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Inspector Sheehan Mysteries #1
Angel of Death
Seasoned Detective Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan has spent his life married to his career in the Serious Crimes Unit. No time for love, no time for friends, only time to find the next killer in Belfast.
When his newest case introduces him to the life he’s missed — including the lovely widow, Margaret — and reminds him of the early life he left behind, Detective Sheehan’s forced to face more than his job.
But his newest case is also his a series of killings with cryptic biblical undertones.
To make matters worse, the only profile Sheehan has for the murderer is someone with trauma in their past. In post-Troubles Northern Ireland, that could be anyone.
As the clock counts down to the next kill, Sheehan must decide who he can trust — before it’s too late.
Originally published by Crimson Cloak as The Doom Murders, Angel of Death is Book 1 of the award-winning The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries series and has been the recipient of three literary awards.
When his newest case introduces him to the life he’s missed — including the lovely widow, Margaret — and reminds him of the early life he left behind, Detective Sheehan’s forced to face more than his job.
But his newest case is also his a series of killings with cryptic biblical undertones.
To make matters worse, the only profile Sheehan has for the murderer is someone with trauma in their past. In post-Troubles Northern Ireland, that could be anyone.
As the clock counts down to the next kill, Sheehan must decide who he can trust — before it’s too late.
Originally published by Crimson Cloak as The Doom Murders, Angel of Death is Book 1 of the award-winning The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries series and has been the recipient of three literary awards.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2012
1061 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Brian O'Hare
21 books178 followersBrian O'Hare, MA, Ph.D., is a retired assistant director of a large regional college of further and higher education. Married, three children, ten grandchildren, one great grandchild. He plays golf three times a week off a ten handicap and does a lot of voluntary work. Any writing he has previously done was academic...very much restricted to a very specific readership. Several articles in educational journals were followed by a number of book-length reports for the Dept. of Education and the University of Ulster.
He has also written an interesting biography of a man who daily performs amazing miracles of healing...The Miracle Ship. That is currently available in Amazon's Kindle bookstore. Hopefully those who read it will spread the word and write reviews to help John's message to reach the hearts of many, many people. The Miracle Ship has won top medallist honours in the New Apple 2015 Awards for literary excellence.
Brian had a liver disease since childhood which resulted in him taking early retirement a number of years ago. In 2002 he had a liver transplant but is strong and healthy now. He continued to do academic writing well into his retirement and followed that with a memoir about his liver transplant, dealing with the physical, emotional and spiritual experiences that came from that period in his life (A Spiritual Odyssey, published by Columba Press, Dublin).
Recently he experienced a desire to write fiction. Hence Fallen Men. It is a story about three priests...but it is religious in much the same way Thornbirds was religious. Fallen Men has won two awards, including top medallist honours in the contemporary fiction category of the 2015 New Apple Awards.
He has also finished two further novels, both part of a new series commissioned by Crimson Cloak publishing, The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries.. The first is a murder mystery inspired by an old 14th century painting of the Last Judgement. It's called "The Doom Murders", and it is available on Kindle and in print. The Doom Murders has to date won three prestigious awards.
The second book in the series, "The 11.05 Killings", has now been written. Obviously it features the same detectives as in The Doom Murders but since it was published only a few weeks ago it has not yet had time to collect any awards. The third book in the series, The Coven Murders, is currently being written.
To launch the print version of The Doom Murders, CCP asked Brian to write a couple of short stories, featuring Inspector Sheehan. These were originally intended to be Facebook games (i.e. a kind of 'see the clues, guess the killer' thing) but the publisher liked them so much that she has started a new line called Crimson Shorts. Brian's two shorts ( a third was written to launch The 11.05 Killings) Murder at Loftus House and Murder at the Roadside Cafe are now available on Amazon in Kindle and print versions. So, too, is the third, Murder at the Wooodlands Care Home.
Also now available on Kindle (as well as print) is the story of Brian's liver transplant and the growth in spirit he experienced as he waited for almost a year, not knowing if he was going to live or die. See: "A Spiritual Odyssey [Diary of an Ordinary Catholic]"
He has also written an interesting biography of a man who daily performs amazing miracles of healing...The Miracle Ship. That is currently available in Amazon's Kindle bookstore. Hopefully those who read it will spread the word and write reviews to help John's message to reach the hearts of many, many people. The Miracle Ship has won top medallist honours in the New Apple 2015 Awards for literary excellence.
Brian had a liver disease since childhood which resulted in him taking early retirement a number of years ago. In 2002 he had a liver transplant but is strong and healthy now. He continued to do academic writing well into his retirement and followed that with a memoir about his liver transplant, dealing with the physical, emotional and spiritual experiences that came from that period in his life (A Spiritual Odyssey, published by Columba Press, Dublin).
Recently he experienced a desire to write fiction. Hence Fallen Men. It is a story about three priests...but it is religious in much the same way Thornbirds was religious. Fallen Men has won two awards, including top medallist honours in the contemporary fiction category of the 2015 New Apple Awards.
He has also finished two further novels, both part of a new series commissioned by Crimson Cloak publishing, The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries.. The first is a murder mystery inspired by an old 14th century painting of the Last Judgement. It's called "The Doom Murders", and it is available on Kindle and in print. The Doom Murders has to date won three prestigious awards.
The second book in the series, "The 11.05 Killings", has now been written. Obviously it features the same detectives as in The Doom Murders but since it was published only a few weeks ago it has not yet had time to collect any awards. The third book in the series, The Coven Murders, is currently being written.
To launch the print version of The Doom Murders, CCP asked Brian to write a couple of short stories, featuring Inspector Sheehan. These were originally intended to be Facebook games (i.e. a kind of 'see the clues, guess the killer' thing) but the publisher liked them so much that she has started a new line called Crimson Shorts. Brian's two shorts ( a third was written to launch The 11.05 Killings) Murder at Loftus House and Murder at the Roadside Cafe are now available on Amazon in Kindle and print versions. So, too, is the third, Murder at the Wooodlands Care Home.
Also now available on Kindle (as well as print) is the story of Brian's liver transplant and the growth in spirit he experienced as he waited for almost a year, not knowing if he was going to live or die. See: "A Spiritual Odyssey [Diary of an Ordinary Catholic]"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
January 12, 2016
A really satisfying crime story about a serial killer with a religious motive. Based in Ireland, which has seen more than its share of religious problems, we have a series of gruesome murders and a detective heading the investigation against a background of the catholic versus protestant conflict. The book is very well written and the author has crafted an atmospheric murder story, which always seems very realistic and is grounded in accurate police procedure. I warmed to CI Jim Sheehan, who is an intelligent investigator rather than a high octane action man. This is more Morse than the Sweeney!
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
September 27, 2014
COMPELLING, SUPERBLY-WRITTEN MYSTERY!
If you’re looking for a murder mystery that goes beyond the mundane to the extraordinary, that offers a well-crafted and cleverly-devised plot, that intrigues to the very last page, then THE DOOM MURDERS is the book you’ve been searching for.
The author’s solid and consistent style of writing drives the story forward at a steady clip, piquing your interest, challenging your wit, and clutching you in its grip for the entire suspenseful ride. Along the way, the most subtle of clues are intricately interwoven into the storyline, and even the most astute mystery buff is apt to miss them. O’Hare’s strong command of the English language is readily apparent and allows him to easily paint the scene, set the mood, and bring his characters to life. At the same time, his intermittent use of Irish colloquialism adds a spicy, genuine flavor to the dialogue.
The story itself is a murder mystery set in Belfast, Ireland, where Detective Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan is confronted with a series of murders that appear to have religious undertones—murders based upon the famous Doom paintings of the Last Judgment. As murder victim piles upon murder victim and the ongoing criminal investigation fails to unearth a viable suspect, Sheehan begins to question his ability to solve the case. Eventually, the killer’s profile points him in a direction he’d rather not take, a direction abhorrent to his sensibilities.
Along with the murders, however—and just as importantly—Sheehan is also confronted with the question of his faith—a faith that he had abandoned long ago. O’Hare convincingly, and with finesse, addresses Sheehan’s struggles—not only to face the identity of the killer but also to acknowledge his own spiritual re-awakening.
An excellent read well worth your time and one I would highly recommend!
I was provided with this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you’re looking for a murder mystery that goes beyond the mundane to the extraordinary, that offers a well-crafted and cleverly-devised plot, that intrigues to the very last page, then THE DOOM MURDERS is the book you’ve been searching for.
The author’s solid and consistent style of writing drives the story forward at a steady clip, piquing your interest, challenging your wit, and clutching you in its grip for the entire suspenseful ride. Along the way, the most subtle of clues are intricately interwoven into the storyline, and even the most astute mystery buff is apt to miss them. O’Hare’s strong command of the English language is readily apparent and allows him to easily paint the scene, set the mood, and bring his characters to life. At the same time, his intermittent use of Irish colloquialism adds a spicy, genuine flavor to the dialogue.
The story itself is a murder mystery set in Belfast, Ireland, where Detective Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan is confronted with a series of murders that appear to have religious undertones—murders based upon the famous Doom paintings of the Last Judgment. As murder victim piles upon murder victim and the ongoing criminal investigation fails to unearth a viable suspect, Sheehan begins to question his ability to solve the case. Eventually, the killer’s profile points him in a direction he’d rather not take, a direction abhorrent to his sensibilities.
Along with the murders, however—and just as importantly—Sheehan is also confronted with the question of his faith—a faith that he had abandoned long ago. O’Hare convincingly, and with finesse, addresses Sheehan’s struggles—not only to face the identity of the killer but also to acknowledge his own spiritual re-awakening.
An excellent read well worth your time and one I would highly recommend!
I was provided with this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2017
A Catholic Bishop found brutalized, naked, and oddly posed in his Belfast study sets DCI Jim Sheehan and his detectives on the trail of a killer who police suspect sees himself as the hand of God.
That suspicion deepens as the murder toll rises. All victims are Catholic, hold positions of leadership and all appear to have violated the killer’s notion of what God wants in those entrusted to uphold the faith.
Each victim, a Catholic Secondary School Principal, a Youth Worker, a Politician, and an Abbess are found naked, dead and mutilated. Each has been killed in a manner and pose that in the murderer’s mind reflects his or her sin.
Bishop Charles Loughran promoted a more liberal approach, blocked Latin masses and wrote articles seen as appealing to a secular audience. For the sin of spreading the false word of God, the killer ripped out his tongue.
Sheehan and his team sift through the evidence, follow leads, and interview potential witnesses that take them on a journey through scripture and into a mind beset by delusion disorder in their search for the serial killer.
Author Brian O’Hare’s whodunit is a masterful blend of gruesome murders and fully formed, likable characters in a style that reminds me of Ann Cleeve’s steadfast detective, DCI Vera Stanhope.
Like Stanhope, Sheehan isn’t flashy. He’s not Sherlock Holmes smart, James Bond handsome, or even average when the 40+ year old bachelor tries to talk to a woman he finds attractive.
He is, however, a bulldog in the pursuit of evidence leaving no stone unturned. The task is made more difficult by the perpetrator’s know-how in eradicating forensic evidence.
