Book 4 in the Sam Ireland Series. Sam sails away from the dock, devastation in his wake. Even with Isla at his side, he can't shake off what he's left behind. When the call eventually comes, he's an ocean away and Ireland is in the grip of a phenomenon never seen before. History seems to be repeating itself; he is at sea while someone he cares for is in danger, thousands of miles away, at a time when travel from his destination is not just prohibited, it's impossible.
Finn lives and works in Ireland, surrounded by rogues and the sea. He has published three thrillers as well as drama, shorts and comedy using different pen names.
The author gave me a pre-release copy to read, provide feedback and then post an honest review. Hopefully the little bugs I commented on will have been fixed for the published version.
I loved the book, and read it in chunks over about three days - I just wanted to keep on going. It's an Irish action adventure story with characters that I enjoy. Being set in the covid pandemic era, there's a contemporary feel to the story with the characters taking opportunities to do things in ways that couldn't be done without the world's current social restraints - good creative thinking by the author. The pace of the story suits me, too - fast, but not too fast. If you come to this book as your first taste of Finn Og's work, I suggest you read the series of books in sequence. Although he does a good job of providing brief information to explain references to previous stories, I enjoyed having my memory jogged to serve up more background than was in the references. (I don't receive any inducement to provide that suggestion, that is my honest opinion.) I reckon the end of the story is constructed so as to leave openings for more in the series. I hope so, because I will certainly want to read them too.
In Sam Ireland, Finn Og has created a fantastic character, deeply flawed but with his human side getting more and more exposed as we get to know Isla and Sinead better.
I loved this book, having bought it a while back and forgotten about buying it, as soon as I saw it, I sat down and read it in two sessions.
A great, if unpleasant, story punctured with action (both written and inferred), together with character development, makes the reader really lean into the tale.
Personally, if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, I would recommend going back to the start,but there is enough in the release that you would get the gist of the back story anyway.
It’s always good to find a new and exciting author. So many of these books are simply thriller/crime by numbers. What I love about this author is that he knows how to hold the reader’s attention by throwing in a real curve ball when you least expected it. I’ve read his other books and really enjoyed them. This new book doesn’t disappoint and is arguably one of his best. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out yourself. You won’t be let down. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Where to start? What a book, what a hero! Asbsolutely compulsive. Great characters, great plot, loads of action. Violent, yes, but not gratuitous and I still sympathised with our guys, even while they disposed of the bodies, with incredible ingenuity. I’ve got all that Finn has written and I hope he’s writing more now
I read the previous three books in this series and so was delighted to get my hands on this. 'Before' takes the reader down a slightly different path and I was utterly captivated from page one to the last word. In a busy world, it's rare to have the time to read a book in a day but I did just that with this. Buy it! Read it! You won't be disappointed!.
Sam and Sinead are separated by necessity but that status has changed. Before they can properly reconnect, Sinead crosses paths with a dinner lady, a madam and a mobile phone - intrigued, you will be!
I enjoyed the book and the many colourful characters.