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A PC Donal Lynch Thriller #3
Games with the Dead
Irish runaway. Insomniac. Functioning alcoholic.
Life is about to get complicated for DC Donal Lynch.
When a young woman is kidnapped, Donal is brought in to deliver the ransom money. But the tightly-planned drop off goes wrong, Julie Draper is discovered dead, and Donal finds his job on the line – a scapegoat for the officers in charge.
But when Donal is delivered a cryptic message in the night, he learns that Julie was killed long before the botched rescue mission. As he digs further into the murder in a bid to clear his own name, dark revelations make one thing certain: the police are chasing the wrong man, and the killer has far more blood on his hands than they could even imagine.
Life is about to get complicated for DC Donal Lynch.
When a young woman is kidnapped, Donal is brought in to deliver the ransom money. But the tightly-planned drop off goes wrong, Julie Draper is discovered dead, and Donal finds his job on the line – a scapegoat for the officers in charge.
But when Donal is delivered a cryptic message in the night, he learns that Julie was killed long before the botched rescue mission. As he digs further into the murder in a bid to clear his own name, dark revelations make one thing certain: the police are chasing the wrong man, and the killer has far more blood on his hands than they could even imagine.
384 pages, Paperback
Published March 27, 2018
9 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
James Nally
10 books28 followersJames Nally was a journalist for 15 years, before leaving to become a producer and director of TV and film.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 26, 2017
This is the 3rd book in the PC Donal Lynch series by author James Nally. I had not read the previous two books in this series and did not find that to hinder my enjoyment of this novel.
The story starts when a young woman is kidnapped and Donal is selected to deliver the ransom money. All goes tragically wrong and the young woman, Julie Draper is discovered dead leaving Donal's career in jeopardy. All this changes when Donal receives a cryptic message in the middle of the night and he learns that Julie was killed long before the ransom money was delivered. Donal seeks the answers that will not only solve this case but will in turn clear his name.It is obvious to him that the police are chasing the wrong man and the actual killer has more undiscovered guilty secrets.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Avon books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The story starts when a young woman is kidnapped and Donal is selected to deliver the ransom money. All goes tragically wrong and the young woman, Julie Draper is discovered dead leaving Donal's career in jeopardy. All this changes when Donal receives a cryptic message in the middle of the night and he learns that Julie was killed long before the ransom money was delivered. Donal seeks the answers that will not only solve this case but will in turn clear his name.It is obvious to him that the police are chasing the wrong man and the actual killer has more undiscovered guilty secrets.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Avon books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2018
I love this series. The setting makes it far more intriguing than a lot of crime thrillers due to the slightly lesser technology available, the relationship between brothers Donal and Fintan is extraordinarily entertaining and the added “supernatural that might not necessarily be supernatural” element is really well done and gives an added edge to proceedings. Often very funny, Games with the Dead is a brilliant addition to this series and I hope we see more of Donal very soon.
VERY soon.
Poor Donal he doesn’t half get put through the wringer here – on the hook for losing a kidnap victim, trouble and strife in his relationship, plus ghostly visits in the middle of the night and it is really unsurprising that he drinks. James Nally manages all the layers of this story with aplomb, it is incredibly addictive, occasionally laugh out loud hilarious, but also dark as you like – with a twisty storyline full of the unexpected.
Considering I accidentally read the first one (don’t ask!) I think fate was at play because this is easily one of my favourite crime series out there today, one of those I wish they’d make for television. There were various strands in this novel (especially relating to Donal’s more,erm, unusual skills) that I can’t wait to read more about.
Quirky, Offbeat and beautifully done Games with the Dead (and the rest) come highly recommended from me.
VERY soon.
Poor Donal he doesn’t half get put through the wringer here – on the hook for losing a kidnap victim, trouble and strife in his relationship, plus ghostly visits in the middle of the night and it is really unsurprising that he drinks. James Nally manages all the layers of this story with aplomb, it is incredibly addictive, occasionally laugh out loud hilarious, but also dark as you like – with a twisty storyline full of the unexpected.
