Mary, Mary

Dr. Margaret Mitchell, a widow in her mid-forties, having returned to Ireland from New Zealand after 20 years to nurse her dying mother, phones the police with a sense of dread and foreboding. Her daughter, Mary, had gone out with some friends 24 hours ago. She has not come home.

Two days later, Margaret receives the first anonymous phone call. Margaret is a psychiatrist who has worked in an institution for the criminally insane. She understands what she is hearing and is filled with terror.

A week later an old man is walking his dog beside a canal and finds the body of Mary Mitchell half submerged in the water. She has been raped, tortured, and beaten to death.

Inspector Michael McLoughlin, who has a reputation as a drinker and a womanizer, is assigned to the case. Although he was once a successful detective, there are now doubts about his stability. He is immediately struck by Margaret's beauty and the force of her personality, and becomes obsessed. He watches her constantly, hoping the killer will turn up.

The killer, Jimmy Fitzsimmons, is arrested and transfers his desire to damage and kill to Margaret.

Jimmy confesses and is charged with murder. The first day of the trial arrives. As Margaret watches the legal teams assembling, she realizes that her past is about to catch up with her. The story unfolds with suspense and a tremendous surprise.