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Inspector Celcius Daly #4
Trespass
Celcius Daly is investigating the abduction of a boy by a group of travellers already under investigation for smuggling and organised crime. As he digs into the child's background, he discovers a family secret linked to an unsolved crime during the Troubles – the disappearance of a young woman and her baby. Daly's investigation shakes loose some harrowing truths about the past treatment of travellers and the present day lawlessness of Northern Ireland's border country.
Undergoing an internal investigation over his handling of the search for IRA spy Daniel Hegarty, Daly realises that he has much in common with the beleaguered and outcast travellers and soon finds himself entangled in a vigilante mission, discovering just how far a group of outsiders will go to find their own justice.
Undergoing an internal investigation over his handling of the search for IRA spy Daniel Hegarty, Daly realises that he has much in common with the beleaguered and outcast travellers and soon finds himself entangled in a vigilante mission, discovering just how far a group of outsiders will go to find their own justice.
327 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
7 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Quinn
10 books28 followersAnthony Quinn (b. 1971) is an Irish author and journalist. Born in Northern Ireland’s County Tyrone, Quinn majored in English at Queen’s University, Belfast. After college, he worked a number of jobs—social worker, organic gardener, yoga teacher—before finding work as a journalist.
His first novel DISAPPEARED was published by Otto Penzler's Mysterious Press in 2012, and was shortlisted for a Strand Literary Award, as judged by book critics from the LA Times, the Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle, CNN and the Guardian. It was also selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the top ten thrillers of 2012.
BORDER ANGELS, the sequel, also features Inspector Celcius Daly and was published by Mysterious Press in 2013.
He has written short stories for years, winning critical acclaim and, twice, a place on the short list for the Hennessy Literary Awards for New Irish Writing. He also placed as runner-up in a Sunday Times food writing competition. He is represented by Paul Feldstein of the Feldstein Agency.
His first novel DISAPPEARED was published by Otto Penzler's Mysterious Press in 2012, and was shortlisted for a Strand Literary Award, as judged by book critics from the LA Times, the Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle, CNN and the Guardian. It was also selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the top ten thrillers of 2012.
BORDER ANGELS, the sequel, also features Inspector Celcius Daly and was published by Mysterious Press in 2013.
He has written short stories for years, winning critical acclaim and, twice, a place on the short list for the Hennessy Literary Awards for New Irish Writing. He also placed as runner-up in a Sunday Times food writing competition. He is represented by Paul Feldstein of the Feldstein Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 22, 2016
A beautiful written crime novel with troubles that have to be tackled. Samuel Reid grew up convinced that gypsies were involved in criminal activities. Inspector Celcius Daly was investigating into the murder triangle of the 1970s and his mothers death had become the talk of the lough- shore parishes. Samuel Reid was reluctant to help a journalist researching into the story of a traveller woman, Mary O'Sullivan who went missing many years ago.
Mary O'Sullivan was a worker on Samuel Reid's family farm, but his parents immediately sacked her on the day they discovered she was pregnant. No one had spoken the truth about what happened to Mary O'Sullivan. Solicitor Rebecca Hewson's ten year old son goes missing from Armagh Courthouse an investigation begins into an abduction. This is one crime novel that is superbly original.
Mary O'Sullivan was a worker on Samuel Reid's family farm, but his parents immediately sacked her on the day they discovered she was pregnant. No one had spoken the truth about what happened to Mary O'Sullivan. Solicitor Rebecca Hewson's ten year old son goes missing from Armagh Courthouse an investigation begins into an abduction. This is one crime novel that is superbly original.
December 8, 2016
Trespass – Another Wonderful Thriller from Anthony J Quinn
Trespass, another in the Celcius Daly series is one of the most beautifully written books, that draws you in and keeps you hooked until the end. Once again Quinn takes the reader to the hauntingly beautiful but dangerous borderlands between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, once again tackling little acknowledged problems from times past that are relevant today.
