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constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up for another story in the Jack Taylor series. Jack Taylor is a man with demons, and he uses drugs and booze to quiet them. He is now living a quiet life on the farm of his friend, Keefer. Keefer has a hunting falcon, and Jack enjoys time with the falcon. but then goes on a day trip into Galway and is hit by a Mack Truck. He is in a coma for several weeks and miraculously awakens with not a scratch--stretching reality just a bit. This seems to happen a lot in this series, where Jack is attacked and beaten, but recovers completely. Locals call this a miracle--A Galway Epiphany. Jack is a man of violence and he thought that he was over that when he went to live on Keefer's farm. But he is drawn back into violence, when he comes into contact with a lethal arsonist and an evil woman pretending to be a teenager.
Bruen's stream of consciousness style of writing coupled with poor formatting on my ARC(Advanced Release Copy) kindle edition made this book hard to read--sentences would drop to the next line mid sentence and new paragraphs didn't drop to the next line.
This series has Jack drinking, using drugs and profanity. It is not suitable for cozy mystery fans.
However, if you are a fan of this series, you will like it. Jack is a reader and frequently quotes from various authors/poets. He also has some sharp comments on Irish/world politics and the Catholic church.
Some quotes:
"The miracle of Jack Taylor. It is perfect, a former lost soul, an alcoholic, a drug addict, prone to extreme violence, the cause of grief to so many, and God chose you, the most wretched of his creatures to bestow his grace upon."
Jack on the world: "I think the world is so f**cked. Trump has America literally shut down, Brexit is a mess beyond belief, Venezuela is becoming the new Syria in the worst way, so people are desperate for something miraculous."
Jack again: "Sherry is what you drink in Lent, for bl**dy penance."
#AGalwayEpiphany #NetGalley
Thanks to Grove Atlantic/Mysterious Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Bruen's stream of consciousness style of writing coupled with poor formatting on my ARC(Advanced Release Copy) kindle edition made this book hard to read--sentences would drop to the next line mid sentence and new paragraphs didn't drop to the next line.
This series has Jack drinking, using drugs and profanity. It is not suitable for cozy mystery fans.
However, if you are a fan of this series, you will like it. Jack is a reader and frequently quotes from various authors/poets. He also has some sharp comments on Irish/world politics and the Catholic church.
Some quotes:
"The miracle of Jack Taylor. It is perfect, a former lost soul, an alcoholic, a drug addict, prone to extreme violence, the cause of grief to so many, and God chose you, the most wretched of his creatures to bestow his grace upon."
Jack on the world: "I think the world is so f**cked. Trump has America literally shut down, Brexit is a mess beyond belief, Venezuela is becoming the new Syria in the worst way, so people are desperate for something miraculous."
Jack again: "Sherry is what you drink in Lent, for bl**dy penance."
#AGalwayEpiphany #NetGalley
Thanks to Grove Atlantic/Mysterious Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
mookiemonster's review against another edition
5.0
Since I was introduced to the Jack Taylor series with The Guards and The Killing of the Tinkers back in 2007, Ken Bruen has became one of those authors for me that I'll drop whatever I'm reading to pick up his latest work.
Like his previous 15 Jack Taylor novels, A Galway Epiphany did not disappoint. Jack Taylor is brought into more of his usual predicaments with complex relationships and even more complex crimes. The noir style is authentic and original, and full of eye-opening anecdotes. The bonus for me is always all the new discoveries of authors, books, songs, etc. that Bruen weaves into his stories through Jack Taylor's tastes for books and music. 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic / Mysterious Press for the ARC.
