The Eloquence of the Dead

Joe Swallow #2

by Conor Brady

"Bodies can tell you a lot. There can be an eloquence about the dead. But you have to be able to interpret what they are telling you... "

This captivating, expertly crafted mystery captures the life and essence of Victorian Dublin and draws the reader on a gripping journey of murder and intrigue. When a Dublin Pawnbroker is found murdered and the lead suspect goes missing, Sergeant Joe Swallow is handed the poisoned chalice of the investigation. On the way he uncovers deep-rooted corruption, discovers the power of new, scientific detection techniques and encounters a ruthless adversary. With authorities pressing for a quick resolution, the public living in fear of attack and the newspapers happy to point to the police's every mistake, Swallow must use every trick in his arsenal to crack the case. Following leads from Trim Castle to the Tower of London, The Eloquence of the Dead is a taut, fast-paced crime thriller perfect for fans of Charles Finch and Charles Todd.

Genres: Mystery, Ireland, Historical Fiction, Crime, Historical Mystery, Historical, Irish Literature

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Journalist, author, former editor (@IrishTimes, The Sunday Tribune), former Commissioner, Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission.

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've spent a pleasant few evenings walking around historic Dublin in the company of Sgt Joe Swallow. The police officer is based at Dublin Castle, working apart from the civil servants, such as Mr Burke, who just works on coats of arms as a sideline, because he makes more money by selling his book on peerage. Swallow is also enjoying dinner with young Willie Yeats, who's into mystic talk, while keeping an eye out for pawnbroker snitches.

The complicated crime tale is an easier read than the first book about murders in the Phoenix Park, because it is less political, and again incorporates some of the best forensics of the day. I love the research and recreation. I'll be reading more of this series.

A few typos showed up which should have been caught by the proofreaders. Otherwise the book is nicely presented. This is an unbiased review.

[nikkia neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

I've been wanting to read this sequel for so long, and it was everything I knew it would be. Not only a awesome mystery, but so well put together and eloquently present in its historical point of view. Joe Swallow's the superman of Irish detectives.

[Pia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Joe Swallow Series, but don't worry, you can read it first. But I'm sure after reading this book you'll want to read the first one asap. At least I do!

Dublin, 1887. Ambrose Pollock, a pawnbroker, is found murdered in his shop. His sister Phoebe has disappeared.
Sargent Joe Swallow, though one of the best policemen in the force, has not been promoted in a long time and is not happy with the situation.

While investigating the case he finds it is linked to a much bigger case of corruption, one that could make the government very uneasy and interrupt the precarious peace in the country.

Beautifully written and plotted, with an amazing description of characters and the historical period. I especially liked how Mr. Brady "introduces" Yeats into the story. Swallow is a very human and attractive character. The effort he puts into attending his Thursday afternoon painting class is endearing.

I hope we have a third book in the series soon. I like a love story too, and Swallow and Mrs. Walsh's has to have a happy ending.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Alba Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in a series of crime novels set in Dublin in 1887. I found these books by accident but find them fascinating - it probably helps that I live in Ireland today as an expat! As with the first book, Brady has plotted us a complex mystery that takes us all around Dublin from the higher end to the seedy back alleys, out to rural County Meath and even over to the seedy underbelly of Victorian London. The mystery itself is tied up in important historical elements - from Land Leaguers to rebellions and Fenians to the Land Acts and redistribution of land from lord to tenant. It's an interesting and fun way to learn about a lesser-known era of Irish history. My main critique has nothing to do with author Conor Brady but more to do with his publishers, who seem to be a small publishing house who have made a few mistakes with punctuation and formatting and spelling. I always catch a few small things when I read (in another life I was an editor, though not of books) but I caught more than usual in this book. Still, didn't ruin my enjoyment of Brady's writing! I'll happily read the third book when I get the chance :)

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not much to add to my reviews for books 1 and 2, but I think of the 3 this is my favorite. I knew nothing about the Acts that enabled the landowners in northern Ireland to sell off to their tenants, nor about the acts of tenants against such landowners. Given the date 1887 of this series, much of the background against which Swallow and his detectives are working has a political dimension. But there is no need to know much about that for Brady makes clear, without laborious detail, what that is enabling a reader to go along with the mystery. Primary and secondary characters are well-drawn and the "good guys (and girls)" are sympathetically drawn. I highly recommend this series.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book number two does not disappoint, as Swallow shows how investigation was done in the nineteenth century when finger-printing was a new technology and communication was by letter, telegram and face-to-face. Brady clearly loves this era and again packs lots of fascinating information about lives and times into every chapter.

[pdxmaven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in Dublin in Victorian times, this crime thriller was not my favorite. Like mysteries but not so much crime thrillers. And don't like things set before 1920. Tho I did like it when the scene shifted to the jewelry trade in London, right along Gray's Inn Road, near where I worked when there in the late 70's!

