The Guards (Jack Taylor) - Tapa dura

Stuck in a rut after his dismissal from the Irish police force and still grieving the death of his father, Jack Taylor finds renewal when an intriguing woman hires him based on his rumored talent for finding things, unaware of what his attractive client has in mind. A first novel. 30,000 first printing.

Advance Praise for Ken Bruen and The Guards

“The Guards blew me away. It’s dark, funny, and moving—just for starters. With a sharp eye and a lyrical voice, Ken Bruen takes us on a powerful odyssey through the mean streets of Galway, straight into the Irish heart. Bruen’s tale is a potent draft of desire and hopelessness, conviction and surrender, inadvertent heroism and unexpected grace. This is mystery writing of a high order.”—T. Jefferson Parker, author of Black Water and Silent Joe

“The Guards is a wonderful book, wrenching and real, fast, funny and wise in every sense. Why the hell haven’t I heard of Ken Bruen before? He’s a terrific writer and The Guards is one of the most mesmerizing works of crime fiction I’ve ever read. I’m going to read the rest of his work now, so don’t bother me for a while. And when he’s got a new one, send it to me quick. This guy is the real thing.”—James W. Hall, author of Blackwater Sound

“The Guards is raw, hard, bitter, and amazing. It’s got that ancient feel to it, as of a primal story being retold with a fine, careless Irish swagger. It’s as if Bruen made up his mind to tell us this story whether we wanted to hear it or not. Oh, we do. For sure.”—Jon A. Jackson, author of Badger Games

“The Guards is an astounding novel, a poetic account of a desperation as deep and cold as the North Sea, retribution, and resurrection. It’s so good I can’t think of it as a crime novel. It’s a fine book with some crimes.”—James Crumley, author of The Final Country

“The Guards is a pint and a half of perfect book. Make it this year’s specialty of the house.”—Boston Teran, author of The Prince of Deadly Weapons

“The Guards kicked my ass—it’s up there with the best. If Elmore Leonard got together with James Joyce to write a Spencer novel, this is what you’d get!”—David Means, author of Assorted Fire Events