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Falling Glass
"McKinty possesses a talent for pace and plot structure that belies his years."— Publishers Weekly Killian makes a living enforcing other people's laws, collecting debts, dealing out threats and finding people who do not wish to be found. But when Richard Coulter, an Irishman with political connections, offers him half a million to track down his ex-wife and children, Killian finds himself embroiled in something far bigger than he bargained for. Adrian McKinty grew up in Northern Ireland and lived in the United States for a number of years. His novel Fifty Grand won the 2010 Spinetingler Award.
309 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
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About the author
Adrian McKinty
49 books4,358 followersAdrian McKinty is an Irish novelist. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and grew up in Victoria Council Estate, Carrickfergus, County Antrim. He read law at the University of Warwick and politics and philosophy at the University of Oxford. He moved to the United States in the early 1990s, living first in Harlem, New York and from 2001 on, in Denver, Colorado, where he taught high school English and began writing fiction. He lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
April 18, 2021
Having read the synopsis of this book, I initially thought I was listening to the wrong story. What airline exec? The book actually starts from the perspective of the runaway ex-wife. Which works well, because even though Killian thinks he’s on the side of the angels, the reader knows better.
Killian is a retired, well semi retired, fixer. He’s also a Pavee, an Irish traveller or tinker in the old parlance. If it weren’t for the recession and some problem real estate, he wouldn’t be back in the game. But the money’s too much to pass up.
When the airline exec decides Killian won’t be able to offer the final solution he wants, he brings in a Russian enforcer with no qualms about ugly violence. I loved that Killian isn’t a superhero. He’s outfoxed time and again.
The book moves at a steady pace and there’s very little down time. The characters are well developed, even the Russian. Bravo to McKinty for an ending I didn’t see coming.
For me, Gerald Doyle’s voice is permanently wedded to Adrian McKinty’s writing. First with the Sean Duffy series, and now this. He just adds a whole other layer to the books.
July 3, 2020
Killian plans on getting out of the enforcement business - collecting debts, applying a little pressure. He is only part-time now and is studying architecture. But his real estate investments aren’t doing well so he takes a job locating the ex wife of an airline tycoon. She has disappeared with his 2 young daughters and the tycoon will pay a lot to get his children back. Unfortunately, Killian may be a little too gentle for this particular job, so a Russian killer is also hired to track the missing wife and children. Killian is an excellent talker and uses persuasion as much as violence. That’s good, because at the end of this book persuasion is definitely what he needs.
This author excels at dialog, which is enhanced by Gerard Doyle’s narration of the audiobook. I also enjoyed the plot of this standalone crime novel and the ending was perfect.
This author excels at dialog, which is enhanced by Gerard Doyle’s narration of the audiobook. I also enjoyed the plot of this standalone crime novel and the ending was perfect.
November 10, 2023
4.25 ⭐️— Adrian McKinty is a modern-day powerhouse, of genuine quality, and I am glad that I’m finally getting around to his catalogue of pulsating thrillers, starting with this one, where a retiring hitman from Northern Ireland, gets involved in a whirlpool of muck & trouble, finding more than he bargained for. McKinty’s writing has such a vigour, intensity & pulse that’s offset & balanced with an adroitly humorous underbelly — Making the experience of reading his work somehow gripping, but also at times a little heavy, whereby I find myself needing a break for a few days for no other reason
So "Falling Glass" is an intense thriller that seamlessly blends elements of noir & family drama to create a tale of suspense that leaves readers on the edge of their seats. This novel is a testament to McKinty's storytelling prowess, in particular here I enjoyed the unique opening, where it was almost like I’d stated reading the wrong book, due to the perspective that AM opens with, which played well into the wider narrative especially when viewed in retrospect, adding a rewarding and interesting human element to help the family dynamite resonate early on, before we even meet Killian, the protagonist & Mr-fix-it-slash-hitman-collector whom is written incredibly well, including a well flushed out indigenous background that also adds another dimension to Killian that worked so well for the novel.
Set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's tumultuous past, "Falling Glass" introduces us to the enigmatic character, Killian, a former paramilitary enforcer trying to distance himself from his violent past. When he takes on a seemingly straightforward job tracking down a wayward ex-wife, he finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger that forces him to confront his own demons.
McKinty's writing is a tour de force, as he effortlessly weaves a narrative that is both evocative and taut. His vivid descriptions transport readers to the gritty streets of Belfast, and his characters come to life with a depth and complexity that makes them feel like old acquaintances. Killian, in particular, is a captivating anti-hero, riddled with moral ambiguity and driven by a sense of obligation that adds layers to his character.
The novel's pacing is expertly handled, with the tension steadily building as the story unfolds. The plot twists are unexpected yet entirely plausible, keeping readers guessing until the very end. McKinty's ability to maintain suspense while delving into the psyches of his characters is nothing short of remarkable.
At its core, this gritty & character driven novel really does explores key themes of redemption, the repercussions of violence, and the inescapable ties of family that bind us all. McKinty uses the backdrop of post-conflict Northern Ireland to add a layer of complexity to the story, with a society struggling to reconcile its past and future. The novel deftly addresses the moral dilemmas faced by its characters, and the choices they make resonate on a profound level, even though there’s something that — for me at least, perhaps because I haven’t read the previous McKinty book whereby Killian is a secondary character? Who knows — didn’t quite click in every way and had me questioning the eventual reality the narrative took as it was unfolding, meaning I was never 100% invested in the date of the characters like I am with some of the other recent thrillers I’ve read with a family dynamic to them, just that 5% less that ends up driving me crazy to figure out why it’s there, but I no less am writing this review and score more objectively as a result, and it’s a strong novel that deserves its solid GR rating!
Falling Glass, is a masterfully crafted thriller that offers readers a rich and immersive experience. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and thought-provoking themes, it's a testament to the author's talent. If you're a fan of crime fiction that delves deep into the human condition, this is a must-read. It's no surprise that it has garnered a 4.5-star rating, as it is a literary gem in the world of contemporary noir fiction.
