Binding: Paperback
Date Published: 04 Sep 2025
The murder of an innocent shakes Ireland to its core.
One cold January morning in 1980, on a beach in Kerry, the body of a newborn baby is found in its most sheltered sand dune. Local Garda Mary Shea is first on the scene.
Such a case calls for more than small town policing, and the Dublin major crimes team is brought in to take charge. But there's a way of doing things in Kerry, one which Mary understands well. And when she is able to get crucial female witnesses to cooperate, lead detective Matt Foley takes her under his wing. This is the biggest case of his career and he needs all the help he can get.
Mary finds more questions than answers and it becomes clear many locals conduct secret lives - but who would do such a thing?
A dark and gripping Irish crime debut from an international bestseller. Perfect for fans of Olivia Kiernan, Tana French and John Banville.
Praise for
The Silent Ones 'Harrowing, suspenseful and authentic... a writer at the top of her game' Jo Spain
'An engrossing police procedural and a beautifully drawn portrait of a time and place. Mary Shea is such a brilliant new character: intuitive, ballsy, compassionate, achingly ahead of her time. Highly recommended.' Louise Candlish
'Beautifully written, completely compelling. Mary Shea is the best cop character I've read in years. Give me the next book. Give it to me now!' Dervla McTiernan
'Wow. Just wow. A stunning read from start to finish... totally immersive' Reader review
'What an absolutely gripping story! I had a really hard time putting my kindle down' Reader review
'Shea's resilience and sharp wit make her a standout lead. If you love crime fiction that's smart, emotional, and unafraid to tackle dark themes with a touch of humour, read this' Reader review
'A thought-provoking novel with lots of twists and turns' Reader review