A CARRA KING: An Inspector Matt Minogue Mystery

Tight plotting and subtle characterization distinguish this sixth Inspector Minogue police procedural set in Dublin. With the chief inspector on three-week leave, Minogue is in charge when Patrick Shaughnessy, an American tourist, is found dead in the trunk of his rented car at the airport. The victim was the son of an Irish-American millionaire, who believes his son was trying to connect to his Irish roots—as well as to recover his father's favor after a stint in drug rehab and narrowly avoided charges of assault against several women at home. In tracing the victim's last steps, the police determine that a museum curator named Aoife Hartnett, possibly a key witness, is missing. Before she took a leave of absence from her job, the smart but lonely Hartnett had been putting in long hours setting up an interpretive center at the Carra Fields, a recently unearthed Stone-Age site that promises (or threatens) to rewrite Irish history. Minogue believes that at some time during her leave she converged with Shaughnessy, but with few clues to go by, the inspector is guided by instinct as much as evidence. The plot eventually involves stolen archaeological artifacts, an internationally famous rock band and the prior murder of a notorious gangland figure. Familiar landmarks, convincing dialogue and pungent slang contribute to a nuanced portrait of Dublin. Brady skillfully captures all the upheavals—economic and social changes—brought about by the Celtic Tiger phenomenon. (June 7)

FYI:Steerforth is planning to reissue the five previous Inspector Matt Minogue mysteries in the coming months.