So "Falling Glass" is an intense thriller that seamlessly blends elements of noir & family drama to create a tale of suspense that leaves readers on the edge of their seats. This novel is a testament to McKinty's storytelling prowess, in particular here I enjoyed the unique opening, where it was almost like I’d stated reading the wrong book, due to the perspective that AM opens with, which played well into the wider narrative especially when viewed in retrospect, adding a rewarding and interesting human element to help the family dynamite resonate early on, before we even meet Killian, the protagonist & Mr-fix-it-slash-hitman-collector whom is written incredibly well, including a well flushed out indigenous background that also adds another dimension to Killian that worked so well for the novel.
Set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's tumultuous past, "Falling Glass" introduces us to the enigmatic character, Killian, a former paramilitary enforcer trying to distance himself from his violent past. When he takes on a seemingly straightforward job tracking down a wayward ex-wife, he finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger that forces him to confront his own demons.
McKinty's writing is a tour de force, as he effortlessly weaves a narrative that is both evocative and taut. His vivid descriptions transport readers to the gritty streets of Belfast, and his characters come to life with a depth and complexity that makes them feel like old acquaintances. Killian, in particular, is a captivating anti-hero, riddled with moral ambiguity and driven by a sense of obligation that adds layers to his character.
The novel's pacing is expertly handled, with the tension steadily building as the story unfolds. The plot twists are unexpected yet entirely plausible, keeping readers guessing until the very end. McKinty's ability to maintain suspense while delving into the psyches of his characters is nothing short of remarkable.
At its core, this gritty & character driven novel really does explores key themes of redemption, the repercussions of violence, and the inescapable ties of family that bind us all. McKinty uses the backdrop of post-conflict Northern Ireland to add a layer of complexity to the story, with a society struggling to reconcile its past and future. The novel deftly addresses the moral dilemmas faced by its characters, and the choices they make resonate on a profound level, even though there’s something that — for me at least, perhaps because I haven’t read the previous McKinty book whereby Killian is a secondary character? Who knows — didn’t quite click in every way and had me questioning the eventual reality the narrative took as it was unfolding, meaning I was never 100% invested in the date of the characters like I am with some of the other recent thrillers I’ve read with a family dynamic to them, just that 5% less that ends up driving me crazy to figure out why it’s there, but I no less am writing this review and score more objectively as a result, and it’s a strong novel that deserves its solid GR rating!
Falling Glass, is a masterfully crafted thriller that offers readers a rich and immersive experience. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and thought-provoking themes, it's a testament to the author's talent. If you're a fan of crime fiction that delves deep into the human condition, this is a must-read. It's no surprise that it has garnered a 4.5-star rating, as it is a literary gem in the world of contemporary noir fiction.
March 8, 2011
Adrian McKinty formally introduces a formerly secondary character as his new main man of action and conscious, Killian. Killian’s globetrotting adventures are as tense and intelligent as McKinty’s best chronicles of Michael Forsythe of the Dead Trilogy. Forsythe reappears in this latest masterpiece of fiction, but as a background player. “Falling Glass” is a welcome addition to McKinty’s canon. The writing is tighter than ever, the suspense gripping and thoughtful.
McKinty has done his homework as usual with his descriptions of times, places, and events bringing his reader vivid images of the exploits of each central character. His inexhaustible knowledge of history and geography are put to impeccable use for “Falling Glass”.
As a tireless fan of McKinty’s writing I could not wait to get the book here in America so I had no choice but to get the audiobook from Audible (though I still have my order placed for the book itself). Gerard Doyle’s familiar narration of McKinty’s storytelling is as intense and captivating as holding the book in your hands. At just over nine hours the story moves along at an incredible pace with not a dull moment to be found. At the conclusion of “Falling Glass” I was left wanting for more of Killian’s adventures, just as each of the books in the Dead Trilogy leaves the reader wanting more of Michael Forsythe. The final confrontation is as unexpected and masterful as is expected from Mr. McKinty. Killian is a brilliant successor to Forsythe’s literary fortunes and charms.
McKinty has done his homework as usual with his descriptions of times, places, and events bringing his reader vivid images of the exploits of each central character. His inexhaustible knowledge of history and geography are put to impeccable use for “Falling Glass”.
As a tireless fan of McKinty’s writing I could not wait to get the book here in America so I had no choice but to get the audiobook from Audible (though I still have my order placed for the book itself). Gerard Doyle’s familiar narration of McKinty’s storytelling is as intense and captivating as holding the book in your hands. At just over nine hours the story moves along at an incredible pace with not a dull moment to be found. At the conclusion of “Falling Glass” I was left wanting for more of Killian’s adventures, just as each of the books in the Dead Trilogy leaves the reader wanting more of Michael Forsythe. The final confrontation is as unexpected and masterful as is expected from Mr. McKinty. Killian is a brilliant successor to Forsythe’s literary fortunes and charms.
September 27, 2023
Final Glass is another strong Irish thriller from Adrian McKinty. It’s packed with action, features a likable rogue of a protagonist who’s also wonderfully fallible and takes us on a wild ride through some of the most beautiful countryside in Ireland.
Killian is a former IRA enforcer who has come out of retirement because he needs a quick injection of cash to get him out of a financial hole. As an enforcer he comes up with solutions to problems and does so in a way that’s, usually, non-violent but effective. These problems invariably involve payment of debts but can also run to other jobs, notably for this particular story, recovery of missing people.
Richard Coulter is an extremely wealthy Irish businessman who needs his ex-wife, Rachel, found so that his two daughters might be returned to him. He wants her back very badly and will pay handsomely for their return. He offers the job to Killian and convinces him that the job is on the side of the angels by claiming his ex-wife is a drug addict and the children are in danger. The prospect of a massive payday is enough to convince Killian to take the job.
The problem for Killian, though, is that after he’s been sent on his errand, the game changes and a second enforcer, this one a brutal killer, has also been set on the trail. Whereas Killian cajoles and operates through reasoning, the other man has no compunction to use force - extreme force.
