Adrian McKinty’s *Hang on St Christopher* is a masterclass in noir storytelling—gritty, intense, and utterly compelling. From the very first page, McKinty immerses the reader in a dark and dangerous world, filled with richly drawn characters, razor-sharp dialogue, and a relentless sense of tension that never lets up.

As always, McKinty’s writing is superb. His prose is lean and evocative, capturing both the brutal reality of his characters’ lives and the bleak beauty of their surroundings. The pacing is pitch-perfect, balancing action, suspense, and moments of dark humor that make the story all the more engaging.

The protagonist is a classic McKinty antihero—flawed, complex, and deeply human. His struggles, both external and internal, keep the reader invested, and his journey is as emotionally compelling as it is thrilling. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, each character adding depth and intrigue to the story.

What sets *Hang on St Christopher* apart is its atmosphere. McKinty has a gift for transporting readers into the heart of his settings, making them feel as real and dangerous as the characters navigating them. Whether it’s a backroom deal gone wrong or a moment of quiet reflection before the next storm, every scene crackles with authenticity.

If you’re a fan of hard-hitting crime fiction with a literary edge, *Hang on St Christopher* is an absolute must-read. McKinty proves once again why he’s one of the best in the genre. ★★★★★

𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑮 𝑶𝑵 𝑺𝑻. 𝑪𝑯𝑹𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑷𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒄𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒚 was another selection offered to me from @blackstonepublishing via @netgalley out March 4th.

My last @adrianmckintyauthor book was a fun popcorn thriller, THE ISLAND which was a lot of fun. I was expecting something similar and got a much deeper, grittier, noir thriller and I am not sad about it! Also it is a series that once again I have stumbled into, but it was easily read as a stand alone.

This is a story that has semi-retired, Northern Ireland detective Sean Duffy caught up in a case that stirs up deep, dark waters in the long standing "Troubles." I am old enough to vaguely remember bits of news, but this takes place in 1992 which feels like only a few years ago to me. I learned a bit more about it through this gruff detective. I also thoroughly enjoyed Duffy's humor that kept this story from becoming too heavy.

I am not a good series reader, but I will be happy to either keep up with this character or possibly even go back and catch up a bit.

The audio of this is a great way for me absorb this tale, as the accents are so much better than the ones in my head. Gerard Doyle narrates and does a superb job.

Audio book review: Oh my what a great tale of detective work going above and beyond. The lilting tones of Adrian McKinty just make this such an authentic story telling, with a south Irish accent that mesmerizes and enthralls throughout. The manner in which the narration rises and falls is soft and clever and therefore makes the story flow so effortlessly. The story itself is an interesting and captivating following the exploits of a detective Duffy who literally takes no prisoners. Sharp witted and droll the detective finds himself on a crash course with the IRA.

I have not read the previous books in this series, and while I think it works as a standalone book, it might have been more enjoyable if I knew and liked the MC character more. I enjoyed the fast pacing of The Island and this was much slower. I'm sure people who have read the previous books featuring Sean Duffy will enjoy this book, but it was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

HANG ON ST. CHRISTOPHER : SEAN DUFFY #8 by Adrian McKinley
Published: 3/4/2025 by Blackstone Publishing
Page Count: 306
Audio Version by Blackstone Publishing
Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
Unabridged running time: 10 hours


