Three Reasons for Revenge

by Dervla McTiernan, Alison McGirr (Narrator)

10 hours, 28 minutes

"Jaw-dropping. This will keep readers up all night." —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review

Someone's been watching. Someone's been waiting.

From the #1 internationally bestselling author of What Happened to Nina? comes a gripping high-stakes novel of suspense about three seemingly unconnected people, caught in a lethal web of deceit and unhealed wounds.


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.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Book Club

Audiobook

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

Number one internationally bestselling author Dervla McTiernan is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of six novels, including the much-loved Cormac Reilly series and two number 1 bestselling standalone thrillers, The Murder Rule and What Happened to Nina?, both New York Times Best Thrillers of the Year and both currently in development for screen adaptation. Dervla is also the author of four novellas, and her audio novella, The Sisters, was a four-week number one bestseller in the United States. Before turning her hand to writing, Dervla spent twelve years working as a lawyer in her home country of Ireland. Following the global financial crisis, she relocated to Western Australia where she now lives with her husband, two children and too many pets.

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Reviews

[Laura Lovesreading]

I really enjoyed "what happened to Nina"
The synopsis on this book sounds so intriguing
I cant wait to read it!
💚💛💛💚

[Bo.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of Three Reasons for Revenge immediately pulls you in. Three identical packages, three completely different people, each one containing something that could blow their lives apart. A strong setup that had me gripped from the start.

This is a layered, character-driven crime thriller centred on Detective Sergeant Judith Lee, who I found genuinely compelling. She’s driven, flawed, and makes choices that don’t always feel straightforward, which is exactly what made her feel real. Dervla McTiernan adds depth to Judith’s character through her past without it feeling overdone, especially in how it shapes her instincts and judgement.

The structure worked well, moving between the three recipients while slowly building the bigger picture. I kept feeling like everything had to connect somehow, and I liked trying to piece it together as it unfolded. I didn’t see where it was going, which is always a win.

I listened to this on audio, narrated by Alison McGirr, and it was an easy listen. Even with multiple perspectives, I never felt lost, and each voice was distinct enough to follow.

All in all, this was a strong read for me. The rising stakes and growing urgency are what had me completely glued to the pages. As a first-time reader of Dervla McTiernan, I’ll definitely be back for more, and I’m already keen to pick up her Cormac Reilly series next.

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

THREE REASONS????
3️⃣3️⃣3️⃣

➡️ THREE REASONS FOR MY 3.5-STAR REVIEW:
1) Disappointment.
My sky-high expectations were not met. I’m a huge fan of Dervla McTiernan, revenge thrillers, and unhinged female protagonists. Despite checking all my boxes, this book failed to live up to my internal hype.

2) Uneven pacing.
The story started strong, but the pacing was inconsistent. Some chapters were tense and gripping, while others felt repetitive or scattered.

3) Believability?
This book required a huge suspension of disbelief. The unhinged, unidentified protagonist never felt genuinely authentic. By the final chapter, the story veered into eye-rolling territory rather than delivering a satisfying payoff.

THE SAVING GRACE:
The 5-star concept and the clever book structure.
The book's premise was brilliant and compelling: three beautifully wrapped packages are delivered to three strangers, each containing the means to enact deadly revenge. Who sent those packages and why?

I especially enjoyed the novel's structure and the way the author slowly peeled back the layers of the mystery.

That said, Three Reasons for Revenge didn’t reach the level of What Happened to Nina and the author's earlier releases, which felt sharper and more emotionally resonant.

I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Alison McGirr.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-5⭐️

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️5 Stars⭐️
Wow brilliant, I loved it! If you’re desperately seeking an absolute cracker of a read, you have found it. Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan is a gripping psychological thriller and it’s a fast paced roller coaster ride, I devoured it. The plot is amazing and full of suspense.

Alex Turner has just reported an assault from a psychologist and now she has vanished.

Set in Melbourne Detective Judith Lee is assigned an investigation into the death of a psychologist who is accused of unprofessional conduct. Judith finds herself confronting her past as she delves into the case.

Three beautifully wrapped and unexpected packages including cryptic notes are delivered to three different homes. Each package is relevant to the recipient but what is the connection that ties these people together?

A confronting and absorbing story of trauma and revenge, it’s a smartly plotted thriller for fans of crime fiction.

This author will now be an auto- buy author for me! I may just have to buy myself another copy with that pretty cover.

