17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best of the Peter McGarr series., June 25, 2002
If you don't know Irish detective Peter McGarr, this terrific novel from 1989 is a great introduction! Where else but Dublin might you find a James Joyce scholar dead, and McGarr and the Murder Squad of the Garda Siochana reading Ulysses, and occasionally Samuel Beckett, in an effort to understand what led to his death? Including brief quotations from Ulysses in this novel, Gill locates the action in places which are significant in Ulysses, talks about Finnegan's Wake, and even discusses "the novel of competence," represented by Joyce, as opposed to "the novel of incompetence," represented by Samuel Beckett, making these esoteric subjects comprehensible and intriguing.
Dublin throbs with life here, in the pubs, on the streets, in the university, and at galleries, the Shelbourne Hotel, and St. Michan's church. The action is robust, with many fights, fractures, and a few hospitalizations, as McGarr and his detectives concentrate more on justice than on the niceties of procedure. The characters we know from earlier novels are further developed here (and continue into later novels).
As always, Gill includes lively and wonderfully droll conversations--the teasing and byplay one expects of close and caring relationships--both at home and at the Garda station. And when Det. Hugh Ward and Det. Ruthie Bresnahan finally discover each other, one of the highlights of this novel, their scenes become both hilarious and steamy. Gill's excellent satire (the Beautiful People at a book-launching), his wonderful sense of the absurd (the murder victim's wife bringing the victim home, laying him in bed, and contacting McGarr only after he starts to "go off"), and his uncanny ability to create quirky and likable characters make this one of the best novels in this remarkable series. Mary Whipple
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Walk Dublin with "Ulysses" tucked under your arm., August 19, 1999
If you know a little bit of Joyce and a little bit of Dublin, this mystery's for you. Don't be intimidated or fooled by the word "scholar." It's a police procedural that delves not too deeply into "Ulysses", but just enough to help Detective Peter McGarr track suspects through the neighborhoods and drinking establihsments that Joyce loved. As a mystery it doesn't tax your intuitive skills too much, and the line of the investigation threads logically. If you're going to Dublin some day and have a choice of reading "Ulysses" or "Death of A Joyce Scholar", I would opt for the latter.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mr. Gill Strikes Again, April 20, 2003
This was my second selection in the long list of Mr. Gill's books. I started with his next to last book and now know some things about his characters that I would not have found out going in the opposite direction. But even with that said, I find myself entranced by the characterizations in these two books. I have become quite comfortable with the repeating case of characters and I enjoy my time with them. The murder being handled sometimes seems secondary to other issues in their lives. While I did have some trouble keeping the three potentially villainous women in this novel clear in my mind, it was nevertheless a fun read. I have always avoided the reading of Joyce's Ullyses, but Gill makes an excellent case for my reconsideration of that decision. He also brings me back, clearly and strongly, to all my memories of my one trip to Dublin and certainly encourages me to return. All in all this is a fine story, well-researched and with characters well worth remembering.
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