Declan “Mac” MacManus, some-time PI turned full-time Southampton cabbie, has had to endure much in his young life: the loss of family and friends, grave bodily injuries at the hands of ruthless enemies, and the knowledge that more than a few lives have been shattered by the decisions fate has forced him to make. But nothing of what Mac has encountered—and nothing of what he now knows about his own mysterious past—can compare to what awaits him in the heart-pounding final installment of The Gin Palace Trilogy. On a cold winter night, a troubled woman enters Mac’s cab and within moments sets into motion a series of devastating events that will test the young MacManus to his very soul. As he chases down leads, and his losses once again begin to mount, Mac finds himself dangerously close to a line he swore he’d never cross. And when one utterly unbearable loss threatens to transform him into an avenging angel, it is an unlikely ally—a stranger stalking him like a shadow—that may very well be the difference between Mac’s final act of self-destruction or his ultimate salvation.
DANIEL JUDSON, a Shamus Award winner and a four-time finalist, is the author of five previous novels, most recently The Violet Hour. He attended Southampton College, and his time in the Hamptons (particularly the parts that don’t make the society pages) was the inspiration for the setting and characters in Voyeur. He now lives in Connecticut.
I read all three of the Gin Palace trilogy books and enjoyed them all. The 2nd book, The Bone Orchard, was my favorite. A couple of things disappointed me about the Gin Palace - too many deaths of important characters and too much suspension of belief that Mac could continually come back from so many severe beatings/injuries. this book wasn't any more violent than the previous two but it wasn't as believable to me. It was however, as the first two, suspenseful, taut and captivating. Daniel Judson is an excellent writer and I will definitely read more of his works. I can see why he killed the characters he did but I really think the story could have turned out the same or close without their deaths. still I highly recommend this book and the entire series. well worth your time.
This is an exceptional trilogy about a down on his luck Private Investigator who is just trying to escape the group who are trying to murder him. Each of the books is intense reading! I highly recommend you read each book in the trilogy, in order. Daniel Judson is a great author!
This was my least favorite of the three books in the series, maybe because of the amount of violence; I don't think anybody at any age could withstand that much damage and still function (or survive). I still couldn't put the book down - one thing Judson is good at is keeping the reader turning the pages as fast as possible. I rated this one 4.4 stars. Jim gave it 4.2 stars.
I think my problem with this series is there is no happy...just hardship and grief. I can take this if it seems someone is learning and growing in life...not sure Mac did...spoiler alert, my favorite people ended up dead.
Another good read from Daniel Judson but the third and final book lacked something for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books and was swept along with the story. Perhaps I was expecting a little to much with the final book and I was a little disappointed. Still a good read though.
...but no pink ribbon. The book is as gritty as the first two, if not grittier. Our antihero, again, gets beaten, mashed, and mangled. If you read the first two installments, you might as well go along for the full ride. There is a great reliance on karma and the author needs to use another phrase besides "...turn the ignition until the engine caught...." . Overall, a good piece of mind rock candy for the noir fan.
This third installment of the Gin Palace Trilogy was definitely the best of the three, altho still a bit too action packed for me. I'm a 66-year-old woman. I enjoy a good murder mystery as entertainment in between literary and/or historical novels with a bit more substance. However, this had so many murders that I had a bit of a difficult time keeping the theories straight as to who killed who and why. This could be a difficulty because of my age and declining mental powers, but others will have to decide for themselves.
This is a series that should be read as a series. I don't think one could very easily pick up this third installment and get what's really going on and who is who. I think one has to keep on top of it, too, and not let too much time go by in between readings.
There were still errors in this text which ask for a good proofreader. They were not nearly as rife as in the 2nd book, though. Again, I read this on my kindle.
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
A fitting ending to this series. After years of wondering why and who, Mac finally gets the answer to the questions that have haunted him since childhood. Realistic characters and events. Not for the faint of heart or easily offended. Highly recommend!
I could not put this book down. I wanted to know the ending. I was disappointed that the author killed off a teenager. I wished he hadn't done that. But I kept reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed this 3 book series. Mac was an amazing character, but the story was even better. The intrigue built throughout the series and culminated perfectly. These are a great read!
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
Reading the trilogy is my first for this author. I had trouble putting all three down, interesting characters and great storytelling. Already ordered more of his books.
The past has finally come forward to meet the present. Mac is finally getting answers to the questions that have driven him his whole life. What really happened to his parents ..who killed them and most important..WHY. He has last everyone he cared about , loved and tried to help. He has been betrayed by people he thought could be trusted , if not friends. He hates them ,but mostly he hates himself, blames himself, and now that he is about to get the answers , is he going to be able to handle hearing it all. This GRIPPING , THRILLING MYSTERY IS ENDING and I want more. Tell me, do you see another one. Hope you ENJOY THIS AS MUCH AS I. I RECOMMEND HIGHLY.
The end of any series is bittersweet. The story is so good you want it to continue but there is finally a period at the end of all this good work is done. The finale of a lot of corruption, dead bodies piling up and one man trying to save the people in this corrupt town never really going down always seeming to come back from the dead never seems to get the answers be has been looking for. Here in book three he does finally. But at what cost? Don't miss the thrilling conclusion of the Gin Palace Trilogy.
You must read the three books back to back, although the author has written each one to be read stand alone, as well....I hope that some day there will be a book 4....Excellent author, never drops the ball for even a second....great story from beginning to end....lots of action, mystery, love, friendship and violence...I'm so glad I found this author...Enjoy!!
I just finished The Gin Palace Trilogy and I loved it. I went from one book to the next. The writing is riveting. The characters are deep. The story takes place mostly in areas on Long Island. I grew up there so. Was able to visualize where the characters were. Everything about this trilogy was wonderful. I love the style of this author and will read more of his work. I highly recommend this to read and enjoy.
By the third book old characters are being knocked off and new ones entering but somehow still connected. The big question is how will it all end and will it be believable or just too hokey? I thought it ended really well and the oddly enough it seemed to make sense. Nothing out of the ordinary for the main character of this trilogy. Well done!
Dark and violent final book in the series. The town gives up its deepest secrets from years long ago that still echo in the present. Gripping and I read it in one sitting, although I could have done without the graphic descriptions of the violent acts. Worth the read.
I read the whole trilogy. The whole series had way too much rambling. Describing a walk down a pier step by step is going too far. It seemed that the author was just trying to get enough words to meet a quota. By the third book he improved but still too much rambling.
A very satisfying conclusion to this convoluted tale of intertwining lives of folks from the past and present and their motives and consequences from actions past. Death and enmity are never far away.
Interesting conclusion to the trilogy by Judson. The thread of the story is unbroken in spite of the tension and mystery with multiple villains and victims. Keeps you reading, for sure. Action plus.
I was fully engaged in this story from the beginning until the end of the third book. The characters are well defined but as this drama begins twenty plus years before, its history is slowly revealed which creates a suspenseful page-Turner.
Great characters, imaginative plot, and action galore. Fans of Hammett, Chandler and MacDonald will eat this up. Judson is the best new author I have found in sometime.