Dervla McTiernan’s The Murder Rule

Dervla McTiernan came in from Perth, Australia, and she appeared in person for The Poisoned Pen. The Murder Rule is her first standalone novel. TJ Newman hosted McTiernan for the event. You can order a copy of The Murder Rule through the Web Store. https://bit.ly/3sG6BE7

Here’s the description of The Murder Rule.

For fans of the compulsive psychological suspense of Ruth Ware and Tana French, a mother daughter story—one running from a horrible truth, and the other fighting to reveal it—that twists and turns in shocking ways, from the internationally bestselling author of The Scholar and The Ruin.

First Rule: Make them like you.

Second Rule: Make them need you.

Third Rule: Make them pay.

They think I’m a young, idealistic law student, that I’m passionate about reforming a corrupt and brutal system.

They think I’m working hard to impress them.

They think I’m here to save an innocent man on death row.

 They’re wrong. I’m going to bury him.


International #1 bestseller Dervla McTiernan’s first two novels, The Rúin and The Scholar, were critically acclaimed around the world. Dervla has won multiple prizes, including a Ned Kelly Award, Davitt Awards, a Barry Award and an International Thriller Writers Award, and has been shortlisted for numerous others. Dervla’s third book, The Good Turn, went straight to #1 in the bestseller charts, confirming her place as one of Australia’s best and most popular crime writers.


It’s been a few years since Dervla McTiernan has been in the U.S. Enjoy the conversation with her.