Rain Dogs

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had not read any of the previous ones in the series but that did not make it any less enjoyable. Set in Northern Ireland in the midst of all its troubles, DI Sean Duffy tackles the baffling murder of a young woman reporter with great tenacity, and bringing to life a country which few of us have much understanding of. I particularly liked his character in the book and would be keen to read more in the series. I also like it when the personal lives of the characters play a part in the story.

This is the first in the Sean Duffy series I have read and although I prefer to read series in order this did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel. The plot of the 'locked room' mystery was cleverly constructed and fast moving. I thought the way the author weaved fact and fiction was well done. The main character, Inspector Sean Duffy was engaging, witty and believable.

Jackie

Rain Dogs by Adrian McKinty is the fifth book in the Sean Duffy series but stands alone very well. It's a detective novel set in Northern Ireland during the troubles and is told from Sean's point of view. Despite the subject matter this is actually quite a funny book with some very believable and likeable characters, too good to waste on one book hence the series. I enjoyed Rain Dogs very much and would definitely read more books in the same series.

St Regulus Reading Group

Haven't read anything by this author before and don't normally read detective novels, but really quite enjoyed it. The various twists and turns in the plot kept the intrigue and interest alive. The added touch of Duffy's personal life and the twist at the end makes him human and believable. I would read more by this author.

A good murder mystery of the “locked room” variety. Considering that it is set in Northern Ireland in the troubled 1980s it is a remarkably gentle read. There is a complex plot which unfolds at a good pace and the star of the show is the local Detective Sergeant Sean Duffy, who is both likeable and believable. His personal life outside the police force is woven into the story and his character is depicted in such a way that he seemed very human.

Although I have not heard of the author before, this seems to be the fifth Sean Duffy novel. I will certainly look out for the others, all of which are apparently set during the “Troubles”.