Once the hunt begins in earnest things unfold in a ruthless, relentless way with little doubt about what’s going to happen if/when the wrong man catches up with Rachel and her daughters. Along the way, the more I got to know Killian the greater respect I had for him. Here’s a man who has been through some of the worst a human can experience and has come out the other side a compassionate and caring man.
The final part of the Killian puzzle has to do with his Pavee heritage. Otherwise known as an Irish traveller or, more colloquially a Tinker, his Pavee background provides him with a wide support network and adds an extra dimension to the high stakes game of hide and seek that’s going on throughout the book.
Falling Glass turns into a race with significant stakes. But no matter who wins, there’s still the matter of Coulter and why he’s so desperately keen to bring Rachel back to him, especially considering he has a new wife who is pregnant with his child. And why is the laptop Rachel is holding onto so important to his plans?
Having enjoyed the Michael Forsythe series (Dead I Well May Be, The Dead Yard and The Bloomsday Dead) it was fascinating to see his interactions with Killian. Two tough survivors with vastly different modus operandi yet are strangely similar.
Falling Glass is told with the typical Adrian McKinty flair and digging deeply into the Irish ethos that seems to automatically create an equal measure of good humour and menace. This is a hardboiled thriller that races across continents before landing in Ireland and finishes with one of the most incredible endings imaginable.
Killian is a former IRA enforcer who has come out of retirement because he needs a quick injection of cash to get him out of a financial hole. As an enforcer he comes up with solutions to problems and does so in a way that’s, usually, non-violent but effective. These problems invariably involve payment of debts but can also run to other jobs, notably for this particular story, recovery of missing people.
Richard Coulter is an extremely wealthy Irish businessman who needs his ex-wife, Rachel, found so that his two daughters might be returned to him. He wants her back very badly and will pay handsomely for their return. He offers the job to Killian and convinces him that the job is on the side of the angels by claiming his ex-wife is a drug addict and the children are in danger. The prospect of a massive payday is enough to convince Killian to take the job.
The problem for Killian, though, is that after he’s been sent on his errand, the game changes and a second enforcer, this one a brutal killer, has also been set on the trail. Whereas Killian cajoles and operates through reasoning, the other man has no compunction to use force - extreme force.
Once the hunt begins in earnest things unfold in a ruthless, relentless way with little doubt about what’s going to happen if/when the wrong man catches up with Rachel and her daughters. Along the way, the more I got to know Killian the greater respect I had for him. Here’s a man who has been through some of the worst a human can experience and has come out the other side a compassionate and caring man.
The final part of the Killian puzzle has to do with his Pavee heritage. Otherwise known as an Irish traveller or, more colloquially a Tinker, his Pavee background provides him with a wide support network and adds an extra dimension to the high stakes game of hide and seek that’s going on throughout the book.
Falling Glass turns into a race with significant stakes. But no matter who wins, there’s still the matter of Coulter and why he’s so desperately keen to bring Rachel back to him, especially considering he has a new wife who is pregnant with his child. And why is the laptop Rachel is holding onto so important to his plans?
Having enjoyed the Michael Forsythe series (Dead I Well May Be, The Dead Yard and The Bloomsday Dead) it was fascinating to see his interactions with Killian. Two tough survivors with vastly different modus operandi yet are strangely similar.
Falling Glass is told with the typical Adrian McKinty flair and digging deeply into the Irish ethos that seems to automatically create an equal measure of good humour and menace. This is a hardboiled thriller that races across continents before landing in Ireland and finishes with one of the most incredible endings imaginable.
June 15, 2011
There are some books that it is just flat out a relief to finish. Too much sleep deprivation and the dust bunnies can start to look like they are moving into formations for the final onslaught. FALLING GLASS really cheats a lot. Having become a somewhat besotted Michael Forsythe fan, I did think I could approach FALLING GLASS with the vague hope of keeping reasonable hours. He plays a bit part only in this book after all, with the action centred around enforcer Killian. Should have known better. McKinty writes that brand of dark, violent, no holds barred, tempered with touches of raw and magnificent humour, Irish noir that makes me forget to feed the dogs and forces me to remind myself that no normal person is still awake at 4.00am convincing themselves that just a few more pages won't hurt.
There are differences between Killian and Forsythe. Killian is an enforcer, rather than a straight out hitman. He looks for solutions to problems, and he's not above using some elegant albeit somewhat crafty ways of getting results for whoever is paying him. He's also looking for a way out. A chance to retire and enjoy the good life, it's his expertise in finding people that don't want to be found that means Forsythe recommends him for a big job. A very wealthy Irish businessman, Richard Coulter, is prepared to pay big money for somebody to find his ex-wife and return his two young daughters. Fed the line that the ex is a drug addict who is going to endanger the girls, Killian is attracted by the sheer size of the pay packet - retirement seems just that bit closer. Of course things are going to get complicated, and of course there's going to be more than meets the eye to the wife's disappearance. The fact that there are a few elements to the plot of this story that are predictable is neither here nor there - this is a book about the journey. Killian's journey from enforcer to retiree. His journey from it being all about the money, to an understanding that there are some things that are more important than money. The journey from being the chaser to the chased.
Along the way there's a wonderful sense of the Irishness of this book. Killian is a tinker, a traveller, a background that he can't get away from, a lifestyle to which he can return with absolutely no questions asked and all kindnesses forthcoming. The landscape in which the action takes place, the weather, the characters that everyone rubs up against in the chase go further to making such a strong sense of place. The humour, the outlook, the language, the tone - it's all very very Irish. As is the ending. Spectacularly Irish, utterly unresolved - it's an ending that's probably going to drive some readers bats and made me joyously happy. Because I still love Michael Forsythe - and not just because he's a bad guy - but I also love Killian - not just because he's complicated. And I don't know if he'll be back in another book. And now that's keeping me awake.
