Black Sheep

I bought this book from chapters.ca so that I could get the free shipping. Who doesn't enjoy a good mystery now and then? I've had a penchant for Irish mysteries lately, after reading Tana French's books in 2008.

I'm not really sure what I expected, but I did get your formulaic mystery novel - two seemingly-unrelated murders, a bunch of cover up, a tense partnership between investigators, bad guys, etc.

The good: Well written characters, and a surprisingly moving subplot around one of the detective's aging mothers decline into dementia.

The bad: ended a bit lamely, with the usual tie ups. It ran a bit long, and the bad guys were your cookie cutter bad shits.

I'd be interested in a good solid Irish mystery with "The Troubles" as a backdrop, as opposed to the usual Irish gossips/rural settings/gritty gangsters. Anyone know of any (directed to the three people who read this)?

two and a half burned out Ford Fiestas out of five.