• The Guards

  • By: Ken Bruen
  • Narrated by: Gerry O'Brien
  • Length: 4 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (317 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Guards  By  cover art

The Guards

By: Ken Bruen
Narrated by: Gerry O'Brien
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $16.00

Buy for $16.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Still stinging from his unceremonious ouster from the Garda Siochana, and staring at the world through the smoky bottom of his beer mug, Jack Taylor is stuck in Galway with nothing to look forward to. He is teetering on the brink of his life's sharpest edges, his memories of the past cutting deep into his soul and his prospects for the future non-existent.

Until a dazzling woman walks into the bar with a strange request and a rumour about Jack's talent for finding things. Odds are he won't be able to climb off his barstool long enough to get involved, but when he surprises himself by getting hired, Jack has little idea of what he's getting into.

©2001 Ken Bruen (P)2009 Isis Publishing Ltd

What listeners say about The Guards

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    141
  • 4 Stars
    74
  • 3 Stars
    70
  • 2 Stars
    20
  • 1 Stars
    12
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    162
  • 4 Stars
    63
  • 3 Stars
    36
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    8
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    124
  • 4 Stars
    63
  • 3 Stars
    59
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    14

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Dark entertaining story

If you like dark depressing engrossing stories this book is for you
Gerry OBRIEN is tremendous

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

exceptional story telling

exceptional story telling. It made you feel like you were paling around with Jack and part of the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Lots of great quotes

Clear description of alcoholic thinking n behavior character love able enuf to make me want to listen to series. Always love Irish brogue but reader is easily understood.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Guards

Don't read Brien until you are ready to read all of his work. If you start reading him you can't stop. You won't want to stop. I have read them all many times. I frequently quote him. This is the first audio book of his I have tried. I read better myself.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Well done.

Enjoyed the character. Audible verson is well read. I wish American novels were as interesting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

jack Yaylor

love the series and the books are of course better. private investigator plus Ireland equals lovely diversion.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

BRUEN...THE BEST

...of all mystery writers, bruen is the best...writer, that is...the story is just along for the ride... a unique knack for dialogue, an unrivaled knowledge of music and literature... an ability to find a poignant phrase that speaks to the deepest parts of each of us...never a word in excess... orwell would be proud! the reader, gerry o'brien, a perfect complement to bruen's prose.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Ireland's answer to Harry Hole

I really love Taylor's flawed character. The dialogue held the classic sort of Irish humor I'd hoped for. My only complaint is that I wished it had gone on longer.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Great book for alcoholics

ThIs is basically about drinking. The author is pretty funny, and the main character is likable. But something was missing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

I almost passed on this book due to all the negative reviews about main character's drinking problem. Not sure what their issues are. This was a great story with interesting and well developed characters. Very Irish Loved it and plan on listening to the whole series

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful