Book Review: The Four Courts Murder

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

The Four Courts Murder     Amazon US HC Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada HC
Andrew Nugent
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Thomas Dunne Books, May 2005

Nugent is a new and welcome voice in the field of suspense fiction. The book jacket reports that we can look forward to a second book soon, and I was glad to read that news. He has a witty, tongue in cheek style to his narrative, at times I laughed out loud. The trick is to keep the mystery moving forward with no cost to the humor, and vice versa - to use a light touch in a way that does not cheapen the basic story.

Two Dublin homicide detectives are called to the main court house, where one of the judges has been found dead at his desk, the victim of a vicious blow to the neck which severed his spine instantly. Notes found in his papers lead the investigators to an art smuggling business the judge ran on the side - at an impressive financial gain. And an attractive young man with a distinctive earring has been seen in odd places around the courthouse. Did the judge's accomplices in the art theft turn on him? Or should the mysterious young man be the target of the investigation?

Nugent presents an intricate plot, with several twists and turns. In the end all the loose ends converge. There is a very satisfying act of revenge, and the long term exploitation of a vulnerable young person comes to an end, with equal satisfaction.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM