What do you think?
Rate this book
Liam Mulligan #3
Providence Rag
Edgar Award-winner Bruce DeSilva returns with Liam Mulligan, an old-school investigative reporter for a dying newspaper in Providence, Rhode Island. Mulligan knows every street and alley, every priest and prostitute, every cop and street thug. He knows the mobsters and politicians―who are pretty much one and the same. Inspired by a true story, Providence Rag finds Mulligan, his pal Mason, and the newspaper they both work for at an ethical crossroad. The youngest serial killer in history butchered five of his neighbors before he was old enough to drive. When he was caught eighteen years ago, Rhode Island's antiquated criminal statutes―never intended for someone like him―required that all juveniles, no matter their crimes, be released at age twenty-one. The killer is still behind bars, serving time for crimes supposedly committed on the inside. That these charges were fabricated is an open secret; but nearly everyone is fine with it―if the monster ever gets out more people will surely die. But Mason is not fine with it. If officials can get away with framing this killer they could do it to anybody. As Mason sets out to prove officials are perverting the justice system, Mulligan searches frantically for some legal way to keep the monster behind bars. The dueling investigations pit the friends against each other in a high-stakes race against time―and snares them in an ethical dilemma that has no right answer. Providence Rag is a gripping novel of suspense by one of the rising talents in the mystery field.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2014
20 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Bruce DeSilva
12 books207 followersBruce DeSilva grew up in a tiny Massachusetts mill town where the mill closed when he was ten. He had an austere childhood bereft of iPods, X-Boxes, and all the other cool stuff that hadn’t been invented yet. In this parochial little town, metaphors and alliteration were also in short supply. Nevertheless, his crime fiction has won the Edgar and Macavity Awards; has been listed as a finalist for the Shamus, Anthony, and Barry Awards; and has been published in ten foreign languages. His short stories have appeared in Akashic Press's award-winning noir anthologies. He has reviewed books for The New York Times Sunday Book Review and Publishers Weekly, and his reviews for The Associated Press have appeared in hundreds of other publications. Previously, he was a journalist for forty years, most recently as writing coach world-wide for AP, editing stories that won nearly every major journalism prize including the Pulitzer. He and his wife, the poet Patricia Smith, live in New Jersey with two enormous dogs named Brady and Rondo.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
February 5, 2015
DeSilva Hits a Homerun with this Taunt and Thrilling Tale - 5 Stars
Thank you God. 2014 has been a rough year for the written word. Granted, I am writing this in the middle of March so there is much more time left to right this wrong. While having listened to many great audiobooks this year, I have not read much worth celebrating. Thankfully, Bruce DeSilva comes through again and helps me break the slump. If you haven't yet discovered this author, I suggest you go and pic up his Edgar winning Rogue Island and give this series a go. DeSilva writes gritty and taunt thriller and shows us with his third installment that his Edgar Award was no fluke.
Plot summary
The story begins with a series of flashbacks covering several timelines. The reader follows both the mind and musings of a disturbed serial murderer while following our protagonist, Liam Mulligan, and the case that changed him from a sports reporter to an investigative journalist. Flash forward to the present and we find the once prestigious paper struggling to keeps its head above the water. In the midst of the struggle, a story threatens to divide the newsroom as the publisher's son investigates and threatens to exposes crimes against prisoners, specifically false charges and convictions designed to keep the most violent of criminals in jail and off the street. The story explores the bounds of journalistic ethics, the negative effect of good deeds, the blindness of youth and cynicism that comes with age.
The Good
Keeping it Fresh
The first two novels in the series where atmospheric/noir with the hard nosed journalist investigating crime and exposing corruption. At the outset of this novel, the reader is brought back in time and the reads as a prequel to the previous installments. This provides a wonderful set up for the remainder of the novel. In the first two novels, DeSilva deals with arson and child pornography respectively. This time around the author covers a form of corruption that the average person could easily justify. The reader is left asking if the ends really do justify the means. Is it better to allow crime go unexposed or expose the corruption and put the lives of innocent people in jeopardy. The idea is explored in a unique and interesting manner with two storylines/investigative reporter working at cross purposes. The flashbacks and the present day investigations culminate in an expected but nonetheless chilling confrontation.
The Bad
Done Already?
If I had to say anything negative about this story is that it ended too quickly. It builds to a final confrontation and seems to end as soon as it started. The author indicates that this is the first of his story to be based on real events. Unfortunately, the author does not provide the fact and the fiction at the end of the story. It is not clear which portions occurred and which portions did not. With the "based on true events" label, I believe it is important to provide the reader with some biographical information at the end of the story.
Final Thoughts
I am afraid this review does not sufficiently portray how much I enjoyed this novel. While I wish to better explain how the investigative reporting was compelling, I am afraid that I will reveal portions of the plot that are best left to discovery. Regardless, DeSilva continues to interesting interesting and refreshing crime fiction. In this novel, the author adds significant elements that make this a psychological thriller as well. If you are tired of crime thrillers that focus only on murder and serial killers or you want to explore other equally compelling crime investigations, its time to pick up and read a Bruce DeSilva novel.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 3.5
There was some minor sexual tension between characters. There was a non graphic description of a sexual experience between two characters. The novel focused largely on the historical murders of several woman and children. While exploring the murders and developing the antagonist, the are descriptions of how he obtain sexual gratification through violence. Additionally, the is some moderately graphic description of how sexual gratification was obtain through the actual murders. The content will disturb some readers. There is a scene in which a character is a "peeping tom" and is watching a naked women through her window. If you have read the previous novel, this content is less disturbing and less disturbing that many of the recent novels dealing with dark subject matters.
Language - 3.5
There is moderate use of mild obscenities and low to moderate use of the f-word. Generally, the adult language was confined to a few scenes with specific characters. It is in these few scenes that much of the language is contained.
Violence - 4
The story focuses on a series of brutal murders. The victims are subjected to a significant amount of violence. The reader experiences the crimes through the eyes of the killer as well as viewing the aftermath through the eyes of the investigators and the protagonist. It is the violent nature of the crimes and the continual referral back to the crime that garners this specific violence rating.
A fuller review posted at The Literary Lawyer
Thank you God. 2014 has been a rough year for the written word. Granted, I am writing this in the middle of March so there is much more time left to right this wrong. While having listened to many great audiobooks this year, I have not read much worth celebrating. Thankfully, Bruce DeSilva comes through again and helps me break the slump. If you haven't yet discovered this author, I suggest you go and pic up his Edgar winning Rogue Island and give this series a go. DeSilva writes gritty and taunt thriller and shows us with his third installment that his Edgar Award was no fluke.
Plot summary
The story begins with a series of flashbacks covering several timelines. The reader follows both the mind and musings of a disturbed serial murderer while following our protagonist, Liam Mulligan, and the case that changed him from a sports reporter to an investigative journalist. Flash forward to the present and we find the once prestigious paper struggling to keeps its head above the water. In the midst of the struggle, a story threatens to divide the newsroom as the publisher's son investigates and threatens to exposes crimes against prisoners, specifically false charges and convictions designed to keep the most violent of criminals in jail and off the street. The story explores the bounds of journalistic ethics, the negative effect of good deeds, the blindness of youth and cynicism that comes with age.
The Good
Keeping it Fresh
The first two novels in the series where atmospheric/noir with the hard nosed journalist investigating crime and exposing corruption. At the outset of this novel, the reader is brought back in time and the reads as a prequel to the previous installments. This provides a wonderful set up for the remainder of the novel. In the first two novels, DeSilva deals with arson and child pornography respectively. This time around the author covers a form of corruption that the average person could easily justify. The reader is left asking if the ends really do justify the means. Is it better to allow crime go unexposed or expose the corruption and put the lives of innocent people in jeopardy. The idea is explored in a unique and interesting manner with two storylines/investigative reporter working at cross purposes. The flashbacks and the present day investigations culminate in an expected but nonetheless chilling confrontation.
The Bad
Done Already?
