The Cold Cold Ground Book Summary

In the harrowing landscape of 1980s Northern Ireland, Detective Inspector Sean Duffy navigates the treacherous waters of political unrest and personal demons. When a body is discovered on a cold, muddy ground, Duffy is drawn into a complex web of murder, deceit, and a struggle for truth amidst chaos. As he races against time, the line between friend and foe blurs, leading him into unexpected alliances and perilous confrontations. Can Duffy uncover the dark secrets lurking beneath the surface before becoming the next victim himself? ‘The Cold Cold Ground’ is a gripping blend of thriller and historical drama that will leave readers questioning everything.

By Adrian McKinty

Published: 2019

"In the shadows of a divided land, every choice can lead to salvation or ruin."

Book Review of The Cold Cold Ground

McKinty's previous book, Falling Glass, was an Audible.com Best Thriller of 2011 Northern Ireland, spring 1981. Hunger strikes, riots, power cuts, a homophobic serial killer with a penchant for opera, and a young woman's suicide that may yet turn out to be murder: on the surface, the events are unconnected, but then things--and people--aren't always what they seem. Detective Sergeant Duffy is the man tasked with trying to get to the bottom of it all. It's no easy job--especially when it turns out that one of the victims was involved in the IRA but was last seen discussing business with someone from the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force. Add to this the fact that, as a Catholic policeman, it doesn't matter which side he's on, because nobody trusts him, and Sergeant Duffy really is in a no-win situation. Fast-paced, evocative, and brutal, The Cold Cold Ground is a brilliant depiction of Belfast at the height of the Troubles--and of a cop treading a thin, thin line.

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In the shadows of a divided land, every choice can lead to salvation or ruin.

The Cold Cold Ground

By Adrian McKinty