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THE BOONDOCK SAINTS, VOL 1: BLOOD ORIGIN
They were born in Ireland, forged in Boston, and immortalized in the cult classic The Boondock Saints. But before legend, there was blood.
Connor and Murphy MacManus slip across the Canadian border chasing the promise of America, only to land in a Boston that chews up the desperate and spits them out. The city’s underworld runs on crime and corruption, and survival means learning fast—or dying faster.
Through their friend Rocco, a Mafia foot soldier with a crooked grin, the brothers are dragged deeper into Boston’s ruthless crime scene. Every alley hides a threat. Every handshake hides a blade. And every act of justice demands a darker act in return.
But the brothers are fighting more than mob bosses and street thugs. They’re chasing a ghost—the father they never knew—whose violent past may already be carved into their bones. Each step toward the truth pulls them further into a brutal mystery, blurring the line between destiny and choice.
This is a gritty Boston crime thriller steeped in Irish-Catholic noir, pulsing with explosive suspense, brotherhood, betrayal, and blood. As Connor and Murphy carve out their own ruthless brand of vigilante justice, the city will come to know their names.
Saints. Sinners. Or something in between. You decide.
Connor and Murphy MacManus slip across the Canadian border chasing the promise of America, only to land in a Boston that chews up the desperate and spits them out. The city’s underworld runs on crime and corruption, and survival means learning fast—or dying faster.
Through their friend Rocco, a Mafia foot soldier with a crooked grin, the brothers are dragged deeper into Boston’s ruthless crime scene. Every alley hides a threat. Every handshake hides a blade. And every act of justice demands a darker act in return.
But the brothers are fighting more than mob bosses and street thugs. They’re chasing a ghost—the father they never knew—whose violent past may already be carved into their bones. Each step toward the truth pulls them further into a brutal mystery, blurring the line between destiny and choice.
This is a gritty Boston crime thriller steeped in Irish-Catholic noir, pulsing with explosive suspense, brotherhood, betrayal, and blood. As Connor and Murphy carve out their own ruthless brand of vigilante justice, the city will come to know their names.
Saints. Sinners. Or something in between. You decide.
643 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 3, 2026
"Soldiers of Christ...God-inspired vigilantes dispensing their own brand of justice."
5/01/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+
The Boondocks Saints, Vol 1: Blood Origin by Troy Duffy is a fast paced action packed masterpiece story of two twin brothers from Ireland who take justice into their own hands to protect the innocent from the evil of the world from ruthless mob thugs, kidnappers, sick and demented killers, street thugs, to men who prey on women and children. Their form of justice is swift, brutal, and deadly. This story is not in the black and white of who's the good guys and who's the bad guys. It's more in the gray area of a society that is controlled by both the Italian mob, the Irish mob, the police force that has ties to both, and the residents within their territories just trying to get by day to day.
I watched cult classic movies when they first hit the market on DVD back in 2002 and quickly became a fan of Connor and Murphy MacManus and their friend and sidekick Rocco and the murder detective Cards and this book brought those characters to life in the pages in a way that wasn't possible in the screen. The bond between the two twin brothers, (Connor and Murphy), the dark humor with the brothers, their mother (Ma Belle), Rocco, and even Cards the murder detective will make you laugh your ass off.
The brothers leave Ireland for the promised land of America and the chance to live their dreams in the land of plenty. As hard working men with skills from construction, maintenance, meat processing, along with their people skills they make their way in Boston making friends along the way. Trying to stay under the radar since they came into America as illegal immigrants is the hardest thing to do when they stumbles upon a ruthless killer who is also an abusive father, corner drug dealers who prey on the elderly in their neighborhood, a pedophile who has kidnapped a young child, both Irish and Italian mobs. Taking justice into their own hands, the two brothers stand together, sometimes back to back, fighting the corruption in their world against odds that would cause an army of trained soldiers to turn and flee for their lives.
Though this book probably wouldn't appeal to the week of heart or those who think vigilante justice is wrong, those who think the law should do the work and the rest of us should sit back and let the injustice be fought by others, there is some of us that stand up to bullies and cheer when the assholes of the world are beat down to the point they will never again be able to prey on the weak and innocent or they're just beat to death for the crimes they have committed. On the other side of the coin, this book will appeal to those that enjoy seeing justice fulfilled.
Quotes:
"She probably old." Murphy retorted, "Then I'd just bring a dust buster and have at it.”
5/01/26 Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+
The Boondocks Saints, Vol 1: Blood Origin by Troy Duffy is a fast paced action packed masterpiece story of two twin brothers from Ireland who take justice into their own hands to protect the innocent from the evil of the world from ruthless mob thugs, kidnappers, sick and demented killers, street thugs, to men who prey on women and children. Their form of justice is swift, brutal, and deadly. This story is not in the black and white of who's the good guys and who's the bad guys. It's more in the gray area of a society that is controlled by both the Italian mob, the Irish mob, the police force that has ties to both, and the residents within their territories just trying to get by day to day.
