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Dervla McTiernan

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Dervla McTiernan
Born
County Cork, Ireland
EducationUniversity College Galway
OccupationCrime writer
Known forInternationally bestselling Irish-Australian crime writer of seven novels, including the Cormac Reilly series.
SpouseKenny
Children2
Websitehttps://dervlamctiernan.com

Dervla McTiernan is an Irish-Australian crime novelist.[1] McTiernan is the author of seven novels, including the four-book Cormac Reilly series and three standalone series, as well as audio novellas. Her books have sold more than one million copies[2] around the world and What Happened to Nina? and The Murder Rule are both currently in development for screen adaptation.[3]

Early life and career

[edit]

Dervla McTiernan was born in County Cork, growing up initially in Carrigaline and Douglas there, before her father's work in the bank took the family to Dublin, aged six, and then Limerick. She is one of a family of seven.[4][5]

McTiernan studied corporate law in University College Galway and went on to become a solicitor, training in Dublin. She returned to County Galway, to Oranmore, to build her legal practice, working in it for about twelve years. By then she was married to her husband Kenny, an engineer and they had a daughter, with a son on the way. Ireland hit a recession and the couple decided to move to Australia.[5][4] McTiernan and her husband settled in Perth, Western Australia, where McTiernan got a part-time job working with the Mental Health Commission.[4][5][6] She is now also an Australian citizen.[1]

Writing Career

[edit]

McTiernan began writing in 2014, and she signed her first publishing deal with HarperCollins Australia in 2016.[7] Her first novel, The Rúin, was published in 2018. The Rúin is the first book in the author's bestselling Cormac Reilly series. The Rúin was awarded the Davitt Award for the Best Adult Crime Novel,[8] the Ned Kelly Award for the Best First Novel, the Barry Award for Best Paperback Original[9] and the Western Australian Premier's Book Award.[10] It was also shortlisted for an Australian Book Industry Award,[11] two Irish Book Awards,[12] the Kate O'Brien Award and it was named one of Amazon US Best Books of the Year.

In 2019 McTiernan published the second book in the Cormac Reilly series, The Scholar which won the International Thriller Writers Award for best paperback novel[13] and was shortlisted for an Australian Book Industry Award,[14] a Davitt Award[15] and a Ned Kelly Award.[16]

In 2020, McTiernan published the third book in the Cormac Reilly series, The Good Turn, which debuted in the Australian bestseller charts as a number one bestseller[17] and went on to win a Barry Award[18] and be longlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards.

In 2022, McTiernan published her first standalone thriller, The Murder Rule which was a number one bestseller in Australia[19] and was named a New York Times Thriller of the Year.[20]

In 2024, McTiernan published What Happened to Nina? which was a number one bestseller in Australia.[21] It was named a New York Times Thriller of the Year,[22] it won the International Thriller Writers Award for Best Standalone Mystery[23] and the Australian Book Industry Award General Fiction Book of the Year.[24] It was also long listed for the Crime Writers Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger.[25]

In 2025, McTiernan published the fourth book in the Cormac Reilly series, The Unquiet Grave, which was an Australian number one bestseller[26] and it was shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards.[27] In 2025, The Unquiet Grave was the most borrowed book across Australian libraries.[28]

McTiernan has also written four audio novellas, The Fireground, The Wrong One, The Roommate and The Sisters.[29]

Writing style

[edit]

McTiernan's novels combine police-procedural and psychological thriller elements with recurring themes of family, institutional failure and the justice system[30]. Reviewers have compared her work to that of Tana French[31][32]

Setting

[edit]

McTiernan's books have been set in Ireland, the United States and Australia.[33]

Irish-set books

[edit]

The Cormac Reilly series comprising of The Rúin, The Scholar, The Good Turn and The Unquiet Grave is set in Ireland, largely in the city of Galway, Ireland.[34].

The Sisters and The Roommate are audio novella prequels to the Cormac series, set in Dublin, Ireland[33].

Books set in the United States of America

[edit]

The Murder Rule is set in both Maine and Virginia, USA[35].

What Happened to Nina is set in Vermont, USA[36].

The Wrong One is set in Connecticut and New Jersey, USA[37].