If I had to say anything negative about this story is that it ended too quickly. It builds to a final confrontation and seems to end as soon as it started. The author indicates that this is the first of his story to be based on real events. Unfortunately, the author does not provide the fact and the fiction at the end of the story. It is not clear which portions occurred and which portions did not. With the "based on true events" label, I believe it is important to provide the reader with some biographical information at the end of the story.
Final Thoughts
I am afraid this review does not sufficiently portray how much I enjoyed this novel. While I wish to better explain how the investigative reporting was compelling, I am afraid that I will reveal portions of the plot that are best left to discovery. Regardless, DeSilva continues to interesting interesting and refreshing crime fiction. In this novel, the author adds significant elements that make this a psychological thriller as well. If you are tired of crime thrillers that focus only on murder and serial killers or you want to explore other equally compelling crime investigations, its time to pick up and read a Bruce DeSilva novel.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 3.5
There was some minor sexual tension between characters. There was a non graphic description of a sexual experience between two characters. The novel focused largely on the historical murders of several woman and children. While exploring the murders and developing the antagonist, the are descriptions of how he obtain sexual gratification through violence. Additionally, the is some moderately graphic description of how sexual gratification was obtain through the actual murders. The content will disturb some readers. There is a scene in which a character is a "peeping tom" and is watching a naked women through her window. If you have read the previous novel, this content is less disturbing and less disturbing that many of the recent novels dealing with dark subject matters.
Language - 3.5
There is moderate use of mild obscenities and low to moderate use of the f-word. Generally, the adult language was confined to a few scenes with specific characters. It is in these few scenes that much of the language is contained.
Violence - 4
The story focuses on a series of brutal murders. The victims are subjected to a significant amount of violence. The reader experiences the crimes through the eyes of the killer as well as viewing the aftermath through the eyes of the investigators and the protagonist. It is the violent nature of the crimes and the continual referral back to the crime that garners this specific violence rating.
A fuller review posted at The Literary Lawyer
December 17, 2018
4,5/5
Ce roman réussit l'exploit d'être un véritable page-turner alors que le tueur en série est arrêté presque au début du roman. Pas de risque de deviner trop tôt qui est l'assassin ou d'être déçu de la révélation finale, on sait globalement où on va et pourtant, il est très difficile de refermer ce livre. Les chapitres étant très courts, on se retrouve à les enchaîner les uns après les autres sans voir les pages passer, tout en frémissant dès qu'arrive l'un des interludes lors desquels le narrateur est le tueur en série.
Le point fort de cette histoire est finalement de mettre l'accent non pas vraiment sur la perversité du tueur, mais sur les failles et les limites du système judiciaire. Il y a là un véritable questionnement éthique et moral sur les droits des assassins de la pire espèce, sur la justice et le métier de journaliste d'investigation. Tout comme la population de Rhode Island, je me suis indignée et j'ai été terrifiée, mais je me suis aussi posée beaucoup de questions sur les devoirs d'une démocratie.
C'est un roman à la fois effrayant et drôle, avec toute une galerie de personnages très attachants, tous confrontés à leurs systèmes de valeur et à leurs démons. C'est aussi une plongée en plein cœur d'une Amérique frappée par la crise économique.
On a donc ici un polar très intelligent, qui à la fois apporte au lecteur cette envie irrépressible de connaître la fin propre à tout bon polar mais qui aborde aussi des sujets de société de façon réfléchie et sans jugement. La fin superbement menée donne de sacrés frissons et on referme le livre en voulant immédiatement retrouver cette plume et ces personnages – ce que je ne vais pas tarder à faire en lisant les deux autres romans de l'auteur !
Ce roman réussit l'exploit d'être un véritable page-turner alors que le tueur en série est arrêté presque au début du roman. Pas de risque de deviner trop tôt qui est l'assassin ou d'être déçu de la révélation finale, on sait globalement où on va et pourtant, il est très difficile de refermer ce livre. Les chapitres étant très courts, on se retrouve à les enchaîner les uns après les autres sans voir les pages passer, tout en frémissant dès qu'arrive l'un des interludes lors desquels le narrateur est le tueur en série.
Le point fort de cette histoire est finalement de mettre l'accent non pas vraiment sur la perversité du tueur, mais sur les failles et les limites du système judiciaire. Il y a là un véritable questionnement éthique et moral sur les droits des assassins de la pire espèce, sur la justice et le métier de journaliste d'investigation. Tout comme la population de Rhode Island, je me suis indignée et j'ai été terrifiée, mais je me suis aussi posée beaucoup de questions sur les devoirs d'une démocratie.
C'est un roman à la fois effrayant et drôle, avec toute une galerie de personnages très attachants, tous confrontés à leurs systèmes de valeur et à leurs démons. C'est aussi une plongée en plein cœur d'une Amérique frappée par la crise économique.
On a donc ici un polar très intelligent, qui à la fois apporte au lecteur cette envie irrépressible de connaître la fin propre à tout bon polar mais qui aborde aussi des sujets de société de façon réfléchie et sans jugement. La fin superbement menée donne de sacrés frissons et on referme le livre en voulant immédiatement retrouver cette plume et ces personnages – ce que je ne vais pas tarder à faire en lisant les deux autres romans de l'auteur !
December 30, 2014
New series to me. I enjoyed all three of the Bruce DeSilva books that I've read/listened to in audio.
May 5, 2021
Narrated ably by Jeff Woodman.
November 19, 2024
This one was my least favorite of the series so far. The ending is so abrupt that it leaves you hunting for a conclusion on your own. I did enjoy the geographical accuracy of the city of Providence and outskirts in which I'm very familiar with. In true DeSilva fashion he does add some humor in the form of a pet bird named Larry Bird who can only say 1 phrase and that is "theeeeeee Yankees win". This of course leads to an amusing confrontation with Liam Mulligan who is of course a big Red Sox fan.
May 22, 2017
What happens when a young psychopath is convicted of horrendous murders? In this instance, pulled from two true cases, the juvenile is due to be released on his 21st birthday. What if there is no doubt that the prisioner will kill again? Moral vs legal issues. Can the truth be altered to create an answer? I enjoyed the plot and characters in this first time of reading a product by this author. A different dilemma not often covered, but important to do so
May 24, 2014
#3 in the Liam Mulligan series. An excellent novel probing the issues of the journalistic integrity, the public's "Right to know" and the question of whether the ends can justify the means. An engaging novel that transcends the detective genre, Providence Rag is an enjoyable, absorbing read. By the way, the title does not refer to the newspaper Mulligan works for (although it could), but for a piece of music that fellow reporter Mason is composing.
Liam Mulligan series - Inspired by a true story. Mulligan, his pal Mason, and the newspaper they both work for are at an ethical crossroad. The youngest serial killer in history butchered five of his neighbors before he was old enough to drive. When he was caught eighteen years ago, Rhode Island's antiquated criminal statutes required that all juveniles, no matter their crimes, be released at age twenty-one. The killer is still behind bars, serving time for crimes supposedly committed on the inside. That these charges were fabricated is an open secret; but nearly everyone is fine with it--if the monster ever gets out more people will surely die. But Mason is not fine with it. If officials can get away with framing this killer they could do it to anybody. As Mason sets out to prove officials are perverting the justice system, Mulligan searches frantically for some legal way to keep the monster behind bars. The dueling investigations pit the friends against each other in a high-stakes race against time--and snares them in an ethical dilemma that has no right answer.
Liam Mulligan series - Inspired by a true story. Mulligan, his pal Mason, and the newspaper they both work for are at an ethical crossroad. The youngest serial killer in history butchered five of his neighbors before he was old enough to drive. When he was caught eighteen years ago, Rhode Island's antiquated criminal statutes required that all juveniles, no matter their crimes, be released at age twenty-one. The killer is still behind bars, serving time for crimes supposedly committed on the inside. That these charges were fabricated is an open secret; but nearly everyone is fine with it--if the monster ever gets out more people will surely die. But Mason is not fine with it. If officials can get away with framing this killer they could do it to anybody. As Mason sets out to prove officials are perverting the justice system, Mulligan searches frantically for some legal way to keep the monster behind bars. The dueling investigations pit the friends against each other in a high-stakes race against time--and snares them in an ethical dilemma that has no right answer.
