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The Year of the Gun
The follow-up to the acclaimed The Red Ribbon and the third book in 'a great new series' (Mick Herron, author of Spook Street )
1912. Released from the Secret Service, Wiggins sets out for New York and his lost-lover Bela. But after an altercation on board, he finds himself among the low-life of Britain's poorest city, Dublin.
Wiggins falls in with gangster Patrick O'Connell and is soon driving the boss's girlfriend around town. Molly wants O'Connell to support her Irish nationalist cause--a cause needing guns to defeat the British--and then they go to find them in America.
Finally, Wiggins can solve the mystery of Bela--and meet his old mentor, Sherlock Holmes in a story of escalating intrigue, danger, and violence.
1912. Released from the Secret Service, Wiggins sets out for New York and his lost-lover Bela. But after an altercation on board, he finds himself among the low-life of Britain's poorest city, Dublin.
Wiggins falls in with gangster Patrick O'Connell and is soon driving the boss's girlfriend around town. Molly wants O'Connell to support her Irish nationalist cause--a cause needing guns to defeat the British--and then they go to find them in America.
Finally, Wiggins can solve the mystery of Bela--and meet his old mentor, Sherlock Holmes in a story of escalating intrigue, danger, and violence.
About the author
H.B. Lyle
4 books31 followersH.B. Lyle lives in South London with his partner and their twin daughters. He has a MA in creative writing, followed by a PhD. He also writes screenplays.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 9, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of The Year of the Gun, the third novel to feature former Baker Street irregular Wiggins.
Wiggins has left his job with the British Secret Service and is on his way to New York to find his lost love, Bela. Unfortunately for his plans he his thrown off the boat in Ireland and has to earn the price of his passage over again. He starts working for Dublin gangster O’Connell and finds more trouble in the Irish Nationalist cause and their need for guns.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Year of the Gun which is another ripping yarn, full of adventure and historical context with some neat twists. It is told from Wiggins’s point of view so the reader gets a close view of his thoughts and actions, but not too close as he’s holding things back. I was totally fooled and took him at his word so the twists came as a big surprise. I take this as a sign of strong writing.
The action moves from The Titanic to Wales via Dublin and New York as the ever resourceful Wiggins brawls his way across the Western Hemisphere. It’s fun as he upsets several gangsters, takes beatings and escapes death on several occasions, not least on the Titanic. I like the way real historical events are woven into the narrative although, apart from the Titanic, I had to rely on the author’s afterword to identify them.
Wiggins is a great character. He is based on the leader of Sherlock Holmes’s Baker Street Irregulars but all grown up and a product of his experiences. He is smart and tends to take a longer term view of events than his actions would suggest and is definitely a good judge of character - his take on meeting Sherlock Holmes in New York is spot on. His jaundiced take on privilege is perhaps one of the few times he talks from the heart, otherwise there’s a whole load of smoke and mirrors.
The Year of the Gun is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Wiggins has left his job with the British Secret Service and is on his way to New York to find his lost love, Bela. Unfortunately for his plans he his thrown off the boat in Ireland and has to earn the price of his passage over again. He starts working for Dublin gangster O’Connell and finds more trouble in the Irish Nationalist cause and their need for guns.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Year of the Gun which is another ripping yarn, full of adventure and historical context with some neat twists. It is told from Wiggins’s point of view so the reader gets a close view of his thoughts and actions, but not too close as he’s holding things back. I was totally fooled and took him at his word so the twists came as a big surprise. I take this as a sign of strong writing.
The action moves from The Titanic to Wales via Dublin and New York as the ever resourceful Wiggins brawls his way across the Western Hemisphere. It’s fun as he upsets several gangsters, takes beatings and escapes death on several occasions, not least on the Titanic. I like the way real historical events are woven into the narrative although, apart from the Titanic, I had to rely on the author’s afterword to identify them.
Wiggins is a great character. He is based on the leader of Sherlock Holmes’s Baker Street Irregulars but all grown up and a product of his experiences. He is smart and tends to take a longer term view of events than his actions would suggest and is definitely a good judge of character - his take on meeting Sherlock Holmes in New York is spot on. His jaundiced take on privilege is perhaps one of the few times he talks from the heart, otherwise there’s a whole load of smoke and mirrors.
The Year of the Gun is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 23, 2022
The Irregular is at it again. From London to Derry to New York City, Wiggins keeps trying to figure out what the rich want. And why is he going along with them any way? Oh, right. Food and shelter. More depressing than the first two volumes, but still a fair read. Once again a cliff hanger. Will Wiggins survive? Keep looking for the next episode.
March 5, 2021
This book, is part of an ongoing series, featuring a grown up Wiggins of Baker Street Irregulars fame. Sherlock Holmes also makes an appearance in this entry.
September 14, 2021
I was drawn to the book because of the promised appearance of Sherlock Holmes. But I couldn't last long enough before putting the book down out of boredom (I made it through page 60). It was the first book I picked up in the "Irregular Spy Thriller" series, and it'll be my last.
January 27, 2021
An entertaining and gripping historical mystery that kept me hooked.
A well researched and vivid historical background, interesting characters and a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I hope to read other stories featuring these characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
A well researched and vivid historical background, interesting characters and a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I hope to read other stories featuring these characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews