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Peril

Ruby Barnes (Goodreads Author)

3.65 · Rating details · 94 ratings · 34 reviews

A moment of madness. His choices. Their lives.

Ger Mayes doesn't stand out from the crowd and life is passing him by. He thinks the world owes him a living but is held back by his own minor daily misdemeanors. That is until he kills a mugger and is blackmailed by a vicious Romanian crime gang. Ger keeps the secret from his wife, Jo, but bares all to her best friend, his mis ...more

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Kindle Edition, 370 pages

Published May 5th 2011 by Marble City Publishing (first published March 25th 2011)

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· 94 ratings · 34 reviews

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May 07, 2012 John Gaynard rated it really liked it

In line with my reviewing policy of only giving a write-up to books I have enjoyed, I now have great pleasure in making a few comments on Ruby Barnes's Peril, a novel which could also have been titled, "The Power of Positive Thinking for Feckless Scots Bent on Raising Levels of Dissatisfaction Among Irish Wives, Mistresses, Relatives, Beggars and Rail Customers Who Have the Temerity to Make Complaints".

Ger Mayes is a loveable ne'er do well from North of that Border uniting Scotland and England. In line with my reviewing policy of only giving a write-up to books I have enjoyed, I now have great pleasure in making a few comments on Ruby Barnes's Peril, a novel which could also have been titled, "The Power of Positive Thinking for Feckless Scots Bent on Raising Levels of Dissatisfaction Among Irish Wives, Mistresses, Relatives, Beggars and Rail Customers Who Have the Temerity to Make Complaints".

Ger Mayes is a loveable ne'er do well from North of that Border uniting Scotland and England. Married to an upright modern Irish woman who, needless to say, indulges in quickies with her personal trainer, Ger is paid what seems to be a reasonable salary by the complaints office of Irish Railways. His minimal investment of time, and low respect for his customers, makes Ger a poster boy for the most negative, biased sorts of comments made by Dubliners about immigrant labor. Ger's only self-questioning comes from the wonder and anger generated when he does not get promoted over the heads of some, admittedly obnoxious, colleagues who do, however, respect reasonable standards of productivity, putting in an hour of work and a full five hours of gossip and back-biting on the days when they're in the office--and not taking their statutory sick days off.

Although Ger is more than a bit of a wine and food snob--and should know that after two or three glasses his taste-buds will have had as much as they can reasonably enjoy--when out with the lads he has a habit of drinking himself into that state of mindlessness where his head stops working but his feet keep walking. One night, in a city of Dublin that could pass for the capital of the Chechen Republic under attack by the Russians, he wanders befuddled and lost, finding it impossible to suss his way to the train station and back home to the outer suburbs, where he can reconnect with the middle-class way of life as it developed in late 20th and early 21st century Ireland: memorization of suburban railway time tables, calculating which train will get him into work just after time and out of work just before time, formal dinners where he can whimsically analyze--in the company of mortgaged-up-to-the-hilt neighbors--the merits of different types of pasta, tomato sauce, red wine, white wine and Indian or other take-away dishes while ogling and caressing the knees of his wife's best friend.

Ger stumbles into a fight with a Romanian beggar, kills the man and flees the scene. The next day, unsurprisingly, the murder does not trouble his conscience. Its consequences only begin to concern him when he realizes he didn't dispose of the murder weapon so that it couldn't be found. His worries are compounded when it turns out that another member of the beggar clan saw him do it. The only one of the ten commandments that Ger respects is the eleventh one, "Thou shan't get caught", but, when he does get found out, every problem becomes an opportunity, in line with his innate approach to life, that of the devil-may-care chancer. Any event that would render a less hedonistic man catatonic with fright becomes something to flip to his advantage in his only serious quest: how to satisfy every one of his five senses, every day, in every way.

The Head of the Beggar clan sets his people on Ger's tail. They take him to some weird and wonderful places as they inform him how they will exact retribution. One of those places is a mansion in the middle of the Phoenix Park occupied by a gang of people who wander the streets of Dublin in search of ill-gotten gain (this is NOT the Irish National Police Force, which occupies a totally different mansion in the Park).

Although the main plot of the book has nothing to do with how Irish Complaints Offices' resort to Soviet style methods to keep their more recalcitrant employees mouthing sweet nothings to dissatisfied customers, or ass-licking around the coffee machine, there are very some very funny scenes when Ger is put on obligatory sick leave for questioning his non-promotion and told to report to a psychiatrist on a near-daily basis to prove that his behavior is normal. This interferes with him spending afternoons in the sack of his anorexic mistress.

I began to read this in a hot and humid hotel room in an African city, feeling nostalgic for a few words describing the ould sod. But Ruby Barnes's belly-laugh provoking, high-wire act of dissecting the pretensions of modern-day Ireland, and showing what it takes to thrive, namely the "Ger Attitude", replaced the desire for the fickle charms of Kathleen ni Houlihan with the commonsense thought that I should stay where I was. I read the final electronic page of this fine comic novel of Ireland, laid the Kindle beside me and began to hum that age-old song of wisdom, McAlpine's Fusiliers, "Oh Mother Dear, I'm over here and I'm never coming back....."

Nevertheless, a few days later, I found myself on a flying visit to Dublin. The city was in the midst of a four-day heatwave, with nary a beggar, dead, alive, or in the Phoenix Park to be seen. Whose view of Dublin was the right one? That of Ger, Ruby Barnes's main character in Peril, or the one of my own eyes and the Irish Tourist Board's? I decided to download to my Kindle another Ruby Barnes novel. I recommend you do the same. ...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Reading Reindeer 2021 On Proxima Centauri rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: modern suspense readers

4 Stars
Gerard is finding himself in a heap of trouble. A drunken evening, and he gets confused about which way is home. The river looks different, odd even-is he in the right place? Then he’s attacked by, of all things, a mugger-and while trying to defend himself, remembers that someone else had been beaten to death in that area earlier. Looks like he could well be the next victim! This mugger is not out for just what’s in that wallet (good thing, cause Gerard’s is empty); looks like he’s out fo ...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Cindy C Bennett rated it it was amazing

It's the mark of a truly great author when he can create a character that is not only flawed, but is downright unlikeable - and yet you find yourself rooting for him, sympathizing with him, and hoping he'll come out on top. Ruby Barnes has created such a character in Ger Mayes.

It's almost impossible to tell you much about the story without giving it away, just suffice it to say you must read Ger's story. This is a man who can't make a good decision, ever, and doesn't seem to learn from his mist ...more

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Sep 18, 2011 J.J. Toner rated it really liked it

PERIL by Ruby Barnes

An engaging romp through Dublin (mostly) in the company of a young(-ish) man called Ger Mayes with the morals of a stray mongrel and a serious drink habit. Forced to commit an unspeakable crime, he is soon in thrall to a community of blackmailers. He turns to an old, rich friend for help. Unfortunately, his friend’s moral compass is even more at sea than his own and the two of them get deeper and deeper into the mire as they attempt to extricate themselves and line their pock ...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Kath Middleton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Gerard (call me Ger) Mayes fancies himself with the ladies; in fact he embarks upon an affair with his wife's best friend. In a drunken brawl, he kills a Romanian beggar and the man's twin brother demands money in recompense. He also demands an illegal act from Ger, or he will supply evidence of the killing to the Garda. Ger is, to my mind, an unpleasant, selfish and amoral individual but his tale is compelling reading.

The story is told as a first person narrative, mainly by Ger, though occasion ...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Michael Wayne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Ger Mayes is despicable, so despicable that you can't help but to pay attention to his every move.
Well done Mr. Barnes ...more

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Jul 14, 2017 Shelly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Like a lot of other reviewers have noted, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading a story about a main character who is not the most likable of people, a rather self-centered and self-serving fellow. But the writing is very well done, the story is entertaining and I couldn't wait to find out if comeuppance was going to occur or not. You'll have to read it yourself to find out.
...more

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May 26, 2012 TAMMY CUEVAS rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ireland-related-irish-fiction

Gerard Mayes is a terrible person in a terrible mess. He's on the verge of being fired and really doesn't care; he's really just counting the days until Aunt Mary dies and leaves his wife a sizeable inheritance; and he's playing a balancing act with his wife, mistress, and possible future mistress. And now, he's being blackmailed by a gang of drug dealers. And the fun is just beginning...

In Ruby Barnes' novel "Peril", he has created a character who most readers will love to hate. Gerard is every ...more

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Oct 19, 2013 Sally rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Surprisingly delightful! I first read an unrelated short story by Ruby Barnes. It had promise, but didn’t seem quite finished. It left me hanging, wishing for just a bit more. Well, both Peril and its sequel, Getting Out of Dodge, give a bit more and then some.

