Uncovering the Shadows of Galway City
Fall into a raw and violent quest for justice in Ken Bruen's engrossing mystery novel, Cross. Set against the backdrop of Galway, Ireland, the narrative plunges into the abyss of grim secrets hidden within the city.
Follow Jack Taylor, a weathered private investigator, who is drawn into a hellish investigation by an old friend from the Guards. A boy brutally crucified and a sister burnt to death unravel a horrifying wave of crimes-a strain of modern-day crucifixions. Jack's investigations take him to many of his old haunts where he encounters ghosts, both dead and living.
Battling his desires for redemption and the ceaseless need to disappear, Jack pivots between personal grief and his relentless pursuit for the killer. With prose as sharp as a scalpel, this intense story of mystery, suspense, and retribution, offers a sinister spin on the classic detective noir tale.
Industry Reviews
"His insights into pain, loss and Irishness are unforgettable." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"An amazing portrait of a peculiarly Irish form of despair, and nary a page passes without a memorably mordant laugh, a wonderful turn of phrase, or an aphorism that any crime fan will want to share with another devotee." --Booklist (starred review)
"This is dark-side stuff from a master." --Kirkus Reviews
"Bruen's latest is classic Irish noir--bitter, dark and packing a kick, a literary pint of Guinness Extra Stout with a shot of Jameson on the side." --The Chicago Tribune
"CROSS sucks you into the dark, gritty streets of Galway." --Entertainment Weekly
"[A] bleak and brilliant series...Bruen's writing matches the plight of [Jack] Taylor and of his home, Galway---hard defensive, lyrical and heartbreaking. I've never been a fan of audiobooks, but I'd get one in a minute just to hear the caustic comedy of this Irish voice unfold." --The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
"Bruen's previous novel, PRIEST, is a finalist for this year's Edgar Award, and it's a terrific story of vengeance. CROSS, however, may be even better, another dark journey into a tarnished Emeral Isle and a damaged soul on the verge of surrendering hope forever. 'If I continued as I was, Galway would kill me, ' Jack thinks. Here's hoping Bruen gives him another shot at redemption." --The Miami Herald His insights into pain, loss and Irishness are unforgettable. "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"
An amazing portrait of a peculiarly Irish form of despair, and nary a page passes without a memorably mordant laugh, a wonderful turn of phrase, or an aphorism that any crime fan will want to share with another devotee. "Booklist (starred review)"
This is dark-side stuff from a master. "Kirkus Reviews"
We've been in love with Bruen's sharp, spare prose since first stumbling across The Killing of the Tinkers, and we're certain that his dark, reluctant hero will draw many a hard-boiled fan from the likes of Jim Thompson and James Ellroy as well as new favorites Charlie Huston and Duane Swierczynski. Significant 7" pick for the best books of March '08 "Amazon.com"
Bruen's latest is classic Irish noir--bitter, dark and packing a kick, a literary pint of Guinness Extra Stout with a shot of Jameson on the side. "The Chicago Tribune"
CROSS sucks you into the dark, gritty streets of Galway. "Entertainment Weekly"
[A] bleak and brilliant series...Bruen's writing matches the plight of [Jack] Taylor and of his home, Galway---hard defensive, lyrical and heartbreaking. I've never been a fan of audiobooks, but I'd get one in a minute just to hear the caustic comedy of this Irish voice unfold. "The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)"
Bruen's previous novel, PRIEST, is a finalist for this year's Edgar Award, and it's a terrific story of vengeance. CROSS, however, may be even better, another dark journey into a tarnished Emeral Isle and a damaged soul on the verge of surrendering hope forever. 'If I continued as I was, Galway would kill me, ' Jack thinks. Here's hoping Bruen gives him another shot at redemption. "The Miami Herald"" "His insights into pain, loss and Irishness are unforgettable." --"Publishers Weekly (starred review)""An amazing portrait of a peculiarly Irish form of despair, and nary a page passes without a memorably mordant laugh, a wonderful turn of phrase, or an aphorism that any crime fan will want to share with another devotee." --"Booklist (starred review)""This is dark-side stuff from a master." --Kirkus Reviews
"We've been in love with Bruen's sharp, spare prose since first stumbling across The Killing of the Tinkers, and we're certain that his dark, reluctant hero will draw many a hard-boiled fan from the likes of Jim Thompson and James Ellroy as well as new favorites Charlie Huston and Duane Swierczynski." --Amazon.com--A "Significant 7" pick for the best books of March '08
"Bruen's latest is classic Irish noir--bitter, dark and packing a kick, a literary pint of Guinness Extra Stout with a shot of Jameson on the side." --The Chicago Tribune
"CROSS sucks you into the dark, gritty streets of Galway." --Entertainment Weekly
"[A] bleak and brilliant series...Bruen's writing matches the plight of [Jack] Taylor and of his home, Galway---hard defensive, lyrical and heartbreaking. I've never been a fan of audiobooks, but I'd get one in a minute just to hear the caustic comedy of this Irish voice unfold." --The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
"Bruen's previous novel, PRIEST, is a finalist for this year's Edgar Award, and it's a terrific story of vengeance. CROSS, however, may be even better, another dark journey into a tarnished Emeral Isle and a damaged soul on the verge of surrendering hope forever. 'If I continued as I was, Galway would kill me, ' Jack thinks. Here's hoping Bruen gives him another shot at redemption." --The Miami Herald
