Rain Dogs

Detective Sean Duffy, Book 5

By: Adrian McKinty

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Edgar Award winner, Best Paperback Original, 2017.

Rain Dogs, a stunning installment in the Sean Duffy thriller series, following the Edgar Award-nominated Gun Street Girl, is "another standout in a superior series" (Booklist).

It's just the same things over and again for Sean Duffy: riot duty, heartbreak, cases he can solve but never get to court. But what detective gets two locked-room mysteries in one career?

When journalist Lily Bigelow is found dead in the courtyard of Carrickfergus castle, it looks like a suicide. Yet there are a few things that bother Duffy just enough to keep the case file open, which is how he finds out that Bigelow was working on a devastating investigation of corruption and abuse at the highest levels of power in the UK and beyond. And so Duffy has two impossible problems on his desk: Who killed Lily Bigelow? And what were they trying to hide?

©2016 Adrian McKinty (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"McKinty expertly balances Duffy's tense and suspenseful investigation with the political tensions of the region." ( Publishers Review)

"McKinty manages a second locked-room success...another standout in a superior series, combining terrific plotting with evocative historical detail." ( Booklist)

"The tension between McKinty's competing love of tight, formal puzzles and loose, riffing dialogue is what makes the Duffy novels such a tremendous joy." ( The Guardian)

Good Listen

Adrian McKinty has an unusual style of writing mystery-thrillers. One I'm glad I discovered. His blend of humor, relationships, solid plotting and heightened tension on every page set in war-ravaged Ireland all came together to make this a page turner. I wish he would take a few extra minutes to define the mind-numbing acronyms used throughout the book. Other than IRA, it was annoying to stop with each and try to figure out what they represented. That said, I look forward to going back to book #1 in this series and moving forward.

Gerard Doyle was good with the delivery of the story

Still fun but not as good as other Duffy stories

I'd pay to listen to Doyle read a grocery list, and the Duffy character continues to be intriguing, but this story felt more contrived and less believable than the others. McKinty as much as admits that, and nearly breaks the fourth wall as well, when the extreme unlikelihood of a single detective getting two locked room murder cases in one career becomes part of the story, along with Duffy's ruminations about not being a fictional detective. What's next, amnesia?

Still and all, a fun listen. I'm sure I'll purchase the next installment whenever it arrives.

Adrian McKinty

Has moved into the top spot on my favorite contemporary authors list. Gerald Doyle is the perfect voice for Sean Duffy

Solid Sean Duffy Story

Keep the Sean Duffy novels coming. I love the character, as I do with all Mr. McKinty's characters. Sean is my favorite because I identify with him on many levels.

Frankly, I would listen to Gerald Doyle read an ingredient list so everything is elevated by his narration.

Sean Duffy and Gerard Doyle for ever

I never want this series to end. Sean has grown up much to my surprise and I love it when he is bad! This is a spectacular team of writer and narrator. I do not know if I would be so enamored if I was reading a regular book. My favorite getaway.

Adrian Mckinty delivers again

Another gripping novel by Adrian Mckinty.
if you are familiar with the Sean Duffy series you will not be disappointed.
if you have not read them may I suggest starting with the first in the series and working your way through them.
they have all proved to be highly entertaining and Gerard Doyle gives an amazing performance in all of them.
a great stories and a suburb performer.
highly recommended.

Fantastic narrator and the Belfast setting circa 1987 is fascinating

The narration is great. I enjoyed the story, but the Belfast setting in 1987 is really what set the book apart for me.

Best Yet

I love Sean & the police at RUC- excellent characters and believable. The convolutions of the plot were believable, interesting and i enjoyed the action. This story did not have the final denoument twice as in previous books. The portrayal of Northern Ireland and the “troubles” is very compelling and informative. Sean’s musical tastes add a dimension that is quirky & fun. The descriptions were quite beautiful and often poetic. Ready for book 6.

Extremely entertaining!

Any additional comments?

Adrian McKinty and Gerard Doyle are an unbeatable pair when it comes to audio books. I could not stop listening to this one. Plot, characters, language, wit, mystery and suspense; McKinty's books excel at all of these -- especially this book. The character of Sean Duffy is totally admirable and sympathetic. I feel I know him by now like a childhood friend, to the extent that I sometime feel the need to check my car for mercury tilt bombs or to have a Vodka Gimlet after a particularly trying day.
I really enjoyed listening to this book and would highly recommend it.

Fantastic novel

I love Adrian McKintey and his Sean Duffey novels in particular. This one did not disappoint. Witty banter, one liners, an intricate and well timed plot as well as lovable, developed characters. Really I cannot say enough good things about this book!