Multiple Award Winning Belfast born writer, Adrian McKinty returns with his eighth novel in the popular Detective Sean Duffy series, set in the turbulent times of the “Troubles” of the 1990s in Ireland. No better way to jump on the Sean Duffy train than immerse yourself in the audio version narrated by the magnificent Gerald Doyle. His ability to supply various Scottish and Irish accents and nuances for the multiple characters bring the historical noir to a gritty and dark life in the theatre of your mind. Even if you’ve missed the previous installments in this highly acclaimed series, you will be immediately transported and enamored with the unique grumpy, sarcastic, and highly principled Detective Sean Duffy. He loves music, poetry, and drinking in the pub. This tale will be enjoyed as a standalone, but leaving the reader with a thirst for the earlier novels. Sean is no Sherlock Holmes, but what he is … is persistent in an OCD fashion. Like the proverbial dog with a bone.
Sean is the ultimate outsider, being a Catholic cop, surrounded by the mostly Protestant members of the Carrickfergus RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary ) and its constituents. He has survived the 80’s with its turmoil of riots, bombings and assassination attempts led by either the IRA or its brethren paramilitary groups. He can now qualify for his pension by working part time, returning to Belfast six days a month. He now lives in Scotland with his wife and daughter in a rather sedate fashion. However, still when on the job, he always looks under his car for the presence of a car bomb. His usual duties are mundane paperwork, however upon returning to work a new murder case falls into his lap. His successor is away on vacation in Spain. He is beseeched by his superiors to take over the case, and only agrees if he’s paid overtime and is aided by his previous partner, Sergeant Detective McCrabban. A middle aged artist has been brutally murdered and it’s initially believed to have been a random carjacking. Sean quickly surmises other possibilities. With his usual tenacity, he uncovers that the victim was actually an IRA assassin. Bringing up the glaring question …. Who would kill an assassin and why? The truth will involve the machinations of the CIA, MI5 and Special Branch force of the government. In his attempts to follow the assassin and bring him to justice, he will risk the lives of all he holds dear, as well as himself. The dog with the bone will be tenaciously on the trail as it courses over many continents.
McKinty is a marvelous storyteller as he weaves together a complex narrative with multiple unexpected twists and turns and escalating suspense. He effortlessly injects a heavy dose of dark humor, filled with wit and pitch perfect sarcasm, that envelops the incomparable and unforgettable Detective Inspector Sean Duffy.
Thanks to NetGalley, and Blackstone Publishing for providng an Uncorrected Proof and Advance Audio version of this tale in exchange for an honest review. Hopefully we will be rewarded soon with another glimpse into the life of Sean Duffy.

ABOUT 'HANG ON ST. CHRISTOPHER': Rain slicked streets, riots, murder, chaos. It’s July 1992 and the Troubles in Northern Ireland are still grinding on after twenty-five apocalyptic years. Detective Inspector Sean Duffy got his family safely over the water to Scotland, to “Shortbread Land.” Duffy’s a part-timer now, only returning to Belfast six days a month to get his pension. It’s an easy gig, if he can keep his head down.

But then a murder case falls into his lap while his protégé is on holiday in Spain. A carjacking gone wrong and the death of a solitary, middle-aged painter. But something’s not right, and as Duffy probes, he discovers the painter was an IRA assassin. So, the question becomes: Who hit the hit man and why?

This is Duffy’s most violent and dangerous case yet and the whole future of the burgeoning “peace process” may depend upon it. Based on true events, Duffy must unentangle parallel operations by the CIA, MI5, and Special Branch. Duffy attempts to bring a killer to justice while trying to keep himself and his team alive as everything unravels around them. They might not all make it out of this one.

MY THOUGHTS: It's no secret that I adore both Adrian McKinty's Sean Duffy series and Gerald Doyle's narration. I was in heaven with Hang on St. Christopher! There's been a bit of a wait for this book (#8), but it was worth it.

Sean Duffy is now a part-timer with the RUC, serving out his time until he can retire with a full pension. He has relocated his family to 'Shortbreadland' and only returns to Coronation Avenue for a short time each month to fulfill his RUC duties - all at a desk these days.

But as it turns out, Duffy's last case wasn't Duffy's last case at all. Which, although he puts up a token resistance, is probably a bit of a relief as Beth is making noises about him taking up playing golf, for God's sake . . . And after all, it'll only be a few days, just while they're waiting for Lawson, Duffy's protégé and replacement, to return from a holiday in Tenerife. Surely he and Crabbie can't get into too much strife in just a few days . . .

I love McKinty's writing style - it's relaxed and irreverent. I love the way he mixes Ireland's troubled history in with the narrative. It comes across as a natural addition to the plot, never as a history lesson, as does the almost casual violence that peppers the book.

Duffy as a character is superb. Days after finishing this, he is still in my head. If I had a BMW I would have to sell it, otherwise I would find myself checking underneath for a mercury tilt bomb every time before I got in. I love his twisted logic. He's not always a good man. He can be tempted, but he always keeps his word. He doesn't follow protocol unless it suits him; he follows his instincts and telling him not to do something is like waving a red flag at a bull. In spite of this, it's not unusual to hear me, as I am reading/listening, call out, 'For God's sake, Sean Duffy, don't do that, you eejit.' I did a lot of that, listening to Hang on St Christopher. He took no notice, as usual.

