I Hear the Sirens in the Street

Detective Sean Duffy, Book 2

By: Adrian McKinty

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A torso in a suitcase looks like an impossible case, but Sean Duffy isn’t easily deterred, especially when his floundering love life leaves him in need of a distraction. So with detective constables McCrabban and McBride, he goes to work identifying the victim.

The torso turns out to be all that’s left of an American tourist who once served in the U.S. military. What was he doing in Northern Ireland in the midst of the 1982 Troubles? The trail leads to the doorstep of a beautiful, flame-haired, twentysomething widow, whose husband died at the hands of an IRA assassination team just a few months before. Suddenly Duffy is caught between his romantic instincts, gross professional misconduct, and powerful men he should know better than to mess with. These include British intelligence, the FBI, and local paramilitary death squads - enough to keep even the savviest detective busy. Duffy’s growing senseof self-doubt isn’t helping. But as a legendarily stubborn man, he doesn’t let that stop him from pursuing the case to its explosive conclusion.

©2013 Adrian McKinty (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

Intense

I’ve become a big fan of Adrian McGinty. Sean Duffy is a great character. He’s funny at times, and smart and also stubborn and a bit of a jackass. Very realistic. The mystery here is wrapped up in true historical events and that made it so intriguing. Gerard Doyle does a great job with the narration here. His voice is so smooth and melodic.

RIVETING DETECTIVE MYSTERY

Would you consider the audio edition of I Hear the Sirens in the Street to be better than the print version?

I can't compare since I didn't read the print version nor am I likely to do so.

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

Not really. It was a good murder mystery but hardly "edge of the seat".

Which character – as performed by Gerard Doyle – was your favorite?

DCI Sean McDuffy. Gerald Doyle is a great narrator with his perfect Irish brogue.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I don't see this book making a good film. The Irish political issues just aren't as relevant as they were in the 1980s. Everything about Ireland was depressing and dangerous. Even the characters in the book hated living there.

Book #2 of Trilogy

Story, writing, and narration excellent. Setting of this suspense novel featuring protagonist R.U.C. Detective Sean Duffy is Ulster/Northern Ireland during the infamous Troubles. Highly recommend reading in chronological order.

Dark and difficult to follow

I suspect reading it would be easier to follow, but listening to it a few minutes at a times makes it difficult to remember names and various subplots. The writing is spectacular - but given the time and setting, it's a definitely not a cheerful mods picker-upper. Through a glass darkly indeed.

Murder and Chaos of Northern Ireland in the 1980s

The second in the Detective Sean Duffy series comes up several notches from the first in my opinion. The torso found in a suitcase is quite the quandary, but Detective Duffy isn’t deterred from the investigation. The writing, atmospheric and gritty takes you to the streets of Northern Ireland, with car bombings, the hatred of the “peelers” and the downcast outlook of the Irish people, with unemployment and crime constantly rising. Hard drinking, hard living and folks looking for a way out of a country pock marked by social unrest . . . that’s where we find Detective Duffy and his team as they begin their investigation of the murdered man in the suitcase. Doggedly, Duffy refuses to give up his hunt for the killer, which takes him places that others refuse to go. Being pushed to put the case in the cold file, he refuses, continuing to pursue it on his own time. The narration is first rate. Be ready for a wild ride with this one. Conclusion is well worth the wait.

Another great McKinty series

Excellent author paired with the perfect narrator for this book. Gritty writing and plot. I didn't want this one to end.

It's the time and place

What appeals to me the most about this series is the time period and location. The time parallels my own life. The location in Northern Ireland during a period of turmoil makes a unique setting for an above average mystery writer. The narrator puts you there. Not your normal detective novels. Refreshing uniqueness.

Another great listen, interwoven against an historical backdrop

This series has been an amazing discovery...
Like the first book, it was another great story, interwoven against an historical backdrop. The narration is fundamental to its awesomeness!

Corruption buffet

This series is great - historical fiction at its best. Terrific narrator! I can't wait for the next one.

Love McKinty. Have read all his books.

Gerard Doyle is the best. I'm in love. I think I've listened to all McKinty's books