Listen to a sample
Rain Dogs
The Sean Duffy Series (Book 5)
- Author
- Adrian McKinty
- Narrator
- Gerard Doyle
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 8 March 2016
- Run Time
- 10 hours 22 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
- Genre
- Crime and mystery fiction, Crime and mystery fiction, Crime and mystery: police procedural, Crime and mystery fiction, Fiction: general and literary
- Rating
- 4.0 (1 review)
What to expect
It’s just the same things over and again for Sean Duffy: riot duty, heartbreak, cases he can solve but never get to court. But what detective gets two locked-room mysteries in one career?
When journalist Lily Bigelow is found dead in the courtyard of Carrickfergus Castle, it looks like a suicide. Yet there are a few things that bother Duffy just enough to keep the case file open, which is how he finds out that Bigelow was working on a devastating investigation of corruption and abuse at the highest levels of power in the UK and beyond.
And so Duffy has two impossible problems on his desk: Who killed Lily Bigelow? And what were they trying to hide?
Critics Review
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“McKinty’s story opens with a visit to Belfast by ‘sporting royalty’ Muhammad Ali—a challenge narrator Gerard Doyle meets with a gravelly, rhythmic delivery. Even better are Doyle’s varied Irish accents, which help differentiate the various Northern Irish policemen who work with Detective Sean Duffy…Duffy’s journey to Finland to investigate poses an interesting vocal challenge that Doyle handles admirably. His delivery further ratchets up the tension when the threat of IRA bombings and the death of a high-ranking police official add to the mayhem.”
AudioFile
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“The tension between McKinty’s competing love of tight, formal puzzles and loose, riffing dialogue is what makes the Duffy novels such a joy.”
The Guardian (London)
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“Set during the Troubles, the Duffy series could be construed as historical fiction…but the books don’t feel like historical novels. They’re too urgent and too topical…His prose style is vital, vigorous, and…if you’re not reading him already, do yourself a favor: start now.”
Irish Times
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“A first-rate crime thriller that commands attention from the opening pages and keeps the reader interested until the end.”
Sydney Morning Herald
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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“McKinty expertly balances Duffy’s tense and suspenseful investigation with the political tensions of the region.”
Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed review)
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“Every detail rings true…McKinty manages…another standout in a superior series, combining terrific plotting with evocative historical detail.”
Booklist (starred review)
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“The pairing of McKinty’s artful prose with Doyle’s Irish brogue is near perfection. He gives distinctive voices to Duffy and each of his colleagues…making it easy for the listener to follow and appreciate McKinty’s smart dialogue, dark humor, and clever plotting.”
Booklist (starred audio review)
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“McKinty uses some historical events as a basis for a strong moral point of view while still delivering a fine tale.”
Library Journal
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“Duffy is taking no better care of himself than he ever did. But his copper’s instincts are as sharp as ever in this fifth installment.”
Kirkus Reviews
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“McKinty’s writing is dark and witty with gritty realism, spot-on dialogue, and fascinating characters.”
Chicago Sun-Times
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“Adrian McKinty is a gifted storyteller I love to read and Sean Duffy is a character you will never forget.”
Don Winslow, New York Times bestselling author, praise for the series
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“McKinty is one of the most striking and most memorable crime voices to emerge on the scene in years.”
Tana French, New York Times bestselling author
User Reviews
Book 4.0
Narration 5.0
-
4.0 5.0
Another fabulous listen. I adore this series, so well written and I love how the author interweaves historical events and fiction. Midway through the series and I really don't want it to end!
Cassbergers 2026-04-02
Details
- Author
- Adrian McKinty
- Narrator
- Gerard Doyle
- Duration
- 10 hours 22 minutes
- Release Date
- 8 March 2016
- ISBN
- 9781504675888
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- Crime and mystery fiction, Crime and mystery fiction, Crime and mystery: police procedural, Crime and mystery fiction, Fiction: general and literary
- Rating
- 4.0(1 review)
- Narration
- 5.0(1 review)
Synopsis
It’s just the same things over and again for Sean Duffy: riot duty, heartbreak, cases he can solve but never get to court. But what detective gets two locked-room mysteries in one career?When journalist Lily Bigelow is found dead in the courtyard of Carrickfergus Castle, it looks like a suicide. Yet there are a few things that bother Duffy just enough to keep the case file open, which is how he finds out that Bigelow was working on a devastating investigation of corruption and abuse at the highest levels of power in the UK and beyond.And so Duffy has two impossible problems on his desk: Who killed Lily Bigelow? And what were they trying to hide?
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