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Callous
Inheriting a Galway cottage may change a troubled woman's life--but not the way she hopes--in this thriller from an "original, grimly hilarious" author (The Washington Post).
Kate Mitchell's in the process of kicking her heroin addiction--with the help of alcohol--when a letter arrives informing her that her aunt in Ireland has passed away and bequeathed her a home near the ocean. This could be the start of a new and better life for Kate, far away from Brooklyn, where she and her surviving brothers are each struggling with their own dark pasts.
But Aunt Mary didn't die peacefully--quite the opposite. The pair of thugs responsible for her murder had plans for her namely, turning it into a lovely seaside meth lab. One of Mary's killers, however, finds his focus shifting when he spots a photo of the dead woman's American niece, who bears a striking resemblance to the late opera singer Maria Callas, the beloved object of his obsession. When Kate and her brothers arrive to claim her inheritance, they're going to find something other than a piece of paradise . . .
"Nobody writes like Ken Bruen, with his ear for lilting Irish prose and his taste for the kind of gallows humor heard only at the foot of the gallows." --The New York Times
"Bruen has a rich and mordant writing style, full of offbeat humor." --Publishers Weekly
Kate Mitchell's in the process of kicking her heroin addiction--with the help of alcohol--when a letter arrives informing her that her aunt in Ireland has passed away and bequeathed her a home near the ocean. This could be the start of a new and better life for Kate, far away from Brooklyn, where she and her surviving brothers are each struggling with their own dark pasts.
But Aunt Mary didn't die peacefully--quite the opposite. The pair of thugs responsible for her murder had plans for her namely, turning it into a lovely seaside meth lab. One of Mary's killers, however, finds his focus shifting when he spots a photo of the dead woman's American niece, who bears a striking resemblance to the late opera singer Maria Callas, the beloved object of his obsession. When Kate and her brothers arrive to claim her inheritance, they're going to find something other than a piece of paradise . . .
"Nobody writes like Ken Bruen, with his ear for lilting Irish prose and his taste for the kind of gallows humor heard only at the foot of the gallows." --The New York Times
"Bruen has a rich and mordant writing style, full of offbeat humor." --Publishers Weekly
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2021
112 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Ken Bruen
132 books851 followersKen Bruen was an Irish writer of hardboiled and noir crime fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 7, 2021
Another killer novella by Bruen. Possibly the start of a new series.
I’m not about to spoil this for Bruen fanatics with a plot synopsis.
I’ll only say this: there’s a Jack Taylor cameo by way of a Garda coat left at a hotel/bar for our lead narrator. And even that’s a spoiler I’m ashamed of having written.
Highest possible Recommendation
I’m not about to spoil this for Bruen fanatics with a plot synopsis.
I’ll only say this: there’s a Jack Taylor cameo by way of a Garda coat left at a hotel/bar for our lead narrator. And even that’s a spoiler I’m ashamed of having written.
Highest possible Recommendation
November 19, 2021
A good ultra violent crime novel by Ireland's master of Noir Ken Bruen. The Author provides you with an ample measure of Violence, Drugs, Sex and Murders by the most brutal methods that will make you wince more than once. A read, not for the timid, that is for sure, as you might not sleep well once you've closed the cover.
November 3, 2021
A fast and disappointing read. Not to be callous but we don't need another hard drinking ex-policeman turned private investigator from Ken Bruen. His Jack Taylor fits that billing perfectly. I've been patiently waiting for more than 14 years for another Inspector Brant book.
September 23, 2021
Wonderfully bizarre characters in an unusually told fast tale of murder, drugs and Irish-American chutzpah. A fast, entertaining read.
November 15, 2021
Bruena je vážně ideální číst po Mellickovi. Pokud Mellick píše své romány na jeden zátah, během týdne v hotelovém pokoji, tak Bruen dělá nejspíš to samé, jen během dvou dnů, za pomoci kofeinových nápojů, cigaret, vypsaného seznamu citátů z oblíbených knih a kufru kokainu. A zatímco Mellick stále ještě drží příběh, Bruen na příběh zvysoka kašle a spíš z něj máte pocit, že dělá všechno proto, aby nedal čtenářům to, co očekávají.