At the beginning of Peril, Ger – our hero? – says: “When I’m finished you will likely have no respect for me. What not to do with your life by Gerard Mayes. There will be a warm feeling that it happened to me, not you, and that I deserved ...more

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Nov 25, 2011 Bill Thibadeau rated it really liked it

Slow and droll start that almost had me putting down this book and thinking that not all indie books are worth reading. However, the author has a good writing style and there was just enough of a tantalizing plot that I thought I should keep reading since the author spent a good deal of time writing.

As I got past the doldrums, I found myself reading a fast paced, well crafted story, with unlikeable characters. I was hooked! I was mesmerized by the path the characters take and their tribulations. ...more

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Oct 15, 2011 J.H. Sked rated it it was amazing

This is phenomenal writing. The author has an absolute knack for sketching out characters and pulling the reader into their lives and motivations. As a result the reader finds themselves sympathising with situations and decisions that they normally wouldn't.

I'll admit to varying between 4 & 5 stars on this one, because I've never met a character I disliked so much (Bella from Twilight doesn't come close). The main character in this book, Ger, made me want to reach through the pages and slap him, ...more

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Dec 25, 2012 Richard Sutton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have always been attracted to character-driven stories, so Ruby Barnes' writing has always found me a receptive reader. Peril is my third Barnes read, and like the others, it has been a romp. Ger Mayes, the primary character has so many faults, I won't bother to sort through them, but he's a cheerful eedjit. Just smart enough to find several shovels with which to bury himself. This is a shifting study of bad decisions and how they can lead to nothing but additional bad decisions. Written in fi ...more

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Apr 01, 2011 Denna rated it it was amazing

Ger Mayes is one of those types of guys who make some women try to tuck him beneath their wing so they can take care of him. Others will follow along and pray he gets exactly what he deserves. Whichever kind you end up being, you’re sure to have a blast following this womanizing idiot as he gets himself into one bad mess after another, each one just slightly worse than the one before it. I didn’t know whether to laugh, or groan and slap my forehead, thinking it a good idea to pull him by the ear ...more

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Aug 29, 2011 Franz McLaren rated it it was amazing

I had little idea what to expect when I opened this book. From the teaser I suspected that it would probably be a suspense noir using Dublin as a setting and, in all honesty, there is a bit of that. But Ruby Barnes' writing style and story telling skills were a pleasant surprise. In Ger Mayes he has created complete scoundrel, with few redeeming qualities, that nonetheless steals the reader's heart. Ger is a person hopelessly self-centered who makes all the wrong moves and yet I found myself con ...more

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May 17, 2012 Deneé rated it really liked it

Shelves: from-kindle

This entire book played out like a film noire in my head, for some reason. It starts in medias res, then slowly develops it's characters and plot before going headstrong into the book's pinnacle. It's probably because of the beginning slowness of the story line, as well as the lack of descriptive visual traits of the characters that made me a little apprehensive of giving this five stars, but the thriller did just as it promised, it thrilled. I was surprised with how the book started to shock an ...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Kevin Wilkins rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I got this as a giveaway which meant I had nothing to worry about if I didn't like it, but I loved it. A flawed main character who has an inflated idea of his own ability leads us into a journey through Dublin's sub-culture, via Amsterdam, to a reveal at the end which is excellent. Ruby's characters are well drawn and realistic and there is not a word of superfluous dialogue or description in the book. If you like gritty tales with a hint of gangsterism, this is for you. I went straight to Amazo ...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Irene rated it really liked it

Shelves: thriller

If you're looking for an everyone lives happily ever after tale, keep on looking, you won't find it here. The world seems to be crashing down around Ger in this witty, well written, engaging story. Even though much of Ger's "peril" is due to his own lack of self control I couldn't help but feel sorry for him as he dug himself in deeper and deeper from one bad situation to the next. A very enjoyable read. ...more

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Oct 07, 2011 Mike Davis rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, humor, crime

I found this to be an enjoyable book. The protagonist is in turn naive, arrogant, scheming, criminal, lovable, innocent and guilty. There are enough twists to be interesting and the story line is a good one despite the fact that the reader knows what's going on most of the time. Barnes has done a fine job with this one.