Publication Date 28 April 2026
Publisher Imprint Harper Collins

Thank you so much Harper Collins Australia for an ARC copy of the book

[John Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a thriller that grabs you by the throat on page one and doesn’t let go, then Dervla McTiernan’s Three Reasons for Revenge is the book for you. Highly intelligent, involving and so, so gripping. A stunner.

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC….👍

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and engrossing as usual. My new favourite fictional detective is Judith Lee.

Dervla is my second favourite crime writer after Agatha Christie.

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

THREE REASONS FOR REVENGE is one those books that will capture you from the start and keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I was fully entertained and in detective mode while reading and listening to this story. It was filled with surprises and had me guessing a lot. I've read another book by this author and loved it too. I would definitely recommend this one to those who like crime thrillers.

[Deborah (debbishdotcom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

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.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...

[Ad_Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This was soo good! I didn’t quite know what to expect from reading the synopsis, but this truly delivered. A cleverly crafted twisty thriller that has you on the edge of your seat until the very final chapter. I would expect nothing less from Dervla McTiernan. I also loved the Melbourne/Victoria setting and found that it really worked with the story. Three seemingly different strangers, all with one subtle common denominator. What I can say is that Ruth Hall was one very nasty sociopath.

[Helen O'Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Began reading at 9pm on May 19th. Read till midnight,began again at 11am and read & finished this intriguing & eminently readable book by 7pm the next day.
Loved the Melbourne setting, the characters & the plot was so damn clever. I had a conversation recently about the long lasting effects on children who have had traumatic childhoods so this novel was particularly poignant. I do hope we see more of this main character, Detective Sergeant Judith Lee, in future novels.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have found this author very hit and miss. I enjoyed the Cormac O’Reilly series and What Happened to Nina but found Murder Rule and this book lacking.
There were plot holes in both books you could drive a truck through, the main character is either oblivious to something in front of them but can make a brilliant deduction from the tiniest thing.
I listened to this as an audiobook and I wasn’t overly impressed on the narrator’s voice so that didn’t help.
Scraped in a 3 star rating from me.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibe check: Unputdownable, Twisty Thriller, Revenge Served Hot

full review ⬇️

You know those books you read and think ‘just one more chapter..’ because it’s impossible to put down. This is that book.

Three Reasons For Revenge pulled me in immediately and never let go. It was a smart, fast moving thriller that felt frighteningly relevant to the world we’re living in right now, particularly the unsettling reality of deepfakes and online manipulation.

This story was about revenge but also about reputation, truth and just how quickly a life can unravel when vicious rumours take hold. Reading how misinformation spreads and the devastating consequences it can have made the tension hit extra hard.

The pacing was brilliant and the story moved quickly but with depth behind every decision, twist and consequence that had me fully invested in how everything would unfold. By the final stretch I was completely locked in and racing through pages because I needed to know how it would all end.

If you like your thrillers gripping, unsettling and fast paced, this one should definitely be on your list when it releases in April

A big thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the early sneak peek.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this authors novels and recently discovered two earlier books I haven’t read…..such joy.
Three reasons for Revenge centres around Detective Sergeant Judith Lee. At the start of the book she has been responsible for the arrest of a fellow cop and has fallen out of favour with a lot of the team. However she is soon distracted from the fallout when another case pops up. Judith is visited by a young girl who wants to talk to her, asked for her by name and tells her about her referral to a renown psychologist who assaulted her., by touching her inappropriately. Then the psychologist turns up dead and a solo dad is arrested after police receive an Anonymous tip off.
It’s a page turning tale, three victims and an assailant obviously unleashing revenge for reasons unknown. As Judith follows the trail she realises that she is involved in the case on a personal level, one she hasn’t disclosed to her fellow officer. Soon her best friend Katy and Katy’s family are in danger too and it all revolves around an incident that happened 10 years ago.
Fabulous read as always. Highly recommend.

#ThreeReasonsForRevenge. #NetGalley

[Lu thrillskillsandchills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three people receive packages capable of blowing their lives apart. A woman reports an assault, then disappears. And somewhere in the middle of all of it is DS Judith Lee trying to untangle how these people are connected before things spiral even further.

This definitely took me a little while to properly settle into on audio because Dervla McTiernan wastes absolutely no time throwing you into the chaos. There’s a big cast, multiple intersecting storylines, complicated histories and plenty of shifting dynamics happening all at once, so for the first chunk I was still trying to fully get my bearings.

But from around the 35% mark onwards? I was completely hooked.

