This was a thrilling read that I enjoyed from beginning to end. Will definitely read more by Ms Kirwan in future.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Darkest truth by Catherine Kirwan.
Finn Fitzpatrick Series Book 1.
It only takes one person to break the silence.When solicitor Finn Fitzpatrick is approached by a man to investigate the death of his daughter, her first instinct is to refuse.The father is grieving, and unable to accept that his daughter committed suicide. And yet something about the man’s story chimes with Finn.Why did a bright, confident, beautiful young girl suddenly drop out of school? Could the answer lie in her relationship with Ireland's most famous film director?The deeper Finn goes into the case, the more dark, twisted and dangerous the picture becomes.Because these are powerful people she is trying to expose. And they're willing to do anything to keep the truth hidden.
A gripping read with some great characters. Lots of action with twists and turns. Great story and plot. 4*.

This book kept my interest the whole way through. It had so many twists and turns that I didnt expect. I couldnt stop reading as I wanted to know more. I loved the ending which really suprised me. I liked the fact it wasnt filled with legal jargon.

Finn Fitzpatrick understand why the man doesn’t believe his daughter committed suicide. What father would? At first he intends to turn the man down, but something has the lawyer agreeing to take the case. And the more Finn investigates, the more he has to agree with the girl’s heartbroken father. Could her death have anything to do with her relationship with a famous movie director? In the wake of the Me Too movement, Kirwan’s novel is both timely and frightening

What a brilliant debut book by Catherine Kirwan! The book is set in Cork and the main character Finn, a lawyer. She is asked to investigate the suicide of a young women and her past troubles. I love crime books and it takes a lot to impress me but I absolutely loved this book! Finn is a fantastic protagonist and the plot line works really well and moves at a great pace. I look forward to reading more from Kirwan in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This one's written from a really interesting perspective of a slightly eccentric solicitor rather than a cop. The narrator's personal life becomes entwined in the plot and adds an extra level of interest. I haven't read any of Catherine Kirwans work before and I now have a new Irish author to add to my must read list. I did find the constant references to chic Cork locations a little boring but that's the only criticism of a fresh engaging thriller. I'd love to see a series here.

When the location of a story is familiar it always adds an extra dimension of enjoyment to the reading experience, as was the case for me reading this crime thriller set in Cork. As a solicitor turned detective, our feisty narrator finds herself getting more involved than is wise, whilst trying to build a seemingly unwinnable case, with very little evidence to go on. Her insider knowledge makes the piecing together of the patchwork of information a fascinating insight into how criminal investigations are carried out. The theme of sexual abuse by a ‘casting couch’ psychopathic groomer is all-too relevant and convincingly portrayed, as are all the supporting characters with pitch-perfect dialogue. This is a very impressive debut from an author who is indeed a solicitor in real life.

A very enjoyable read! I was very interested in getting my hands on this one after I read the blurb and I am pleased to say that I was not let down.

The story is written very well and the characters are interesting and jump off the page. I would recommend this read!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for a review copy of Darkest Truth, the first novel to feature Cork lawyer Finn Fitzpatrick.

Finn is approached by Sean Carney asking for help. Ten months previously his daughter Deirdre committed suicide after fifteen years of mental health issues, caused he believes by a rape when she was fifteen years old. She never named the rapist but Sean has his suspicions and with the man due in Cork he wants Finn to prevent more attacks.

I thoroughly enjoyed Darkest Truth which is a well written novel with a very topical subject. Unfortunately due to other commitments I have been only able to dip in and out of the novel rather than reading it in a couple of sittings as I normally do. It has given my reading experience an episodic feel and put me in an unusual position. I think that this has influenced my reactions as I didn’t take to Finn, who is quite self centred in that it all revolves around her, and the first person narrative reinforces this. Admittedly she grew on me as the novel progressed but first impressions weren’t good. She is a strange mixture of hardheadedness and emotion which takes a bit of getting used to. There is also some mystery in her past which is intriguing and will be addressed in future novels, I assume.

