Bad Catholics [Paperback]

James Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2008

Jimmy, a former shady Catholic policeman, returns to his London hometown after three years to work at St Barts, a hospice for the disadvantaged. When one of the volunteers is murdered, police investigators realize Jimmy is back and want to know why. Jimmys tumultuous past is revealed, first as an alter boy studying boxing at church, onto his brief time thieving for a local gang. At St Barts, Jimmy uses his knowledge of criminal psychology and the gang scene to solve the murder case without police officers, and takes personal justice on those thatve done him and the community wrong.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Skilfully rewinding between Jimmy's impoverished 1950s childhood, his teenage induction into gangsterism and his switch to becoming a detective, Green introduces a terrifying paradox of a character - a God-fearing man running both sides of the law for profit. An ultra-hardboiled debut.' THE GUARDIAN. 'Bad Catholics was a surprise - and a very pleasant one. This is a slim book that packs a very distinctive punch and delivers a memorable cast of characters. I really couldn't put this book down and simply had to see how things were going to end. Love him or hate him, I promise you that Jimmy Costello is a character that people will want to know and read more about.' CHRIS SIMMONS, CrimeSquad.com's Fresh Blood section. 'the debut of a writer of both narrative cunning and humane wisdom' THE TABLET. 'a cracking thriller' THE CATHOLIC HERALD --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

James Green is a professor of labor history at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He grew up outside Chicago and now lives with his family in Somerville, Massachusetts.

"From the Hardcover edition."

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Luath Press Limited (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1906307261
• ISBN-13: 978-1906307264
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,704,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars BRISTLES WITH AUTHENTICITY, December 21, 2009

By 

Goodbye "Mr P" (Rural England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Catholics (Paperback)

I was attracted to this book by virtue of it being set in Kilburn - London; what a breath of fresh air I thought - good old Kilburn being the backdrop to a book.

Then the picture of the author disturbed me: a smiling chap in a hat - sitting in a rural setting. Methinks: what does this cosy middle class chapie know about the dark side of Kilburn?

Nothing thought I.

But I started to read the book nonetheless. And what a surprise it was.

Crime novels are rarely satisfying leaving a sense of disappointment, with story lines following well-furrowed and predictable paths. And death and horror can become a little tiresome as we become hardened to it all.

But "Bad Catholics" left no residue of disappointment. The characters are vividly portrayed and bristle with authenticity and that is its power and force:

- Jimmy Costello - low life gangster, turns cop - who takes bribes - a genuine tough guy - with a conscience.

- Sister Philimena - the gentle but strong Chatholic nun - the eye of God throughout the book and the heartbeat of conscience

- Bridie McDonald - Glaswegian female boss - reptilian like coldness

- Nat - black overlord of the criminal scene - a man with power and a sense of humour

Great characters - that come alive on the page and in the memory as one has met them in a corner of ones life.

I also enjoyed the slipping in and out of times and dates - one moment we are in 1965 and then in 1995. This flashbacking devise enabled the author to fulsomely recount what had gone on and to provide an explanation of how our main character Jimmy Costello got to where he was in the present. This also added real dynamism.

Such was the pace that I felt as if I was being gloriously marched through the story - with no let up in the excitement.

I hope our smiling middle class author chapie writes a lot more of these - I am certainly a fan.

I loved the book - and the weird author pictured belied its true worth.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you don't have to Catholic, Irish, or Ugandan, September 18, 2008

By 

Margaret Ann Simmons "marty" (palo alto, california United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bad Catholics (Paperback)

Tokyo- This is one of those books that you know is going to end in a most satisfactory way-and it does-because James Green is able to keep dates and places, people and events, lives and deaths, good guys and bad guys, villans, and saints-all in one breath-that cannot help but leave you breathless. Mostly because it is about two important events-sin and redemption and the grey muck inbetween. The dialogue is so tothe point that one does wonder about the author-butthen you just want him to get on with it-and he does. Good book.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars new player in crime fiction.., October 27, 2008

By 

Neal Hewitt "'sci-fi'" (Nottingham - England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Catholics (Paperback)

As I was lucky enough to obtain a proof copy of Jim Green's first fiction novel 'Bad Catholics', after enjoying his other works I was not disappointed in this offering. The exciting plot burns through the novel at a fast pace, the main character is believable with flaws and emotions that make you care about his struggle with his life choices and personal beliefs. In constant turmoil and with danger and intrigue at every corner Jimmy has the same can-do attitude that makes anti-heroes such as Lee Childs' 'Jack Reacher' so popular . The background and settings are well researched with real life descriptions of locations just added to my enjoyment of this novel, fleshing out the already strong characters. I am confident that this will not be the last we hear of Jimmy Costello or his creator James Green. We have a new player in crime fiction.