The Ruin Audiobook By Dervla McTiernan cover art

The Ruin

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The Ruin

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

“Compelling, unexpected twists and a hold-your breath standoff . . . Hand this one to readers of Tana French and to police-procedural fans.” —Booklist

It’s been twenty years since Cormac Reilly discovered the body of Hilaria Blake in her crumbling Georgian home. But he’s never forgotten the two children she left behind.

When Aisling Conroy’s boyfriend Jack is found in the freezing black waters of the river Corrib, the police tell her it was suicide. A surgical resident, she throws herself into study and work, trying to forget—until Jack’s sister Maude shows up. Maude suspects foul play, and she is determined to prove it.

Cormac Reilly is the detective assigned with the reinvestigation of a seemingly accidental overdose twenty years ago—the overdose of Jack and Maude’s drug and alcohol addled mother. Detective Reilly is under increasing pressure to charge Maude for murder when his colleague Danny uncovers a piece of evidence that will change everything.

This unsettling small-town noir draws us deep into the dark heart of Ireland, where corruption, desperation, and crime run rife. A gritty look at trust and betrayal where the written law isn’t the only one, The Ruin asks who will protect you when the authorities can’t—or won’t.

©2018 Dervla McTiernan (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Crime Fiction Crime Thrillers Fiction Noir Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Mystery Scary Detective Irish Mystery

Critic reviews

"Narrator Aoife McMahon delivers Cormac's low-key, hard-working style of detective work in an easy-listening manner in this multilayered police procedural.... This debut novel has a compelling storyline deepened by McMahon's Irish-accented voice, perfect pacing, and riveting attention to details. Building tension seems to come naturally to McMahon; his precise pauses add to the emotional impact. McTiernan's well-written story and McMahon's top-notch narration make this a compelling listen." (AudioFile)

Editorial Review

For fans of Tana French

It may have been risky to choose a gritty & disturbing thriller set in one of my favorite places in the world as my pick this month, but I could not resist the Galway setting of The Ruin, even if it might reveal a disturbing side of life in this otherwise idyllic Irish city. Not unexpectedly, the setting does add a distinct air of Irish melancholy that permeates the story, but dare I say it's in a "good" way? In the end, the unnerving themes explored in this cleverly composed police procedural speak more to the universal demons that haunt so many people—just in an Irish accent. Debut author Deverla McTiernan makes full use of her Irish upbringing, legal training, and calculating mind to create the perfect tale for those who like their mysteries on the darker side. Brace yourself, but don't let it keep you from visiting Galway! —Tricia F., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Ruin

Highly rated for:

Gripping Mystery Intricate Plotting Excellent Narration Atmospheric Setting Unpredictable Twists
Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Dreary goodness

So I'll start by saying that I loved the story. The writing is great, the narrator is fantastic. It will absolutely keep your attention the entire time. However, I couldn't wait for it to be over. It is so sad and so bleak, that it really took a toll on me. I mean that in a good way. That's obviously what the writer was going for but whew... I need a pallet cleanser after that.

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180 people found this helpful

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

So good!

When I saw that this author was being compared to Tana French I knew I’d be hooked. The story was gripping, the narrator was great, and I can’t wait for the next book!

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36 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Psoriasis is a skin condition Cirrhosis is liver

I love the accents and voice of the reader, but it makes me crazy that she constantly pronounced Cirrhosis “psoriasis”. One is a skin condition, the other liver. The woman in question had CIRRHOSIS, not psoriasis.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

CAPTIVATED ME!!!!!

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!!! I LOVE IT!! DIDN'T WANT IT TO END. NEED MORE NOW DERVLA!!

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2 people found this helpful

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

A gripping Irish mystery

The Ruin is a wonderfully complex mystery set in Ireland beautifully read by McMahon it truly took me back to my own time there. a plot with multiple twists and turns as well as so many threads tied together. it was hard to put down. an excellent story with a fantastic narrator.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well done!

This is a well written, and very well narrated, thriller/mystery/detective story. It will please the seasoned thriller listener/reader. I hope there are more such titles by this author. Will take a look.
Audible addict,
Santa Fe, NM

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story! Kept me engaged till the end!

This was ready listening with very vivid descriptions. I am looking for moor by this author. She had twists that I thought would lead me to know "who dun it" on my own, but it changed in the end! That's what you call a twist. It was unpredictable and exciting to say the least.
The performers did a great job. The inflections in the voices were spot on. And who doesn't love a good accent?!

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

Two thumbs up! Great mystery story

I loved this story! Wonderful Irish mystery. Great narrator. I listed to the book straight through. There was never a dull moment. I love whodunnit books. It keep me guessing to the end.

Sophisticated.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn’t stop listening

Very well written. Couldn’t stop listening. And I am hard to please. The narrator was wonderful as well! Enjoyed!

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

Decent story. Don’t listen if you don’t like hearing God’s name used in vain

Not too many twists or anything but a good read. I wish they wouldn’t say God or Christ and they said it so very many times.

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