There are differences between Killian and Forsythe. Killian is an enforcer, rather than a straight out hitman. He looks for solutions to problems, and he's not above using some elegant albeit somewhat crafty ways of getting results for whoever is paying him. He's also looking for a way out. A chance to retire and enjoy the good life, it's his expertise in finding people that don't want to be found that means Forsythe recommends him for a big job. A very wealthy Irish businessman, Richard Coulter, is prepared to pay big money for somebody to find his ex-wife and return his two young daughters. Fed the line that the ex is a drug addict who is going to endanger the girls, Killian is attracted by the sheer size of the pay packet - retirement seems just that bit closer. Of course things are going to get complicated, and of course there's going to be more than meets the eye to the wife's disappearance. The fact that there are a few elements to the plot of this story that are predictable is neither here nor there - this is a book about the journey. Killian's journey from enforcer to retiree. His journey from it being all about the money, to an understanding that there are some things that are more important than money. The journey from being the chaser to the chased.
Along the way there's a wonderful sense of the Irishness of this book. Killian is a tinker, a traveller, a background that he can't get away from, a lifestyle to which he can return with absolutely no questions asked and all kindnesses forthcoming. The landscape in which the action takes place, the weather, the characters that everyone rubs up against in the chase go further to making such a strong sense of place. The humour, the outlook, the language, the tone - it's all very very Irish. As is the ending. Spectacularly Irish, utterly unresolved - it's an ending that's probably going to drive some readers bats and made me joyously happy. Because I still love Michael Forsythe - and not just because he's a bad guy - but I also love Killian - not just because he's complicated. And I don't know if he'll be back in another book. And now that's keeping me awake.
March 3, 2019
The real strength of an Adrian McKinty book is the quality of the writing. His prose and dialogue are excellent and the stories are well told. Falling Glass is a straight thriller, with a relatively uncomplicated plot lacking in major twists or turns, and a small group of core characters. Killian, Rachel, Coulter and Markov are all interesting characters, but for me they were lacking a little in depth. In contrast, the two young daughters were more ‘alive’ and resonant. The start is excellent and the story is engaging, with some very good scenes in places, but I had difficulty believing both the first escape scene and the final confrontations. Whilst the story is entertaining, to this reader it was not quite as good as his other books I’ve read. I guess this is the problem if you set the bar so damn high. Still good stuff mind, just not quite flying at the same altitude as Dead I May Well Be or Fifty Grand. Overall, a straight up and down thriller, with some very nice prose, that’s an entertaining read.
March 24, 2011
I discovered Adrian McKinty's Hidden River in the early stages of my Celtic noir addiction, back when I thought I could quit whenever I wanted. Hidden River was a delight, not only because of its poetic prose and wounded protagonist, but because it took place in and around Denver. It's always fun to see your hometown through a stranger's eyes.
Next, I read McKinty's Michael Forsythe series: Dead I Well may Be, The Dead Yard, and The Bloomsday Dead (no I don't only read him for Joyce allusions). In that series, he created the ultimate action hero: Forsythe is a man with a heart and a conscience, but he's also the angel of death. If he decides to kill you, you die, and he's not afraid to lose a limb or two to make that happen.
McKinty's latest, Falling Glass has everything I've come to expect from his books in particular and Celtic noir in general: lovely language, the struggle against oppressive violence that knows no side, tense chase scenes, healthy doses of fists, bullets, blood, and sexual tension. It even has Michael Forsythe.
Yet, Falling Glass also has something more.
Killian, a Pavee, left the caravans of his culture for a life of crime in the straight world. He quit that life to buy buildings and go to school. However, Ireland's economic collapse returns him to the role of hired hand-- or rather mouth. He’s an enforcer but does not carry a gun.
Whether Killian is convincing a gambler to sacrifice his house, cajoling an old flame into taking a check, or talking a mother on the run into trusting him, Killian wins with words. Usually.
His nemesis, Starshyna, is another hired enforcer whose skill lies in his concentrated and dispassionate brutality.
Strung between them, Rachel, mother, junkie, and reluctant lady justice, contemplates her dwindling options while staring down her pistol's icy barrel .
These three points converge and the result is less about who wins, who loses, whose secrets are kept, and whose exposed, than it is about identity and each character’s decision to live (and perhaps die) as who they really are.
Starshyna is Killian’s nemesis, but Michael Forsythe is his opposite. The final pages of Falling Glass elevate their character differences to a philosophical divide. This divide transcends the narrative and becomes Joyce’s mirror held up to reflect the world we’ve made.
Who will carry the day: the man of the word or the man of the gun?
My literary impulse wants this question suspended forever between these two worthy adversaries. The voracious reader in me wants it answered in a sequel. Right. Damn. Now.
Next, I read McKinty's Michael Forsythe series: Dead I Well may Be, The Dead Yard, and The Bloomsday Dead (no I don't only read him for Joyce allusions). In that series, he created the ultimate action hero: Forsythe is a man with a heart and a conscience, but he's also the angel of death. If he decides to kill you, you die, and he's not afraid to lose a limb or two to make that happen.
McKinty's latest, Falling Glass has everything I've come to expect from his books in particular and Celtic noir in general: lovely language, the struggle against oppressive violence that knows no side, tense chase scenes, healthy doses of fists, bullets, blood, and sexual tension. It even has Michael Forsythe.
Yet, Falling Glass also has something more.
Killian, a Pavee, left the caravans of his culture for a life of crime in the straight world. He quit that life to buy buildings and go to school. However, Ireland's economic collapse returns him to the role of hired hand-- or rather mouth. He’s an enforcer but does not carry a gun.
Whether Killian is convincing a gambler to sacrifice his house, cajoling an old flame into taking a check, or talking a mother on the run into trusting him, Killian wins with words. Usually.
His nemesis, Starshyna, is another hired enforcer whose skill lies in his concentrated and dispassionate brutality.
Strung between them, Rachel, mother, junkie, and reluctant lady justice, contemplates her dwindling options while staring down her pistol's icy barrel .
These three points converge and the result is less about who wins, who loses, whose secrets are kept, and whose exposed, than it is about identity and each character’s decision to live (and perhaps die) as who they really are.
