bullying, domestic violence, coercive control, relationship issues and toxic relationships. Current real-world societal problems such as the homelessness crisis are a feature of the story as Emer’s son Dan and his Polish boyfriend live rough for some time which all serves to make the story more relevant and contemporary.

Anna Heussaff has a particular skill in creating credible and vivid worlds and it’s clear from her detailed description of both Dublin areas and landmarks in the Beara Peninsula that she knows these areas well. This adds to the story’s credibility and really brings it to life for readers. There is good character development, particularly with Réamonn Seoighe who leans into reflecting on and adapting his behaviour to make his relationship work. The true motivations of the sub characters are revealed gradually so that the reader is unsure of where the blame lies until the final conclusion is uncovered.

The story moves along well and there is tension throughout building up to the climax of a satisfying end. Readers who enjoy an Irish murder mystery will enjoy this dark tale.