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)

Listen to this book. You won't be disappointed.

Just finished The Cold Cold Ground. I've been a big fan of Adrian McKinty for the last few years and I've listened to all of his books. This new one does not disappoint. In fact I think it's his best since Dead I Well May Be. The plot is both intricate and thought provoking. We are given a glimpse of a different time and place (Belfast in the 1980's during the Troubles), and a different culture. One not on an especially healthy path.

We're used to hearing about 3rd world countries at war with themselves. Tribes going at each other for no good reason other than their irrational hatreds, blood feuds, and power grabs. But when it's a country that most of us would consider civilized we often don't think of what life would be like if such horrors occurred in our own countries. The Cold Cold Ground gives us a glimpse of that world along with a great story.

Gerard Doyle , the narrator, is terrific. At first, I considered reading The Cold Cold Ground the old fashioned way, something I haven't done with any of McKinty's other books, but I'm so hooked on having these stories read to me in a think Irish accent (actually multiple accents, not only Irish, but English, American, as well as different variations of Irish) that I decided against it. Doyle's reading brings the novel to life and makes some of the Irish slang more readily understandable.

Don't miss McKinty's earlier novels, especially the Dead Trilogy and Falling Glass (voted Best Mystery or Thriller of 2011 here on Audible). All great stuff.

May be his best yet

I liked the M Forsythe novels, but I believe Cold, Cold Ground is McKinty's best so far. Again, based in Northern Ireland in the '80's, this book weaves an exciting story about a young catholic detective sergeant and the violent world around him. If for no other reason (and there are many others), this book is worth the credit because of the author's insights into a society in which nothing seems to make sense, at least from the perspective of an outsider. It's a great listen not only because of the story, but Gerard Doyle's powerful rendering of the characters. I had a difficult time turning off my Ipod.

Deep, Dark&Turbulant Flows the Great Donneybrook

Would you listen to The Cold, Cold Ground again? Why?

I started listening to this on my own, and liked it so much I started it over, sharing it with my husband...so I have already listened to some of it twice. It is definitely a book that would stand up to rereading, both for the information it imparts and for the complexity of the characters McKinty has created. The second time I could listen more carefully, since I wouldn't be driven crazy by not knowing what would happen next!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sean, since every step he takes seems to disillusion him more, and I can well appreciate that. I like the way he thinks, I like the way he perceives the people around him, I like his music, for the most part, and mostly I like how he does not conform to the role everyone else would restrain him with. Sean's character is changed bbbbbbbbbby the things he experiences, he is not a one dimensional character.

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

His experieence in the public toilet. McKinty does not underestimate his readers or their own experiences. This scene made me feel such empathy for this character. I guess you might say it made Sean very human to me, a character I would feel protective of.

Any additional comments?

I can't recommend this book highly enough to people who like really engrossing mysteries, that stay in your mind, long after you have finished reading them. I was completely unfamiliar with this author...I think I had seen some of his novels here on Audible, but when I saw titles like, "Dead I May Well Be," or something like that, I assumed (yeah, you know what that means!) that it was about vampires or zombies!! Can't wait till the next installment in this trilogy, and will be checking out his many other titles here on Audible. Great stuff!

A little too smutty

A little too smutty to make a great detective story. Premise was good, execution was lacking covered up with smutty pillow talk. Turned it into harlequin novel, not a better detective story.

slow start, good finish

It took me about an hour to get into the rhythm of the narrators voice. Once I adjusted I was hooked. I love crime novels and this is an interesting time in history for me. If you want to read more about the "irish troubles" during the 70's onward this is for you.

Characters that make me want more

Adrian McKinty has taken us back to Ireland in the early 80's and fills our senses with sights and sounds of the place and era. Sometimes the main character seems a little immature given his position education and background, but none of that detracted from a good story and a better yet view of life in Ireland during a decidedly hard time. I keep wondering: so where is our hero now, in 2013?

Ireland is far Grander through the voice of Doyle

Adrian McKinty has walked me through 4 books so far in true descriptive imagery of my 2nd generation removed Homeland. This is a spectacular and descriptive tale.
I can not get enough. The voice and cadence of Gerard Doyle is ingrained in my mind.
This; the first of two, has me needing to take a breath from the imagery and excitement this book brings to this Scottish-Irish man. Or to any Man or Woman who craves to learn ; even through fiction, the lands of which blood has been shed for decades.
A must read for those who need a real masterpiece from a different side of our globe and human trials and suffrage.

Fascinating

Sean Duffy is a multi-faceted character who faces life and death in Northern Ireland as a catholic detective. McKinty's writing style gives Duffy a straight forward, no nonsense voice. The political climate, everyday strife of living in a war torn area, the descriptions and interactions with the rebel groups with power and the wonderful 80's references make this a fascinating read. The plot is a ride with much detecting going on while Duffy tries to get his personal life in motion. A great beginning to a great series.

Excellent -

It took me a bit to find the rhythm of the book, but it was worth the initial effort – loved it, it got better and better as the book unfolded. Great ending ~ !

The first in a brilliant, funny series

Buy this book right away. You won't regret it. It's funny, interesting, clever and mesmerizing, as all of the other Sean Duffy novels are.