Detective Inspector Celcius Daley has been on court duty for several months after his previous case in which he is being investigated on. When one of the solicitors of the court finds that her child has gone missing, Daley leads the search at the courthouse and when he gets back to the station is put in charge of the case, it is a missing child case and not politically sensitive.
When the father seems not to be too concerned, then goes missing and later found dead, there seems to be so few clues to what is really going on. When Daly finds that the travelling community are involved he knows things will not be easy to get to the truth. It is even harder when he finds the disappearance of the child could be linked to a case from the 1970s, a case that has long since gone cold.
It does not help as the investigation continues that Special Branch are taking an unhealthy interest in his case, and even following him. It does not help that Special Branch will tell him very little about what they know and that raises his suspicions, especially when a Northern Ireland politician crosses his path. Who should Daly trust, his colleagues, Special Branch or the travelling community, but he will need all the help he can get to solve this case.
Another brilliant crime thriller from Anthony J Quinn, whose prose is beautiful and comforting, showing that crime thriller writers can be compared to literary writers. The difference being at least Quinn knows how to keep the writer coming back to his books because his characters are well constructed, the story well planned and the borderlands a haunting backdrop to the story.
A crime thriller I am happily recommend without hesitation.
Trespass, another in the Celcius Daly series is one of the most beautifully written books, that draws you in and keeps you hooked until the end. Once again Quinn takes the reader to the hauntingly beautiful but dangerous borderlands between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, once again tackling little acknowledged problems from times past that are relevant today.
Detective Inspector Celcius Daley has been on court duty for several months after his previous case in which he is being investigated on. When one of the solicitors of the court finds that her child has gone missing, Daley leads the search at the courthouse and when he gets back to the station is put in charge of the case, it is a missing child case and not politically sensitive.
When the father seems not to be too concerned, then goes missing and later found dead, there seems to be so few clues to what is really going on. When Daly finds that the travelling community are involved he knows things will not be easy to get to the truth. It is even harder when he finds the disappearance of the child could be linked to a case from the 1970s, a case that has long since gone cold.
It does not help as the investigation continues that Special Branch are taking an unhealthy interest in his case, and even following him. It does not help that Special Branch will tell him very little about what they know and that raises his suspicions, especially when a Northern Ireland politician crosses his path. Who should Daly trust, his colleagues, Special Branch or the travelling community, but he will need all the help he can get to solve this case.
Another brilliant crime thriller from Anthony J Quinn, whose prose is beautiful and comforting, showing that crime thriller writers can be compared to literary writers. The difference being at least Quinn knows how to keep the writer coming back to his books because his characters are well constructed, the story well planned and the borderlands a haunting backdrop to the story.
A crime thriller I am happily recommend without hesitation.
February 5, 2019
Celcius Daly is a detective of the sort with whom mystery readers are familiar--lonely, troubled, at odds with his superiors. But his world is a place less familiar to most readers, at least those in the U.S.
Daly's patch includes the misty, tangled wilderness border between the two Irelands, an area haunted by the cruelty and misdeeds of the time known as the Troubles, and those sins have not been forgotten. Daly's own mother was a victim of those times.
Daly is an inspector with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and temporarily reassigned to court duties while his handling of an earlier case is being scrutinized by Internal Affairs. He gets a respite from this onerous duty when a female prosecutor's 10-year-old child is abducted right outside the courthouse and Daly is assigned the case.
Jack Hewson, son of Rachel, the prosecutor, and her husband, Harry, a journalist, has been seen getting into the van of a group of Travelers (as the roving Romany bands are known in the UK). They are the obvious suspects. Yet, there are puzzling aspects from the start. There are indications the boy got in the vehicle willingly. And Harry Hewson seems less concerned about the child's welfare than his distraught wife.
It soon develops Hewson has been keeping secrets from his wife. He has been let go from his job and may be linked to the PSNI Special Branch, which seems to have an extraordinary interest in Daly's case and is unwilling to share information which may be vital to the case.
