MYSTERY

The Ghosts of Galway

by Ken Bruen
Mysterious. Nov. 2017. 336p. ISBN 9780802127334. $25; ebk. ISBN 9780802188847. M
COPY ISBN
Following a failed suicide attempt, Bruen's profane Jack Taylor (The Emerald Lie) is down on his luck—as usual—and working as a security guard. His boss offers him a temptingly large sum of money to find a heretical book rumored to be in the possession of a priest hiding in Galway, Ireland, after fleeing the Vatican in Rome. The elusive and captivating Em, who has preoccupied Jack's heart and soul since being introduced in Green Hell, is also entangled in the hunt for The Red Book as the darkness that surrounds Jack threatens to overwhelm him.
VERDICT Employing elegantly poetic brevity and exploring religion's dark side, a favored motif, this is another strong addition to Bruen's noirish canon. Jack Taylor is an iconic character, a charming reprobate whose plaintive booze-drenched rants are the perfect vehicle for Bruen's black humor and insights related to pop culture, music, and literature. [See Prepub Alert, 5/7/17.]
Reviewed by Ann Chambers Theis , Oct 01, 2017
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

FICTION

Joe Hustle
by Lange, Richard
FICTION

A World of Hurt
by Mejia, Mindy
FICTION

Shades of Mercy
by Borgos, Bruce
FICTION

The Burning
by Castillo, Linda
FICTION

Middle of the Night
by Sager, Riley
FICTION

Dead Tired
by Ailes, Kat
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?