Book extract: Former state pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy's debut novel

Former state pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy's debut crime novel 'Body of Truth' follows Dr Terry O'Brien, who recently arrived in Ireland from Scotland to take up a position as state pathologist, who quickly finds herself in the thick of cold cases of murdered Irish women, with questions mounting. Here the Irish Examiner features an exclusive extract from the thriller

Dr Marie Cassidy at a crime scene in Co Wicklow. Picture: Garry O' Neill

People associated death with silence. With hushed tones and murmured condolences.

In Dr Terry O’Brien’s experience, death was always accompanied by noise: sirens blaring, doors slamming, orders given, questions asked, the rustle of paper suits and, finally, the clang of metal as the knife drops onto the table.