Thoroughly enjoyed, great read, wonderful twist in the tail. Very similar to earlier Patricia Cornwell novels

Really enjoyed this book. Marie Cassidy being scottish and with years of experience on the forensic field weaved all.her experience into a book with plenty of twists. And turns.

My Rating: 2⭐️⭐️ very generous stars… solid start… fell apart like a cheap suit!!

Newly appointed State Pathologist for Ireland, Dr Terry O’Brien has arrived amid rumours and doubts about her intentions.

Terry is caught up in the murder of a local famous podcaster and the boundaries of her role as pathologist and detective begin to blur. The killer sets his sights on Terry, will she be in for more than she bargained for…

So, first off I am late to the party for reviewing this one… but here we are. I unfortunately have been let down, and am unhappy to say that while this appears to be the beginning of a series it will likely be my first and last with this author.

Let’s begin with the good, the storyline is catchy, and it has promise. I like the fact that the author actually has the same qualifications as the FMC so it was very obvious to me that she knew what she was talking about as a State Pathologist. The facts and the figures lined up and I liked it.

The FMC and her BFF Michael had a good friendship, I feel like we could have gotten a little bit more hang time from them and insight into how they became friends etc… but ultimately it was a good pairing. I liked the student Laura she was good but again not fully developed as a character and the problem I have with that is that this is a long book… its almost 400 pages so there is time for the characters to be developed properly. Lastly the MMC and love interest of Terry… I liked him as well… they seem to fit well together, get on etc. BUT again not properly developed only very surface level interactions with he and Terry.

Terry on the other hand… I wasn’t a fan… she was a little unlikeable but also mostly just annoying AF, this is not a deal breaker for me but the stuff she was doing was stupid and it was irritating me. When the killer eventually go this hands on her… this isn’t really a spoiler because if you cannot see this being foreshadowed from the get go then … I don’t know what book you are reading, you really think to yourself… this is your fault Terry, you literally did this to yourself.

So lets back up a bit… how was the writing you ask…. Well it was REPETITIVE considering we had a bunch of underdeveloped characters and plenty of pages… why the heck were we repeating and repeating the most insane BS throughout the book. Why did we need to read that Terry was here on secondment over and over, why did we need to know that her sister died only to not really even find out what happened, like if you are going to drop that bomb repeatedly then give us more each time… honestly it was really getting to me and by 50% I felt like the book had almost gone no where.

Another thing I really didn’t like about this book was that there were some really niche and intricate details the killer did but then completely basic bitch moves like calling himself SaucyJackie in his instagram posts… like come on… Jack the Ripper first of all had nothing to do with this case, second has been done to DEATH… it was unoriginal and boring. But then we went gang busters with the spores of mushrooms being found at the crime scene so Terry could show off… I dunno… it all felt too forced. It was like the author wanted to take the biggest and baddest things and make them all fit in…

Ultimately for me it fell flat… but what really irritated me no end was that Terry is the pathologist… she has a job to perform that does not include being a detective. She is told over and over to stay in her lane… but she thinks she knows better than the police so often times she goes off on her own or with the help of Detective McDreamy to try and solve the case… constantly getting herself into trouble. That is the definition of not your job… and being a dumbass. It was not quite citizen gone rouge but she didn’t get fired for meddling … and instead she got kidnapped and then the plot went waaaaaay too far and did waaaay too much… I won’t keep going and do full spoilers but honestly… it was over for me… I was bored and it wasn’t supposed to be that way. I eye rolled my eyes into space!!!

Overall, why Karly, I hear you ask, is this not one star… well like I said this is generous… I was having a mildly good time to begin with and its the start of the year … but take that as you will… in a month or a week’s time this could be downgraded… it could already be a 1… with that in mind… would I recommend… nope… not even a little bit sorry. I would normally give book 2 a try but I just found Terry so tiresome that I really don’t care what happens to her.. unless shes going to go to police school and become an actual cop so she can bop around solving crimes… then its a Nah from me!!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Hackett Books, Ireland and the author for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I chose this book because my sister met the author last weekend at a book signing in Limerick. I’m a huge fan of police procedural, forensic and thrillers. This is the debut by Marie Cassidy who was the State Pathologist in Ireland so she writes about what she knows. A body is found with similar characteristics to an historical death. The police try to convince Terry ( the pathologist) that it’s an open and shut case with no tie in to the previous death. She sets out to prove them wrong. There is some description of post mortems but not unduly gory. There is also a back story as to why Terry is working in Dublin instead of her hometown of Glasgow. I think we will hear more of this author. I look forward to that. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a prepublication ebook in return for an honest review.

A welcome first foray into the world of fiction for Dr. Marie Cassidy, and she does not disappoint. A strong storyline with the appropriate twist towards the end, not too heavy on the technical but just enough to bring the reader on board. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy, I’m looking forward to the next instalment.

Having read Dr. Marie Cassidy's previous non-fiction work, "Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of a State Pathologist", and enjoyed it hugely, I was very curious to read Cassidy's first furore into the world of fiction.
"Body of Truth" tells us of Dr. Terry O'brien, an experienced forensic pathologist from Glasgow who has transferred to Dublin and instantly grabbed the attention of the Irish media - similar to the story of Cassidy herself. Though this is where the similarities between Cassidy and her protoganist end. As O'Brien finds up tearing up the rulebook and commencing her own investigation into a serious of murders.
Naturally, there is a focus on the forensics side, in particular the post-mortem but this is approached in a scientific manner (though with simple language, so non-science people like myself can follow) and not at all gruesome so unlikely to put off readers - think Silent Witness and you will get the idea.
A welcome addition to a crowded genre and I look forward to the next adventure for Dr. Terry O'Brien

I was really looking forward to reading body of truth by marie cassidy and it certainly did not disappoint .rather fabulous overall full of her many years of experience to draw from i do hope its the first of many .

