With St. Paddy's Day on the way and in the spirit of celebrating the Emerald Isle, check out the following sampling of "Emerald Noir" (the emerging wave of Irish crime fiction writers). The detectives in these stories are not only defined by their outstanding sleuthing abilities, but through such issues as cultural background and national identity - IRISH! Since everybody is a wee bit Irish in March, try one or more of these mysteries as an accompaniment to your stout (Slainte!) and soda bread:
The Rage by Gene Kerrigan (2011)A recently-released convict, a discouraged policeman, and a retired nun become involved in planning a high-stakes robbery. Winner of the 2012 CWA Gold Dagger, for best crime novel of the year.
Broken Harbor by Tana French (2012)
In the aftermath of a brutal attack that left a woman in intensive care and her husband and young children dead, brash cop Scorcher Kennedy and his rookie partner, Richie, struggle with perplexing clues and Scorcher's haunting memories of a shattering incident from his childhood.
Broken Harbor by Tana French (2012)
In the aftermath of a brutal attack that left a woman in intensive care and her husband and young children dead, brash cop Scorcher Kennedy and his rookie partner, Richie, struggle with perplexing clues and Scorcher's haunting memories of a shattering incident from his childhood.
The Cold Cold Ground by Adrain McKinty (2012)"Featuring Catholic cop Sean Duffy whose outsider status in the mostly Protestant RUC makes it as hard to do his job as the criminals he’s fighting, this is the start of a new series set in Troubles-era Belfast. A body is found in a burnt out car. Another is discovered hanging from a tree. Could this be Northern Ireland’s first serial killer, or another paramilitary feud?" -- Publisher.
The Guards by Ken Bruen (2001)
Stuck in a rut after his dismissal from the Irish police force and still grieving over the death of his father, Jack Taylor finds renewal when an intriguing woman hires him based on his rumored talent for finding things.
Elegy for April by Benjamin Black (2010)
After Dr. April Latimer goes missing in 1950s Dublin, her friend Phoebe Griffin enlists the aid of her brilliant recovering-alcoholic father, Quirke, and Detective Inspector Hackett, who follow April's trail through the darker byways of the city.
The Nameless Dead by Brian McGilloway (2013)
After the Commission for Location of Victims' Remains uncovers a baby's skeleton while following up a tip about Declan Cleary, Inspector Devlin is torn between resurrecting the past and letting a murderer go free.
The Last Girl by Jane Casey (2013)
Investigating two brutal murders, Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan finds the case complicated by deep-rooted family secrets, numerous false leads, and the questionable decisions of a once-trustworthy superintendent.
Plugged by Eoin McNamee (2011)
When his girlfriend and several people close to him are murdered, Daniel McEvoy finds himself targeted by the New Jersey mafia, corrupt cops, and an eccentric neighbor and searches for a hair-plug technician who may hold crucial answers.
Cathedral by Nelson Demille (1990)
Born into the heat and hatred of the Northern Ireland conflict, IRA man Brian Flynn has masterminded a brilliant terrorist act--the seizure of Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Among his hostages: the woman Brian Flynn once loved, a former terrorist turned peace activist. Among his enemies: an Irish-American police lieutenant fighting against a traitor inside his own ranks and a shadowy British intelligence officer pursuing his own cynical, bloody plan.
The Guards by Ken Bruen (2001)
Stuck in a rut after his dismissal from the Irish police force and still grieving over the death of his father, Jack Taylor finds renewal when an intriguing woman hires him based on his rumored talent for finding things.
Elegy for April by Benjamin Black (2010)
After Dr. April Latimer goes missing in 1950s Dublin, her friend Phoebe Griffin enlists the aid of her brilliant recovering-alcoholic father, Quirke, and Detective Inspector Hackett, who follow April's trail through the darker byways of the city.
The Nameless Dead by Brian McGilloway (2013)
After the Commission for Location of Victims' Remains uncovers a baby's skeleton while following up a tip about Declan Cleary, Inspector Devlin is torn between resurrecting the past and letting a murderer go free.
The Last Girl by Jane Casey (2013)
Investigating two brutal murders, Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan finds the case complicated by deep-rooted family secrets, numerous false leads, and the questionable decisions of a once-trustworthy superintendent.
Plugged by Eoin McNamee (2011)
When his girlfriend and several people close to him are murdered, Daniel McEvoy finds himself targeted by the New Jersey mafia, corrupt cops, and an eccentric neighbor and searches for a hair-plug technician who may hold crucial answers.
Cathedral by Nelson Demille (1990)
Born into the heat and hatred of the Northern Ireland conflict, IRA man Brian Flynn has masterminded a brilliant terrorist act--the seizure of Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Among his hostages: the woman Brian Flynn once loved, a former terrorist turned peace activist. Among his enemies: an Irish-American police lieutenant fighting against a traitor inside his own ranks and a shadowy British intelligence officer pursuing his own cynical, bloody plan.
Irish Gold by Andrew Greeley (1994)
Dermot Coyne goes to Dublin to investigate his parents' departure from Ireland during the Time of Troubles in 1922 and learns much about his Irish heritage from Nuala Anne McGrail.
Dermot Coyne goes to Dublin to investigate his parents' departure from Ireland during the Time of Troubles in 1922 and learns much about his Irish heritage from Nuala Anne McGrail.
Hope one of these luckily turns out to be your Pot o' Gold novel for March 17, 2015!
Go N-Eiri An T-Adh Leat (Good Luck)
Beannachtai Na Feile Padrig Oraibh (St. Patrick's Day Blessing Upon You)
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