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Boy: A searing, unflinching debut that announces a major new voice in Irish fiction
Not yet published
Expected 6 Jul 27When his mother’s death shatters his world, a boy is drawn into Cork’s criminal underbelly — a lyrical, devastating story of family, violence and the inescapable legacy of grief, for fans of Colin Barrett, Donal Ryan and Stuart Neville.
'A very fine debut novel from a future star of Irish crime writing' John Connolly
'Repulsive yet riveting debut' The Sunday Times
'Gyves is a clear talent' The Irish Times
'As heartbreaking as it is alarming ... powerful story of poverty, need, rage, wasted opportunities and pent-up violence.' Literary Review
The Boy is a powerful novel of wasted talent, loss, greed and revenge – but also of discovered genius and life-affirming friendship.
By turns terrifying, taut, humane and tender it tells the origin story of Ireland’s organised-crime epidemic with a skill and grace which belies a debut novel, and is the calling-card of a ringing new voice in Irish fiction.
When the Guards knock on the door The Boy already knows his mother is dead. His father flees to the pub, leaving him to wait alone. Soon his brother Fallon, half-protector and half-outlaw, draws him into a world where grief and crime are rarely separated. At the same time, a wealthy landowner harbours grotesque secrets in the countryside - a hidden “family” of abducted boys, a nightmare lurking beneath respectability.
As The Boy moves through these fractured worlds - his father’s guilt, his uncle’s paramilitary past, his brother’s violent death - he becomes both witness and inheritor of a brutal legacy.
Think of a space where the layered complexity of Tana French meets the whip-smart dialogue and brutal beauty of Colin Barrett and the sharp tenderness and humour of Graeme Armstrong’s The Young Team – and you’re somewhere near where this novel will take you.
The Boy is a dark, lyrical crime debut. It is unflinching, propulsive, and unforgettable.
'A very fine debut novel from a future star of Irish crime writing' John Connolly
'Repulsive yet riveting debut' The Sunday Times
'Gyves is a clear talent' The Irish Times
'As heartbreaking as it is alarming ... powerful story of poverty, need, rage, wasted opportunities and pent-up violence.' Literary Review
The Boy is a powerful novel of wasted talent, loss, greed and revenge – but also of discovered genius and life-affirming friendship.
By turns terrifying, taut, humane and tender it tells the origin story of Ireland’s organised-crime epidemic with a skill and grace which belies a debut novel, and is the calling-card of a ringing new voice in Irish fiction.
When the Guards knock on the door The Boy already knows his mother is dead. His father flees to the pub, leaving him to wait alone. Soon his brother Fallon, half-protector and half-outlaw, draws him into a world where grief and crime are rarely separated. At the same time, a wealthy landowner harbours grotesque secrets in the countryside - a hidden “family” of abducted boys, a nightmare lurking beneath respectability.
As The Boy moves through these fractured worlds - his father’s guilt, his uncle’s paramilitary past, his brother’s violent death - he becomes both witness and inheritor of a brutal legacy.
Think of a space where the layered complexity of Tana French meets the whip-smart dialogue and brutal beauty of Colin Barrett and the sharp tenderness and humour of Graeme Armstrong’s The Young Team – and you’re somewhere near where this novel will take you.
The Boy is a dark, lyrical crime debut. It is unflinching, propulsive, and unforgettable.
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 6, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was completely gripped by The Boy from start to finish. For a debut novel, Mark Gyves shows an incredible level of skill, crafting a really well thought out plot that on some level reminded me of the intense, gritty atmosphere of Love/Hate.
It is always exciting to discover a brilliant new voice in fiction. As an Irish writer, Gyves captures that raw, authentic criminal underbelly perfectly through some truly great characters, all based in Cork. The writing is sharp and stays with you long after the final page. I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough. Mark Gyves is definitely an author to watch, and I am already eagerly looking forward to his next offering. An absolute triumph of a debut! Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy
It is always exciting to discover a brilliant new voice in fiction. As an Irish writer, Gyves captures that raw, authentic criminal underbelly perfectly through some truly great characters, all based in Cork. The writing is sharp and stays with you long after the final page. I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough. Mark Gyves is definitely an author to watch, and I am already eagerly looking forward to his next offering. An absolute triumph of a debut! Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. Honestly. Wow. The publisher's synopsis does not do this justice.
The Boy is our protagonist. With his mother gone and his father at the bottom of a bottle, The Boy's brother, Fallon, pulls him into the Big Fella's world of drugs where he has to learn quickly or he will fall.
But as The Boy finds his feet Clifford Cromby, a wealthy landowner, is making plans of his own to change the landscape of the Cork drug scene. Not that he doesn't already have some very dark secrets in his family home; secrets that he cannot let anyone know.
The pair find themselves vying for the same space and it all comes down to who will make the right moves.
