The Cold Cold Ground

In this time capsule of a mystery novel, McKinty, with great skill and authenticity, transports readers to the Northern Ireland of 1981, at the height of the "troubles," when Bobby Sands and other IRA hunger-strikers are inflaming an already violent and unstable Belfast. DS Sean Duffy is a maverick on several levels, including being a Catholic in the largely Protestant Royal Ulster Constabulary in the town of Carrickfergus, near Belfast. Duffy is trying to solve the murders of two gay men, one of whom turns out toMEDIAbe the head of the IRA's internal security force. Gerard Doyle reads with an Irish accent that sounds impeccable, lending added authenticity to dialog and language. The Cold Cold Ground is reported to be the first book of a "Troubles" trilogy, so look for these great characters and this engrossing setting to continue through at least two more books.