Liam Mulligan is as old school as a newspaper man gets. His beat is Providence, Rhode Island, and he knows every street and alley. He knows the priests and prostitutes, the cops and street thugs. He knows the mobsters and politicians--who are pretty much one and the same. Someone is systematically burning down the neighborhood Mulligan grew up in, people he knows and loves are perishing in the flames, and the public is on the verge of panic. With the police looking for answers in all the wrong places, and with the whole city of Providence on his back, Mulligan must find the hand that strikes the match.
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
DeSilva's lengthy career as a reporter for the Providence (R.I.) Journal has provided him with the writing skill and the in-depth knowledge of city room and cityscape so well displayed in this strong debut crime novel. It's also allowed him to create a totally believable protagonist in Liam Mulligan, a beleaguered journalist seeing his old neighborhood being destroyed by arson and his newspaper by reader disaffection. Mulligan's first-person narration is filled with emotion, not the least of which is his love-hate relationship with his city and state. And there are suspenseful moments of high tension. Too bad reader Boehmer has opted for a bland, even-tempered, almost bedtime-story approach, emphasizing key words without putting much feeling behind them. The only times he lets himself go is in delineating phone calls from Mulligan's shrewish ex-wife. Perversely, she's the novel's one character in need of underplaying. A Forge hardcover. (Nov.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Born and raised in the Mount Hope section of Providence, Rhode Island, journalist Liam Mulligan won’t simply report on the rash of arsons killing lifelong friends and loved ones in his old neighborhood. He wants to know more and launches an investigation, discovering a heavy-handed plot to own Mount Hope in order to redevelop it. Along the way, he’s threatened, beaten, arrested on suspicion of arson and murder, suspended from his newspaper, and targeted with a Mob contract on his life. Mulligan must turn to some unlikely allies to save his tired old neighborhood and secure justice. Rogue Island has everything a crime fan could want: a stubborn, street-smart hero with a snarky sense of humor; more than a baker’s dozen of engaging characters; a fast-paced plot; a noirish style; a realistic postmillennium newspaper setting; mean, pot-holed streets; and, best of all, a knowing portrait of a small city and a tiny state famous for inept government, jiggery-pokery, and corruption. Debut novelist DeSilva began a four-decade career in journalism as a reporter for the Providence Journal, and his take on the city and state is harsh but also affectionate, as when he describes graft as Rhode Island’s “leading service industry,” noting that “it comes in two varieties, good and bad, just like cholesterol.” This tremendously entertaining crime novel is definitely one of the best of the year. --Thomas Gaughan
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Bruce DeSilva worked as a journalist for 40 years before retiring to write crime novels full time. His first, "Rogue Island," won the Mystery Writers of America's prestigious Edgar Award and the Mystery Writers International's Macavity Award. The book was also a finalist for the Shamus, Barry and Anthony Awards.
"Cliff Walk," the second novel in his series featuring Providence, R.I., investigative reporter Liam Mulligan, has drawn widespread critical acclaim.
At the Associated Press, DeSilva served as the writing coach, responsible for training the wire service's reporters and editors worldwide. Previously, he directed an elite AP department devoted to investigative reporting and other special projects. Earlier in his career, he was an investigative reporter and an editor at The Hartford Courant and The Providence Journal.
Stories edited by DeSilva have won virtually every major journalism prize including the Polk Award (twice), the Livingston (twice), the ASNE, and the Batten Medal. He also edited two Pulitzer finalists and helped edit a Pulitzer winner.
He has worked as a consultant on writing and editing at more than 50 newspapers including The New York Times and The Dallas Morning News, and he has been a sought-after speaker at professional journalism gatherings including the National Writers Workshops and the Nieman Foundation. He has also been a speaker at crime writers conferences including Thrillerfest, Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, and the Mystery Writers of America.
His reviews of crime novels have appeared in The New York Times book review section and continue to be published occasionally by The Associated Press. He is currently an adjunct professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
He and his wife Patricia Smith, an award-winning poet, live in Howell, NJ, with their granddaughter Mikaila, a huge mutt named Rondo, and an enormous Bernese Mountain Dog named Brady.
"Cliff Walk," the second novel in his series featuring Providence, R.I., investigative reporter Liam Mulligan, has drawn widespread critical acclaim.
At the Associated Press, DeSilva served as the writing coach, responsible for training the wire service's reporters and editors worldwide. Previously, he directed an elite AP department devoted to investigative reporting and other special projects. Earlier in his career, he was an investigative reporter and an editor at The Hartford Courant and The Providence Journal.
