Monday, September 18, 2017

The Cold Cold Ground

The Cold Cold Ground: a Detective Sean Duffy Novel / Adrian McKinty, read by Gerard Doyle, 320p.

The first in the Detective Sean Duffy series; these audiobooks, wonderfully read by Gerard Doyle, have been my car companions for months now.

In this title:

It's 1981, and Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland is in the thick of 'The Troubles.'  Sean Duffy is the lone Catholic officer at his station and the only Catholic in his housing estate on Coronation Road.  But he has his massive LP collection, his vodka gimlets, his ciggies, and his wicked sense of humor to keep himself sane(-ish).  His case involves an apparent homophobically-motivated serial killer who makes arcane classical music references and commits unfortunate acts with severed body parts.  Still, it's hard to believe any murder in greater Belfast is wholly unconnected to those Troubles, which greatly complicate matters.  Add to that the attractive patho Laura Cathcart and Detective Duffy has a lot to deal with.

In all Detective Sean Duffy novels:


  • checking under the BMW for mercury tilt bombs
  • a fabulous supporting cast, including Sergeant Crabben (Crabby), Duffy's dour Presbyterian sidekick, and attractive neighbor Mrs.Campbell, perpetually horny because her husband is either away or depressed
  • an encyclopedic display of musical knowledge
  • an shocking amount of alcohol consumption, even for Ireland
  • hilarious dialogue
  • a terrific sense of place

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