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)

not your usual gangster story

never lost interest, twists and turns were all there, but not cliche. Great anti-hero

Beautifully Written; Captivating Narration

Rises well above the "typical" thriller or potboiler. As the story unfolds, the protagonist gets to be more and more interesting. Gerard Doyle does a fabulous job of bringing Michael to life, and his Irish lilt is lovely to listen to. The writing style is unique, creative, and absorbing. Well worth the credit -- I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the trilogy.

Delightful Surprise

I downloaded this book because I had enjoyed another book by Adrian McKinty. I read nothing about it and just waited to see where it would go. LOVED IT!

do you like Frank McCourt?

Written in the fine tradition of Irish storytelling. I was hooked to the last minute.

A Tough,Likeable But Deadly Irish Kid Gets Revenge

Michael Forsythe is rendered superbly by narrator Gerald Doyle as he navigates his way through a fling with the crime bosses girlfriend and the horrible repercussions to follow that ensnare him and his associates.

The "Irish" accent and expressions transport the reader into a fascinating underworld where the peelers (police) are absent through much of the mayhem. The main character makes several wry intelligent observations that belie his youth and upbringing adding some panache to the storytelling.

This first book has convinced me to continue following Michael's story in "The Dead Yard". ....... Hooked, I well may be.

Love it

Great book even better narrator, The Irish accent is enchanting. I can't wait to listen to the next one.

I Love This Bloody Entertaining Wanker!!

Would you listen to Dead I Well May Be again? Why?

Absolutely, there are 2 reasons I would listen to this book again: 1. Narrator did an excellent job, beyond excellent IMO.. I'm not Irish so its obvious that particular point could be questioned by indiginous persons McKinty is writing about. For me the voice sounded not only creditable but also added new dimensions in dialogue (i.e. slang, humor..).
2. The story is well written with balance between storyline, humor, violence, language, & romance. The genre I'd classify the book tends to be filled with excessive violence or language, tropes, & worst of all, predictable plots. McKinty is able to address all those issues positively.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

If 'edge of your seat' means when you listen to the whole book in 36 hour time period, than YES. The places McKinty literally takes the protagonist & development of all characters was well done, sprinkled with unique traits while containing the flaws that make a great story mesh.

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

If Doyle's native tongue is American English he does an incredible job narrating a tale with characters that cover the spectrum of accents & street slang. Even if Doyle naturally speaks accented English or its not his primary language, the delivery is done in way that keeps a listener glued to his voice.

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

When you read about 'gansta', 'mob', or criminal elements of a world most people don't know or ignore its existance, often times the entire life or large portions of the books sensationalize the illegal lifestyle. McKinty adds twists & turns in the book taking the listener to levels of thought & locations you wouldn't expect. Michaels internal dialogue shows why his character separates himself as the protagonist yet not blocking the significance of his compatriots & the antagonist. There's a part that Michael must endure in order to exact revenge, without spoiling anything, that journey is pivitol in shaping his personality in the trilogy.

Any additional comments?

This was the 1st Adrian McKinty book I've listened to & plan to read his other series when time allows, he's pushed himself towards the top in literary prowess. DEF. worth the credit just to listen to him curse lol... luckily its the "full package."

Mc Kinty : what a great writer !

In the early 90s a young chap leaves Belfast to escape unemployment, boredom and misery and joins –more by default than by choice-an Irish Mob boss in New York. His small gangster life suddenly takes unexpected turns and spins into a nightmare experience of a jail in a southern region of Mexico first and becomes later a tale of death, betrayal and revenge. It is a tough book, dark and luminous at the same time, engaging and beautifully written. Michael Forsyth, the main character, captivates the reader for his poetic naiveté, dark humor, kindness and toughness.

This is my first Mc Kinty book: what a great discovery. Gerald Doyle is as good as it gets and his gentle Irish accent makes the story more vivid. I can’t wait for the second book of the trilogy !

Wordy I may well be

Would you listen to Dead I Well May Be again? Why?

I would listen again because of the reader. It was an excellent reading. The accents were done really well.

What about Gerard Doyle’s performance did you like?

It was one of the best I have heard. His accents, his phrasing and pauses make the story so much better!

Any additional comments?

While the book was very good, there are passages that go on and on that are just "artistic writing" I like books for the story. I don't mind ambience and scene setting but there was too much of this in the book. I still really enjoyed the book.

I listened twice

That is how good I thought the story and narration were. Outstanding plot - I hope that it becomes a movie