Considering I accidentally read the first one (don’t ask!) I think fate was at play because this is easily one of my favourite crime series out there today, one of those I wish they’d make for television. There were various strands in this novel (especially relating to Donal’s more,erm, unusual skills) that I can’t wait to read more about.
Quirky, Offbeat and beautifully done Games with the Dead (and the rest) come highly recommended from me.
November 26, 2018
5 Words: Crime, murder, family, betrayal, mystery.
From the first lines, I was hooked.
I loved the pace, and the writing was quite snappy. I liked the wry observations of Donal's surroundings, the added humour that stopped the story being too dark. The plot was more complicated than I had anticipated, and I really had to think about this one.
I liked the touch of the unnatural, Donal's visions, and how they weren't straight forward so he had to work them out. And I love that he was affected by them, that his weird and graphic visions were an ingrained part of his character.
Although this is the third book in the series, I found it very easy to read as a standalone. The lack of my having read the previous books didn't detract from my reading experience, but I will definitely read more. And as the cover says, perfect for fans of James Oswald.
From the first lines, I was hooked.
I loved the pace, and the writing was quite snappy. I liked the wry observations of Donal's surroundings, the added humour that stopped the story being too dark. The plot was more complicated than I had anticipated, and I really had to think about this one.
I liked the touch of the unnatural, Donal's visions, and how they weren't straight forward so he had to work them out. And I love that he was affected by them, that his weird and graphic visions were an ingrained part of his character.
Although this is the third book in the series, I found it very easy to read as a standalone. The lack of my having read the previous books didn't detract from my reading experience, but I will definitely read more. And as the cover says, perfect for fans of James Oswald.
January 8, 2018
GAMES WITH THE DEAD by James Nally is a compelling, engrossing, and completely entertaining crime fiction novel that will keep you gripped from beginning to end.
Set back in the early 90's we are thrown into the life of DC Donal Lynch, an Irishman who is struggling both professionally and personally. Stuck in cold cases, Donal jumps at the opportunity to take part in the kidnapping case of Julie Draper, but when things don't go to plan, he becomes the easy scapegoat for his bosses. Privately, things are going downhill fast with his girlfriend Zoe, and he will do anything he can to save his family as he loves her little boy like he was his own. But like everything in life things can always get worse and Donal knows that Julie Draper is dead before anyone else because she comes to him in his dreams, just like the others ...
I immediately connected with Donal as a character partly because he is Irish and I completely got all of the references that were aimed that way but mainly because here is a guy who works hard, loves his family, and wants to succeed, but because of his fear of death and the strange visions that plague him, doesn't know how to deal with everything crashing down around him. He is flawed, he makes mistakes, but he is so human and relatable that you cannot help but want him to succeed against all the odds. The drama in this story is gritty and layered, which I loved, and it was really entertaining to watch Donal and his allies try to piece together the very large and intricate puzzle.
GAMES WITH THE DEAD by James Nally is the third instalment in this series but can easily be read as a standalone which is what I have done - although I have to say that I cannot wait to go back and read the other books as this series really is very good. A thoroughly engrossing detective story with a character that you will want more from.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
Set back in the early 90's we are thrown into the life of DC Donal Lynch, an Irishman who is struggling both professionally and personally. Stuck in cold cases, Donal jumps at the opportunity to take part in the kidnapping case of Julie Draper, but when things don't go to plan, he becomes the easy scapegoat for his bosses. Privately, things are going downhill fast with his girlfriend Zoe, and he will do anything he can to save his family as he loves her little boy like he was his own. But like everything in life things can always get worse and Donal knows that Julie Draper is dead before anyone else because she comes to him in his dreams, just like the others ...
I immediately connected with Donal as a character partly because he is Irish and I completely got all of the references that were aimed that way but mainly because here is a guy who works hard, loves his family, and wants to succeed, but because of his fear of death and the strange visions that plague him, doesn't know how to deal with everything crashing down around him. He is flawed, he makes mistakes, but he is so human and relatable that you cannot help but want him to succeed against all the odds. The drama in this story is gritty and layered, which I loved, and it was really entertaining to watch Donal and his allies try to piece together the very large and intricate puzzle.
