All journalist Jack Myers wants is a relaxing Irish holiday. Retreating from his demanding job as a foreign correspondent, he thinks he's found the perfect escape – the stately St Peter's Manor, perched on the edge of Lough Derg in County Tipperary, just in time for Ireland's longest heatwave.

But when a mysterious drowning occurs during the annual Midsummer Ball, Jack's instincts tell him something isn't quite right.

Asking questions politely but persistently, he uncovers intriguing whispers: a commodore who vanished a decade earlier, a tight-knit group of childhood friends harbouring old secrets, and motives as tangled as the lakeside reeds.

As an unprecedented heatwave presses down on this tranquil corner of Ireland, tensions rise, and Jack's summer escape has become a deadly puzzle. In a small village where everyone has something to hide, the truth may be the most dangerous discovery of all.

A bold new cosy crime mystery from debut author Cormac Quinn, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janice Hallett and Graham Norton.



Cormac Quinn is a Dublin-based debut author. A lifelong devotee of detective fiction, Quinn began reading murder mysteries at a remarkably young age and has maintained his passion for the genre ever since. He previously worked as a journalist and news editor in Asia. Quinn is currently developing two further novels in the Jack Myers series.



A strong summer read



A twisting, multi-layered tale which tracks the adventures of journalist Jack Myers as he seeks to uncover the truth behind a mysterious drowning incident on the lake during a particularly acute summer heatwave.



The writing was so succinct and the story telling so detailed, you could have told me this was a seasoned author of many years standing and I would not have batted an eyelid.



The plot was very clever and executed well [...] and the conclusion is fantastic.



I couldn't put it down. It reminded me of Agatha Christie.



The twists and turns in the mystery were great [...] This book is a very atmospheric cozy – I could feel the warm Irish breeze off the Lough, and the small town was immaculate! The gossipy vibes, the quirky characters, were all what kept me coming back for more.



I kept turning the pages until I got to the end and the big reveal. Sooo good!



Jack's persistence and curiosity made him a great lead I liked his determination even when the people around him wanted him to stop asking questions.



I really loved the way this leans into the investigation that journalist Jack Myers gets sucked into while on holiday with his family.



Trust no one. Question everything. What do they have to hide in Lough Derg? The ending left me speechless.



This book really did hook me from the very beginning with the wonderful pace of the writing and the wonderful setting in Lough Derg.



If you enjoy cosy crime, slower-burn mysteries, and strong detective-led stories, this one is definitely worth picking up.



A well written murder mystery that leaves you unsure who to trust.