The book The Ghosts of Galway is a sequel to Jack Taylor's series. If, like me, you have not read the previous twelve books, you will need some time to get used to some of it's special features. For example, Ken Bruen writes in a pretty bare style, often using elliptical sentences, which deprive them of all redundancy. And yet, he left himself plenty of room to cover various actual issues (Brexit, ISIS, Trump, Kardashian Family, Prince and Bowie's Death, Terrorist Attacks in Bataclan Hall etc.), as well as for mentioning various literary and television titles, clarifying the Irish mentality and much more. Although it looks like a very interesting style, it is much more interesting in theory than in practice. But I leave the possibility that it may just take a little longer to fit with this kind of writing so that you can freely immerse yourself in the action. Still, I admit, I did not quite succeed to do that this time.

In the book, of course, we find the main character of the series, Jack Taylor, in a rather unmanageable situation. Jack is recovering from the wrong medical diagnosis, as well as the unsuccessful attempt of suicide. As a former cop he gets a job of a night guard without much effort. He believes the job is indefatigably boring, but necessary. His boss's offering to find The Red Book, a heretic book kept by the Vatican as a great secret, until Frank Miller, the ex-priest stole it. Jack, of course, accepts the offered job and thus enters a rather complex case involving The Galway Ghosts, some kind of suspicious sect, a multitude of bad guys, but also some old Jack's „friends“, like the odd girl Em.

Jack Taylor is a typical anti-hero, so it's not surprising that it's pretty difficult to identify with him. Jack has a weird but amusing sense of humor, and a bit of  that famous  Irish charm, which I have to admit, I hoped to see to a greater extent in this book. Although we come across stories of different relationships from the past, it seems that Jack has no real friends, and love, same as any other emotion similar to that, are almost non-existent. The most emotional relationships are those with the puppy that follows him and sister Maeva who he occasionally visits.

If Jack Taylor is an anti-hero (and he is), I really do not know what to say about Em. Emily. Emerald. First of all, her relationship with Jack is pretty unclear and all the time it's somewhere between love and hate. Em is some kind of  Marvel's female villains or at least that's what I imagine her to be like. She is familiar with everything and leaves her mark everywhere, she is also completely dehumanized and does not follow any rules of common sense and logic. To the very end, she remains a complete enigma.

In short, The Ghosts of Galway is a thriller like none you read before. You will not find too many redundant descriptions in it, and you will need to invest a lot of effort to understand the action or link the roles of particular characters. And it seems that's what Ken Bruen wants and what his fans like. Before the ending there was a big pile of dead bodies, which is not strange for such literature, and Bruen resolved them with such simplicity that I was astonished.

Although I can understand why Bruen's series of novels about Jack Taylor has a large number of fans, I was not completely delighted to read this one. I leave the possibility that it's difficult to understand the author's style when you start from the thirteenth book from the series, but it will take a long time for me to decide to prove that theorem and read the other books. Still, I have to admit, as I look at everything I have noticed and wrote about Bruen's style, I reveal a new dimension of the book I've just read. I'm still far from giving a good grade, but maybe a bit closer to understanding what's so appealing in Jack Taylor's series.

Ou l'on retrouve avec joie un de nos personnages de fiction préférés, en espérant que la traduction en français de ce titre sera bientôt dans les programmes des éditeurs français !

A expertly crafted tale with characters that seem as alive and you or me.

As usual for Bruen a well-written story, characters are again very well written. I look forward to his next installment of this gripping series.

I first became acquainted with Jack Taylor via Acorn TV. If you aren't familiar with the character, you might want to follow that same route, because presented as he is in the novels, he is likely to be a bit off-putting for those of a sensitive nature. Also, if you try to start with this book, you'll be lost.

I also, since I haven't read the previous entries, say whether the disjointed, semi-stream-of-consciousness style of this book is standard. At first, I didn't have a problem with it. However, as I kept reading, it seemed more and more as if much of it was there mostly to pad the story to bring it up to novel length. More than once I found myself thinking "Can we just get on with this, please?"

Jack is definitely a character for those who love anti-heroes, but Mr. Bruen manages him in a way that lets him be as complex as he needs to be without letting him slide overboard into caricature. Jack is who he is, and you can take him or leave him without his giving a damn either way. So, do have a look.

