In over three decades as a garda Pat Marry was instrumental in solving dozens of serious crimes, including many murders. Becoming the kind of garda who can lead a successful murder investigation does not happen by accident and walking out of the garda training college Marry had no idea of how to follow his dream of becoming a detective. The Making of a Detective is the story of how he learned along the way. It was all about putting yourself forward and taking initiative, following up hunches (even when they seemed flimsy), being obsessive about detail, trying out new investigative techniques, being a bit of a psychologist and thinking laterally, honing your instincts. In The Making of a Detective Marry reveals the inside story of high profile investigations he led, such as the murder of Rachel Calally by her husband Joe O'Reilly. He also recounts fascinating detail of cases that have faded from public memory, such as the 1990 murder of Marilyn Rynn, involving the first use of DNA evidence to solve a crime in Ireland. Or the 2001 murder of Mary Gough by her husband Colin Whelan, a case that was resolved largely through a painstaking trawl through Whelan's internet use—something that was new at the time. The Making of a Detective is a unique and gripping insight into the work of a dedicated garda working at the very top of his profession.