Once the connections between everyone started tightening together, I absolutely loved where this went. What initially feels like separate strands slowly reveals itself to be something far more layered, with revenge, trauma, power and long-buried resentment sitting underneath everything. I especially liked that the revenge element here never felt straightforward or clean - every action had fallout, and the damage spread well beyond the original targets.

I also loved the Melbourne setting. Aussie crime thrillers almost always work for me, and this had that gritty, layered feel I really enjoy in local crime fiction.

Judith Lee was such a strong character to follow too - flawed, persistent and carrying her own emotional baggage without it overtaking the story.

And that ending really worked for me. Looking back afterwards, all the groundwork was sitting there the entire time, but the payoff still managed to land brilliantly.

Also, somehow this was actually my first Dervla McTiernan 😅 I do have What Happened to Nina? sitting on my shelves waiting for me (I know, I know), but after finishing this one I’ll definitely be fixing that sooner rather than later.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan

Thoughts: I own quite a few of Dervla’s books, but this is the first one I’ve read so far and it did not disappoint. The suspense is so well written, with clever twists from start to finish. I was on the edge of my seat, and it became one of those books you just can’t put down. The characters are strong and really drive the story, and every time I thought I’d figured things out, another twist proved me wrong. The ending completely caught me off guard. If you love psychological thrillers with smart plotting and plenty of surprises, this one is such a good read.

A huge thank you Harpercollins Aus for gifting me an ARC copy of Three Reasons for Revenge in exchange for an honest review!

Synopsis: Three gifts. Three victims. One deadly game.

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 doors: 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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 💫

[4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars on Goodreads]

[Lauren Self · Rating 4 out of 5]

THREE REASONS FOR REVENGE by @dervlamctiernan
📖/🎧 book/audiobook review • pub date 06.04.26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

thank you @harpercollins + harper audio for my gifted ARC/ALC

my first book by this author & I was hooked immediately! i listened to the audio, but when it was time to chill in bed I found my place and continued on my kindle. I didn’t want to put it down! I loved the Australia setting, I loved the cliff hangers before the next part (4 total), and now looking forward to reading more of her books. definitely recommend!

what to expect:
•a woman named Alexis walks into the police station to report SA by her psychologist
•judith, (the cop), is already familiar with this psychologist, and has had women come in with the same exact complaint
•cryptic notes are being sent to people all around
•as judith works the case, she finds that Alexis has disappeared into thin air
•when the psychologist is found dead, a note is left saying that Judith did it.
•now she must decide what steps to take next, so that it can be solved & justice be served

there are a lot of moving parts, but everything comes together seamlessly in the end 👌🏻 narration was 10/10 - if you’re a fan of police procedurals be sure to add this to your TBR.

[Toss Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never disappoints.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
A solid read that hooked me in as quickly as What Happened to Nina. Fast paced, tricky characters and a twisty plot I powered through this!
Ending wrapped up a tad quicker than I would’ve liked but overall I’d recommend 👏🏽

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman comes into the police station to report an assault that sounds all too familiar to Detective Judith Lee. What unraveled from there was a web of lies and revenge.

There were a number of subplots here, some pulled me in more than others. The author did not hold back, expect the unexpected! While the ending was predictable this was still an enjoyable fast paced read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[ThrillersDoodles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* This was a layered, engaging slow burn with a couple of gasps late in the game.

There were a couple of characters/aspects relating to periphery that felt like they bogged the overall experience as much as they supported it. I get they were there for a purpose but didn’t care for them.

I liked Judith Lee on the whole. Definitely flawed and real. Rocky was a good addition too.

What to expect:
- [x] Third pov
- [x] Single timeline + flashbacks
- [x] Twists
Topic(s): mental health, murder mystery, revenge

Audiobook:
Narrator(s): Alison McGirr
- [x] Sound quality good
- [x] Unique sounding characters -somewhat
- [x] Australian accented
1.5x

Flow and Pacing:
- [x] Engaging
- [x] Slow

Recommend:
Yeah. It’s a decent listen and I enjoyed the story. What Happened to Nina will remain my fave at this time though!

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the advance listening copy.

[Leisa Back Porch Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Review to come

[ddjb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but predicable. Writing was serviceable. Not her best.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

She’s done it again. Dervla McTiernan has left me on the edge of my seat, proving me wrong constantly any time I thought I knew what was going on and who was the criminal here 🤣 Mastermind writing at its finest and you have to be, to weave this many characters together!!