GAMES WITH THE DEAD by James Nally is the third instalment in this series but can easily be read as a standalone which is what I have done - although I have to say that I cannot wait to go back and read the other books as this series really is very good. A thoroughly engrossing detective story with a character that you will want more from.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
December 14, 2017
Having read the first book in the series a couple of years ago I was keen to carry on with the story of PC Donal Lynch. However I did not find this one nearly as compelling. Maybe it needed some more editing to enable the story to move at a quicker pace.
The premise is interesting- a policeman who has visions of murder victims which supposedly help him to solve cases. It is set in the 1990s so not as much technology is available to the police- more detecting is required. There is little use of computers and more looking through old case notes. Micro cassettes are used as bugging devices!
However although it is a thriller it is very slow moving. Not a lot happens in other words. There is a lot of information about Donal’s personal life and his failing relationship with his girlfriend and stepson which carries over to the cases he is looking into- the disappearance of a female estate agent and the murder of a debt collector which his visions tell him are connected.
There are several references to real cases of the time although names are changed. An example is the disappearance of Suzy Lampugh where her name is slightly altered. I’m not sure if this is to make the book more realistic in its early 1990s setting.
I quite liked the character of Policeman Donal and his relationship with his wilder brother journalist Fintan but even this did not compel me to finish the book and I gave up about half way through.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
The premise is interesting- a policeman who has visions of murder victims which supposedly help him to solve cases. It is set in the 1990s so not as much technology is available to the police- more detecting is required. There is little use of computers and more looking through old case notes. Micro cassettes are used as bugging devices!
However although it is a thriller it is very slow moving. Not a lot happens in other words. There is a lot of information about Donal’s personal life and his failing relationship with his girlfriend and stepson which carries over to the cases he is looking into- the disappearance of a female estate agent and the murder of a debt collector which his visions tell him are connected.
There are several references to real cases of the time although names are changed. An example is the disappearance of Suzy Lampugh where her name is slightly altered. I’m not sure if this is to make the book more realistic in its early 1990s setting.
I quite liked the character of Policeman Donal and his relationship with his wilder brother journalist Fintan but even this did not compel me to finish the book and I gave up about half way through.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
Oh my goodness me, where has this author been hiding!! I am SO annoyed that it has taken me long to get stuck into James Nally's 'PC Donal Lynch' thriller! That said, I realised whilst reading this book that there have been two other books in the series - HELLO BINGE READING!! I wasn't even 60 pages through 'Games with the Dead' when I found myself online, buying the first book in the series! Seriously! I didn't even put the book down to do that either - are you impressed?!
Just to clear up any concerns, whilst 'Games with the Dead' is the third book in the 'PC Donal Lynch' thrillers, I found it totally fine to be read as a standalone so do not panic if you haven't read the other two books beforehand. However, if you're anything like me, this book will hook you like fish before you've even had chance to make an imprint of your backside on the sofa.
At first I dislike PC Donal Lynch quite a bit. His arrogance rubbed me up the wrong way something chronic, and there were moments when I wanted to reach into the book, give him a good shake and go 'GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR....'. But obviously, I didn't. Clearly. I really did think his character would put me off reading anymore of the book but, weirdly enough, it actually did the opposite. Donal Lynch's attitude seem to pull me further into the storyline because of my sheer curiosity. I wanted to know why Lynch was walking around with a stick up his....ahem, why he seemed to have an issue with the world, and why a brewery was his best friend. Despite Lynch's shocking personal life, he seems to be exceptionally good at his job!
You are in for an absolute treat with this book. The storyline is incredibly complex and full of life (and death), it's hard not to put yourself amongst the hustle and bustle, trying to work out the ifs, buts and whys of every scenario the storyline highlights.
