Falling Glass

A hired gun who is willing to fall back on violence when diplomacy doesn't succeed, Killian reluctantly comes out of retirement to take the most lucrative job of his career. But he eventually discovers the ugly reason a high-profile Irish business tycoon is willing to pay him top dollar to find his runaway ex-wife and children. Gerard Doyle's rich voice provides authenticity for the Irish tough guys, especially former IRA thug Killian, and vulnerability for the drug-dazed ex-wife. Sometimes Doyle falls short in distinguishing between characters, making the dialogue a bit difficult to follow. Overall, he narrates the fast-paced action scenes with clarity and paints the powerful entrepreneur with chilling intensity. N.M.C. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

August 1, 2011

In McKinty's (The Dead Yard) tenth book, Killian, an ex-enforcer for the IRA, returns during this global recession to his lucrative criminal specialty as a hedge against his real estate investments. He is hired by a billionaire airline and casino magnate to find the man's ex-wife, who has disappeared with their two daughters. This fast-paced thriller also looks at discrimination in Northern Ireland (Killian's heritage is of the widely despised Pavee or Tinker community). Irish actor/narrator Gerard Doyle's great reading of McKinty's dialog enhances the experience. That said, listeners will be well advised to know in advance that "peelers" are police, "caravans," trailers, and "weens" (wee'uns), youngsters. Highly recommended for adult crime/mystery collections. To McKinty fans who have not seen his blog (adrianmckinty.blogspot.com): go there!--Cliff Glaviano, formerly with Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.