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Gun Street Girl: Sean Duffy Novel by Adrian McKinty

Author:  Adrian McKinty

Setting:  Northern Ireland in mid 1980's
Basic plot:  Elderly couple murdered in their home.  Their son, with whom the father has been arguing, is missing.  Suspicion falls on him and seems to be confirmed when Michael Kelly (the son) seemingly kills himself.  Case closed.  But then Kelly's vague girlfriend also kills herself.  She hadn't seemed all that serious a girlfriend having only known Kelly a few months.  Did she know something that the real killers were afraid she'd reveal to the police?

Characterization:  Sean Duffy, smart Catholic working as an Ulster policeman with only protestant co-workers.  Drug/alcohol abuser.  Charismatic.  Takes up with girl who is reporter for Belfast newspaper. She works the woman's page but is ambitious for more.

Background turmoil:  Catholic - Protestant troubles.  Riots of 1985 brought about by Thatcher proposals for changes in the way NI is run.  This background tension adds considerably to the novel, as does the fact that it is extremely well-written.  This guy is good!

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