Stone of the Heart

John Brady's first 'Matt Minogue' mystery is a great police procedural. Minogue, a Detective Sergeant with Dublin's Garda, is caught up in a murder investigation that may or may not be related to the 'Troubles' up north. Before it is solved more murders take place and Minogue, himself, is threatened. Brady, who lives near Toronto, has a wonderful hand with dialogue and as one reviewer wrote, it begs to be read aloud. Great for anyone who likes Ian Rankin or Peter Robinson (another Canadian).

The first in the series with Minogue still a sergeant. It's set in an Ireland that reminded me of John Le Carre's cold war Germany. The IRA and the British are involved and there are intricate double double-crosses. The bad guys lose but the good guys don't quite win and are not all good. I had to read it twice to get the plot straight but it was well worth it. Not much humor . Perhaps not the book to read if you're trying not think about September 11, although again that makes it all the more relevant.