Book review: Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan

I’d seen a stack of other people receive early copies of Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan for review and thought I’d missed out, so was grateful when this arrived. If I was one to ‘squee’ I might have squeed. I love McTiernan’s Cormac Reilly series but my absolute favourite book of hers was What Happened to Nina, a standalone published in 2024. It’s unclear if this is to be a standalone but I for one will be cheering if it becomes a new series because I really liked DS Judith Lee and her boss (and family friend) Rocky.

About this book

Alexis Turner walks into the police station to report an assault. By the end of the day, she is nowhere to be found.

Soon after she disappears, three identical packages arrive at three very different a respected psychologist's home, a socialite's mansion, and a struggling single father's run-down apartment. Inside, each gift is perfectly tailored to its recipient - and each will tear apart the life of its intended victim.

Detective Sergeant Judith Lee is smart and experienced, but this is no ordinary case. Someone with intimate knowledge of their targets is orchestrating these attacks. Someone who knows exactly how to hurt each victim where they're most vulnerable. And she's convinced that somehow, it connects back to Alexis Turner.

As she races to uncover the connection between three seemingly unrelated people, Judith discovers she's no longer just investigating the game - she's being forced to play.

My thoughts

Events here are set off by Alexis Turner’s allegations against psychologist Robert Walker. Judith has no reason to doubt her because she’s had a similar complaint against Walker in the past and not acting on it at the time had dire consequences.

Not long after Judith interviews Walker a video’s leaked online of him with a girl in his office (the video also gift-wrapped and sent to his wife). And soon after, he’s found dead. She’s one of the first on the scene and when she sees a note with her name on, removes it as evidence, unsure of what it means.

McTiernan then introduces us to single dad Jack, raising son Cam alone after his wife’s death years before. They return from a party to find a note and an anonymous gift… the gun used to shoot Walker. Despite his protestations and claims he didn’t know Walker, Jack’s arrested for murder. Although we spend limited time with Jack, McTiernan somehow makes him feel very real . Very vulnerable. So much so, I felt somewhat affronted the police suspected him when it seemed obvious that the gun wasn’t his.

Of course all good and bad things come in threes and the third note and gift is probably the most bittersweet. The fact that this time it’s Jack’s best friend being targeted makes it obvious that there’s something linking those two acts of revenge with the murder of Walker.

I loved the way Judith picked this case apart. Tracing the gun and learning that the owner fostered many children over the years, all of whom knew where the guns were kept gives her a number of suspects.

The narrative is interspersed with notes between two sisters, Renee and Margaux, who we learn went into care after their serial predator father killed their mother. He’d intended on killing them also had they not hidden. We’re not left to ponder their potential involvement for long as Judith uncovers links between the sisters and the recent acts of revenge.

I did guess the ‘who’ here but was somewhat surprised at their actions and the extent of their need for vengeance given they were (ultimately) willing to sacrifice the only link to their past.

I’d be happy if this becomes a series given I really liked Judith; McTiernan writes her as if she’s very real… effortlessly intertwining down-time with friends as well as navigating a difficult relationship with her mother, borne of a turbulent childhood. And then there’s her fear recurring nightmares could indicate her own predilection towards violence.

Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan was published in Australia by Harper Collins.

I received a copy of this from the publisher for review purposes.