Sheehan, a lapsed Catholic, is also hampered because he has no idea where to find clues in religious texts and symbols. He’s ably assisted by Monsignor Byrne in his religious journey, provided the monsignor, himself a suspect, isn’t the murderer.
I love fiction that gives a bit of the real world to think about. For me, The Doom Murders worked at all levels. It touched on the trailing angst of “the troubles” in Northern Ireland as an inescapable but minnow-sized red herring. And it landed with both feet into the clash of views over liberalizing the Catholic church through relatable people rather than the comic book characters and overblown plot devices of The Da Vinci Code.
That suspicion deepens as the murder toll rises. All victims are Catholic, hold positions of leadership and all appear to have violated the killer’s notion of what God wants in those entrusted to uphold the faith.
Each victim, a Catholic Secondary School Principal, a Youth Worker, a Politician, and an Abbess are found naked, dead and mutilated. Each has been killed in a manner and pose that in the murderer’s mind reflects his or her sin.
Bishop Charles Loughran promoted a more liberal approach, blocked Latin masses and wrote articles seen as appealing to a secular audience. For the sin of spreading the false word of God, the killer ripped out his tongue.
Sheehan and his team sift through the evidence, follow leads, and interview potential witnesses that take them on a journey through scripture and into a mind beset by delusion disorder in their search for the serial killer.
Author Brian O’Hare’s whodunit is a masterful blend of gruesome murders and fully formed, likable characters in a style that reminds me of Ann Cleeve’s steadfast detective, DCI Vera Stanhope.
Like Stanhope, Sheehan isn’t flashy. He’s not Sherlock Holmes smart, James Bond handsome, or even average when the 40+ year old bachelor tries to talk to a woman he finds attractive.
He is, however, a bulldog in the pursuit of evidence leaving no stone unturned. The task is made more difficult by the perpetrator’s know-how in eradicating forensic evidence.
Sheehan, a lapsed Catholic, is also hampered because he has no idea where to find clues in religious texts and symbols. He’s ably assisted by Monsignor Byrne in his religious journey, provided the monsignor, himself a suspect, isn’t the murderer.
I love fiction that gives a bit of the real world to think about. For me, The Doom Murders worked at all levels. It touched on the trailing angst of “the troubles” in Northern Ireland as an inescapable but minnow-sized red herring. And it landed with both feet into the clash of views over liberalizing the Catholic church through relatable people rather than the comic book characters and overblown plot devices of The Da Vinci Code.
August 28, 2022
DCI Jim Sheehan and his team investigate when prominant Catholic figures are murdered. Not only murdered, but naked and displayed as strange shapes.
An enjoyable and interesting well-written murder mystery
Republished as Murder of a Priest
2022
An enjoyable and interesting well-written murder mystery
Republished as Murder of a Priest
2022
January 6, 2025
* Angel of Death was the original title.* Now called: The Doom Murders'. This one hooked me from the git-go!
Being 'raised Irish' (in quotes because I have lierally NO Irish in me. I'm predominantly Polish) in the 60's by an excommunicated, gay priest who married a divorced Protestant with 3 kids and 'adopted' me, (my 'sister 'was my mother and my 'father 'was my bio father, I know.. Eww...) this hit home!
Bodies of women showing up in various poses signals that a serial killer with a religious bent is on the loose. As the bodies pile up, the police AND the church are desperate for answers and closure.
Possible suspects are investigated, leads followed, and a little romance begins to blossom as the case ends in a stunning conclusion.
I received a free review copy of this book, and I am giving you my honest review.
Being 'raised Irish' (in quotes because I have lierally NO Irish in me. I'm predominantly Polish) in the 60's by an excommunicated, gay priest who married a divorced Protestant with 3 kids and 'adopted' me, (my 'sister 'was my mother and my 'father 'was my bio father, I know.. Eww...) this hit home!
Bodies of women showing up in various poses signals that a serial killer with a religious bent is on the loose. As the bodies pile up, the police AND the church are desperate for answers and closure.
Possible suspects are investigated, leads followed, and a little romance begins to blossom as the case ends in a stunning conclusion.
I received a free review copy of this book, and I am giving you my honest review.
October 11, 2016
I love mystery novels like this one even though I’m terrible at figuring out the clues given along the way. Authors like O’Hare make us think like a real detective as we follow along with the characters in the story. I have to admit that I didn’t connect the title with any sort of religious element, but it does hold a prominent place in the story. Important figures in Belfast are being murdered, the bodies left naked and posed in grotesque shapes. The scenes are forensically immaculate. Chief Inspector Sheehan and his team must figure out how these victims are linked, what is the connection between the killings, the Bible and the medieval painting The Last Judgement?
The character building was excellent here. I felt I had a real look into the minds of these people as they struggled through a difficult case, especially Sheehan. I noticed a few reviewers compared this piece to the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, but personally I thought this was much better. I couldn’t get through Brown’s novel, but had no problem here. It held my interest from start to finish. The scenes are also well described, brought to life in my mind. I like to picture myself there when I’m reading, much like playing a movie in my mind. If I’m not given enough from the author, it makes for a boring and dull story. That wasn’t a problem here.
Points I didn’t like so much. Okay, point. A tad slow to start, though I’d admit the beginning to most novels can be a bit hard to get into. We need time and patience to get to know these characters and be given an idea of where the plot is taking us. I don’t dock points for a slow start. My stars are judged on how I feel after the first few chapters, whether or not I want to keep reading. Not a problem with this one. The Doom Murders held my interest from start to finish, and the end took me completely by surprise. I admit I’m not the brightest bulb in the pack when it comes to guessing murder mystery, but I’m willing to bet there are few out there who will guess this one.
And I’m not telling you. You’ll have to go out and buy your own copy if you want to learn. Can’t wait to pick up my next novel by Brian O’Hare.
The character building was excellent here. I felt I had a real look into the minds of these people as they struggled through a difficult case, especially Sheehan. I noticed a few reviewers compared this piece to the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, but personally I thought this was much better. I couldn’t get through Brown’s novel, but had no problem here. It held my interest from start to finish. The scenes are also well described, brought to life in my mind. I like to picture myself there when I’m reading, much like playing a movie in my mind. If I’m not given enough from the author, it makes for a boring and dull story. That wasn’t a problem here.
Points I didn’t like so much. Okay, point. A tad slow to start, though I’d admit the beginning to most novels can be a bit hard to get into. We need time and patience to get to know these characters and be given an idea of where the plot is taking us. I don’t dock points for a slow start. My stars are judged on how I feel after the first few chapters, whether or not I want to keep reading. Not a problem with this one. The Doom Murders held my interest from start to finish, and the end took me completely by surprise. I admit I’m not the brightest bulb in the pack when it comes to guessing murder mystery, but I’m willing to bet there are few out there who will guess this one.
And I’m not telling you. You’ll have to go out and buy your own copy if you want to learn. Can’t wait to pick up my next novel by Brian O’Hare.
May 2, 2023
Angel of Death by Brian O’Hare hooked me from the start. O’Hare’s concise and succinct writing carried the story along at a great pace.
A respected Bishop in Northern Ireland is killed in a gruesome manner and DCI Sheehan is called in to investigate. He is immediately intrigued by the way the body is left naked and posed in a grotesquely distorted shape. There are no clues other than some small random items placed around the body and some concealed numbers. But what do they mean?
A second murder follows. Again the person is killed in a grotesque manner and displayed in a similar way as to the Bishop. Because there are similarities in the murders, Sheehan starts to look for connections between the two people.
By the time the third and fourth murders occur Sheehan is feeling desperate to find the murderer. There doesn’t seem to be any solid leads and he feels his men are going around in circles.
Sheehan starts to wonder if there is a religious connection and not just because the first death was an bishop.
Something has escaped Sheehan. He knows it but can’t think what. What is the connection between these killings and a famous mediaeval painting of The Last Judgement?
As they race to try and prevent the last murder it comes to Sheehan in a flash who the murderer is.
My thoughts
I have always liked murder mysteries whether they be the Cosy type or a little bit more hard-nosed. It was a pleasure reading this book and I enjoyed the fact it was set in Northern Ireland, a setting I hadn’t read before. The characters are all well written. DCI Sheehan is a complex character, with a sharp mind and good hunches, capable of running a busy incident room and leading complex cases, but then we see a different Sheehan when he meets Margaret. I enjoyed seeing a tongue-tied, sensitive man appear.
I highly recommend this book to people who like murder mysteries and crime dramas. Although the murders themselves are gruesome, details are not constantly repeated during the course of the book. I really couldn’t put this book down.
Five stars
A respected Bishop in Northern Ireland is killed in a gruesome manner and DCI Sheehan is called in to investigate. He is immediately intrigued by the way the body is left naked and posed in a grotesquely distorted shape. There are no clues other than some small random items placed around the body and some concealed numbers. But what do they mean?
A second murder follows. Again the person is killed in a grotesque manner and displayed in a similar way as to the Bishop. Because there are similarities in the murders, Sheehan starts to look for connections between the two people.
By the time the third and fourth murders occur Sheehan is feeling desperate to find the murderer. There doesn’t seem to be any solid leads and he feels his men are going around in circles.
Sheehan starts to wonder if there is a religious connection and not just because the first death was an bishop.
Something has escaped Sheehan. He knows it but can’t think what. What is the connection between these killings and a famous mediaeval painting of The Last Judgement?
As they race to try and prevent the last murder it comes to Sheehan in a flash who the murderer is.
My thoughts
I have always liked murder mysteries whether they be the Cosy type or a little bit more hard-nosed. It was a pleasure reading this book and I enjoyed the fact it was set in Northern Ireland, a setting I hadn’t read before. The characters are all well written. DCI Sheehan is a complex character, with a sharp mind and good hunches, capable of running a busy incident room and leading complex cases, but then we see a different Sheehan when he meets Margaret. I enjoyed seeing a tongue-tied, sensitive man appear.
I highly recommend this book to people who like murder mysteries and crime dramas. Although the murders themselves are gruesome, details are not constantly repeated during the course of the book. I really couldn’t put this book down.
Five stars
May 5, 2021
Prominent figures in Belfast are being murdered. The bodies are left naked and posed in grotesquely distorted shapes. No clues are left at the forensically immaculate crime scenes except odd theatrical props and some random numbers and letters concealed at each scene by the killer. How are the victims linked? What is the connection between these killings, the bible, and a famous mediaeval painting of The Last Judgement?
The Doom Murders has been the recipient of three literary awards - The IDB Award in 2014; The New Apple Award, 2014, for Excellence in Independent Publishing; and the 2015 Readers’ Favourite International Book Awards (Bronze Medal Winner).
"The Chief Inspector, Jim Sheehan, is drawn so deftly and with such genuineness, you can feel him breathing." (Eugene Fournier, novelist and screenwriter, film and TV)
"The most subtle of clues are intricately interwoven into the storyline, and even the most astute mystery buff is apt to miss them." (Donna Cummins, Author of the Blacklick Valley Mystery Series)
"Incredibly addictive page turner." (Meghan, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer)
"O’Hare leans toward the human side of his characters, imbuing them with a real world presence that is in turn witty and passionate." (Roy.T James, for Readers’ Favourite)
Pages: 374
The Doom Murders has been the recipient of three literary awards - The IDB Award in 2014; The New Apple Award, 2014, for Excellence in Independent Publishing; and the 2015 Readers’ Favourite International Book Awards (Bronze Medal Winner).