Callous je v tomhle případě téměř rekordní dílo. Začíná to absolutně klasicky. V Irsku zabije drogová magie stařenku kvůli příhodně umístěné chatě… jenže do té chaty se přistěhuje její neteř z Ameriky. Ta připomíná zpěvačku Marii Callas (je to Bruen a tam skoro všechny postavy někoho připomínají), kterou je shodou okolností posedlý i šéf místní drogové mafie (tohle Bruen používá často a dost si tím zjednodušuje navazování vztahů mezi postavami). Ten ovšem neví, že ta holka nejen připomíná operní divu, ale vzpamatovává se ze závislosti na drogách a navíc má dva bratry, z čehož jeden je bývalý voják a ten druhý bývalý policajt a kněz.
A nic z toho (pozor teď už přijdou spoilery) nemá v příběhu skoro žádný význam. I když šéf drogové mafie dá pokyn k likvidaci bráchů a i když bráchové mluví o tom, že dostanou šéfa drogové mafie, tak jejich cesty se vlastně ani nestřetnou a spíš se každý jen brodí svými vlastními potůčky náhodné agrese. Pokud někdo někoho zabije, tak je to obvykle spíš jen mimochodné, bez nějakého většího smyslu. Lidi jsou tu na úrovni agresivních veverek, řízení čistě svými náhodnými popudy. Což je vůbec pro Bruena typické. Jeho svět je místo, ve kterém jsou lidé řízení okamžitými a obvykle dost negativními impulsy, s absolutní lhostejností k následkům.
Je to jedna z těch knih, kterou čtete v předzvěsti velkého konfliktu, okamžiku, kdy hrdina něco udělá (co nejspíš skončí tragédií), ale pak nejednou koukáte, že je konec knihy a vlastně k žádnému střetu nedošlo. A dokonce ani k něčemu, co by jen trochu připomínalo završení, vyústění… či cokoliv, co od knihy čekáte.
Pořád mě Bruen a jeho noiroví hrdinové, obklopení lidmi, co jen cedí stručné nenávistné poznámky (je fakt, že dialogy obvykle mívají tak dvě věty) baví… ale tohle už bylo možná až moc proti srsti čtenáře kriminálek.
Callous je v tomhle případě téměř rekordní dílo. Začíná to absolutně klasicky. V Irsku zabije drogová magie stařenku kvůli příhodně umístěné chatě… jenže do té chaty se přistěhuje její neteř z Ameriky. Ta připomíná zpěvačku Marii Callas (je to Bruen a tam skoro všechny postavy někoho připomínají), kterou je shodou okolností posedlý i šéf místní drogové mafie (tohle Bruen používá často a dost si tím zjednodušuje navazování vztahů mezi postavami). Ten ovšem neví, že ta holka nejen připomíná operní divu, ale vzpamatovává se ze závislosti na drogách a navíc má dva bratry, z čehož jeden je bývalý voják a ten druhý bývalý policajt a kněz.
A nic z toho (pozor teď už přijdou spoilery) nemá v příběhu skoro žádný význam. I když šéf drogové mafie dá pokyn k likvidaci bráchů a i když bráchové mluví o tom, že dostanou šéfa drogové mafie, tak jejich cesty se vlastně ani nestřetnou a spíš se každý jen brodí svými vlastními potůčky náhodné agrese. Pokud někdo někoho zabije, tak je to obvykle spíš jen mimochodné, bez nějakého většího smyslu. Lidi jsou tu na úrovni agresivních veverek, řízení čistě svými náhodnými popudy. Což je vůbec pro Bruena typické. Jeho svět je místo, ve kterém jsou lidé řízení okamžitými a obvykle dost negativními impulsy, s absolutní lhostejností k následkům.
Je to jedna z těch knih, kterou čtete v předzvěsti velkého konfliktu, okamžiku, kdy hrdina něco udělá (co nejspíš skončí tragédií), ale pak nejednou koukáte, že je konec knihy a vlastně k žádnému střetu nedošlo. A dokonce ani k něčemu, co by jen trochu připomínalo završení, vyústění… či cokoliv, co od knihy čekáte.
