First published 2016
Ciaran Devine walks free from prison alongside his older brother Thomas, returning to a Belfast that hasn't forgotten what they did as children. Detective Chief Inspector Serena Flanagan remembers the case well. She opposed their early release and warned that Thomas remains dangerous despite his younger brother's rehabilitation. When Ciaran tries to build a normal life, Thomas grows increasingly unstable and violent. Their probation officer Paula Cunningham finds herself caught between wanting to help Ciaran and fearing what Thomas might do next. As Thomas's behavior escalates, old wounds reopen in their fractured family. Flanagan watches from a distance, waiting for the inevitable explosion. The past refuses to stay buried in a city built on long memories and old grudges.
Genres: fiction, drama, suspense, mystery, crime, psychological-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, family-secrets, redemption, second-chance
Setting: Belfast
Period: contemporary
384 pages · Paperback · Vintage
Content warnings: violence