'Games with the Dead' had me on the edge of my seat the entire way through - I absolutely flipping loved this book and I really cannot recommend this book enough. If you like fast paced, intense, complex and utterly chilling novels - James Nally might just be your ticket to an addictive new read. What a book!
Oh my goodness me, where has this author been hiding!! I am SO annoyed that it has taken me long to get stuck into James Nally's 'PC Donal Lynch' thriller! That said, I realised whilst reading this book that there have been two other books in the series - HELLO BINGE READING!! I wasn't even 60 pages through 'Games with the Dead' when I found myself online, buying the first book in the series! Seriously! I didn't even put the book down to do that either - are you impressed?!
Just to clear up any concerns, whilst 'Games with the Dead' is the third book in the 'PC Donal Lynch' thrillers, I found it totally fine to be read as a standalone so do not panic if you haven't read the other two books beforehand. However, if you're anything like me, this book will hook you like fish before you've even had chance to make an imprint of your backside on the sofa.
At first I dislike PC Donal Lynch quite a bit. His arrogance rubbed me up the wrong way something chronic, and there were moments when I wanted to reach into the book, give him a good shake and go 'GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR....'. But obviously, I didn't. Clearly. I really did think his character would put me off reading anymore of the book but, weirdly enough, it actually did the opposite. Donal Lynch's attitude seem to pull me further into the storyline because of my sheer curiosity. I wanted to know why Lynch was walking around with a stick up his....ahem, why he seemed to have an issue with the world, and why a brewery was his best friend. Despite Lynch's shocking personal life, he seems to be exceptionally good at his job!
You are in for an absolute treat with this book. The storyline is incredibly complex and full of life (and death), it's hard not to put yourself amongst the hustle and bustle, trying to work out the ifs, buts and whys of every scenario the storyline highlights.
'Games with the Dead' had me on the edge of my seat the entire way through - I absolutely flipping loved this book and I really cannot recommend this book enough. If you like fast paced, intense, complex and utterly chilling novels - James Nally might just be your ticket to an addictive new read. What a book!
December 30, 2017
I really like these books. This one gave more details on Donal's possible condition. I of course had to google it & read up on it. So I am a bit of a geek. I read it in one sitting. I sincerely hope this series continues. I'd like to see brother Fintan get tangled up with a woman. Keep them coming James Nally.
January 10, 2018
Full review to follow shortly as part of the blog tour.
January 16, 2018
Poor, poor, poor old Donal. As if life isn't complicated enough at home, a father with links to the IRA, a brother who is a journalist with questionable ethics and a partner who is less than enthusiastic about their relationship, in Games With The Dead he find himself being made patsy in what could well be an almost impossible rescue mission. Faced with the task of completing the ransom drop for missing estate agent Julie Draper, things go horribly wrong resulting in both the suspect and the money disappearing. When he later gets a visit from Julie in his dreams, he knows the case can only go one way...
What I love about this series is the way in which it blends a touch of the unnatural, almost supernatural in fact, with a good old police procedural. While Donal may use rather unorthodox means in which to uncover the bodies of various victims, it is his tenacity and old fashioned detection which usually leads our hapless and put upon Detective to catch his man. And there is a lot a stake for Donal this time. His life for one thing. There are those who would rather see him dead than see him find the truth. This adds a wonderful layer of tension to a rather twisted mystery.
I do like the character of Donal. He is such a sweetie in an occasionally drunk, worried about his health but too stubborn to get it checked kind of way. He loves his stepson Matt, even if his relationship with Zoe may be going down the toilet, and would do anything to protect his family unit. He is most certainly tested in that respect this time around. Part of you wants him to find happiness, another part knows that he can do better. If he stops drinking long enough.
His relationship with his brother is very complicated and yet comical too. They are exact opposites and yet they compliment each other perfectly. Where Donal is cautious and sincere, Fintan is outrageous and occasionally underhand. Between them though they do make a formidable pair and I don't think I could imagine one without the other. Donal has another ally in this book, in the shape of pathologist Edwina Milne. It's an odd friendship but one which works, and for Donal, who has very few people on his side, an important one too.
