Among the Ruins

‘Coughlan is one of those crime writers whose books transcend the genre, vividly recreating the atmosphere of a period of social turmoil.’ THE TIMES

‘Dark, gripping and atmospheric, I was hooked on Claire Coughlan’s follow-up to Where They Lie. Set in 1970s Dublin, journalist Nicoletta juggles a misogynistic boss, a crumbling relationship and even parenting six month old twins as she battles to solve a murder and art heist’ JESSICA BULL

Praise for Where They Lie:

‘The mysteries surrounding Nicoletta intertwine grippingly with the mysteries within her, but what makes Where They Lie special is its keen awareness of Dublin’s layers of light and shadow. Coughlan digs deeply into the dark side, Ireland’s horrifying record around women and childbearing – but at the same time the book brings to life, in fine, tender, vivid detail, the rich atmosphere of 1960s Dublin’ TANA FRENCH

‘A dark, gorgeously written thriller, its tap root deep in a past so vividly evoked, you can see and smell and feel it’ NICCI FRENCH

‘Atmospheric, authentic, and almost unbearably poignant. Like the best historical fiction, Where They Lie transports the reader back in time while holding up a mirror to the present. A must-read’ ERIN KELLY

‘Beautifully written, utterly absorbing. It’s hard to believe Coughlan wasn’t right there in 1960s Dublin observing the world she describes in such word-perfect detail. A stunning debut’ ANDREA MARA

Claire Coughlan worked as a journalist in Ireland for many years. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from UCD and lives in Co Kildare with her husband and daughter. Her first novel, Where They Lie, was published in 2024 and shortlisted for the An Post Irish Crime Novel of the Year award.

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