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)

Wow noir from Ireland!

Where does Dead I Well May Be rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It may be my favorite. It cannot be read in print because the Irish accent is so appealing, and the storyline is top flight.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dead I Well May Be?

Irish character's impressions of NYC.

Have you listened to any of Gerard Doyle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Excellent Irish accent for me, I am no expert though.

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

Irish noir storms NYC underworld

Any additional comments?

It is the first book of a trilogy, and is the best one, although completing trilogy highly recommended. Caution on violence, it is not gratuitous but pretty harrowing.

Dark, but enjoyable

I found the beginning a bit too dismal... depressing even. The setting and people just seemed so awful that i started to wonder if i'd made a mistake. But it didn't take long for the story and the characters to become more developed and interesting, and i found i was sneaking listening time on short car rides and other times i don't usually use. Yes, the lanuage is really strong at times, but that seemed to me to fit the characters, and in fact, on the contrary, the main character seemed to come off a bit over-educated at times given his background (but it works). In all, this was fun to listen to and i'll definitely try this author again.

Cool!

I am over half way done with this book. I originally bought it solely for the Irish accent of the narrator (even if he isn't Irish). I love the story and I enjoy the narration. I am looking forward to the next 2 books. I'm glad I purchased this as audio rather than print format. Worth the price!

Love that Irish accent

Now this was a great story. I loved the story, the narrator, I stayed up late at night because I just couldn't put it down. And it didn't put me to sleep while driving. Wish I had more from this author!!!!

McKinty Totally Rocks!

I'm not usually a fan of the mystery-thriller genre, but love Irish authors, so when introduced to these books, I was sucked in and couldn't get out until I'd listened to the whole series. Gerard Doyle is a wonderful narrator, with a great Irish brogue without sounding like a caricature. Two things about this series, especially, you might want to know. One is that there is a really high level of violence, with an awfully lot of dead bodies. I'm not judging that, since this genre tends to be like that, but it does get close to going over the top a time or two. Second is that you want to listen to, or read, his serial books in order or you'll find yourself totally confused.

Fantastic

An absolutely perfect marriage of great writing and spot-on narration. I listened to the first 2, just downloaded the 3rd in advance of my subscription because I couldn't wait--had to continue this incredible listening experience. I couldn't tell you if the narrator's Irish accent was 100% accurate, but boy, does he "become" Michael Forsyth. The melancholic air, the calm confidence, the 2-sided nature that gives the sense he feels "life is shite" yet still noticing absolute beauty in nature and, sometimes, in people--I wonder if the author would consider this to be a well-captured portrayal. All I know is that it is an unbelievable listening treat.

Crime drama done right...

In my experience, crime and suspense dramas are rarely done well. We get the stock characters dancing a maypole around a Mary Sue hero, guns, awesomeness, lady parts, more awesomeness and stay tuned for the next chapter because it's nothing but series these days!

Adrian McKinty follows the same formula, but his books are genuinely well written. Dead I May Well Be is a great book about crime and revenge set in 1992 New York that takes us on an honest to God adventure, complete with a stint in a Mexican prison.

Super fun book as always!

What an interesting listen

This is my first book by the author and I look forward to more. Such a picturesque style places me in the mind of Michael. I like the plot twists, tho for some reason, I was slow to become involved with the story. The narrator was superb and will look for more books read by him too.

Love this series

What did you love best about Dead I Well May Be?

Just a great story good pace funny !

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

I think that McKinty's sense of humor in spite of all the tension and danger.

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

He really brings the character to life with the Northern Irish accent. I felt like i knew Forsythe and hated when it ended. Thank goodness there were more!

Interesting Beginnings

Have you listened to any of Gerard Doyle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Great

Any additional comments?

I listened to this three book series from last to first (After the third book I'm pretty sure it's probably finished, but hopefully not) . Of the three I have to say this one had me laughing more than the others. He really hit some funny notes. One example was calling back to Iraland to talk to his Grandmother who a neighbor lady went to fetch and how three old ladies started arguing about the weather and hanging clothes out to dry loud enough that he could hear it on the phone in the house...The author has a way to take a little slice of life and reallyput you right into it....Very good and very funny.

On the minus side was this first book had a few little diatribes that seemed to go on and on. Granted some of this took place when in a Mexican prison with nothing to do all day, but they did seem to go a bit further than they needed to go.

Over all it, and the series is very good. I'd recommend going through the series from this book first because it really makes the last book fall in place much better since it really ties directly into the first book. The second really donesn't have much of a tie in with this book, but is still a story in the over all journey. However from listening to this book it's pretty clear that he already had the thrid book (Bloomsday Dead) in mind because he mentions some things to occur in his future that ties into this book. Great books to go down the road with.