The Boy is billed as crime fiction but it struck me as so much more than that. Our unnamed protagonist is a truly engaging character and whilst I know that cheering for those who peddle drugs is unusual, it was impossible not to like him. And when you clock the other main character you will know which side to choose too.
The Boy is a book about wasted lives and family, resilience, love and friendship and, ultimately, survival.
The writing is excellent. I wanted to race to the end and for it to go on and on. A sure sign of a great book. Mark Gyves debut is absolutely marvellous and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the digital review copy. Most appreciated. Looking forward to whatever this writer produces next.
The Boy is our protagonist. With his mother gone and his father at the bottom of a bottle, The Boy's brother, Fallon, pulls him into the Big Fella's world of drugs where he has to learn quickly or he will fall.
But as The Boy finds his feet Clifford Cromby, a wealthy landowner, is making plans of his own to change the landscape of the Cork drug scene. Not that he doesn't already have some very dark secrets in his family home; secrets that he cannot let anyone know.
The pair find themselves vying for the same space and it all comes down to who will make the right moves.
The Boy is billed as crime fiction but it struck me as so much more than that. Our unnamed protagonist is a truly engaging character and whilst I know that cheering for those who peddle drugs is unusual, it was impossible not to like him. And when you clock the other main character you will know which side to choose too.
The Boy is a book about wasted lives and family, resilience, love and friendship and, ultimately, survival.
The writing is excellent. I wanted to race to the end and for it to go on and on. A sure sign of a great book. Mark Gyves debut is absolutely marvellous and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and Bedford Square Publishers for the digital review copy. Most appreciated. Looking forward to whatever this writer produces next.
September 25, 2026
4.5 stars.
*This was a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this book expecting a dark and gritty crime story, and it more than delivered.
Set in Cork, Ireland, against the backdrop of the rise of Irish gang crime, we follow a character only known as The Boy. His mother has passed away, and his brother Fallon introduces him to the world of crime and drugs. At the same time, a wealthy landowner is keeping a horrifying secret in his crumbling estate.
I loved the way this book was written. The author does not shy away from the grimmer aspects of this world, and the dialogue felt particularly authentic. The Boy himself is a fascinating character, shaped by loss, and making impossible decisions along the way.
The plot was propulsive and compelling, and the characters on the fringes of the story added extra depth and interest. The ending was ambiguous and daring, and made me love the book all the more.
A fantastic debut. I will be keeping an eye out for what Mark Gyves writes next.
*This was a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this book expecting a dark and gritty crime story, and it more than delivered.
Set in Cork, Ireland, against the backdrop of the rise of Irish gang crime, we follow a character only known as The Boy. His mother has passed away, and his brother Fallon introduces him to the world of crime and drugs. At the same time, a wealthy landowner is keeping a horrifying secret in his crumbling estate.
I loved the way this book was written. The author does not shy away from the grimmer aspects of this world, and the dialogue felt particularly authentic. The Boy himself is a fascinating character, shaped by loss, and making impossible decisions along the way.
The plot was propulsive and compelling, and the characters on the fringes of the story added extra depth and interest. The ending was ambiguous and daring, and made me love the book all the more.
A fantastic debut. I will be keeping an eye out for what Mark Gyves writes next.
Read
October 5, 2026Cork in the late 1990s. Grief, violence, drugs, family loyalties and the long shadow of the past. I went in expecting something somewhere between The Glorious Heresies and Wild Houses, with a dose of All Them Dogs for good measure.
And sure look, I really wanted to love it.
There’s plenty here that worked for me. Mark Gyves has a cracking ear for dialogue and a darkly comic streak that occasionally reminded me of Caimh McDonnell — very much a compliment. There’s a rawness to the writing too, and that particular mix of humour, brutality and people simply getting on with things that feels very at home in this setting.
It’s fierce bleak, though.
This is a book about damage passing from one generation to the next: wasted talent, grief left to fester, drink, violence and young lads being pulled into worlds that were waiting for them long before they knew enough to choose otherwise.
But the further it went, the less convinced I became.
Some of the criminal-underworld elements felt a little too familiar, and one particularly grotesque storyline involving abducted boys tipped over, for me, from disturbing into gratuitous. I kept wondering whether the novel really needed it. I’m still not sure it did.
And then there’s the Boy himself.
He’s never named, which I suspect is intended to give him a kind of universality. Instead, it kept me at arm’s length. I wanted to care about him more than I actually did and, dare I say it, the namelessness began to feel a small bit gimmicky.
So no, this didn’t quite become the cracking Cork-set crime novel I’d hoped it would.
Except…
I read the whole thing over a weekend.
Couldn’t leave it down.
And despite everything I’ve just grumbled about, I’d happily pick up whatever Mark Gyves writes next.
Which is perhaps the most useful thing I can tell you about this debut: flawed, unsettling, occasionally frustrating and somehow still completely compelling.
Make of that what you will.
Thanks to @randomthingstours and the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
And sure look, I really wanted to love it.