Dr Terry O'Brien has recently arrived in Ireland from Scotland to take up a position as State Pathologist when a high-profile murder occurs. The victim is Rachel Reece, host of a popular true crime podcast on unsolved murders of Irish women and niece of a prominent politician.

This is Cassidys' first work of fiction and I admit to being completely hooked from the start. Initially I found it hard to separate the character from the author but it doesn't take long for Terry O'Brien to make herself heard. She is what you would expect from a girl from Glasgow, feisty and opinionated with scant regard for boundaries. She is intent on discovering the killer of Rachel Reese, an investigative reporter who in turn was trying to solve an older cold case murder.
Cassidy writes well, her style is confident and precise and for a first novel it is a worthy read. I hope we see more of this character and the ancillary characters who we become familiar with, I can see a great future for Marie Cassidys' fiction career. My thanks go to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of Body of Truth.

Marie Cassidy moved from her day job, state pathologist of Ireland, to writing an absolutely great book where the main character is the new state pathologist of Ireland. Her experience(s) added weight to the interactions of the characters. The background community worked as a team effort up to the point where the MC realizes the police are not following the clues as they are presented. The murder victim was a popular podcast moderator who researched cold cases involving missing Irish women. The police feel her murder resulted from one of the cases she was working. Our MC reads the clues in a different manner. With little experience to back her views, she will invesigate this case on her own, placing herself at risk.

Knowing Cassidy's background added quite a bit to my enjoyment of this book. I'm in the United States but could easily follow the story without having to stop and look up some of the procedures and sequences. This was a huge plus for me.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hachette Books Ireland for an advance copy of Body of Truth, the first novel to feature forensic pathologist Terry O’Brien, set in Dublin.

Terry has recently moved from Glasgow to Dublin and is still finding her feet when podcaster Rachel Reece is found murdered. Rachel was investigating the unsolved murder of Eileen McCarthy, which sends the detectives in what Terry considers to be the wrong direction. She starts her own covert research.

I enjoyed Body of Truth once I got over my innate dislike of characters who know better than the professional investigators with nothing to back it up but feeling. Terry O’Brien falls into this category in a big way, but give her her due, she works extremely hard to prove her hypothesis, putting both her job and her life in danger.

As befits a real life forensic pathologist the author adds a lot of authenticity to the novel with multiple post mortems and small details that shine a light on the job. Fortunately there are not too many gruesome details, meaning that I was able to enjoy the professionalism and science.

This is a first novel so allowances are to be made. The novel reads as a text book murder novel. There are the verbal disagreements with overbearing men, a touch of personal life, a protagonist with a backstory, a glimpse of the unnamed killer’s thoughts and plans and a plot that builds up to a final showdown. I didn’t find it particularly tense before the ending, but it is interesting in its twists and turns. I think it is quite slow in parts, but this is overridden by what it has to say.

Body of Truth is a credible first novel that I can recommend.

This is a well written, authentic thriller, set in Dublin. Dr terry O'Brien is the state pathologist, working on unsolved murders of women. Working with the police, she soon becomes involved in the murder of a social influencer. I loved the characterisation, the pace was fast and there was plenty of tension. The dramatic finale had me on the edge of my seat! It's a compelling, suspenseful read which I highly recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Body Of Truth is an excellent thriller set in Dublin. Featuring forensic pathologist Terry O'Brien, the novel is written by someone who has held that position. The level of scientific detail provided gives the novel authenticity without overwhelming the reader.

Terry arrives in Dublin from Glasgow seeking a new start. She isn't welcomed by the old guard and finds life difficult. And when she begins to believe that a suspect for a series of murders is being railroaded by a senior police officer, she starts her own investigation. Following the evidence takes her to a dark and dangerous place.

Body Of Truth is gripping, with a series of well rounded characters. The politics of law enforcement play a part, while Terry also sees parallels with her own sister's murder, which still haunts her. And the ending to the novel is explosive.

I hops this is the start of a series. Terry O'Brien is a character who could carry more investigations, and I'd hope that further investigation of her sister's death features somewhere in the future.

3.5 ⭐


I enjoyed this one.
Terry is a character I could get behind. Very believable.
Emotional baggage but not too many issues.the forensic side is very interesting.
I spotted the murderer within seconds of them showing up, but that didn't dampen my enthusiasm for the story.
It's well told, and has plenty yo keep you busy.
I'm assuming it's the first in a series, and I look forward to seeing where it goes next.

It doesn't get more authentic - or meta! - than Ireland's former state pathologist writing a novel featuring a character who is Ireland's new state pathologist...

Marie Cassidy does a great job delivering a gripping story about Dr Terry O'Brien who moves from to Scotland to Ireland to become the state pathologist, only to find herself swiftly embroiled in a high profile case featuring a social media influencer.

Rachel Reece is a true crime podcaster with a family member who is prominent in politics. She has been exploring the phenomenon of murdered women in Ireland whose cases remain unsolved, including that of Eileen McCarthy. Is one of those cases the cause of Rachel's own murder?

Cooperating with the police, Terry soon begins to reach different conclusions about Rachel's case than the official police lines of inquiry are yielding.

Inconvenient as this is, and though her superiors seem reluctant to let her follow up by following her own instincts, Terry finds herself unable to stop pushing, propelled by the sheer number of cold cases relating to murdered Irish women. The problem is, she may be putting herself in danger by not knowing when to quit...

This is an intelligent and gripping story, delivered by someone who with considerable insider knowledge of how the criminal justice investigation systems work (and don't work).

Terry O'Brien is an interesting character, and one who grows on you. A compelling read, with great attention to accuracy wrt details, this is a story that is hard to put down.