This was a strong eighth book in the Sean Duffy series, it had that element that I enjoyed from the previous seven books. The plot had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. The characters were everything that I was looking for and wanted to continued the world. Adrian McKinty has a strong writing style and glad I got to read this.

Northern Ireland should declare Inspector Sean Duffy of the Royal Ulster Constabulary a national treasure and arrange for him to be knighted in the Queen's New Years Honors List. 'Sir Sean' has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

One of my favorite aspects of the whole Sean Duffy series is the personal, even intimate way McKinty uses the first person to spin these tales, and HANG ON ST. CHRISTOPHER takes that technique to new heights. Parts of the book read like a transcript of a late night phone call from Duffy, a couple of drinks to the good, one that starts out, 'You will not believe the shit that happened to me today!'

All hail Sir Sean! He certainly deserves a hell of a lot more attention from American crime fiction readers than he's gotten until now. Without question, he's one of the greatest detectives in the history of crime fiction.

In the eighth book in the Sean Duffy series about a Catholic detective working for the Royal Ulster Constabulary during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Duffy gets a chance to work on a murder case again. He's moved with his family to Scotland to protect them after too many close calls, and only puts in a few days a month while he waits out his pension. But a murder is reported when his hotshot young replacement is abroad and only he and another detective who's counting the days to retirement are available to respond.

It's too good to pass up, even though it seems like a perfectly straightforward carjacking gone wrong. But Duffy realizes immediately it's not what it has been set up to appear. The dead man is a mystery - a citizen of the Irish Republic is renting a place over the border, but he doesn't seem to exist. He pays for everything in cash and leaves no trace, which is a great looming trace of something. The two seasoned detectives follow these hints back and forth across the border, uncovering something much bigger than they ever expected. And Duffy, while tempting fate, is enjoying being back at his old job.

I loved this entry in the series (with just one more planned to wrap it up). The characters are nicely developed, the action is ... well, a lot, and requires a bit of disbelief suspension, but it all works while you're trailing along after the two old hands. And the depiction of the Troubles, entering a new phase, is vivid. I'm delighted the author has returned to complete this series. For my money, it's his best work, even if it's not as remunerative as his blockbuster thrillers.

This is the latest in a long-running series by Adrian McKinty featuring Sean Duffy, a member of the Carrickfergus Constabulary (near Belfast) during The Troubles. While I think it would help to have read the whole series, this one will work as a standalone. Likewise, it would be helpful to know a bit about The Troubles before reading, or you will be referencing Wikipedia a lot. One final proviso, I have loved this series since the first book, I have never read anything else quite like it, and frankly, believe it is genius. Detective Sean Duffy is a strong brew, but he is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a good role model, as a man or a cop. If that is likely to bother you, consider yourself warned. All that said, my thoughts on this latest.
Duffy is nearly retired, living a quiet life with his common-law wife and daughter across the water in Scotland, only working a few days a month so as to keep his pension rights alive. His sidekick, Crabbie (nickname), is doing the same. The hard drinking, drug taking, womanizer with a death wish that was the old Duffy is safely in the rear view mirror. It is the 90's and the The Troubles are still live, but there is hope that peace talks will proceed. All seems well, but..
.I know that the "one last case" trope is well-worn, but it is used to great effect here. There is a murder, it looks simple, and Duffy is on duty. He has the rank, but has not worked a murder for over a year. How hard could it be? The simple case turns out to involve (what seems like) everybody in NI and the Republic and we are soon in deep water. The case takes us through some of the factions within the IRA and the UVF, and organizations officially and non-officially concerned with ending/prolonging the Troubles. A few different criminal organizations and a great batch of informants are added to season the mixture.
Duffy is tempted back into his old ways, but turns it around (partially). His character is fascinating and complex, and grows with each of these books. Love to see a character in a long running series credibly mature. The plot is a corker, lots of perilous encounters well described. Excellent sense of place, I feel like I have learned more about The Troubles from this series than from anywhere else. McKinty's writing style takes some getting used to; I love it, but it might not be for everybody. I highly recommend this series and this latest entry.