Another mystery writer recommended Ken Bruen to me, and he was right. Mr. Bruen is really quite fantastic at what he does. His protagonist in THE GUARDS is Jack Taylor, who is by anyone's standards, is quite a character. He has been thrown out of The Guards, Ireland's police force, for hitting the bottle. He now spends a great deal of his free time, which he has a lot of, either getting drunk, sobering up and/or drying out in rehab-- and of course, drinking again. In his off-time from drinking he is trying to help one Ann Henderson to prove that her young daughter did not commit suicide as reported but was murdered. Unlike many novels of this type, there aren't a lot of complicated puzzles to solve before our man gets the job done-- in ways that not all protagonists do. Although Mr. Jackson easily gets good information, he hardly needs it as the mystery pretty much unravels on its own. That is not to say there are no surprises along the way, and the ending may drive you to drink.
Mr. Bruen's prose is spare and effective. He apparently has read practically every crime and mystery writer of any importance-- I know I like a writer who quotes Walter Mosley-- and in addition to writing a page-turner, he either through his character Jack-- or somes other writer-- often says things worth remembering. On drinking: you have to get up earlier and earlier to drink yourself sober enough for opening time. On hangovers: you cannot stand enthusiasm, only surliness. On reading: from Jack's father who read Zane Grey (as did my own father) he learned the joy of reading and that it would give him freedom. My favorite lines, however, which I have already quoted to two different friends, are the following: "How come, no matter how long since I've seen the family or how much distance I put between us, they can always push my buttons? Because they installed them." That gem alone is worth the price of this book.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Popular titles by this author
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2005
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2016
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2003
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2015
Top reviews from other countries
angelao
Not your average crime novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2016