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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this was the best of the series. Lots more excitement and action, great characters as always, and even a seemingly happy ending (you never know, though).
As usual, there's a lot of references to music in addition to the usual title being derived from songs by Tom Waits. It's pretty funny when Duffy has practically got himself and his entire family killed, and he's racing along at 140 mph, and has to play the radio because he doesn't think putting in a tape would be a good idea. He's always thinking about what music to play no matter what's happening.
Also, poor Sean gets his usual abuse from up above and from the press, all of it unfair. But he accepts it as normal, which unfortunately, it seems to be. But in this story, we get some clue as to why his record looks so bad. Although, to be fair, he's a bit too nice and fair, so his arrest record is not as good as it could be.
This one also has some pretty terrible things going on by the IRA that are unbelievable, but probably true. Torture of the worst sort, indiscriminate bombings, especially against police, etc. The police always have to check under their cars before driving in case there's a bomb. Modern-day Muslim terrorists are not any worse than IRA terrorists, and the Muslim haters should look at these Christian terrorists before calling names.
In the middle of all the excitement, there is the usual groaner joke or two. One goes to a young girl he comes across:
As usual, there's a lot of references to music in addition to the usual title being derived from songs by Tom Waits. It's pretty funny when Duffy has practically got himself and his entire family killed, and he's racing along at 140 mph, and has to play the radio because he doesn't think putting in a tape would be a good idea. He's always thinking about what music to play no matter what's happening.
Also, poor Sean gets his usual abuse from up above and from the press, all of it unfair. But he accepts it as normal, which unfortunately, it seems to be. But in this story, we get some clue as to why his record looks so bad. Although, to be fair, he's a bit too nice and fair, so his arrest record is not as good as it could be.
This one also has some pretty terrible things going on by the IRA that are unbelievable, but probably true. Torture of the worst sort, indiscriminate bombings, especially against police, etc. The police always have to check under their cars before driving in case there's a bomb. Modern-day Muslim terrorists are not any worse than IRA terrorists, and the Muslim haters should look at these Christian terrorists before calling names.
In the middle of all the excitement, there is the usual groaner joke or two. One goes to a young girl he comes across:
“Why don’t blind people skydive?”
“Dunno, mister.”
“Because it scares the crap out of their dogs.”
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
One of the best detective/mystery series out there. McKinty does a fabulous job with setting, character development and dialogue. On par with James Lee Burke's Robicioux series. Read the series-you will smell the cordite, feel the damp rain and the tension from 1980's NI.
Although Sean Duffy has mellowed out a little bit, the world around him has not. The brisk pace and smooth flow of uncomplicated sentences keeps an interesting story afloat in the latest addition of the Duffy series. Paired with the quick pace, McKinty packs each chapter with enough cultural references, vocabulary, and intrigue to warrant a slower digestion of the material, should that appeal to your tastes. The readership might be torn over Duffy's delicate diminuendo from danger, but worry not, trouble seems to always find him. Can't wait for #7!
Adrian McKinty's Sean Duffy is back again for the sixth time and this novel is as enjoyable as the others.
The opening to the book (and this does not offer a spoiler) portrays Det. Sean Duffy handcuffed and being led to his yet to be dug grave deep in the woods. Things do not look good at all for Duffy and while reading this portion, one wonders how will Duffy escape from this mess intact.
The book then flashes back to explain exactly how he found himself in a situation where he's going to take a bullet to the back of the head.
What I like about McKinty's writing is that while reading the book, because of this effective opening, I wondered is this possibly the last Duffy novel and McKinty is getting ready to move on.
The main plot to the novel is the investigation of a drug peddler murdered by use of a cross bow arrow. For some reason, in what should be a case no one cares about, apparently people do.
McKinty throws in all he is good at - the politics and carnage of Ireland, Duffy's wit and rebellion, his trusty sidekick Crabby and all the other usual fixings and it's done in a way that is not boring or repetitive.
Highly recommended.........especially if you like Ian Rankin's Det. Rebus......
The opening to the book (and this does not offer a spoiler) portrays Det. Sean Duffy handcuffed and being led to his yet to be dug grave deep in the woods. Things do not look good at all for Duffy and while reading this portion, one wonders how will Duffy escape from this mess intact.
The book then flashes back to explain exactly how he found himself in a situation where he's going to take a bullet to the back of the head.
What I like about McKinty's writing is that while reading the book, because of this effective opening, I wondered is this possibly the last Duffy novel and McKinty is getting ready to move on.
The main plot to the novel is the investigation of a drug peddler murdered by use of a cross bow arrow. For some reason, in what should be a case no one cares about, apparently people do.
McKinty throws in all he is good at - the politics and carnage of Ireland, Duffy's wit and rebellion, his trusty sidekick Crabby and all the other usual fixings and it's done in a way that is not boring or repetitive.
Highly recommended.........especially if you like Ian Rankin's Det. Rebus......
The bad news is that this is the last installment in the Sean Duffy series, but the good news is that I found another series written by Adrian McKinty and also narrated by Gerard Doyle - [b:Michael Forsythe|45702239|Michael Forsythe (3 Book Series)|Adrian McKinty|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557446308l/45702239._SX50_.jpg|70472702].
I can only hope that this series is as witty, well-written and insightful as Duffy. I will miss the characters and the setting - Belfast during the troubles, but look forward to finding out more about the lives of Irish immigrants and gangs in New York.
I highly recommend the audible version of this series if you enjoy mysteries that are fast-paced, intelligent with lots of cultural and political references, then you should grab this next.
I can only hope that this series is as witty, well-written and insightful as Duffy. I will miss the characters and the setting - Belfast during the troubles, but look forward to finding out more about the lives of Irish immigrants and gangs in New York.
I highly recommend the audible version of this series if you enjoy mysteries that are fast-paced, intelligent with lots of cultural and political references, then you should grab this next.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No