Books set in Australia

[edit]

Three Reasons for Revenge is set in Melbourne, Australia[38].

The Fireground is set in Western Australia[39].

Reception

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All of McTiernan's books have been widely and generally positively reviewed.

Awards and recognition

[edit]
Year Work Award Result Ref
2018 The Rúin The Guardian's Not the Booker Prize Shortlisted
2019 Davitt Award Won [40][4][6][41][42][43][5]
Barry Award best paperback book Won [40][4][6][41][42][43][5]
Ned Kelly Award best first novel Won [40][4][6][41][42][43][5]
RUSA Reading List Mystery Shortlisted
The West Australian Premier's Book Award Emerging Writer Won
Australian Book Industry Awards General Fiction Book of the Year Shortlisted
Irish Book Awards Crime Fiction Book of the Year Shortlisted
Kate O'Brien Award Shortlisted
2020 The Scholar International Thriller Writers Awards Best Paperback Original Novel Won [44]
Davitt Award best adult crime novel Shortlisted [45]
Ned Kelly Award best crime fiction Shortlisted [46]
RUSA Reading List Mystery Shortlisted
Australian Book Industry Awards General Fiction Book of the Year Shortlisted
2021 The Good Turn Australian Book Industry Awards General Fiction Book of the Year Shortlisted [47]
2022 Barry Award Best Paperback Original Won [48]
2025 What Happened to Nina Australian Book Industry Awards General Fiction Book of the Year Won [49]
International Thriller Writers Award Best Standalone Mystery Shortlisted
Crime Writers Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Longlisted

Adaptation

[edit]

In 2019, it was reported that The Rúin was optioned for screen by Irish actor Colin Farrell and his production company.[50] The Murder Rule and What Happened to Nina are currently in development for screen adaptation[51].

Bibliography

[edit]
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2018), The Ruin (or The Rúin), HarperCollins Publishers Australia, ISBN 978-1-4607-5421-4
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2019), The Scholar, HarperCollins, ISBN 978-1-4607-0868-2
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2019), The Fireground, Audible Orignals, B07W8XWK23
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2020), The Good Turn, HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN 978-1-4607-1061-6
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2020), The Roommate, Audible Originals, B0DV8Z1MHW
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2022), The Murder Rule, HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited, ISBN 978-1-4607-1354-9
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2022), The Wrong One, Audible Originals, B09SHZHXWF
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2023), The Fireground, Audible Originals, B0CDQ3NG68
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2024), What Happened to Nina?, HarperCollins
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2025), The Unquiet Grave, HarperCollins Australia Pty Limited, ISBN 978-1-4607-6682-8
  • McTiernan, Dervla (2026), Three Reasons for Revenge, HarperCollins Australia Pty Limited, ISBN 9781460760161

