Book review: Feisty, forensic Dublin thriller

Marie Cassidy’s debut was praised for its compelling storyline and its authentic forensic detail, and the same is true of ‘Deadly Evidence’

Marie Cassidy is the author of two bestsellers: Her memoir ‘Beyond the Tape’ and her debut novel ‘Body of Truth’. File picture: Collins Courts

• Deadly Evidence 
• Marie Cassidy 
• Hachette Books Ireland, €16.99 

Deadly Evidence opens with state pathologist Terry O’Brien giving evidence in Ireland’s Central Criminal Court, shortly followed by the discovery of the mutilated body of a member of An Garda Síochána in an area of Dublin associated with gangland crime.

This is the second novel by Ireland’s former state pathologist and features the main characters who appeared in her first, Body of Truth. 

There are references to what happened in her debut, in particular the madman she encountered then is now facing his court case, which makes her vulnerable and on edge. She just has to see him locked away and that threatens to distract her from this new case.

That’s not all; although she is already busy as state pathologist, Terry is asked to also lead the open case review unit, examining unsolved or suspicious deaths.

You do not have to have read Body of Truth to immerse yourself in Deadly Evidence. 

Her debut was praised for its compelling storyline and its authentic forensic detail, and the same is true of this novel.

Some may find the descriptions of post-mortems upsetting, or too detailed, but others will appreciate how much knowledge they impart.

Terry’s post-mortem of the dead detective reveals uncomfortable evidence, but the storyline expands beyond that, as she starts to examine cold cases and to question some decisions made by coroners in the past. The intertwining of the different storylines is what makes the novel so compelling.

Terry is a likeable and believable character, who is unwavering in her determination to find the truth.

Marie Cassidy uses her personal experience as a former state pathologist and her own background well; Terry, like her, has arrived in Ireland from Scotland, and it has taken time for her to be accepted by her colleagues. 

This will ring true with many people’s experience no matter their workplace. 

The author occasionally uses Scottish English words, one example is “swithered”, which means to be uncertain about your course of action.

By the time Terry examines the garda’s mutilated body, she is surrounded by close colleagues who do support her. 

She has also made real friends during her previous time in Dublin. However, you still fear for her as well as support her as she refuses to allow those in power to deflect her from what she is going to do. 

Her kindness is revealed when she offers to help take care of Bella, a greyhound, for Jimmy, the rather grumpy mortuary manager.

By showing that Terry is vulnerable, the author helps readers to identify with her. She’s feisty, with a sense of humour, often revealed in the dialogue.

She is reluctant to attend therapy sessions, as she does not like talking about herself, but knows she needs them due to how she suffered in what happened in the events covered in the previous novel and alluded to here. 

She is also haunted by the murder of her sister years ago in Glasgow.

Her relationship with Detective Inspector John Fraser adds another interesting dimension, particularly as it slowly develops. One assumes that will progress in a future novel.

While Deadly Evidence is compelling and very enjoyable, this reader is not sure including the resolution of her sister’s murder was a good idea, as it seems rushed.

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