Ghosts of Galway is a mind-numbing trip through Jack Taylor's broken life as he seeks purpose, and possibly redemption. Through a more poetry than prose writing style, we follow Taylor's life shortly after a failed suicide attempt. His brushes with the Church cause both comfort and consternation, while his encounters with the elusive Emily drive him to the edge of madness. Balancing out Emily's bipolar displays of love and hatred is the stalwart Sergeant Ridge, who seems to stand in Taylor's path, but deep down, resonates with a feeling of safety and companionship unrivaled in Taylor's other acquaintances. Taylor's involvement in the fringes of a radical religious-political group take him to the doorstop of both priest and tavern, police and deviant, and ultimately, to the decision to take life or be taken. Ultimately, he finds that his life is not necessarily a reflection of the character of the man, and he is able to appreciate the goodness in both himself, and others...until one last moment threatens to destroy it all.

It was, admittedly, the cover that first piqued my interest. The description sounded like something I might enjoy and I wasn’t wrong with that notion. It did take me a few pages to get into the unique writing style and adjust to the (ahem) colourful language. I don’t have a problem with swear words as per se (on the contrary) but there were loads of those.
It was my first encounter with Jack Taylor and his “verse” but the author managed the balancing act of briefly explaining to new readers who is who and what the dealings with the respective character and Jack had been in the preceding 12 books without boring readers who already knew about it.
Just like the writing itself the storytelling is unique. Where other authors of the genre dwell on building suspense, strew in details and try to lay false trails, Ken Bruen is refreshingly “not sh*t and f*cks given”. That too needs a little getting used too since it was something else. Despite a lack of “building up” the characters get their unique personas even in the brief descriptions and encounters the reader is granted. For more depth I suspect I would have (will have, more likely) to read the entire series – beginning with book #1 called ‘The Guards’.
Jack Taylor probably belongs to the category “love or hate” with nothing in between.
The unique writing, the characters, the swearing and the many deaths (no spoilers hence keeping this rather vague) and the entire lack of keeping somewhat the protocol of police work up or at least the pretence thereof might be major put offs for many but despite my love for protocol and storybuilding, I enjoyed this book immensely.
The things that I didn’t like was the fast pace towards the end. It felt rushed through to get to a quick end before running out of pages (or time?) and at times I would have liked a tad more of what is going on in Jack and the other persons. A few times Ken Bruen seemed to have lost the golden thread and picked up lose ends here and there along the way which made it confusing and took me a moment or two longer to swing back into the narration and keep track of what is going on.
I didn’t expect the hint of X Files vipe at the very end but loved it all the same.
Same goes for the – in my eyes – smart use of news headlines (such as the deaths of David Bowie or Prince or President Cheetos’ run for his current job) to establish a time line and show the reader how much time has passed between events. It helped that those events are still relatively fresh in my memory – a different story for someone who might read the book in a couple of years from now.
Anyway a surprisingly great read I hadn’t expected to be so “on point” with its own narration when I started reading it.

I should mention right off the bat that the publisher was kind enough to send me a digital copy of ‘The Ghosts of Galway’ through Netgalley for review.

I honestly had no expectations when I started reading the book. In fact, I wasn’t even aware that it is the latest in a series of books centred around the character of Jack Taylor, so much so, I’m not entirely clear on his history. Only that he used to be a Guard, and things have been on the downward spiral for a while.

He’s a security guard when the story begins, but the name Jack Taylor apparently still commands respect. His employer sets him on the task of tracking down a rare anti-Biblical book, but things go sideways pretty soon.

The story itself is a rather simple tale of revenge with an odd cult thrown into the mix.

Most of the characters are barely developed, though I suspect it is by design, as we read the story from the point of view of the protagonist. Due to that, we only come to know as much about any character as Jack Taylor cared to share.

The narrative has a thick noir-style to it, with our hardboiled cynic of a protagonist barely even making an effort to pick himself up. He stumbles from folly to folly before feeling enough anger to do something about his life.

I must spend a little more time on the cynical worldview Jack Taylor has. I could easily relate to it, though I suspect it says more about me than it does the character himself.

It is frustrating to see Taylor not give a damn when his world is collapsing about him. In fact, at one point, he suffers a deeply personal tragedy, but so lost is he that he cannot bring himself to do anything about it.

The antagonist of the story, Emily (who fancies emeralds) is a rather complex, unhinged and scary young girl. She has a penchant for dramatic, showy and deliberate violence.

One of Emily's many shocking actions is a straw that broke the camel’s back, and it directly sets up the novel’s conclusion.