Detective Judith Lee is investigating a sexual harassment claim until her suspect turns in to a murder victim. Soon an innocent father is going down for the crime leaving his son in his best friend’s custody. No one is safe. Everyone is getting odd cryptic mail and there appear to be no logical connections and yet everyone is victim to this sick and twisted game.

This was a wild ride but what really broke my heart was the innocent single dad. Of all the victims in this book, Jack, a good-natured doting father being put in prison, missing and worrying about his son broke me. The writing gave me second hand anxiety over his fictional ten year old son and what on earth his future looked like. Everything was so uncertain!
Dervla writes full and vivid characters in an equally relatable world - workplace politics in the police force, the foster care system, the grim nature of social media marketing - there’s no topic she can’t write about carefully with incredible relatability.

This, along with What Happened to Nina? are brilliant stand alones. But if you love a series as much as me, definitely go meet Cormac Reilly!

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Reasons for Revenge is Dervla McTiernan's latest book after the phenomenal What Happened To Nina, which incidentally was one of my Top Ten Books of 2024, so no pressure or expectations LOL.

The story opens up with a young student Alexis Turner reporting a sexual assault by a prominent psychologist. DS Judith Lee interviews Alexis and her story is remarkably similar to another case that has haunted DS Lee for years, but then Alexis disappears into thin air.

Then 3 identical packages arrive at three seemingly unconnected homes, each containing something so damning and destructive and all designed to ruin the recipients lives. What do a respected psychologist, a wealthy socialite and a struggling single father have in common? DS Lee soon realises that these packages and Alexis Turner are intricately linked, but how and why?

The books centres around revenge with a cunning and calculated campaign of vengeance wreaking havoc on the lives of the 3 who received the packages.

This book has it all; a gripping plot, a strong female lead character and a clever plotline with multiple views.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolutely stunning, heart-pounding page-turner featuring the worst kind of evil perpetrator — the kind that lingers in your mind long after you close the book and can genuinely haunt your dreams. I devoured it in just three sittings! Honestly, it could have been even faster, but some chapters hit me so hard emotionally that I had to pause and recover. One particular death made me gasp — I actually screamed. That’s how deeply it affected me.

I don’t think I can ever say no to another Judith Lee novel again. Even though the author is best known for the DI Cormac Reilly series (which I shamefully haven’t read yet!), I immediately added it to my TBR. My TBR, by the way, is expanding at such an alarming rate that I might need a support group. Who needs Ozempic when your bookshelf is swelling daily with irresistible new titles? One book a day is simply not fast enough anymore — I need to invent new ways to read more hours in a day!

I previously read What Happened to Nina?, the author’s brilliant standalone that instantly made her an auto-buy author for me. So of course, I jumped at the chance to read this one as soon as possible. And I loved it — even though parts of it are deeply triggering and traumatic. This is not an easy read emotionally, but it is an unforgettable one.

I was immediately hooked by the concept and the fast-paced mystery as it unfolded. The tension builds steadily, and the stakes feel terrifyingly real. I will say I slightly preferred the first half — it had me completely captivated. In Elsa’s storyline, there were moments with extended influencer/fashion/money-making dialogue that slowed the momentum for me personally, and I found myself thinking, “Okay, let’s get back to the core mystery.” But thankfully, the final act more than made up for it. The explosive action, the dramatic revelations, and the powerful ending were executed perfectly. The payoff was absolutely worth it.

Now, let me tell you a bit about the story:

Everything begins when young Alexis Turner walks into a police station to report that she has been sexually assaulted by a psychologist highly recommended by her college friend. She bravely shares a detailed account of what happened. DI Judith Lee is already entangled in a separate case involving a corrupt cop whose powerful father is doing everything possible to protect his son’s reputation — while simultaneously trying to destroy Judith’s. Assault cases are not typically Judith’s responsibility, but she makes an exception. Ten years earlier, another woman reported being assaulted by a man with the same name — and Judith has never forgotten that failure. This time, she is determined to make things right.

Meanwhile, Robert Walker — a famous psychologist married to a well-known TV anchor — receives a mysterious package containing a cryptic note and a video recording of one of his private séances. The atmosphere grows darker. Secrets begin to surface.

Judith is determined to bring him to justice. But when she tries to reconnect with Alexis, she discovers that Alexis has vanished into thin air. Was Alexis ever her real name? Soon, two other people receive similar packages: Jack Miller, a single father and insurance adjuster, and his close friend Elsa Anderson, a work-from-home mother of two. Then a bloody tragedy ties them all together.

