The City in Darkness by Michael Russell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Stefan Gillespie returns in the third in Michael Russell's series of historical crime thrillers.

Having read both 'The City of Shadows' and 'The City of Strangers' in 2012 and 2013 respectively, I have been eagerly awaiting 'The City in Darkness' for several years, and it was certainly worth the wait. The opening scenes of a murder in rural Ireland and an insight the Spanish Civil War set up the juxtaposition of personal and political crimes that run through the Gillespie series. When we are reacquainted with Stefan Gillespie, he is an Inspector working for Special Branch and not entirely happy with the situation in which he finds himself.

Soon having reason to suspect his superior officer is involved with the IRA, Stefan finds himself conveniently requested to assist in the case of a missing postman who disappeared in a place where Stefan has ghosts of his own. His investigation leads to a personal revelation which shifts his focus and leaves him in mortal danger, while a request to safeguard the Irish Ambassador on a trip to Franco's Spain may also present Stefan with the opportunity to find the vital clues he needs.

'The City in Darkness' is a slow-burning cocktail of murder, corruption, espionage and betrayal, leading to a gripping climax back where it all began in rural Ireland. A superb, gripping thriller - I'm very much looking forward to reading 'The City of Lies'.



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