There’s plenty here that worked for me. Mark Gyves has a cracking ear for dialogue and a darkly comic streak that occasionally reminded me of Caimh McDonnell — very much a compliment. There’s a rawness to the writing too, and that particular mix of humour, brutality and people simply getting on with things that feels very at home in this setting.
It’s fierce bleak, though.
This is a book about damage passing from one generation to the next: wasted talent, grief left to fester, drink, violence and young lads being pulled into worlds that were waiting for them long before they knew enough to choose otherwise.
But the further it went, the less convinced I became.
Some of the criminal-underworld elements felt a little too familiar, and one particularly grotesque storyline involving abducted boys tipped over, for me, from disturbing into gratuitous. I kept wondering whether the novel really needed it. I’m still not sure it did.
And then there’s the Boy himself.
He’s never named, which I suspect is intended to give him a kind of universality. Instead, it kept me at arm’s length. I wanted to care about him more than I actually did and, dare I say it, the namelessness began to feel a small bit gimmicky.
So no, this didn’t quite become the cracking Cork-set crime novel I’d hoped it would.
Except…
I read the whole thing over a weekend.
Couldn’t leave it down.
And despite everything I’ve just grumbled about, I’d happily pick up whatever Mark Gyves writes next.
Which is perhaps the most useful thing I can tell you about this debut: flawed, unsettling, occasionally frustrating and somehow still completely compelling.
Make of that what you will.
Thanks to @randomthingstours and the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really wanted to love this book more than I actually did and I think I can put it down to the fact that he didn't name the character so I didn't fully connect to him. To be honest, I can't actually see any credible reason why he wouldn't name the character apart from, dare I say, it being a gimmick. If that is the case, and I AM just guessing, then it really didn't work with me.
That said, I really did enjoy the rest of what I read. The story was compelling, the characters well drawn, and I got on with the writing style very well.
I just feel I would have had a better time with the book had I connected to The Boy better...
So, with a dead mother, and a father who spend his life in a bottle, it was inevitable that The Boy would be heavily influenced by older brother Fallon who is already entrenched in the drug world.
Circumstances mean that, after his mothers funeral, along with his pal Gordon, he starts to make his own way in that world...
As well as following The Boy in the present as he finds his feet in his new word, we also go back in time and follow his father Daniel through his own childhood. As a very gifted child with the world at his feet... but he is not without his own challenges...
And then there's Clifford Cromby whose parts are brutal and NOT for the faint hearted, and occasionally a but too gratuitous. But I will leave you to discover all his heinous crimes as the author intends and make up your own mind...
Outwith my issues connecting to him, I did find the rest of his character quite intriguing as was also his story being told. It must say something when you are compelled to root for a drug dealer, but I was...!
And then... when all was said and done and the book was over and I went to investigate his back catalogue and find out why I had never heard of this author before and I find out that it's only his debut book and I am completely floored. He has managed to produce a cracking bit of fiction, woven in amongst historical fact, played out by the best complex characters. All delivered in a no nonsense way, with an ending which both satisfies and also leaves you wondering what's next... Although I think it might well be the opener of a series or trilogy...
What's next for me is champing at the bit waiting to see how on earth he will top this for his second book... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
That said, I really did enjoy the rest of what I read. The story was compelling, the characters well drawn, and I got on with the writing style very well.
I just feel I would have had a better time with the book had I connected to The Boy better...
So, with a dead mother, and a father who spend his life in a bottle, it was inevitable that The Boy would be heavily influenced by older brother Fallon who is already entrenched in the drug world.
Circumstances mean that, after his mothers funeral, along with his pal Gordon, he starts to make his own way in that world...
As well as following The Boy in the present as he finds his feet in his new word, we also go back in time and follow his father Daniel through his own childhood. As a very gifted child with the world at his feet... but he is not without his own challenges...
And then there's Clifford Cromby whose parts are brutal and NOT for the faint hearted, and occasionally a but too gratuitous. But I will leave you to discover all his heinous crimes as the author intends and make up your own mind...
Outwith my issues connecting to him, I did find the rest of his character quite intriguing as was also his story being told. It must say something when you are compelled to root for a drug dealer, but I was...!
And then... when all was said and done and the book was over and I went to investigate his back catalogue and find out why I had never heard of this author before and I find out that it's only his debut book and I am completely floored. He has managed to produce a cracking bit of fiction, woven in amongst historical fact, played out by the best complex characters. All delivered in a no nonsense way, with an ending which both satisfies and also leaves you wondering what's next... Although I think it might well be the opener of a series or trilogy...
What's next for me is champing at the bit waiting to see how on earth he will top this for his second book... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 27, 2026
The Boy is the debut novel by Irish crime fiction writer, Mark Gyves. This is a dark and exciting crime book set in Ireland, that will have you intrigued from the get go and I couldn't get enough of it.