Like his previous 15 Jack Taylor novels, A Galway Epiphany did not disappoint. Jack Taylor is brought into more of his usual predicaments with complex relationships and even more complex crimes. The noir style is authentic and original, and full of eye-opening anecdotes. The bonus for me is always all the new discoveries of authors, books, songs, etc. that Bruen weaves into his stories through Jack Taylor's tastes for books and music. 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic / Mysterious Press for the ARC.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
A Galway Epiphany is the 16th book in the popular Irish PI-noir series by Ken Bruen. Released 3rd Nov 2020 by Mysterious Press, it's 256 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a well established series by a well established author picked up for film production to a wider public. In many (most) instances, this would cause the entire production team from author to writers and producers to play a safe bet and appeal to a wider audience (thus often gutting the appeal to the base audience). This is, very happily, not what has happened here. Former cop, turned irreverent cynical PI, Jack Taylor is his irascible unapologetic damaged self. A near death accident soon has him drawn back into his tenacious bulldog ways after he regains consciousness from his coma.
This is a sharply written book in a clever and very well written crime series. It's redolent with barely constrained violence. It often positively vibrates with menace. One drawback should be mentioned. I was dismayed to see this version (?) heavily edited for North American audiences with American vernacular (cigarette, apartment, truck). It's quite jarring and a mistake I think. I missed the Irish ambience and found it distracting. After checking my other editions, I see that they have similarly Americanized vernacular. I found it distracting.
I enjoyed this read very much and found that it works moderately well as a standalone. I recommend the entire series - the author is supremely talented at his craft. I'm not entirely sure if there is a UK edition (the publishing info is unclear), but if there is, I would seek it out.
Four stars. A gut punch of a read with a diabolically shocking denouement and sublimely well written characters. Rough and tension filled.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A Galway Epiphany is the 16th book in the popular Irish PI-noir series by Ken Bruen. Released 3rd Nov 2020 by Mysterious Press, it's 256 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a well established series by a well established author picked up for film production to a wider public. In many (most) instances, this would cause the entire production team from author to writers and producers to play a safe bet and appeal to a wider audience (thus often gutting the appeal to the base audience). This is, very happily, not what has happened here. Former cop, turned irreverent cynical PI, Jack Taylor is his irascible unapologetic damaged self. A near death accident soon has him drawn back into his tenacious bulldog ways after he regains consciousness from his coma.
This is a sharply written book in a clever and very well written crime series. It's redolent with barely constrained violence. It often positively vibrates with menace. One drawback should be mentioned. I was dismayed to see this version (?) heavily edited for North American audiences with American vernacular (cigarette, apartment, truck). It's quite jarring and a mistake I think. I missed the Irish ambience and found it distracting. After checking my other editions, I see that they have similarly Americanized vernacular. I found it distracting.
I enjoyed this read very much and found that it works moderately well as a standalone. I recommend the entire series - the author is supremely talented at his craft. I'm not entirely sure if there is a UK edition (the publishing info is unclear), but if there is, I would seek it out.
Four stars. A gut punch of a read with a diabolically shocking denouement and sublimely well written characters. Rough and tension filled.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
jbrito's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
alexandra_a_a's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Random microaggressions/ racist tropes scattered throughout the book
leona28's review against another edition
1.0
Could not get into this book at all! The storyline jumped so much and made no sense. The author gave random bits of information throughout the story that didn't relate to the overall story at all and was very rambling. Definitely will not be reading this ever again or recommending it.
mariasmusings's review against another edition
3.0
Oh, Jack. Yet again you have left me feeling rather broken hearted.
Jack Taylor #16 is firmly set in 2019, as evidenced by references to specific political and sporting events throughout the book. The referencing of specific events to tie the book to a particular timeframe is a plot device only used by Bruen in recent books, whereas previously the books were not as specific in their timeframe.
And by adding in the political references, Bruen is also adding a sense of realism to the world of Taylor and linking in his viewpoints with those of Taylor's. I found myself frequently agreeing with the viewpoints of Taylor/Bruen (should I be worried that I agree with Jack? ;)) but in a book with a strong sense of noir, sometimes, the reader is seeking to avoid such a strong sense of reality and rather wants to enjoy their 'imaged reality'.
And indeed, it is this imaged reality that I have always loved in the Jack Taylor series. The stories are set in contemporary Galway and frequently name check, well known Galway people and places. It's always fun to read a new Taylor and see which local has popped up this time around and to recognise various locales but the references to Trump and Brexit bring an unpleasant realness to our tale.
