The Emerald Lie. Ken Bruen. 2016. (A Jack Taylor Novel). Jim and I loved to read the Jack Taylor novels and usually purchased them in hard cover as soon as they were available. Some years ago, I donated about 10 of them to Better World Books, and forgot about Ken Bruen. He popped up on a book review site or a Kindle come on, and I found this one. It is vintage Bruen. Taylor is a bitter, alcoholic, profane, ex-Galway policeman who has a deep since of right and wrong and always seems to get in trouble when he tries to help someone. In this book, the police are trying to find a serial murderer, nicknamed The Grammarian because he kills people who misuse his beloved English. Almost every chapter has a reference to a book, a poem, and/or music. Bruen’s knowledge of popular and classical literature and music is phenomenal. In fact he is the reason Jim became fascinated with James Joyce and T.S. Eliot. Be warned though, the F word is on just about every page. They’re better if you read them in order ( )

Jack Taylor is enlisted to get a feel for a man a grieving father feels is responsible for the brutal murder of his daughter. The father, along with a few friends, want to exact revenge as the Guards can’t get the evidence required to arrest any suspect. There’s also a killer on the loose who selects victim’s on the basis of bad grammar and this prompts the return of Emerald to cause more chaos and disruption into Jack’s life.

As usual with this series it’s not about the crime and there’s no real mystery over who’s responsible for what but it’s more of the latest adventures of Jack Taylor. An ex-Guard (Irish police force) and occasional ex private investigator, though his sense of justice (warped it may be) won’t let him ignore the people that, despite everything, still come to him for help. Still has plenty of book references along with film and TV shows and this time there’s also the odd grammatical anecdote or rule thrown in for good measure. This one does end on a cliffhanger ending (though knowing there’s still more in the series to come it isn’t that much of one). ( )

The Jack Taylor series, which I have read from the beginning, is one of the most original and creative series being written today. The language is coarse, raw, sarcastic and cynical. Jack Taylor, ex garda has lost everyone close to him, either through death or their disillusionment of the broken down man he has become. Yet, he has a strong streak of loyalty, of justice and once he sees something wrong he is unable to let it go. Yet, he is big reader and his stories feature quotes from authors, movies and music. He loves his Jameson, and a shot and chaser sets him right and his best friend in the world is his dog.

This one is less of a mystery, we know who did it, but it does feature a killer who kills those who use bad grammar, so there are grammatical reference as well. More of a character study, not only of Jack but of a new character that appeared in his last few stories. Emily, a young woman who changes her identity from one moment to the next. These are shorter reads, but interesting reads. Sometimes I wonder how Jack makes it out alive. If there is such a thing as Irish noir, then that is where this one fits. Just love this series.

ARC from Netgalley. ( )

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1572839439 ( )