"The Chief Inspector, Jim Sheehan, is drawn so deftly and with such genuineness, you can feel him breathing." (Eugene Fournier, novelist and screenwriter, film and TV)
"The most subtle of clues are intricately interwoven into the storyline, and even the most astute mystery buff is apt to miss them." (Donna Cummins, Author of the Blacklick Valley Mystery Series)
"Incredibly addictive page turner." (Meghan, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer)
"O’Hare leans toward the human side of his characters, imbuing them with a real world presence that is in turn witty and passionate." (Roy.T James, for Readers’ Favourite)
Pages: 374
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2014
Tri den tine mass n. the Latin Eucharistic liturgy used by the Roman Catholic Church from 1570 to 1964. (Before Vatican Two)
I will turn my face against this man. I will make him a proverbial example. I will strike him from the midst of my people and you will know that I am Yahweh.. Ezekiel 14:8
Hell is empty and all the devils are here. William Shakespeare
The first thing I want to say is that this is a very well written and well research book. Some things bothered me – mostly too many exclamation points, which may be a factor of the author being from Northern Ireland. I have edited several books by English and Australian authors, and there are “quirks” that are expected from certain areas of the world. I am sure that there they find American “quirks” sometimes interesting, sometimes irritating. But other than that, the writing is mostly clean, which is quite positive in today’s rather “loose” grammatical styles of Indie writing.
Then there is the research portion of the book. The author knows his history, religion and the methodology of a police investigation, as I understand it to be handled in Northern Ireland. While I am no expert in Irish law and procedure, I am something of an expert on American police procedure, and found the procedure believable and enjoyable to read.
I also found the Catholic and religious knowledge to be intensive and well researched. While I am not certain of O’Hare’s exact training, the comment, “Any writing he has previously done was academic...very much restricted to a very specific readership” leaves me to believe that he has religious training. And hence the problem that I had with the book. There is a rather extreme element of sanctimony that I found very much not to my tastes. While giving lip service to a “loving” god and, “ . . . the spirit of tolerance that genuine Christianity espouses” there is a strong component of hatred and vindictiveness against modernization of the Catholic Church that runs through the storyline. Hatred of homosexuals (who are genetically predisposed to homosexuality), to divorces – even when the wife and/or children are being brutalized, and the mania for conversion of others no matter the cost to society - all the same issues that the Church has fought with a rabid obsession for centuries. Tolerance for all – except for anyone who isn’t a white Catholic male.
“And religion is a funny thing. Look at all the wars and devastation it has caused over the centuries because people took notions.” Detective Allen, The Doom Murders
Overall, the book will appeal to those who love a good procedural, and those who are very strictly old-school Catholic. “There are bishops and cardinals all over Europe, and America too, breaking away from Rome over this very issue.” Humans no longer live in the Dark Ages. Christians conveniently ignore the parts of their holy book that make them look bad. They say it is the unquestioned word of God, except for those parts that are taken out of context. I have, indeed, read the Bible, as well as several other religious texts. Below are several requirements of Christianity-that I certainly hope they are no longer following!
Psalm 137:9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. (The Catholic Priests who traveled with the armies of Europeans who came to the U.S. used this methodology extensively. The babies and small children of Native Americans were grabbed up by the ankles and their heads smashed against rocks. Those were my ancestors.)
Isaiah 13:15-18 NLT Anyone who is captured will be run through with a sword. Their little children will be dashed to death right before their eyes. Their homes will be sacked and their wives raped by the attacking hordes. For I will stir up the Medes against Babylon, and no amount of silver or gold will buy them off. The attacking armies will shoot down the young people with arrows. They will have no mercy on helpless babies and will show no compassion for the children. Wow. Both Psalms and Isaiah encourage dashing baby’s heads against rocks . . .
Samuel 12:11-14 NAB Thus says the Lord: 'I will bring evil upon you out of your own house. I will take your wives [plural] while you live to see it, and will give them to your neighbor. He shall lie with your wives in broad daylight. You have done this deed in secret, but I will bring it about in the presence of all Israel, and with the sun looking down.' Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan answered David: "The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die. But since you have utterly spurned the Lord by this deed, the child born to you must surely die." What ever happened to: Exodus 23:7 Be honest. Don't kill the innocent. And 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.? And this whole rape in the name of god thing is just creepy
Deuteronomy 21:10-14 NAB "When you go out to war against your enemies and the LORD, your God, delivers them into your hand, so that you take captives, if you see a comely woman among the captives and become so enamored of her that you wish to have her as wife, you may take her home to your house. But before she may live there, she must shave her head and pare her nails and lay aside her captive's garb. After she has mourned her father and mother for a full month, you may have relations with her, and you shall be her husband and she shall be your wife. However, if later on you lose your liking for her, you shall give her her freedom, if she wishes it; but you shall not sell her or enslave her, since she was married to you under compulsion." (God loves him some female slavery and rape.)
Ecclesiasticus 22:3"...and the birth of ANY daughter is a loss.”
Numbers 31:1-18 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. (Well, now we know why the Catholic Church condones pedophilia.)
Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes. (Lot)
Leviticus 26:29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.
Deuteronomy 28:53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters.
Jeremiah 19:9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend.
Isaiah 14:21 NAB Make ready to slaughter his sons for the guilt of their fathers; Lest they rise and posses the earth, and fill the breadth of the world with tyrants.
And we won’t even talk about Exodus . . .
This book was provided by the author for a realistic review. All thoughts and commentary are my own.
I will turn my face against this man. I will make him a proverbial example. I will strike him from the midst of my people and you will know that I am Yahweh.. Ezekiel 14:8
Hell is empty and all the devils are here. William Shakespeare
The first thing I want to say is that this is a very well written and well research book. Some things bothered me – mostly too many exclamation points, which may be a factor of the author being from Northern Ireland. I have edited several books by English and Australian authors, and there are “quirks” that are expected from certain areas of the world. I am sure that there they find American “quirks” sometimes interesting, sometimes irritating. But other than that, the writing is mostly clean, which is quite positive in today’s rather “loose” grammatical styles of Indie writing.
Then there is the research portion of the book. The author knows his history, religion and the methodology of a police investigation, as I understand it to be handled in Northern Ireland. While I am no expert in Irish law and procedure, I am something of an expert on American police procedure, and found the procedure believable and enjoyable to read.
I also found the Catholic and religious knowledge to be intensive and well researched. While I am not certain of O’Hare’s exact training, the comment, “Any writing he has previously done was academic...very much restricted to a very specific readership” leaves me to believe that he has religious training. And hence the problem that I had with the book. There is a rather extreme element of sanctimony that I found very much not to my tastes. While giving lip service to a “loving” god and, “ . . . the spirit of tolerance that genuine Christianity espouses” there is a strong component of hatred and vindictiveness against modernization of the Catholic Church that runs through the storyline. Hatred of homosexuals (who are genetically predisposed to homosexuality), to divorces – even when the wife and/or children are being brutalized, and the mania for conversion of others no matter the cost to society - all the same issues that the Church has fought with a rabid obsession for centuries. Tolerance for all – except for anyone who isn’t a white Catholic male.
“And religion is a funny thing. Look at all the wars and devastation it has caused over the centuries because people took notions.” Detective Allen, The Doom Murders
Overall, the book will appeal to those who love a good procedural, and those who are very strictly old-school Catholic. “There are bishops and cardinals all over Europe, and America too, breaking away from Rome over this very issue.” Humans no longer live in the Dark Ages. Christians conveniently ignore the parts of their holy book that make them look bad. They say it is the unquestioned word of God, except for those parts that are taken out of context. I have, indeed, read the Bible, as well as several other religious texts. Below are several requirements of Christianity-that I certainly hope they are no longer following!
Psalm 137:9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. (The Catholic Priests who traveled with the armies of Europeans who came to the U.S. used this methodology extensively. The babies and small children of Native Americans were grabbed up by the ankles and their heads smashed against rocks. Those were my ancestors.)
Isaiah 13:15-18 NLT Anyone who is captured will be run through with a sword. Their little children will be dashed to death right before their eyes. Their homes will be sacked and their wives raped by the attacking hordes. For I will stir up the Medes against Babylon, and no amount of silver or gold will buy them off. The attacking armies will shoot down the young people with arrows. They will have no mercy on helpless babies and will show no compassion for the children. Wow. Both Psalms and Isaiah encourage dashing baby’s heads against rocks . . .
Samuel 12:11-14 NAB Thus says the Lord: 'I will bring evil upon you out of your own house. I will take your wives [plural] while you live to see it, and will give them to your neighbor. He shall lie with your wives in broad daylight. You have done this deed in secret, but I will bring it about in the presence of all Israel, and with the sun looking down.' Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan answered David: "The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die. But since you have utterly spurned the Lord by this deed, the child born to you must surely die." What ever happened to: Exodus 23:7 Be honest. Don't kill the innocent. And 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.? And this whole rape in the name of god thing is just creepy
Deuteronomy 21:10-14 NAB "When you go out to war against your enemies and the LORD, your God, delivers them into your hand, so that you take captives, if you see a comely woman among the captives and become so enamored of her that you wish to have her as wife, you may take her home to your house. But before she may live there, she must shave her head and pare her nails and lay aside her captive's garb. After she has mourned her father and mother for a full month, you may have relations with her, and you shall be her husband and she shall be your wife. However, if later on you lose your liking for her, you shall give her her freedom, if she wishes it; but you shall not sell her or enslave her, since she was married to you under compulsion." (God loves him some female slavery and rape.)
Ecclesiasticus 22:3"...and the birth of ANY daughter is a loss.”
Numbers 31:1-18 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. (Well, now we know why the Catholic Church condones pedophilia.)
Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes. (Lot)
Leviticus 26:29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.
Deuteronomy 28:53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters.
Jeremiah 19:9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend.
Isaiah 14:21 NAB Make ready to slaughter his sons for the guilt of their fathers; Lest they rise and posses the earth, and fill the breadth of the world with tyrants.
And we won’t even talk about Exodus . . .
This book was provided by the author for a realistic review. All thoughts and commentary are my own.
August 26, 2019
A great police procedural novel set in Northern Ireland, to keep the grey cells ticking. I discovered Brian O’Hare and his Inspector Sheehan series thanks to the second book, 11:05 Murders, and I have been a fan ever since, reviewing the next two books in the series as well, but had not managed to catch up with the first one. As I mentioned in my last review, the author is happy to send a copy of the first book in the series to any readers interested, and he was kind enough to send me one as well. And I am very pleased about it.
I’m not surprised by the accolades and the praise bestowed on this novel. Although I’ve come to it after reading the rest of the series, and therefore I was already familiar with the characters and the setting, it has all the elements that will endear it to fans of police procedural novels and thrillers, and a few extra ones for good measure.