Pořád mě Bruen a jeho noiroví hrdinové, obklopení lidmi, co jen cedí stručné nenávistné poznámky (je fakt, že dialogy obvykle mívají tak dvě věty) baví… ale tohle už bylo možná až moc proti srsti čtenáře kriminálek.
July 13, 2024
Bruen at his callous best.
January 31, 2025
By the author of the jack Taylor novels. This could have been a JT with a few changes.
January 1, 2022
Started ok but then went downhill very quickly.
There are sparks of the old Bruen but they are few and far between.
The biggest problem is that it feels like a planned series where he is using his usual Jack Taylor tropes with a new character. It feels a little new but old at the same time. Plus the sheer depressive feel of his works gets cloying and a bit tedious.
Can't Brant come back? Now he was unpleasant but at least he wasn't miserable all the time.
There are sparks of the old Bruen but they are few and far between.
The biggest problem is that it feels like a planned series where he is using his usual Jack Taylor tropes with a new character. It feels a little new but old at the same time. Plus the sheer depressive feel of his works gets cloying and a bit tedious.
Can't Brant come back? Now he was unpleasant but at least he wasn't miserable all the time.
February 21, 2022
Another fantastic book by Ken Bruen. If you like Bruen, you will like this book. I really did not know what to expect since the last few books by Bruen I have read were Jack Taylor books. A great stand alone or beginning of a new series. Quick, violent, and too the point without any fluff. The nod to Taylor was also a nice surprise.
I must admit Ken Bruen is my favorite author. There may be some bias in my reviews.
I must admit Ken Bruen is my favorite author. There may be some bias in my reviews.
October 16, 2021
Ken Bruen is a master!!!!!!
April 24, 2023
Kate Mitchell, ex-heroin addict and Maria Callas lookalike, inherits a valuable cottage from her dead aunt in Galway and leaves Brooklyn to start a new life in Ireland. Except a Mexican cartel is attempting to flood the west coast of Ireland with meth and the head of this operation, Diogenes Ortiz, happens to have a thing for deceased opera singer Maria Callas. Will Dio successfully woo the wary Kate? Not if she finds out he was the one what offed her aunt in the first place! Throw in more Cartel enforcers, American Special Forces, a US Marshal, and a very perplexed ex-cop/ex-priest and gallons of booze and Galway’s gonna be covered in blood once more courtesy of Ken Bruen!
I’ve read some of Bruen’s non-Jack Taylor novels before and found them to be just ok. I’d hoped Callous would be better, considering those novels were published in the ‘00s and this one was published more recently in 2021, but it’s actually about the same as those others - just so-so, unfortunately. Something about Jack Taylor seems to bring out the best in Bruen apparently.
Part of the problem is that there’s too many characters, none of whom are particularly likeable, without a main character among them. I suppose Tommy Mitchell, Kate’s ex-cop/ex-priest brother, who’s despised by the family for rather puzzling reasons, would be that, as he’s the only one written in the first person, but he’s also quite a weak character, in all meanings, and not someone I particularly cared about reading.
I’m in two minds on this. On the one hand, underwriting your characters makes them feel like ciphers and hard to care about, much less understand (for example, Kate’s actions are unfathomable throughout); but it also allows Bruen to surprise the reader with how certain scenes play out which makes for a more exciting narrative. The approach has its positives and negatives.
As ever, Bruen wears his influences on his sleeve, praising Sara Gran’s character Claire DeWitt and Elmore Leonard’s Raylan Givens but he goes further than normal in this novel, actually putting proxies of those characters here. Kate is basically Claire DeWitt and Mason, the US Marsal, is Raylan. Besides being an odd choice, it shows how thin his characters are in comparison to these other writers’ stronger characters.
Keegan, Dio’s enforcer, was actually good though - I enjoyed his scenes the most, and the ones he shared with Mason brought out the best in that character too. Dio is delightfully terrifying given his unhinged mentality - Bruen writes villains the best. “Callous” doesn’t just describe the attitudes of several characters, or even sound like “Callas” as in Maria Callas, but could be an accurate way to label Bruen’s writing style and the general tone of his storytelling!
