A young woman lies beaten to death on a construction site near the Irish border. Inspector Benedict Devlin surveys the brutal scene, noting signs that point to sexual violence. His investigation quickly focuses on a local bodybuilder with a history of steroid abuse. The case seems straightforward until James Kelly turns up dead. The born-again Christian, recently released from prison and eager to evangelize in his hometown, has been nailed to a tree in a grotesque crucifixion. Two murders with vastly different methods suggest Devlin faces multiple killers operating in his jurisdiction. As bodies accumulate, the pressure mounts on the inspector, who struggles to balance the demands of solving these crimes with his responsibilities to his young family. The road where condemned criminals once walked to their execution has become the backdrop for new horrors, and Devlin must catch those responsible before they claim more victims.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: detective, murder-investigation, police-procedural
Setting: Ireland
Period: 21st-century
Hardcover · Ulverscroft Large Print Books Ltd
Content warnings: graphic-violence, murder, violence