Dead I Well May Be

By: Adrian McKinty

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

"I didn't want to go to America, I didn't want to work for Darkey White. I had my reasons. But I went."

So admits Michael Forsythe, an illegal immigrant escaping the troubles in Belfast, Northern Ireland. But young Michael is strong and fearless and clever, just the fellow to be tapped by Darkey, a crime boss, to join a gang of Irish thugs struggling against the rising Dominican powers in Harlem and the Bronx. The time is pre-Giuliani New York, when crack rules the city, squatters live furtively in ruined buildings, and hundreds are murdered each month. Michael and his lads tumble through the streets, shaking down victims, drinking hard, and fighting for turf, block by bloody block.

Dodgy and observant, not to mention handy with a pistol, Michael is soon anointed by Darkey as his rising star. Meanwhile Michael has very inadvisably seduced Darkey's girl, Bridget, saucy, fickle, and irresistible. Michael worries that he's being followed, that his affair with Bridget will be revealed. He's right to be anxious; when Darkey discovers the affair, he plans a very hard fall for young Michael, a gambit devilish in its guile, murderous in its intent.

But Darkey fails to account for Michael's toughness and ingenuity or the possibility that he might wreak terrible vengeance upon those who would betray him.

A natural storyteller with a gift for dialogue, McKinty introduces to readers a stunning new noir voice, dark and stylish, mythic and violent, complete with an Irish lilt.

Don't miss these other noir thrillers in the Michael Forsythe series: The Dead Yard (Unabridged) and The Bloomsday Dead (Unabridged).

©2003 Adrian McKinty (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A profoundly satisfying book from a major new talent, and one of the best crime fiction debuts of the year." (Booklist)

Superbly written and narrated!

Best Irish mob crime drama. Will be following Adrian McKinty's work from now on.
Gerard Doyle delivers. Can't wait to hear him in the sequel.

An unlikely hero

I find it strange to feel compassion for such a murderers man. Surprised that it works. As usual McKinney's write is excellent beutifull and funny.
#gritty #dark #funny
#thanksgiving #sweepstakes

An epic story.

Where does Dead I Well May Be rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The production quality of the first one-third of the book is not as good and affects the performance.

What other book might you compare Dead I Well May Be to and why?

The protagonist develops during the course of the book into someone similar in humor and perspective as Sean Duffy, but this is noir whereas the Troubles series is mystery.

What does Gerard Doyle bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Gerald Doyle and Adrian McKinty seem to some spooky telepathic flow. It's not like Doyle is reading the text. It's like Michael Forsythe is speaking through him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There's a flashback mid-way through the book of an argument between Michael Forsythe and his brother when they are little that is endearing.

Any additional comments?

I finished this book last night and I just bought the next in the series this morning.

Excellent Book, Superb Reader

This first in a trilogy is a fabulous and unusual read, made even better by the vastly talented narrator. The books weaken a bit as they go, but the narrator makes up for any weakness.

Loved it. Great job

I'm an American with Irish roots (from way back), so that might have helped with the fascination.
I liked the story and loved the bantering between the Irish boys. I rarely laugh out loud listening to books, but this one I did some.
Thought the narrator did a great job... (and now I have to resist the urge to call everyone a fucking wanker. haha)

blows the ending

The author’s hitting some references was a great touch; from the tragic Scott expedition to Gary Power was a great touch. & he did put the protagonist in spots that you felt he could never get out of, but you knew he would, there is too much psycho babble, felt like filler. But the final scene, when the hit team sent to kill Michael used a phosphorus grenade inside a house! Would of had the place an inferno in a minute. Instead our hero drinks a beer. I call this the 8 rounds in a six shooter; 3 shells@double barreled shotgun, treating reader as a dummy

EXCELLENT!!!

Wow, I got more than I was expecting with this book. Great character development (GREAT main character), excellent story, great narrator. A very classic mob/revenge story with and Irish twist. When I was done with this book I got the other book by the same author (also excellent). You won't be disappointed.

Excellent storyline

Overall very good, but a bit stilted and disjointed beginning. Interesting character, but no hero.

Great new voice!

Couldn't turn it off! The melodic narration and intricate story unfolded smoothly and seamlessly. The protagonist's flights of fancy and mental meandering were easy to follow as they arrive well into the story.

Love this author

Every book by this author is interesting and beautifully written. Although my favorite series are the Sean Duffy detective books, I enjoyed this book and reading. Love the narration.