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)

intense and enjoyable

First time author for me, this one was set in N Ireland in the 1980's during the heighth of the Protestant/Catholic problems that were referred to as "The Troubles". The protagonist is a Catholic detective working in a Protestant police office working a string of murders that get him volved in the bigger mess that's going on. It was intense and enjoyable right from the start. It's hard to believe you hate someone just because of their religion but it's still going on today all over the globe. I really liked this book.

Wonderful writing - story, not so much

I love Adrian McKinty's work. He can really deliver a sentence and can bring events to life in a powerful, lyrical way. Unfortunately, this book suffered from not having a whole hell of a lot going on. The central mystery is vaguely interesting, but then gets wrapped up in another one, and then the hero spends too much time wandering to and fro in Belfast. Still, it is worth the listen, for a wonderful soft irish brogue and the all-too-occasional time when something happens.

WOW!

I ordered this book as a "what the heck" type of purchase, expecting very little! It turned out to be one of the best listens I've had in quite a while!!!! Kudos to Mr. McKinty for a whirlwind of a ride. Det. Duffy is a lovely character and I can't wait to start the 2nd book of the series!
Also great praise to Mr. Doyle for a tremendous performance!

Hard to follow and a bit out of date

Not one of my better choices. it is about the trouble in Northern Ireland. You might like it.

Compelling story, moribund narrator

I found the narrator's quiet flat tone rather dull and soporific. However, the time and place of Belfast during the Troubles was fascinating. I got drawn into the story line slowly but surely. The occasional references to meaningless sex stimulated by violence were gratuitous and repulsive. And yet, the main character as a highly educated Catholic in the Protestant police force of Northern Ireland was unlike anything I had read, and it kept my attention.

Perfect in all respects

So glad I discovered Adrian McKinty- I've been going through his books very quickly. I could spend all day with Sean Duffy- smart, funny, interesting. The mystery was intriguing and the resolution satisfying- all the characters remained true to their nature. The social context was also fascinating- might want to look up IRA and Sinn Fein to get a picture of the politics and locations if you have forgotten or never learned that history..

Great book read by a great narrator

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

What can I say - an Adrian McKinty book read by Gerard Doyle. A match made in heaven.

Disappointed

There are a lot of glowing reviews for this book. So, I expected it to be great. The narrator was great, but the story was average (at best).

Good gritty, noir crime novel

I’ve only just discovered Adrian McKinty and am looking forward to reading more. Set in Northern Ireland, the story is as dark and grim as the grey, rainy skies of Belfast. It has wonderful characters and a well-paced story line. Gerard Doyle is one if the best voice actors I’ve heard.

Talented writer in his element

Great characters, story, narrating.....just about everything you can wish for. Will definitely consider this series, and I'm not usually a series guy, with few exceptions. Hope to have several decads of Mr. McKinty's writing. Well narrated also. Loved it.