The book is about The Boy, his family life and the people who surround him. It shows how his story is dictated because of the set of circurstances arising within the chapters, through some of the choices and decisions made by others. Each chapter is about a different character, and what a mix of characters they are. Whether it's current day, or a bit of their back story. The way the author cleverly reveals relevant information bit by bit is what will have you on the edge of your seat. There are characters, that are relevant to the story, but we dont quite know how. However, the information all ties together nicely but not as you expect it to.
I have really enjoyed this book, it held my attention easily. The chapters are short and complex at times making me think about where its going and why this character is important. It is dark in places but heartwarming in others. It gave me a real mix of emotions all the way through. There is loss, friendships, violence, relationships, crime and family.
I really loved this book, discovering why it's called 'The Boy' and the ending has left me wanting more from the author. I absolutely recommend this if you are looking for something new and exciting or you enjoy a dark and twisty crime novel that keeps you guessing.
The book is about The Boy, his family life and the people who surround him. It shows how his story is dictated because of the set of circurstances arising within the chapters, through some of the choices and decisions made by others. Each chapter is about a different character, and what a mix of characters they are. Whether it's current day, or a bit of their back story. The way the author cleverly reveals relevant information bit by bit is what will have you on the edge of your seat. There are characters, that are relevant to the story, but we dont quite know how. However, the information all ties together nicely but not as you expect it to.
I have really enjoyed this book, it held my attention easily. The chapters are short and complex at times making me think about where its going and why this character is important. It is dark in places but heartwarming in others. It gave me a real mix of emotions all the way through. There is loss, friendships, violence, relationships, crime and family.
I really loved this book, discovering why it's called 'The Boy' and the ending has left me wanting more from the author. I absolutely recommend this if you are looking for something new and exciting or you enjoy a dark and twisty crime novel that keeps you guessing.
Review of advance copy
The Boy is Mark Gyves' debut novel, and it certainly makes an impression.
The short chapters work really well, steadily building the tension, while a sense of fear seems to run through the story. The dialogue also adds to the atmosphere and felt natural and believable for the setting and time.
There were moments when I found it nail-biting, while others were incredibly bleak and sad. There is a lot of darkness here, and although I didn't see any trigger warnings, I do feel some may have been helpful, given the subject matter.
There are some great characters, and I became invested in their journeys and what would happen to them, which kept me turning the pages. There are also a lot of different strands to the story, but I thought Gyves brought them together beautifully as everything began to fall into place.
This was a dark and sometimes difficult read, but there was also humanity running through it, particularly in the relationships between the characters. I thought the combination of crime, family, loss and friendship worked really well, and for a debut, there is a real confidence to the writing.
The ending left me wanting to know what comes next, so I’d certainly be interested in reading another instalment.
If you enjoy historical thrillers with short chapters, rising tension, complex characters and darker subject matter, this is one to consider.
The short chapters work really well, steadily building the tension, while a sense of fear seems to run through the story. The dialogue also adds to the atmosphere and felt natural and believable for the setting and time.
There were moments when I found it nail-biting, while others were incredibly bleak and sad. There is a lot of darkness here, and although I didn't see any trigger warnings, I do feel some may have been helpful, given the subject matter.
There are some great characters, and I became invested in their journeys and what would happen to them, which kept me turning the pages. There are also a lot of different strands to the story, but I thought Gyves brought them together beautifully as everything began to fall into place.
This was a dark and sometimes difficult read, but there was also humanity running through it, particularly in the relationships between the characters. I thought the combination of crime, family, loss and friendship worked really well, and for a debut, there is a real confidence to the writing.
The ending left me wanting to know what comes next, so I’d certainly be interested in reading another instalment.
If you enjoy historical thrillers with short chapters, rising tension, complex characters and darker subject matter, this is one to consider.
October 7, 2026
The Boy is SUCH a good read!
I love that I still have no idea what The Boy is actually called, even after finishing the book. 😂
The book starts off violent and ends violently, with a lot of violence in between, so if that’s not something you enjoy reading about, then this probably isn’t the book for you.
I, however, loved it. At first, there appeared to be two separate storylines, which eventually came together as one. I thought the book was going to go in one direction, only to be completely surprised when it went another way.
I really enjoy books that are based in and around the Troubles in Ireland, so this was perfect for me. I did find it emotional at times, and there are certain parts that some readers may find triggering. Poor Boy went through so much, and yet I still really liked his character and desperately wanted him to come out on top.
My only gripe is that I NEED to know what happens next! I didn’t feel like I got full closure at the end. I really enjoy having everything wrapped up in books like this, as I like to feel completely satisfied when I finish a good story.
However, it’s a fab book, and I’d definitely recommend it.
I love that I still have no idea what The Boy is actually called, even after finishing the book. 😂
The book starts off violent and ends violently, with a lot of violence in between, so if that’s not something you enjoy reading about, then this probably isn’t the book for you.
