The One You Least Suspect

by Brian McGilloway

Three estranged brothers - Michael, a priest, David, a policeman, and James, a career criminal - are brought suddenly face to face once more in a town on the Inishowen peninsula when Amir, a Syrian refugee, robs a restaurant and then claims sanctuary in the local church. In offering the man refuge, Michael, the parish priest, enflames tensions in a town already febrile over the opening of a Direct Provision centre housing asylum seekers. Things become complicated when David, alongside Garda Maria Da Gama, discovers that Amir is a unwitting pawn in a much larger conspiracy and the restaurant he robbed was laundering stolen money for an organised crime gang led by David's brother. Then Amir goes missing from the church just as the O'Kane brothers are called to their dying father's bedside.

As protestors take to the streets and tempers rise, David must race against time to find Amir even as a long buried family secret which bound the three brothers in blood boils to the surface and forces each of them to face the consequences of the choices they have made.

Praise for Brian McGilloway

'A compulsive police procedural, but it's so much more than thought-provoking, compassionate and beautifully-written. McGilloway is one of the finest crime-writers working today' Ann Cleeves

'Blood Ties is one of those rare gems; a beautifully written crime novel that's also brilliantly paced, skillfully plotted and utterly absorbing. Brian McGilloway is, quite simply, a master of his art. Bravo' Jo Spain

'Brian McGilloway's police procedurals are a masterclass in crime fictions' Andrea Carter

'A clever, engaging and beautifully crafted police procedural' Irish Independent

'Some of the very best crime fiction being written today' Lee Child on Bad Blood

'This dazzling, labyrinthine debut impresses not only for the authentic depiction of a troubled community and the conflicts of a fallible detective, but also for the intense portrait of the borderlands themselves; as beautiful and terrible as the secrets they keep' Guardian

'McGilloway's Borderlands was one of last years most impressive debuts. Does Gallows Lane pass the feared second-novel test? Easily.' The Times

'McGilloway skilfully handles the tangled threads of a conspiracy surrounding an old crime, to make a satisfying mystery with an attractive central character.' Sunday Telegraph

Genres: Thriller, Irish Literature

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2025

About the author

Brian McGilloway is an author hailing from Derry, Northern Ireland. He studied English at Queens University Belfast, where he was very active in student theatre, winning a prestigious national Irish Student Drama Association award for theatrical lighting design in 1996. He is currently Head of English at St. Columb's College, Derry. McGilloway's debut novel was a crime thriller called Borderlands. Borderlands was shortlisted for a Crime Writers' Association Dagger award for a debut novel.

Reviews

[Karen Chong · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 / 5.0

Slow burn of a book with a very slow gradual build up. Not something I would usually go for but the reviews sold me in on this. For my personally I found the book ok, it did what it said on the tin but I wasn’t wowed, I wasn’t hooked/ engaged as I would normally. It’s very much a standard written book, there isn’t any major twist that I found took me away it was very much predictable to some extent. I did find the ending abit too convenient and tidied up too nicely. It’s most likely a plot I will forget in two weeks time as there isn’t anything outstanding/ unique. That being said it’s an ok read, but I am on the fence on the added value of reading this book.

[Hanlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, the synopsis of this book appears to be describing a different book.

I LOVED this book! I have now discovered a new author I will definitely continue reading!

This was a gripping read that held my attention from beginning to end. I found myself deeply invested in Katie's story; she's an ordinary woman striving to support her daughter, only to find herself caught between two manipulative groups.

There are two mysterious police detectives who are requesting her cooperation as an informant and the O'Riley brothers, notorious gangsters involved in drug trafficking and known for the disappearances of those who oppose them.  The brothers are gradually drawing her into their criminal activities, and the detectives are starting to play dirty.

Both groups are treating her as something disposable, and regardless of Katie's efforts, she continues to experience misfortune.

Could she escape their clutches before it's too late?

Highly recommend!