This isn't the fastest paced story and being set in the early nineties, lacks all of the forensic wizardry you find in a modern era detective novel. For me the story is all the richer for it and the setting fits the idea of Donal dealing with something a little more atypical than straight forward intuition. It pulls in all of the key political events of the day, especially seeing as how Donal's family has links to the IRA, the book being set in the most fragile times in the negotiation of peace. And there are other nods to true events to with the abduction and another mentioned in the book having shades of the Susy Lamplugh case. There are also comic remarks about phone tapping, common practice in the day, and the way in which information gleaned this way could and would be used by the media.
There is a clear thread of humour throughout the story, as many moments that will make you smile as set you on edge. It's a very complicated case, much more than a kidnapping gone wrong. And there are moments of real tension, scenes in which Donal's life is under threat, but from whom or what remains to be seen. Much of the humour comes from Donal's hapless nature or Fintan's irreverent attitude to pretty much everything. The fate suffered by the poor car belonging to one of Fintan's colleagues certainly made me smile. And the ending... Well that epilogue is the cause of a good old chuckle for sure. Very fitting.
Whether Donal comes good, you'll have to read for yourself. But I do recommend that you give it a whirl, especially if you like your detective fiction mixed with a little otherworldliness. I love these books.
What I love about this series is the way in which it blends a touch of the unnatural, almost supernatural in fact, with a good old police procedural. While Donal may use rather unorthodox means in which to uncover the bodies of various victims, it is his tenacity and old fashioned detection which usually leads our hapless and put upon Detective to catch his man. And there is a lot a stake for Donal this time. His life for one thing. There are those who would rather see him dead than see him find the truth. This adds a wonderful layer of tension to a rather twisted mystery.
I do like the character of Donal. He is such a sweetie in an occasionally drunk, worried about his health but too stubborn to get it checked kind of way. He loves his stepson Matt, even if his relationship with Zoe may be going down the toilet, and would do anything to protect his family unit. He is most certainly tested in that respect this time around. Part of you wants him to find happiness, another part knows that he can do better. If he stops drinking long enough.
His relationship with his brother is very complicated and yet comical too. They are exact opposites and yet they compliment each other perfectly. Where Donal is cautious and sincere, Fintan is outrageous and occasionally underhand. Between them though they do make a formidable pair and I don't think I could imagine one without the other. Donal has another ally in this book, in the shape of pathologist Edwina Milne. It's an odd friendship but one which works, and for Donal, who has very few people on his side, an important one too.
This isn't the fastest paced story and being set in the early nineties, lacks all of the forensic wizardry you find in a modern era detective novel. For me the story is all the richer for it and the setting fits the idea of Donal dealing with something a little more atypical than straight forward intuition. It pulls in all of the key political events of the day, especially seeing as how Donal's family has links to the IRA, the book being set in the most fragile times in the negotiation of peace. And there are other nods to true events to with the abduction and another mentioned in the book having shades of the Susy Lamplugh case. There are also comic remarks about phone tapping, common practice in the day, and the way in which information gleaned this way could and would be used by the media.
There is a clear thread of humour throughout the story, as many moments that will make you smile as set you on edge. It's a very complicated case, much more than a kidnapping gone wrong. And there are moments of real tension, scenes in which Donal's life is under threat, but from whom or what remains to be seen. Much of the humour comes from Donal's hapless nature or Fintan's irreverent attitude to pretty much everything. The fate suffered by the poor car belonging to one of Fintan's colleagues certainly made me smile. And the ending... Well that epilogue is the cause of a good old chuckle for sure. Very fitting.
Whether Donal comes good, you'll have to read for yourself. But I do recommend that you give it a whirl, especially if you like your detective fiction mixed with a little otherworldliness. I love these books.
