N THE MORNING I'LL BE GONE, Adrian McKinty
This is the third book of what McKinty calls THE TROUBLES TRILOGY although I see a fourth one is coming out. This won the Ned Kelly Award and I enjoyed it immensely. It's a locked room murder inside a story of the troubles. I have not read the first two books so that probably factors in to a certain lack of knowledge of the character and his problems with the Royal Ulster Constabulary,
Sean Duffy has a chance for reinstatement in the local forces if he is able to find the whereabouts of an infamous IRA member. The two were childhood friends so this gives him a certain insight into the terrorist. His deal with those who can tell him Dermot's whereabouts is to solve the locked room murder of their daughter a few years back. And watching Duffy solve this crime is enjoyable. McKinty writes very clearly and yet doesn't repeat himself. It's a pleasure to be led through the clues by such a good plotter.
Also enjoyable is McKinty's use of Joseph Kennedy Jr. on a trip to Belfast. And the final scenes, which take place during Margaret Thatcher's stay in a Brighton Hotel, are exciting. I liked the style of writing and the cast of characters a lot. We get some of Duffy's life but not enough to slow the action down. I also really like the single POV in this book. It does make following a plot easier. Highly recommended for crime fiction lovers.
What Irish writers do you like?
For more most excellent book reviews, see Barrie Summy.
8 comments:
I'm amazed that you read the 3rd book in a trilogy without reading the earlier books first.
I just read the first one, as you know - THE COLD COLD GROUND - and liked it very much. It is set in 1981 during the Hunger Strikes and the run-up to the Royal Wedding. That was the exact period we were in Ireland (though across the border in the South) and it all seems right. I liked his first person narration too. I have book two on order.
Jeff M.
Well, I'm a big McKinty fan, so I've read just about everything. But I have a lot of other Irish writers I really like as well. Ken Bruen, Declan Burke, Declan Hughes, Stuart Neville, Colin Bateman, Gerard Brennan--they all have something to add to the mix. For some reason I haven't gotten to Tana French yet, I have no idea why. I think it was probably just the bookseller's syndrome which can manifest as an aversion to massive popularity.
Although I don't usually read mysteries or crime novels, I enjoy learning about the genre from your reviews.
Yes, I like those writers too. And Gene Kerrigan. And Tana French is amazing.
Oh right, Gene Kerrigan too. I knew I was forgetting someone.
I think I even have at least the first two Tana French books, so there's really no excuse.
So, Patti, I see you're on reading jag of mysteries by Irish authors! I'm definitely adding this to my list...although I think I'll start with The Cold Cold Ground. Thanks for reviewing!
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