[Matthew McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0

Another thriller by a local author and my first from this one on recommendation from the bookshop owner.

This story is set in Derry and follows Katie, a young single mother working as a barmaid in a bar owned by the O'Reilly's. The O'Reilly's front as community men but aren't what they seem, which is usually the case. Katie becomes an informer against her will and the story escalates from there.

What I found interesting was how it wasn't always clear who was more coercive with Katie, the O'Reilly's or the law. Another good read maybe time to switch up the genres.

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One You Least Suspect by Brian McGilloway published May 8th with Constable and is described as ‘a gripping, heart-wrenching thriller that explores the fine line between right and wrong, justice and revenge, and how you choose your side when everyone is guilty . . .’

Jo Spain has said that Brian McGilloway is a ‘master of his art’ and I would wholeheartedly agree. From the opening pages I knew I was in very safe hands with this standalone novel set in Derry. The stage is set from the get-go, and the intensity of what’s ahead is palpable.

When Katie attends the wedding of a work colleague she is approached by two detectives who want her help. Katie works in O’Reillys bar. She keeps her nose clean and gets on with the job at hand. The owners of the pub are known to the police but the local community keep quiet as to any untoward activity that takes place there as they look after their own. Katie is conscious of the consequences of any form of betrayal so her initial reaction is one of a dismissive nature. But these detectives are relentless in their pursuit, forcing her hand and pushing her into something that is very much against her principles.

Katie loves her mother and her daughter Hope. Without them life would have little meaning, so when a threat arrives on her doorstep, her hand is forced. Now Katie must ensure that no suspicions are raised and no fingers point in her direction. Her position within the bar puts her in some dodgy situations but Katie has managed to roll with things up to now. But as a shift occurs, Katie starts to witness some events that she would rather not be exposed to.

What follows is very much a tense game of cat-and-mouse as Katie does her best to distract any attention away from herself and her family until when asked to carry out certain actions, Katie starts to experience real fear. Why are these detectives picking on her? What is it they are looking to uncover? Can Katie survive this terrorising ordeal?

Brian McGilloway creates an authentic and scary environment that shines a spotlight on the nefarious activities of the criminal underworld. Northern Ireland has had its fair share of troubles and in The One You Least Suspect we witness lives being manipulated and destroyed on all sides as Brian McGilloway takes his readers on an intense journey. Katie’s loyalties are split as she tries to stand firm to her views and values but, with the pressure colliding from all sides, she needs to have all her wits about her. Her sheer determination and will to survive are depicted with great clarity as a sense of urgency grips the reader. Katie is an ordinary person placed in an extraordinary situation. Can she outwit and survive this chain of events?

A sense of urgency runs through this compelling read, with Katie’s high-stakes race against time pushing the narrative forward. A thrilling read with lots to keep the reader engaged, The One You Least Suspect is an exciting page-turner, one that I highly recommend.

[Mary Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The role of the State in recruiting, using and abusing informers versus those involved in criminality means that the small people in communities get squeezed. Some parts were a bit of a stretch but Katie is a well developed character and it was easy to root for her.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvellous!
I read it in less than 24 hours, I couldn’t put it down.
5⭐️’s

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book, an excellent thriller and interesting social commentary - I couldn't put it down. Bravo Brian McGilloway - you've become a master storyteller.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant book. I don’t often give something five stars but wow this book deserved every single one.

[Killian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read, a gripping tale

[Leslie Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, and he wrote this female main character so well. I love that.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The description for this book is incorrect on Good Reads.
I loved this story, it was a bit of a slow burn at first but then I flew through it!

[MK07 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and read it within a few days. It was a bit far fetched and unrealistic in places but overall a good fast paced read.

[Niall · Rating 4 out of 5]

bit slow, probably 3.5

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book!

Wow! From the very first page, I was hooked. I read it from start to finish in a few hours.
An amazing read.

[Ken Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant suspense thriller. loved it

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predicable ending. A few plot holes. Forgettable.