Trigger Man: A Novel

by Joe Joyce

Fergus Callan, an IRA trigger man, confronts his violent past in Ireland when he returns from exile in the United States and finds himself pursued through Dublin's backstreets to IRA safehouses in the suburbs by George Keerins, an Irish intelligence officer

Genres: Ireland

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Joe Joyce is the author of five thrillers: ECHOLAND, ECHOBEAT and ECHOWAVE (spy novels set during the Second World War in neutral Dublin), THE TRIGGER MAN (set during the Irish 'Troubles' in the late 1980s) and OFF THE RECORD (set in the 1970s world of Irish journalism), as well as a history/biography of THE GUINNESSES and a critically acclaimed play,THE TOWER, about James Joyce and Oliver St John Gogarty. He is co-author with Peter Murtagh of THE BOSS, the classic account of Irish politician Charles Haughey in power, and BLIND JUSTICE, about a celebrated miscarriage of justice. He has worked as a journalist for The Irish Times, The Guardian, and Reuters news agency.

Reviews

[Margaret Capozzolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Joyce's writing was several cuts above the average criminal-hunt-and-chase novel, still, it left me vaguely dissatisfied. Was I supposed to be rooting for the "good guy"? And just which one was the good guy: Callan, the trigger man of the title who left the safety of Boston to return to the scene of his crimes as a Provo at the behest of an old friend, or Keerins, newly promoted to the intelligence branch of the Irish constabulary, who hopes to make a name for himself by capturing this fugitive murderer? It is a testimony to the writer's skill in presenting this somewhat ordinary story without preachiness, yet in such a way as to make the reader question his or her own long-held convictions--just as the process of writing this review led me to reassess my judgement of the novel and add one more star to my rating of it.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read of friendship comrady. Coming home to honour a promise and hero status only to find betrayal and been an out cast accused of been an informer. Good pace, man, hunt from both the Garda and those you fought alone side through Dublin and South Ireland with only one outcome.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have enjoyed a number of books by this writer, setting out some of the recent history of Ireland and the struggle for independence from the UK. Sadly the Nation is still divided, the British have been cruel occupiers.

[Indu · Rating 3 out of 5]

a complete jigsaw puzzle,where each piece falls into the right place at the right moment. :)