The Ghosts of Belfast (Soho Crime 2009) by Stuart Neville which is also known as “The Twelve” in the UK, is the first in a brand new series set post-Troubles.
Mr. Neville’s Irish crime novel debut has been praised all over the place and there’s a reason for that. The novel is well plotted, taut with tension and political intrigue with just a dash of romance.
Peace has arrived in Belfast but beneath the surface there’s still some mutterings of dissent. Most of the politicians are now using the media to spread their political agenda versus using paramilitary men like Gerry Fegan, a former IRA contract killer, who was incarcerated for the past 12 years in the Maze for murder.
The story follows Fegan, a former hit man and loner who’s being followed by the people he’s killed. His psychiatrist in prison calls it an manifestation of guilt. For the last seven years they’ve been relentlessly shadowing him. The group of twelve consists of soldiers and civilians with civilians screaming the loudest and causing him sleepless nights.
In order for Fegan to get rid of his followers, he has to give up his political superiors, the people who gave him the orders to kill. That’s the only way they’ll disappear and give him peace. So he does just that, killing those who are responsible for their deaths. Of course, Fegan’s actions has political ramifications that threatens to destabilize the government’s tenuous peace agreement.
Gerry’s a sympathetic character. Why? He’s guilt-ridden and deeply ashamed of what he did. He’s often drowning out his nightmares and inner turmoil with alcohol. Fegan joined the party when he was a teen. He was a foot soldier who just followed orders. Blackmail, extortion, murder. Gerry’s regretful of a lot of things he did. This is his chance to redeem himself.
There’s a subtle yet nice romantic thread that involves Fegan’s attraction to Marie McKenna, the niece of one of the politicians of the socialist party. Marie and her daughter are not welcome in the community and are being harassed to leave Belfast. Her sin was marrying a cop and for that, they consider her a traitor.
Gerry decides to protect Marie and her daughter against his political superiors and this leads to a tension charged, suspenseful ending and his followers? Does he redeem them all? Not going to say anything about that. The premise of the story had me thinking though, that wouldn’t redeeming his followers include killing himself? After all, he pulled the trigger. That question is answered but not to my satisfaction.
This is not a outstanding read for me because in a couple of scenes I found Gerry’s actions somewhat baffling. I can’t really say much more than that without spoiling. Other than that, well done writing wise. I’m very interested in where life leads Gerry Fegan next . My grade, B+.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, the politics, while in the background, it is very dense. Stuart Neville is on my “author to watch” list. This was a very good debut and plus, thanks for your help with understanding the politics. I kept having to look them up.
This is a book I’d like to read but I’m hesitant to do so. Maybe it’s because the politics are too close to home.
Great review, though. I’m definitely intrigued!