July 8, 2015
I have now read DeSilva's first three books. He writes a crisp, clean story, one that moves along at a decent pace. He doesn't lard his stories with unnecessary description and back story, which absolutely kill momentum and enjoyment. I love his voice, and I love the characters, not to mention a perfect location.
Plus -- and this is a biggie for murder mysteries -- I never lose track of the original storyline.
So it pains me to not give 5 stars to DeSilva's PROVIDENCE RAG. He lost 2 stars because he kept injecting snide, nasty comments about real-life right-of-center people. The comments were supposed to be those of a couple of the characters, which I wouldn't mind at all. The characters can be as liberal/progressive as the writers want. However, it was glaringly obvious the comments were DeSilva's personal political views. I would love to read his new Mulligan book, A SOURCE OF VIPERS, but I'm not paying my hard-earned money to read more of DeSilva's personal politics.
Plus -- and this is a biggie for murder mysteries -- I never lose track of the original storyline.
So it pains me to not give 5 stars to DeSilva's PROVIDENCE RAG. He lost 2 stars because he kept injecting snide, nasty comments about real-life right-of-center people. The comments were supposed to be those of a couple of the characters, which I wouldn't mind at all. The characters can be as liberal/progressive as the writers want. However, it was glaringly obvious the comments were DeSilva's personal political views. I would love to read his new Mulligan book, A SOURCE OF VIPERS, but I'm not paying my hard-earned money to read more of DeSilva's personal politics.
April 19, 2014
The pacing was good and the plot was interesting - it kept me turning pages. There were just a couple of issues that kept this from being five stars for me though. One was the ending - I felt there was an opportunity to deliver on an element of suspense that had been building up to that point but ended up rushed and a bit anti-climactic for me. My other issue was that I would have liked to spend a little more time getting invested in the central characters. I got a hint of the people behind the names but not enough for me to get too invested in them. Of course, those are just opinions and overall this really was a decent read
May 21, 2014
Best so far of the three books in the series.
November 17, 2014
I liked the two previous books I read but this one felt sketchier and not as fully developed. The story did not interest me all that much.
February 28, 2015
So far... If you have a weak stomach or any respect for animals you won't like this at all. I'm having a really really hard time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2014
Providence Rag: Bruce Desilva
Imagine someone that spends every waking hour dreaming about his next kill. Imagine enjoying the smell of burnt flesh, the stench of a dead body and the sight of a mutilated animal. A serial killer finds different ways to torture, kill, maim and obliterate a life. Kwame Diggs enjoys hunting and staking out his victims, watching them go about their everyday lives and quietly sneaking into their homes and killing them. Gore does not deter him. Screams are stifled and witnesses non-existent. Kwame Diggs feels justified in his actions and thinks the world owes him something but what no one really knows. From a young age he enjoyed taking apart insects, burning cats and dogs and destroying his own sister’s Barbie Doll collection smiling as he hammered away at each of the doll’s limbs. Kwame Diggs thought he was clever and would never get caught. Killing two young women and their children, two years apart was the just tip of the iceberg. Attacking another woman and leaving her permanently scarred only makes his dreams of what he might do if he is ever freed more vivid, hardboiled and frightening. What would you do if you thought this man was about to be released from prison? Rhode Island has an antiquated law stating that juveniles are to be released from prison at age 21 regardless of the severity of the crime. Bone chilling to say the least! When the scale of justice is even and it is about to be tipped in the wrong direction freeing this man and one other killer, would you bend the law, plant evidence, create situations and lie in order to make sure he never sees the light of day? Moral and ethical values are tested to the limit and two close friends are about to become rivals and go head to head as author Bruce DeSilva brings back his most powerful character, Liam Mulligan to fight for the safety of so many and the safety of a small community.
Liam Mulligan is a sports reporter for the Providence Dispatch until his editor Ed Lomax requested his help on a different story. A young woman and her daughter were murdered in 1992 and the killer remains at large. Teaming up with Detective Andy Jennings they scour the neighborhood, question witnesses, unknowingly even the killer, but no arrest is made. Two years down the line he strikes again but not before he does damage in different ways. Mulligan is persistent, hardnosed and once again teams up with Andy Jennings but this time something will change. Cruising the small community of Warwick he sees a young black teen on a bike. One simple clue would awaken something in Mulligan and the next thing you know they might have their killer but first some legwork needs to be done. Becky Medeiros and her four-year-old daughter were his first victims and Connie Stuart and her two daughters were next. With an arsenal of help at his fingertips and the cooperation of the police, labs and others this young reporter manages to help catch a killer. But, there is much more to this murder and the arrest. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Confession on tape, in prison for six years this young man was never released because people inside and outside worked the legal system to find creative ways to make sure that he served more time. Eighteen years to be exact and now the law says he might be released and the charges against him that were filed keeping him in prison were faked, lies and if proven others will go down.
Edward Mason works for the Dispatch and decides to go on a one-man crusade to find out why Diggs was not released and if the evidence was tampered. Ed Lomax is the chief editor of the Dispatch and must decide which side to take, how to handle the controversy and if Mason should be allowed to continue with his investigation which might result in Diggs being freed. With Mulligan’s limited help, interviewing prison guards in Supermax, hearing the voice of Kwame Diggs telling him why he committed the murders readers will have to decide whether he is deranged, was framed or should be committed. As Mulligan managed to put Kwame behind bars, just how far will Mason go to free him? Edward Mason is the publisher’s son. Whose side will the publisher take? Subscriptions being pulled, advertising down just how far will the publisher goes to save the Dispatch?
Mason is determined to pen a profile of this killer and with the help of Diggs new lawyer a beautiful blonde named, Felicia, he manages to interview him. Killers are smart, cunning and often convincing when the listener does not have a trained ear for lies, deceits and wants to believe what he says. Claiming he killed all of these white women, who are blonds because of racial slurs, comments and being treated as a pariah in his community, Mason takes his word as gospel and when he lies the truth things take on a different turn.
Law enforcement agencies are supposed to protect the rights of all citizens so when Kwame came up for release why did so many team up to make sure he remained inside? His incarceration was legal but the extension of it unethical and Mulligan and Mason fight on opposite sides, putting many lives in danger to protect the innocent, the public and the rights of one man who does not warrant anyone really caring. Moral decisions and ethical choices are at the center of this complex novel bringing to light many issues regarding both our legal and prison systems.
Each step of the way Mulligan, enlists the help of many close friends as he reunites with the Governor of Rhode Island hoping she will give him the information he needs to keep this man in prison. Working feverishly with her to find new evidence to make sure that he is never released will they succeed or will it be too late? But the Attorney General brings information to light, the judge listens to both sides and a verdict is rendered. Should those that lied, planted evidence perjured themselves and broke the law to keep others safe be held liable? With Mulligan working closely with the police and Mason with Kwame’s lawyer which side will succeed in their quest but can there be a clear winner?
What would you do if you were the presiding judge and had to decide if the state presented enough evidence to keep this man inside? What would you do to balance or tip the scales of justice in the right direction? A decision so controversial and a killer so diabolical you won’t believe the final result. Based on real life events this killer confesses to the crime and is convicted as a minor. But, history was made when the state law stating juveniles as adults could not be applied retroactively. His crimes so horrific that it was the opinion of the state’s psychologists that he could not be rehabilitated. Vigilante justice, mobs, threats against correction officers, judges, reporters, lawyers and violations of probation rights, extortion and even refusing to allow doctors to test him allowed the courts to give him more prison time. But, claiming he was jailed due to racism and breaking into the homes of two young women, smoking weed and stabbing victims countless times yet showing as you can tell when you hear his voice within this novel that he enjoyed his work and could not wait for his next kill. Just where is this killer now and what was his final fate? Two reporters on opposite sides of the scale of justice. Just where will the gavel land?
