When the severed head of a red haired girl is found in Drumcleggan bog in Southwest Galway, Pathologist Dr Nora Gavin and archaeologist Cormac Maguire uncover more than they bargained for.
Two years previously the lovely Mina Osborne and her son Christopher had just disappeared. Last seen in the village, they seemed to have disappeared into thin air..
Hugh Osborne is developing a parcel of land for a workshop that will demonstrate and sell traditional crafts, but in order to get planning permission an archaeological survey of the site has to be made. Hugh asks Cornac to undertake the work and Cormac asks Nora if she will assist him. They both move into Bracklyn house as Hugh's guests while they carry out the work. Here they meet Lucy Osbourne, Hugh's cousin and Lucy's son Paul.
There are two stories in this book - the mystery of the disappearance of Mina and Christopher Osbourne and that of the unknown red haired girl. Nora has her suspicions concerning the missing pair, which are coloured by her own past. But she becomes obsessed with identifying the red haired girl, and she and Cormac become very close as they investigate any possible lead, no matter how tenuous.
This is a hauntingly beautiful book that weaves a love story into a gripping
thriller. Brilliantly read by Gerry O'Brien, whose melodic tones bring the rhythm
of Ireland to complement the wonderful writing. This is Erin Hart’s first novel;
I look forward to her next.
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Lizzie Hayes