[Carolyn J Fidgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

Wanted to give it 5 stars but it wouldn't take it. Story held me right to the end. A yearly visitor to dublin felt at home on all the streets mentioned in the novel looking forward to reading more from Conor Brady

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Detective Swallow story!

Detective Swallow is an amazing detective, along with the other lads. Storyline and characters are interesting and believable. Anyone interested in crime stories will appreciate this novel!

[Sharon Chase · Rating 2 out of 5]

Irish police procedural. I didn't know it was the 2nd in a series. Probably would have been better to read the 1st one first.

[Mary Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast moving and well told tale, historic murder mystery revealing the beauty and darkness of Ireland.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Not terrible, but there was nothing terribly compelling about it either.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

got for $1.00 at Dollar tree..great book

[Rick Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery, kept me hanging on till the bitter end.

[Susan Elizabetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine Irish crime drama and a new author to enjoy.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, 2nd in the series and it's a great detective thriller

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was really interesting, but he tended to get into the weeds of personal relationships more than I enjoy.

[Maggie Ragnow Campion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Anne Perry meets Ian Rankin. This is only #2 in the series. I suspect they will only get better.

[Lori Eshleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical mystery set in 1880’s Dublin interweaves the politics of Irish land reform with the crime-fighting G Division of Dublin plainclothes detectives. Armed with a Colt revolver, Detective Sergeant Joe Swallow searches for a killer in the streets, pawnshops, pubs, and hotels of Dublin. He indulges his cultural side by attending weekly painting classes, where a charming antiques dealer named Katherine alerts him to ancient Greek coins mysteriously appearing in local antique shops. Swallow is an interesting main character--a blunt and determined man, struggling with a sense of personal failure and drawn to two very different women. Dublin landmarks, Irish beer and food, the rise of Irish nationalism, and an appearance by poet and mystic William B. Yeats give the novel an appealing sense of place and time. The culture of the Dublin police force and the British administration at Dublin Castle seems believable, with its mix of corruption, ineptitude, authoritarianism and greed. And Brady creates a sense of suspense and urgency that keeps the reader guessing to the end. Altogether, a satisfying historical mystery.

[Ann Recktenwald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conor Brady's Joe Swallow leads an "interesting" life. Besides the art classes mentioned in the reviews, there's keeping his sister out of trouble as she explores psychic powers with "Willie" Yeats, the new science of finger printing introduced by medical examiner Harry LeFeyre, solving several murders and also a government scandal to be kept under wraps. This was not a boring book. The writing paints the picture of the times and gives life to the author's deep knowledge of Dublin and police in 1887. The plot is revealed skillfully through thorough police work and knowledge of human nature working with and against one another, particularly his boss, John Mallon, who knows everything that's going on and how to utilize the talents of each of his G-men.

[Larry Fontenot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read few historical novels but this one was interesting on several levels. It's a police procedural, which I enjoy, and it was about 1880s Dublin which complements my recent reading of several novels taking place in 1980s Belfast. The protagonist, Joe Swallow, is an interesting fellow, clever and forthright. The background of the novel includes the attempts to quell the rise of Irish nationalism which is such a complicated and violent history that no one could be uninterested. This is the second book by Conor Brady and I will be shortly pursuing his first.

[Susan Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed the mystery, set in 1880's Ireland, maybe even little more than first in series. But it could have done with a better editing job! Saw a number of typos with missing words - spell check doesn't catch everything! - and one instance of Mallon referring to shooting criminal threatening Elizabeth instead of Swallow. (Library)

[Byron Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice change up for the detective story genre. Overall it reads similar in tone to a modern detective novel, but changes it up by placing the story in 1880s Dublin. The setting provides an exotic twist.

As someone that generally likes detective novels, but hates when the get overly hopped up on testosterone, this is a good one. I will be reading the earlier book in the series also.

[Brucie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again: A very good police procedure historical thriller. This novel covers lots of territory: memorable characters, detailed setting, mysterious plot with unexpected ending, with just enough politics to make it real. Superb story!

[AJ Mac · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much repeating and over description of simple things. Sorry to say second book I've read from Brady and second one I didn't enjoy. Just not my cup of tea maybe. Story could have ended in half the pages.

[Kristen Foran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read, Swallow is an original detective living in a very interesting time in Dublins past. Looking forward to the next instalment!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book to review for Library Journal. Read my review there in the spring.

[Tom Gorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery and a wonderful insight into Ireland (more specifically Dublin) of 1897...that period just before independence was gained. Joe Swallow joins my lengthening list of favorite detectives.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Shauna Tharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love mysteries and this one really kept me guessing. It had strong characters and a complicated plot that kept me on my toes.