Bleed a River Deep

Warning: this review may contain spoilers

In the third Benedict Devlin mystery, the good Garda inspector is tasked with providing security for a US senator's visit to a gold mine in Donegal. However, security fails to prevent an environmentalist from attempting to shoot the senator. The shooter is known to Devlin, and as he investigates what prompted the environmentalist to take a stance against the senator and the gold mine, he finds himself embroiled in a most convoluted plot.

This is a good mystery for the bus: its short sections make the pages turn quickly, and the pace is relatively fast. There is some repetition, though, especially with the references to Devlin's former partner (she is often referred to as "Caroline Williams, my show more former partner", as if the reader might have forgotten in the space of two chapters). But overall I did like this story, which made good use of its setting and circumstances, and I will be continuing with the series in some order. show less

I really enjoy this series. Set near the borderland of Northern and Southern Ireland-and frequently traveling between the two we find Inspector Ben Devlin. He's been passed up for promotion due to events that transpired in Gallows Lane, his partner has retired leaving him rudderless and friendless in the station, and his wife has just about had it with the danger that always seems to follow him. Devlin gets caught up in murders set on both sides of the country and eventually finds himself involved in international crimes that will have wide ranging effects both at home and across the globe. Well written and fast paced it's sure to please.

McGilloway doesn’t disappoint in this one, but he doesn’t push the excitement button either. Devlin seems a bit lost, and while I do think it’s intentional, he really doesn’t need to stay lost for this long. I hope he comes back stronger and more-focused in the next round.

BLEED A RIVER DEEP is the third book in the Inspector Benedict Devlin series by Brian McGilloway. Devlin lives in Donegal, near the border with Northern Ireland and it is not uncommon for crimes in one country to spill into the other.

BLEED A RIVER DEEP is filled with events that show indisputably that Ireland is a country firmly planted in the 21st century. Devlin must deal with the attempted murder of a former US senator, a body in a bog, the murder of a childhood friend, the trafficking of women from Eastern Europe as sex slaves, an aborted bank robbery, an environmental disaster, and a gold rush.

Devlin struggles to solve two murders while on suspension so has no official backing. The story line is action-packed from the moment show more Devlin sees his friend holding a gun for the first time since they played with toy pistols as five years old children.

Once again, Brian McGilloway has provided an entertaining investigative thriller and Devlin continues to offer a thoughtful and modern face to policing. show less

Interesting. Well paced. Police procedural.