Three Reasons For Revenge

Author: Dervla McTiernan
Genre: Crime Fiction
336 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins, June 2026

Synopsis
Someone’s been watching. Someone’s been waiting.

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 four seemingly unrelated people, Judith discovers she’s no longer just investigating the game – she’s being forced to play.

My review
Three Reasons For Revenge is a standout crime thriller from Dervla McTiernan. After reading What Happened to Nina?, the brilliant standalone that launched her into my top tier of must-read authors, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. It absolutely delivered and is the kind of crime thriller I love. One that maintains a steady undercurrent of dread, a dark and twisty plot, and characters that feel real and make me want to learn more.

McTiernan has crafted a fascinating and believable protagonist in Detective Sergeant Judith Lee. She completely stole the show for me. Gritty, rebellious, and weighed down by personal baggage she’s struggling to confront, Judith is messy in a way that feels authentic. I didn’t always agree with her choices, but I believed in her arc from beginning to end.

At just over 300 pages, this is a tightly paced novel. McTiernan skillfully balances character development and backstory with forward momentum, never sacrificing tension. The story revolves around three mysterious packages delivered to three different individuals. At first, the packages appear harmless but it quickly becomes clear that someone is targeting the recipients with malicious intent. DS Judith Lee must untangle the connections and piece together what’s happening, racing against time as more lives are put at risk. As the story unfolds, the web of relationships becomes more intricate and the pressure mounts.

Three Reasons For Revenge is an accessible crime novel that strikes a great balance. It has enough procedural detail to satisfy fans of the genre without bogging down the pace. If you’re looking for a suspenseful, well-written thriller you can fully lose yourself in, this is a perfect weekend read. Another fantastic novel from McTiernan. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Dervla McTiernan for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

My recommendation: definitely worth the read!