I, however, loved it. At first, there appeared to be two separate storylines, which eventually came together as one. I thought the book was going to go in one direction, only to be completely surprised when it went another way.
I really enjoy books that are based in and around the Troubles in Ireland, so this was perfect for me. I did find it emotional at times, and there are certain parts that some readers may find triggering. Poor Boy went through so much, and yet I still really liked his character and desperately wanted him to come out on top.
My only gripe is that I NEED to know what happens next! I didn’t feel like I got full closure at the end. I really enjoy having everything wrapped up in books like this, as I like to feel completely satisfied when I finish a good story.
However, it’s a fab book, and I’d definitely recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was completely gripped by The Boy from start to finish. For a debut novel, Mark Gyves shows an incredible level of skill, crafting a really well thought out plot that on some level reminded me of the intense, gritty atmosphere of Love/Hate.
It is always exciting to discover a brilliant new voice in fiction. As an Irish writer, Gyves captures that raw, authentic criminal underbelly perfectly through some truly great characters, all based in Cork. The writing is sharp and stays with you long after the final page. I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough. Mark Gyves is definitely an author to watch, and I am already eagerly looking forward to his next offering. An absolute triumph of a debut! Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy
It is always exciting to discover a brilliant new voice in fiction. As an Irish writer, Gyves captures that raw, authentic criminal underbelly perfectly through some truly great characters, all based in Cork. The writing is sharp and stays with you long after the final page. I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough. Mark Gyves is definitely an author to watch, and I am already eagerly looking forward to his next offering. An absolute triumph of a debut! Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Boy is gritty, violent and unsettling, but there’s also a warmth and dark humour running throughout.
Set in Cork against the backdrop of organised crime, The Boy explores grief, family and how the decisions we make can completely change the course of our lives. I really enjoyed getting to know each character, particularly Fallon, and liked that they weren’t simply divided into good and bad.
It took me a little time to get to grips with the story and characters, but once I settled into it, I was fully invested. The writing is sharp, distinctive and doesn’t shy away from tougher moments - with some scenes that are genuinely difficult to read.
For a debut, this was impressive. Mark is now firmly on my radar and I’ll be interested to see what he does next
Set in Cork against the backdrop of organised crime, The Boy explores grief, family and how the decisions we make can completely change the course of our lives. I really enjoyed getting to know each character, particularly Fallon, and liked that they weren’t simply divided into good and bad.
It took me a little time to get to grips with the story and characters, but once I settled into it, I was fully invested. The writing is sharp, distinctive and doesn’t shy away from tougher moments - with some scenes that are genuinely difficult to read.
For a debut, this was impressive. Mark is now firmly on my radar and I’ll be interested to see what he does next
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an excellent debut. The novel is set in Cork, in the run up to the Good Friday Agreement, and begins with The Boy learning his mother has died, quickly followed by his drug dealing brother being shot in a drive by.
The early chapters move quickly, with very little exposition or description, driven by a colloquial voice and vivid characterisation and because of the outlandish types and the cracking dialogue it's a lot funnier than the events it chronicles.
It becomes a story of greed and loss, lust and evil, as the manoeuvring for control of Cork's drug trade gradually becomes clear and The Boy takes centre stage.
It reminded me a little of Calum McSorley, Caimh McDonnell but it's better than that - the strength of the voice is more akin to Kevin Barry's The Heart in Winter.
Recommended. The Boy
The early chapters move quickly, with very little exposition or description, driven by a colloquial voice and vivid characterisation and because of the outlandish types and the cracking dialogue it's a lot funnier than the events it chronicles.
It becomes a story of greed and loss, lust and evil, as the manoeuvring for control of Cork's drug trade gradually becomes clear and The Boy takes centre stage.
It reminded me a little of Calum McSorley, Caimh McDonnell but it's better than that - the strength of the voice is more akin to Kevin Barry's The Heart in Winter.
Recommended. The Boy
October 12, 2026
I came in expecting a gritty crime drama but this unfortunately had a lot less depth than I was hoping for. The novel does not give us much of a chance to connect with The Boy at all. It’s a real missed opportunity since there is an interesting story to be told about the pressures that he would have experienced after losing his family. It just felt too surface level.
Clifford’s character was cartoonishly evil and it does not sit right with me that the only two queer characters in the book are a murdering paedophile and his accomplice boyfriend.
Clifford’s character was cartoonishly evil and it does not sit right with me that the only two queer characters in the book are a murdering paedophile and his accomplice boyfriend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2026
A very unsettling book. It documents the life of a young man known as the boy as he navigates his was through life. Starting with the death of his mother and the murders of various family members I’m still not sure how comfortable I feel about this book. That’s a testament to the writing because I found I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Read
October 29, 2026⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Really enjoyed reading The Boy. I loved the fact that it was set in familiar surroundings around Cork, which made the story feel that bit closer to home. It was one of those books that keeps you interested, questionable at times but wanting to read just one more page/ chapter. It gets better as it goes on. A great read and definitely one I'd recommend! Met Mark the author and cemented even more the thoughts and inspirations of the book of how it all came to life.
