The Fourth Victim (Belfast Murder Mystery Book 7) by Brian O’Hare; Cold Case Gets Heated By Inspector Sheehan and Co.

 The Fourth Victim (Belfast Murder Mystery Book 7) by Brian O’Hare; Cold Case Gets Heated By Inspector Sheehan and Co.

By Julie Sara Porter 

Bookworm Reviews 

Spoilers: If you are interested, please read my reviews for previous volumes Murder by the Coven, Murder on the Dark Web, Murder of a Runaway, and Conduit to Murder

 In Belfast, if you want a murder, new or old to be solved, then you call Inspector Thomas Sheehan and his team. In this seventh book in the Belfast Murder Mystery Series, The Fourth Victim, they do just that work on a current murder case which takes them to an old one.

In this volume, Sheehan and his partner, Detective Sergeant Denise Stewart are called into investigate the murder of Seamus Higgins, MLA who was beaten to death in his apartment. He has a very colorful past, as part of the New IRA and may have been targeted by them or members of other terrorist or paramilitary groups. Besides that, the team discovers that 14 years ago, he was involved with an unsolved murder concerning four wayward law students, a little girl, a grieving mother/attorney, and an errant vehicle.

This volume covers two specific murder cases, the current one and the one from 14 years ago. The investigation into Higgin’s death is efficiently handled especially when there are similar murders suggesting a pattern. There are some red herrings that are slightly hampered by a flashback occurring too early in the text for the Reader, but they provide some interesting leads for the investigators to uncover.

Unlike many of the other books in The Belfast Murder Mystery Series, this one doesn't get too involved with the personal lives of the investigation team themselves. The only subplot is Malachy McBride, one of the detectives, becoming a bit too friendly with a person of interest. It is charming but not overpowering leaving the mystery to do most of the heavy lifting.

In fact the strongest characterization occurs during the murder from 14 years ago. It's very reminiscent of movies like I Know What You Did Last Summer in which an early murder occurred, was never solved, and a grief stricken loved one takes it upon themselves to do what the law couldn't and execute vigilante justice even if it takes years to get it done.

The flashbacks contain a fascinating story that is the highlight of this volume. From the callous wayward self-serving youths who caused this tragedy to the family who found their motivation to fight against it either by latching onto a cause, trying to move forward with their lives, or seeking blood for blood, it is a strong look on the effect that murder has on the people involved. 

The Fourth Victim reminds us that sometimes time can change the way that we see an investigation and what we thought then may not be the same now. That often, a case is never really cold. It just takes a bit longer to heat up.