Red Ribbons

Starred review from January 2, 2017
Irish author Phillips makes her U.S. debut with a masterly psychological thriller, set mainly in and around Dublin in the spring and fall of 2011. The Dublin police call in Dr. Kate Pearson, who counsels young offenders, because of her extensive experience of criminal profiling in the U.K. A farmer outside the city has found the grave of a 12-year-old girl on his land; she’s dressed in her school uniform, her body arranged with meticulous care. An examination of the corpse reveals that her hair was braided and adorned with red bows after her death. When a 13-year-old girl goes missing and is subsequently discovered dead in similar circumstances, Kate realizes that a serial killer is at work. Phillips delicately interweaves the stories of Kate, who feel increasingly distant from her husband; Ellie Brady, a woman who has been institutionalized for 15 years after murdering her daughter; and the killer. The foibles, fears and strengths of each fully realized character all come into play and affect their judgment. In short, they are people the reader will care about.