When Jack Taylor blew town at the end of "The Guards" his alcoholism was a distant memory and sober dreams of a new life in London were shining in ...
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Aug 23, 2010
Andy
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So he's now addicted to coke (just finshed the first chapter). I'm so happy I'm not Jack Taylor.
So he has now lost most of his teeth and his balls are black and blue - I refer you to my previous sentence.
Finished it now. Not sure about these. Its great that the investigations aren’t solved with the precision of a CSI investigation. But that said I’d like a little more detecting from Jack. And it always good to have a hero that is flawed but there are limits to the leve More...
So he has now lost most of his teeth and his balls are black and blue - I refer you to my previous sentence.
Finished it now. Not sure about these. Its great that the investigations aren’t solved with the precision of a CSI investigation. But that said I’d like a little more detecting from Jack. And it always good to have a hero that is flawed but there are limits to the leve More...
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Dec 26, 2008
Mark
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The second book in Bruen's "Jack Taylor" series (following the Shamus-winner THE GUARDS) picks up with ex-Garda Taylor returning from London in even worse shape than when we last saw him (hard to believe) and asked to help find out who's been murdering Galway's gypsies. THE KILLING OF THE TINKERS is literate, darkly poetic, melancholy, and absolutely brutal. You can almost wring Irish Whiskey out of its pages.
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Sep 10, 2007
LJ
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THE KILLING OF THE TINKERS – G+
Ken Bruen
Jack investigats the murder of tinkers.
I read the first three of Bruen's books together: The Guards, The Killing of the Tinkers and The Magdalen Martyrs.
I found myself needing to read these books together to see what would happen with Jack. There are references in them I know I didn’t quite understand, being American, but I could feel my Irish friends nodding in the background The character of Jack may not be More...
Ken Bruen
Jack investigats the murder of tinkers.
I read the first three of Bruen's books together: The Guards, The Killing of the Tinkers and The Magdalen Martyrs.
I found myself needing to read these books together to see what would happen with Jack. There are references in them I know I didn’t quite understand, being American, but I could feel my Irish friends nodding in the background The character of Jack may not be More...
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Nov 28, 2009
The Killing of the tinkers, by Ken Bruen, B-plus, narrated by Gerry O’Brien, produced by Isis Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
This is the second in the Jack Taylor series. And he continues to be the anti-hero he was in the first book. He leaves Ireland after the disgrace of the first book and goes to London for a year. But he has Ireland in the blood. Besides he has been hearing that a bunch of “tinkers” (people on the bottom rung of society, like gypsies) are being killed one More...
This is the second in the Jack Taylor series. And he continues to be the anti-hero he was in the first book. He leaves Ireland after the disgrace of the first book and goes to London for a year. But he has Ireland in the blood. Besides he has been hearing that a bunch of “tinkers” (people on the bottom rung of society, like gypsies) are being killed one More...
Mar 18, 2011
Esme
rated it: 
Manchmal treffen Zeit, Ort und der Mensch, der man gerade ist, mit genau dem richtigen Buch zusammen und es hinterlässt etwas Besonderes, Einzigartiges.
Vor einigen Jahren in Irland, entdeckte ich am Bloomsday in einer größeren Buchhandlung "The Killing of the Tinkers". Der Autor Ken Bruen war mir schon ein Begriff, doch die Reihe mit dem Privatdetektiv war noch nicht ins Deutsche übersetzt. Am nächsten Tag zockelte ich in einem Bus von Dublin nach Galway und begann es zu lese More...
Vor einigen Jahren in Irland, entdeckte ich am Bloomsday in einer größeren Buchhandlung "The Killing of the Tinkers". Der Autor Ken Bruen war mir schon ein Begriff, doch die Reihe mit dem Privatdetektiv war noch nicht ins Deutsche übersetzt. Am nächsten Tag zockelte ich in einem Bus von Dublin nach Galway und begann es zu lese More...
Aug 24, 2010
Johnny
rated it:
Finally. The book where I finally get what the big fuss is about. The two other books by Ken Bruen that I've read, I either didn't like (AMERICAN SKIN) or was a little underwhelmed (THE GUARDS: good but not great).