And what a brilliant, dark and richly satisfying ending it is, too.

The author pulls no punches. His staccato style of prose makes for lines that are the equivalent of an emotional gut punch. His penchant for breaking sentences up over several lines makes it easier for him to write lines that carry great shock value.

I may be only a recent initiate to the seedy world that Jack Taylor inhabits, but there is little doubt in my mind that this is a world I’m eager to discover from the start.

A solid tale, darkly told.

Jack Taylor is in a dark time in his life, having recently dealt with an incorrect medical diagnosis and an attempted suicide. He has lost his position as a guarda and is now a nighttime security guard for a Ukrainian thug. Jack drinks too much. Way, way too much. Having little regard for life he is perfect for a dangerous side job his Ukrainian boss puts him on- find The Red Book . the first book of heresy, taken from the Vatican and possible in the hands of a rogue priest. Jack also dislikes priests so his quest makes him extra irritable- if this is possible. His current situation also causes him to cross paths with Em, a woman he has a love/hate relationship with which includes no trust whatsoever. In fact, they threaten to kill each other frequently throughout the book The only positive thing going in his life right now is his dog.......
Jack is the perfect choice for this 'mission' since he doesn't exactly care if he lives or dies, which leaves him to make risky, haphazard decisions and confront homicidal criminals to get the answers he's looking for. He makes enemies along the way and faces consequences of his actions. He's a guy without anything to lose- the most dangerous kind. 

This is my first Jack Taylor novel and, while I really liked it, I believe I would have liked it more if I knew more about Jack's past. The book hints of what he's gone through but I will have to go back and read to really feel where he is in his life right now. What makes him as dark as the city he lives in. He's cynical and depressed and dependent on alcohol. But there is also humor (dark, of course!) which carries through the book so it's not a completely dismal read. 
I'm left with many questions I need to find the answers to: What is Jack and Em's relationship about? What is up with Jack's mom and priests? What was the grave medical diagnosis and is that what lead Jack to attempt to take his life? 
Looking forward to going back to the start to follow Jack down the path that lead him to The Ghosts Of Galway.

The Ghosts of Galway is an interesting story told in a most unique way. You could call it author drunk or author stoned or author crazy. But crazy doesn't really describe the writing so much as it does the story. We get a view of the life of one Jack Taylor, a life that is not for me to describe now having seen how author Ken Bruen does it. It's a very unpredictable story, but I did enjoy it, even if at times I thought I was the crazy one. You won't read another novel like it any time soon.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

The description of this book interested me greatly.  Though I had a difficult time following the plot line, the writing kept me going.  But the characters and their motivations I found unsatisfying and confusing, and felt that the author just didn't give me enough to go on to understand them better.

I didn't care for the authors' writing style.  It was very ADHD.   The author jumps from topic to topic and didn't develop the characters in any depth. He unnecessarily name drops a bunch of book, and movie titles and the names of many different types of alcohol that do nothing to enhance the story.  I know there is a story there but the way it was written made it difficult to follow the story line.

As in previous Ken Bruen novels, Jack Taylor has the bitter edginess of an alcoholic.  There were, however, far too many f-bombs.  I get it … he’s supposed to be rough-talking.  To repeat, excessive on the f-bombs as well as too many killings for the sake of killing.

I enjoyed the comments throughout and all their Irish-ness as well as the subtle humor shown in both comments and thoughts.

The most minor part of the book is the plot.  It’s there, but the real stuff is the side happenings with a little bit of character development thrown in..

The writing is erratic and choppy, but it works.  It gives a feeling of the anything-but-smooth life of Jack Taylor.

I did not like and found annoying all the ramblings and the sporadic and erratic references to other literature.  It was as though the author has severe ADD and can’t keep his mind on the tale. 

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review The Ghosts of Galway.

I really enjoy the Jack Taylor series and this one did not disappoint. A glorious mix of fascinating characters in abundance. Ukranian gangsters and priests, coupled with some dark and witty writing, makes this another great read from Ken Bruen. Thank you Net Galley for my copy. I reviewed on Goodreads.

The Ghosts of Galway is the latest instalment in Bruen's Jack Taylor series. At the outset Jack is in a right state, following a failed suicide attempt. Amid considerable self-loathing and ongoing pain, he takes a job as a security guard. His reputation precedes him, however, and he is soon summoned by the boss to take on a more lucrative job, recovering a missing religious text: the Red Book.