Starshyna is Killian’s nemesis, but Michael Forsythe is his opposite. The final pages of Falling Glass elevate their character differences to a philosophical divide. This divide transcends the narrative and becomes Joyce’s mirror held up to reflect the world we’ve made.
Who will carry the day: the man of the word or the man of the gun?
My literary impulse wants this question suspended forever between these two worthy adversaries. The voracious reader in me wants it answered in a sequel. Right. Damn. Now.
March 4, 2017
I generally don't like stories about criminals killing each other, but at least the main character is not a psychopath. This is an entertaining audiobook and the author is adding in bonus treats: the culture of the Pavee, chapters named after famous film noir stories, etc. Even thought this is is not as good as the Sean Duffy series, it's still better than the average thriller out there.
August 26, 2023
My favorite part was the very end when he was talking to Michael. What a cliff hanger! Is there one after this? I didn’t realize it was sort of a Michael Forsythe #4.
October 13, 2023
This was a a slow burn book. I was thinking of a rating of 3 at first, then that grew in increments until I absolutely loved this book. 5 stars.
The narrator is brilliant; he voices the book in what begins in a matter of fact, almost monotone. But I became aware that the cadence of his voice and his speech, amplifies McKinty’s poetic writing.
The narrator is brilliant; he voices the book in what begins in a matter of fact, almost monotone. But I became aware that the cadence of his voice and his speech, amplifies McKinty’s poetic writing.
July 9, 2024
3.5 stars. I love listening to Gerard Doyle's narration of any Adrian McKinty book. The wit and writing were as strong as always, and I also enjoyed getting to know more about the Pavee (or Tinkers as they are more commonly known). There were some moments that felt a bit far-fetched, so couldn't give 4 stars.
Falling Glass is a stand alone novel that focuses on Killian Pavee, a minor character from McKinty's Michael Forsythe trilogy.
Falling Glass is a stand alone novel that focuses on Killian Pavee, a minor character from McKinty's Michael Forsythe trilogy.
July 8, 2017
"Her flip-flops were onamotopeing so she kicked them off."
McKinty writes like nobody else.His dialogues are so vivid I feel like I'm eavesdropping.The tension is also vivid.You know what will probably happen,and it does but not the way you imagined.McKinty is obviously fond of children and he draws them well.
His description of the Pavee was enlightening.When I was in Ireland,back when leprechauns still existed,I had the pleasure of chatting with a tinker kid.They really were poorly treated.Good fiction teaches as well as entertains.I learned a lot of culture ,history,and mythology from this book.Six stars
As an added bonus,there are oodles of versions of She Moved Through the Crowd on you-tube.My favourite was by Cara Dillon.In an interview with Cara,also on you-tube she describes how as a schoolgirl she would step over soldiers on the way to school.To her and her friends,it was business as usual during the troubles.
McKinty writes like nobody else.His dialogues are so vivid I feel like I'm eavesdropping.The tension is also vivid.You know what will probably happen,and it does but not the way you imagined.McKinty is obviously fond of children and he draws them well.
His description of the Pavee was enlightening.When I was in Ireland,back when leprechauns still existed,I had the pleasure of chatting with a tinker kid.They really were poorly treated.Good fiction teaches as well as entertains.I learned a lot of culture ,history,and mythology from this book.Six stars
As an added bonus,there are oodles of versions of She Moved Through the Crowd on you-tube.My favourite was by Cara Dillon.In an interview with Cara,also on you-tube she describes how as a schoolgirl she would step over soldiers on the way to school.To her and her friends,it was business as usual during the troubles.
January 26, 2014
Audiobook read with the classic Irish brogue by Gerard Doyle. There's a great scene in the beginning where Killian, sent to either kill or get money from a man with huge gambling debts, talks his way out of a desperate situation where the debtor gets the drop on him with a shotgun. In the end, both he, the man, and Killian's boss make out financially well. Classic
Killian, having long retired as an IRA fixer, has watched his real estate investments go bad as the economy tanks in Ireland. So when the offer of an extremely well-paying job comes along, ostensibly simple, to find and retrieve the ex-wife and daughters of an extremely wealthy airline owner, Killian agrees to take the job. Nothing is ever simple nor as it appears, and while Richard Coulter, his employer insists it's only about getting his daughters back, there's also a laptop that figures in the equation, not to mention an ex-military Russian who wants to earn the reward, too and will stop at nothing to get it.
There's an interesting subtext to the book: an examination and brief history of the Pavee** travellers, not Romani Gypsies as the author is at pains to point out, but some say the original settlers of Ireland. Some readers may find these digressions as distracting; I did not. I enjoy a little social history with my fiction. These "tinkers" as they are also known, earn their living as free-spirited wandering carnival operators. Subject to extreme hostility and prejudice, Killian has roots in the community which helps him extricate himself, Rachel and the girls from the devastating information they discover on the laptop, information that could destroy the peace-process and bring down the government and many wealthy men.
This story will grab you and not let go until the end.
**From the Wikipedia: "The historical origins of Irish Travellers as an ethnic group has been a subject of academic and popular debate. Such discussions have been difficult as Irish Travellers left no written records of their own.[23][24]In 2011 an analysis of DNA from 40 Travellers was undertaken at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin and the University of Edinburgh. The study provided evidence that Irish Travellers are a distinct Irish ethnic minority, who separated from the settled Irish community at least 1000 years ago; the claim was made that they are distinct from the settled community as Icelanders are from Norwegians.[25] Even though all families claim ancient origins, not all families of Irish Travellers date back to the same point in time; some families adopted Traveller customs centuries ago, while others did so more recently.[26] It is unclear how many Irish Travellers would be included in this distinct ethnic group at least from a genetic perspective.
There has been a wide range of theories speculating their origins such as that they were descended from those Irish who were made homeless by Oliver Cromwell's military campaign in Ireland in the 1650s, or possibly from the people made homeless in the 1840s famine due to eviction, or the descendants of aristocratic nomads the Clan Murtagh O'Connors in the Late Middle Ages. Their nomadism was based on cattle-herds or creaghts.