Author Bruce DeSilva brings to light many issues within this five star novel. Lies, deceits and cover-ups revealed but should they go unpunished? A man so dangerous that releasing him might endanger his own mother. Liam Mulligan and Edward Mason: two outstanding reporters each having a different style. Liam persistent, strong, careful and meticulous when researching a story. Mason hoping to get that major first page byline and headline learning the ropes.
Courthouse drama, a judge, Attorney General and a Lawyer that put it all on the line: Kwame Diggs: Freed or Remained in incarcerated! If you were the judge how would you rule? Surprises every step of the way and a killer whose words will send chills down your spine and a reporter who is relentless. Providence Rag: DeSilva and Mulligan at their best.
Let’s give this Five Golden Brand New Tires for Secretariat.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Imagine someone that spends every waking hour dreaming about his next kill. Imagine enjoying the smell of burnt flesh, the stench of a dead body and the sight of a mutilated animal. A serial killer finds different ways to torture, kill, maim and obliterate a life. Kwame Diggs enjoys hunting and staking out his victims, watching them go about their everyday lives and quietly sneaking into their homes and killing them. Gore does not deter him. Screams are stifled and witnesses non-existent. Kwame Diggs feels justified in his actions and thinks the world owes him something but what no one really knows. From a young age he enjoyed taking apart insects, burning cats and dogs and destroying his own sister’s Barbie Doll collection smiling as he hammered away at each of the doll’s limbs. Kwame Diggs thought he was clever and would never get caught. Killing two young women and their children, two years apart was the just tip of the iceberg. Attacking another woman and leaving her permanently scarred only makes his dreams of what he might do if he is ever freed more vivid, hardboiled and frightening. What would you do if you thought this man was about to be released from prison? Rhode Island has an antiquated law stating that juveniles are to be released from prison at age 21 regardless of the severity of the crime. Bone chilling to say the least! When the scale of justice is even and it is about to be tipped in the wrong direction freeing this man and one other killer, would you bend the law, plant evidence, create situations and lie in order to make sure he never sees the light of day? Moral and ethical values are tested to the limit and two close friends are about to become rivals and go head to head as author Bruce DeSilva brings back his most powerful character, Liam Mulligan to fight for the safety of so many and the safety of a small community.
Liam Mulligan is a sports reporter for the Providence Dispatch until his editor Ed Lomax requested his help on a different story. A young woman and her daughter were murdered in 1992 and the killer remains at large. Teaming up with Detective Andy Jennings they scour the neighborhood, question witnesses, unknowingly even the killer, but no arrest is made. Two years down the line he strikes again but not before he does damage in different ways. Mulligan is persistent, hardnosed and once again teams up with Andy Jennings but this time something will change. Cruising the small community of Warwick he sees a young black teen on a bike. One simple clue would awaken something in Mulligan and the next thing you know they might have their killer but first some legwork needs to be done. Becky Medeiros and her four-year-old daughter were his first victims and Connie Stuart and her two daughters were next. With an arsenal of help at his fingertips and the cooperation of the police, labs and others this young reporter manages to help catch a killer. But, there is much more to this murder and the arrest. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Confession on tape, in prison for six years this young man was never released because people inside and outside worked the legal system to find creative ways to make sure that he served more time. Eighteen years to be exact and now the law says he might be released and the charges against him that were filed keeping him in prison were faked, lies and if proven others will go down.
Edward Mason works for the Dispatch and decides to go on a one-man crusade to find out why Diggs was not released and if the evidence was tampered. Ed Lomax is the chief editor of the Dispatch and must decide which side to take, how to handle the controversy and if Mason should be allowed to continue with his investigation which might result in Diggs being freed. With Mulligan’s limited help, interviewing prison guards in Supermax, hearing the voice of Kwame Diggs telling him why he committed the murders readers will have to decide whether he is deranged, was framed or should be committed. As Mulligan managed to put Kwame behind bars, just how far will Mason go to free him? Edward Mason is the publisher’s son. Whose side will the publisher take? Subscriptions being pulled, advertising down just how far will the publisher goes to save the Dispatch?
Mason is determined to pen a profile of this killer and with the help of Diggs new lawyer a beautiful blonde named, Felicia, he manages to interview him. Killers are smart, cunning and often convincing when the listener does not have a trained ear for lies, deceits and wants to believe what he says. Claiming he killed all of these white women, who are blonds because of racial slurs, comments and being treated as a pariah in his community, Mason takes his word as gospel and when he lies the truth things take on a different turn.
Law enforcement agencies are supposed to protect the rights of all citizens so when Kwame came up for release why did so many team up to make sure he remained inside? His incarceration was legal but the extension of it unethical and Mulligan and Mason fight on opposite sides, putting many lives in danger to protect the innocent, the public and the rights of one man who does not warrant anyone really caring. Moral decisions and ethical choices are at the center of this complex novel bringing to light many issues regarding both our legal and prison systems.
Each step of the way Mulligan, enlists the help of many close friends as he reunites with the Governor of Rhode Island hoping she will give him the information he needs to keep this man in prison. Working feverishly with her to find new evidence to make sure that he is never released will they succeed or will it be too late? But the Attorney General brings information to light, the judge listens to both sides and a verdict is rendered. Should those that lied, planted evidence perjured themselves and broke the law to keep others safe be held liable? With Mulligan working closely with the police and Mason with Kwame’s lawyer which side will succeed in their quest but can there be a clear winner?
What would you do if you were the presiding judge and had to decide if the state presented enough evidence to keep this man inside? What would you do to balance or tip the scales of justice in the right direction? A decision so controversial and a killer so diabolical you won’t believe the final result. Based on real life events this killer confesses to the crime and is convicted as a minor. But, history was made when the state law stating juveniles as adults could not be applied retroactively. His crimes so horrific that it was the opinion of the state’s psychologists that he could not be rehabilitated. Vigilante justice, mobs, threats against correction officers, judges, reporters, lawyers and violations of probation rights, extortion and even refusing to allow doctors to test him allowed the courts to give him more prison time. But, claiming he was jailed due to racism and breaking into the homes of two young women, smoking weed and stabbing victims countless times yet showing as you can tell when you hear his voice within this novel that he enjoyed his work and could not wait for his next kill. Just where is this killer now and what was his final fate? Two reporters on opposite sides of the scale of justice. Just where will the gavel land?
Author Bruce DeSilva brings to light many issues within this five star novel. Lies, deceits and cover-ups revealed but should they go unpunished? A man so dangerous that releasing him might endanger his own mother. Liam Mulligan and Edward Mason: two outstanding reporters each having a different style. Liam persistent, strong, careful and meticulous when researching a story. Mason hoping to get that major first page byline and headline learning the ropes.
Courthouse drama, a judge, Attorney General and a Lawyer that put it all on the line: Kwame Diggs: Freed or Remained in incarcerated! If you were the judge how would you rule? Surprises every step of the way and a killer whose words will send chills down your spine and a reporter who is relentless. Providence Rag: DeSilva and Mulligan at their best.
Let’s give this Five Golden Brand New Tires for Secretariat.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
December 13, 2018
C’est autour d’une question épineuse et éthique que se déroule le très bon roman de Bruce Desilva Dura Lex :
Le respect strict de la loi doit-il l’emporter sur la sécurité, au risque de mettre en péril des
vies humaines ?
Dans les années 1980, un jeune noir âgé d’à peine 15 ans, poignarde de sang froid deux jeunesfemmes blondes et trois fillettes. Le jeune homme, avide de fantasmes sexuels, avoue sans
remords être le meurtrier. Mais, il revient sur la version des faits et accuse la police de
discrimination raciale. Il est condamné à la prison. Toutefois, la loi de Rhode Island dispose
que quelque soit le crime, le délinquant mineur doit être libéré à vingt et un ans. Malgré la loi,le criminel qui devrait être sorti depuis de nombreuses années est toujours derrière les
barreaux, suite à des condamnations fallacieuses pour mauvaise conduite.
