Anthony Quinn (4) (1971–)

To be honest, for most of the time I found this novel hard going. I empathised with David Hughes who has Alzheimer's and is extremely frustrated because his memory is rather like a patchwork quilt with large holes. I understood young Dermot Jordan's desire to know where his father is buried, and perhaps even to clear his name.

But I struggled to remember which side was which, and who had done what.

Someone who has a better understanding of The Troubles would obviously enjoy the book far more. Thank you Anthony Quinn for trying to educate me!… (altro)

A new series set in Ulster, after the troubles, but with all the history, the prejudices and the resentments still in place. The protagonist, Inspector Celsius Daly, is not tarred with the brush of the troubles, but finds it very difficult to investigate a murder and a disappearance which have their roots in history. He is a interesting character who I look forward to following in further cases. Many of the supporting characters are intriguing, especially the man in the early stages of dementia who disappears. A very enjoyable stat to a series.… (altro)

Trespass – Another Wonderful Thriller from Anthony J Quinn

Trespass, another in the Celcius Daly series is one of the most beautifully written books, that draws you in and keeps you hooked until the end. Once again Quinn takes the reader to the hauntingly beautiful but dangerous borderlands between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, once again tackling little acknowledged problems from times past that are relevant today.

Detective Inspector Celcius Daley has been on court duty for several months after his previous case in which he is being investigated on. When one of the solicitors of the court finds that her child has gone missing, Daley leads the search at the courthouse and when he gets back to the station is put in charge of the case, it is a missing child case and not politically sensitive.

When the father seems not to be too concerned, then goes missing and later found dead, there seems to be so few clues to what is really going on. When Daly finds that the travelling community are involved he knows things will not be easy to get to the truth. It is even harder when he finds the disappearance of the child could be linked to a case from the 1970s, a case that has long since gone cold.

It does not help as the investigation continues that Special Branch are taking an unhealthy interest in his case, and even following him. It does not help that Special Branch will tell him very little about what they know and that raises his suspicions, especially when a Northern Ireland politician crosses his path. Who should Daly trust, his colleagues, Special Branch or the travelling community, but he will need all the help he can get to solve this case.

Another brilliant crime thriller from Anthony J Quinn, whose prose is beautiful and comforting, showing that crime thriller writers can be compared to literary writers. The difference being at least Quinn knows how to keep the writer coming back to his books because his characters are well constructed, the story well planned and the borderlands a haunting backdrop to the story.

A crime thriller I am happily recommend without hesitation.… (altro)