There is evidence that, by the 12th century, the name Tynkler and Tynker emerged in reference to a group of nomads who maintained a separate identity, social organization, and dialect.[23] The genetic evidence indicates Irish Travellers have been a distinct ethnic group in Ireland for at least a millennium."
Killian, having long retired as an IRA fixer, has watched his real estate investments go bad as the economy tanks in Ireland. So when the offer of an extremely well-paying job comes along, ostensibly simple, to find and retrieve the ex-wife and daughters of an extremely wealthy airline owner, Killian agrees to take the job. Nothing is ever simple nor as it appears, and while Richard Coulter, his employer insists it's only about getting his daughters back, there's also a laptop that figures in the equation, not to mention an ex-military Russian who wants to earn the reward, too and will stop at nothing to get it.
There's an interesting subtext to the book: an examination and brief history of the Pavee** travellers, not Romani Gypsies as the author is at pains to point out, but some say the original settlers of Ireland. Some readers may find these digressions as distracting; I did not. I enjoy a little social history with my fiction. These "tinkers" as they are also known, earn their living as free-spirited wandering carnival operators. Subject to extreme hostility and prejudice, Killian has roots in the community which helps him extricate himself, Rachel and the girls from the devastating information they discover on the laptop, information that could destroy the peace-process and bring down the government and many wealthy men.
This story will grab you and not let go until the end.
**From the Wikipedia: "The historical origins of Irish Travellers as an ethnic group has been a subject of academic and popular debate. Such discussions have been difficult as Irish Travellers left no written records of their own.[23][24]In 2011 an analysis of DNA from 40 Travellers was undertaken at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin and the University of Edinburgh. The study provided evidence that Irish Travellers are a distinct Irish ethnic minority, who separated from the settled Irish community at least 1000 years ago; the claim was made that they are distinct from the settled community as Icelanders are from Norwegians.[25] Even though all families claim ancient origins, not all families of Irish Travellers date back to the same point in time; some families adopted Traveller customs centuries ago, while others did so more recently.[26] It is unclear how many Irish Travellers would be included in this distinct ethnic group at least from a genetic perspective.
There has been a wide range of theories speculating their origins such as that they were descended from those Irish who were made homeless by Oliver Cromwell's military campaign in Ireland in the 1650s, or possibly from the people made homeless in the 1840s famine due to eviction, or the descendants of aristocratic nomads the Clan Murtagh O'Connors in the Late Middle Ages. Their nomadism was based on cattle-herds or creaghts.
There is evidence that, by the 12th century, the name Tynkler and Tynker emerged in reference to a group of nomads who maintained a separate identity, social organization, and dialect.[23] The genetic evidence indicates Irish Travellers have been a distinct ethnic group in Ireland for at least a millennium."
September 8, 2021
Figured it was time to branch out from McKinty's Sean Duffy series, so without carefully checking I fell into this, the 4th in his Michael Forsythe series (but now at least I can go back and catch the others). In fact, Forsythe only plays a minor role here: he's the one who encourages former hitman and fixer Killian out of retirement for a very lucrative last job. He's to locate the daughters of Richard Coulter, a powerful and connected Irish businessman. Seems Coulter's former wife has gone back on their custody agreement and absconded with the girls. Killian's not the first man Coulter has put on this assignment--the runaway ex-wife has managed to evade the others--and when Killian finds her and learns her story, he's reluctant to turn her over. It seems she has something Coulter wants even more than his daughters, something that would destroy his career and reputation and that of many others. Despite the underworld background Killian is an intelligent and compassionate hero, prone to work things out without violence if he can. They're on the run and there's a lot of fast-paced action, as well as perceptive characterizations, cinematic and intense story line, gritty yet thoughtful tone. Judging from reviews, Michael Forsythe is the same kind of character, so I'll be back for more.
October 19, 2014
This was one that I picked up as an Audible deal, and I found that it was as action packed and as far fetched as McKinty's thrillers always tend to be.
While I recently enjoyed the Duffy Troubles trilogy, this novel featured a different protagonist, Killian, an ex IRA enforcer brought in to track down the ex wife of Richard Coulter, who has a drug problem and has disappeared with the couple's two children. Killian had been hoping to go 'straight' but is enticed back by a £500,000 payday, for a job which he soon realises is too good to be true.
So begins the action. Throw in Russian Chechyen hitmen and a mysterious laptop to the dystopian East Antrim setting that is so familiar to me in reality, but at the same time unfamiliar in McKinty's tales, suspend reality and you'll enjoy this one. While I was entertained by the narrative, it too often bordered on the preposterous for my liking. How I ever survived growing up on the mean streets of McKinty's hometown is beyond me...
One for fans of McKinty, but if you're coming to him new, go to the Duffy trilogy before you go near this one.
While I recently enjoyed the Duffy Troubles trilogy, this novel featured a different protagonist, Killian, an ex IRA enforcer brought in to track down the ex wife of Richard Coulter, who has a drug problem and has disappeared with the couple's two children. Killian had been hoping to go 'straight' but is enticed back by a £500,000 payday, for a job which he soon realises is too good to be true.
So begins the action. Throw in Russian Chechyen hitmen and a mysterious laptop to the dystopian East Antrim setting that is so familiar to me in reality, but at the same time unfamiliar in McKinty's tales, suspend reality and you'll enjoy this one. While I was entertained by the narrative, it too often bordered on the preposterous for my liking. How I ever survived growing up on the mean streets of McKinty's hometown is beyond me...
One for fans of McKinty, but if you're coming to him new, go to the Duffy trilogy before you go near this one.
January 20, 2022
I love McKinty's novels, and I love Gerard Doyle, who reads all of his audiobooks. This is why I went to Seattle Bibliocommons to check it out when I already have so many books right here, waiting for me. The story is absolutely riveting, and I loved the first 99% of it--but then he hits us with this open-ended conclusion, where you get to guess what happens to the protagonist. It's like falling off a cliff. The heck?
I considered going with five stars, but the ending really did leave me unsettled, feeling oddly betrayed.
I considered going with five stars, but the ending really did leave me unsettled, feeling oddly betrayed.