If you haven't yet read this series, you are missing out on what I seriously believe to be one of the top two thriller series that I have read. I could wax lyrical about both the series and this particular book for pages yet, but honestly? Stop reading my review and just read the books. What are you waiting for?

I'll be lighting a candle in the hope that we don't have to wait so long for #9.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#HangonStChristopher #NetGalley #readingirelandmonth25 #beggorathon25

MEET THE AUTHOR: Adrian McKinty is an Irish novelist. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and grew up in Victoria Council Estate, Carrickfergus, County Antrim. He read law at the University of Warwick and politics and philosophy at the University of Oxford. He moved to the United States in the early 1990s, living first in Harlem, New York and from 2001 on, in Denver, Colorado, where he taught high school English and began writing fiction. He lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two children.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Blackstone Publishing Audiobooks via NetGalley for providing an audio-ARC of Hang on St. Christopher written by Adrian McKinty and superbly narrated by Gerald Doyle for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Another great installment in the Sean Duffy Series!

This one finds him as an inspector/detective on a part-time basis in Belfast, Ireland. He only works 6 days per MONTH. and he’s looking forward to retirement in the near future. The year is 1992, and the wars are still raging!
He has moved his common-law wife and his baby to Scotland, to try to keep them a bit safer.
HIS job now is relatively safe… but just as he’s preparing to get on the ferry to Scotland to go home, he is asked to stay o for a bit. There’s been a murder… and the guy who usually is on duty is actually out of the country…on vacation.

He RELUCTANTLY agrees, but realizes pretty quickly that this is going to be a real s*it show!! Especially as he delves into the case and keeps coming out more and more perplexed!! 🤔

I’m going to 🛑🛑STOP right here, as to not give anything away!! 🛑🛑

If it sounds like something you’d like, please check it out now!! It was released last week, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

#HangOnStChristopher by #AdrianMcKinty and narrated nicely by #GeraldDoyle.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #BlackstonePublishing for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

Everything I know about the Troubles, I learned from Sean Duffy.

Detective Inspector Sean Duffy, Carrickfergus RUC, is over the whole thing. Now a part timer, he just needs to put in six days a month for a few years to get his pension. But when someone manages to get themselves killed while the only station detective is on vacation, Sean and Crabby are assigned the case over Sean's vehement protests.

But hey, at least they're getting time and a half. What could be easier than finding the killer from a carjacking gone wrong?

Of course, nothing is as it seems, especially not the victim. This being Sean Duffy, somehow he will be pulled into some important historical event. As always, the bromance between him and Crabby is great. There's even a bit of intense action, though for the most part it is a slow unraveling of the mystery type of plot.

The narrator Gerard Doyle is also fabulous. In fact, the reason I ever began listening to this series was because he narrated them.

This is book 8 in the series. While you don't need to have read the previous ones to follow, it will be much richer if you have. Also, I recommend checking out McKinty's Dead Trilogy, as a character from that makes a cameo here.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.

I really enjoyed “The Chain” (it still haunts me), so I was excited to read another book by Adrian McKinty. I didn’t know he had a whole series with a detective! I didn’t jump in on a book late in the series, but I feel like I could get caught up. It was a typical tough guy detective book. Lots of action, violence, and sex. Not my favorite book, but I didn’t enjoy the mystery aspect of the book.

Adrian McKinty delivers another high-octane thriller with Hang on St. Christopher, featuring the sharp-witted and resilient Detective Inspector Sean Duffy. Packed with tension, intrigue, and McKinty’s signature dark humor, this novel plunges readers into a gripping investigation that quickly spirals beyond what Duffy initially expects.

The story kicks off with what seems like a straightforward murder case, but as Duffy digs deeper, he uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy that puts his own life in danger. McKinty expertly crafts a fast-paced narrative, keeping readers on edge as the stakes escalate with each revelation. The interplay between the investigation and Duffy’s personal struggles adds depth to his character, making him a detective readers can truly root for.

