Cracking the Case: Inside the mind of a top garda

by Christy Mangan

Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan knows how hard it is to turn a murder investigation into a conviction.As a top murder detective and founder of the Garda Cold Case unit, he saw it all over the course of his 40-year career. Cracking the Case takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of serious crime investigations, describing a range of cases where Mangan's focus was firmly on giving the victim's family answers while recognising the complex reasons people are drawn into crime or end up committing unthinkable acts.Here he reveals the shocking details of high-profile cases, including the remarkable story of Charlotte and Linda Mulhall - dubbed 'the Scissors Sisters' - who killed and dismembered their mother's abusive boyfriend. Mangan describes how building a relationship of trust with Linda led her to making a full confession to him. From his cold case files, Mangan's examination of murder in high society - the 1985 death of wealthy priest Fr Niall Molloy - is gripping, and his conclusions about the lingering conspiracy theories surrounding the case sobering. In contrast, his account of gang warfare in Drogheda, and the 2020 killing of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods, is as tense, gripping and tragic as a series of The Wire, and a chilling warning of what can happen when criminals get their hooks into a small community.Mangan retired at the rank of chief superintendent in 2022. Cracking the Case is a remarkable insight into the mind of a gifted garda working at the highest level.

Genres: True Crime

320 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2024

Reviews

[Ma Sanches]

Nice stories about Garda and famous crime cases in Ireland from a former superintendent. Nice point of view about treating people with respect and dignity, even if it is just their memory...

[Elizabeth]

Really interesting.
5 stars for what it is.
4 stars as not the best book I’ve read.

[Shane]

The first 60 or 70 pgs are a struggle but the book does get progressively better. The sisters and Drogheda fued chapters are very good. I did however prefee Pat Marrys making of a detective book, it was more succinct and flowed better. Still if your into Irish crime, this is a must.

[Kelli Barczynski]

You can tell that chief Superintendent Mangan loved his job throughout but more importantly was empathetic to people regardless of how they met. Some big cases discussed in the book firsthand with such care, empathy and dignity for the victims. He was an exceptional member of An Garda Siochana and an equally exceptional man. Highly recommend.

[Amanda]

Really interesting read. Christy Mangan seems like a very fair and reasonable and kind man and one you would be lucky to have on the worst day of your life. Really fascinating look inside some of Ireland's most notorious cases. I particularly found the chapter about the Scissor Sisters interesting.

[Shaun Taylor]

Forty years of service

An interesting account if forty years of service in the Garda and some cases that have gained international interest. Well worth a read

[Paul Carey]

Really good read. More documentary than story but I enjoyed it all.

[Mark Saunders]

Great read

[Chelsey Pryce]

An interesting insight into the world of An Garda Síochána. Detailing some horrifying cases of Murder, intimidation and drug crime, how the cases were solved, and the outcome of sentencing.

[Oonagh Considine]

He done a great job protecting Drogheda. A great inside in what happened in Drogheda .