The Rúin (2018) is the debut crime novel by Irish/Australian writer Dervla McTiernan.
[1] It is the first in the author's Cormac Reilly series of novels, later following by The Scholar and The Good Turn.
Now the young boy, Jack, has been found dead in Dublin and Reilly is drawn back into the investigation.
[1] A reviewer in The Telegraph (UK), noted: "This unsettling small-town noir draws us deep into the dark heart of Ireland, where corruption, desperation, and crime run rife.
"[3] Writing in The Guardian, Sam Jordinson thought the powerful opening was let down somewhat by the rest of the novel: "Too many of the plot's mechanics feel equally clunky...There’s still enough sympathetic writing and talent on display to make you stick with The Ruin, but in the end it feels frustrating and unsatisfying.