The Barnes & Noble Review
Investigating a theft, even of such a valuable cultural treasure, normally wouldn't be assigned to Chief Superintendent Peter McGarr of Dublin's Garda Soichana. But the brutal execution of a security guard at the crime scene soon brings in McGarr's elite Murder Squad. As McGarr investigates what seems to be an inside job, political and criminal complications quickly build to a dangerous height. The negative publicity surrounding the case adversely affects McGarr's beloved daughter. A zealous political group calling itself the New Druids (supposedly dedicated to returning Ireland to paganism) makes a ransom demand for the stolen treasure. And, most bizarrely, an old enemy offers McGarr help that cannot be refused. There's no denying that wealthy publisher and unscrupulous power-broker Chazz Sweeney's resources could be invaluable in the investigation. No one can imagine why the man who sued the Garda after being acquitted of the murder of McGarr's wife would want to ally himself with the detective now…. As McGarr tries to figure out what's the real crime, and what's the cover, the suspects multiply and the danger grows. And McGarr comes to realize that someone has gone to great lengths to embroil him in a case that could finish him…in more ways than one.
Sadly, with the death of Bartholomew Gill in the summer of 2002, this is the last Peter McGarr novel. But mystery fans will be pleased to hear that Avon will also be republishing the earlier books in this Edgar Award–nominated series. Sue Stone
The eighth and sadly the last in Gill's Peter McGarr series (the author died last summer) is a complicated and gloomy foray into Ireland's relentlessly tragic political and social landscape. Unidentified criminals, striking at the heart of Irish culture and tradition, kill a security guard and abscond from Trinity College with the revered Book of Kells, for which they demand a huge ransom. McGarr, "chief superintendent of the Serious Crimes Unit of the Garda Siochana," takes on the case. Corrupt higher-ups in the Garda dismiss McGarr when he treads on sensitive ground, but guilty feelings stemming from the unsolved murders of his wife and father-in-law drive him onward. At times hard to follow, this deeply depressing story builds to a gripping, carnage-filled climax. (Jan.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Gill's final novel pits Police Chief Peter McGarr against a thief and murderer: a night watchman at Dublin's Trinity College has been killed and the irreplaceable Book of Kells stolen. McGarr suspects an infamous and most dangerous band of IRA zealots. Excellent work from a tried-and-true hand. Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
The last McGarr from Gill, who died this past summer, traces Ireland’s religious woes back to tussles between Christians and Druids, then moves forward to antagonism between Catholics and Protestants and the resentment of conservatives over the admission of so many students to Dublin’s Trinity College, whose library is the repository of the four-volume Book of Kells. When two of the illuminated manuscripts are stolen and a security guard killed, Peter McGarr, chief superintendent of the Garda Siochana’s Serious Crimes Unit, is upstaged by Chief Superintendent Jack Sheard, who gets himself appointed head of the investigation. Dodging Sheard and ubiquitous tabloid reporter Orla Bannon, McGarr and disgraced former Garda officers Ward and Bresnahan focus on Dr. Pape, Trinity’s head librarian, and his Oxycontin habit; Chazz Sweeney, stalwart of the archconservative sect Opus Dei; and a pair of father-and-son goons who may have taped the ransom demand of £50 million. Recent widower McGarr is attracted to rare-book archivist Kara Kennedy, but her past is shrouded in mystery—and, like Sheard, she may be setting up McGarr as scapegoat. Working through the raging religious controversies of warring sects, McGarr ignores his politically motivated dismissal from the case, zeroes in on the money trail, and survives a rocket launcher, a Glock or two, and greedy zealots to return the Book of Kells. A superb exposition of Ireland’s religious development and a touching look into McGarr’s heart. The death of Gill (The Death of an Irish Sinner, 2001, etc.) deprives the mystery world of one of its most sensitive and talented practitioners.
Splendidly sharp and entertaining.” — Chicago Tribune
“Bartholomew Gill writes with literary grace. [His] dialogue sings with an Irish lilt.” — Washington Post Book World
“A not-to-be-missed series.” — Publishers Weekly
“His mysteries are so very good.” — Providence Sunday Journal
“Gill never fails to deliver.” — Kansas City Star
“Evocative...literate and unsentimental...pure pleasure.” — Houston Chronicle
“A must read.” — Wisconsin State Journal
“A superb exposition of Ireland’s religious development and a touching look into McGarr’s heart.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This is a spectacularly suspenseful book...a wonderful exploration of Irish culture. Gill’s last case is a masterpiece.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Will knock your socks off...[Gill] is at the top of his always impressive form.” — Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers
This is a spectacularly suspenseful book...a wonderful exploration of Irish culture. Gill’s last case is a masterpiece.
Booklist (starred review)
A must read.
Evocative...literate and unsentimental...pure pleasure.
His mysteries are so very good.
Providence Sunday Journal
Gill never fails to deliver.
Will knock your socks off...[Gill] is at the top of his always impressive form.
Splendidly sharp and entertaining.
Bartholomew Gill writes with literary grace. [His] dialogue sings with an Irish lilt.
Washington Post Book World
Splendidly sharp and entertaining.
Will knock your socks off...[Gill] is at the top of his always impressive form.
Gill never fails to deliver.
