Unholy Ground

Inspector Matt Minogue #2

by John Brady

Unholy Ground begins with the murder of 73-year-old Arthur Combs, a terribly ordinary man, in his cottage outside Dublin. He may have surprised a burglar, the Guards believe. But when Detective Sergeant Minogue is assigned to the case, he begins to suspect that Combs may have been a top-level undercover British spy. "Rich in substance." -- The New York Times

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Procedural, Ireland

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

John Brady was born in Dublin, the fictional setting of his acclaimed series of Matt Minogue mystery novels. Brady immigrated to Canada at the age of 20, and has worked as a bank official, RCMP clerical officer and teacher. His seventh Minogue novel, Wonderland, taps into Dublin’s exploding economy and its aftershocks at every level of society. He lives in Toronto. He won the Arthur Ellis Award to the First Best Novel in 1989 for A Stone of the Heart.

Series:
* Inspector Matt Minogue

Reviews

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unholy Ground is the second book in the Matt Minogue series set in Dublin. Published in 1989 it is a book very much of its time, concerned the death of a British agent near to Dublin during The Troubles, but focusing on a cat and mouse game between the Irish police and British establishment and its connections to the violence in the North. Brady’s narrative is divided into two main threads. The first follows the investigation led by Detective Sergeant Matt Minogue. The second details the Whitehall moves of Kenyon, a MI5 operative who is aware of how the agent’s death could blow-up politically. The result is an engaging, understated read that, for me, was reminiscent of John Le Carre’s Smiley novels. Unholy Ground is not a thriller with a capital T, but rather one that focuses on the everyday, mundane nature of policing and politics. Minogue and Kenyon are not action heroes, but two pawns in a tense game of chess in which false moves have real consequence. The plot is engaging, the dialogue and sense of place nicely executed, and the characterisation excellent. Overall, a very nice police procedural/spy crossover tale.

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never did read this novel while going through John Brady's series on Inspector Matt Minogue. Somehow, I skipped it and only got to it now. And am not surprised that I liked all
Brady's books so much. It's such a pity that he doesn't write more. Brady writes thriller's for intelligent people; his protagonist, Matt Minogue, late 50's, married with 2 teenage children has a fine mind. Most of his cases, set in Ireland about 30 years ago, are not easy to follow. I enjoyed his books very much and it's now time to reread them.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Sgt Minogue story from the late 1980s mixes a murder investigation with the British intelligence services in Dublin. Minogue investigates the murder of Combs, a 70-ish loner Englishman living on the outskirts and he eventually suspects some ties to British security. Kenyon, from the British end, is required to also find out their involvement in Combs’ death; was he about to spill secrets? It heats up towards the conclusion while Minogue’s family and professional lives provide interest and the Irish setting and characters involve. As always with this author, it is very well-written.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minogue is called on to investigate when an old man is found strangled strangled. The man's house is ransacked, but it seems he had neither friends nor enemies. As the case progresses, uncomfortable facts come to light, and Minogue finds himself at the center of a decades-long power struggle among members of the British intelligence agencies.
Minogue is patient and persistent, and it's intriguing to follow him as he searches for the key that will unlock this particular murder.

[Fiona Mcgregor]

Good storyline despite having been written so long ago

Reading this in 2018 when the political landscape has changed the story is nevertheless interesting and gripping and moves at a good pace.

[Maureen Armstrong]

Great find on thrift table in community; second time reading good mystery from Irish author; as I visited Dublin, and Northern Ireland this year, the location details of Dublin and the Troubles emerge graphically and well told.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Too many British characters and spies.
Matt Minogue and his relationships are interesting.

[James McHugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series. Irish mysteries/crime books are the best.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This early book in the spy/detective series that features Matt Minogue as Our Hero had me initially confused by the various devious characters (Irish police forces, MI5, MI6, with a whiff of IRA and other national defense groups). Then the action sorted itself out and by the end I was having to remind myself to breathe as I turned the pages. Set in the days of Maggie Thatcher and the tensions of Irish-British negotiations, the back stabbing and politics are fascinating, and I loved the brogue and gentle humour that laces the dialogue. Going to read more of this series.

[Brucie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of crime in Great Britain features a likable Irish police officer in stressful situations. Superb literature features a clear perspective on English/Irish relationships with lots of appropriate vocabulary flourishes.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this much better that the first in the series.

[Jemera Rone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful Matt Minogue mystery, thick with Dublin intrigue and echoes of World War 2. MI5 also figures in the dirty action.