The story is narrated in the third person, like the rest of the series, mostly from Inspector Sheehan’s point of view, although there are parts of the novel where we share in the point of view of other characters, including members of the team and others who seem, at first, not to play a direct part in the plot, although we soon learn this is not the case. As I have mentioned when reviewing other novels in the series, the changes in point of view are not confusing or sudden, and the narration style works well because it offers readers plenty of clues, hints, and also a few red herrings that contribute to keeping the brain engaged and readers on their toes.
One of the aspects of the series I’ve always particularly enjoyed is the interaction between the members of the team, and also the teamwork involved in the investigation. Sheehan is, without a doubt, the star of the team, and his intuition/flashes of inspiration always help solve the mystery, although they are, at times, a source of frustration and puzzlement, as is the case here. Apart from a great detective, Sheehan is an inspiring leader of his men, a caring human being with his weaknesses and foibles; he is far from the ladies’ man so favoured by the detective genre, and although he does not shy away from action, he is a thinking man and spends a fair amount of time reflecting, not only upon the cases, but also about social, political, and religious matters. (He is a lapsed Roman Catholic, and the nature of the killings makes him question his own beliefs). The rest of the members of the team are also individuals in their own right, and we get to learn about their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses, and some details about their personal lives which are relevant to the story, because, in this case, everybody is a suspect. There are also other characters we meet, some who are regular collaborators of the team, like the medical examiner (one of my favourite characters, who always help bring a touch of lightness and fun to the proceedings), but also some introduced due to their relationship to the case, and all of them add interest to the story and play important roles later on.
The story is set in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, and the book’s setting is very important, not only because of the real locations and because how it affects the functioning of the team (Northern Ireland is part is the UK, and therefore their police force is organised in the same way as that in England), but also because the political and the religious background and tensions play a fundamental part in the plot and in the series as a whole. There are beautiful descriptions of neighbourhoods, buildings, and places, and I felt that the novel manages to give readers a good insight into the nature of both, the place and the people of Northern Ireland. At a historical moment such as this, with the Brexit discussions as one of the main items in the news, and the issue of the Irish Border as one of the stumbling stones, the novel’s background makes it even more compelling.
I’ve mentioned religion, and despite some twists and turns that point towards other possible motives, the murderer seems to be preoccupied with religion and with making a statement about the current state of affairs in the Roman Catholic Church. As I have said, thanks to the omniscient point of view, we are offered information the investigating team does not have, and readers will probably feel they are ahead and have a pretty good idea of what is going on, but the balance between what is revealed and what is not is finely tuned, and it is easy to miss clues or get stuck on one of the many possible suspects and trapped by the red herrings. I cannot discuss the ins and outs of the case or of the ending (yes, I had my suspicions, but mostly because I was at an advantage having read other books in the series, and even with that I was not all that confident and missed a few of the clues), but it fully engaged me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’d recommend anybody reading it to pay close attention to it and not to dismiss any information provided. Everything has a reason. I’d also warn readers that although the descriptions of the crimes are not graphic in the extreme, the deaths are violent and there are a number of upsetting elements in the plot, and these are realistically depicted. Readers who prefer their crime novels light should stay away from this book.
The novel flows well and the language is easy to follow, without over-the-top reliance on jargon, and terminology that might not be familiar to the reader is explained within the context of the novel. The novel moves at a good pace, but it does include moments of reflection and commentaries about the case, its ramifications, and also about the general state of affairs that allow readers to think about the events and to catch a breath. Despite the serious subject, there are also moments of fun and banter, and even what seems to be a budding romance. There are some action scenes, but there is also plenty of work following clues and examining the evidence, and that helps readers feel like true investigators and ersatz members of the team, as they eavesdrop in the discussions and come up with their own theories.
This is an excellent police procedural novel, the first in a great series, with engaging characters, in a setting that is as important as the plot, and one that shows a team of investigators readers can root for (rather than corrupt individuals or egotistical detectives only interested in their own glory). There is a lot of talk about religion, partly due to the plot, and partly to the main character’s own spiritual crisis, and this might put off some readers, although, personally, I enjoyed that aspect of the story, a likely reflection of the author’s personal journey.
I’m not surprised by the accolades and the praise bestowed on this novel. Although I’ve come to it after reading the rest of the series, and therefore I was already familiar with the characters and the setting, it has all the elements that will endear it to fans of police procedural novels and thrillers, and a few extra ones for good measure.
The story is narrated in the third person, like the rest of the series, mostly from Inspector Sheehan’s point of view, although there are parts of the novel where we share in the point of view of other characters, including members of the team and others who seem, at first, not to play a direct part in the plot, although we soon learn this is not the case. As I have mentioned when reviewing other novels in the series, the changes in point of view are not confusing or sudden, and the narration style works well because it offers readers plenty of clues, hints, and also a few red herrings that contribute to keeping the brain engaged and readers on their toes.
One of the aspects of the series I’ve always particularly enjoyed is the interaction between the members of the team, and also the teamwork involved in the investigation. Sheehan is, without a doubt, the star of the team, and his intuition/flashes of inspiration always help solve the mystery, although they are, at times, a source of frustration and puzzlement, as is the case here. Apart from a great detective, Sheehan is an inspiring leader of his men, a caring human being with his weaknesses and foibles; he is far from the ladies’ man so favoured by the detective genre, and although he does not shy away from action, he is a thinking man and spends a fair amount of time reflecting, not only upon the cases, but also about social, political, and religious matters. (He is a lapsed Roman Catholic, and the nature of the killings makes him question his own beliefs). The rest of the members of the team are also individuals in their own right, and we get to learn about their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses, and some details about their personal lives which are relevant to the story, because, in this case, everybody is a suspect. There are also other characters we meet, some who are regular collaborators of the team, like the medical examiner (one of my favourite characters, who always help bring a touch of lightness and fun to the proceedings), but also some introduced due to their relationship to the case, and all of them add interest to the story and play important roles later on.
The story is set in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, and the book’s setting is very important, not only because of the real locations and because how it affects the functioning of the team (Northern Ireland is part is the UK, and therefore their police force is organised in the same way as that in England), but also because the political and the religious background and tensions play a fundamental part in the plot and in the series as a whole. There are beautiful descriptions of neighbourhoods, buildings, and places, and I felt that the novel manages to give readers a good insight into the nature of both, the place and the people of Northern Ireland. At a historical moment such as this, with the Brexit discussions as one of the main items in the news, and the issue of the Irish Border as one of the stumbling stones, the novel’s background makes it even more compelling.
I’ve mentioned religion, and despite some twists and turns that point towards other possible motives, the murderer seems to be preoccupied with religion and with making a statement about the current state of affairs in the Roman Catholic Church. As I have said, thanks to the omniscient point of view, we are offered information the investigating team does not have, and readers will probably feel they are ahead and have a pretty good idea of what is going on, but the balance between what is revealed and what is not is finely tuned, and it is easy to miss clues or get stuck on one of the many possible suspects and trapped by the red herrings. I cannot discuss the ins and outs of the case or of the ending (yes, I had my suspicions, but mostly because I was at an advantage having read other books in the series, and even with that I was not all that confident and missed a few of the clues), but it fully engaged me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’d recommend anybody reading it to pay close attention to it and not to dismiss any information provided. Everything has a reason. I’d also warn readers that although the descriptions of the crimes are not graphic in the extreme, the deaths are violent and there are a number of upsetting elements in the plot, and these are realistically depicted. Readers who prefer their crime novels light should stay away from this book.
The novel flows well and the language is easy to follow, without over-the-top reliance on jargon, and terminology that might not be familiar to the reader is explained within the context of the novel. The novel moves at a good pace, but it does include moments of reflection and commentaries about the case, its ramifications, and also about the general state of affairs that allow readers to think about the events and to catch a breath. Despite the serious subject, there are also moments of fun and banter, and even what seems to be a budding romance. There are some action scenes, but there is also plenty of work following clues and examining the evidence, and that helps readers feel like true investigators and ersatz members of the team, as they eavesdrop in the discussions and come up with their own theories.
This is an excellent police procedural novel, the first in a great series, with engaging characters, in a setting that is as important as the plot, and one that shows a team of investigators readers can root for (rather than corrupt individuals or egotistical detectives only interested in their own glory). There is a lot of talk about religion, partly due to the plot, and partly to the main character’s own spiritual crisis, and this might put off some readers, although, personally, I enjoyed that aspect of the story, a likely reflection of the author’s personal journey.
October 13, 2018
If you’re not a tout de suite fan of outright macabre murder scenes, you might want to avoid The Doom Murders, the first book in Brian O’Hare’s Inspector Sheehan Mysteries series. Having read and reviewed the third book in this series, I can tell you that there’s a good chance that the killer Sheehan and the detectives working under him need to find is a bit of a puzzler. This makes reading any of the novels in this series, which is set in Ireland, something of an exciting task to see done.
Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan gave the word to tell the public that two horrible murders were being treated as separate cases, but it was not to be. Now people believed that there was a connection between the murders of a bishop and a principal. A photograph puts the final nail in the coffin. Sheehan has no choice but to conclude that the murders being dubbed “The Naked Murders” are connected. Then, a third victim turns up. A social worker. After a few people are eliminated off of the list of suspects, a new name pops up. Sheehan, as well the investigators on his team, dread the possibility that the man responsible for The Naked Murders might just be an ex-cop, but what they learn leaves them with little choice – they have to dig deeper.
Before readers are introduced to Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan, the author explains what a “Doom” is in the world of art. Christian paintings that could be found in medieval churches from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. The connection between the murders and the Doom paintings come at a time after readers are sure that they’ve pinned the killer’s identity down to a grain, but it’s only a clever deception by O’Hare.
The first chapter takes us right to the crime scene where the body of Charles Loughran is found in a large study where Sheehan, whose Catholicism has lapsed, notices a crucifix which causes him to look away. As readers go through the pages, they start to see how Sheehan’s forgotten faith, or rather something he doesn’t fully understand himself yet, starts calling to him in little ways. For those who have been down similar roads, the signs and emotions as a result of a returning lost faith will be familiar.
Sheehan has a good eye, enabling him to catch little details. But a good eye is far from the only thing that this Chief Inspector is gifted with as a cop. An envious and perhaps fearful inspector called Williams thinks Sheehan is just a lucky man. After all, Sheehan has gotten the promotion that he always wanted. Luck has nothing to do with Sheehan being as good as he is though. Sheehan seems to be deeply in touch with his subconscious mind. Or at least, in touch on a level high enough to draw important solutions – insights - out of that part of his mind to help him solve cases. What makes him good is further revealed when the author provides enough material for readers to draw a comparison between him and that other inspector called Williams.
Meeting Detective Sergeant Kevin Doyle was a pleasure. Partly because he is not in the third book of this series and partly because, well, thinking about him and the almost constant inscrutable expression he wore on his face always brought a smile to my face. Of course, he is not the only cop working under Sheehan that readers will grow to like. There is Allen, a newbie who often brings something useful to the table when the need arises. He was the investigator on Sheehan’s team that stood out for me. Third but not least, there is also Connors, a man revealed to be built like a rugby player, who comes in handy when it comes to questioning suspects who might have an attitude about them.