May 16, 2018
Games With The Dead by James Nally
Title -Games With The Dead
Author - James Nally
Published - Dec '17
Publisher - Avon
Genre - #Detective #Thriller #Crime
Pages - 384
Price on Amazon - Paperback - £7.74 Kindle - £2.99
ISBN - 9780008149574
This book is a DC Donal Lynch novel. Donal Lynch is brought in to help with an investigation when a woman is kidnapped and a ransom is demanded, however, something goes terribly wrong and the woman is found dead. All of a sudden Lynch is being used as a scapegoat instead of the detectives in charge.
Determined to clear his name Lynch starts to dig into the case, he discovers dark secrets, secrets which people don't want to come to the surface and secrets which show the police are after the wrong man and that the real killer is, in fact, worse than they could have imagined.
I was looking forward to reading this book as crime thriller books have recently become my favourite genre this year and I was not disappointed. This book was a gripping and addictive thriller. Keeping you wanting to turn the page needing to know what happens next. It kept me up all night saying to myself 'Just one more chapter' and it never was just one more. I finished the book. I love it when a book gets me like that though.
Wonderfully written, kept me guessing right until the end of the book. An interesting and gripping plot. Easy to follow and really enjoyable. A very well written and enjoyed story.
Thank You to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating - Five out of Five Stars
Would I Read Again? - Yes
Would I Recommend? - Yes
Would I read other books by the same author? - Yes
Reviews for this book can be found on:
Amazon (UK) under Lu's Reviews
Goodreads,
Net Galley (If a NetGalley Book)
My Blogs at http://www.readingbeyondobsession.co.uk/
www.lusreviewsblog.wordpress.com
Links to this review can be found at:
Twitter: @lusreviews
Facebook: @lusreviews
Instagram: lusreviews
Title -Games With The Dead
Author - James Nally
Published - Dec '17
Publisher - Avon
Genre - #Detective #Thriller #Crime
Pages - 384
Price on Amazon - Paperback - £7.74 Kindle - £2.99
ISBN - 9780008149574
This book is a DC Donal Lynch novel. Donal Lynch is brought in to help with an investigation when a woman is kidnapped and a ransom is demanded, however, something goes terribly wrong and the woman is found dead. All of a sudden Lynch is being used as a scapegoat instead of the detectives in charge.
Determined to clear his name Lynch starts to dig into the case, he discovers dark secrets, secrets which people don't want to come to the surface and secrets which show the police are after the wrong man and that the real killer is, in fact, worse than they could have imagined.
I was looking forward to reading this book as crime thriller books have recently become my favourite genre this year and I was not disappointed. This book was a gripping and addictive thriller. Keeping you wanting to turn the page needing to know what happens next. It kept me up all night saying to myself 'Just one more chapter' and it never was just one more. I finished the book. I love it when a book gets me like that though.
Wonderfully written, kept me guessing right until the end of the book. An interesting and gripping plot. Easy to follow and really enjoyable. A very well written and enjoyed story.
Thank You to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating - Five out of Five Stars
Would I Read Again? - Yes
Would I Recommend? - Yes
Would I read other books by the same author? - Yes
Reviews for this book can be found on:
Amazon (UK) under Lu's Reviews
Goodreads,
Net Galley (If a NetGalley Book)
My Blogs at http://www.readingbeyondobsession.co.uk/
www.lusreviewsblog.wordpress.com
Links to this review can be found at:
Twitter: @lusreviews
Facebook: @lusreviews
Instagram: lusreviews
February 10, 2019
Just an observation on the story, it's set in 1994. My memory of the period is only people in business or with serious money had mobile phones and I don't remember emails being used in the company I worked in and we were pretty up to date on I.T. It's like the author forgot the time period he was writing in.
February 7, 2018
Firstly, many thanks to netgalley, James 'Jim' Nally and HarperCollins publishing for the opportunity to preview this book. It's really different, with the main character obtaining clues to a murder via the dead!
Overall, I enjoyed it. I love this detective! He's funny with a dark, Irish sense of humour and the book is full of characters you will either love, like, or, whom you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley.
