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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
This book was a page turner. If you don't mind some violence, foul language, and ghosts, then you might want to try this book. I found the main character, Gerry Fegan to be a damaged, tortured soul that I wanted to know more about & hope that he is a character in the other two books in this series.
I'm adding the next two books in the series in my "want to read" list.
I'm adding the next two books in the series in my "want to read" list.
The time of the anti-hero is (mercifully) ending, and I thank the universe's fad-determining roulette wheel for finally, finally making that pestilence die it's deserved, brutal, flawed death. Therefor, my enjoyment of this book is both entirely unexpected and thus that much greater. Perhaps it's the exceptionally creative story line, the setting, or that virtually every other character is massively hateful (though that last bit doesn't work for me in other anti-hero environs). Maybe all of it together in a wonderful goulash. Whatever the case, don't let the overdone anti-hero thing keep you away.
Post "troubles", this is a page-turner, and a dark piece of writing. I'm not sure why it has "Jack Lennon Investigations #1" as part of the title. No Jack Lennon involved here.
It was hard to put down, but not easy to read as the content was very harsh, and there was little to lighten it. In many ways, this is a masculine read, because there is little to fashion a story out of. It's basic action, action, reaction, finale. Like many in this genre, it leaves out too much to make it really interesting. I would have liked more ambiance, more back story, more character driven story line. But I know there are many who like the unrelenting pace of action.
It was hard to put down, but not easy to read as the content was very harsh, and there was little to lighten it. In many ways, this is a masculine read, because there is little to fashion a story out of. It's basic action, action, reaction, finale. Like many in this genre, it leaves out too much to make it really interesting. I would have liked more ambiance, more back story, more character driven story line. But I know there are many who like the unrelenting pace of action.
3.5* thought the ending could have been more succinct.
Gerry Fegan was a hard man for the IRA during "the troubles". Now, with a shaky peace in place, Fegan drinks himself blind each night to avoid being tormented by the ghosts of those he killed. He's got a plan to try to banish the ghosts, but it involves putting his old skills back to work. I thoroughly enjoyed this horror/thriller/noir tale and will seek out Mr. Neville's other titles.
It took me a few chapters to get all the characters straight, but once I knew who everyone was, I couldn't put the book down. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. By all accounts, Gerry Fegan should be an unlikable monster- guilty of horrible crimes. However, Neville humanizes him to the point where his vendetta became understandable. I liked the fact there was enough Irish history to give you background, but you were not bogged down in the details. I can't wait to pick up Collusion next.
Violent and compelling. Makes me want to understand more about all sides of the conflicts in Northern Ireland--and it appears that there were as many sides as people to interpret them.
A paranormal thriller set in an ultrarealistic Belfast sounds already interesting enough but the best things about this book are the beautifully crafted symbolism and the psychological strength. Justice can be a fickle thing and with Fegan and his shadows we're led in a way that was hard to shake off after.
With all the paranormal characters this story is very realistic. Having lived in Northern Ireland for 5 years I could practically smell the industrial Belfast air of the port, see the row of Victorian townhouses, hear the famous local twang. Neville didn't use too much Belfast slang but the way the dialogue rolled he is unmistakably local.
I loved the way he used and described where this country stands now because it falls in line with what I've seen. Not the murders of course but the unchanging players who have gone from fighters to politicians too smoothly. On the other hand I always felt as if people in Northern Ireland lived for today and this book displays perfectly why: too many tomorrows were taken drastically.
This is not a political book but behind every word beats the collective heart of a nation that has seen too big schisms for too long, the injustices that had been suffered, the responses that were hard to justify. I don't think I've seen a country that is still so defined by its history and I'm glad to find that writers of different genres are now able to look into its bloody face with a desperate desire to heal and find mercy.
My love for the people of Northern Ireland might make me impartial but with all its gore and violence this is a book that can make you think and feel.
With all the paranormal characters this story is very realistic. Having lived in Northern Ireland for 5 years I could practically smell the industrial Belfast air of the port, see the row of Victorian townhouses, hear the famous local twang. Neville didn't use too much Belfast slang but the way the dialogue rolled he is unmistakably local.
I loved the way he used and described where this country stands now because it falls in line with what I've seen. Not the murders of course but the unchanging players who have gone from fighters to politicians too smoothly. On the other hand I always felt as if people in Northern Ireland lived for today and this book displays perfectly why: too many tomorrows were taken drastically.
This is not a political book but behind every word beats the collective heart of a nation that has seen too big schisms for too long, the injustices that had been suffered, the responses that were hard to justify. I don't think I've seen a country that is still so defined by its history and I'm glad to find that writers of different genres are now able to look into its bloody face with a desperate desire to heal and find mercy.
My love for the people of Northern Ireland might make me impartial but with all its gore and violence this is a book that can make you think and feel.
devoured it in less than 12 hours....very violent but a fast and good read
Dark rich page-turner, can't wait for his next book. Gave me a solid impression of the complex machinations of the "troubles" and its players. I was happily surprised at how easy the author made it to track all the factions and characters.
Probably my favorite aspect of this book is how the protagonist is so human. Definitely not a squeaky clean hero, but I found myself pulling for him all throughout.
Shades of Lawrence block, Irwin Shaw, Ian Rankin...
Saw this author interviewed on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and trusted that Craig wouldn't say he loved the book (or have the author on his show) unless he really did.
Probably my favorite aspect of this book is how the protagonist is so human. Definitely not a squeaky clean hero, but I found myself pulling for him all throughout.
Shades of Lawrence block, Irwin Shaw, Ian Rankin...
Saw this author interviewed on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and trusted that Craig wouldn't say he loved the book (or have the author on his show) unless he really did.