I watched cult classic movies when they first hit the market on DVD back in 2002 and quickly became a fan of Connor and Murphy MacManus and their friend and sidekick Rocco and the murder detective Cards and this book brought those characters to life in the pages in a way that wasn't possible in the screen. The bond between the two twin brothers, (Connor and Murphy), the dark humor with the brothers, their mother (Ma Belle), Rocco, and even Cards the murder detective will make you laugh your ass off.
The brothers leave Ireland for the promised land of America and the chance to live their dreams in the land of plenty. As hard working men with skills from construction, maintenance, meat processing, along with their people skills they make their way in Boston making friends along the way. Trying to stay under the radar since they came into America as illegal immigrants is the hardest thing to do when they stumbles upon a ruthless killer who is also an abusive father, corner drug dealers who prey on the elderly in their neighborhood, a pedophile who has kidnapped a young child, both Irish and Italian mobs. Taking justice into their own hands, the two brothers stand together, sometimes back to back, fighting the corruption in their world against odds that would cause an army of trained soldiers to turn and flee for their lives.
Though this book probably wouldn't appeal to the week of heart or those who think vigilante justice is wrong, those who think the law should do the work and the rest of us should sit back and let the injustice be fought by others, there is some of us that stand up to bullies and cheer when the assholes of the world are beat down to the point they will never again be able to prey on the weak and innocent or they're just beat to death for the crimes they have committed. On the other side of the coin, this book will appeal to those that enjoy seeing justice fulfilled.
Quotes:
"She probably old." Murphy retorted, "Then I'd just bring a dust buster and have at it.”
November 4, 2025
An amazing reimagining of the story. Can’t wait for volume 2
November 7, 2025
Wow! What an amazing ride!
This reads like the movies - non-stop action with a lot of heart. These two good bad guys are remarkable. The characters are all well thought out, easy to get to know, and so interesting you don't want to put this down. I didn't!
The writing style is exceptional. Just enough description to put a picture in your mind, but not so much you get bored. Never bored!
The first thing I did after was send a copy to another Boondock Saint fan/reader. We will be talking about this book until Troy writes the next one! Don't take so long, though, Mr. Duffy. The world needs this right now.
This reads like the movies - non-stop action with a lot of heart. These two good bad guys are remarkable. The characters are all well thought out, easy to get to know, and so interesting you don't want to put this down. I didn't!
The writing style is exceptional. Just enough description to put a picture in your mind, but not so much you get bored. Never bored!
The first thing I did after was send a copy to another Boondock Saint fan/reader. We will be talking about this book until Troy writes the next one! Don't take so long, though, Mr. Duffy. The world needs this right now.
November 9, 2025
A Great Start to an Old Favorite
This is NOT the movie. Troy Duffy has restarted the MacManus brothers with a much deeper connection to their sacred calling. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I can’t wait for the next one!
This is NOT the movie. Troy Duffy has restarted the MacManus brothers with a much deeper connection to their sacred calling. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I can’t wait for the next one!
May 6, 2026
This is the backstory for the boys in the Boondock Saints movie. It starts out in Ireland in their youth, telling the tale of how and why they ended up in New York City, how they met people and became established.
The story starts out well enough but its caught in a tough place; the boys cannot be who they become in the movie yet. They cannot become too popular or be established in their community. They cannot have much of an impact yet. But the story still has to be interesting, and is quite long for the limited content.
So that means there is a lot of meandering. Our heroes meet the people that are later shown in the movie, but they do not really accomplish much. They have a sort of quest to find their father, with a slight lead, but that doesn't really go anywhere, because again, it cannot.
The story starts out well enough but its caught in a tough place; the boys cannot be who they become in the movie yet. They cannot become too popular or be established in their community. They cannot have much of an impact yet. But the story still has to be interesting, and is quite long for the limited content.
So that means there is a lot of meandering. Our heroes meet the people that are later shown in the movie, but they do not really accomplish much. They have a sort of quest to find their father, with a slight lead, but that doesn't really go anywhere, because again, it cannot.
October 24, 2025
I mean, if you like Boondock Saints this is basically a Boondock Saints bacon cheeseburger with extra bacon and three giant bloody patties in the middle.
January 9, 2026
Excellent Introduction
A great way to show how the Brothers McManus came to become the Book dock Saints. This is a must read for all Woonsocket fans.
A great way to show how the Brothers McManus came to become the Book dock Saints. This is a must read for all Woonsocket fans.
October 24, 2025
Boondock Saints Vol. 1: Blood Origin is a gritty, witty and pulse-pounding ride from page one — and whether you’re a long-time Boondock fan or brand new to the universe, you’ll be hooked. It’s a smart, character-driven crime thriller that doesn’t let up and is just flat-out fun to read. Hardcore fans will catch a ton of clever Easter eggs, but the storytelling stands entirely on its own.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews