Mort Subite, ou Bás Tobann en version originale — l'œuvre est écrite en gaélique —, est le titre du premier roman d'Anna Heussaff, un polar dont l'intrigue se déroule sur la côte du sud-ouest irlandais. L'intrigue commence au moment où Aoife, Pat et leurs deux enfants quittent Dublin pour s'installer dans un village isolé où ils viennent d'acquérir une maison ancienne.

Les tensions et les pressions ne tardent pas à faire surface alors qu'ils engagent les travaux de rénovation nécessaires pour créer une petite entreprise touristique, une auberge proposant des randonnées accompagnées aux vacanciers.

La curiosité d'Aoife s'éveille à la lecture d'un vieux journal qui relate la mort d'une jeune enseignante plusieurs années auparavant — elle serait tombée, en pleine nuit, d'une falaise non loin du village. Des mots griffonnés au crayon sur le journal amènent Aoife à poser des questions gênantes à ses nouveaux voisins ; ce faisant, Aoife ravive un secret profondément enfoui et fait surgir de nouveaux dangers. En même temps, la vie du couple se dégrade …

IRISH TIMES, book reviews, saturday 12 february 2005 : Heussaff has written a traditional « who-done-it ? » — traditional by the standards of English-language fiction, though not by Irish-language. It's a genre which has millions of fans throughout the world, though one which still engenders a certain amount of disdain in some highbrow reviewers. Be that as it may, Bás Tobann offers something new and enjoyable.

While better known for her work as a television and radio producer, Heussaff has found her range as a writer in this, her first novel. Bás Tobann is a comfortable read ; people, places and events unfold in a style which is unfussy but well-crafted. Heussaff's lines will not send you diving to the dictionary but remind you how an able writer can make everyday life lucid with everyday language.

The characterisation of the city family — mother Aoife, father Pat, and their two children, Sal and Rónán — who move to the country is convincing. The challenge they face in settling down is well-told without being laboured and the stresses that Aoife and Pat experience within their marriage as they try to adjust, adds to the realism.

The detective element of their story begins in the mundane but is skilfully teased out. An old news clipping about the death of a young woman and local teacher catches Aoife's attention. The circumstances of the death arouse her curiosity and we are soon on a well-worn trail which a thousand amateur sleuths have walked before, but Heussaff provides enough genuine suspense to keep the pages turning.