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Ireland, awash with cash and greed, no longer turns to the Church for solace or comfort.  But the decapitation of Father Joyce in a Galway confessional horrifies even the most jaded citizen.   Jack Taylor, devastated by the recent trauma of personal loss, has always believed himself to be... read more

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Summary edit see section history

Set in Galway, Ireland, a dark controversial novel by a crime-writing star.Jack Taylor has always believed himself to be beyond salvation.Still struggling with his drink problem and trying to get his life on course following personal loss he is given as unusual assignment.

Taylor is a... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Set in Galway, Ireland, a dark controversial novel by a crime-writing star.Jack Taylor has always believed himself to be beyond salvation.Still struggling with his drink problem and trying to get his life on course following personal loss he is given as unusual assignment.

Taylor is a detective partly in the mould of Scotland's finest (Laidlaw, Rebus) and partly in tune with other anti-heroes such as Wallander and Robercheax. What makes him original is the dark set setting combined with the unsuspecting attitude to social issues. The Church has long had a dominant influence in Irish life and here the dark side is explored. . .

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First Sentence edit see section history

What I remember most about the mental hospital The madhouse The loony bin The home for the bewildered is a black man may have saved my life.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 5 of 8 in Jack Taylor. (standard series)

Preceded by The Dramatist, and followed by Cross.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Ken Bruen (Author)

Awards edit see section history

  • Barry (2007: Best British Crime Novel, winner)
  • Edgar Award (Finalist, 2008: Best Novel)

Classification edit see section history


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