Sean Duffy #5. Only one more left for me to read (I read the first and the most recent the first week). Sean's woman troubles continue but his admin problems with the police have eased up a bit. There are still people who hate his very existence but they don't figure so prominently this time. Nice balance there. My ongoing concern is Sean's Beemer and how much abuse it takes. I didn't note the car in the most recent book. I might need to re-read. Again Adrian McKinty weaves current events into the story to good effect. Book #6 is on order from the library and I will be sad when I have finished them all. ( )

Sean Duffy is the lead investigator in the death of a journalist, The unusual circumstances make it seem as if suicide is the only possible cause, but something doesn’t seem right. The journalist was reporting on a Finnish delegation exploring a business opportunity in Belfast, and following a tip which, if true, the Finns would want to suppress. Duffy and his team doggedly follow every trail, even in the face of opposition from higher-ups, to get to the bottom of the case.

While the bones of this plot have undoubtedly been used in other crime novels, the characters and setting are what elevate these mysteries to a higher plane. Set in Belfast during the Troubles, the Royal Ulster Constabulary has their hands full. Each book in the series incorporates some significant historic events of the period. The police force are an interesting bunch, and in this novel young Lawson is fully elevated to the “sidekick” role. Duffy is a typically flawed detective with a messy personal life, which advances somewhat in each novel despite never really taking center stage. Rain Dogs ends with a very significant life experience, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in subsequent books. ( )

My fav so far. Not quite a 4 overall, but portions are. ( )

Another winner from the Shawn Duffy series, and the only negative thing I can think of is that there are not enough left to satisfy me. I love the characters and the story, and although life is pretty depressing during those times, it doesn't come across as all bad. There's enough humor and good to help counter the bad.

Plus, in this one, it has a bit of a happy ending. ( )

Another enjoyable Sean Duffy romp. This one sees him investigating another locked room challenge- in the local Carrickfergus Castle! Seems to be a straight suicide, but signs ultimately point to the mysterious Finns (visiting to check out prospects for a phone factory) and the nefarious Mr. Ek. Mr. Ek who fought with the Finns and then the Nazis (killing countless civilians as he brags at some point) and then over to the American Green Berets in Vietnam. Best scene: the good guys chase him over to high northern Finland and have to cross an ice bridge to a remote island (Mr. Ek's house) and then a scary wolf hunt there. Pretty great. More modern music references by Sean to keep up on our toes. And some handy Scottish whiskey recommendations. O yes.. there is also important domestic news on the Sean front too. O and a seemingly obligatory few brushes with death. All very entertaining, but perhaps (?) a tad too formulaic. ( )