Cross by Austin Duffy and narrated by Ruairi Conaghan is an authentic account of living in a small Northern Irish town in one of the most monumental eras of the troubles. 1994 and there is a ceasefire, a temporary cessation of hostilities which later lead to a permanent cessation. Cross is the story of a community as it heads toward the endgame, where multiple different loyalties are tested and divisons fractured as people begin to learn to cohabit peacefully, learning who has and who does not have the upper hand

Powerful and compelling, giving a human voice to the stories we saw on the news. Stunning

Thank you to NetGalley, Bolinda Audio, Austin duffy and the narrator for this ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I enjoyed this immensely- very much felt like that was written to be an audiobook which is not a criticism! I loved the plot and how it unfolded

Unique account of what living in Cross would have been like during this period of history, The troubles. Appears very authentic and narration was excellent. The characters were all well developed through the chapters and threads of different story lines Ran through the book. I say story, however we all know this was true real life probably even worse for the people of cross living in fear for showing any weakness. Hopefully we will see more books on life during this time. Thank you #NetGalley for providing the audiobook book to review.

Ruairi Conaghan's narration adds another layer to the already gripping storyline.

Set in Ireland in the summer of the ceasefire. A brutal and shocking tale of loyalty and betrayal within a town at the height of the troubles.

Thank you to #Cross #NetGalley #BolindaAudio for my arc audio copy.

This was a well written, vivid and often brutal novel about a community soured by decades of conflict. Strong characters, good dialogue and a compelling storyline make it a disturbing read.

In the run up to the peace talks the republican community is awash with rumours and unrest. Meetings, talks and reassurances doing nothing to placate the voiced concerns. The Warrenpoint job was a disaster, the cops were waiting and the lads never stood a chance. With fingers being pointed and paranoia setting in the question on everyone's mind is 'How did they know?', followed closely when the inevitable conclusion was reached by 'Who told them?'

Very much a character driven novel, Cross revolves around the inhabitants of a fictional Northern Irish border town with republicanism in its veins during the run up to the 1994 ceasefire. The law doesn't count for much in Cross, those with the power make their own rules and have their own way of dealing with things whilst others look the other way.

I listened to the audio version which was superbly narrated by Ruairi Conaghan, a soft Irish lilt that switched up to one with enough menace to have the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as the tension increased.

There are snippets of humour and wit within this dark and brutal read and whilst there's a definite sense of community the overwhelming impression is of one based on fear and distrust. A compelling and disturbing read.

My thanks to Bolinda Audio and Netgalley for the review copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

On one hand this story is a beautifully poetic political rant about the Troubles in 1990’s Northern Ireland. There’s intelligence and wit in these characters, but too little of it, and many of them are shackled by ignorance and fear, or perhaps just drunk on brutality.
On the other, this story perfectly illustrates the horrors that occur when angry young men raised on adventure and chaos, blinkered, unable and unwilling to envision a world beyond their traditional fabled utopia, are given the power to govern their communities. It’s Lord of the Flies, but in real life, and with grown men. It’s shocking and sobering.
An understanding of the politics of Northern Ireland would be a huge advantage; my knowledge is sadly limited which made some of the perspectives more challenging to keep up with.
The style is raw and uncompromising, much like the characters that populate the pages.
I found the ending lacking satisfaction. I’m a big believer in karma, and that was the biggest disappointment in this story. However, if you’re looking for some gritty realism, here it is, no holds barred. I’m in two minds about the rating, so I’m going with 4.5 stars.
Brilliant narration from Ruairi Conaghan. I could probably listen to him read the phone book.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda audio for the chance to listen to an arc.

Irish historical fiction set during the time before the peace agreement. Very good narrator on the audiobook.
It is set in a town on the Irish border and gives the story of the people affected. Very difficult but enjoyable listen.
Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy

1994 was the summer the ceasefire started in Northern Ireland. Cross, a town on the border sees the endgame play out. Francine believed totally in the cause but times are changing. Handy Byrne is out of control, violent and dangerous.

