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3.0 out of 5 stars
the subtleties are better than the plot, April 29 2002
By A Customer
Gill's novel ostensibly confronts the Irish 'Troubles' and the dynamic between the Irish government and Republican elements quite deftly. Chief Inspector of Detectives Peter McGarr maneuvers between radical and non-radical elements in modern Ireland, realizing that in a country as politically charged as modern Ireland, alienating any party today could result in difficulties in the future. As far as traditional detective novel structures go, Gill constructs McGarr as the traditional analytical detective, with his sensible wife as his loyal assistant. The plot is fairly compelling, although the ending seems unnecessarily drawn out. The most intriguing aspect of the novel is the position of McGarr with respect to Ireland itself. McGarr has established himself as a renowned international detective, but his reputation - or at least the level to which he is accepted - has yet to be established in his native country. As Gill notes, "he had spent far too long as an exile in other people's countries, enforcing other people's laws, and waiting for the right vacancy back home." While the plot was not especially engaging, I found McGarr's attempts to gain acceptance indicative of the struggles faced by many Irish expatriates who returned to their home country in the late twentieth century. Indeed, I actually wished that Gill had focused even more attention on this point, although I do appreciate his subtlety. I liked this novel as a quick read that deals with social undercurrents with a great deal of sophistication. I imagine that, if I read further McGarr novels, the character would be developed to a degree that would provide greater satisfaction.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Satisfying, if typical, April 10 2002
Bartholomew Gill's Death of An Irish Politician is a perfectly serviceable, if occasionally cliched mystery novel. Indeed, long time mystery fans will recognize many generic conventions at once, from the idiosyncratic but doggedly loveable protagonist Peter McGarr, to the unctuous villains that occasionally seem straight out of central casting. That aside, Gill writes quite well and keeps the pace a-hoppin; even the most discerning reader will find it difficult not to get lost in this emerald inflected caper.
For the American reader, much of the novel's enjoyment stems from the portrait of Ireland, a country alternately portrayed as both Romantically violent and violently Romantic. Indeed, aside from the inescapable political overtones, much of this book concerns itself with the Ireland of postcards, a place full of single malt whiskeys, gray mists, and kindly, salty sea-folk. The very first paragraph of the book, for instance, sets the scene as twilight falls and the "gorse of Bray Head ten miles South caught the last of the sun and bristled green." Never mind what the heck the "gorse of Bray Head might be," the important thing for the average American reader is that this book feels very Irish.
Of course, there's a mystery, albeit a relatively conventional one, at work here, too. The details don't so much matter, suffice it to the plot includes includes weapons smuggling, the Irish Republican Army, beautiful, treacherous women, and a wide variety of old sots who both help and hinder the investigation. This is a fun book. You will enjoy it. It certainly won't change your life, but now you weren't expecting it to were you?
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Mystery Introduces History, April 9 2002
Bartholomew Gill's The Death of an Irish Politician is the first of a series of mysteries featuring Peter McGarr. McGarr is a small man with a large reputation. He is known for his capacity for solving seemingly unsolvable crimes. It is important to note, however, that he rarely is called upon to work without the benefit of his eager partner, his tiny young wife who has a capacity for identifying smells that might be compared with that of a bloodhound.
In this tale McGarr is enlisted to solve a mystery that is originally believed to be a tragic accident. It quickly becomes clear, however, that this case is much more than an unfortunate mistake at sea. Instead, he realizes that the very mystery he hopes will remove him, if only briefly, from all political pressure is going to do quite the opposite, immersing him in the one thing he hopes to avoid. It becomes clear that in order to close the case he must find connections between IRA schemes, gun running, and a soured love story. He must bring all this together before he is able to piece together the puzzle he desperately hopes to solve.
This is a quick paced tale that appealed to me as lover of mystery and one who wishes to learn more about Irish culture and society. It offers a glimpse of Ireland not often afforded in literature of this period. It presents a somewhat modern view that allows one to contemplate where Irish culture and society have been and where they seem to headed.
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