The Dirty South

A finely written thriller haunted by a powerful sense of the struggle between good and evil - Daily Mail

Complex and intriguing but pared back, relying on character and a dark well of emotion generated by prejudice, corruption, racism and violence . . . As well as a gripping thriller The Dirty South is a credible study in grief . . . skilfully plotted . . . pitch perfect on the American setting and the deadly slow pace of southern life. The dialogue is crisp; the southern idioms and drawl are perfect and the tension in what's left unsaid is palpable. This tale is loaded with poignancy and menace, it's disturbing and mesmerising. Writing this good almost makes the subject matter irrelevant. - crimefictionlover.com

A beautifully measured novel that is equal parts gripping mystery and an unsentimental meditation on grief, probably the best crime novel you will read this year - The Irish Times

Anyone who enjoys the exploits of the former New York Detective-turned-private-investigator Charlie Parker will be thrilled by this prequel to his stories . . . Beautifully told, this underlines the sheer brilliance of the character of Parker - Daily Mail

Mr Connolly's slam-bang thriller is studded with memorable characters and boasts cliffhangers within cliffhangers - Wall Street Journal

This is a story populated with richly described characters, be they honorable or slimy, as well as rich descriptions and dialogue. Fast-moving, witty dialogue helps speed this well-plotted yarn to a dramatic conclusion. A most satisfying read for crime buffs. - Kirkus Reviews

Intelligent and subtle . . . Connolly is writing at the top of his game - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

There's no denying this one is a hell of a tale: dark, haunting, and beautifully told . . . For fans of the Parker series, the book is required reading - Booklist