I was thrilled to win this book as I thought it was just up my street - combining historical fiction with crime. It was paced well and the characters were well developed, but I would have liked a little more historical insight into the time. The author himself acknowledges that the book started as an historical fiction novel, but as he researched and started to write the crime fiction took over. I read this book quickly and in the main it was enjoyable, Although at times the pace was slowed by the need to look up the Irish slang in the glossary at the back and the large sections which were written in speech. I prefer prose with the odd quotation rather than swathes of dialogue almost like a play. I’m aware i’m Sounding negative, which is unfair as overall this is a very well written book, fast paced with well-developed characters and worth a read!