Too Close to Breathe

Det. Chief Supt. Frankie Sheehan, the heroine of Irish author Kiernan’s solid debut, has recovered sufficiently from being gravely wounded in the line of duty to investigate the apparent suicide of Eleanor Costello at her Dublin home, but a closer look at the body shows it’s a clever murder. Digging into Eleanor’s life and searching for her missing husband uncovers plenty of secrets—and indicates she wasn’t as straitlaced as she appeared. When the body of another woman turns up, Sheehan quickly discovers that the two are connected through Eleanor’s husband, and a snuff video of the last victim leads the police into some sinister places on the dark web. Meanwhile, the case that left Sheehan injured and still a bit shaky is coming up for trial, but she suddenly isn’t so sure the authorities have charged the right person after all. The intersection of the two cases feels too convenient, and Sheehan’s post-trauma troubles offer nothing new. Still, likable characters, strong pacing, and the appealing Dublin locale bode well for any sequel. Agent: Susan Armstrong, C&W Agency (U.K.). (Apr.)