Neville, Stuart

A considerable departure from the author’s well-known police series, this psychological thriller is not for the fainthearted.

Through a sympathetic portrayal of his characters' motivations and feelings, award-winning Northern Irish crime writer Neville (The Ghosts of Belfast; Ratlines) has the gift of making us care about the fate of each of his creations, whether they are convicted killers, cops, or innocent bystanders. Another winner, this is fast-paced and intriguing to the very end. [Previewed in Kristi Chadwick's mystery spotlight feature "Not Your Usual Suspects,"LJ 4/15/15.]

Great writing for fans of noir and short stories, with some tales close to perfection. It made this reviewer nostalgic and hopeful for his beautiful, brash, beastly Belfast.

This is the fourth Lennon tale with the shadow of Northern Ireland's past bloody sectarian violence, the Troubles, still hanging over all. Rea's father has a paramilitary background, Lennon fears a crooked police official threatening him, and he is in danger of losing custody of his ten-year-old daughter. Alternating points of view reveal the horrifying mind of the killer as well as the hate and suspicion that remain years after peace has been declared. Solving the mystery leaves Lennon spent, physically and fiscally, but readers will hope he manages to reappear in this highly regarded series.

Neville's sophomore effort is just as well written and just as violent as his debut, winner of the LA Times book prize for best crime fiction 2009. Neville creates sympathy for his characters in the midst of violence and betrayal and reveals Northern Ireland as a country still under the effects of decades of terror. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 5/1/10.]