Love Crime Fiction?

I discovered Adrian McKinty by reading a book review in a local newspaper. McKinty has a series (3 books so far) about an Irish misfit somewhat like the Jack Reacher character in Lee Child novels. However, McKinty's character, Michael Forsythe, is darker in nature - but his personality can be quite humorous. So far, Jack Reacher is not funny.

McKinty is not a baby boomer, but his interests seem to be boomer oriented. I noticed quite a few references to Led Zeppelin in Bloomsday Dead.

I would love to meet McKinty, but I am afraid that the author's quick wit would do a "Michael Forsythe" on me--knock me for a loop (or on my butt). I just know that I am missing many of his literary references. As an educated person, I am embarrassed to admit that fact. I am not worthy, I am not worthy.

Child's Jack Reacher is a "Boomer" so I assume that Mr. Child is one himself. Reacher has tuned in, turned off, and checked out.  A former military policeman, Reacher saw too much when in the military. He was born in a military family and found his career there. He was good. He was smart--too smart. He had ethics. He saw too much non-ethical conduct, so he got out. He tries to disappear and is an expert at doing so. Until....? I think that modern technology (cell phones, on-line banking, etc...) has made it almost impossible to be too independent.

Dead I Well May Be: A Novel
(the 1st)
Some passages too wordy for my taste-but I am no authority on wordiness. Had to skim the more violent sections due to my own squeamish nature. But I am in love with Michael Forsythe. Why? He is kind of like Dexter Morgan (think Showtime Series)--he may be a murderer, but he has reasons and a sense of humor to sweeten the plot.



The Dead Yard: A Novel
(2nd)
A real page turner for me. The writing style is more to my liking in this second book. It is more stream-lined. But, Michael's humor is still here! Even with one foot missing (lost it in the first novel), Michael just cannot keep from stepping into trouble or finding wicked women to woo.

FYI: If I ever visit Iraq, I would want Michael and Jack Reacher as companions.



Hidden River
(not in Michael Forsythe series)
I chose to read this book mostly because it is set in Colorado. I lived in Denver for almost three years beginning in 2000, and fell in love with the state. Like Michael Forsythe, the main character is transplanted to the USA from Ireland. He needs to hide from the bad guys but cannot stay out of sight.

As mentioned earlier, the Michael Forsythe books are written with some sense of humor. I can't remember any specifics from one, but I can relate an example of the dark humor in McKinty's writing from Hidden River. One of the characters in this novel works in an environmental non-profit organization where the dress code is sub-business casual. Because two co-workers died mysteriously, this young man has chosen to not wear his much loved Grateful Dead t-shirt to the office for a while. Wait, maybe it was a "Things to do in Denver when you are dead" shirt.

I also love the use of narrative foreshadowing in the structure of this novel.



The Bloomsday Dead: A Novel

(Yes, the obvious comparison to the king of Irish novelists, James Joyce is noted.)
This is the 3rd novel in this suspense series about Michael Forsythe. I could not wait to read it. Read it. Tried to not read so fast because I didn't want it to end. One day in the life of Michael in Dublin is exhausting, to say the least. The novel could be read in one day, but I wanted to take my time reaching the end.

McKinty must have a t-shirt collection. In this book, Michael is given a Led-Zeppelin tee to wear. Stairway to Heaven? If I was a true scholar, I would try to find meaning in the tee-shirts, songs and books mentioned in McKinty's writing. They must be clues to something meaningful. But alas, I am no scholar (which is obvious).

I know I am missing literary allusions, but I am not an academic reader. I just enjoy the reading.

Keep writing, Mr. McKinty!

I love Jack Reacher. He is the recurring character in this series by Lee Child. Why do I love him? He is tall. He is strong. He is human (though he likes to play God). He is a loyal friend. He is a military brat, like me.

Echo Burning (Jack Reacher)was the first book I read by Mr. Child. I found the character of Jack Reacher and the "damsel in distress" plot of the novel fascinating. It was set in Texas--one of the reasons I chose to read it; I lived in Texas when I was in high school.

Bad Luck and Trouble(you can right click the image of the book cover to get more info) is the 11th book in the Jack Reacher series. This novel delivers more information from Reacher's past. Love it. I find it comforting that Reacher has finally developed a footprint in the world--he might not have a cell phone, but he needs a bank account! Isn't it interesting that his name is Reacher, but it he is difficult to reach? The reader meets more people from his past life as a Marine. Reacher did disappoint me is this book, though. He acted as God. For me, he became more human.

I have read or listened to the unabridged audio for all the other novels. Liked them all. I always look forward to new additions to the series.

Nothing to Lose, the 12th Reacher novel, was published in the Summer of 2008. Check out my review of Bad Luck and Trouble by clicking here.

Killing Floor
(Jack Reacher)

1. Killing Floor (1997)
Anthony Award winner
Barry Award winner
Dilys Award nominee
Macavity Award nominee
2. Die Trying (1998)
WH Smith Thumping Good Read Award winner
3. Tripwire (1999)
4. Running Blind (known as The Visitor in the UK) (2000)
5. Echo Burning (2001)
6. Without Fail (2002)
Dilys Award nominee
7. Persuader (2003)
8. The Enemy (2004)
Dilys Award nominee
9. One Shot (2005)
Macavity Award nominee
10. The Hard Way (2006)
11. Bad Luck and Trouble (2007)
12. Nothing To Lose (2008)
13. Gone Tomorrow (2009)