Blood Ties: A gripping Irish police procedural, heralding the return of Ben Devlin

Blood Ties is a compulsive police procedural, thought-provoking, compassionate, and beautifully written crime novel by Brian McGilloway. It is praised for its authentic depiction of a troubled community and the conflicts of a fallible detective, as well as the intense portrait of the borderlands themselves. The novel passes the feared second-novel test and is considered one of the best crime fiction being written today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

"Blood Ties" is a compulsive police procedural, but it is so much more than that. Thought-provoking, compassionate, and beautifully written, this novel by Ann Cleeves is a rare gem in the world of crime fiction. Brian McGilloway is one of the finest crime writers working today, and his novel is a testament to his mastery of the genre.

The story revolves around Detective Inspector Ben Devlin, who is called to investigate the murder of a man in his rented room. When the man's identity is discovered, Devlin feels a sense of dread as he realizes that the victim is Brooklyn Harris, a man who beat his then-girlfriend, Hannah Row, to death and spent twelve years in prison for the murder.

As Devlin investigates the dead man's movements since his release, he becomes aware of Harris's online grooming of teenage girls and his subsequent arrangements to meet them. However, his activities have been discovered by others, notably a vigilante who is determined to bring Harris to justice.

As Devlin delves deeper into the case, he uncovers that Harris was killed on the anniversary of Hannah's death, which seems like too big a coincidence to be believed. This leads him to question whether there is more to the story than meets the eye, and he begins to interview Hannah's family as part of his investigation.

Forensics then contact Devlin with the astounding news that blood found on Harris's body matches the blood sample taken from Hannah's murder scene twenty years ago. This revelation sends Devlin's investigation into overdrive, as he tries to piece together the puzzle and determine who could have committed such a heinous act.

"Blood Ties" is a masterclass in crime fiction, with a well-paced plot, intricate characters, and a shocking twist that will leave readers breathless. Brian McGilloway's writing is masterful, and his portrayal of Detective Inspector Devlin is compelling and relatable. This novel is a must-read for anyone who loves crime fiction, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Weight: 588g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472133649