The Guards - Softcover

Bruen, Ken

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0863222811 ISBN 13: 9780863222818

Publisher: Brandon / Mount Eagle Publications Ltd, 2001

The first title in the acclaimed and bestselling crime series featuring Jack Taylor, a disgraced former police detective from Galway. Mourning the death of his father, Jack is slowly drinking himself into oblivion when he is asked to investigate a teenage suicide. The first title in the acclaimed and bestselling crime series featuring Jack Taylor, a disgraced former police detective from Galway. Mourning the death of his father, Jack is slowly drinking himself into oblivion when he is asked to investigate a teenage suicide. The first title in the acclaimed and bestselling crime series featuring Jack Taylor, a disgraced former police detective from Galway. Mourning the death of his father, Jack is slowly drinking himself into oblivion when he is asked to investigate a teenage suicide.

Product Description:

Refreshing, incisive writing in a superb novel from an established author of crime fiction. Jack Taylor is a disgraced ex-cop in Galway. Mourning the death of his father, he is slowly drinking to oblivion. He has an ability to “find things” and is asked to investigate a teenage suicide. This leads him into a dangerous confrontation with a powerful businessman. A darker conspiracy slowly unfolds. Aided by a punk girl, he fumbles towards a lethal solution. The narrative is fueled by black humour, stark violence and moments of radiance.

The Guards remain as a chorus in the background, never altogether past, infringing on Jack Taylor at the least expected moment. The intimate, bustling city of Galway, crashing into prosperity, illuminates the story at every turn.

Review:

A masterful black novel, full of unforgettable characters and a never dissipating cloud of menace -- Bizarre

A soul-mate of Jim Thompson’s, or maybe of James M. Cain’s, he has a cast of characters which rates high on the deadbeat scale. -- The Irish Times

An elegiac novel of despair and redemption. Bleak, amoral and disturbing, The Guards breaks new ground in the Irish thriller genre. -- Irish Independent

Both a tautly written contemporary noir with vividly drawn characters and a cracking story... Bruen has created a true original. -- Sunday Tribune

Edgy, pitch-black humour. -- Guardian

Ireland's version of Scotland's Ian Rankin... Outstanding. Bruen has a rich and mordant writing style, full of offbeat humor. -- Publishers Weekly, New York

• Publisher: Brandon / Mount Eagle Publications Ltd
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0863222811
• ISBN 13: 9780863222818
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 303