Description
Book SynopsisGolden Hill and The Alienist meet Gangs of New York in this sweeping historical crime drama set in 18th century New York.
New York, 1799. Justy Flanagan returns to his native city after five years in Ireland fighting the English. Bloodied and battered, Justy is no stranger to violence. Now he must use all his resources to uncover the truth behind his father's murder. But while he looks so intently at the past, it is the present that threatens to trip him up.
When the body of a young woman appears in the docklands, brutally murdered, Justy must venture into the dark underbelly of the nascent city, where the labyrinthine streets hold danger at every turn. And, as the conspiracy deepens, it becomes clear that those involved will stop at nothing to keep their secrets...
Trade ReviewA tense, violent and atmospheric crime thriller set in 1799 when the white-collar criminals carried switchblades and human lives were traded like sacks of grain. * Michael Robotham, award-winning author of LIFE OR DEATH *
A
page-turning historical thriller... A perfect holiday read. * Irish Independent *
A meticulously researched historical thriller... with strong, multifaceted [characters] and tight plotting.
I will impatiently await the sequel. -- Patrick Taylor
Fascinating and well drawn. * The Times *
The Devil's Half-Mile terrified me. Paddy Hirsch's
vivid story of New York in 1799 shows just how vulnerable our newborn nation was to greedy men with no moral centers. Young Irish-American Justice Flanagan manages to expose the corruption of Wall Street and misdeeds of government officials but it's a close thing. Impossible not to think of parallels to today and hope there are some contemporary Justice Flanagans at work.
Powerful. * Mary Pat Kelly, filmmaker and best-selling author of Galway Bay and Of Irish Blood *