The first third of the book had me hooked and so interested in the main character, his brother and his lover.However, I'd have enjoyed it so much more (and given a much higher rating) had the book continued on the theme of this detective and his solving crimes via his link to the recently deceased.
Now, there are previous books to this series that I've not read and it may be that they are full of this interesting theme (I'll be checking them out). However, this one doesn't and instead, veers into a complicated tale of drug smuggling, cop corruption and chaos. At one point a character states that his 'head may explode from the confusion' and I knew exactly what he meant.
So, overall, I found it meandering and chaotic, but, did find it worth sticking with until the end.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I love this detective! He's funny with a dark, Irish sense of humour and the book is full of characters you will either love, like, or, whom you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley.
The first third of the book had me hooked and so interested in the main character, his brother and his lover.However, I'd have enjoyed it so much more (and given a much higher rating) had the book continued on the theme of this detective and his solving crimes via his link to the recently deceased.
Now, there are previous books to this series that I've not read and it may be that they are full of this interesting theme (I'll be checking them out). However, this one doesn't and instead, veers into a complicated tale of drug smuggling, cop corruption and chaos. At one point a character states that his 'head may explode from the confusion' and I knew exactly what he meant.
So, overall, I found it meandering and chaotic, but, did find it worth sticking with until the end.
May 13, 2025
Donell is a really unique character and a joy to follow. He clearly has demons but he is jovial and conscientious and genuinely cares about the important people in his life like Fintan, Matt and Edwina. His relationships with these characters are really endearing and warm us to his character.
I love the way they integrated his gift/curse into the story, despite the supernatural element it didn’t feel all too unrealistic and there’s still plenty of twists and turns.
I enjoyed the writing style of the book, it was able to maintain a tense nature throughout but without feeling you were going at 100 million miles an hour with no room to breathe. Donell’s attempts to win Zoe back provide a nice change as well as his investigations that are dead ends.
I do feel there was maybe slightly too much conspiratory in the end and it did become more difficult to keep track of all the characters and their interactions which made the ending less satisfying although it did come together really well.
Rating - 7/10
I love the way they integrated his gift/curse into the story, despite the supernatural element it didn’t feel all too unrealistic and there’s still plenty of twists and turns.
I enjoyed the writing style of the book, it was able to maintain a tense nature throughout but without feeling you were going at 100 million miles an hour with no room to breathe. Donell’s attempts to win Zoe back provide a nice change as well as his investigations that are dead ends.
I do feel there was maybe slightly too much conspiratory in the end and it did become more difficult to keep track of all the characters and their interactions which made the ending less satisfying although it did come together really well.
Rating - 7/10
January 29, 2018
Crime novels can be fairly predictable in style and they are the kind of books I enjoy on holiday - easy to read and easier to forget.
What sets this book apart is the characterisation - it's a pure crime novel with the language and style of a gritty detective story but the development of character for Donal and his brother is deeper and more nuanced than the average novel of this kind.
The book also captures the sense of abandon that prevailed in the early 90s - drugs, drink and smoking were very commonplace and living in a grimy dump, being treated with ill-disguised contempt at work and political incorrectness were all de rigeur too. The book captures this mood and spirit really beautifully - I enjoyed reading about the struggles of a beta male as he flounders around trying to find happiness.
Will Donal be okay - it's hard to say but I look forward to reading more about him.
What sets this book apart is the characterisation - it's a pure crime novel with the language and style of a gritty detective story but the development of character for Donal and his brother is deeper and more nuanced than the average novel of this kind.
The book also captures the sense of abandon that prevailed in the early 90s - drugs, drink and smoking were very commonplace and living in a grimy dump, being treated with ill-disguised contempt at work and political incorrectness were all de rigeur too. The book captures this mood and spirit really beautifully - I enjoyed reading about the struggles of a beta male as he flounders around trying to find happiness.
Will Donal be okay - it's hard to say but I look forward to reading more about him.
August 15, 2019
Loved it. Was sitting on my shelf since release and finally got around to reading it - completed it in a couple of days.