April 14, 2014
A woman on the run with her children to keep from losing them to a tyrannical ex-husband who has unlimited recourses. Somewhat predictable with a slow plot that finally moves along towards the last third of the book. The characters were likable but here again predictable.
The narrator for me was fairly monotone but others thoroughly enjoyed.
The narrator for me was fairly monotone but others thoroughly enjoyed.
April 23, 2019
A solid thriller set in Ireland, which I really enjoyed up until about 2/3 of the way in. Last 1/3 of the book a little flat. Overall this book suffered from not enough focus on the primary character of Killian, with 2 different POVs presented I found a little distracting. Also, the action scenes weren't up to McKinty's usual high standard as depicted in the Bloomsday Dead series.
Still, overall recommended
Still, overall recommended
June 11, 2022
Another great suspense crime novel in the author’s Belfast origin stories. These are tough men, out to follow orders. Now and again someone has doubts - here it’s Killian, a brilliant enforcer who used to be a killer. The plot involves powerful rich men, powerless poor women, on the hunt or on the run. It’s fabulous writing , descriptive, evocative, full of feeling and action. I was very entertained by it until it just went on too long.
August 31, 2016
McKinty's books are like catnip for me and this was no exception. Killian seems like he's washed up and sleepwalking through this assignment for the money - and then he catches fire.
January 6, 2021
A stealth burner from McKinty. You can see the makings of Sean Duffy in Glass’s bones. Loved it.
February 2, 2012
From ISawLightningFall.com
Tropes are simultaneously the biggest strength and weakness of genre fiction. Fans pick their favorite sorts of stories based on commonalities they know they'll find in them, yet rote adherence to convention quickly becomes boring. No matter their preferred flavor of composition, genre scribes usually need to offer up a certain spice to keep readers interested, some sort of deviation from the tried-and-true recipe. Crime writer Adrian McKinty has regularly folded stream-of-consciousness into his hardboiled thrillers, adding a literary tang to bad-men-with-guns tales. However, his latest novel, Falling Glass, features new ingredients -- a sardonic sense of humor and an examination of exotic corners of Irish culture.
Killian doesn't like to work with guns. The forty-ish ex-militant and bodyguard has always felt more comfortable diffusing dangerous situations with his mouth rather than slugs. In truth, Killian would like to give up The Life entirely and go legit, quite messing around with criminality and settle down. He's giving it a try, having bought some investment property and enrolled at university. But when the Irish real estate market tanks and Killian finds himself without any equity, he finds the offer of one last job enticing. The client? Charmingly corrupt airline magnate Richard Coulter. The task? Find his drug-addled ex-wife Rachel, who up and vanished with their two daughters. The wrinkle? Rachel has unearthed a secret that could topple not only Coulter's empire, but the entire Irish peace process that has reigned in years of IRA violence.
Readers will notice that Falling Glass is less literary than McKinty's previous works, such as Fifty Grand and Dead I Well May Be. The style feels leaner, less reliant on poetic flourishes and more focused on action. That isn't to say it's any less skillful. The novel's first chapter had me in stitches as it described Killian's fruitless attempts to lecture clueless Bostonians about Irish history during Saint Patrick's Day. McKinty's delving into the Pavee (a group of ethnic Irish gypsies) proves similarly engaging. Sure, a couple missteps jar the proceedings. The prose is so punchy at times that point-of-view shifts may catch you off guard, and one watery chase scene finishes dubiously. But they hardly spoil the main action. McKinty knows how to serve up tough-guy tension, and the book ends with a deliciously ambiguous ending that's right up there with the final moments of Dennis Lehane's Mystic River. Catch this Glass if you can.
Tropes are simultaneously the biggest strength and weakness of genre fiction. Fans pick their favorite sorts of stories based on commonalities they know they'll find in them, yet rote adherence to convention quickly becomes boring. No matter their preferred flavor of composition, genre scribes usually need to offer up a certain spice to keep readers interested, some sort of deviation from the tried-and-true recipe. Crime writer Adrian McKinty has regularly folded stream-of-consciousness into his hardboiled thrillers, adding a literary tang to bad-men-with-guns tales. However, his latest novel, Falling Glass, features new ingredients -- a sardonic sense of humor and an examination of exotic corners of Irish culture.
Killian doesn't like to work with guns. The forty-ish ex-militant and bodyguard has always felt more comfortable diffusing dangerous situations with his mouth rather than slugs. In truth, Killian would like to give up The Life entirely and go legit, quite messing around with criminality and settle down. He's giving it a try, having bought some investment property and enrolled at university. But when the Irish real estate market tanks and Killian finds himself without any equity, he finds the offer of one last job enticing. The client? Charmingly corrupt airline magnate Richard Coulter. The task? Find his drug-addled ex-wife Rachel, who up and vanished with their two daughters. The wrinkle? Rachel has unearthed a secret that could topple not only Coulter's empire, but the entire Irish peace process that has reigned in years of IRA violence.
Readers will notice that Falling Glass is less literary than McKinty's previous works, such as Fifty Grand and Dead I Well May Be. The style feels leaner, less reliant on poetic flourishes and more focused on action. That isn't to say it's any less skillful. The novel's first chapter had me in stitches as it described Killian's fruitless attempts to lecture clueless Bostonians about Irish history during Saint Patrick's Day. McKinty's delving into the Pavee (a group of ethnic Irish gypsies) proves similarly engaging. Sure, a couple missteps jar the proceedings. The prose is so punchy at times that point-of-view shifts may catch you off guard, and one watery chase scene finishes dubiously. But they hardly spoil the main action. McKinty knows how to serve up tough-guy tension, and the book ends with a deliciously ambiguous ending that's right up there with the final moments of Dennis Lehane's Mystic River. Catch this Glass if you can.
June 3, 2021
Adrian McKinty is a flat-out pro. His Michael Forsythe novels are solid and fun tough-guy protagonist noir, and his Sean Duffy series is even better in the way it explores the aftermath of the Irish Troubles. If ever you find yourself needing a shot of noir, reach for one of his. Out of the eight I’ve read, only one, the last of the Forsythe’s, is less than genuinely fun.
