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Reviews
Police at the Station and They Don't Look Friendly: A Detective Sean Duffy Novel by Adrian McKinty
kenlaan's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this in less than 24 hours. It is definitely my favorite of the series, and I've thoroughly enjoyed every entry leading to it.
Where to start? I think more than anything, what keeps me coming back to this series is how thoroughly transported I am to the setting of 1980s Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. I can see the buildings, feel the weather, picture the clothes people are wearing, hear the music, and smell the smoke. And this is quite an accomplishment for someone as ignorant of the time and place as me. Related, I've decided I'll be reading a book on the Northern Ireland conflict ("the Troubles") this year as a result of this series.
But I think this book succeeds more than previous entries because of how taut the narrative is. A couple of the previous entries featured a locked room mystery, and I got the sense that McKinty was just as interested in playing with that construct as he was in telling a good story, partially to the detriment of the narrative, even though I still thoroughly enjoyed them. In this one, the mystery is just as compelling but it's filled with more impactful character moments and perilous decisions by Duffey. The book begins with Duffey digging his own grave with an IRA hit squad behind him!
McKinty is at the top of his game with this one and I'm looking forward to the next entry when I get to it.
Where to start? I think more than anything, what keeps me coming back to this series is how thoroughly transported I am to the setting of 1980s Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. I can see the buildings, feel the weather, picture the clothes people are wearing, hear the music, and smell the smoke. And this is quite an accomplishment for someone as ignorant of the time and place as me. Related, I've decided I'll be reading a book on the Northern Ireland conflict ("the Troubles") this year as a result of this series.
But I think this book succeeds more than previous entries because of how taut the narrative is. A couple of the previous entries featured a locked room mystery, and I got the sense that McKinty was just as interested in playing with that construct as he was in telling a good story, partially to the detriment of the narrative, even though I still thoroughly enjoyed them. In this one, the mystery is just as compelling but it's filled with more impactful character moments and perilous decisions by Duffey. The book begins with Duffey digging his own grave with an IRA hit squad behind him!
McKinty is at the top of his game with this one and I'm looking forward to the next entry when I get to it.
sinala's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ellenytt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
categal's review against another edition
4.0
No, they don't look friendly. But, it's Belfast, we're clocking through the 1980s, and Sean Duffy is on the case. Pull up a chair!
scout19d3's review against another edition
5.0
Couldn't put it down till I finished. Another very good Duffy novel
damopedro's review against another edition
4.0
Was recommended this and it didn't disappoint. Well written, at times very funny and a cracking read. I will read more by this author.
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
4.0
The one thing every says about Sean Duffy is that he doesn't give up and that is the case with this novel. But where it leads him he could not have imagined at the beginning of the case involving a dead drug dealer killed with a crossbow. It's also a life threatening case, not only for Duffy but all those around him. Life for Duffy has changed and he is now a father and has a live in girlfriend although life on the domestic front is not all that smooth.
The beginning of this book, the prologue, annoyed me and still does. It's more a case of reading a sample chapter of a book to see if you want to read the whole thing. It wasn't needed where it was place and was distracting.
That said, the book eventually turned into a page turner of a read. There was lots of action and gunfire all set against the turbulent times of 1988. I hope there are more books in the series. Well worth reading.
The beginning of this book, the prologue, annoyed me and still does. It's more a case of reading a sample chapter of a book to see if you want to read the whole thing. It wasn't needed where it was place and was distracting.
That said, the book eventually turned into a page turner of a read. There was lots of action and gunfire all set against the turbulent times of 1988. I hope there are more books in the series. Well worth reading.
kmpuzzled's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
creativestalkerrs's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this book up at my local used bookstore. I had no idea what I was getting into. I read this with an audiobook as well and I found it to be engaging. I really found the Irish dark mystery to be fun.
I'm not too into Detective type novels, but this book changed that, I'd like to check out more of that genre/style. The only reason why this isn't higher is at times I was confused. So I'd definitely have to reread it to fully understand where I got lost.
I'm not too into Detective type novels, but this book changed that, I'd like to check out more of that genre/style. The only reason why this isn't higher is at times I was confused. So I'd definitely have to reread it to fully understand where I got lost.