A recent newsletter highlights Irish-set mystery novels inspired by Netflix's new series How to Get to Heaven From Belfast. The show reunites high school friends in a fast-paced Irish crime story following a death. Recommendations include books blending complicated friendships and past crimes.
Netflix's How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is described as a laugh-out-loud, fast-talking Irish crime series that brings together high school friends to solve a mystery after one dies. It appeals to fans of Derry Girls on Netflix and Bad Sisters on Apple TV+.
The newsletter, published on March 11, 2026, suggests several Irish-set novels that echo elements of the show, such as intricate relationships and investigations into historical crimes. One recommendation is Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose, where Ciara Dunphy, a seemingly enviable woman in a village near Dublin, dies in a fall down the stairs, unraveling secrets and accusations among acquaintances.
Another is Ask No Questions by Claire Allan, focusing on a crime over 30 years old: Kelly Doherty's killing in Derry during trick-or-treating. The convicted man now claims innocence upon release, prompting journalist Ingrid Devlin to investigate amid warnings and inconsistencies.
The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan features detective Cormac Reilly, who 20 years earlier removed siblings Jack and Maude from their home after their mother's death. When Jack dies by apparent suicide, Maude disputes it, leading Reilly to probe the case.
These picks aim to inspire more Irish crime fiction, blending past and present narratives for mystery enthusiasts.