The Scholar

DI Cormac Reilly, Book 2

By: Dervla McTiernan

Narrated by: Aoife McMahon

When Dr Emma Sweeney stumbles across the victim of a hit-and-run outside Galway University early one morning, she calls her boyfriend, Detective Cormac Reilly, bringing him first to the scene of a murder that would otherwise never have been assigned to him. The dead girl is carrying an ID that will put this crime at the centre of a scandal – her card identifies her as Carline Darcy, heir apparent to Darcy Therapeutics, Ireland's most successful pharmaceutical company. Darcy Therapeutics has a finger in every pie, from sponsoring university research facilities to funding political parties to philanthropy – it has even funded Emma's own groundbreaking research.

As the murder investigation twists in unexpected ways and Cormac's running of the case comes under scrutiny from the department and his colleagues, he is forced to question himself and the beliefs that he has long held as truths. Who really is Emma? And who is Carline Darcy?

©2019 Dervla McTiernan (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

'Another thrilling tale that delivers on all the promise of McTiernan's debut – not to be missed.' (Readings Monthly)

'Ms. McTiernan fills "The Scholar" with a full cast of sharply etched characters: nightmarish parents, loving siblings, backstabbing colleagues and loyal allies. The police-procedural form seems ideally suited to the gifted Ms. McTiernan, who pulls off an unexpected piece of offstage violence so audacious it may make you gasp.' (The Wall Street Journal)

'Atmospheric and beautifully paced, with nuanced characters and a gripping plot – The Scholar has it all.' (Chris Hammer, author of Scrublands)

Another winner by Dervla McTiernan, Aiofe McMahon

This is the third audiobook and my second listen from the The Cormac Reilly Series and it does not disappoint. Discovering a new narrator McMahon was an excellent find, along with author McTiernan. Cannot imagine one without the other. I was guessing all the way through this murder mystery and it held my attention. As it becomes a bit more clear, more jaw-dropping surprises await. Important Note: Listen intently. I lost my way several times while multi-tasking and had to backtrack, my fault. Characterizations are absolutely brilliant, thanks to McMahon. Awaiting more from this brilliant duo! So highly recommended, I can’t see to the top. Worthy of a treasured credit and I look forward to more by these talented women. Epic! I say. EPIC! EPIC! EPIC!

👏✍🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍🏻👏

Great book

loved it, I wanted to keep listening till the end. kept you going till the very end.

Great author

I read the Ruin, first, I almost passed on it because a couple reviews complained about all of the “4 letter words”, which is total bullshite! This one was a great follow on, mystery, murder, it’s set in Ireland and read by wee Irish Lassie, what could be better?

Great Pace!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as the first and also appreciated that the author did not try to explain any past character relationships. Great read!

A great crime story

Dervla writes beautifully using all the colloquialisms of her native tongue! The narrator is flexible and talented, which makes listening to this story a true pleasure. The characters in the series are wonderful and very well developed and have the ring of truth in their presentation.