SERGEANT P J COLLINS hasn't always been this overweight; mother of two BRID RIORDAN hasn't always been an alcoholic; and elegant EVELYN ROSS hasn't always felt that her life was a total waste. So when human remains are discovered on an old farm, suspected to be that of TOMMY BURKE - a former love of both Brid and Evelyn - the village's dark past begins to unravel.

As the frustrated PJ struggles to solve a genuine case for the first time in his life, he unearths a community's worth of anger and resentments, secrets and regret.

'Deeply accomplished, with brilliantly observed, entertaining characters and an atmospheric setting' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

'One of the more authentic debuts I've read in recent years... A fine novel' IRISH TIMES

'Charming... highly enjoyable...A gentle comic crime story' GUARDIAN

'A beautiful piece of writing' KATHY BURKE'Heartwarming and observant 'STYLIST

'As moving as it is compelling' SUNDAY MIRROR