Set in Galway, Ireland, a dark controversial novel by a crime-writing star. Jack Taylor has always believed himself to be beyond salvation. Still struggling with his drink problem and trying to get his life on course following personal loss he is given as unusual assignment.

Taylor is a detective partly in the mould of Scotland's finest (Laidlaw, Rebus) and partly in tune with other anti-heroes such as Wallander and Robercheax. What makes him original is the dark set setting combined with the unsuspecting attitude to social issues. The Church has long had a dominant influence in Irish life and here the dark side is explored. . .