Dublin city pathologist Quirke discovers in his pathology lab his adoptive brother, obstetric consultant Malachy Griffin. Mal is at Quirke's desk completing some paperwork for a recently deceased patient named Christine Falls. When Quirke returns next morning to find Christine's body gone, he remembers his brother's odd behaviour.

It is early 1957 and the Griffin family has been blown apart by recent revelations. Quirke is drinking heavily; Mal and Sarah's marriage is on the rocks; Quirke and his adoptive father the formidable Judge Garret Griffin are estranged; and Phoebe has decided to assert her freedom from the lot of them by moving out of the family home.

[Final Episode] Quirke is fighting a battle with grief and drink - and losing heavily - while Phoebe is forging a new life for herself with the help of a group of oddly assorted friends. Phoebe is worried that her friend April hasn't been heard from in over a week.