One of McKinty’s greatest strengths is his ability to immerse readers in the setting, capturing the political and social climate that adds another layer of danger to the case. The tension is palpable throughout, and the twists are expertly executed, ensuring the story never loses momentum.

Duffy is as compelling as ever—flawed, determined, and equipped with a razor-sharp wit that makes him one of the most engaging detectives in modern crime fiction. His relentless pursuit of justice, even at great personal risk, keeps readers fully invested from start to finish.

Overall, Hang on St. Christopher is an adrenaline-fueled read that delivers on both action and mystery. McKinty’s sharp writing, well-paced plot, and strong character work make this another standout in the Sean Duffy series. Fans of crime fiction won’t want to miss this one.

This is #8 in the Detective Sean Duffy series, but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not reading the previous books first. With that said, Hang on St. Christopher has made me want to start the series from the beginning. I really enjoyed the Sean Duffy character. He was snarky and very relatable and only working six days a month sounds like he has a pretty good thing going on.

Detective Sean Duffy is only a part timer but when a murder case comes in before he can start back home to Scottland, he is thrown back into full time work. The murder victim ends up being an IRA assassin, so Duffy ends up getting involved in operations from the CIA, MI5 and Special Branch.

I haven't really read a lot of stories set in Ireland, so I thought that was definitely interesting. I learned a lot about the IRA and how different agencies work together or rather don't work together.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a good job. At first it was a little hard to understand but once I was into the book a little more, I was able to follow.

Adrian McKinty's latest novel, Hang on St. Christopher is a gripping new addition to the Sean Duffy series.
Set in 1992, the story follows Detective Inspector Sean Duffy as he navigates the complexities of Northern Ireland during The Troubles. Duffy is a deeply flawed yet endearing character, who is on the brink of retirement but being pulled back into action when a seemingly random carjacking turns out to be much more sinister.
McKinty deftly weaves together elements of crime, politics, religion and history, creating a rich tapestry that immerses the reader in the gritty reality of Belfast. The novel's strength lies in its vivid descriptions and atmospheric setting, which transport the reader to a time and place fraught with tension and danger. For me, one of the standout aspects of Hang on St. Christopher is McKinty's ability to balance the personal and professional relationships of his characters. Duffy's struggles with his own demons, his family ties, and his dedication to solving the case make him a compelling protagonist.
While the plot may follow some familiar and outdated tropes, McKinty's sharp writing and keen eye for detail keep the story fresh and engaging. The novel is peppered with cultural references and dark humor, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. Hang on St. Christopher is a must-read for fans of the Sean Duffy series and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted crime novel. McKinty delivers a thrilling, action packed story that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.

Thanks to Blackstone & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read a couple Adrian McKinty books years ago, but not this series. I do not know all the backstory of Sean Duffy, but it didn't seem to impede the story. It seems like the folks who are reading this because they read The Chain are not going to be happy campers, lol.

Sean Duffy is a permanent part time cop in the RUC (I had no idea they let Catholics join), and works just 6 days a month, living with his girlfriend and daughter in Scotland the rest of the time. Sean maintains a house in Carrickfergus, where he keeps whiskey, a little food, and part of his extensive vinyl collection for when he's in town. In this book, he is unexpectedly called upon to lead a murder investigation after what looks like a carjacking gone awry turns out to be something a bit more professional.

This is a solid procedural, with good plotting, a slightly irascible and annoying MC, and just enough sardonic humor to keep it from being too heavy. I did get irritated with Duffy's obsession with his young, pretty neighbor (and was convinced she would turn out to be a honey pot, otherwise why waster the ink on a completely undeveloped character; surely there are other ways to put Duffy and McCrabban at loggerheads?), but aside from that it was enjoyable.

Gerald Doyle proves himself adept at a variety of UK accents, and I can almost forgive his sibilant S's.

3.5 stars rounded down

3.5 stars rounded up! ⭐️ This is a good addition to the Sean Duffy series, and I love the apocalyptic backstory and anything set during the IRA era is always intriguing for me. The author does a great job building suspense and I love the characterization in this novel. It was definitely a slow burn for me, and I would have liked a faster pace, but overall, it was a solid book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC.

