The Ghosts of Belfast

The Ghosts of Belfast

2009 • 336 pages

Ratings4

Average rating3.5

15

With this stunning debut, Neville joins a select group of Irish writers, including Ken Bruen, Declan Hughes and Adrian McKinty, who have reinvigorated the noir tradition with a Celtic edge. Gerry Fegan, a former IRA hit man haunted by the ghosts of the 12 people he killed, realizes the only way these specters will give him rest is to systematically assassinate the men who gave him his orders. Though those in the militant IRA underworld have written him off as a babbling drunk and a liability to the movement, they take note when their members start turning up dead. Meanwhile, Fegan is attracted to Marie McKenna, a relative of one of the newly slain men and a pariah to the Republicans. Can Fegan satisfy his demons and redeem himself, or will the ghosts of Belfast consume him first? This is not only an action-packed, visceral thriller but also an insightful insider's glimpse into the complex political machinations and networks that maintain the uneasy truce in Northern Ireland.

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3 primary books

Jack Lennon

Jack Lennon is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2009 with contributions by Stuart Neville.

The Ghosts of Belfast
Collusion
Stolen Souls

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The first half was 5 stars. The last half, particularly after the first half, was 2. So I evened it out. It was disappointing because Fagen is an almost great character limited by a fabulous conceit that isn't allowed to spin out. That said, it was a quick and engaging read.

October 24, 2011