Stories edited by DeSilva have won virtually every major journalism prize including the Polk Award (twice), the Livingston (twice), the ASNE, and the Batten Medal. He also edited two Pulitzer finalists and helped edit a Pulitzer winner.
He has worked as a consultant on writing and editing at more than 50 newspapers including The New York Times and The Dallas Morning News, and he has been a sought-after speaker at professional journalism gatherings including the National Writers Workshops and the Nieman Foundation. He has also been a speaker at crime writers conferences including Thrillerfest, Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, and the Mystery Writers of America.
His reviews of crime novels have appeared in The New York Times book review section and continue to be published occasionally by The Associated Press. He is currently an adjunct professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
He and his wife Patricia Smith, an award-winning poet, live in Howell, NJ, with their granddaughter Mikaila, a huge mutt named Rondo, and an enormous Bernese Mountain Dog named Brady.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
73 of 81 people found the following review helpful
By Westreacher
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've lived in Rhode Island all my life, albeit downstate. I'm an avid reader of everything from mysteries to nonfiction, very picky, and a former, now part-time journalist. I was entranced by this book from page one. DeSilva has done a wonderful job combining inside knowledge with a true love for our screwed up, but wonderful state. His hero is a well-written character, reminiscent of Spenser, but with a more human, believable personality. The plot line was great, his characters entertaining. Even if you're not from the Biggest Little State in the Union, you'll enjoy this fast-paced, well-written book. Looking forward to more from this author.
51 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By Mike Waller
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Rogue Island is a terrific book, written by an outstanding reporter who was a great writing coach for The Hartford Courant and then the Associated Press. The testimonials on the book jacket are actually right on target--the writing is superb and true to the newsroom and street scenes. DeSilva's characters jump off the page, alive with all their human flaws. The pages are like potato chips--you can't read just one. DeSilva is especially skilled at creating a sense of place--Providence is so real you can touch and smell it. And his hero, investigative reporter Liam Mulligan, has just the right touch of cynicism and idealism. I'm looking foward to Mulligan's next adventure and to his inaugural appearance in what surely will be a series of movies. To bad William Powell or Bogart aren't around to play him. Perhaps Matt Damon will do.
57 of 64 people found the following review helpful
By MM
Format:Hardcover
I read this book in three sittings over a weekend; it was hard to put down. The plot is fast-paced, and the writing is sparse yet rich, and studded with laugh-out-loud lines. When a book is this easy to read, you know the writer worked hard. Bruce combines this discipline with an ability to entertain. He has the requisite anatomy _ an ear for dialog, an eye for detail, a head for street smarts and the heart of a softie. Plus insights into human nature that come from having seen more than a few slices of life.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bruce's book
I bought this book because the write-up sounded interesting plus the fact I'd once gone to school with the author. the book was a little disappointing and I wouldn't recommend it
Published 8 days ago by Donna A Rogers
5.0 out of 5 stars
A blast!
I've been on a murder mystery reading tear and, hands down, Rogue Island was the best. Entertaining, great characters, and best of all I learned how to swear in Italian. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alicia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read.
this is a typical newspaper reporter mystery story that takes place in Providence Rhode Island. The author has the local culture described very well. Read more
Published 1 month ago by jared stubbs
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rogue island
Corruption exposed! Rhode island politicians still modeling government by the Mafia virtues. Author exposes one of the most corrupt "Dons"
Published 2 months ago by connie keene
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read and informative
This was a very interesting read for a native of the mid-west. I really felt like I was in the Rhode Island and was seeing what the state was like. Read more
Published 6 months ago by TrilliumHills
4.0 out of 5 stars
First book?
I enjoyed this quick read that any Spencer for Hire fan would like. Somewhat humorous though I was expecting even funnier according to some of these reviews. Read more
Published 6 months ago by John
4.0 out of 5 stars
Off to a good start!
Someone is setting fires, and the body count is rising. DeSilva does a nice job of mixing his protagonist's laid-back, sarcastic outlook on life with the harsh realities of life... Read more
Published 6 months ago by D. J. Anderson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun read
Found this book by accident and glad that I did. As a Providence RI native, I enjoyed reading about places that I knew and could actually picture in my mind. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Lil Lau
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bruce DeSilva is quite a tale teller.
The first interesting thing about DeSilva's book is his language.
Fascinating jargon. Cool!
He keeps the reader amused as he introduces
one character after another. Read more
Fascinating jargon. Cool!
He keeps the reader amused as he introduces
one character after another. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Carolina in the morning
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this!
Since I am a Rhode Islander, I could relate to the setting, descriptions and characters with great ease. I loved this book, and had a hard time putting it down. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mickyp
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
So You'd Like to...
|
|
