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mxinky's review against another edition
2.0
Probably one of the hardest ones to read. I do not like McKinty’s gimmick of “predicting” history, not his gimmick of using historical figures in his novels. Once would have been enough.
The Sean Duffy novels are more spy novels than anything else. Lots of action, no character development or sense of purpose.
The Sean Duffy novels are more spy novels than anything else. Lots of action, no character development or sense of purpose.
myrdyr's review against another edition
4.0
Even though I knew who the killer was as soon as the clue was revealed, I still really enjoyed this book. This is the best one yet!
iffer's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't read up on this series before starting it, nor did I realize that it was the third book in the series. It took me a little while to get into this book, but Sean, the emotional gray area, and the setting during the Irish War of Independence eventually drew me in. Now I feel attached to Sean and am likely to read more of his story.
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
at the moment one of my favourite podcasts is by two crime writers 'Two crime writers and a microphone' . One of the presenters Steve Cavanagh is a Northern Irish lawyer who writes crime novels (I read his first The Defence which was good stuff). Recently he commented on Hollywood films and mainstream novels that try to capture the Irish troubles and he said that what they all missed was the sense of humour and that despite bombs left right and centre the Irish still joked about the grimmest things. They have also interviewed this author and this remained a stand out point.
This is book 3 in the series and it was another enjoyable outing and it was the humour that stands out as Catholic Sean Duffy battles his bosses in the mainly protestant RUC, the IRA, corrupt politicians and a locked room mystery. The usual detective story clichés abound but I enjoyed it and will continue the series.
This is book 3 in the series and it was another enjoyable outing and it was the humour that stands out as Catholic Sean Duffy battles his bosses in the mainly protestant RUC, the IRA, corrupt politicians and a locked room mystery. The usual detective story clichés abound but I enjoyed it and will continue the series.
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
The world Duffy inhabits is usually violent, what with it being 1980s Belfast and Duffy being a Catholic RUC member. But this book? I totally bought that MI5, MI6 and others might want him to play on his childhood relationship with an IRA member, but the ending, at the Brighton conference where the IRA tried to blow up Thatcher? Well... that was just a tiny bit too much for me. But other than that, great entry into the series and a wonderful example of the locked room mystery.
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fast read, and I appreciate that McKinty doesn't fill his books up with irrelevant trivia. Sean Duffy continues to be a bad boy though a bit subdued in the third volume of the trilogy. I liked the change of scenery - around Derry, the Donegal border, Rathlin Island appears, and Duffy even goes to England. Duffy, as always, gets himself in and out of deadly situations. I wish there were more books to come because McKinty has created a fascinating character in Sean Duffy with a compelling backdrop.
amandagstevens's review against another edition
4.0
Detective Inspector Sean Duffy is, on multiple levels, a "cop who needs a break." He's embroiled in politics that threaten his very job, tasked by MI5 to stop an IRA bombing suspect whose location and plans are unknown, and waylaid from said task by a family member of the bombing suspect who refuses to talk unless Duffy can solve a cold case for her. To understate, the tension never lets up in this book. Sean Duffy is an angry, sarcastic, self-deprecating, persevering hero and Ireland in 1984 is a vivid, bleak setting for this mystery-fueled manhunt story.
In 1984, I was an American toddler. Going into this novel, I had almost no knowledge of its time and place. McKinty paints not only the landscape, the loss, the upheaval of the time; he also lets us glimpse the hearts and mindsets of the people and the reasons behind their views. None of it eclipses the plot or the protagonist, but (perhaps obviously) this plot and this protagonist would not exist in any other setting. The Troubles have shaped Sean Duffy into the man he is.
Speaking of Sean Duffy. What a wonderful character, and what a voice McKinty has given him. From that first scene (ignoring his emergency police beeper in favor of his Atari game), he's intriguing--smart, cynical, resentful. He turns out to be the kind of cop who underestimates himself before his enemy, who doesn't take condescension from anybody, and who doggedly works a case as long as it takes. He enjoys music of many genres, eats too little, drinks too much. He tells his story in a witty and lyrical voice that observes the quietly profound beauty and sorrow of the world around him. Yet Mr. McKinty understands author restraint. There's no theme-spouting here, from Sean or anyone else. The beliefs of the characters belong to themselves.
The plot unfolds rather oddly, jump-starting with the IRA bomb threats and then detouring almost entirely from that element to the cold case. A relative of the bomber, who believes a certain "accidental" death wasn't, demands closure in exchange for information. Without other leads, and despite his MI5 contact's lack of enthusiasm, Duffy agrees. It's an unusual author choice, and I can understand why not every reader would want to follow McKinty here, but it works for me. At first, upon finishing, I felt the bomber's story thread was too marginalized; there's personal history between him and Duffy, and I wanted to know more. But really, the book is understated, not underdeveloped. I want more not because something's missing but because I'm invested in what's here. It all works.
IN THE MORNING I'LL BE GONE succeeds on so many levels--dialogue, characterization, setting, mood, plot, and above all, voice. The first two Sean Duffy novels have just leaped to the top of my to-read list.
In 1984, I was an American toddler. Going into this novel, I had almost no knowledge of its time and place. McKinty paints not only the landscape, the loss, the upheaval of the time; he also lets us glimpse the hearts and mindsets of the people and the reasons behind their views. None of it eclipses the plot or the protagonist, but (perhaps obviously) this plot and this protagonist would not exist in any other setting. The Troubles have shaped Sean Duffy into the man he is.
Speaking of Sean Duffy. What a wonderful character, and what a voice McKinty has given him. From that first scene (ignoring his emergency police beeper in favor of his Atari game), he's intriguing--smart, cynical, resentful. He turns out to be the kind of cop who underestimates himself before his enemy, who doesn't take condescension from anybody, and who doggedly works a case as long as it takes. He enjoys music of many genres, eats too little, drinks too much. He tells his story in a witty and lyrical voice that observes the quietly profound beauty and sorrow of the world around him. Yet Mr. McKinty understands author restraint. There's no theme-spouting here, from Sean or anyone else. The beliefs of the characters belong to themselves.
The plot unfolds rather oddly, jump-starting with the IRA bomb threats and then detouring almost entirely from that element to the cold case. A relative of the bomber, who believes a certain "accidental" death wasn't, demands closure in exchange for information. Without other leads, and despite his MI5 contact's lack of enthusiasm, Duffy agrees. It's an unusual author choice, and I can understand why not every reader would want to follow McKinty here, but it works for me. At first, upon finishing, I felt the bomber's story thread was too marginalized; there's personal history between him and Duffy, and I wanted to know more. But really, the book is understated, not underdeveloped. I want more not because something's missing but because I'm invested in what's here. It all works.
IN THE MORNING I'LL BE GONE succeeds on so many levels--dialogue, characterization, setting, mood, plot, and above all, voice. The first two Sean Duffy novels have just leaped to the top of my to-read list.
martyfried's review against another edition
5.0
Another great read, taking place about a year or so after the last one. Great story and characters, great narrator, and generally fun and educational.