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Mercedes Maguire (27 February 2020). "'I feel I'm making a deal with an imaginary cop': crime queen author Dervla McTiernan". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 August 2023. But I do feel Australian now, in fact, it's official because I have an Australian passport now.
  2. ↑ Northover, Kylie (6 May 2026). "The real plot twist that changed Dervla McTiernan's life". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  3. ↑ Northover, Kylie (6 May 2026). "The real plot twist that changed Dervla McTiernan's life". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Examiner, Irish (25 July 2018). "Cork-born solicitor begins new chapter as a crime writer in Australia". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Writer's Block with Dervla McTiernan". The Gloss Magazine. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Dervla McTiernan". Fantastic Fiction. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  7. ↑ Mem: 10509080. "HarperCollins acquires McTiernan, Ringland debuts". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ Mem: 10515504. "'The Ruin' wins best novel at 2019 Davitt Awards". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ Mem: 10500136. "McTiernan wins Barry Award for best paperback original". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ "2018 Winners". slwa.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  11. ↑ "The ABIA Book shortlists 2019". Readings Books. Archived from the original on 24 January 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "Shortlist unveiled for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2018". www.anpost.com. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "Past Nominees and Winners". International Thriller Writers. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  14. ↑ Mem: 10538032. "ABIA 2020 shortlists announced". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ↑ "Davitt Awards 2020 shortlists announced". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "Shortlist for Ned Kelly Awards!!". Writing.ie. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  17. ↑ Mem: 10399824. "Bestsellers: McTiernan at number one". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ "Barry Awards – Deadly Pleasures". Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  19. ↑ Mem: 10399064. "'The Murder Rule' reaches number one". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ Lyall, Sarah (4 December 2022). "The Best Thrillers of 2022". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  21. ↑ Mem: 10410616. "McTiernan tops the chart". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ↑ Lyall, Sarah (4 December 2024). "The Best Thrillers of 2024". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "Past Nominees and Winners". International Thriller Writers. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  24. ↑ Wrathall, Andrew (7 May 2025). "Australian Book Industry Award Winners 2025". ABIA. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  25. ↑ kimbofo (16 April 2025). "Aussies on the Dagger longlists". Reading Matters. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  26. ↑ Mem: 10434856. "McTiernan remains top Aussie book; Burr enters the charts". www.booksandpublishing.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ↑ Pengelly, Vanessa (8 April 2026). "2026 Book Awards Shortlist Announcement". ABIA. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  28. ↑ "Australia Reads: National library borrowing trends". Civica. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "Audio Novellas Archives". Dervla McTiernan. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  30. ↑ Brophy, Kevin John (25 May 2022). "Dervla McTiernan: a crime writer probing the complexity of relationships and the courage of good people". The Conversation. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  31. ↑ crime, Adam Woog: Adam Woog’s columns on; Times, mystery fiction appear regularly in The Seattle (14 May 2019). "Crime fiction: An Irish mystery evokes Tana French, a local writer revisits the JFK assassination, and an abduction on Hood Canal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  32. ↑ Brophy, Kevin John (25 May 2022). "Dervla McTiernan: a crime writer probing the complexity of relationships and the courage of good people". The Conversation. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  33. 1 2 "The Roommate". Goodreads. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  34. ↑ McTiernan, Dervla (15 July 2025). "Irish author Dervla McTiernan explains why Galway offers the best vibes".
  35. ↑ Judith, ~ (29 February 2024). "Book Review: The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan – a pacy legal thriller with a few dramatic twists". Judith McKinnon. Retrieved 8 July 2026. {{cite web}}: |first= has numeric name (help)
  36. ↑ Debbish (11 February 2024). "Book review: What Happened to Nina by Dervla McTiernan". Debbish. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  37. ↑ Finn, Mike (13 August 2022). "'The Wrong One' by Dervla McTiernan". Mike Finn's Fiction. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  38. ↑ Morcom, Rowena (May 2026). "Three Reasons, Infinite Consequences – Dervla McTiernan on Three Reasons for Revenge". Good Reading Magazine.
  39. ↑ "Reviews - The Fireground | The StoryGraph". app.thestorygraph.com. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  40. 1 2 3 Jordison, Sam (19 September 2018). "Not the Booker: The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan review – thriller lost in plot". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  41. 1 2 3 Ford, Tricia (30 August 2019). "Dervla McTiernan Expands The Cormac Reilly Series With Both A Sequel And A Prequel". audible.com. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  42. 1 2 3 "An Post Irish Book Awards » Dervla McTiernan". An Post Irish Book Awards. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  43. 1 2 3 McManus, Darragh (2 March 2019). "The Scholar: Tension, twists and turns in smart Galway mystery". Independent.ie. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  44. ↑ "McKinty, McTiernan win 2020 Thriller Awards". Books+Publishing. 14 July 2020. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  45. ↑ "Davitt Awards 2020 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 17 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  46. ↑ "Ned Kelly Awards 2020 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 26 August 2020. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  47. ↑ "ABIA 2021 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  48. ↑ "The Barry Award Winners 2022". Deadly Pleasures – Mystery Magazine. 12 September 2022. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  49. ↑ O'Brien, Kerrie (7 May 2025). "Nagi Maehashi, John Farnham and Richard Scolyer win at book awards". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  50. ↑ Steger, Jason (31 August 2019). "Boom time for Dervla McTiernan with Davitt Awards win and Colin Farrell developing film adaptation of The Ruin". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  51. ↑ Northover, Kylie (6 May 2026). "The real plot twist that changed Dervla McTiernan's life". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
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