Who is targeting them? What is the connection? And why does it feel like someone is also targeting Judith herself, pulling her into a dangerous and deeply personal cat-and-mouse game?

To survive — and to win — Judith must confront her own dark past and face one of the most chilling adversaries she has ever encountered. This is a battle of intellect, endurance, and emotional strength — and the final confrontation is both satisfying and deeply unsettling.

Overall, this was a gripping, stunning, emotionally intense read. Judith Lee is one of the most layered and complex characters I’ve encountered recently, and I am absolutely looking forward to reading more of her investigations.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital copy of this unputdownable thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This one will stay with me for a long time.

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[Tessa Wooldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘I’m told you want to report a crime.’

Three Reasons for Revenge, Dervla McTiernan’s first full-length novel with an Australian setting, opens in Melbourne in July 2024. A young woman enters a police station to report a sexual assault; the only person she will speak to is Detective Sergeant Judith Lee. Lee listens to the woman’s account and, although she is engaged on another case, she wants to investigate. It’s personal.

McTiernan, who lives in sunny Perth, Western Australia, set her novel in Melbourne because she felt the moodier weather of Victoria’s capital city suited a crime novel (interview in The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 May 2026). Her earlier novels, the wonderful Cormac Reilly series and two standalone titles were set, respectively, in Ireland and the US. (McTiernan has also written novellas, available as audiobooks only, set in Australia.)

Three Reasons for Revenge has a core of believable police characters – the flawed but feisty Lee; protective, father-figure Detective Senior Sergeant Rocky Jansen; and the nepotistic Commissioner Eddie Fraser (willing to take shortcuts to defend the career of his wayward, ex-AFL playing son Constable Luke Fraser). The characters in Lee’s personal life didn’t ring as true for me. Her best friend Katy, a case manager with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and her mother Linda, a woman seemingly unable to face reality, both felt like they’d been created to serve a narrative purpose rather than being fully fledged personas in their own right.

That said, what of the crime that is being avenged, and the victims and perpetrators involved? McTiernan has a great gift for plotting and pacing. She unwraps her vengeance tale with the same care taken by the recipients of the three beautifully wrapped gifts that feature in the novel. These gifts are delivered serially to Vanessa Walker, doyenne of Melbourne morning television and wife of the accused assault offender; Jack Miller, struggling single dad of 10-year-old Cam; and Elsa Anderson, a fashion brand entrepreneur. What connects these three Melbourne residents? DS Lee finds the link and, along the way, recognises her own complicity in the case.

Family violence, the fostering of children, the viral nature of social media, and the manipulation of truth all feature as Lee fits the puzzle pieces into one explosive picture.

* * * * * * * * * *

McTiernan explicitly chose Melbourne as the atmospheric setting for Three Reasons for Revenge and, while the location works, some of the cultural details don’t. As an Australian reader with familiarity with the city, I made a list of gripes and distractions as I read. Here are two examples:
• Elsa Anderson’s husband Nathan and their lawyer Andew Cheslyn are described as high school rugby mates, and, on her television show, Vanessa Walker mentions an upcoming interview with a soon-to-be retired Wallabies player. Very few Melbourne schoolboys play rugby and even fewer morning television viewers in Victoria would have heard the name of the national rugby team.
• There are references to Jack Miller, Elsa Anderson and other characters attending ‘college’ when it is clear that they are at university. While it’s acceptable to refer to undergraduates attending college in the US, it’s not descriptor used in Australia.

Off-key local details may not be noticed by McTiernan’s international audience but they could irritate Melbourne readers. They were certainly an unnecessary distraction for me. Did McTiernan’s editors at HarperCollins not spot these glitches?

* * * * * * * * * *

You can find more book reflections on my blog, Thoughts from an Idle Hour.

[Lizp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great read. I had been hanging out to read it.

Alexis Turner walks into a police station in Melbourne to report that she has been sexually assaulted by an esteemed psychologist. She discloses a detailed account of what happened with copper Judith Lee. Judith is already embroiled in another case involving a corrupt cop whose dad high up in the police service is doing everything possible to protect his son’s reputation. He wants to destroy Judith and her career. Someone slices the leather on her treasured motorcycle and urinates on it. They also do mechanical damage. She tries not to overreact, as she knows that’s what her nemesis, the high ranking copper wants so he can portray her as just another emotional woman.

