Jack Taylor has issues: he's lost his job as a cop, has a major drinking problem, and is broke. He attempts to pay his rent by working as a P.I., though he is such a mess that it is difficult to find anyone willing to hire him. Fortunately, a client who is almost as hopeless as he is manages to find him - a grieving single mother whose daughter apparently died of suicide, at least according to the cops. The mother however refusaes to believe that her only child would willingly abandon her, so she hires Jack to find out the truth.
Jack uncovers the dark truth, but along the way he gets beat up, meets some truly twisted people, beats some other people up, and struggles with his own personal demons.
The Guards is a quick read, as Bruen's prose is spare. With very few words he manages to tell an action-packed story, full of distinctive characters. I initially picked up this book because Ken Bruen is frequently raved about at the local mystery book club that I am a member of, and I can see why - his writing is simultaneously suspenseful, humorous, and touching.
Jack uncovers the dark truth, but along the way he gets beat up, meets some truly twisted people, beats some other people up, and struggles with his own personal demons.
The Guards is a quick read, as Bruen's prose is spare. With very few words he manages to tell an action-packed story, full of distinctive characters. I initially picked up this book because Ken Bruen is frequently raved about at the local mystery book club that I am a member of, and I can see why - his writing is simultaneously suspenseful, humorous, and touching.
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