The story begins in the 1960's and is set mainly in Ireland and the United States, twins, alike in some ways and very different in others.  One twin due to a very unhappy and negative childhood departs clandestinely at 16 for wherever life takes him.  He arrives in the United States and survives as best he can, however he can, until fate - and having crossed one too many dangerous people - he is forced to return to Ireland.  Murder ensues, but who is the murderer and who is the victim, that is the dilemma.  John Roche a taciturn and far too casual and disrespectful detective for the preference of his superiors has to be borne because he is just so good at what he does ... catching murderers.  He ends up involved and working with the State Security Forces and between them they solve the mystery and make Dublin a slightly less dangerous place - at least for some people.

Just  suppose that your life was at a crossroads, your marriage was as close to being on the rocks as it had ever been - and it had been so many times, and for a lot of years.  And then suppose that your husband informs you one evening that 'he has predicted the lottery numbers' ... all of them.  The jackpot!  And then, later that same evening, fortuitiously or sadly, he is killed by a Toyota car falling off of a car transporter.  What would be your true reaction?  Yes it is dreadful that such a thing might happen.  And Yes, it is dreadful that your partner of many years is dead .... but did he have the lottery ticket in his pocket?  Have the paramedics, the passers by, the hospital staff now have the lottery ticket?  We all know what our mind should be dwelling on, and what is the RIGHT thing to feel - but is it that easy.  That was this wife's dilemma.  Feel for her, or condemn her ... but walk through the terrible time with her.  After all we have all  heard about 'walking in another man's shoes' etc. ..... and it really is a lot of MILLIONS  to not think about!