The narrative is rather vague throughout - it’s sorta about revenge for the Mitchells and money for Dio and co. It’s not the most compelling story, with the occasional strange left turn (why did Colin and his crew do that thing near the end?) though it does have a number of entertaining scenes and Bruen’s prose is effortlessly fluid to read as always.
Callous isn’t the most gripping or memorable of Ken Bruen’s narratives, but, as a fan of his brand of stories, I still enjoyed parts of it to make it worth picking up. If you’ve never read this author before though I would start with his Jack Taylor books instead; his non-Jack novels aren’t quite as inspired.
I’ve read some of Bruen’s non-Jack Taylor novels before and found them to be just ok. I’d hoped Callous would be better, considering those novels were published in the ‘00s and this one was published more recently in 2021, but it’s actually about the same as those others - just so-so, unfortunately. Something about Jack Taylor seems to bring out the best in Bruen apparently.
Part of the problem is that there’s too many characters, none of whom are particularly likeable, without a main character among them. I suppose Tommy Mitchell, Kate’s ex-cop/ex-priest brother, who’s despised by the family for rather puzzling reasons, would be that, as he’s the only one written in the first person, but he’s also quite a weak character, in all meanings, and not someone I particularly cared about reading.
I’m in two minds on this. On the one hand, underwriting your characters makes them feel like ciphers and hard to care about, much less understand (for example, Kate’s actions are unfathomable throughout); but it also allows Bruen to surprise the reader with how certain scenes play out which makes for a more exciting narrative. The approach has its positives and negatives.
As ever, Bruen wears his influences on his sleeve, praising Sara Gran’s character Claire DeWitt and Elmore Leonard’s Raylan Givens but he goes further than normal in this novel, actually putting proxies of those characters here. Kate is basically Claire DeWitt and Mason, the US Marsal, is Raylan. Besides being an odd choice, it shows how thin his characters are in comparison to these other writers’ stronger characters.
Keegan, Dio’s enforcer, was actually good though - I enjoyed his scenes the most, and the ones he shared with Mason brought out the best in that character too. Dio is delightfully terrifying given his unhinged mentality - Bruen writes villains the best. “Callous” doesn’t just describe the attitudes of several characters, or even sound like “Callas” as in Maria Callas, but could be an accurate way to label Bruen’s writing style and the general tone of his storytelling!
The narrative is rather vague throughout - it’s sorta about revenge for the Mitchells and money for Dio and co. It’s not the most compelling story, with the occasional strange left turn (why did Colin and his crew do that thing near the end?) though it does have a number of entertaining scenes and Bruen’s prose is effortlessly fluid to read as always.
Callous isn’t the most gripping or memorable of Ken Bruen’s narratives, but, as a fan of his brand of stories, I still enjoyed parts of it to make it worth picking up. If you’ve never read this author before though I would start with his Jack Taylor books instead; his non-Jack novels aren’t quite as inspired.
July 3, 2023
While I'm not that widely read on Ken Bruen's books, this definitely wants me to seek out more. If your definition of noir is "where evrybody is screwed, and seldom is there a winner," then you will probably be interested in this book. The overall plot relatively straight-forward: a meth producer and dealer kills Mary Casey for her house in Co. Galway. What the meth producer doesn't realize is the house is inherited by neice, Kate Mitchell who lives in the US. Yes, she comes over to Ireland to take possesion of the property. Even more complications occur when Kate's two brothers arrive to help her out.
Despite being an engaging read, I gave this book three reviews since the plot seems a bit contrived: Kate's romance; her brother Mitch's romance and how that plays out; and Colin, her other brother and his fate. The writing style is simple, fairly straight-forward and not loaded with purple prose. The chapters are written in third person, first person, and a third person style that reminded somewhat of the Twilight Zone with a narrator describing the action.
Despite being an engaging read, I gave this book three reviews since the plot seems a bit contrived: Kate's romance; her brother Mitch's romance and how that plays out; and Colin, her other brother and his fate. The writing style is simple, fairly straight-forward and not loaded with purple prose. The chapters are written in third person, first person, and a third person style that reminded somewhat of the Twilight Zone with a narrator describing the action.
July 18, 2025
I have to admit I came to'Callous' fairly late in the game, but I'm absolutely delighted I did.
