The hard hitting dialogue may not be to everyone’s taste and it took me a while to get use to it. I have no idea how authentic the language used is typical of the underclass in Northern Island, but because of my sketchy knowledge of the recent history of the province during the ‘Troubles’, I found it believable. The plot had a number of exciting twists and turns which held my interest.
The book is titled as a collection of novellas. I searched Amazon and discovered that each had been published separately; but judging by the way the stories are intertwined, this collection can be regarded as a short novel in its own right. Just over half way through the book the author introduces a short story read to a small audience by a friend of the protagonist. The story does not fit into the rest of the narrative and I presume is included to show that the author can write in a more genteel style. The font changes to italics for this narrative and then slips back to the original font for the main plot.
The inclusion of the short story may be a marketing ploy as is the inclusion of a link to a music download described as a soundtrack. It is not really, but it is a sample of the author’s own music. I downloaded my copy and my initial listening found it interesting but not remarkable. However, I do think it is the kind of music I might come to like on repeated playings so I will stick with it.
Keith Jahans
Available as a papeback and ebook
Peatmore News 