Really enjoyed reading The Boy. I loved the fact that it was set in familiar surroundings around Cork, which made the story feel that bit closer to home. It was one of those books that keeps you interested, questionable at times but wanting to read just one more page/ chapter. It gets better as it goes on. A great read and definitely one I'd recommend! Met Mark the author and cemented even more the thoughts and inspirations of the book of how it all came to life.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book follows the Boy who we meet when he hears about the death of his Mother. We are introduced to the rest of the characters who are connected to the boy in some way, and we see a picture build of organised crime in Ireland.
This book is raw, tragic, and direct, and I couldn't put it down even when I wanted to!
This book is raw, tragic, and direct, and I couldn't put it down even when I wanted to!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An excellent read about revenge, family and organised crime set in Cork. It is direct, unflinching and brutal in it's portrayal of greed and tragedy. Not for the fainthearted, the dialogue is raw, but it is a must read for lovers of crime fiction. A cracking debut novel from the author. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
September 24, 2026
Well I must say, what an excellent debut novel this was. I'm sure Mark will have an excellent career in Irish Crime writing.
It's a story about family, relationships and crime that doesn't pull any punches whatsoever. It's brutal in parts, but tender and thoughtful in others, while remaining unflinching able to hold my attention from start to finish.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
It's a story about family, relationships and crime that doesn't pull any punches whatsoever. It's brutal in parts, but tender and thoughtful in others, while remaining unflinching able to hold my attention from start to finish.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
‘The Boy’ is an unflinching look at organised crime groups in Ireland during the 90s, a nuanced and dark debut. This was an impressive debut that was rich in its descriptions, layered and utterly bleak in places.
‘The Boy’ opens with The Boy finding out that his mother has passed away, his father has decided to decamp to the local boozer and has left him to fend for himself. What follows is a story that is deeply unsettling, that examines the layers of trauma that have passed through the family and the lure of crime gangs when the young men and boys have nothing to lose.
Despite the main themes being pretty dark, there were some light and interesting sections. Learning about The Boy’s father being a literal genius as a child and then its crushing effect when that potential isn't realised is something that resonated with me. I know that doesn't sound jolly but it was a couple of shades lighter and very interesting to find out about.
The Boy never being given a name throughout the book I found to be quite poetic and profound. It highlights that this could be anyone’s experience, it is just the stories that surround him that can change. It's like a sense of predeterminism - no matter what you do this will be the outcome it is just the journey which is different. The Boy is the beating heart of this book, the conscience that reflects the harsh world portrayed in the narrative.
Yes, this is a dark and violent book and it might not be for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I don't know why we always say ‘for a debut this was surprisingly good’ as I think that diminishes our positive reactions to it. I will definitely pick up whatever comes next from the pen of Mark Gyves.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in Cork in the late 1990’s in the period leading to the Good Friday Agreement. The Boy, whose name is never shared with the reader, has just found out that his mother has died and rather than support him his father runs off to the pub leaving him alone. Then his brother Fallon is shot and killed in front of him. Be warned this is a dark and desperate story and the language is colourful!
Briefly, as the book progresses it takes the reader deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld in Cork. I guess rather unsurprisingly, the Boy takes up the family mantle, initially dealing drugs, but that’s just the start. A second thread was much more disturbing. A wealthy man with a terrible lust for boys has built a home (for which read prison) for boys who will not be missed, but he too is involved in the illegal drugs trade.
This is a brutal read, and I’m not easy shocked. The Boy is a tragic tale, he should’ve been leading a normal life not sinking into the depths of crime. The two threads come together seamlessly and irrevocably, although personally I wanted a little bit more at the end to wrap it up in a bow, but that probably just me. At times I wanted to put this book down as it was heart rending but I couldn’t, it was a compelling read and I needed closure. This book will stay with me for a while. Impressive debut.
Briefly, as the book progresses it takes the reader deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld in Cork. I guess rather unsurprisingly, the Boy takes up the family mantle, initially dealing drugs, but that’s just the start. A second thread was much more disturbing. A wealthy man with a terrible lust for boys has built a home (for which read prison) for boys who will not be missed, but he too is involved in the illegal drugs trade.
This is a brutal read, and I’m not easy shocked. The Boy is a tragic tale, he should’ve been leading a normal life not sinking into the depths of crime. The two threads come together seamlessly and irrevocably, although personally I wanted a little bit more at the end to wrap it up in a bow, but that probably just me. At times I wanted to put this book down as it was heart rending but I couldn’t, it was a compelling read and I needed closure. This book will stay with me for a while. Impressive debut.
September 24, 2026
2.25⭐️
Feel a bit unfair on this one, but simply not my cup of tea. For fans of messy crime, this one has pretty much every crime you can think of!
