Before He Kills Again

by Tadhg Coakley

This tense crime novel, second in a series featuring former inter-county hurler now turned detective, Garda Tim Collins, finds a Cork city woman raped and murdered in her own home. Assigned to the case, Collins and new partner Deirdre Donnelly soon find out that there is a misogynistic apparatus, male dark forces at play with plans to attack and kill many more women. In a race against time and utter unacceptance of female degradation violence, Collins and Deirdre have to find the killer before he acts again. But can they? Donnelly and her competitive and previously famous sportsman partner hate to lose, but when one of Ireland's most dangerous criminals turns up in Collins' home turf, West Cork, old sparring partner Superintendent Buckley insists he move case.

The West Cork investigation imploding and climaxing into a brutal killing, we quickly learn this utterly likeable detective cans sometimes be violent and ruthless. A respected professional, he is often perceived as a wild card amongst the Garda ranks. The witness of this murder in West Cork spurs him into battle. How far will he go to avenge that death? Will Collins become a killer, too?

We are shown the dark realism of crime and the battles of will and intelligence that go on in the world policing. A strong sense of place combined with a shocking double climax makes this second installment of the Tim Collins series a thrilling read.

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2023

About the author

Tadhg Coakley is the award winning author of four books.

His debut novel The First Sunday in September was shortlisted for the Mercier Fiction Prize and published in 2018 to much acclaim.

His crime novel Whatever It Takes (Part 1 of the Tim Collins Series) was chosen as the 2020 Cork, One City One Book.

Everything (a sports autobiography, which he co-wrote with its subject, Denis Coughlan) was one of the 2020 sports books of the year in The Sunday Times, The Irish Examiner and The Irish Times.

Coakley's bestselling memoir The Game: A Journey into the Heart of Sport (2022) was described in The Irish Examiner as ‘one of the most distinctive, original, beautiful and best books on sport this country has known’. Donal Ryan referred to it as 'a towering work'.

Tadhg’s short stories, articles and essays have been widely published. www.tadhgcoakley.ie

Reviews

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before He Kills Again by Tadhg Coakley was published March 31st with Mercier Press. It is the second book in the Garda Tim Collins series, following on from the outstanding Whatever It Takes. It is described as a novel 'with a strong sense of place and a shocking double climax...a gripping and thrilling read.' Tadhg Coakley is without doubt an incredible writer. As well as being a huge fan of his fiction writing, I was also totally blown away by his stunning memoir and reflective writings in The Game. This is a writer that can do no wrong in my eyes. I have been lucky enough to meet Tadhg on numerous occasions and I can honestly say that he is a true gentleman, a genuine individual and a top-notch writer.

Garda Tim Collins returns in Before He Kills Again, a high-energy and thrilling second instalment that will give every reader a real bang for their buck. When the body of a woman is discovered at her home in a leafy suburb of Cork city, Collins is called in to investigate, alongside his new partner Deirdre Donnelly. This brutal attack leaves everyone shocked and, with no obvious leads, the team are left reeling looking for clues. This is Donnelly's first case with Collins and she is unsure of what to expect. She has heard all the rumours about his unorthodox approach to the job and is initially underwhelmed by his methods but as time rolls by, she starts to understand Collins more.

As the investigation widens, there is a strong feeling among the team that this attack feels very personal, with the real possibility that the perpetrator will strike again.

Meanwhile there are rumours of a top criminal after landing in West Cork, a drug dealer with a violent reputation and an axe to grind with Collins. Being a local to the area, Collins is seething. He is all too aware of the destruction that follows in this man's wake but is caught between the murder in the city and his requirement to be in West Cork to bring this thug down.

Tim Collins is well known throughout the county of Cork, and beyond, for his prowess and skill as an inter-county hurler. Recognised in many households, it makes sense that he be the one to take on this alternate investigation, as he has direct contacts in the area. But Collins is frustrated. He wants justice for the murder victim but now, with this crazed individual on his home turf, Collins must do as instructed and leave Donnelly with her hands full in the city. Tim Collins believes in integrity and uncovering the truth but how far is he prepared to go in this quest? Where does he draw the line?