Readers are left with the sense that there is a slight possibility that one of the murders is done by a copycat, but it’s difficult to see how after a time. Though the murders are similar, not all of them are exactly the same. “There was a rope round that victim’s neck, too, although he wasn’t drowned like this one.” As the final chapters drew near, there remained little reason for me to believe that a copycat killer was somehow involved in one of the murders at all. On some minuscule level, I did find this disappointing: unsuspected avenues like this can really add something that readers will come back to long after they’ve finished the novel.
It is the manner in which the bodies are positioned, however, that makes Sheehan recognize them as being left by the same killer. “...awkward, no obvious symmetry, no pattern.” And it is these positions of the bodies that prompts a highly religious figure named Monsignor Byrne – someone not immune from becoming a person of interest in the case – to reveal that they are like the bodies seen tumbling down in a Doom painting.
The killer seems to be killing out of faith, believing that he is “the hand of God.” Meanwhile, the retired cop being the killer looks even more likely because of what he is said to ramble about in front of the prayer group that he leads. But as I said, O’Hare’s killers are puzzlers, so, familiar with the author’s work as I am, I couldn’t just bank on the retired cop being Sheehan’s guy. Because the killer obviously has a military background, not even the cops on Sheehan’s squad are safe from rounds of suspicion.
So, having finished yet another brilliant book by Brian O’Hare, I’m starting to view his work as more than fiction. Faith is a word that is strongly challenged here as the author draws a perfect line between doing something based on faith versus doing something based on delusion. Furthermore, religions, old and still busy forming, are also thrown into the core of this well-written murder mystery.
Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan gave the word to tell the public that two horrible murders were being treated as separate cases, but it was not to be. Now people believed that there was a connection between the murders of a bishop and a principal. A photograph puts the final nail in the coffin. Sheehan has no choice but to conclude that the murders being dubbed “The Naked Murders” are connected. Then, a third victim turns up. A social worker. After a few people are eliminated off of the list of suspects, a new name pops up. Sheehan, as well the investigators on his team, dread the possibility that the man responsible for The Naked Murders might just be an ex-cop, but what they learn leaves them with little choice – they have to dig deeper.
Before readers are introduced to Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan, the author explains what a “Doom” is in the world of art. Christian paintings that could be found in medieval churches from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. The connection between the murders and the Doom paintings come at a time after readers are sure that they’ve pinned the killer’s identity down to a grain, but it’s only a clever deception by O’Hare.
The first chapter takes us right to the crime scene where the body of Charles Loughran is found in a large study where Sheehan, whose Catholicism has lapsed, notices a crucifix which causes him to look away. As readers go through the pages, they start to see how Sheehan’s forgotten faith, or rather something he doesn’t fully understand himself yet, starts calling to him in little ways. For those who have been down similar roads, the signs and emotions as a result of a returning lost faith will be familiar.
Sheehan has a good eye, enabling him to catch little details. But a good eye is far from the only thing that this Chief Inspector is gifted with as a cop. An envious and perhaps fearful inspector called Williams thinks Sheehan is just a lucky man. After all, Sheehan has gotten the promotion that he always wanted. Luck has nothing to do with Sheehan being as good as he is though. Sheehan seems to be deeply in touch with his subconscious mind. Or at least, in touch on a level high enough to draw important solutions – insights - out of that part of his mind to help him solve cases. What makes him good is further revealed when the author provides enough material for readers to draw a comparison between him and that other inspector called Williams.
Meeting Detective Sergeant Kevin Doyle was a pleasure. Partly because he is not in the third book of this series and partly because, well, thinking about him and the almost constant inscrutable expression he wore on his face always brought a smile to my face. Of course, he is not the only cop working under Sheehan that readers will grow to like. There is Allen, a newbie who often brings something useful to the table when the need arises. He was the investigator on Sheehan’s team that stood out for me. Third but not least, there is also Connors, a man revealed to be built like a rugby player, who comes in handy when it comes to questioning suspects who might have an attitude about them.
Readers are left with the sense that there is a slight possibility that one of the murders is done by a copycat, but it’s difficult to see how after a time. Though the murders are similar, not all of them are exactly the same. “There was a rope round that victim’s neck, too, although he wasn’t drowned like this one.” As the final chapters drew near, there remained little reason for me to believe that a copycat killer was somehow involved in one of the murders at all. On some minuscule level, I did find this disappointing: unsuspected avenues like this can really add something that readers will come back to long after they’ve finished the novel.
It is the manner in which the bodies are positioned, however, that makes Sheehan recognize them as being left by the same killer. “...awkward, no obvious symmetry, no pattern.” And it is these positions of the bodies that prompts a highly religious figure named Monsignor Byrne – someone not immune from becoming a person of interest in the case – to reveal that they are like the bodies seen tumbling down in a Doom painting.
The killer seems to be killing out of faith, believing that he is “the hand of God.” Meanwhile, the retired cop being the killer looks even more likely because of what he is said to ramble about in front of the prayer group that he leads. But as I said, O’Hare’s killers are puzzlers, so, familiar with the author’s work as I am, I couldn’t just bank on the retired cop being Sheehan’s guy. Because the killer obviously has a military background, not even the cops on Sheehan’s squad are safe from rounds of suspicion.
So, having finished yet another brilliant book by Brian O’Hare, I’m starting to view his work as more than fiction. Faith is a word that is strongly challenged here as the author draws a perfect line between doing something based on faith versus doing something based on delusion. Furthermore, religions, old and still busy forming, are also thrown into the core of this well-written murder mystery.
April 1, 2025
A crazy story with many turns and turns.
March 30, 2015
The author is a master of the genre. The first sentence - “DCI Jim Sheehan studied the mutilated corpse.” – is almost a tongue in cheek acknowledgement of the lovably clichéd parameters of the genre; but our discovery in paragraph 3 that the naked body posed on its back with its tongue pulled three inches out of its mouth and “knife wounds all over the place” belongs to the Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor provides an intriguing indication that this is going to give you rather more to think about than your average ‘whodunit’ by an author whose sole purpose is to challenge/tease his readers with carefully concealed clues and myriad red herrings along the way.
Professor O’Hare is a retired academic with a deep interest and involvement in Roman Catholicism. The story's setting is the uneasy aftermath of sectarian strife during the ‘troubles’ in Belfast: opposing doctrines, intransigence, grinding poverty, and religious and nationalist causes being brandished as feeble excuses for mindless violence. A primary concern in this book however, is how disturbing many sincere Catholics find the effect of modern liberal thinking on their Church’s traditional stance concerning such fundamental issues as divorce and homosexuality. The desire for former straight-line certainties is symbolised by the yearning of many traditionalists for the 'Old Latin Mass', the Modern English version seeming hardly different from its anodyne, Protestant/Anglican counterpart.
Beliefs deeply and unquestioningly held in childhood may be shed in the hurly-burly of modern life, especially when facing the routine challenges of being a policeman in Belfast; only to return to haunt the erstwhile holder, leaving him or her with a sense of spiritual longing unfulfilled. In other situations, an excess of misdirected zeal may lead a psychologically disturbed adherent to take God's clearly stated Law into what they imagine to be divinely guided hands. This is Belfast after all: no half measures. “This is where I have always stood, and this is where I will continue to stand.” I can still hear Ian Paisley saying it.
A compelling murder mystery is played out in this complex setting. I found it an absorbing and thought-provoking read. The occasional textual inaccuracies and layout anomalies referred to by some earlier reviewers have been entirely dealt with and are no longer a minor distraction. This is a well-written and unusually profound example of the genre, which I recommend without reservation.
Professor O’Hare is a retired academic with a deep interest and involvement in Roman Catholicism. The story's setting is the uneasy aftermath of sectarian strife during the ‘troubles’ in Belfast: opposing doctrines, intransigence, grinding poverty, and religious and nationalist causes being brandished as feeble excuses for mindless violence. A primary concern in this book however, is how disturbing many sincere Catholics find the effect of modern liberal thinking on their Church’s traditional stance concerning such fundamental issues as divorce and homosexuality. The desire for former straight-line certainties is symbolised by the yearning of many traditionalists for the 'Old Latin Mass', the Modern English version seeming hardly different from its anodyne, Protestant/Anglican counterpart.
Beliefs deeply and unquestioningly held in childhood may be shed in the hurly-burly of modern life, especially when facing the routine challenges of being a policeman in Belfast; only to return to haunt the erstwhile holder, leaving him or her with a sense of spiritual longing unfulfilled. In other situations, an excess of misdirected zeal may lead a psychologically disturbed adherent to take God's clearly stated Law into what they imagine to be divinely guided hands. This is Belfast after all: no half measures. “This is where I have always stood, and this is where I will continue to stand.” I can still hear Ian Paisley saying it.
A compelling murder mystery is played out in this complex setting. I found it an absorbing and thought-provoking read. The occasional textual inaccuracies and layout anomalies referred to by some earlier reviewers have been entirely dealt with and are no longer a minor distraction. This is a well-written and unusually profound example of the genre, which I recommend without reservation.
August 11, 2019
When you think of the word Doom, what do you generally think of? It was a shocking discovery, to find out exactly what this reference was to! We had to research the terminology to find out more after reading this first installment of The Inspector Sheehan Mysteries. We won't say anymore because it is a fascinating concept and O'Hare really draws readers into his first book, called The Doom Murders, with the magnitude of this mystery!
Inspector Sheehan has been tasked with solving the case of a murdered Belfast Bishop who has been left naked and mutilated. At first, what appears to be somewhat of a dead end, Sheehan begins to find little clues like a series of letters and numbers etched into the Bishop's desk and unnecessary objects staged around the body that didn't contribute to the Bishop's death in any way. Full understanding dawns on Sheehan as another body with the same pattern, naked and bodily distortion, appears within the next week. Inspector Sheehan is dealing with a killer who has something to say; this killer is very methodical in the way these bodies are laid out and when the third prominent figure makes headway in the news with the same motive apparent, not only is the press breathing down his neck but so too are his superiors. With suspicion rising in the back of Sheehan's subconscious, he is forced to step back and look at everyone as a suspect, even those who he trusts the most may have something to hide.
O'Hare has a superb story-line, filled with creativity, historical elements, and originality. The Doom Murders has been the recipient of three literary awards and we now know why! The concepts and the plotting are fantastic and will leave the reader with the urge to dive into the next in the series. The pace is quick and steady from the beginning and carries through the entirety of the story. O'Hare provides an urgency to solve the case as every week finds a new disturbingly grotesque body awaiting the Inspector's eyes. The scenes are vivid for the imagination and characters are credible. This is the first installment in the Inspector Sheehan Mysteries, so readers can jump right in. If you are interested in mysteries, crime fiction, and police procedure, this may be a perfect fit. Fair warning, once you plunge into this novel, you may find yourself picking up the rest of the series soon after.
An older version of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by the author and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating for The Doom Murders by Brian O'Hare.
