Merrick – former PI and partner of author Reed Farrel
Coleman’s series PI Moe Prager now runs a bar having retired from the detective
gig. However, with Moe out of commission, there’s one case that hangs over
Merrick; missing children and the taunting perpetrator – one case he can’t walk
away from but can’t solve on his own.
Ken Bruen’s newest lead character creation Tommy Ryan has
elements of Bruen’s penultimate Guarda Jack Taylor but with a little more
restraint and a greater moral compass. He’s looking to make a fresh start in
America having lost his way and all that matters in life in his homeland.
The two cops find each other over a couple of brews and instantly
bond – soon enough they’re teaming up to crack down on children killers with
their own brand of justice.
MERRICK is loaded with little easter eggs for fans of Ken
Bruen’s other books. The Jack Taylor series resemblance is here, as are subtle
nods to TOWER (co-authored by Reed Farrel Coleman) and ONCE WERE COPS.
Ryan is the main character and reads very well. Bruen
devoted a lot of time and effort in making him multi dimensional with his
personal life and relationship with a local Indian woman sharing top billing
with the case itself. Interestingly enough, Merrick read as a sidekick which
makes this title somewhat misleading.
It’s evident there’s to be more books featuring the two and
if MERRICK is anything to go by, the new series has potential.
any idea how one could get a copy of this book to actually read? Because I can't find it anywhere. I was excited to see Bruen had a new-ish book out that I hadn't read. But then less excited when I realized I actually couldn't read it.
ReplyDeletejoe- I waswondering the same thing but can't find any answers on the kack of availibility.
ReplyDelete