The Guards

Author: Ken Bruen

Publisher: New York: St. Martin’s Minotaur 2003.

Series: Jack Taylor Series, 1

Jack Taylor was a former member of the Garda Siochana, the Irish police force, but now he uses his skills of investigation as a ‘finder’. Set during a time in Irish history where P.I.s are seen as ‘informers’, its important to make that distinction. When he isn’t fighting sobriety or fighting to be sober, Taylor proves himself a pretty decent shamus.

In the first novel of this long-going series, we find Jack brooding in his favourite bar. He’s pulled out of his stupor by a beautiful woman who asks him to investigate the death of her daughter. The police say it was suicide; but the woman has doubts after a mysterious phone call. Of course, Taylor takes the case, mostly because of the woman asking and partly because of the envelope of cash she drops in his lap.

Bruen spins a gritty mystery and makes it his own through a lyrical, Irish-brogue writing style. The story moves quickly but you’ll be able to catch up when Jack stops for a drink.

If you want more of the of the Irish sleuth and to see the beauty of Ireland yourself, make sure to watch the television series ‘Jack Taylor’ with Iain Glen, of Game of Thrones fame, in the title role.

For more information:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/298920.The_Guards
Author page on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/63807.Ken_Bruen
Series trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID0QoJRBS2o