In the Dark River

Joe Swallow #4

by Conor Brady

Swallow and the legendary Chief Superintendent John Mallon must also work tirelessly to counter espionage and subterfuge by the British secret services, who are hell-bent on destroying Charles Stewart Parnell and the Irish struggle for Home Rule. If Parnell falls, the G-men of Dublin’s Metropolitan Police fear the chaos that will rise in his wake. As Swallow struggles to hold his marriage together, he must choose between the life he wants and the career he has built. The pressure mounts on Swallow from all a death under Dublin, an Irish journalist murdered in Madrid, the pursuit of a suspect across the breadth of Ireland and all the while, the sinister machinations of the British Empire against the "uncrowned king". Conor Brady returns with a masterfully thrilling tale of intrigue, treachery, and suspense, the fourth book in the Joe Swallow series.

Genres: Ireland

304 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2018

About the author

Journalist, author, former editor (@IrishTimes, The Sunday Tribune), former Commissioner, Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission.

Reviews

[Peter]

Another good entry in the DI Joe Swallow series set in 1889 Dublin. The occasionally bungled police investigation of a woman’s body in a sewer and a robbery of an influential lawyer, is the plot of what feels a realistic, non-anachronistic read with Swallow’s own relationships developing. There’s some awkward info dumping early but the pace picks up as a range of well-delineated police and civilians move towards a believably untidy solution. Parnell is critical and Dublin on the cusp of the 20th century comes through vividly.

[Síofra Nic Liam]

I thought this was well written and the characters were interesting, as was the main plot, but I couldn't fully get into it in parts.
It felt too busy, plot wise. I would get really invested at some points, and then it felt like we circled back to a less interesting thing in the book, and I'd lose interest.
I did generally like it, so I can't be too harsh, but I did also get a bit bored at times.

[Barbara]

Fourth book in series, does not disappoint!

Love G-man Swallow! Connor Brady tells the story of Detective Swallow with flourish and fact! The series is interesting, and well written. The characters are tried and true, and become familiar as ones own family. I look forward to reading more about Inspector Swallow.

[Judie]

Now the long wait for the next book in this series.

[Anita H]

Not as good as the first three in the series.

[Daniela]

I really enjoyed these books and the insight they give to the late 19th century Dublin world but also the perennial issues which people face across time and location. I hope there is another one day.

[Bob]

Good stories