The Travelers are also playing at games, shifting Jack from place to place, offering to cooperate, then muddying the trial.
Daly's probing uncovers links between the suspicious death of an elderly farmer and the disappearance of a young Traveler woman and her child in the 1970s. Daly puts himself in jeopardy as he delves into secrets powerful forces would like to keep hidden. He doesn't know who he can trust.
It all comes to a thrilling conclusion late at night deep in a forest on that rugged border as Daly risks his own safety to rescue the missing boy.
Quinn writes a gripping narrative with sympathetic characters and in lyrical prose. I hope to read more of his Irish Noir.
Daly's patch includes the misty, tangled wilderness border between the two Irelands, an area haunted by the cruelty and misdeeds of the time known as the Troubles, and those sins have not been forgotten. Daly's own mother was a victim of those times.
Daly is an inspector with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and temporarily reassigned to court duties while his handling of an earlier case is being scrutinized by Internal Affairs. He gets a respite from this onerous duty when a female prosecutor's 10-year-old child is abducted right outside the courthouse and Daly is assigned the case.
Jack Hewson, son of Rachel, the prosecutor, and her husband, Harry, a journalist, has been seen getting into the van of a group of Travelers (as the roving Romany bands are known in the UK). They are the obvious suspects. Yet, there are puzzling aspects from the start. There are indications the boy got in the vehicle willingly. And Harry Hewson seems less concerned about the child's welfare than his distraught wife.
It soon develops Hewson has been keeping secrets from his wife. He has been let go from his job and may be linked to the PSNI Special Branch, which seems to have an extraordinary interest in Daly's case and is unwilling to share information which may be vital to the case.
The Travelers are also playing at games, shifting Jack from place to place, offering to cooperate, then muddying the trial.
Daly's probing uncovers links between the suspicious death of an elderly farmer and the disappearance of a young Traveler woman and her child in the 1970s. Daly puts himself in jeopardy as he delves into secrets powerful forces would like to keep hidden. He doesn't know who he can trust.
It all comes to a thrilling conclusion late at night deep in a forest on that rugged border as Daly risks his own safety to rescue the missing boy.
Quinn writes a gripping narrative with sympathetic characters and in lyrical prose. I hope to read more of his Irish Noir.
February 26, 2017
This is a beautiful, disturbing and rewarding read. Anthony J Quinn is a superb writer and this is him at the top of his game.
March 21, 2017
Pensive, Threatening And Extremely Good
Having read the previous Celcius Daly books I was aware of what to expect from the introverted Inspector whose overwhelming sense of foreboding never seems to leave him. In this latest outing not only is he feeling the pressure from his colleagues but also from a violent travelling community who appear to have abducted a young boy.
Rescued from the limbo of court duties Daly is given the task of finding the boy and once again comes up against Special Branch. The hunt for the boy takes him into the shadowy world of the travelling families as well as the still festering problems of the paramilitaries.
Mr Quinn's descriptions of the border country is at times almost poetical and it takes little imagination to place yourself in the lanes and byways of a little known world.
The only negative I found was when the young boy thoughts were put on the page. I thought that they came across as far too mature for a boy of his age. A small criticism in what was a very good read.
Having read the previous Celcius Daly books I was aware of what to expect from the introverted Inspector whose overwhelming sense of foreboding never seems to leave him. In this latest outing not only is he feeling the pressure from his colleagues but also from a violent travelling community who appear to have abducted a young boy.
Rescued from the limbo of court duties Daly is given the task of finding the boy and once again comes up against Special Branch. The hunt for the boy takes him into the shadowy world of the travelling families as well as the still festering problems of the paramilitaries.
Mr Quinn's descriptions of the border country is at times almost poetical and it takes little imagination to place yourself in the lanes and byways of a little known world.
