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The Cold, Cold Ground

Detective Sean Duffy, Book 1

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The Cold, Cold Ground

By: Adrian McKinty
Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
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About this listen

Fast-paced, evocative, and brutal, The Cold Cold Ground is a brilliant depiction of Belfast at the height of the Troubles — and of a cop treading a thin, thin line —from The New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author Adrian McKinty.

“McKinty is one of the most striking and most memorable crime voices to emerge on the scene in years.” —Tana French

Northern Ireland, spring 1981. Hunger strikes, riots, power cuts, a homophobic serial killer with a penchant for opera, and a young woman’s suicide that may yet turn out to be murder: on the surface, the events are unconnected, but then things—and people—aren’t always what they seem. Detective Sergeant Duffy is the man tasked with trying to get to the bottom of it all. It’s no easy job—especially when it turns out that one of the victims was involved in the IRA but was last seen discussing business with someone from the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force. Add to this the fact that, as a Catholic policeman, it doesn’t matter which side he’s on, because nobody trusts him, and Sergeant Duffy really is in a no-win situation.

©2012 Adrian McKinty (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Crime Crime Fiction Historical Mystery Fiction Murder

Critic Reviews

“McKinty is a streetwise, energetic gunslinger of a writer, firing off volleys of sassy dialogue and explosive action that always delivers what it has promised.” ( Irish Times)
“What makes McKinty a cut above the rest is the quality of his prose. His driven, spat-out sentences are more accessible than James Ellroy's edge-of-reason staccato, and he can be lyric.” ( The Guardian)
“If Raymond Chandler had grown up in Northern Ireland, The Cold Cold Ground is what he would have written.” ( The Times, London)
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This book was a cracker, lots of detail, real characters and kept me enthralled. Lovely Irish accents.

Found a new favourite author!

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For is in us other countries it is interesting to understand what life was like for families during Margaret Thatcher and the IRA

an interesting Irish story in a time of conflict.

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So pleased to have discovered this series. The characters are compelling, the setting hugely interesting, and the 70s nostalgia a bonus. The narrator is the best. I could and listen to him for hours

The start of a wonderful series

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Great insight into the troubles in Ireland and an entertaining way to learn the history. I listened to more recent books in the Sean Duffy series before this one but it didn’t really matter. Colorful characters and excellent authentic narration.

Glad I found this author!

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Loved this book... Kept me guessing, the anticipation, the intrigue... Loved it!! Pure escapism, highly recommend :) Now onto book 2 I can't wait!!

Really enjoyed this!!

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the mix of recent history intertwined with a detective story, plus a great narrator, makes it a very entertaining listen.

first in a good series

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great writer..love see the whole series in film or an eight episode series on netflix or the movies

deadly

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This was an interesting story captured the essence of the times. I loved the way the main character is often internally conflicted and the popular music referred to; of bands and songs that I grew up listening to. I have never been to Ireland but I feel like I have a visual understanding of the place and time.

Great story and narrator

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A great read. I read this novel after some of the more recent Adrian McKinty books . He is a master of characterisation, and the plot moves fast keeping the reader engaged. This is one of his earlier novels where we meet Sean Duffy of the RUC . I particularly enjoyed that the story is set during ‘the troubles’ , a part of history that I observed through the long distance lens of TV news reports and at a young age. I’ve been able to improve my understanding of ‘the troubles ‘ and the sectarian issues through the Sean Duffy novels. I have read almost all of the Sean Duffy novels and I’ve loved each and every one !
Gerard Doyle’s narration is excellent and well paced and goes a long way to creating a complex and likable rogue such as Duffy .

The beginning of Sean Duffy

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This took me back to Belfast in the 1980's where I grew up. The cultural, historical and political background were spot on, as were the outspoken minority attitudes to religion, females and sexual orientation at that time. The vocal performance by Gerard Doyle and narrative are excellent, providing that complete connection to the character Sean Duffy.
Slight spoiler...there is a scene where Sean Duffy has an enlightenment which strengthened my connection and respect for him and for Adrian's clever writing... I did wish that this had happened earlier in the plot though and maybe more of the details!! You must hang in until this moment as this is when the reader can emphasize with Duffy and the victims and where the story takes off so the reader can expect anything.
The violence in it was very real but look out for the cleverly placed humor. Duffy can do no wrong, even when he is! It was a complex plot but easy to understand and one must read to the end for the climax! If you grew up at this time you will also love the references to life at the time including the music!

Transported to Belfast 1980's

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