The Devil's Half Mile

Description

New York, 1799: Justy Flanagan, lawyer, soldier, policeman, has returned to his native city, bloodied and battered after fighting in the Irish Rebellion against the English. Determined to hunt down the man who murdered his father, his inquiries lead him to Wall Street and the fledgling stock market there. But as his investigations into the past move ahead, the horrific murders of young slave women in the present start to occupy his time. Convinced that there is a link between his father's murder, the deaths of the young women, and a massive fraud that nearly destroyed New York's economy, Justy can trust no one. As the conspiracy deepens, it becomes clear that those involved will stop at nothing to keep their secrets. Justy is forced to choose: will he betray his father's memory, compromise his integrity, and risk the lives of his closest friends, to get to the bottom of a tale so dangerous, it could change the landscape of America forever?

Paddy Hirsch was expansively (and expensively) educated in Dublin and Belfast. Had he managed to get in Trinity College, all might have been different, but instead he took a place at the University of Warwick, where he played rugby and founded the University's Irish Society. He started his journalism career in Hong Kong after a short stint in the military, and spent the next few years working in news in East and Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. From there to America, where he covered various aspects of Wall Street's carry-on for a variety of American and European news outlets. He lives in Los Angeles now, but makes frequent trips back across the Atlantic to fill up on good stout and proper bacon. And to see family, of course.

A meticulously researched historical thriller... with strong, multifaceted [characters] and tight plotting. I will impatiently await the sequel. -- Patrick Taylor The Devil's Half-Mile terrified me. Paddy Hirsch's vivid story of New York in 1799 shows just how vulnerable our newborn nation was to greedy men with no moral centers. Young Irish-American Justice Flanagan manages to expose the corruption of Wall Street and misdeeds of government officials but it's a close thing. Impossible not to think of parallels to today and hope there are some contemporary Justice Flanagans at work. Powerful. * Mary Pat Kelly, filmmaker and best-selling author of Galway Bay and Of Irish Blood * A tense, violent and atmospheric crime thriller set in 1799 when the white-collar criminals carried switchblades and human lives were traded like sacks of grain. * Michael Robotham, award-winning author of LIFE OR DEATH * Fascinating and well drawn. * The Times * A page-turning historical thriller... A perfect holiday read. * Irish Independent *