Enjoyed this well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Full of strong characters on all sides. This novel gives an insight into what it may have been like in 1994. Very tense novel.

From the very beginning, there was a lot to take in with this book so much so that I had to rewind and relisten to ensure I was capturing exactly what was being expressed. It is so full of detail for me it was just a timing thing but this doesn't take away from the book itself infact it highlights that the author didn't drag things out in getting to the point of details.

This is so full of various events, how I can imagine and recall certain events how individuals' lives may have been for people in Ireland during these times. It felt like I was listening to someone personally share their experiences rather than a fictional story which may not be too far from the truth as often there is inspiration from experiences of people we know or research to some degree.

This therefore leads on to the way in which this was narrated it was authentic and done in such a way that makes the listener feel like they are being brought into others experiences of their lives in the summer of the ceasefire. There are times where I definitely felt myself in turmoil from the various troubles of violence, politics, and more trying to find their place in this new way of being, loyalties, teratory beliefs that so so many people experienced and became their everyday life that they had to adapt to then trying to change.

To find peace is no easy feat when there has been a previous standpoint set for so long. When people live in survival mode, having definitive beliefs and a way of living, moving from that is a difficult process that is definitely expressed throughout this audiobook.

I commend both the author for the way in which this was written and the narrator on the delivery it was all brought together impeccably.

With thanks to Netgalley & Bolinda Audio for this ARC in return for an open & honest review.

Cross is brutal. I was riveted by the delivery of the narrative. It’s matter of fact, almost as if the narrator is with you recounting events that are underway. It’s very understated which adds to the power of this tale. It’s set just before the time of the peace agreement. I’ve never fully understood ‘the troubles’ but realise they affected the day to day life of thousands for generations.

Austin Duffy captures the ongoing sense of threat, menace and betrayal to perfection. Who may be trusted? Who’s n the hit list? There’s much food for thought about the misery and horror of a relentless struggle and the impact on ordinary people. This isn’t, and nir should it be, a comfortable read or listen. But it’s powerful and incredibly well written. A real story of our times and one that’s still haunting me.

Loved the concept of this book, elements of it reminded me of an audio I’ve recently listened to, Hunted. I love a good premise and complex characters and readers get both here. The narrator was well suited to the story and I’d have been happy to read this or do the audio as it kept me interested. Have recommended to the girls in my book club

I have been lucky to have this audiobook via NetGalley.

It’s not an easy book to get into and can be tough to follow, however the narrator was the reason I stuck with the story did reasonably enjoy it.

I think if I had read it I would have struggled to complete, the text is very detailed and sometimes went on a bit too long.

Overall I thought the guy reading the story was a perfect choice as he kept the flow very well whilst the story itself was a bit heavy.

🎧3⭐️

I had the audiobook read by Ruairi Conaghan I didn’t enjoy the narration, I found it easier to follow by slowing the speed a little. I found the tone depressing and too monotone although it probably fits the tone of the book.

Irish historical fiction set in 1994 just before the peace agreement.
It covers several peoples stories.

I wanted to read it as I wanted to learn something about the main players during the troubles. Plus I’m a sucker for Irish accents. I found it a difficult listen. It’s bleak, it’s brutal.

I found the actual listening difficult as I found it a constant ramble. It’s bleak, but written in quite a poetic literary fiction style. There’s bad language which doesn’t usually bother me, but I’m not keen on the use of the C word which is used a lot.
I didn’t learn anything new as it presumed the reader was familiar with the politics. This one was a miss for me, I think it would be of interest to people who lived during this time, or people wanting get the feel of how life was during the troubles.

I need to firstly talk about the narration and the style of writing, it’s like a conversational recollection, a story telling of the like you’d hear from an uncle on his account of a time. The delivery is fantastic, it lulls you in in that same come here to me style.

The story itself is powerful, it grabs you in from the first chapter, there are points where you’ll want to recoil from what you’re hearing but you’ll be unable to .

Powerful. Traumatic. Shocking.

Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for this ELC