Feel a bit unfair on this one, but simply not my cup of tea. For fans of messy crime, this one has pretty much every crime you can think of!
October 6, 2026
I really enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down. Very entertaining 👏
October 6, 2026
This book was so different to anything else I’ve read. The author did a great job portraying the different characters and I was hooked from the start. Could see this one on tv. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Boy by Mark Gyves is a dark, raw and incredibly atmospheric crime novel that feels remarkably assured for a debut.
From the opening pages, there’s a sense of inevitability hanging over the Boy’s life. When the Guards arrive at his door, he already knows his mother is dead, and what follows is a story shaped by grief, violence, family loyalty and the criminal world steadily closing in around him.
I really liked the relationship between the Boy and his older brother Fallon. Fallon is both protector and outlaw, offering the Boy a sense of security while simultaneously pulling him deeper into a life where crime and violence have become almost normal. Watching the Boy absorb everything happening around him gives the story an unsettling edge — you can see how one generation’s choices and trauma become the inheritance of the next.
Running alongside this is an even darker storyline involving a wealthy landowner and the horrifying secrets hidden beneath his respectable exterior. The contrast between outward respectability and what is happening behind closed doors is deeply disturbing, and there are definitely moments that make for uncomfortable reading.
Gyves captures a world where grief, poverty, violence, paramilitary history and organised crime are tangled together, but there’s also an unexpected tenderness running through the novel. The Boy never feels like simply a vehicle for the darker elements of the story; there’s a real vulnerability to him that made me care about where his life was heading.
The writing is sharp and atmospheric, with dialogue that feels natural and characters who are messy, complicated and believable. At times the story is brutal, but it never felt as though the violence was there purely for shock value.
For a debut novel, this is seriously impressive. Mark Gyves writes with a confidence and distinctive voice that makes The Boy feel like the work of a much more established author.
Dark, gritty and heartbreaking, this is Irish crime fiction with real emotional weight. I’ll definitely be interested to see what Mark Gyves writes next.
From the opening pages, there’s a sense of inevitability hanging over the Boy’s life. When the Guards arrive at his door, he already knows his mother is dead, and what follows is a story shaped by grief, violence, family loyalty and the criminal world steadily closing in around him.
I really liked the relationship between the Boy and his older brother Fallon. Fallon is both protector and outlaw, offering the Boy a sense of security while simultaneously pulling him deeper into a life where crime and violence have become almost normal. Watching the Boy absorb everything happening around him gives the story an unsettling edge — you can see how one generation’s choices and trauma become the inheritance of the next.
Running alongside this is an even darker storyline involving a wealthy landowner and the horrifying secrets hidden beneath his respectable exterior. The contrast between outward respectability and what is happening behind closed doors is deeply disturbing, and there are definitely moments that make for uncomfortable reading.
Gyves captures a world where grief, poverty, violence, paramilitary history and organised crime are tangled together, but there’s also an unexpected tenderness running through the novel. The Boy never feels like simply a vehicle for the darker elements of the story; there’s a real vulnerability to him that made me care about where his life was heading.
The writing is sharp and atmospheric, with dialogue that feels natural and characters who are messy, complicated and believable. At times the story is brutal, but it never felt as though the violence was there purely for shock value.
For a debut novel, this is seriously impressive. Mark Gyves writes with a confidence and distinctive voice that makes The Boy feel like the work of a much more established author.
Dark, gritty and heartbreaking, this is Irish crime fiction with real emotional weight. I’ll definitely be interested to see what Mark Gyves writes next.
October 4, 2026
The Boy by Mark Gyves is one of the most riveting, compelling and utterly addictive books I’ve read.
Dark, gritty and deeply unsettling, this is a story that gets under your skin and refuses to let go. What makes it so powerful is the sheer range of human emotion woven throughout it, from the raw, unconditional love within a family to the darkest depths of human depravity.
The character of Clifford, is truly repulsive. Yet, paradoxically, his presence makes the story even more compelling. You read on with a growing sense of horror and outrage, desperate for justice and retribution.
There were moments when I found myself completely absorbed, needing to know what would happen next. Gyves creates an atmosphere of tension and unease that makes this incredibly difficult to put down. But beneath the darkness is also a powerful exploration of love, loyalty, courage and the lengths people will go to protect those they care about.
This is not an easy read, nor is it supposed to be. It is harrowing, disturbing and at times deeply uncomfortable, but that is precisely what makes it so effective. The characters and their experiences stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
For me, The Boy was an exceptional read: dark, emotional, gripping and haunting. Five stars without hesitation. A book that captivated me from beginning to end and one I won’t forget in a hurry.
Dark, gritty and deeply unsettling, this is a story that gets under your skin and refuses to let go. What makes it so powerful is the sheer range of human emotion woven throughout it, from the raw, unconditional love within a family to the darkest depths of human depravity.