Inspector Sheehan has been tasked with solving the case of a murdered Belfast Bishop who has been left naked and mutilated. At first, what appears to be somewhat of a dead end, Sheehan begins to find little clues like a series of letters and numbers etched into the Bishop's desk and unnecessary objects staged around the body that didn't contribute to the Bishop's death in any way. Full understanding dawns on Sheehan as another body with the same pattern, naked and bodily distortion, appears within the next week. Inspector Sheehan is dealing with a killer who has something to say; this killer is very methodical in the way these bodies are laid out and when the third prominent figure makes headway in the news with the same motive apparent, not only is the press breathing down his neck but so too are his superiors. With suspicion rising in the back of Sheehan's subconscious, he is forced to step back and look at everyone as a suspect, even those who he trusts the most may have something to hide.
O'Hare has a superb story-line, filled with creativity, historical elements, and originality. The Doom Murders has been the recipient of three literary awards and we now know why! The concepts and the plotting are fantastic and will leave the reader with the urge to dive into the next in the series. The pace is quick and steady from the beginning and carries through the entirety of the story. O'Hare provides an urgency to solve the case as every week finds a new disturbingly grotesque body awaiting the Inspector's eyes. The scenes are vivid for the imagination and characters are credible. This is the first installment in the Inspector Sheehan Mysteries, so readers can jump right in. If you are interested in mysteries, crime fiction, and police procedure, this may be a perfect fit. Fair warning, once you plunge into this novel, you may find yourself picking up the rest of the series soon after.
An older version of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by the author and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating for The Doom Murders by Brian O'Hare.
February 15, 2020
The Doom Murders by Brian O’Hare hooked me from the start. O’Hare’s concise and succinct writing carried the story along at a great pace.
A respected Bishop in Northern Ireland is killed in a gruesome manner and DCI Sheehan is called in to investigate.
Sheehan is immediately intrigued by the way the body is left naked and posed in a grotesquely distorted shape. There are no clues other than some small random items placed around the body and some concealed numbers. But what do they mean?
A second murder follows. Again the person is killed in a grotesque manner and displayed in a similar way as to the Bishop. Because there are similarities in the murders, Sheehan starts to look for connections between the two people.
By the time the third and fourth murders occur Sheehan is feeling desperate to find the murderer. There doesn’t seem to be any solid leads and he feels his men are going around in circles.
Sheehan starts to wonder if there is a religious connection and not just because the first death was an bishop.
Something has escaped Sheehan. He knows it but can’t think what. What is the connection between these killings and a famous mediaeval painting of The Last Judgement?
As they race to try and prevent the last murder it comes to Sheehan in a flash who the murderer is.
My thoughts
I have always liked murder mysteries whether they be the Cosy type or a little bit more hard-nosed. It was a pleasure reading this book and I enjoyed the fact it was set in Northern Ireland , a setting I hadn’t read before. The characters are all well written. DCI Sheenan is a complex character, with a sharp mind and good hunches, capable of running a busy incident room and leading complex cases, but then we see a different Sheenan when he meets Margaret. I enjoyed seeing a tongue tied sensitive man appear.
I highly recommend this book to people who like murder mysteries and crime dramas. Although the murders themselves are gruesome, details are not constantly repeated during the course of the book. I really couldn’t put this book down.
Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 13, 2014
The story surrounds serial murders that are based on the historical ‘Doom’ painting. It is a police procedural novel that takes place in Northern Ireland. Plenty of religious conversations take place, and ultimately a man of the cloth lends a heavy hand in helping the police solve the crime.
What I enjoyed about the story
If you enjoy police procedurals, especially those that rely almost solely on the victims, investigation, interviews and catching the killer, this book is for you.
What I found less enjoyable about the story
I like my stories to have a little bit of everything in them. There was a slight flicker of a friendship/romance brewing, but it didn’t amount to anything in the story, other than that, the entire book focused only on the matter at hand: solving the murder.
Style
The book was very well written and researched. Clearly the author knows his history, religion and the way a police investigation works. I would be very hesitant to argue any points with him as he is very well versed in the subject matter.
Editing
There were minor points where I noted errors in spelling, but the only thing I found at all annoying was the improper use of the exclamation point. Maybe it’s an Irish thing, I don’t know, but I found that the exclamation point was way overused in this novel.
Would I read it again or recommend it?
I would not read it again, however I would recommend it to someone who is into this type of content and genre.
Here are some excerpts I enjoyed from the book:
“Not sure. I worked with an old sergeant a while back, he’s retired now, who knew the Doyle family. Said that the young Doyle was hardly ever allowed out to play with other kids on the street. Probably never got much practice at talking. The father was apparently very puritanical, very controlling.”
“Ah, that probably accounts for Doyle’s sense of humour.”
“What sense of humour?”
“Exactly!”
“…People like you want to put the ordinary Catholic in a straightjacket.”
What I enjoyed about the story
If you enjoy police procedurals, especially those that rely almost solely on the victims, investigation, interviews and catching the killer, this book is for you.
What I found less enjoyable about the story
I like my stories to have a little bit of everything in them. There was a slight flicker of a friendship/romance brewing, but it didn’t amount to anything in the story, other than that, the entire book focused only on the matter at hand: solving the murder.
Style
The book was very well written and researched. Clearly the author knows his history, religion and the way a police investigation works. I would be very hesitant to argue any points with him as he is very well versed in the subject matter.
Editing
There were minor points where I noted errors in spelling, but the only thing I found at all annoying was the improper use of the exclamation point. Maybe it’s an Irish thing, I don’t know, but I found that the exclamation point was way overused in this novel.
Would I read it again or recommend it?
I would not read it again, however I would recommend it to someone who is into this type of content and genre.
Here are some excerpts I enjoyed from the book:
“Not sure. I worked with an old sergeant a while back, he’s retired now, who knew the Doyle family. Said that the young Doyle was hardly ever allowed out to play with other kids on the street. Probably never got much practice at talking. The father was apparently very puritanical, very controlling.”
“Ah, that probably accounts for Doyle’s sense of humour.”
“What sense of humour?”
“Exactly!”
“…People like you want to put the ordinary Catholic in a straightjacket.”
October 22, 2013
Wow, what a great detective story! I don't read mysteries very often but this one is superb. I loved the plot which draws upon a very specific pattern in Christian theology (at least, I hope the passages cited by the author as used by the murderer are real). The author has done his research on certain Christian doctrine and investigative methods. I loved the main detective's conversation with a professor who specializes in psychology. This is a very unique way of categorizing a serial killer and in this case, it was a wealth of information for the detective to get back onto track (although a little convenient in the way it was displayed).
This book reminded me greatly of the Da Vinci Code. Where the Da Vinci Code is exotic and flashy and somewhat silly in how it hops around Europe finding a conspiracy in any religious outfit or temple, this tale sticks to its knitting, staying comfortably within Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Detective Sheehan is a very likeable character and while he is not the most brainy or tough person around, his intuition and trusting nature makes him outstanding in this case that is almost impossible to crack.
I wasn't sure what time frame the book was in. There is a lot of reference to "the troubles" and the political turmoil in Northern Ireland but I thought that peace was attained several years ago? Perhaps it would have been helpful to set out the decade at least, or even the year, in which this story takes place.
There is an overemphasis of "word whiskers" which as um, ah, well. While this may be how most people talk, it is wise to remove them from written dialogue (most transcripts of television and radio remove these stalling expressions). Also, I thought there were too many exclamation marks and the word "Okay!" (Also, I thought the cover was "okay". Could get a better cover.
Overall, an excellent book from a professor and new author! Thank you.
This book reminded me greatly of the Da Vinci Code. Where the Da Vinci Code is exotic and flashy and somewhat silly in how it hops around Europe finding a conspiracy in any religious outfit or temple, this tale sticks to its knitting, staying comfortably within Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Detective Sheehan is a very likeable character and while he is not the most brainy or tough person around, his intuition and trusting nature makes him outstanding in this case that is almost impossible to crack.
I wasn't sure what time frame the book was in. There is a lot of reference to "the troubles" and the political turmoil in Northern Ireland but I thought that peace was attained several years ago? Perhaps it would have been helpful to set out the decade at least, or even the year, in which this story takes place.
There is an overemphasis of "word whiskers" which as um, ah, well. While this may be how most people talk, it is wise to remove them from written dialogue (most transcripts of television and radio remove these stalling expressions). Also, I thought there were too many exclamation marks and the word "Okay!" (Also, I thought the cover was "okay". Could get a better cover.
Overall, an excellent book from a professor and new author! Thank you.
June 10, 2016
A gruesomely mutilated body is found - a Bishop, murdered in his own home. The crime scene is clean, no clues other than the strangely posed corpse, itself, and some tiny scratches almost hidden on his desk.The house was locked, no sign of forced entry. Set in Belfast, DCI Jim Sheehan and his team are at a loss to understand not just the who but also the why of who could have perpetrated so cold-blooded a crime. Then more bodies of leading local figure start to appear, with differing injuries, but also posed and naked and, again, no clue to assist the detectives.
Most of this intriguing drama is seen from the point of view of the lead detective himself with just occasional switches to introduce the next victim before their death. The book is well written and easy to read with just enough description to give a flavour of the area; and the characterisations are powerful, especially that of Jim Sheehan himself. Although set after the Troubles, it is clear that troubles in Belfast are far from resolved, with religious differences even between Catholics still burning hot. And Sheehan's own internal spirituality is brought into focus as the case proceeds and, for the first time in many years, he finds himself romantically drawn to another.
Far more than a simple who-done-it thriller, although a very good one which had me guessing right up to the end, Brian O'Hare's novel is also informative and thought provoking. My reservation in only awarding four stars is that I found it hard to believe that so many people brought up from infancy in the Catholic religion could be so ignorant of the Bible, even to the extent of being amazed that a high official in that religion should, himself, know about it. But then, without this deception the story would have lacked much of it's interest.
Highly recommended for all mystery thriller and police procedural readers who enjoy something more substantial than mere violent action
Most of this intriguing drama is seen from the point of view of the lead detective himself with just occasional switches to introduce the next victim before their death. The book is well written and easy to read with just enough description to give a flavour of the area; and the characterisations are powerful, especially that of Jim Sheehan himself. Although set after the Troubles, it is clear that troubles in Belfast are far from resolved, with religious differences even between Catholics still burning hot. And Sheehan's own internal spirituality is brought into focus as the case proceeds and, for the first time in many years, he finds himself romantically drawn to another.
Far more than a simple who-done-it thriller, although a very good one which had me guessing right up to the end, Brian O'Hare's novel is also informative and thought provoking. My reservation in only awarding four stars is that I found it hard to believe that so many people brought up from infancy in the Catholic religion could be so ignorant of the Bible, even to the extent of being amazed that a high official in that religion should, himself, know about it. But then, without this deception the story would have lacked much of it's interest.