Before He Kills Again is a very pertinent and shocking read, highlighting themes of violence against women, the dangers lurking on social media platforms, misogynistic behaviour and also delving deep into the dark and merciless world of drugs. With two investigations running in parallel, Tadhg Coakley provides the reader with a serious adrenaline hit, with some very tense and heinous moments. Cork is a character in its own right throughout with a very strong sense of place, making for a very authentic reading experience.

Tadhg Coakley has created a fantastic protagonist with a brilliant personality, bringing Tim Collins very much alive for every reader. Police-procedurals don't come much better than this. Addictive, disquieting, fast-paced, realistic and thoroughly engrossing Before He Kills Again is a book that I highly recommend to all fans of this genre.

[Siobhán Lucid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down read it in 2 days... Bolting out of bed to read 2 pages before i went to work. not the usual alcoholic detective novel I felt like I was in the garda briefing rooms. The naming 12000 cafes was a bit much but it made it real 😀

[Tracey Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before He Kills Again by Tadhg Coakley is the second of the author's crime series featuring detective Tim Collins, born and bred in Cork, a former GAA star and occasional maverick.
In this tense follow-up to Whatever it Takes, Collins is partnered with detective Deirdre Donnelly to investigate the brutal rape and murder of a woman in her own home. Just as the pair are getting close to tracking down a possible incel link to the crime, Collins is moved to another case involving a drug lord who has set up shop in the detective's native West Cork. This second case also features elements of the misogyny and objectification of women evident in the first one, though not to the same extent, and Collins is tested to the limits of his self-control in his efforts to solve it so that he can turn his attention back to tracking down the rapist and murderer before he can strike again.
This novel's focus on organised violence against women is both timely and disconcerting, exploring the freedom offered by social media to link those who share similar sinister beliefs and attitudes and to provide them with a platform through which those views can be amplified.
A Corkonian myself, I love the very strong sense of place which Tadhg Coakley masterfully evokes in the novel and I'd love to know how this resonates with those readers who don't share my privilege!
While I tend to gravitate more towards crime novels with female protagonists, both of Collins' professional partners in this story are really well depicted and are well-developed characters in their own right.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and look forward to the next instalment in the series. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes crime thrillers, police procedurals, is from Cork or wishes they were!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in a series of crime thrillers set in Cork, following what happens to Detective Collins. I would recommend reading the first book, but having done so I don't think you would lose much if you read them out of order. This was a fun read that kept me on the edge of my seat.

This was a great follow-up story to the previous book, and I liked the new and different characters that were introduced. Mainly, his new partner Deirdre, and his new girlfriend and her family. I think the story flowed very well. I think my favorite part of this particular book was the internal struggle that Collins was dealing with. I loved how realistic it was - how gut-wrenching some choices are - and facing a no-win situation, how any particular person deals with it. The dealing with it was in character and authentic and I appreciated that.

This is a must-read book.

[John Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read.It has all the elements you would expect from a police procedural, with the added bonus that it's set in County Cork. Tim Collins is a well drawn hero, ably surrounded by a supporting cast of guards and local characters.

[Ronan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Very Cork.
Very Very Good.

All.ends a bit suddenly.

[David Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

fast paced and a solid story. .. as usual from Mr Coakley

[Fon E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second novel featuring Detective Garda Tim Collins is cementing this series as one that will make my Favourites list.

In the suburbs of Cork city, a woman is found murdered and sexually assaulted. Collins and his new partner, Deirdre Donnelly, are tasked with leading the investigation. As they work their way through the information they have gathered, they begin to make connections that means this horrendous crime is possibly linked to others.

Just as they are making progress, a chance encounter on a hillwalk in West Cork takes Collins to another case working with the Drug Squad.

The familiarity with the places and sounds make this an incredibly enjoyable read. I am already looking forward to the next one.