I absolutely love Adrian McKintys writing style.
His characters and plots are well planned and executed.
I do wish I had checked that this was part of a series because I think I’ would have liked to read in order.
Really liked the backdrop of Ireland

I've gotta be honest, I requested this book on the wrong assumption that it would've been the latest from powerhouse thriller writer Adrian KcKinty. Imagine my surprise when I was granted access only to discover that not only was Thai not the latest offering from the much-lauded creator orlf The Chain and The Island, but that it was the second book in an older series.

I know: my bad, my bad... B having said all this, past the 30% mark and having over one my initial disappointment, the book is slowly picking up speed and dragging me in its mad dash across the border between England and Ireland. The voice of the narrator is doing a brilliant job of immersing me in the period and the local area.

Thank you Netgalley for this ALC.

Longtime reader and listener to the Sean Duffy series. So excited that even though Sean Duffy had allegedly worked his last case in The Detective Up Late, he has returned!

Love the narration by Gerald Doyle, who has narrated this series to date. Please never change this! To me, he is Sean Duffy, he’s the voice I hear in my head when I read the books!

Love the writing of Adrian McKinty. His writing sets the scene, it takes me to a time and place (1990’s Northern Ireland) that I only visit in these stories.

Hang On St Christopher (Sean Duffy series, book 8) has DI Sean Duffy returning for just one more case… It’s early 1990’s and he’s semi retired, now a part time reserve working 6 days month only for a short time to get a pension. On 6 days a month you can’t do case work with that schedule, you mostly do paperwork. However when there’s a murder and the head of Carrickfergus CID is on holidays, he suddenly finds himself heading up a murder case. A case that turns out to be the murder of an IRA hitman. It’s Duffy’s case, so he’ll get to the bottom of it with a combination of team work and going lone wolf, his impeccable instincts don’t let him down. It also draws him and his team into more danger as they get closer to the truth.

Hang on St. Christopher by Adrian McKinty follows Detective Inspector Sean Duffy, who has relocated to Scotland with his common law wife and young child. He now only works six days a month in Belfast, Duffy is getting to that age where he is too young to retire and too old to be a detective, but he misses it. During one of his brief stints back on duty, Duffy is assigned to investigate the murder of an artist in a carjacking gone wrong. His first challenge is to identify the victim, which he does through clues like a tailored suit and Picasso prints. As the investigation progresses, Duffy uncovers the shocking truth: the artist's death was deliberate. The key question becomes who killed this IRA assassin and why?

This is the eighth installment in the Sean Duffy series, and it stands out from its predecessors.I feel like every single installment of this series just gets better. The plot unfolds in unexpected ways, taking the reader across multiple countries, and the conclusion particularly impressed me. McKinty offers a detailed depiction of police work during The Troubles, including the complex dynamics between rival law enforcement agencies and the cross-border operations that were a part of the time. Duffy’s routine is also shaped by the constant threat of violence, as he checks under his car for bombs each time he gets in. The fast-paced narrative kept me hooked from start to finish.

I cant tell you the amount of times I stopped to laugh out loud and then pick right back up in the story. loved it!!

Hang On St Christopher by Adrian McKinty was my first book I’ve read in this series but I enjoyed it. It is a fast paced mystery and kept my attention the entire time. I enjoyed the main character’s wit and humor and the narrator did a great job as well. This book definitely makes me want to go back and read the previous books in this series that come before this one.

"This is Duffy's most violent and dangerous case yet and the whole future of the burgeoning "peace process" may depend upon it. Based on true events, Duffy must unentangle parallel operations by the CIA, MI5 and Special Branch. Duffy attempts to bring a killer to justice while trying to keep himself and his team alive as everything unravels around them. They might not all make it out of this one."

I've read the other Sean Duffy novels, and I always look forward to a new one. Hang on St. Christopher does not disappoint, as part timer Duffy and crew are thrust back into the still deadly Troubles in 1992. Duffy doesn't NEED to be involved in the cases, but like a dog with a bone, he just can't let go. This is an era of the Troubles I actually remember, as opposed to some of the earlier novels, so I found it particularly interesting. Duffy's still an arrogant ass, but he gets the job done, as always.

Gerard Doyle provides fantastic narration, again. Wouldn't want to listen to the audiobooks without him!

I received a free audiobook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.