Mason, le fils du directeur du célèbre journal le Dispatch en perte vitesse pour des raisons
financières, décide d’informer ses lecteurs sur les agissements contraire au code pénal de
l’administration. De son côté, le journaliste talentueux Muligan qui avait à l’époque écrit sur
les faits, est partagé entre la sécurité et le respect de la loi. Le temps presse, et les
investigations poussées vont être menées, car le tueur en série risque d’être remis en liberté. L’opinion publique gronde et l’administration vacille.
J’ai été happée par ce roman très bien construit et intelligent. Cette lecture n’est pas vaine, ni sans portée.
Elle permet de s’interroger sur la nécessité ou non du respect de la loi, même si celle-ci peut dans certains cas être défaillante.
Laisser seule l’administration juger du bien-fondé de la loi, cela ne risque-t-il pas d’entraver les libertés fondamentales ? L’anticipation d’un risque potentiel peut-elle mettre en péril une disposition législative ? Ou comme semble le suggérer l’auteur,
la protection de la vie humaine doit guider les décisions de justice au péril des libertés
fondamentales des personnes ayant déjà purgé leur peine. Le rôle de la presse et ses limites
face à la police et la justice est bien décrit. Enfin, le style est soigné et les personnages fouillés,au caractère bien trempé, sont convaincants.
Je conseille la lecture de cet excellent roman noir qui ne laisse pas indifférent.
Le respect strict de la loi doit-il l’emporter sur la sécurité, au risque de mettre en péril des
vies humaines ?
Dans les années 1980, un jeune noir âgé d’à peine 15 ans, poignarde de sang froid deux jeunesfemmes blondes et trois fillettes. Le jeune homme, avide de fantasmes sexuels, avoue sans
remords être le meurtrier. Mais, il revient sur la version des faits et accuse la police de
discrimination raciale. Il est condamné à la prison. Toutefois, la loi de Rhode Island dispose
que quelque soit le crime, le délinquant mineur doit être libéré à vingt et un ans. Malgré la loi,le criminel qui devrait être sorti depuis de nombreuses années est toujours derrière les
barreaux, suite à des condamnations fallacieuses pour mauvaise conduite.
Mason, le fils du directeur du célèbre journal le Dispatch en perte vitesse pour des raisons
financières, décide d’informer ses lecteurs sur les agissements contraire au code pénal de
l’administration. De son côté, le journaliste talentueux Muligan qui avait à l’époque écrit sur
les faits, est partagé entre la sécurité et le respect de la loi. Le temps presse, et les
investigations poussées vont être menées, car le tueur en série risque d’être remis en liberté. L’opinion publique gronde et l’administration vacille.
J’ai été happée par ce roman très bien construit et intelligent. Cette lecture n’est pas vaine, ni sans portée.
Elle permet de s’interroger sur la nécessité ou non du respect de la loi, même si celle-ci peut dans certains cas être défaillante.
Laisser seule l’administration juger du bien-fondé de la loi, cela ne risque-t-il pas d’entraver les libertés fondamentales ? L’anticipation d’un risque potentiel peut-elle mettre en péril une disposition législative ? Ou comme semble le suggérer l’auteur,
la protection de la vie humaine doit guider les décisions de justice au péril des libertés
fondamentales des personnes ayant déjà purgé leur peine. Le rôle de la presse et ses limites
face à la police et la justice est bien décrit. Enfin, le style est soigné et les personnages fouillés,au caractère bien trempé, sont convaincants.
Je conseille la lecture de cet excellent roman noir qui ne laisse pas indifférent.
November 20, 2018
Un véritable monstre de...15 ans est arrêté et jugé.
Il a commis son premier double meurtre à l'âge de 13 ans…
Le hic ? Un mineur, même dans ce cas-là, est considéré comme un mineur et ne peut excéder une peine au-delà de ses 18 ans. Cinq meurtres sordides et il sera dehors dans six ans à peine.
Comment ne pas résister à lui mettre sur le dos d'autres actes, même inventés, pour s'assurer qu'il reste enfermé ?
J'ai le souvenir d'un cas de ce type près de chez moi. Une bande jeune avait sauvagement assassiné et torturé un homme. L'une d'entre eux n'avait pu être véritablement condamnée puisqu'elle n'avait que 17 ans au moment des faits. Tout ça pour dire qu'avec ce livre, nous ne sommes clairement pas dans la fiction mais bel et bien dans une terrifiante réalité.
L'auteur touche là, un sujet terriblement épineux qui ferait sans doute parler des heures durant et donnerait, peut-être, des avis partagés.
Est-ce qu'un ado qui commet des crimes atroces peut être considéré comme sans danger et être relâché à sa majorité ? Comment faire quand les lois ne sont pas adaptées aux pires des cas ? Peut-on condamner ceux qui ont fait en sorte de créer de fausses accusations uniquement dans le but qu'il ne sorte pas de prison ? Ou s'arrête la liberté de chacun ? Où s'arrêtent les droits civiques ?
Eric Kessler, un monstre qui est allé jusqu'à manger ses victimes a, en parallèle, purgé sa peine et est relâché. Les spécialistes pensent qu'avec son grand âge il ne pourra pas récidiver. Est-ce que la différence d'âge entre ces deux tueurs change quelque chose ? Eric est blanc, Kwane est noir, est ce que cela a aussi un impact ?
L'auteur nous pose brillamment cette problématique. Son récit est intelligent, sans violence gratuite ou étalement gore à tout va. Juste ce qu'il faut pour être réaliste. D'ailleurs j'ai éprouvé la sensation de lire une histoire vraie plutôt qu'une fiction.
Un livre qui met clairement en exergue la problématique de la récidive…
Combien de victimes l'ont été par un criminel récidivant ?
Tu l'auras compris, ce livre est vraiment une lecture très intéressante et perturbante.
Je te le recommande 🙂
Il a commis son premier double meurtre à l'âge de 13 ans…
Le hic ? Un mineur, même dans ce cas-là, est considéré comme un mineur et ne peut excéder une peine au-delà de ses 18 ans. Cinq meurtres sordides et il sera dehors dans six ans à peine.
Comment ne pas résister à lui mettre sur le dos d'autres actes, même inventés, pour s'assurer qu'il reste enfermé ?
J'ai le souvenir d'un cas de ce type près de chez moi. Une bande jeune avait sauvagement assassiné et torturé un homme. L'une d'entre eux n'avait pu être véritablement condamnée puisqu'elle n'avait que 17 ans au moment des faits. Tout ça pour dire qu'avec ce livre, nous ne sommes clairement pas dans la fiction mais bel et bien dans une terrifiante réalité.
L'auteur touche là, un sujet terriblement épineux qui ferait sans doute parler des heures durant et donnerait, peut-être, des avis partagés.
Est-ce qu'un ado qui commet des crimes atroces peut être considéré comme sans danger et être relâché à sa majorité ? Comment faire quand les lois ne sont pas adaptées aux pires des cas ? Peut-on condamner ceux qui ont fait en sorte de créer de fausses accusations uniquement dans le but qu'il ne sorte pas de prison ? Ou s'arrête la liberté de chacun ? Où s'arrêtent les droits civiques ?
Eric Kessler, un monstre qui est allé jusqu'à manger ses victimes a, en parallèle, purgé sa peine et est relâché. Les spécialistes pensent qu'avec son grand âge il ne pourra pas récidiver. Est-ce que la différence d'âge entre ces deux tueurs change quelque chose ? Eric est blanc, Kwane est noir, est ce que cela a aussi un impact ?
L'auteur nous pose brillamment cette problématique. Son récit est intelligent, sans violence gratuite ou étalement gore à tout va. Juste ce qu'il faut pour être réaliste. D'ailleurs j'ai éprouvé la sensation de lire une histoire vraie plutôt qu'une fiction.
