Police at the Station and They Don't Look Friendly

January 9, 2017
Set in 1988 in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, Edgar-finalist McKinty’s riveting sixth Sean Duffy novel (after 2016’s Rain Dogs) pits the detective inspector against some of his toughest foes yet. Francis Deauville, a known heroin dealer, is found shot to death by a crossbow in front of his home, his wife sobbing over his corpse. Duffy and his faithful right-hand man, Det. Sgt. John “Crabbie” McCrabban, wonder whether the murder is tied to a local IRA splinter group known as Direct Action Against Drug Dealers, but no one is claiming responsibility for either Deauville’s murder or a separate crossbow attack on another drug dealer. Back at the station, Duffy also juggles office politics, as it appears the least qualified among the coppers is rising in the ranks, while Duffy remains behind. The IRA, a constant presence in the series, looms large and ugly, notably in a brutal blitz attack, which will leave even seasoned readers shaking. Whether Duffy will live to see another installment remains uncertain to the end. Agent: Bob Mecoy, Creative Book Services.

June 26, 2017
Doyle returns as narrator for McKinty’s sixth Sean Duffy novel. It’s 1988, and Det. Sean Duffy is a Catholic policeman serving in Northern Ireland during the unstable time of The Troubles. He’s seen a lot during his career, but the murder by crossbow of a local drug dealer is something new even in a world where car bombings, riots, and assassinations are almost commonplace. As he and his team dig into the case, he learns that there is more to the dealer’s death than meets the eye, and his continued inquires will endanger not only his own life but the lives of those closest to him. This is familiar territory for Doyle, and he knows exactly how to navigate the material. From the tense opening scene he keeps the story moving at a steady pace, expertly building the suspense as Duffy delves deeper into the mystery. Bolstered by excellent characterizations, Doyle’s reading holds the listener transfixed straight through to the final confrontation when all is revealed. A Seven Street paperback.