Highly recommended for all mystery thriller and police procedural readers who enjoy something more substantial than mere violent action
December 5, 2019
The Doom Murders, a police procedural by Brian O’Hare, is the first book of the Inspector Sheehan Mystery Series. A series of gruesome murders with bodies sprawled in unnatural positions confounds the police force. While the murderer’s intention to convey some cryptic message is evident, Catholicism might be the sole thread linking the killings. Although the profile of the perpetrator fits a known Catholic fanatic, Sheehan’s intuitive mind signals otherwise. Meanwhile, deducing the patterns of the murders indicate another prospective victim. Will the Inspector be able to identify the killer in time and prevent him from carrying out the final crime?
As the first book in the series, I found this to be an introductory one in most aspects. Since I have already read the later books in the series, attempting this one for me was like going back in time. However, reading the backgrounds of the characters was no less enjoyable.
This one dwells on Sheehan’s personal life and belief systems to a great extent. Not only that, the author provided us enough insights into the psychology of other detectives to know how each mind works. This gives life to the detectives who cease to be mere fictional characters.
The complex nature of the crimes perpetrated was another fascinating aspect. The book revealed to me many of the teachings and practices of Catholicism. It also showed how religion shapes up one’s psychology and how ingrained religious beliefs often are. So much so that to a distorted mind, it becomes a potent weapon to justify even the heinous crime of murder. To the zealot who considers himself a harbinger of God, mindless killings are simply a way to dole out the deserved punishment. This is certainly not an easy subject to deal with, but the author did a commendable job of that.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in police dramas and mystery novels, provided they are not miffed by the brutal nature of the killings.
As the first book in the series, I found this to be an introductory one in most aspects. Since I have already read the later books in the series, attempting this one for me was like going back in time. However, reading the backgrounds of the characters was no less enjoyable.
This one dwells on Sheehan’s personal life and belief systems to a great extent. Not only that, the author provided us enough insights into the psychology of other detectives to know how each mind works. This gives life to the detectives who cease to be mere fictional characters.
The complex nature of the crimes perpetrated was another fascinating aspect. The book revealed to me many of the teachings and practices of Catholicism. It also showed how religion shapes up one’s psychology and how ingrained religious beliefs often are. So much so that to a distorted mind, it becomes a potent weapon to justify even the heinous crime of murder. To the zealot who considers himself a harbinger of God, mindless killings are simply a way to dole out the deserved punishment. This is certainly not an easy subject to deal with, but the author did a commendable job of that.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in police dramas and mystery novels, provided they are not miffed by the brutal nature of the killings.
June 30, 2016
This story was a bit underwhelming for me, felt a nit by-the-numbers. I correctly and in the very beginning figured out who the murderer was and none of the book's red herrings fooled me. It's a slow-burn and most of the time I wasn't feeling the urgency to go to the next page. There are well-written passages, however, for sure, but with a pace this slow, the wrriting needs to be excellent throughout. I don't have an issue with a slow-burn mystery, but it still has to watch out for dragging or dropping too obvious clues or making people seem slow for not figuring things out.
I don't even mind knowing who the murderer is right away as Colombo was one of my favorite mystery shows ever. But, then the cat and mouse game has to be excellent and witnessing how the case is solved needs to be captivating. In this book this wasn't always the case, causing it not to be as satisying as it could've been. I don't think the explanation for what a Doom painting was should've been included in the beginning of the book as it gave away too much information that would've been more powerful if revealed to the reader in the course of the investigation. There's some things that I was frustrated the police didn't figure out or at least try to as they seemed pretty obvious clues. I don't want to list it here because that would act as spoilers for the tale. I also felt a rant at the end was a bit cliche in execution.
The writing was definitely good, just not great. The story idea was pretty good as well. I think this story has potential to be a crackling good read, though it would need to be reworked a bit. The author generally did a good job at ensuring all the different speakers (and there were a lot) had different voices and personalities. That can be extremely hard to do and was pretty impressive. I received this at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review.
I don't even mind knowing who the murderer is right away as Colombo was one of my favorite mystery shows ever. But, then the cat and mouse game has to be excellent and witnessing how the case is solved needs to be captivating. In this book this wasn't always the case, causing it not to be as satisying as it could've been. I don't think the explanation for what a Doom painting was should've been included in the beginning of the book as it gave away too much information that would've been more powerful if revealed to the reader in the course of the investigation. There's some things that I was frustrated the police didn't figure out or at least try to as they seemed pretty obvious clues. I don't want to list it here because that would act as spoilers for the tale. I also felt a rant at the end was a bit cliche in execution.
The writing was definitely good, just not great. The story idea was pretty good as well. I think this story has potential to be a crackling good read, though it would need to be reworked a bit. The author generally did a good job at ensuring all the different speakers (and there were a lot) had different voices and personalities. That can be extremely hard to do and was pretty impressive. I received this at a free or discounted rate in exchange for my honest review.
January 26, 2015
I was asked to review ‘The Doom Murders’ by its author, Brian O’ Hare, who felt my novel had much in common with his novel. His statement intrigued me, which prompted me to read the book.
The Doom Murders has a very interesting murder plot based on the iconic religious painting ‘The Last Judgment.’ To tell you more about the painting would give away some of the plot and I wouldn’t want to do that. Let’s just say that O’Hare’s life in Northern Ireland and the religious struggles inherent to the country’s Catholic’s, and the city of Belfast in particular, play heavily into his story.
We meet O’Hare’s protagonist, DCI Jim Sheehan, at the first murder scene and find him a capable, motivated and accomplished police detective. As the story progresses we discover Sheehan is a very lonely man in the throes of a spiritual journey he refuses to acknowledge he’s taking. As the murders pile up, Sheehan’s crisis of spirit begins to grow as well.
The plot is clever, each crime scene staged with the help of the iconic painting I mentioned earlier. The protagonist is sufficiently bad, but I wasn’t exactly sure what was motivating him. The main characters are generally well written and realistic, though I did feel like there was an excessive amount of characters, especial when it came to Sheehan’s immediate team of detectives. But that’s me and my opinion.
O’Hare deftly writes the oppression of Belfast’s religious separation as someone who clearly understands its roots of struggle and its costs, which allows the reader to feel the oppression as well. I enjoyed his lyrical writing style and interesting take on description and was pleasantly surprised by the ending.
Fast paced and intriguing, ‘The Doom Murders’ is a religious cautionary tale wrapped in a true whodunit.
The Doom Murders has a very interesting murder plot based on the iconic religious painting ‘The Last Judgment.’ To tell you more about the painting would give away some of the plot and I wouldn’t want to do that. Let’s just say that O’Hare’s life in Northern Ireland and the religious struggles inherent to the country’s Catholic’s, and the city of Belfast in particular, play heavily into his story.
We meet O’Hare’s protagonist, DCI Jim Sheehan, at the first murder scene and find him a capable, motivated and accomplished police detective. As the story progresses we discover Sheehan is a very lonely man in the throes of a spiritual journey he refuses to acknowledge he’s taking. As the murders pile up, Sheehan’s crisis of spirit begins to grow as well.
The plot is clever, each crime scene staged with the help of the iconic painting I mentioned earlier. The protagonist is sufficiently bad, but I wasn’t exactly sure what was motivating him. The main characters are generally well written and realistic, though I did feel like there was an excessive amount of characters, especial when it came to Sheehan’s immediate team of detectives. But that’s me and my opinion.
O’Hare deftly writes the oppression of Belfast’s religious separation as someone who clearly understands its roots of struggle and its costs, which allows the reader to feel the oppression as well. I enjoyed his lyrical writing style and interesting take on description and was pleasantly surprised by the ending.
Fast paced and intriguing, ‘The Doom Murders’ is a religious cautionary tale wrapped in a true whodunit.
March 26, 2016
Brian O’Hare takes us on an exciting, thrilling journey. A book that will have you glued to the pages, unable to stop reading as the story unfolds and turns more sinister and deadly with every page!
Writing is clearly Brian’s binding passion as each word oozes with creativity. Each sentence, paragraph, and chapter has a purpose and reason for existing within the story. There is clear intention and meaning.
If you were under the delusion that this is another bland mystery novel with random killings and clichés bursting from every page. Think again! The reason for the murders is chilling, forcing us to think about the world today and that it bears a shocking resemblance to recent tragedies.
With Brian’s vivid writing this would make a perfect movie. In my opinion Brian should be mystery fiction royalty. He brings something unique to every story. He could take the most basic storyline, and by the time he has added his skills and passion to it, it would be the most spectacular book in mystery fiction.
Without giving too much away about the plot, you have a killer that is obsessed with religion, using it as justification for the murders. But that barely scrapes the surface of this book. There are so many layers and dimensions to this book it is hard to stop reading. Brian is a master of suspense and cliff hangers. He also has what few authors have, and that is to lure the reader in immediately, and keep them hooked throughout!
The characterisation of the killer is terrifying. Dangerously smart, cunning, and opportunistic. The question is, will Inspector Sheehan be able to stop this insidious killer or not?
This mystery novel is chilling, addictive and sensational. A five star read for sure!
Writing is clearly Brian’s binding passion as each word oozes with creativity. Each sentence, paragraph, and chapter has a purpose and reason for existing within the story. There is clear intention and meaning.
If you were under the delusion that this is another bland mystery novel with random killings and clichés bursting from every page. Think again! The reason for the murders is chilling, forcing us to think about the world today and that it bears a shocking resemblance to recent tragedies.
With Brian’s vivid writing this would make a perfect movie. In my opinion Brian should be mystery fiction royalty. He brings something unique to every story. He could take the most basic storyline, and by the time he has added his skills and passion to it, it would be the most spectacular book in mystery fiction.
Without giving too much away about the plot, you have a killer that is obsessed with religion, using it as justification for the murders. But that barely scrapes the surface of this book. There are so many layers and dimensions to this book it is hard to stop reading. Brian is a master of suspense and cliff hangers. He also has what few authors have, and that is to lure the reader in immediately, and keep them hooked throughout!
The characterisation of the killer is terrifying. Dangerously smart, cunning, and opportunistic. The question is, will Inspector Sheehan be able to stop this insidious killer or not?
This mystery novel is chilling, addictive and sensational. A five star read for sure!
January 2, 2017
When the nude and mutilated body of the Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Conner is found in his office, DCI Jim Sheehan is puzzled. Except for what appears to be stage props and a strange carving of a letter and a string of numbers carved into the victim’s desk, there are no clues, and no evidence linking the crime to anyone. As more bodies start appearing, all posed in grotesque positions and each with another letter/numbers nearby, Sheehan begins to suspect there is a link among the victims—he’s just not able to determine what it is. With the help of a monsignor, a colleague of the first victim, he learns that the numbers relate to biblical passages, and are somehow tied to a famous doom painting of the Last Judgment in a Paris museum. Now, the clock is ticking, and Sheehan must identify and apprehend the killer before more people die.
Doom Murders by Brian O’Hare is a well-crafted mystery; the locked-room genre that British authors do so well, set in the religious and political atmosphere of Northern Ireland. The author keeps the tension level high, and invests the characters with personal goals beyond the mere solving of a mystery, that will keep the reader guessing until the unexpected end. Sharp-witted readers will probably guess the identity of the killer just before the author reveals it—I did, but was still unsure until the name was dropped.
A fascinating story that weaves history, culture, and personal angst in with the mechanics of the crime very well, and that will keep you turning pages and guessing throughout.