I've loved all of Ken's 'Jack Taylor ' Galway stories, so I should have trusted his writing, for other dark tales... Well, this one certainly didn't disappoint in any way!
Filled as usual with grim Irish humour, a plethora of twisted characters, brilliant dialogue, and as always, the depth and heart I've come to love in all his writing.
The magic Ken Bruen spins in his stories is so immersive - I find myself laughing, crying, yelling and cheering every time I experience something Ken has gifted us with, and 'Callous ' is no exception. I devoured this one in one sitting - it wasn't the case of insomnia winning, it was just too good to put down!
Another winner here, Ken 😉 xXx
I've loved all of Ken's 'Jack Taylor ' Galway stories, so I should have trusted his writing, for other dark tales... Well, this one certainly didn't disappoint in any way!
Filled as usual with grim Irish humour, a plethora of twisted characters, brilliant dialogue, and as always, the depth and heart I've come to love in all his writing.
The magic Ken Bruen spins in his stories is so immersive - I find myself laughing, crying, yelling and cheering every time I experience something Ken has gifted us with, and 'Callous ' is no exception. I devoured this one in one sitting - it wasn't the case of insomnia winning, it was just too good to put down!
Another winner here, Ken 😉 xXx
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April 9, 2022If you are missing Bruen's Jack Taylor, this novel (and the start of a new series set in Galway?) will very nearly satisfy you. Three Irish-American siblings with complicated backgrounds find themselves living in Galway, and the black sheep of the trio (which is interesting...since none of them seem to be NOT the black sheep) is an ex cop/ex priest bent on solving a mystery or two.
It has all of the hallmarks of Bruen's other books (though this one could have used a good copy edit before going to press--happy to provide my services, Mr. Bruen) and was a satisfying read. Anytime spent in Bruen's dark but literary Galway is time well spent to me.
It has all of the hallmarks of Bruen's other books (though this one could have used a good copy edit before going to press--happy to provide my services, Mr. Bruen) and was a satisfying read. Anytime spent in Bruen's dark but literary Galway is time well spent to me.
April 29, 2022
Mr. Bruen has long been known as an aggressive writer: he punches, he counter-punches, he brawls and wields a mean hurley. He is fearless, always willing to let a character be killed off or damaged.
In what appears to be the lead-off of a new series, "Callous" takes some New Yorkers and lands them in Galway where--- who knew?---mayhem ensues.
Written with Bruen's signature mix of almost poetry/strongly referential prose, readers may well feel as if they have been caught in an avalanche: swept along.
Recommended.
In what appears to be the lead-off of a new series, "Callous" takes some New Yorkers and lands them in Galway where--- who knew?---mayhem ensues.
Written with Bruen's signature mix of almost poetry/strongly referential prose, readers may well feel as if they have been caught in an avalanche: swept along.
Recommended.
November 21, 2025
I have read a few of Ken Bruen’s novels. At their best, they are lean, maybe even sparse, novels of alcohol, violence, and books. Callous, a stand alone novel that is not part of the Jack Taylor series, is almost a parody of his books. He even includes a version of Elmore Leonard’s character Raylan Givens. And it is best not to wonder why a US marshal is working a case in Galway, Ireland. The book jumps the shark towards the end. It is still a quick and gritty read, but not a place to start reading Bruen’s books.
July 2, 2022
It's always great to visit Galway through Bruen's eyes. It is by no means a great book - some ideas are just so over the top they are being laughable. I mean, Galway as a center of a crystal meth dealing operation by Mexican cartels? Really? I prefer more down to Earth, hard boiled, lower stakes noir. But here is enough of Ken's hilarious/brutal/nostalgic/heartbreaking/funny content, that I was very satisfied after reading. I hope these characters return.
August 23, 2022
Finished this is 2 days. I loved the way it was written it was quick and action filled the whole way. Dio and Keegan were absolute psychos but so were a lot of the people close to the siblings. A lot of the story is told by Mitch the oldest brother whose the worst kind of person. I think he means well but everything he does is just the wrong thing. Makes you aggravated. There’s a lot of death and he ends up being one of the only ones left.
March 18, 2023
Another wild ride from author Ken Bruen
Kate is a heroin addict in Brooklyn. Her aunt is murdered in Ireland because so bad drug dealers want her house, however she has already willed it to Kate.