Un livre qui met clairement en exergue la problématique de la récidive…
Combien de victimes l'ont été par un criminel récidivant ?
Tu l'auras compris, ce livre est vraiment une lecture très intéressante et perturbante.
Je te le recommande 🙂
March 11, 2019
Peut-on prendre des libertés avec la loi au nom de la sécurité ? C’est autour de ce dilemme éthique que le journal, et l’opinion, se déchirent.
Mulligan, de son côté, reprend ses investigations et se lance dans une course contre la montre pour maintenir le criminel en détention.
Parce que si le meurtrier est relâché, partisans du droit et défenseurs de l’éthique risquent de se retrouver dans le même camp : celui des proies.
Voici un polar intéressant à plus d’un titre : d’abord parce que la résolution des crimes arrivent dans les 50 premières pages. Je me suis donc demandée ce qui allait bien pouvoir se passer pendent les 400 autres pages.
Ensuite parce que l’enquête est menée par un journaliste novice qui se laisse embobiner par le méchant tueur.
J’ai aimé la mère de Kwame, qui refuse de voir en son fils un tueur sanguinaire, le considérant encore comme son bébé.
J’ai aimé sentir la tension monter dans la ville à l’approche de la libération de Kwame.
Certains personnages m’ont fait rire, comme celui du juge qui reporte sa décision jusqu’à l’arrivée de son nouveau costume.
Un polar d’ambiance et d’enquêtes passionnant.
L’image que je retiendrai :
Celle du perroquet qui répète tout le temps la même phrase, et à qui tout le monde veut tordre le cou, sans jamais le faire.
https://alexmotamots.fr/dura-lex-bruc...
Mulligan, de son côté, reprend ses investigations et se lance dans une course contre la montre pour maintenir le criminel en détention.
Parce que si le meurtrier est relâché, partisans du droit et défenseurs de l’éthique risquent de se retrouver dans le même camp : celui des proies.
Voici un polar intéressant à plus d’un titre : d’abord parce que la résolution des crimes arrivent dans les 50 premières pages. Je me suis donc demandée ce qui allait bien pouvoir se passer pendent les 400 autres pages.
Ensuite parce que l’enquête est menée par un journaliste novice qui se laisse embobiner par le méchant tueur.
J’ai aimé la mère de Kwame, qui refuse de voir en son fils un tueur sanguinaire, le considérant encore comme son bébé.
J’ai aimé sentir la tension monter dans la ville à l’approche de la libération de Kwame.
Certains personnages m’ont fait rire, comme celui du juge qui reporte sa décision jusqu’à l’arrivée de son nouveau costume.
Un polar d’ambiance et d’enquêtes passionnant.
L’image que je retiendrai :
Celle du perroquet qui répète tout le temps la même phrase, et à qui tout le monde veut tordre le cou, sans jamais le faire.
https://alexmotamots.fr/dura-lex-bruc...
March 16, 2023
Graphically violent, but fascinating.
Rhode Island qualifies as the American state I knew the least about. (Actually a toss-up with North Dakota. I've learned a lot from Bruce DeSilva's books about a reporter at a dying daily newspaper. This story is not a whodunit in the classic sense. We know who the killer is. It's more about the lengths people will go to in an attempt to keep a psycho imprisoned so he can't kill again. It touches on race, justice, crowd hysteria and journalistic integrity. One of my 2023 favorite reads.
Rhode Island qualifies as the American state I knew the least about. (Actually a toss-up with North Dakota. I've learned a lot from Bruce DeSilva's books about a reporter at a dying daily newspaper. This story is not a whodunit in the classic sense. We know who the killer is. It's more about the lengths people will go to in an attempt to keep a psycho imprisoned so he can't kill again. It touches on race, justice, crowd hysteria and journalistic integrity. One of my 2023 favorite reads.
June 17, 2019
I picked up this book randomly from the library because of its title. In my heart, I’m a Rhode Islander, and I loved the nostalgia this book brought to me with its specific and well-placed references to Rhode Island landmarks and history. Combined with a fast-paced story of two reporters working at cross purposes to keep a murder behand bars versus get him released, I was intrigued, excited, and delighted by this book. I look forward to reading more from Bruce DeSilva.
June 15, 2020
I enjoyed this book! I’m biased because it takes place in Rhode Island but it really got my attention and was a real page turner! I enjoyed the quips throughout the book and the plotting. I had no idea investigative journalism could be so fascinating. My only knock is that things in this book that are huge plot points almost come across as trivial reveals, and happen a little neatly. Regardless, I enjoyed the journey.
March 25, 2021
More violent and filled with more stereotypes than his usual fare. Based on a gruesome true story, it focuses on a teenage serial killer who may be let out of prison at age 21 and what to do about it. Still worth reading about Providence and the dying newspaper business, this is not one of DeSilva's best.
August 3, 2021
I don't have any patience for books that put the reader in the head of psychopathic sex killers. I don't want to see the description of the victim's naked body, detailed descriptions of the shape of her breasts, etc. while the murderer-to-be is watching her from the bushes. Sue me.
Unapologetic DNF. Strong do-not-recommend.
Unapologetic DNF. Strong do-not-recommend.
November 2, 2022
A nail biter of a story. Pretty harrowing stuff, especially since it was taken from an actual case. Complicated decisions. Where does justice rest when a brutal killers civil rights are being violated by those sworn to uphold the law?
December 21, 2016
I've now read the first three novels about Rhode Island newspaper reporter Liam Mulligan.
I really like this guy. I intend to read A SCOURGE OF VIPERS (2015) soon.
I really like this guy. I intend to read A SCOURGE OF VIPERS (2015) soon.
March 20, 2023
Loaded with moral, ethical, and legal questions.
September 5, 2024
Pretty good detective story
May 21, 2014
Liam Mulligan, investigative reporter for The Providence Dispatch newspaper has come a long way since June 1992. Back then he was a young reporter working the sports beat who, by the luck of the draw and the fact that no one else was available, was forced into helping cover from the start one of the worst murder cases in the history of Rhode Island. A case that ultimately resulted in the very justified conviction of a killer who is definitively going to kill again if he ever gets out.
In the spring of 2012 that release is looking more and more likely. Not only is the killer going to get out, Mulligan probably will see that happen very soon as well as the death of his employer, The Providence Dispatch. Newspapers are a dying industry thanks to a population that either reads online or doesn't read at all. Mulligan knows the end is near every time he walks into the nearly empty newsroom and considers all the empty workstations, but looking for a new job isn't a high priority right now. Mulligan instead is focused on the case and the huge ethical dilemma it has created. It seems increasingly clear that prison officials were fabricating charges to keep the killer behind bars beyond his original sentence because the laws passed by the legislature were never ever designed to handle this unique situation. If prison officials really could make up charges and did so the obvious implication is that they could do it again with somebody else. Where does the public’s all-encompassing right to know about corruption and other matters fit into this situation? Beyond the thorny issue of what they did, if it did happen and Mulligan and possibly other reporters write about it, all heck is going to break loose with the most likely result in a killer being released to kill again. A killer who, no doubt, is far smarter about how to do what he wants to do without getting caught than when he went in all those years ago.
Inspired by two famous Rhode Island murder cases, Providence Rag: A Liam Mulligan Novel is the third book in the very good Liam Mulligan series. While Mulligan is getting older and maybe wiser---through that is questionable--- he is certainly more and more aware of the fact that he is the last of his breed in a dying industry. The obvious question as to who is going to expose corrupt politicians and flawed government actions when newspapers are gone is one that comes up again here as well as the ethics in reporting all that one knows about a situation.
This latest in the series is another good one from author Bruce DeSilva. Shifting in time from various dates in 1989 to 2012 the complicated read features further development of many characters as well as an illustrative history of what is being lost as the newspaper industry dies before our eyes. The world has changed a lot in those years and readers are reminded of those changes as the book works its way through and increasingly suspenseful situation on various fronts. Based on real life events with names and other details fictionalized Providence Rag: A Liam Mulligan novel, like the preceding two books Rogue Island and Cliff Walk, is absolutely well worth your time.
Providence Rag: A Liam Mulligan Novel
Bruce DeSilva
http://www.brucedesilva.com
Forge (A Tom Doherty Associates Book)
http://www.tor-forge.com
March 2014
ISBN #978-0-7653-7429-5
Hardback (also available in e-book)
304 Pages
$25.99
ARC was provided by the author for my use in an objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
In the spring of 2012 that release is looking more and more likely. Not only is the killer going to get out, Mulligan probably will see that happen very soon as well as the death of his employer, The Providence Dispatch. Newspapers are a dying industry thanks to a population that either reads online or doesn't read at all. Mulligan knows the end is near every time he walks into the nearly empty newsroom and considers all the empty workstations, but looking for a new job isn't a high priority right now. Mulligan instead is focused on the case and the huge ethical dilemma it has created. It seems increasingly clear that prison officials were fabricating charges to keep the killer behind bars beyond his original sentence because the laws passed by the legislature were never ever designed to handle this unique situation. If prison officials really could make up charges and did so the obvious implication is that they could do it again with somebody else. Where does the public’s all-encompassing right to know about corruption and other matters fit into this situation? Beyond the thorny issue of what they did, if it did happen and Mulligan and possibly other reporters write about it, all heck is going to break loose with the most likely result in a killer being released to kill again. A killer who, no doubt, is far smarter about how to do what he wants to do without getting caught than when he went in all those years ago.
Inspired by two famous Rhode Island murder cases, Providence Rag: A Liam Mulligan Novel is the third book in the very good Liam Mulligan series. While Mulligan is getting older and maybe wiser---through that is questionable--- he is certainly more and more aware of the fact that he is the last of his breed in a dying industry. The obvious question as to who is going to expose corrupt politicians and flawed government actions when newspapers are gone is one that comes up again here as well as the ethics in reporting all that one knows about a situation.
This latest in the series is another good one from author Bruce DeSilva. Shifting in time from various dates in 1989 to 2012 the complicated read features further development of many characters as well as an illustrative history of what is being lost as the newspaper industry dies before our eyes. The world has changed a lot in those years and readers are reminded of those changes as the book works its way through and increasingly suspenseful situation on various fronts. Based on real life events with names and other details fictionalized Providence Rag: A Liam Mulligan novel, like the preceding two books Rogue Island and Cliff Walk, is absolutely well worth your time.
Providence Rag: A Liam Mulligan Novel
Bruce DeSilva
http://www.brucedesilva.com
Forge (A Tom Doherty Associates Book)
http://www.tor-forge.com
March 2014
ISBN #978-0-7653-7429-5
Hardback (also available in e-book)
304 Pages
$25.99
ARC was provided by the author for my use in an objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
July 16, 2015
Mysterious Book Report No 161
by John Dwaine McKenna
One of my favorite literary characters and amateur sleuths is a wise-cracking, cigar-chomping, hometown-homeboy ace investigative reporter and crime-fighting journalist by the name of Liam Mulligan. He’s based in Providence, Rhode Island, working for a venerated, one hundred forty year old newspaper that’s barely managing to stay afloat, thanks mostly to the publisher’s deep sense of responsibility to the city and public he serves . . . and his willingness to subsidize it from his own pocket. Mulligan’s job hangs by a thread, but he keeps right on doing it to the best of his ability; an act which makes him a noble character, worthy of our attention, if not our adulation. He’s the creation of Bruce DeSilva, himself an old newspaperman with forty years of reporting experience to his credit. His newest work is Providence Rag, (Forge/Tom Doherty & Associates, $25.99, 351 pages, ISBN 978-0-7653-7429-5), in which Mulligan and the paper he works for are caught on the horns of an ethical dilemma. At issue is Rhode Island’s youngest-ever serial killer. He’s an unrepentant monster who killed five of his neighbors as a young teenager, not yet old enough to drive a car. He’s due to be released from prison because of a technicality in the law which states that all teenaged prisoners, no matter what the crime, must be released on their twenty-first birthday. It’s an antiquated statute, never amended or rewritten, and never intended to deal with a case such as this. The killer’s release date has been pushed back and delayed by false accusations of violence, sworn to by various prison guards and attested to by others in order to prevent the fully-grown man who dreams of committing more murders from leaving the penitentiary. The ploy is common knowledge among law enforcement officials and Mulligan is in agreement. Mason however, Mulligan’s pal and the publisher’s son, is actively campaigning for the prisoner’s immediate release on moral, ethical and legal grounds, thus setting in motion an ethical dilemma from which there is no apparent solution. Based upon an actual case history, Providence Rag will keep you involved to the last word on the last page as your sense of moral outrage wrestles with your primal urge to protect those you love. Powerful and timely, this one’s another winner from the Edgar awarded pen of Bruce DeSilva.
Like the review? The greatest compliment you can give is to share it with others on Facebook and follow us on Goodreads.
www.Facebook.com/JohnDwaineMcKenna
www.Goodreads.com/JohnDwaineMcKenna
by John Dwaine McKenna
One of my favorite literary characters and amateur sleuths is a wise-cracking, cigar-chomping, hometown-homeboy ace investigative reporter and crime-fighting journalist by the name of Liam Mulligan. He’s based in Providence, Rhode Island, working for a venerated, one hundred forty year old newspaper that’s barely managing to stay afloat, thanks mostly to the publisher’s deep sense of responsibility to the city and public he serves . . . and his willingness to subsidize it from his own pocket. Mulligan’s job hangs by a thread, but he keeps right on doing it to the best of his ability; an act which makes him a noble character, worthy of our attention, if not our adulation. He’s the creation of Bruce DeSilva, himself an old newspaperman with forty years of reporting experience to his credit. His newest work is Providence Rag, (Forge/Tom Doherty & Associates, $25.99, 351 pages, ISBN 978-0-7653-7429-5), in which Mulligan and the paper he works for are caught on the horns of an ethical dilemma. At issue is Rhode Island’s youngest-ever serial killer. He’s an unrepentant monster who killed five of his neighbors as a young teenager, not yet old enough to drive a car. He’s due to be released from prison because of a technicality in the law which states that all teenaged prisoners, no matter what the crime, must be released on their twenty-first birthday. It’s an antiquated statute, never amended or rewritten, and never intended to deal with a case such as this. The killer’s release date has been pushed back and delayed by false accusations of violence, sworn to by various prison guards and attested to by others in order to prevent the fully-grown man who dreams of committing more murders from leaving the penitentiary. The ploy is common knowledge among law enforcement officials and Mulligan is in agreement. Mason however, Mulligan’s pal and the publisher’s son, is actively campaigning for the prisoner’s immediate release on moral, ethical and legal grounds, thus setting in motion an ethical dilemma from which there is no apparent solution. Based upon an actual case history, Providence Rag will keep you involved to the last word on the last page as your sense of moral outrage wrestles with your primal urge to protect those you love. Powerful and timely, this one’s another winner from the Edgar awarded pen of Bruce DeSilva.
Like the review? The greatest compliment you can give is to share it with others on Facebook and follow us on Goodreads.
www.Facebook.com/JohnDwaineMcKenna
www.Goodreads.com/JohnDwaineMcKenna
April 15, 2014
Most of the crime thrillers are written either from the victims' or from the detectives' perspective, but very rare from a reporter's point of view. In this third installment featuring Liam Mulligan for a newspaper in Providence, Rhode Island, readers will follow his journey in reporting (or to be exact, helps unveiling the truth on his own) the gruesome crimes committed by a teenaged boy, who finds bliss and release in his killing spree. He is not like other boys his age, who would find themselves getting excited over pretty girls or even pornography. No, Kwame Diggs harbors more devilish thoughts; from dismembering his sister's Barbie dolls to killing his neighbours.
