Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13603 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 311 pages

Do You Write Under Your Own Name?
'A very assured debut'

Kirkus
'McGilloway's debut is marked by exceptionally mature prose and a hero as charismatically volcanic in his own way.'

Reading Matters
'This is a disturbing but strangely compelling read. . . I thoroughly enjoyed Borderlands.'

Customer Reviews

Tightly plotted thriller with heart of a poet
Ben Devlin is a unique copper in the ranks of murder mystery writing; with a (mostly) happy family life and an easy familiarity with his small community which never borders on the arch, he still evidences the kind of common sense thinking and popular misconceptions about the modern world that make him instantly relatable and much more than just a device for the author's omniscience. He's incredibly likeable, but has enough of the poet about him that he remains compelling enough to follow, in this short debut novel from McGilloway. The plot is tightly structured and meticulously paced for the most part; the first two thirds of the book follow an almost linear and procedural progression which keeps the seasoned reader happily immersed in their own suspicions. If the book has a flaw it is in the final pages, where possibly too many twists in too short a time stretch the believability slightly. Still, I didn't see the end coming. A wonderful subplot with the family dog provides an elegant allegory for the larger issues in the book and shows just how sophisticated a writer McGillway is and how good this ongoing series should prove to be (He's written the second and been signed upfor three more after that). Highly recommended.

Borderlands - Brian McGilloway
Waiting for new releases from the regular crime writers that I read, I came across "Borderlands" and bought it on the strength of the reviews.

I was not disappointed and will be reading the 2nd in the series before the 3rd is released in April!

The plot moves along at a strong pace, with enough clues being teased out to ensure interest is maintained with surprises towards the end. I agree that at the end of the novel a number of twists and turns come tumbling out too quickly that damages the former credibility. However the realisic sense of police work and detection throughout the novel easily lets you forgive this.

Benedict Devlin is a great character - essentially a moral and good man - he has human failings where his own emotions and temptations side track him. McGilloway put across an honesty to Devlin's character which brings his character alive.

I did have to check the setting on a map but that is due to my own lack of geographical knowledge and not the fault of the author. The setting is strongly portrayed and convincing. At times the writing is powerful and poetic, ie. "the sky is bruised purple and yellow in the dying sun" as a young girl is found dead with bruising on her chest.

I'm glad that I have found this author.

Great New Talent
Borderlands will keep you on the edge of your seat.It makes you feel like your standing beside the crime sceen.Could not find anything wrong with it.A+1 all the way.5 Stars*****