Every chapter oozes wit; the banter between Donal and his brother Fintan is highly entertaining yet naturally flowing.
I think my favourite bit about the book is that being set in 1994 it alludes to so many upcoming events (Ireland's World cup results; phone hacking; political affairs; etc) that there are perhaps hundreds of "in jokes" to spot. Even if you don't spot many of them you should find this book quite enjoyable as it has a fine storyline too.
Absolutely gutted at the small epilogue at the end that perhaps implies this is the end of the series
Every chapter oozes wit; the banter between Donal and his brother Fintan is highly entertaining yet naturally flowing.
I think my favourite bit about the book is that being set in 1994 it alludes to so many upcoming events (Ireland's World cup results; phone hacking; political affairs; etc) that there are perhaps hundreds of "in jokes" to spot. Even if you don't spot many of them you should find this book quite enjoyable as it has a fine storyline too.
Absolutely gutted at the small epilogue at the end that perhaps implies this is the end of the series
March 29, 2023
My first time reading one of the PC Donal Lynch series, read just as a stand-alone.
Despite thinking the overall writing of this book was fantastic, one can’t help but feel the ending was a tad anticlimactic, a tad rushed, which seems to be the case for most books, sadly.
Character development was quick but not rushed, and didn’t feel as though the story had stagnated at any point. Nally brings an element of comedy but still maintains the serious and mysterious aspect of the story, wasn’t sure what to make of Lynch’s ‘visions’ at first and wondered how they were going to tie in to the story, but Nally executed this brilliantly.
Despite thinking the overall writing of this book was fantastic, one can’t help but feel the ending was a tad anticlimactic, a tad rushed, which seems to be the case for most books, sadly.
Character development was quick but not rushed, and didn’t feel as though the story had stagnated at any point. Nally brings an element of comedy but still maintains the serious and mysterious aspect of the story, wasn’t sure what to make of Lynch’s ‘visions’ at first and wondered how they were going to tie in to the story, but Nally executed this brilliantly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 24, 2024Donal Lynch book 3. Donal is now living with Zoe and her son Matt. But the relationship is in the doldrums and Donal finds out Zoe is cheating on him with her ex Chris who is back on the scene. Donal tries to maintain a relationship with Matt but Chris is Matt's dad and from a week to do family so Zoe and her parents shut Donal out. He moves back in with his brother Fintan. The newspapers are featuring the death of a young middle class girl who died after taking ecstasy. Donal gets the chance to work undercover to bring down the gang bringing in ecstasy and takes it as he wants to kick-start his career and hopes it will make Zoe realise she loves him.
As usual not everything goes to plan
As usual not everything goes to plan
January 27, 2018
Games With The Dead by James Nally is the third in the series featuring Acting DC Donal Lynch,and again Donal is haunted by his night time visits by the murder victims giving him clues as to who or what killed them and yet again poor Donal seems to be used and abused by various police departments and occasionally his brother with promises of promotion that never materialise.Overall a good read with usual plot twists and of the humorous moments with his brother Fintan that readers of the authors previous books will be familiar with.
February 17, 2019
I hadn’t realised that this was the third book in a series and not having read the previous two ( which I will do now) didn’t spoil my enjoyment of it one bit.
September 14, 2019
Picked this up randomly ended up being a good read. The main character is interesting which keeps you reading. The whodunit part never really hooked me but the overall book was good
May 14, 2020
Excellent! The best in the series! But, then again, I’m a sucker for any book involving undercover police work... things always get a little tense!
June 27, 2020
The third PC Donal Lynch Thriller is another gritty procedural set almost 30 years ago: enlivened by an interesting supernatural twist, colorful characters and self-deprecating humor.
February 9, 2021
Disappointing. Some of it was bizarrely exciting (as in previous books) but also large swathes of it were quite boring.
September 14, 2023
Unsympathetic cast. Inexperienced alcoholic IRA-son cop somehow ends up as a major player in a twisted major crimes investigation…oh, and he sees visions.
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