Sexual Assault cases are not typically Judith’s area but she feels she has to take this one on as someone reported anther sexual assault to her about the same psychologist, Robert Walker, ten years earlier that she didn’t handle well. She goes to see the psychologist and challenges him. He denies all that she puts to him. His wife, Vanessa receives a video clip of him supposedly having sex in his consulting rooms along with an odd serpentine note. She doubts her husband but still has the video analysed to see if it’s AI. The wife is a tv anchor and her boss advises her to leave Robert or else her career will be over. She leaves him. They have two sons, one who is loving and lives at home and another who lives interstate and is cold and distant towards his parents.

Judith is determined to bring Robert to justice. But when she tries to reconnect with Alexis, the girl who reported the sexual assault, Alexis has vanished and has given her fake contact details. Was Alexis even real? Two other people receive similar packages to Vanessa: Jack Miller, a single dad with a dead end job and his well off close friend Elsa Anderson, an influencer with two kids and a surgeon husband. Then there’s a murder that links them all together.

Judith has an unhinged mum, who lives in a parallel universe. Judith killed the mum’s violent husband 25 years earlier in self defence. The mum wants to have a 25th anniversary for him, an idea repugnant to Judith!

Judith has to work out who is targeting them all, and why someone is also targeting Judith specifically. A serial killer from many years before daughters enter the story. Are they somehow involved?

Judith has to confront her horrible, traumatic childhood past. She hears some home truths about herself from her dearest, longstanding friend Katy that makes her feel uncomfortable and enter into self examination.

She needs to identify and confront an intelligent and vicious adversary who is playing serious mind games with her. This is a fast paced read, brimming with suspense. I read it in one sitting. The characters are all very well drawn, especially Judith. Judith has a friend and mentor, Rocky, a cop who she’s known for 25 years, since she killed her step dad. She doesn’t tell him about some of the important things she finds out in the investigation and feels bad about holding back.

The ending of this story is really good, albeit confronting. This is an emotional, powerful, intense read that I would highly recommend to others.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cass Moriarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dervla McTiernan is known for her twisty, complex plots and her superb characterisation, and her latest crime novel THREE REASONS FOR REVENGE (Harper Collins 2026) once again gives readers a curious and intoxicating crime to unravel using the clues and hints she provides along the way, while avoiding the red herrings and false motivations.

The book’s opening is intriguing and worrying in equal measure: a young woman, Alexis Turner, walks into a police station to report a sexual assault. Detective Sergeant Judith Lee (experienced, clever, flawed) has a chilling feeling of de je vu when she meets Alexis, a feeling that is compounded by the fact that by the end of the day, Alexis Turner has disappeared.

In the hours and days after this meeting, three very different people receive surprise and unwelcome gifts delivered anonymously to their homes, all wrapped in a similarly gothic and particular style. One is a distinguished and well-known psychologist, the second is a wealthy socialite, and the third gift is delivered to the run-down granny flat of a single dad. Each gift box contains an ambiguous note in beautiful calligraphy, and nestled in each box are three very different ‘gifts’, which immediately cause concern and consternation for the recipients.

DS Lee is drawn into a fast and furious game of cat and mouse as she realises that the person behind the malevolent packages is targeting these three people for specific and dangerous reasons. Someone understands each person’s vulnerabilities and what would hurt them most. And Judith Lee knows in her bones that somehow these attacks are connected to Alexis Turner, still missing, and seemingly vanished entirely without even a digital footprint.

As DS Lee races to find a connection, and to discover what’s happened to Alexis, she realises that not only is she charged with solving these crimes, but it appears she’s being deliberately targeted herself into being forced to play the ‘game’, which has become a bit too personal.

This novel is fast-paced, twisty, complex and full of layered and complicated intersections. The characters are compelling and their backstories – gradually uncovered – are authentic, eerie and haunting. The dialogue is spot-on. McTiernan has a gift for storytelling and for creating real and relatable characters who will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

The details of procedure for police, forensics, investigating officers and other agencies such as child protection departments are realistic and well-researched. You will fall into the pages of this crime and its ripple effects and come up drowning, not waving, until the final satisfying resolution.

McTiernan’s background as a lawyer ensures that she considers and expresses not only the legal practicalities of her stories (and the co-operation or otherwise between departments), but the very real emotional, victim/survivor centred aspects to her novels. Page-turning and engaging, THREE REASONS FOR REVENGE will keep readers engrossed from beginning to end.