The Scholar

(Cormac Reilly #2)

Being brilliant has never been this dangerous…

When Dr Emma Sweeney stumbles across the victim of a hit and run outside Galway University late one evening, she calls her partner, Detective Cormac Reilly, bringing him first to the scene of a murder that would otherwise never have been assigned to him.

A security card in the dead woman’s pocket identifies her as Carline Darcy, a gifted student and heir apparent to Irish pharmaceutical giant Darcy Therapeutics. The multi-billion-dollar company, founded by her grandfather, has a finger in every pie, from sponsoring university research facilities to funding political parties to philanthropy – it has funded Emma’s own ground-breaking research. The enquiry into Carline’s death promises to be high profile and high pressure.

As Cormac investigates, evidence mounts that the death is linked to a Darcy laboratory and, increasingly, to Emma herself. Cormac is sure she couldn’t be involved, but as his running of the case comes under scrutiny from the department and his colleagues, he is forced to question his own objectivity. Could his loyalty to Emma have led him to overlook evidence? Has it made him a liability?

Awards

Finalist - International Thriller Award

Shortlisted - Australian Industry Book Award

The Scholar

‘Ms. McTiernan fills ‘The Scholar’ with a full cast of sharply etched characters: nightmarish parents, loving siblings, backstabbing colleagues and loyal allies. The police-procedural form seems ideally suited to the gifted Ms. McTiernan, who pulls off an unexpected piece of offstage violence so audacious it may make you gasp.’

The Wall Street Journal

‘A writer to watch.’

Publishers Weekly

‘A truly fine police procedural that should see the Australian-based author rocket from star to superstar. It’d be hard for even the most demanding reader to find fault with this book.’

Irish Independent

The Ruin was an outstanding debut but The Scholar proves beyond a doubt that Dervla McTiernan is a remarkable talent. Utterly compelling, the story twists and turns like a mountain road. Her characters are unforgettable and completely convincing. This is crime fiction of the highest standard.’

Jane Casey

‘Atmospheric and beautifully paced, with nuanced characters and a gripping plot – The Scholar has it all.’

Chris Hammer

Share this