This novel finds a balance between character and setting. The tone, details, and humanity shine from the gutter. The unapologetic approach to the hero is exactly what hardboiled writing is all about.
And to top it off, Bruen has thankfully limited the amount o More...
This novel finds a balance between character and setting. The tone, details, and humanity shine from the gutter. The unapologetic approach to the hero is exactly what hardboiled writing is all about.
And to top it off, Bruen has thankfully limited the amount o More...
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Feb 03, 2012
Katherine
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I don't know why I keep reading Bruen's books. His Irish PI, Jack Taylor, is the most self-destructive man I've ever heard of - even if he is fictional. He is sincere in that he cares about the people he is trying to help. In this book, someone is killing young tinker (gypsy) men and cutting a hand off. The chief of the area gypsies asks Jack to find the killer. And it's never who you think.
Jack is a very well-read man, and makes many literary allusions, many of which fly right o More...
Jack is a very well-read man, and makes many literary allusions, many of which fly right o More...
Aug 06, 2009
Ellen
rated it:
For those of you with little experience of good hard-boiled mystery fiction, this is the book for you! Jack Taylor is recovering from being a recovering alcoholic, drug user, woman-chasing former member of the Irish Guarda - the cops. He is also in perpetual mourning for his best friend, for the librarian who tried to teach him about life and words and for the life of peace and domesticity he can't bring himself to lead. In Killing of the Tinkers, Jack tries and tries to solve the murders of you
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Jan 03, 2010
Mark
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That soused bibliophile ex-guard Jack Taylor is back in Galway, with a new addiction: cocaine! This seems to have improved his luck with the ladies, or something -- at one point he even busts out some seducerama dance moves (learned from the sixties one guesses). Wrecked and beset, he still somehow gets commissioned to solve the major mystery of who is killing tinkers round Galway way, and also the minor mystery of who is killing a buncha swans in the bay. He half-succeeds, and well -- OK I won'
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Mar 15, 2008
Nancy
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"Killing of the Tinkers" starts with the return of Jack Taylor from London. If you've read The Guards (the first novel in the series), then you're aware that at the end of that book, Taylor had sworn off drinking and had gone to London for a change. Well, now he's back, and has fallen off the wagon. He is commissioned by the head of the clans (the tinkers), a guy named Sweeper, to find out who is killing off other tinkers, then mutilating the bodies.
As in the case of The G More...
As in the case of The G More...
Oct 30, 2011
Kath
rated it:
Wow, another quick read. I really like this author very much. The darkness, the loneliness, the alcoholism, the "IRISHNESS" of the main character, Jack Taylor, make him someone I understand, someone I totally GET. So glad I discovered Ken Bruen hiding right in plain sight on my local library shelves! I've placed a hold on the next title in the series, The Magdalen Martyrs.
Oct 28, 2010
Lois
rated it:
Quick read. Just as well--if one spent more time in that book, one would get so depressed one would have to go get drunk, or do a line of coke, as the protagonist is doing all the time. Total noir--down-and-out ex-cop, gets beaten on, goes down the wrong path in his investigation (what little he does), terrible time of it with women.
This second book in the series had some repeated plot elements of the first--if that's going to be the case, I won't bother reading past No. 3.
This second book in the series had some repeated plot elements of the first--if that's going to be the case, I won't bother reading past No. 3.
Jan 01, 2012
Ron
rated it:
Ken Bruen writes the darkest novels this side of Cormac McCarthy. Under all the darkness is a sliver of light energized by music, faith and cussedness; Uses language really well comments on Ireland and the Irish with a puckish resignation tinged with love and cussedness. This book,like most of his books, is the story of his search for a deranged killer. Along the way get an education in all of the above as well as a tribute to the Tinkers of Ireland.
Jun 11, 2011
Janet
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Alcoholism and cocaine addiction follow Jack through this second book in the Jack Taylor series by Ken Bruen. The characters and plot are crafted with English professor Bruen's lean, powerful prose.....his poetic quality and wry humor. Jack is also an avid reader. We are treated to his reading list of favorite books and authors, again, thanks to Bruen's background. I thoroughly enjoy Bruen's writing style and his sad, but engaging, Jack.
