No Strangers Here

In the small Irish town of Dingle, County Kerry, wealthy Johnny O’Reilly is found dead on the beach. His clothes are completely dry, and he is surrounded by 69 painted stones that contain a cryptic message. A syringe and a partial vial of a drug used by veterinarians to euthanize animals lie by his side. Killarney Detective Inspector Cormac O’Brien identifies a host of suspects with varying motives. Local veterinarian Amon Wilde is an obvious suspect, but his wife makes the list, too, as she is rumored to have been having an affair with the dead man. Somehow the case is tied to the death of a racehorse 27 years ago, a prank by two young men, and a sexual assault. When Dimpna Wilde, also a vet, finds that her parents are suspects, she returns to Dingle to help solve the crime. Emily O’Mahony’s lovely Irish accent is the perfect accompaniment to this intriguing tale. She captures O’Connor’s well-rounded characters, each of whom harbors secrets of their own. Listeners should enjoy her portrayal of the nuances of small towns and their foibles.