This book was received in eBook format in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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May 26, 2011 Perry Aylen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-kindle, not-for-boys

He's not the standard hero, he's not the typical male lead; he's a real man; about half as clever as he thinks he is, where thinking is a reaction, not an action.
One part of me thought he's too stupid for words, whereas the other part thought - there but for the grace of God....
A clever story, well told, with a good supporting cast round a character that defies pigeon-holing. ...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Ann Lee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Five Star Winner!

Ruby Barnes's novel "Peril," is a good book. My goodness, I enjoyed this book. It had it all, drama, mystery, love gone bad, crime, etc. The main character is dispictable, however you are drawn to him. You dislike him, feel sorry for him at times but he gives you a inside look into the seedy side of Ireland. ...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Sarah Williams rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this quirky crime tale. The story was fast paced and full of surprises and written with a great balance of dark humour and sorrow. I'll definitely be on the look out for more books by this author. ...more

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Mar 24, 2012 Ginney Etherton rated it liked it

Barnes breaks 3 rules that usually make or break a book for me, and he still won me over. As noted, the protagonist is unlikable. It's written in the present tense. Some early chapters are narrated by different characters, 1 chapter each, and then the format is dropped.
Good writing prevails. ...more

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Jul 21, 2011 Jack rated it really liked it

A picaresque tale of Ger, a Scot living in Ireland, who makes a very, very bad mistake whilst drunk one night, then becomes embroiled in a complex saga affecting his nearest and dearest.

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Aug 02, 2011 Pete Morin rated it really liked it

A rollicking fun read. Ruby is a funny man, and his style is infectious. A fine tale about a lovable rogue.

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Nov 18, 2011 Brian Gore rated it really liked it

Quirky, at points crass, but creative and entertaining.

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Dec 28, 2011 Dixie Hamilton rated it it was ok

Shelves: kindle-book

My first book by this author. Free on Amazon so gave it a try. Took a while to get into it. Probably won't read anything else by this author. ...more

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Aug 22, 2016 Krizia Anna rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: ruby-barnes

It was pretty good. It was exciting, something to read when you're bored. However, I have no love for Ger Mayes. He is a central character that I would rather not read about. ...more

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Jan 28, 2019 A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) marked it as abandoned

Shelves: thriller, review-requested, smashwords, mystery

I got this back in 2012 for review and picked up my copy on Smashwords. When I went to read it now (yes, I'm waaaay behind and trying to catch up), I realized I never sent the copy to my Kindle so there is no copy there. Then I realized the computer that had the file crashed back in 2015, so struck out there. Then the backup flash drive is one of the ones that got accidentally wiped, so another strike. For the final nail in the coffin, the book is no longer available on Smashwords, so it's not i ...more

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Dec 24, 2011 Jay Fromkin rated it it was amazing

Part way through reading "Peril," I thought that Ruby Barnes had written a surprisingly good "bloke book" for a woman. OK, now I get it. Ruby Barnes is an Irishman, and quite an author. This book has movie option written all over it, and I would certainly look forward to it hitting the big screen.

The protagonist, Ger Mayes, is a middle-class Scot married to Jo, an Irish woman, and so they live in Ireland. Ger also has a mistress - Jo's friend Renee, a best friend in gay drug-enthusiast, Tom, and ...more

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May 24, 2011 Ruby Barnes added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: written-by-ruby

A note from the author:

Ladies, don't let your man read this book. You don't want him getting ideas on how to misbehave.

Fellas, keep your copy well hidden.

PERIL is the story of Gerard Mayes, an anti-hero. Men want to be him, women want to redeem him. Ger's story is fiction, but his origins are real - everyday folk living and working in a Dublin city center wracked with organized begging, drug addicts, and violent crime. It's not all leprechauns and shillelaghs in Ireland.

Ger is a slacker. A cons ...more

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Writers and Readers : Giveaway of Peril by Ruby Barnes	1	5	May 08, 2012 03:33AM

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About Ruby Barnes

Ruby Barnes

88 followers

I'm an author and a reader. I write dark thrillers - Peril, The Baptist, The Crucible - and read thrillers and literary fiction.

I've pedalled the pushbike of life until the chain fell off. Now living in rural Ireland where the natives are friendly and the weather atrocious, I write crime fiction and thrillers.

Ruby's News is my mail list with freebies, pre-release info and other updates. As a welco ...more