Liam Mulligan is initially a sports reporter. A news editor seeks his help to cover a gory double murder and although Liam has no intention of doing so in the first place, he finally agrees to it given the extra pay.
Liam quickly gathers some information from the police due to his persistence and from some connections. He learnt that the killer must have known and scrutinized his victims before killing them. The same happened to three more victims two years later before Kwame Diggs is put behind bars.
But the climax didn't just end there, the highlight of the story is Liam, together with a coworker Mason, finds themselves on opposite sides when they are thrown with a moral dilemma. What is a journalist to do between exposing the truth and protecting people? Both of them know that the faking charges to continue keeping Kwame Diggs locked up is wrong, but then is it absolutely right to set free of a dangerous man who might murder again?
Inspired by the true story of Craig Price (America's youngest serial killer), author Bruce DeSilva cleverly crafted a thriller with a debating issue and journalism as a setting surrounding it. I was quite fascinated by the character of Liam Mulligan although this is the first book I read about him (and this author as well). Liam's persistence and his spirit of pursuing the truth is truly an inspiration. I couldn't comment more on Mason though as I felt Liam's characteristic has more or less over shined his coworker. That said, Mason is still an interesting character, given his position as the heir to the newspaper they work for.
Kwame Diggs, on the other end, gives me the shivers. I couldn't imagine why a grown man committed those gruesome crimes, let alone a teenager. Providence Rag definitely leaves the readers a lot to think about, aside from the intriguing crime story.
Liam Mulligan is initially a sports reporter. A news editor seeks his help to cover a gory double murder and although Liam has no intention of doing so in the first place, he finally agrees to it given the extra pay.
Liam quickly gathers some information from the police due to his persistence and from some connections. He learnt that the killer must have known and scrutinized his victims before killing them. The same happened to three more victims two years later before Kwame Diggs is put behind bars.
But the climax didn't just end there, the highlight of the story is Liam, together with a coworker Mason, finds themselves on opposite sides when they are thrown with a moral dilemma. What is a journalist to do between exposing the truth and protecting people? Both of them know that the faking charges to continue keeping Kwame Diggs locked up is wrong, but then is it absolutely right to set free of a dangerous man who might murder again?
Inspired by the true story of Craig Price (America's youngest serial killer), author Bruce DeSilva cleverly crafted a thriller with a debating issue and journalism as a setting surrounding it. I was quite fascinated by the character of Liam Mulligan although this is the first book I read about him (and this author as well). Liam's persistence and his spirit of pursuing the truth is truly an inspiration. I couldn't comment more on Mason though as I felt Liam's characteristic has more or less over shined his coworker. That said, Mason is still an interesting character, given his position as the heir to the newspaper they work for.
Kwame Diggs, on the other end, gives me the shivers. I couldn't imagine why a grown man committed those gruesome crimes, let alone a teenager. Providence Rag definitely leaves the readers a lot to think about, aside from the intriguing crime story.
June 22, 2014
Good Sunday morning! I hope the sun is shining and the birds are chirping wherever you are today.
I finished listening to a GREAT book this week and am excited about recommending it to you. The name is Providence Rag, by Bruce DeSilva. When I read the excerpt, it didn’t completely grab me, but the author is local, so I thought I’d give it a shot. It was thought-provoking, fast-paced, sarcastic and funny. Needless to say, woo-hoo!
The premise of the book is based on a real case, and it has to do with an antiquated law in the state of Rhode Island. In this fictional story, a young teen commits five horrific murders and is sent to prison; however, the law in RI says that any incarcerated juvenile–regardless of the crime–must be released at age twenty-one. (!) Big yikes to that. Fast forward many years later, and the man is still in jail, way past the age of twenty-one. A do-gooder at a dying newspaper in Rhode Island starts sniffing around and realizes that the killer is still locked up because of trumped-up charges from inside the prison, i.e. attacking a guard and drugs inside his cell. So, by law, it would seem that justice isn’t being served because they’re keeping him under false pretenses. But if justice is served, then the murderer will be set free, and everyone knows he’ll kill again. Holy conundrum.
The two best things about this book is the main character, Liam Mulligan, who’s smart, sarcastic, and a Yankees baseball hater. He helps break the case when the teen is initially found guilty and gets involved again when it seems the man will be released. The second wonderful thing about this books is all the local references. If you’re from Rhode Island or Massachusetts, you’ll recognize a lot of the local haunts, restaurants, street names, things like that. If you’re not from that area, don’t sweat it; it’s still a fun read and will keep you entertained until the end. ‘Til next week, happy reading! :-)
I finished listening to a GREAT book this week and am excited about recommending it to you. The name is Providence Rag, by Bruce DeSilva. When I read the excerpt, it didn’t completely grab me, but the author is local, so I thought I’d give it a shot. It was thought-provoking, fast-paced, sarcastic and funny. Needless to say, woo-hoo!
The premise of the book is based on a real case, and it has to do with an antiquated law in the state of Rhode Island. In this fictional story, a young teen commits five horrific murders and is sent to prison; however, the law in RI says that any incarcerated juvenile–regardless of the crime–must be released at age twenty-one. (!) Big yikes to that. Fast forward many years later, and the man is still in jail, way past the age of twenty-one. A do-gooder at a dying newspaper in Rhode Island starts sniffing around and realizes that the killer is still locked up because of trumped-up charges from inside the prison, i.e. attacking a guard and drugs inside his cell. So, by law, it would seem that justice isn’t being served because they’re keeping him under false pretenses. But if justice is served, then the murderer will be set free, and everyone knows he’ll kill again. Holy conundrum.
The two best things about this book is the main character, Liam Mulligan, who’s smart, sarcastic, and a Yankees baseball hater. He helps break the case when the teen is initially found guilty and gets involved again when it seems the man will be released. The second wonderful thing about this books is all the local references. If you’re from Rhode Island or Massachusetts, you’ll recognize a lot of the local haunts, restaurants, street names, things like that. If you’re not from that area, don’t sweat it; it’s still a fun read and will keep you entertained until the end. ‘Til next week, happy reading! :-)
Read
April 14, 2014The Providence Rag, by Bruce DeSilva, a-minus, Narrated by Jeff Woodman, Produced by Audible Inc., downloaded from audible.com.
This is the latest Liam Mulligan, veteran reporter of the Providence Rag. Here we find Mulligan, his pal Mason, and the newspaper they both work for at an ethical crossroad. The youngest serial killer in history butchered five of his neighbors before he was old enough to drive. When he was caught eighteen years ago, Rhode Island's antiquated
criminal statutes - never intended for someone like him - required that all juveniles, no matter their crimes, be released at age 21. The killer is still
behind bars, serving time for crimes supposedly committed on the inside. That these charges were fabricated is an open secret; but nearly everyone is fine
with it - if the monster ever gets out more people will surely die. But Mason is not fine with it. If officials can get away with framing this killer they
could do it to anybody. As Mason sets out to prove officials are perverting the justice system, Mulligan searches frantically for some legal way to keep
the monster behind bars. The dueling investigations pit the friends against each other in a high-stakes race against time - and snares them in an ethical
dilemma that has no right answer.
This is the latest Liam Mulligan, veteran reporter of the Providence Rag. Here we find Mulligan, his pal Mason, and the newspaper they both work for at an ethical crossroad. The youngest serial killer in history butchered five of his neighbors before he was old enough to drive. When he was caught eighteen years ago, Rhode Island's antiquated
criminal statutes - never intended for someone like him - required that all juveniles, no matter their crimes, be released at age 21. The killer is still
behind bars, serving time for crimes supposedly committed on the inside. That these charges were fabricated is an open secret; but nearly everyone is fine
with it - if the monster ever gets out more people will surely die. But Mason is not fine with it. If officials can get away with framing this killer they
could do it to anybody. As Mason sets out to prove officials are perverting the justice system, Mulligan searches frantically for some legal way to keep
the monster behind bars. The dueling investigations pit the friends against each other in a high-stakes race against time - and snares them in an ethical
dilemma that has no right answer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews