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The Death of an Irish Sea Wolf: A Peter McGarr Mystery

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Though some of his settings feel a bit reminiscent of Agatha Christie, Gill writes for a totally different audience--readers who do not shy away from realistically depicted (and sometimes gratuitous) violence, who do not expect the police to be models of probity, and who want their mysteries to be more than simple whodunits. In this 1996 combination of modern mystery and World War II thriller, set off the coast of County Mayo, Gill tells the tale of Clement Ford, a mystery man with a hoard of hidden treasure. Ford has just been tracked down by his old enemy, Angus Rehm, and the result is three deaths, three disappearances, two missing boats, and the arrival of Chief Inspector Peter McGarr from the Garda Siochana and his detectives, each of whom is also dealing with personal problems--alcohol, illicit affairs, and the demands of family--while trying to solve the mystery.

Local beliefs and superstitions, ancient history and pagan monuments, the geological record, and family history are interwoven with the more modern attitudes toward religion, the British, and authority in general, as Gill creates a lively "personality" for Clare Island. The mystery develops a global scope as Clement Ford's true identity and his World War II connections to Angus Rehm emerge in the final pages.

One of a long series of engaging Peter McGarr mysteries with a cast of well-developed repeating characters, Gill focuses on some intriguing aspect of Irish history and culture in each (e.g. eel-fishing, secret religious societies, literary history). The novels written prior to the recent Death of an Irish Sinner can be read in any order, but events in the latter are so explosive that it is difficult to go back if you read Irish Sinner too soon. The series is a fascinating look at Ireland and its characters--great fun and great escape reading. Mary Whipple

This is my third Gill novel and I can't wait to read the next one! As one reviewer said, The Death of an Irish Sea Wolf is so much more than a mystery story - it's poetry, history, adventure, and description- such marvelous description that I wish I could take off tomorrow for Ireland! Gill's characters are so alive that I feel after three McGarr stories that I know them personally!Any lover of the written word will love Gill's works!

This intelligently written mystery takes place off the coast of Ireland on Clare Island. The story centers on Clement Ford, a well-liked 80 year old Sea Man. Clem and his wife Breege live a modest lifestyle in their cottage on the island. They are personable and well respected by the remote communities citizens, however, they hold a deep dark secret.

One night after a violent storm, three people on the island turn up murdered and Clem and Breege mysteriously disappear. Detective Peter McGarr and his colleagues are assigned to the case. Police are baffled as to why anyone would commit these murders and how they could be tied to the quiet elderly Ford's.

Bartholomew Gill's story is unique in that you know who the killers are right from the beginning. However, the mystery lies in why did they kill? What do they want? Will they strike again?

The prose in this book is wonderfully descriptive. You will smell the salty air, see the rolling green hills, and watch the colorful Irish sunsets. The characters are refreshing and believable, and Gill provides the reader with accurate historical facts about the land and its people. This was my first Bartholomew Gill book, but it certainly won't be my last. What a terrific discovery!

Gill's 12th book could have opened with the hackneyed phrase "It was a dark and stormy night," but it didn't. Instead, Gill opened with a deceptively mild line: "Clement Ford heard the phone ring in the hall of the Clare Island cottage that he had occupied now for over fifty years." And the story begins. I just finished reading Bartholomew Gill's -The Death of an Irish Sea Wolf- which I found to be extremely involving. This book is the latest in the series on Peter McGarr and the Murder Squad. The book has everything, wealth, obsession, love, murder, and Irish history. It is a very well-crafted Irish Police Procedural, which got me involved from the very first page. If you haven't met up with Gill's, McGarr, I would suggest starting with the first book and continuing as the characters grow. I will admit I enjoy reading books in order, but each book stands alone.

This 1996 Peter McGarr mystery takes place primarily on the remote island of Clare where a man named Clement Ford washed up on the beach 50 years before and has lived ever since.

As the book opens, Ford is alerted to the arrival of a strange boat in the harbor. After so many years, his pursuers have caught up with him, in search of revenge and the treasure Ford absconded with at the end of World War II. By morning, several people are dead, Ford is missing and Chief Superintendent McGarr's fishing holiday is over.

With the help of his familiar Murder Squad team, his feisty, scholarly wife, Noreen, and the efficient mainland computers, McGarr begins to put together the pieces. Of less help are the closed-mouth islanders, many of whom despise "foreigners," whether they be mainland police or longtime benefactors like Ford, known to be behind the anonymous Clare Trust.

McGarr soon realizes that the killers did not achieve their objective - the treasure - and will return, losing themselves in the annual reunion of several thousand of the world's O'Malleys.

Gill is at his best here; his literary wit in top form, his characters gregarious and sharp, and the suspense heightened by harsh, windswept terrain and sudden, violent spring storms.

The Death of an Irish Sea Wolf is a far cry away from the English tea cozy brand of mystery. The question is not so much 'whodunnit?' as 'what will happen next?'. Exciting plot and good character development. I've already bought my next Peter McGarr Mystery.

This is my first Peter McGarr Mystery. I found it in a desperate search for old-fashioned mysteries where the focus is on the story not the dysfunctional lives of the detectives. Now there are plenty of dysfunctional people in this book, but that's not the focus. The focus is on a great story of betrayal and redemption that kept me turning pages right to the last one.

The way Gill incorporates such diversity of characters, history, and cultural anthropology is awe inspiring. I was help capture from start to finish. I have a student who was getting into his Irish heritage, so I lent it to him. Although not much of a reader, he loved this one. So much can be started with just the right book. Thank you Mr. Gill and Peter McGarr. ...Joyce Scholar is next.

Clement Ford of Clare Island has an enemy, Angus Rehm. Ford is known as the Sea Wolf. Rehm, after years, (Ford is in his eighties), arrives at Clare Island. Ford's wife Breege is frail and blind.

When Rehm finds Ford after so many years, the action starts. Ford's actual name is Dorfmann.

Peter McGarr is called upon to investigate some probable deaths. The call comes through when he is on a fishing holiday in Donegal. McGarr is summoned by the superintendent because there is one person dead, three missing, and blood and mayhem everywhere.

Two thirds of the way through the book an interesting ancillary plot strand emerges. This mystery is extraordinarily good. The island setting adds to its interest.

One the best books i have ever read..A real page turner