The Ghosts of Galway (Jack Taylor Novels, 14) - Softcover

Bruen, Ken

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802128637 ISBN 13: 9780802128638

Publisher: Mysterious Press, 2018

Synopsis

From Ireland’s most lyrical crime fiction writer, The Ghosts of Galway pits “perpetually falling Irish angel Jack Taylor” (Mystery Scene) against a dangerous band of heretics.

As well-versed in politics, pop culture, and crime fiction as he is ill-fated in life, Jack Taylor is recovering from a failed suicide attempt. In need of money, Jack has been hired as a night-shift security guard. But his Ukrainian boss has Jack in mind for some unexpected off-the-books work―getting his hands on what some claim to be the first true book of heresy, The Red Book, which is currently in the possession of a rogue priest hiding out in Galway. Despite Jack’s distaste for priests of any stripe, the money is too good to turn down. Em, the woman-of-many-guises who has had a vise on Jack’s heart and mind for the past two years, reappears and turns out to be entangled with the story of the same blasphemous book. As the novel twists toward a violent end, Jack is increasingly plagued by ghosts―by the disposable and disposed of in a city filled with as much darkness as the deepest corners of Jack’s own mind.

About this title

About the Author

Ken Bruen received a doctorate in metaphysics, taught English in South Africa, and then became a crime novelist. The critically acclaimed author of eleven previous Jack Taylor novels and The White Trilogy, he is the recipient of two Barry Awards and two Shamus Awards and has twice been a finalist for the Edgar Award. He lives in Galway, Ireland.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Up a shabby set of stairs then knocked on 201. It opened almost immediately. Not sure what I was expecting, probably a whiskey refugee and old.
Neither.
Young guy, in his early thirties, long brown hair, bland face, dressed in gray track suit. Then I was falling backward from a punch. He was about to follow through with a kick but I grabbed that and flipped him, then, getting up, I dragged him by his hair into the room, kicked the door shut, said,
“Stay down or I will break your fucking neck.”
The introductions out of the way, I looked round the room.
Bare.
Thomas Merton would have been comfortable with it. I asked,
“Where is the book?”
Up close he didn’t seem as young though maybe being dragged by the hair ages you. He picked himself up, slowly, watching my boots carefully, asked,
“Are you working for the church?“
I nearly laughed but went,
“I represent the private sector.”
He measured me, definitely found me wanting, but decided further tussle was wasted. Said,
“The book is gone.”
So I did what you do with a stubborn priest; I walloped him.
Twice.

About this edition

• Publisher: Mysterious Press
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0802128637
• ISBN 13: 9780802128638
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352