Jack makes snippy references to Dan Brown, but still takes the gig. In the process, he soon finds himself involved with Jeremy, the leader of a nascent cult, and with Emerald, a ruthless woman prepared to stoop to almost anything.

Emerald reminded me a bit of Alice from the Luther TV series; both appalling and attractive at the same time. She's a complex and distinctive character, and a perfect foil for Taylor's surly, alcohol-fuelled PI. Neither is to be under-estimated, and both are implacable.

I enjoyed the prose in this book, with its blend of a very hard-boiled narrative with almost poetic strings of short sentences. It is a bit circumlocutory (perhaps intentionally?) at times, for example we are introduced to the character of Sister Maeve in almost the same terms, three times.

I'm a bit late to the party with this series, picking it up at instalment 14. I sensed that there might be plot twists here that I could be missing due to not having read earlier entries in the series. This wasn't a problem, but it has whetted my appetite for going back and reading the earlier books.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.  I had high hopes for it, but unfortunately it really missed the mark for me. I found the characters to be unconvincing and unlikeable, the choppy writing style was tedious to read and while I was initially really intrigued by the plot eventually it just fizzled out.

Much of the time in any book featuring Jack Taylor by Bruen, we are contemplating and admiring the well-worn character of the now-ex-Guard in his Irish setting - his heavy drinking, his violent but heartfelt ways of dealing with people - including a psychopath who has fallen for him, and a manipulative dying fake-religious leader. And there are layers that the deft Bruen manages to indicate and which he helps us navigate too. Who is a good person and who not - he is concerned to separate them out whatever they may think of him. This is a conspiracy involving priests, drugs and hard ball ... you have to know that Bruen is digressive and to realise that you will be weaving among opinion not only about matters in hand, but books, styles of talk, music and general comment on newsworthy event. Attending closely (painless) you can pull a plot together and soon you are admiring how he did it.  Really top value and distinct one.

This book was far too short! I'm just going to have to read the previous two and any other works to enjoy more of this author. So another new author to me and another back catalogue to be added to the TBR pile.

It just flows so well. The writing is different to many books I've read so far with it's lyrical style and breaking sentences

Down

Like

This

Jack, is an ex-Garda turned PI. At least I think he is, it's never worded that way. More that Jack is known for getting things done, finding lost items and generally getting beaten up (and kicking the bad guys too). There's such a mix of characters in here: Ukrainian gangsters that ended up having a smaller part that at first thought, various priests and a femme fatale that plays every side but especially her own

The whole thing is a wild ride, really enjoyable and I look forward to more.

(Review scheduled to be published on wordpress on day of release)

This is the 13th novel in the Jack Taylor series from the prolific, award-winning Ken Bruen. I love Noir and crime fiction and ripped through this in a very short time. The first person point of view prose of the rambling, sometimes shambling, Jack Taylor is riveting. The author tips his hat to other crime writers, quoting snips from their novels where appropriate, but I especially loved that the title is homage to James Lee Burke’s “In the Electric Mist with the Confederate Dead.” James Lee Burke is one of my top favorite authors—though I only read the Robicheaux stories—I never really fell into the Montana or Texas novels. Big plus, Electric Mist is my favorite of his novels. 

Apparently, Jack has had a long and harrowing fall from having once been a Garda, and he’s left a lot of violence and hatred in his wake, but new trouble always seems to find him. Also, the story takes place in 2016 where the deaths of music icons Bowie, Prince, and Cohen have an affect on Jack’s inner landscape, as does Trump creeping up America’s skirts…something ugly has crept into Galway dragging with it a fallen priest, a psycho ex, and a long list of innocents. 

I’ve never read Ken Bruen before, and I love his short and lilting, yet brutal, style, the near stream-of-consciousness of Jack’s thoughts as he races from pun to pun only he seems to get. He must have a good rep, though, as everyone wants to hire him to get the job done.

My one complaint: Contractions don’t get used enough and the language sometimes feels a little stilted, which takes away, in my opinion, from the casual style.

So, I’m going to go back to the beginning of this series and start reading. You should to, if you like noir and crime fiction :)

I liked this one. It was a solid read. Among contemporary hardboiled mystery writers, Ken Bruen is one of the most interesting. Maybe not a Don Winslow, but surely in par with Jason Starr (whom he written a couple of novels with). 
Just like Chandler and Hammett, Ken Bruen writes a very heightened prose. It's very effective when the prose breaks up and turns into some kind of strange, hardboiled poetry.
Recommended!