The Cold, Cold Ground

Detective Sean Duffy, Book 1

By: Adrian McKinty

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Fast-paced, evocative, and brutal, The Cold Cold Ground is a brilliant depiction of Belfast at the height of the Troubles — and of a cop treading a thin, thin line —from The New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author Adrian McKinty.

“McKinty is one of the most striking and most memorable crime voices to emerge on the scene in years.” —Tana French

Northern Ireland, spring 1981. Hunger strikes, riots, power cuts, a homophobic serial killer with a penchant for opera, and a young woman’s suicide that may yet turn out to be murder: on the surface, the events are unconnected, but then things—and people—aren’t always what they seem. Detective Sergeant Duffy is the man tasked with trying to get to the bottom of it all. It’s no easy job—especially when it turns out that one of the victims was involved in the IRA but was last seen discussing business with someone from the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force. Add to this the fact that, as a Catholic policeman, it doesn’t matter which side he’s on, because nobody trusts him, and Sergeant Duffy really is in a no-win situation.

©2012 Adrian McKinty (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“McKinty is a streetwise, energetic gunslinger of a writer, firing off volleys of sassy dialogue and explosive action that always delivers what it has promised.” ( Irish Times)

“What makes McKinty a cut above the rest is the quality of his prose. His driven, spat-out sentences are more accessible than James Ellroy's edge-of-reason staccato, and he can be lyric.” ( The Guardian)

“If Raymond Chandler had grown up in Northern Ireland, The Cold Cold Ground is what he would have written.” ( The Times, London)

Enjoyable listen with a terrific narrator

Nice little story, great narrator but at the end, I wasn't interested enough in the lead character to make me read Book 2

First time

It's my first time with this author, definitely not the last. Engaging story line, superbly read.

Kept me interested and guessing

I really enjoyed this book. Intrigued story and very well read. Had me guessing right up until the end.

Terrific narration

Set in 1981 Belfast the historical background added an excellent dimension and credibility to the characters and story. Some interesting social issues peak out in subplots, thankfully neither heavy handed or preachy. Fascinating tale.

Excellent from start to finish

Bravo Adrian McKinty. What a fabulous discovery! So evocative of the early 80’s Belfast “Troubles” and one honest copper’s attempt to do his job. Full of unexpected twists and turns as well as subtle but in depth explorations of a conflict through the jaded insights of a survivor. I’m looking forward to reading the next “Sean Duffy” adventure but just might re-read this one first. It’s worth re-lingering over.

Love those Irish

What made the experience of listening to The Cold, Cold Ground the most enjoyable?

plot-line and narration

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

yes, selective disclosure, putting together the pieces one at a time and combining them all at the end much like the main character did and arriving at satisfying conclusion.

What about Gerard Doyle’s performance did you like?

everything, Mckinty and Doyle go together like salt and pepper. It might be hard for me to imagine one without the other.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, and I did

Any additional comments?

Having Ireland's troubles as a backdrop to Mckinty's tales is a really good touch, it's like history and great fiction bound together in a well thought out tight package that informs entertains and excites all at the same time, no small feat in the 21st-century. A great detective work. All ready listening to Mckinty and Doyle in another listen. If you like the art of detection this is for you. Talone

I was led to this new territory in search of more Gerard Doyle narration.

After exhausting the Slough House novels and many more British mystery series, I realized I had little knowledge of life in Northern Ireland, or any part of Ireland. It took some adjustment to all the multi-lettered agency names involved, particularly when I am not seeing them named on the page. Also, these lawmen aren’t the eccentric, near-crazy characters I have just spent so much time with. But once I settled in for the ride, I became quickly invested in Sean Duffy and his well-being. Intrigued enough to move on to the second novel for for more.

Great all around

Great story and we’ll executed. An enjoyable listen. Sean Duffy is one memorable character and adds perspective to the issues that tore apart Northern Ireland

Good listen

McKinty does a fantastic job capturing the atmosphere of Northern Ireland in the pre-Good Friday Agreement years. He writes beautifully, and the story is fascinating. I knocked it down a star for a somewhat Grand Guignol denouement that was a bit over the top, but YMMV.

Gerard Doyle's narration is top-shelf. A very enjoyable listen, so much so that I immediately downloaded volume II in this series.

Catholic cop in Northern Ireland fights the IRA!

This is book 1 in what will soon be a five book Detective Sean Duffy series. The book is set in the early 1980's in Northern Ireland where Sean Duffy begins work as a cop in a rural area of the country. Duffy has a university degree in psychology, but decides he prefers detective work. The cases he is working are a murder and an apparent suicide that may be murder.

Adrian McKinty released 11 novels before releasing The Cold Cold Ground in 2012. He is a master of the police/crime thriller genre. I recommend all of his books.

Gerard Doyle narrates this book. He is one of the best.