The only negative I found was when the young boy thoughts were put on the page. I thought that they came across as far too mature for a boy of his age. A small criticism in what was a very good read.
December 7, 2016
Anthony J Quinn brings an almost supernatural edge to his Celcius Daly books. As with much of Emerald Noir, the roots of corruption and crime in his stories can be found in the dark days of the Troubles. But Quinn sets his stories in the isolated communities of rural Northern Ireland. In this story a young boy appears to have been abducted from his mother's car but witness accounts imply that he went willingly with his so-called abductors, a group of Traveller youths. Daly's search for the boy takes him into the Traveller community itself and throws light onto their own lives and particular dangers during the Troubles.
I enjoy Quinn's writing which majors on an atmospheric landscape of isolated farmhouses, ruined cottages, blackthorn hedges and forgotten lanes which of themselves bring a sense of menace - not least in the opening sequences of "Trespass".
I enjoy Quinn's writing which majors on an atmospheric landscape of isolated farmhouses, ruined cottages, blackthorn hedges and forgotten lanes which of themselves bring a sense of menace - not least in the opening sequences of "Trespass".
May 9, 2020
i would have reviewed this, given it was i who submitted it on GR, but the combination of how difficult it is to add details on GR, ties to a massive online retailer and that i haven't reviewed most of what i read makes it not worth the additional time. this is book #4 in the Inspector Daly series, and would appeal to anyone who like Rankin. about 3.5 and can't really give it 4 based on my recent ratings
November 24, 2018
The first time I came across Anthony J Quinn he was written as Anthony Quinn and I confused him with there British author of a very different style of literature, and was initially confused before realising that this was a different chap altogether - anyway he now has the J on the covers of the books, possibly for that reason.
This is the fourth book in the Celcius Daly books, and apart from the silly detective name which seems to be almost a rite of passage for many books in modern crime literature, the books are fairly average, and this one is no exception to that rule.
An average read, and I could probably pick it up in a couple of years time with little memory of who did what to whom.
This is the fourth book in the Celcius Daly books, and apart from the silly detective name which seems to be almost a rite of passage for many books in modern crime literature, the books are fairly average, and this one is no exception to that rule.
An average read, and I could probably pick it up in a couple of years time with little memory of who did what to whom.
May 31, 2021
Quinn's first novel that I read and came away very impressed. Unusual setting in Northern Ireland and Quinn has an unique voice in telling the story. He has an excellent writing skills and keep the readers fully engaged with his complex and interesting plot. The story deals with the travellers community (Roma people) and obviously Quinn has done his research well.
May 21, 2022
Uncomfortable, disturbing but what I believe could be a real life story. Ireland after the Troubles and the heavy psychological baggage the land and the people still carry. A great story of life death loss greed and retribution. Got me going to the last pages. I will look out for more of Mr Quinn stories.
August 17, 2022
Atmospheric Emerald Noir has Irish police detective Celcius Daly investigating the kidnapping of a child by a group of Travellers (Irish gypsies). He finds this case is tied to the recent murder of a local farmer and the disappearance decades earlier of a young Traveller woman accused of being a spy for the IRA.
April 24, 2018
just could NOT get invested in this book. Too convoluted with no character that one could care about.
August 4, 2020
Not great
February 4, 2025
A crime novel taking place in Nothern Ireland. With the characters of the police, the Travelers, the history of the Troubles, I found it intriguing and definitely recommend this novel.
February 27, 2017
A traveller woman and her child disappeared in the 70s and a journalist turns up asking questions. Daly happens to get involved as he is around when a young boy disappears. Are the stories connected and if so how. Quinn weaves in a prominent politician, a lonely farmer and a group of travellers. And of course Daly and his daily struggles within the PSNI. I am pleased the cottage is getting a new roof but how Celcius survives in his rural domain I don't know. Patchy story trying to include too many elements but I am a fan and will continue to read Quinn's books.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews