Unabashedly Bookish

[#1]

The Irish are currently writing the best suspense novels on the market and it has nothing to do with luck. While many of their American counterparts are spitting out forgettable characters, formulaic plotlines, and chapters consisting of three pages or less; it's the Irish that -- to paraphrase Thomas Cahill -- are saving our Mystery and Crime civilization. 

Take Adrian McKinty for example, whose latest novel Fifty Grand follows a young Cuban detective who smuggles herself into the United States to find her father's killer. McKinty, who was born in Belfast, is a terrific stylist who weaves intricate storylines into his hard hitting prose. Track down a used copy of McKinty's first book, Dead I Well May Be, which is inexplicably unavailable. It's one of the best crime novels written in the past 10 years.

The fourth installment in the brilliant Ed Loy series, All the Dead Voices, is out now and provides a perfect excuse to catch up on all of Declan Hughes' work. A Dublin playwright, Hughes is an eloquent writer who pens tough issues -- and even tougher characters -- and paints them against beautiful, almost mystical backdrops..."Somewhere across the bay, fireworks crackled and shot their plumes of light through the murk; like a relief diagram of nerves and synapses in the body, they seemed to give the falling night scale and dimension."

John Connolly's The Lovers, just published last month, sheds some light on his tragically flawed protagonist Charlie Parker's past and, like all of Connolly's books, it's a nonstop tension filled trip of violence, heartbreak, and redemption. Both his good and bad guys will get under your skin and stay there like an itch that can't be scratched. He's at the top of his game and nobody is writing books like John Connolly.

The Seanchai were the legendary storytellers who passed the fables, folktales, lore, and laws of Ireland down through the generations. Thankfully writers like McKinty, Hughes, and Connolly have upheld this grand tradition and are keeping the lyrical art of crime fiction alive and kicking.

Message Edited by PaulH on 07-10-2009 09:11 AM

[#2]

One of my favorite John Connolly books is his anthology, NOCTURNES.

If you cross the border into Scotland, you'll find another great mystery/suspense writer: IAN RANKIN. 

[#3]

BTW, John Connolly is one of our featured authors at B&N's Mystery Book Club this month. He's traveling back and forth over the Atlantic this month, but he's checking in whenever he can.

[#4]

I had lunch with John Connolly a few years back. Not only is he a great author, he's a really nice man to boot!

Please tell him I said "Hello" and that "The Lovers" was an amazing read.

[#5]

I thought THE LOVERS was fascinating -- it was very fast-paced, and as gripping as his books always are.

John has a killing schedule this month, touring Ireland and the UK, but having to fly back to take care of business here, too.

I don't know how he finds time to write!

[#6]

I totally agree with you Paul and I've read both authors you've mentioned and really like them. I love the dark side of Declan Hughes Ed Loy, he kind of reminds me of an Irish version of Harry Bosch of Michael Connelley fame and of course who doesn't like Charlie Parker, I think maybe it's my feminine side that likes all the flawed characters always ready to take on the impossible and heal the unhealable.

[#7]

Dead I Well May Be is one of the best titles I've heard in a long time. I will check him out. Thanks for shining some light on noir --one of the most delicious of genres.

[#8]

I believe McKinty took his title from "Danny Boy", Jill.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be

You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

[#9]

ah ... very cool!