On the other hand I very much liked the plot. I think much of the detail of Finn’s investigation is very realistic, the difficulty of pursuing historical rape allegations, the painstaking piecing together of snippets of information and the attitude of the perpetrator. He maybe takes it a bit far but it’s fiction and it adds a certain frisson and sense of urgency to proceedings. The historical nature of the crime means that necessarily the novel is slow to start as Finn is starting with less than nothing, not even a victim but the way she builds her case is intriguing and compulsive.

Darkest Truth is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

This is a very confusing read and it was a struggle to finish.
The subject matter while current could have been dealt with a lot better. Also I found the writing unbelievable. How can the solicitor in this story have more clout than the police ?
A very frustrating and confusing read not for me.
I would like the author, Random House UK and Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for giving an honest review.

This is a brilliant crime thriller debut from Catherine Kirwan featuring Finola 'Finn' Fitzpatrick, a solicitor, set in the small town of Cork in Ireland. In a story that held me completely enthralled throughout, the contemporary issues surrounding #MeToo are addressed in a intelligent and pertinent manner. Finn is engaged by Sean and Ann Carney to look into the suicide of their daughter, Deirdre, suffering depression and self harming since a Cork Film Festivel some years previously. It is not obvious what Finn can do, but she agrees to delve into the man deemed by the Carneys to have ruined their daughter's life. A shattering truth fires Finn's determination to seek the truth, and she is going to need all her inner resources to survive an opponent that she seriously underestimates, as she faces the possibility of losing everything she has, her home, her job, her friends, and so much more, including her life.

In Finn's efforts to prevent a present day crime, she finds herself trending on Twitter, as the Irish nation rallies around its golden boy, a Hollywood star, a campaign led by the potential victim. More horror is to dog Finn as she digs deep in her investigation, including murder. Doubts surface as Finn wonders on occasion if she has the right perpetrator in her sights, but the evidence slowly builds about a Hollywood industry where open secrets are acknowledged by insiders, but no-one is willing to speak openly. Finn doesn't care that she might lose everything, someone has to break the silence, as she finds herself disbelieved at every turn, even by the police, as she finds herself doing their job. Finn's target proves to manipulative, charming, volatile, arrogant, elusive and a chameleon, hard to pin down, a psychopath whose bullying and misogyny is tolerated by the public and the industry.

Kirwan hits on one of the hottest issues in our contemporary world, and handles it sensitively as she weaves a hugely compelling novel around it. Finn is a fascinating protagonist, adopted and haunted by her birth mother. Her emerging relationship with ex-addict Davy Keenan, now a fitness and gym instructor is fraught with difficulties as she struggles to accept it as a part of her life. Living in a small town is a curse and blessing, and Finn has a great best friend in the police, Sadie O'Riordan, an essential ally and help to her. I have no doubt that this novel will be successful, it is well written, terrifically plotted, atmospheric, engrossing and with wonderful characters that I invested in. Many thanks to Random House Cornerstone for an ARC.

A very interesting debut thriller - the reader is guided through the plot by a conflicted solicitor, Finn Fitzpatrick, who becomes involved and acts outside the remit of her job. In the early chapters I was not too sure as there was an excess of description I felt. But as the story progressed the plot took over and there were plenty of twists and turns which kept me reading. Definitely a worthwhile read and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Catherine Kirwan/Random House UK, Cornerstone for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I couldn't finish Darkest Truth, the writing seems rushed and barely made sense at times. While the subject matter is very real I felt the book made it unbelievable. Finn is an unlikeable character and the author seems to have confused solicitors and detectives.

A great read that gets you sucked in straight away. Finn knows that she can't just let this case fade away but she isn't too sure that there is anything that she can do. She knows that this is a huge gamble as the accuser is a well known actor and the victim committed suicide so there is no evidence. Can she find the evidence that she needs to find the answers that the family is looking for. Finn never saw the backlash coming from trying to gather information. about him. Can she find out the truth and bring justice for all the lives that have been destroyed by his ego? Can she uncover all the secrets that have been hidden for so long. But it is going to be a hard battle as everyone believes that she is out to destroy him without proof. And there is no way that she is going to give up as she knows that he preyed on young girls. But will she be able to get out of this mess alive?
I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.