This one is essentially a stand-alone novel, but it does grow out of the Forsythe trilogy. Killian is an Irish Traveller, a man who’s made his living as a “persuader” for loan sharks and tough guys. He’s detached from his old community, and he’s determined to reinvent himself as a serious adult. But when Richard Coulter, a kind of Northern Irish Richard Branson/Elon Musk hires him to recover an ex-wife on the run with a couple of children (and, it turns out later, a computer full of compromising secrets) he’s back doing what he does so well.
Forsythe enters into this as a minor character, essentially the broker who refers Killian to Coulter, and he’s present like sourdough starter. He reprises the tone of the earlier novels and then allows McKinty to keep going in the same vein.
This is genre, make no mistake, but McKinty pulls it all off. He makes the noir dialogue look easy (it’s not), and he keeps the action moving while simultaneously interspersing existential reflection.
Like some of McKinty’s other good work, this one leaves a bit to be desired at the end. [SPOILER: It’s a bit much to think that Killian, hours after a hand-to-hand death struggle, could get through the security at Coulter’s place to do what he eventually does. I wish it weren’t so over-the-top, so there’s a strike against it.] Still, the epilogue [SPOILER: In which Killian’s gift of gab comes into play to save him] redeems even that.
If I could give this 3.5 stars I would since it does everything you want genre to do and then, with some of the thoughtful scenes about the nature of the Pavee Travellers, we get the McKinty touch of exploring minorities within the larger Irish experience.
There are others who are part of the “Celtic Noir” movement, and some like Ken Bruen may deliver somewhat more memorable and distinctive work. Still, McKinty, pro that he is, is as consistent as it gets in delivering solid and arresting work. I’m definitely on for any more of his that come my way.
This one is essentially a stand-alone novel, but it does grow out of the Forsythe trilogy. Killian is an Irish Traveller, a man who’s made his living as a “persuader” for loan sharks and tough guys. He’s detached from his old community, and he’s determined to reinvent himself as a serious adult. But when Richard Coulter, a kind of Northern Irish Richard Branson/Elon Musk hires him to recover an ex-wife on the run with a couple of children (and, it turns out later, a computer full of compromising secrets) he’s back doing what he does so well.
Forsythe enters into this as a minor character, essentially the broker who refers Killian to Coulter, and he’s present like sourdough starter. He reprises the tone of the earlier novels and then allows McKinty to keep going in the same vein.
This is genre, make no mistake, but McKinty pulls it all off. He makes the noir dialogue look easy (it’s not), and he keeps the action moving while simultaneously interspersing existential reflection.
Like some of McKinty’s other good work, this one leaves a bit to be desired at the end. [SPOILER: It’s a bit much to think that Killian, hours after a hand-to-hand death struggle, could get through the security at Coulter’s place to do what he eventually does. I wish it weren’t so over-the-top, so there’s a strike against it.] Still, the epilogue [SPOILER: In which Killian’s gift of gab comes into play to save him] redeems even that.
If I could give this 3.5 stars I would since it does everything you want genre to do and then, with some of the thoughtful scenes about the nature of the Pavee Travellers, we get the McKinty touch of exploring minorities within the larger Irish experience.
There are others who are part of the “Celtic Noir” movement, and some like Ken Bruen may deliver somewhat more memorable and distinctive work. Still, McKinty, pro that he is, is as consistent as it gets in delivering solid and arresting work. I’m definitely on for any more of his that come my way.
September 9, 2021
Things tend to go in spurts, and I am fortunate to be in a current spurt of good books. This is the latest, and I regret that I have no idea what brought this title or author to my attention.. It seems that Killian, the main character in this book was perhaps a secondary character in a series of McKinty's books that focus on a Micheal Forsythe, who, in turn, has a secondary role here. Anyway, it was all thoroughly enjoyable, and the narration by Gerard Doyle added immensely to my pleasure. Background details about the Irish Tinkers was also a plus. Looking forward to more Adran McKinty.
10/23/17: Listened to this again with equal pleasure. Plotting and characters first rate.
10/23/17: Listened to this again with equal pleasure. Plotting and characters first rate.
June 23, 2020
After last year's dumbed-down reach for the mainstream offering, I was glad to know I still have a couple of vintage McKinty's I need to read. This one features Killian who had a brief appearance in a previous Forsythe novel. Forsythe himself makes some minor appearances in this book including the very well written final chapter. Very good writing, Killian is a great character in this action-packed story that does eventually turn dark with some buried secrets and disturbing subject matter. 4 stars
January 13, 2022
A good Adrian McKinty book set mainly in Ireland with, Killian, an Irish tinker or Pavee as the main character.
The ex-wife of a wealthy tycoon absconds with their two children. It isn't clear why. She is able to evade the first people sent to locate her and Killian is given the task.
All is not as simple as it appears though. Well written tale with some twists along the way some of which you might foresee and some, probably not.
The ex-wife of a wealthy tycoon absconds with their two children. It isn't clear why. She is able to evade the first people sent to locate her and Killian is given the task.
All is not as simple as it appears though. Well written tale with some twists along the way some of which you might foresee and some, probably not.
May 20, 2018
This wasn’t my cup of tea but I finished it. Perhaps it is the writing that propelled me through ..plus the storyline. Not my genre though. Celtic? Assassins? Violence? Not things I look for in a good book.
There were lots of words and references unfamiliar to me as it takes place in Northern Ireland
There were lots of words and references unfamiliar to me as it takes place in Northern Ireland
May 21, 2021
The story starts strangely, jerkily, as McKinty switches between narrators unnecessarily. But it is always readable, and smooths out by about halfway through. I thought that the ending was a little drawn out, but by then I appreciated the extra time with Killian.
January 4, 2022
Great Irish crime novel. McKinty has such a way with characters - I don’t want to be done when I’m finished with the book. Also. It was a great ending! Or if I can’t call it great, at least a very well done ending.
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