I received a free copy of this book.
Doom Murders by Brian O’Hare is a well-crafted mystery; the locked-room genre that British authors do so well, set in the religious and political atmosphere of Northern Ireland. The author keeps the tension level high, and invests the characters with personal goals beyond the mere solving of a mystery, that will keep the reader guessing until the unexpected end. Sharp-witted readers will probably guess the identity of the killer just before the author reveals it—I did, but was still unsure until the name was dropped.
A fascinating story that weaves history, culture, and personal angst in with the mechanics of the crime very well, and that will keep you turning pages and guessing throughout.
I received a free copy of this book.
September 4, 2015
I enjoyed this new police procedural set in Northern Ireland. It captured my attention for several reasons. First, the main character, Jim Sheehan is a likable and brilliant policeman who I can see carrying a series. Second, I love the setting. This is an Irish book. I felt the location. And Third, the writing was fast-paced and crisp.
The story starts with a gruesome murder of a bishop. Immediately the reader realizes that this book will be full of the Protestant vs. Catholic controversy that has plagued Northern Ireland for centuries. Although the characters say they are over those leanings, they clearly are not. I suspect this book reflects what still goes on in Ireland.
The story unfolds as the main character discovers new clues and information. For the most part the story is told from his point of view. The reader learns new information with him and when he uncovers the truth so does the reader.
On several occasions the author puts us in the point of view of the victims before they are killed. Those sections added to the suspense. As a reader I hoped the police would capture the killer before he struck another victim.
The research about the church and art was well done.
My only complaint was the few times the author “head-hopped.” Other than that and a few formatting errors that are unavoidable in ebooks, I highly recommend this book and this series, particularly for readers who love police procedural mysteries.
The story starts with a gruesome murder of a bishop. Immediately the reader realizes that this book will be full of the Protestant vs. Catholic controversy that has plagued Northern Ireland for centuries. Although the characters say they are over those leanings, they clearly are not. I suspect this book reflects what still goes on in Ireland.
The story unfolds as the main character discovers new clues and information. For the most part the story is told from his point of view. The reader learns new information with him and when he uncovers the truth so does the reader.
On several occasions the author puts us in the point of view of the victims before they are killed. Those sections added to the suspense. As a reader I hoped the police would capture the killer before he struck another victim.
The research about the church and art was well done.
My only complaint was the few times the author “head-hopped.” Other than that and a few formatting errors that are unavoidable in ebooks, I highly recommend this book and this series, particularly for readers who love police procedural mysteries.
May 31, 2016
I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. I'm normally a paranormal chick, but this story pulled me in and I really enjoyed the ride. I love the way Mr. O'Hare developed his characters. I could easily picture everyone in my mind and even started to hear them talk in my head with an Irish accent. LOL The story part was great but either I watch too many CSI and Criminal Minds type shows, because I had the murderer almost half way through the book. I wasn't sure but by the 3/4 point, I knew I was right.
This isn't a book for the light of heart, if you heart is into religion. There is a lot of controversy and revelations regarding religion and we all know that part of the world is very passionate about their religion. I, not being a religious person, in the conventional way, didn't have a problem with it and was actually intrigued by some of the teachings. But not everyone is as open minded.
I only have a few criticisms. First of all, what is with all of the (!)? After almost every sentence there is a !. I am very demanding of my books to use the proper punctuation. It sets the feel of the story and helps to lay the groundwork of the story. If the punctuation isn't correct or unusual, it upsets the flow and feel to the message. Also, I don't know what happened in the last quarter of the book, but I think the proofreader got tired or stopped at that point. A few typos and errors got past them, but the rest of the book was done very well.
This isn't a book for the light of heart, if you heart is into religion. There is a lot of controversy and revelations regarding religion and we all know that part of the world is very passionate about their religion. I, not being a religious person, in the conventional way, didn't have a problem with it and was actually intrigued by some of the teachings. But not everyone is as open minded.
I only have a few criticisms. First of all, what is with all of the (!)? After almost every sentence there is a !. I am very demanding of my books to use the proper punctuation. It sets the feel of the story and helps to lay the groundwork of the story. If the punctuation isn't correct or unusual, it upsets the flow and feel to the message. Also, I don't know what happened in the last quarter of the book, but I think the proofreader got tired or stopped at that point. A few typos and errors got past them, but the rest of the book was done very well.
July 23, 2016
I should start by saying I love murder mysteries- books, movies, tv shows, all of it entices me. I started this book not expecting much other than a decent read. It's hard to find many murder mysteries that shock or intrigue me because I feel a lot of the time, the criminal is revealed way too early. Well, I admit I was wrong which I want to congratulate the author on all the twists and turns that were written. This book starts off at a steady pace and just kept going. There were no boring or unnecessary parts that dragged but instead a refreshing, straight to the point of action and intelligence coming from the main character Jim Sheehan. He is the kind of character I wished more books had. His intelligence was astounding especially paired with the explanations that don't make readers jump from point a to d without explaining the leaps. Also, the story was set in Ireland and based on their Protestant Catholic conflicts which led to the exploration of the main character's own faith issues. That is not saying that religion was thrown into your face, but woven in to craft an excellent debate. Last was the author's flip into the minds of victims for the truly terrifying parts of the story- I loved it. Some people might think it's too gory but I thought it was perfect. Great read
Jim Sheehan
Jim Sheehan
December 10, 2019
**4.75 STARS**
Another well-written thrilling, gripping mystery from Brian O’Hare!! Well done, sir! Scandal, religion, psychological dissent, love interest, and so much more!!! This book has it all. Brutal murders happening in Ireland with possible religious catalysts makes for an enthralling read. I was riveted by Inspector Sheehan and his team as they worked tirelessly trying to catch the killer. As the team deciphers the clues, the plot thickens and my mind just raced with all the who-done-it scenarios to the no-way-it-can’t-be!!! MUST READ!!! Another cast of characters that seem transparent on the surface, but the complexity is brewing just below. As you meet them, you automatically want to know their back stories and try to figure out how they fit into the cast. Are they involved in the murders? Are they professionally ambitious?? Is this person just a great supporting role? Lots of great characters. Only reason I went with 4 starts is because a (very few) couple of times I felt a lull in the book and found myself scanning over those few paragraphs onto the next. Usually when I do that, it’s because I’m so excited to get to the next scene. In this case, it was because I felt those few particular scenes weren’t relevant. So, honestly, if I could shade in, like 4.75 stars I would. Onto The 11:05 Murders!!
Another well-written thrilling, gripping mystery from Brian O’Hare!! Well done, sir! Scandal, religion, psychological dissent, love interest, and so much more!!! This book has it all. Brutal murders happening in Ireland with possible religious catalysts makes for an enthralling read. I was riveted by Inspector Sheehan and his team as they worked tirelessly trying to catch the killer. As the team deciphers the clues, the plot thickens and my mind just raced with all the who-done-it scenarios to the no-way-it-can’t-be!!! MUST READ!!! Another cast of characters that seem transparent on the surface, but the complexity is brewing just below. As you meet them, you automatically want to know their back stories and try to figure out how they fit into the cast. Are they involved in the murders? Are they professionally ambitious?? Is this person just a great supporting role? Lots of great characters. Only reason I went with 4 starts is because a (very few) couple of times I felt a lull in the book and found myself scanning over those few paragraphs onto the next. Usually when I do that, it’s because I’m so excited to get to the next scene. In this case, it was because I felt those few particular scenes weren’t relevant. So, honestly, if I could shade in, like 4.75 stars I would. Onto The 11:05 Murders!!
September 15, 2014
I enjoy reading murder mysteries, where the clues are presented along the way and then are tied together at the end. If the plot has twists and turns at the same time, then I'm happy. This book delivers on both. The crimes are a little gory but if I don't have to actually see them but only visualize them, then I'm good. In the midst of the blood and gore, there are clues and a higher purpose for it all. The serial killer is following a higher authority--the Roman Catholic Church. And if people are naughty, then they pay the ultimate price.
This type of murder mystery has been done before but I haven't read one that takes place in Belfast. A city rich with culture, history, and religion. The book shows the city and its background. The characters are very colorful. I like the Chief Inspector Sheehan. He uses his gut to solve the crimes. He is torn between church and state but he performs his job well. He also shows a little of his heart to his love interest, Margaret.
The book has a lot of heart that it shows for its characters and city. I recommend the book for all die-hard mystery buffs.
This type of murder mystery has been done before but I haven't read one that takes place in Belfast. A city rich with culture, history, and religion. The book shows the city and its background. The characters are very colorful. I like the Chief Inspector Sheehan. He uses his gut to solve the crimes. He is torn between church and state but he performs his job well. He also shows a little of his heart to his love interest, Margaret.
The book has a lot of heart that it shows for its characters and city. I recommend the book for all die-hard mystery buffs.
October 28, 2016
I enjoyed this very much it is based on a serial killer with a religious motive. This is an awesome spellbinding tale that puts this thriller at the top of my read list. You can tell the author has done his research all the facts are there. This is an author who knows how to draw out his reader’s attention having no trouble holding it giving you a page turner. The characters are very well developed giving you strong people to look up to. With his vivid writing talent you have no trouble picture each scene in your mind giving you a clear picture of what the author has put before you.
With no clue, no sign of forced entry in a locked house things are getting stranger by the minute. More bodies are found with differing injuries, and posed strangely still yet no clues given. They have their job cut out for them trying to find this serial killer.
I found the book to be well written with just enjoy drama to keep it interesting with powerful characters. The clues are there if you really look but for me the author kept me guessing. I thought this was a very thrilling read that kept me on the edge of my seat.
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With no clue, no sign of forced entry in a locked house things are getting stranger by the minute. More bodies are found with differing injuries, and posed strangely still yet no clues given. They have their job cut out for them trying to find this serial killer.
I found the book to be well written with just enjoy drama to keep it interesting with powerful characters. The clues are there if you really look but for me the author kept me guessing. I thought this was a very thrilling read that kept me on the edge of my seat.
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July 8, 2016
The Doom Murders is a serial killer mystery set in Belfast, Ireland in late 2010. The main character is DCI Jim Sheehan, a detective with a reputation for using unusual insight to solve difficult cases. He and his squad are assigned to the murder of a Catholic Bishop who was found dead in his office, naked, and obviously posed. This becomes a pattern as bodies show up every Thursday always Catholic, always naked, and always posed. A task force is formed and we follow the police investigation to the final solution. Along the way we learn about the possible psychology and religious motivation behind the killings.
I thought the Doom Murders was a great mystery story and I really enjoyed it. It had a challenging plot with lots of twists and turns. The characters were engaging and well-rounded, and the setting and problems of policing in Belfast after “the troubles” was fully explored. Some of the vocabulary was be a little challenging, but it was important for the feel of the story.
I thought the Doom Murders was a great mystery story and I really enjoyed it. It had a challenging plot with lots of twists and turns. The characters were engaging and well-rounded, and the setting and problems of policing in Belfast after “the troubles” was fully explored. Some of the vocabulary was be a little challenging, but it was important for the feel of the story.
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