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)

Great setting, characters, plot

Good but not great prose style. But nothing is perfect, and the depth of the historical and cultural seeing, the unusual cast of characters, and the novelty of the plot are exceptional. Bonus points for great 70s and 80s music references.

Also, it's nice to have a genuine noir title whose underlying message includes social and life-is-good elements

FABULOUS

Deep, Intense and utterly fascinating.The main character SGT Duffy, a Catholic Policeman in Northern Ireland during The Troubles is likable and flawed, with big mouth, a sensitive side, a talent for getting into trouble and a witty and perceptive view of the world. The author gives an in depth and balanced view of a fascinating time in history and the narrator brings it to life wonderfully. Despite the fact that the period it is set in was bloody and violent this book is an exciting mix - scary, tense and in some places laugh out loud funny funny. I was really drawn in and have listened to both it and its sequel a couple of times in the last three months.

I enjoyed this so much I bought the second one as soon as I finished it. I can't wait for the third installment.

The narration was so perfect, it brought a great story to life

This was an awesome story, FABULOUS AND FAULTLESSLY NARRATED.

I was at University in England during the hunger strikes and, as a lefty warrior, I even marched for Bobby Sands. To learn of the utter futility of all that - the moral bankruptcy on all sides was somewhat startling

Intelligent, authentic, gripping!

Hands down the best series I’ve listened to in years! Narration is masterful! Please give us more... 😁

Glad I found this series!

Really good. Couple unexpected and appreciated themes as well. Can’t always keep up with the ‘80s Irish religion/politics but am learning a lot. Main character is very appealing and comfortable without being a cliche, even though he is the young detective, educated rascal, but an appealing one nonetheless. Even the female characters are interesting and have depth(!) Bodes well for character development over future books in the series.

Engaging Book

Adrian McKinty is a great writer. He spins a good tale and his style is really engaging, His prose is beautiful and Sean Duffy is a nuanced character. I found the description of every day life during the Troubles fascinating and sad. I definitely recommend the book.

I wish we would not go to such a state of mayhem.

A lot of gratuitous violence. It is a shame because he is a good writer and can tell a story. I worry about the author's mental state, he really cannot offer just a good thriller.

a fun romp

good story w believe able characters. loved the setting and period details. narration pushed it to 5 stars.

Great listen

I usually don't like to listen to books like this, preferring to read them myself. I don't know if it was the unobstrusive narration or just that it was well written. Truly enjoyed every spoken word.

Great stuff

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

Adrian McKinty is my favorite crime/thriller/mystery writer. I love the poetry of his prose set against the harsh reality of his novels. His ability to make unlikeable characters likeable is amazing.

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

Gerard Doyle is a talented narrator with the ability to demonstrate subtlety of character as well as portray differences in accents -- that is not an easy thing to do.