Of course, this is just the background to the story - what is our eponymous upto on his 16th adventure? Well, Jack starts by being run over by a truck. In fairness, he has been shot, stabbed, beaten, poisoned (I think) so being run over was really only a matter of time. Now, apparently Jack was rescued by two children - the so called 'Miracle Children'. Galway's own version of the Children of Fatima etc. Jack eventually recovers and investigates the children only to discover that the is not the only person on their trail and he is soon battling against an arsonist and self-proclaimed nun.
Plenty of action but of course, there are several smaller plots involving Keefer, and some cases that Jack takes on.
Now, do not scroll any further unless you are ok with spoilers!!
Jack has always struggled with alcoholism and frequently drugs. It is ot uncommon for him to miss a day or two due to blackouts. However, this time around, Jack misses more than a few days and the consequences are devastating as Keefer and Coela both lose their lives when he fails to help Coela battle with Sara. There is a sense in Jack throughout the novel that he is giving up and his reaction to their deaths also reinforces this feeling. He seems content to wallow rather than to fight back. Perhaps, he truly has been on a down spiral since his daughter's death and no longer has a focus or drive to survive. Even his arch nemesis Malachy is no longer alive as a foil. The final scene leaves the reader unsure of whether or not Jack survives. Usually, I would be so disappointed at the thought of his death but this time around, I cannot help but feel that maybe Taylor has come to the end of his journey. Or at least, it is time for him to take a rest before returning.
Jack Taylor #16 is firmly set in 2019, as evidenced by references to specific political and sporting events throughout the book. The referencing of specific events to tie the book to a particular timeframe is a plot device only used by Bruen in recent books, whereas previously the books were not as specific in their timeframe.
And by adding in the political references, Bruen is also adding a sense of realism to the world of Taylor and linking in his viewpoints with those of Taylor's. I found myself frequently agreeing with the viewpoints of Taylor/Bruen (should I be worried that I agree with Jack? ;)) but in a book with a strong sense of noir, sometimes, the reader is seeking to avoid such a strong sense of reality and rather wants to enjoy their 'imaged reality'.
And indeed, it is this imaged reality that I have always loved in the Jack Taylor series. The stories are set in contemporary Galway and frequently name check, well known Galway people and places. It's always fun to read a new Taylor and see which local has popped up this time around and to recognise various locales but the references to Trump and Brexit bring an unpleasant realness to our tale.
Of course, this is just the background to the story - what is our eponymous upto on his 16th adventure? Well, Jack starts by being run over by a truck. In fairness, he has been shot, stabbed, beaten, poisoned (I think) so being run over was really only a matter of time. Now, apparently Jack was rescued by two children - the so called 'Miracle Children'. Galway's own version of the Children of Fatima etc. Jack eventually recovers and investigates the children only to discover that the is not the only person on their trail and he is soon battling against an arsonist and self-proclaimed nun.
Plenty of action but of course, there are several smaller plots involving Keefer, and some cases that Jack takes on.
Now, do not scroll any further unless you are ok with spoilers!!
Jack has always struggled with alcoholism and frequently drugs. It is ot uncommon for him to miss a day or two due to blackouts. However, this time around, Jack misses more than a few days and the consequences are devastating as Keefer and Coela both lose their lives when he fails to help Coela battle with Sara. There is a sense in Jack throughout the novel that he is giving up and his reaction to their deaths also reinforces this feeling. He seems content to wallow rather than to fight back. Perhaps, he truly has been on a down spiral since his daughter's death and no longer has a focus or drive to survive. Even his arch nemesis Malachy is no longer alive as a foil. The final scene leaves the reader unsure of whether or not Jack survives. Usually, I would be so disappointed at the thought of his death but this time around, I cannot help but feel that maybe Taylor has come to the end of his journey. Or at least, it is time for him to take a rest before returning.
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