Feb 03, 2010
Kristen
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I am really into Ken Bruen's writing style. This book started out differently from The Guards, new drugs, different locale, which threw me off a little, but recovered nicely with the characteristic Jack Taylor humor and train wreck that drew me to The Guards. There is something so captivating about this character, just when you're fed up with him he draws you back in. Already have the next book on reserve!
Feb 10, 2010
Victoria
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I must admit that I enjoyed this book much more than _Priest_. This one was much more about the plot - and while the characters were still strong, it made for a much better book, albeit less humourous, than Priest. This out-of-order reading is still driving me nuts though! [This is the 2nd book in the Jack Taylor series:]
Sep 27, 2010
Edward
rated it:
Jack Taylor blows my mind! This is très noir. The settings draw me to a trip to Ireland not described by friends who have traveled there. Jack is not your innocent, beaten up, down and out drunken detective. Guilty as he'll and madcap. He's fifty going on thirty not making it to sixty. Maybe books will be his reprieve.
May 05, 2010
Edward
rated it:
I really enjoy Ken Bruen. His character, Jack Taylor, is a blend of Spenser and Dave Robicheaux. The first two books take place in Galway, Ireland. Jack is very dark. Bruen is a rock n' roll mystery writer. Great dialogue. I just find myself wanting Jack to get better.
Sep 03, 2011
Vivian
rated it:
Another winner from Bruen. I love his writing and the character of former garda Jack Taylor. I only have 2 more books to read until I'm current with the series, and I'm not too happy that I'll have to wait awhile for another installment. Highly recommend.
Jul 12, 2011
Tara
rated it:
Bruen is like candy...I can't get enough of him. His dark main character, Jack Taylor is an unlikable, beaten down, ex-guarda alcoholic lover of literature who you just can't help being glad you're not in his shoes. He gets pulled into a mystery by a large "Tinker" or traveler/gypsy and all hell breaks loose, per usual for Taylor.
Bruen is genius at using hairpin twists and turns in his plots. I have yet to read a book of his where I haven't been genuinely surprised at some poi More...
Bruen is genius at using hairpin twists and turns in his plots. I have yet to read a book of his where I haven't been genuinely surprised at some poi More...
May 19, 2009
Ryan
rated it:
The more I read about Jack Taylor the more I can't help but like the guy. Whether he wants me to or not.
I will say, of the JT novels I've read/heard, this one is not my favorite. It's still a good show, don't get me wrong, but it's just not my favorite. The story didn't excite me quite as much as some of the others. The writing is still pretty darn sharp and the dialogue always kills, but something seemed a tad off, for me, from the other JT novels I've read. Still, it's Jack up More...
I will say, of the JT novels I've read/heard, this one is not my favorite. It's still a good show, don't get me wrong, but it's just not my favorite. The story didn't excite me quite as much as some of the others. The writing is still pretty darn sharp and the dialogue always kills, but something seemed a tad off, for me, from the other JT novels I've read. Still, it's Jack up More...
Apr 27, 2010
Daryl
rated it:
This guy doesn't need any enemies; he's quickly killing himself and wallowing in it. That said, easy read, plenty of action, and plenty of literary and musical allusions. Has this guy been talking to Murakami?
Oct 13, 2011
Tracyzola
rated it:
I love this series and it's horribly flawed main character, Jack Taylor. I am resisting the urge to tear through the next 6 books so that I can read the newest that is coming out anyday now.
Jul 14, 2010
Robin
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Former guard Jack Taylor is back from his flit to London. He is asked to look into the killer of several young 'clan' members, and blunders through the investigation. Once again, the crime and plot are less important than the sparkly prose and character. Sad but tinged with humour and humanity. Superb.
Aug 24, 2011
John
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A very simple action by the main character at the end of the book left me wondering who the killer really was. It is because of that that i gave it a fourth star.
Aug 15, 2010
Donald
rated it:
The Jack Taylor series continues...bleak, spare, rich in detail and filled with life. I'll be reading them all. Slainte!
Dec 26, 2011
Aramys
rated it:
Seis, quiero darle seis o siete u ocho estrellas, impresionante libro, brutales ultimas paginas, imprescindible autor. IM-PRES-CIN-DI-BLE.
May 03, 2009
Joe
rated it:
You will either love or hate this book. No one writes with more powerful use of language than Ken Bruen.