The character of Clifford, is truly repulsive. Yet, paradoxically, his presence makes the story even more compelling. You read on with a growing sense of horror and outrage, desperate for justice and retribution.
There were moments when I found myself completely absorbed, needing to know what would happen next. Gyves creates an atmosphere of tension and unease that makes this incredibly difficult to put down. But beneath the darkness is also a powerful exploration of love, loyalty, courage and the lengths people will go to protect those they care about.
This is not an easy read, nor is it supposed to be. It is harrowing, disturbing and at times deeply uncomfortable, but that is precisely what makes it so effective. The characters and their experiences stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
For me, The Boy was an exceptional read: dark, emotional, gripping and haunting. Five stars without hesitation. A book that captivated me from beginning to end and one I won’t forget in a hurry.
October 11, 2026
As they say in radio "first time, long time...", I am not one who posts online or has any inclination to express my views on social media, but after reading The Boy from Mark Gyves and seeing it was a debut novel I felt I should.
I picked it up after seeing the recommendation on the cover by John Connolly ( one of my favourite authors) and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the 90s setting and the Irish Cork humour. It does deal with extremely dark themes but all the charactors I found to be well rounded and believable.
I look forward to seeing what Mark comes up with next!
I picked it up after seeing the recommendation on the cover by John Connolly ( one of my favourite authors) and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the 90s setting and the Irish Cork humour. It does deal with extremely dark themes but all the charactors I found to be well rounded and believable.
I look forward to seeing what Mark comes up with next!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was so beautifully written. It read like poetry despite the dark themes.
Funny. Heartbreaking. Heartwarming. Family. Love. Loss. Grief.
This book was utterly outstanding.
I don’t even know what to say. I am speechless.
This book had it all; heart, warmth, family, drugs, abuse, murder, revenge, and friendship.
I’m not going to say anything about the story, you just NEED to read it. One of my favourite reads of the year with a stunning cast of characters, most of whom are flawed.
A truly breathtaking debut novel! Whatever Mark Gyves writes, I will read. Period.
Funny. Heartbreaking. Heartwarming. Family. Love. Loss. Grief.
This book was utterly outstanding.
I don’t even know what to say. I am speechless.
This book had it all; heart, warmth, family, drugs, abuse, murder, revenge, and friendship.
I’m not going to say anything about the story, you just NEED to read it. One of my favourite reads of the year with a stunning cast of characters, most of whom are flawed.
A truly breathtaking debut novel! Whatever Mark Gyves writes, I will read. Period.
August 26, 2026
I love Irish Fiction. I love discovering new and old Irish writers and I find that most of their stories have something that stays with me. The Boy is the debut novel from a new voice in Irish Fiction, Mark Gyves. But the book is so intense and filled with layers and layers of emotion that it is hard to believe this is a debut.
The story is raw, brutal and in many parts, deeply disturbing. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you stick with it, it rewards you with strong character development. It’s a story about the ugly and brutal face of crime, lost love, grief, friendship and the unforgiving consequences of mistakes.
In the beginning, I struggled to get used to the writing and until around halfway through, I sometimes found it difficult to remember who was who among the many characters from the criminal underworld. From beginning to end, we follow the Boy’s journey through everything life has in store for him. But I have to admit that the choice never to reveal his name and to refer to him only as “the Boy” might be one reason I never fully connected with him. I felt closer to other characters in the book, while the Boy always seemed a little detached.
The storyline involving Clifford was too disturbing for me. I reached a point where I didn’t really want to learn more and the book’s open ending left me wanting answers. But I will give it the ending I think it deserves and hope that the flip of the coin landed the way it should have.
All in all, it was a very rich and interesting story. It has definitely put Mark Gyves on the map for me and I’m looking forward to reading his next novels.
Huge thanks to Bedford Square Publishers and No Exit Press for the gifted ARC.
The story is raw, brutal and in many parts, deeply disturbing. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you stick with it, it rewards you with strong character development. It’s a story about the ugly and brutal face of crime, lost love, grief, friendship and the unforgiving consequences of mistakes.
In the beginning, I struggled to get used to the writing and until around halfway through, I sometimes found it difficult to remember who was who among the many characters from the criminal underworld. From beginning to end, we follow the Boy’s journey through everything life has in store for him. But I have to admit that the choice never to reveal his name and to refer to him only as “the Boy” might be one reason I never fully connected with him. I felt closer to other characters in the book, while the Boy always seemed a little detached.
The storyline involving Clifford was too disturbing for me. I reached a point where I didn’t really want to learn more and the book’s open ending left me wanting answers. But I will give it the ending I think it deserves and hope that the flip of the coin landed the way it should have.
All in all, it was a very rich and interesting story. It has definitely put Mark Gyves on the map for me and I’m looking forward to reading his next novels.
Huge thanks to Bedford Square Publishers and No Exit Press for the gifted ARC.
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