They say trouble comes in threes. Detective Danny Quirke is already mourning his wife and mired in an internal investigation that will likely spell the end of his career. Now he must return to the Newfoundland fishing village of his youth to bury his abusive grandfather. At least his three are up. Right?
Then the bones of local boy Llewellyn Single, drowned thirty years before, wash up on the beach, and secrets Danny thought were buried forever rise violently to the surface. Only two people know what really happened: Danny Quirke and his former best friend, millionaire Tadhg Heaney.
Danny and Tadhg have been bitter enemies for years. But when Danny is accused of Llewellyn’s murder, he needs Tadhg’s help exposing the truth—before those who believe he is responsible get their revenge.
After all, on an island, nothing stays secret forever…
Previously published by Dreamspinner Press as Wind and Dark Water, March 2020.
The blurb for this book needs to be rewritten. It sets up expectations that are not met by the narrative thus turning off some readers. That would be a shame because this is a very well written and engaging story about adults reckoning with the past that shaped them and isn’t quite past.
Deiniol Quirke returns to his hometown of Kildevil Cove in Newfoundland to bury his grandfather and dispose of his earthly goods. His plate is full. He’s dealing with recent events in his professional life, the still painful loss of his beloved wife, and a fraught relationship with Tadhg Heaney.
Danny and Tadhg were bosom buddies for a few years as teenagers. A misunderstanding/secret changed that and for thirty years each went in different directions living lives full of both satisfaction and disappointment. Danny pursued a career in law enforcement which has given him great highs and disheartening lows. Tadgh is a businessman, mostly a real estate developer, not well loved by the community.
I really liked this story, I liked the writing which had the flow & ebb of a good literary novel. Flashes of memories are seamlessly integrated without jarring you out of the present story but more than anything I loved how beautifully and atmospherically the culture of Newfoundland is limned. I went on deep dives, learned a whole bunch of stuff, and was overall delighted.
This didn’t rate higher for me for a few reasons. A number of narrative avenues really weren’t anything, they were misleading or didn’t go anywhere. Maybe in the next book? It seemed to me that in thirty years Danny and his sister (who happen to be twins) would’ve found time for some much needed conversations. Danny tends to fly off the handle pretty easily, jump to unwarranted conclusions, which is at odds with his reputation as a keen detective. I didn’t see the purpose of some characters or rather the time spent on them. Also for those interested this is neither really an M/M nor a murder mystery procedural. Two men do find happiness together (more of the HFN variety) but the drive of the story isn’t about that and they don’t begin to move in that direction until about the 80% mark. Neither of these were a problem for me but as I said at the beginning, expectations matter.
I’ll happily read the next book in the series hoping the author keeps up the same level of writing and that the dangling threads of this story are dealt with and resolved.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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