Kate has two brothers.
Collin a black ops marine who is psycho
Mitch a former cop and former priest who is a mess.
They all wind up in Ireland and non stop mayhem becomes the norm.
Wild story
Excessive violence
And a lot of dark humor.
This is a fun filled thrill ride.
Kate is a heroin addict in Brooklyn. Her aunt is murdered in Ireland because so bad drug dealers want her house, however she has already willed it to Kate.
Kate has two brothers.
Collin a black ops marine who is psycho
Mitch a former cop and former priest who is a mess.
They all wind up in Ireland and non stop mayhem becomes the norm.
Wild story
Excessive violence
And a lot of dark humor.
This is a fun filled thrill ride.
December 10, 2021
I never thought I would give this author one star for any of his books
I have read all of his Jack Taylor series and really loved them
this book seems to me like he had a contract to fulfill
so dang it he was going to put something on paper to fulfill his obligation also it’s obvious he’s getting us ready for another series starring one of the characters in this one
I have read all of his Jack Taylor series and really loved them
this book seems to me like he had a contract to fulfill
so dang it he was going to put something on paper to fulfill his obligation also it’s obvious he’s getting us ready for another series starring one of the characters in this one
January 17, 2022
You don't need a cameo by Jack Taylor for Ken Bruen to produce a hard-boiled wonder with: alcohol, ex-cops, more alcohol, a femme fatale, even more alcohol, truly evil people receiving their due justice, still more alcohol, and scenes of Galway that's impossible to stop reading.
But it certainly helps.
But it certainly helps.
February 14, 2022
complicated crime type novel. Some characters seem to be fleshed out. Some characters just seem to show up to help. That plot line seems highly unlikely for me so kinda had to suspend disbelief. Also bad guys are really good at randomly killing people but terrible at killing people who stand in their way to success. Not really recommended unless you want an easy beach read
February 24, 2023
Jack Taylor might have passed the torch (or rather his Guards coat) to an American ex Cop / ex priest from Brooklyn in this quite dark, riveting Galway crime thriller. Violence and humor coexist in Ken Bruen's inimitable poetic style as tough American Kate Mitchel and her brothers battle psychotic Irish meth dealers over Kate's inherited cottage by the sea. I do hope this is the first in a continuing series!
April 2, 2023
callous
I met a lovely guy in Austria skiing who said Ken Bruen was a great writer and I bought this book. Although I know and love Galway I’m afraid that this book did very little for me. The writing is quirky and entertaining but there is no great depth or insight and the gratuitous violence lacks shock value. I won’t be buying any more works by this author.
I met a lovely guy in Austria skiing who said Ken Bruen was a great writer and I bought this book. Although I know and love Galway I’m afraid that this book did very little for me. The writing is quirky and entertaining but there is no great depth or insight and the gratuitous violence lacks shock value. I won’t be buying any more works by this author.
October 11, 2024
This book was written in a poetic style that I found interesting, really let the imagination take the wheel and I appreciate that. It’s a bit of a downer with some dark material, but I’m here for it. Drugs, cartels, Ireland, murder, violence, it’s got everything. I only graded it lower because the end kind of felt like it went in a different direction and confused me
December 20, 2021
Short, almost a novella so the plotting and action are both tight and fast paced. An ex-cop, ex-priest Brooklyn boy goes back to Galaway to rescue his sister from a drug dealer intent on establishing a meth distribution network in Ireland. Ugly for sure, with a nice Jack Taylor cameo.
February 21, 2023
I hate this book. I love Ken Bruen and have read almost every word he's ever written, but this mess just doesn't hang together. It's the same old characters, the same old violence, the same old same old, but without a plot or a point to it. Honestly, a computer AI could have written a better book.
September 25, 2021
Just like a Jack Taylor! Hope he makes it a series.
September 30, 2021
Readable. Fairly violent in places. Written in the cadence of the Jack Taylor novels, but without any of the fleeting glimpses of happiness. Thin plot, which is suddenly resolved. Now what? The end.
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October 25, 2021His brain is just remarkable --noir -- noir -- noir and a new series is born?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews