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Edward Loy, an Irishman who has spent the last several years in LA, has returned to Dublin for a funeral. While he has not been back to Ireland since he left, he now returns for his mother's funeral. After a stereotypical Irish wake, an old friend, Linda Dawson, asks him to find her missing husband, Peter. As Loy makes his living in the States as a private investigator, this request makes sense. He agrees to help her especially since he believes Peter knows what happened to his father. Loy must find the connection between Peter's disappearance, a body found in the foundation of the Town Hall, the IRA and the criminal underworld. From the beginning this investigation is violent and Loy must remain on his guard to stay alive. The threat becomes even greater when he helps another old friend, who is caught up with the criminal element in their neighborhood. These two old friends might just cause his death before justice can prevail. THE WRONG KIND OF BLOOD is Declan Hughes' debut novel. Like all first novels, this book has some flaws. This book attempts to juxtapose lyrical descriptions of Dublin and its people with the events of Loy's investigation. These two plot elements remain distinct, as the storyline does not move seamlessly between them. In addition some of the characters' conversations become soliloquies and speeches rather than realistic dialogue. While Hughes does this in order to get his point across, it does not flow naturally. On the positive side, the characters show a lot of potential for future mysteries. Edward Loy's character is still rough around the edges but with a little more work, he could be a strong character. His personal history gives him depth and experience. His loyalty to his friends, even those he has not spoken with for years, makes him sympathetic. Loy's views of Dublin and its place in history give the book and the narrative an added depth. If Hughes spends a little more time developing Loy and keeping his actions consistent, he should build up a loyal fan base. THE WRONG KIND OF BLOOD hints at greater things to come. Hopefully Declan Hughes will be able to achieve the potential apparent in this book.
Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, August 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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