Why a Booktrail?
1981 – Northern Ireland 1981 is not the place to be if you’re a catholic in a protestant area, or gay.
The Cold Cold Ground (Sean Duffy 1)
What you need to know before your trail
Northern Ireland, 1981. A country in turmoil in the middle of the Troubles. And a city in turmoil with what appears to be a killer targeting the gay community. Sean Duffy is a catholic detective living amongst a protestant community in Carrickfergus is put on the case of this and an apparent suicide. They seem to be unrelated but appearances can be deceptive.
A homophobic serial killer and a young woman’s suicide appear unrelated, but things aren’t always what they seem. Detective Sergeant Duffy is assigned to investigate and soon finds himself in a no-win situation.
Locations
Reset- Ireland (Northern)
- A: County Antrim -Carrikfergus - Knockagh Monument
- B: County Antrim - Maze prison
- C: County Antrim -Carrickfergus - Coronation Road
- D: County Antrim -Carrickfergus - Carrickfergus Castle
- E: County Antrim - Belfast - Northern Ireland Assembley
- F: County Antrim - Belfast - Queen Street
Travel Guide
The first in a series of novels set amongst the gritty hinterland of the Northern Ireland troubles in the 1980s. Against a very real and frightening backdrop, there is also murder and other crimes to solve but the backdrop adds an extra element of fear and darkness.
The author is from the very place, and lived in the very street that Duffy lives on in the book so the level of authenticity is high. As you drive through the city’s streets, stop at the checkpoints and see the number of soldiers patrolling your every move, this is the Belfast he knew and grew up with.
Living with the IRA and the troubles in the background was a frightening time and this book brings it home. Against the chaos and destruction of the bombings, there’s the roar of the riots, the desperation and control of the IRA hunger strikers, and the every day fear that this violence could spill out in front of an ordinary citizen just going about their day.
The 1980s was a difficult time in Ireland whether you were Catholic or Protestant. If you were gay..well that was another matter entirely. There are many referrals to the Maze prison controversy and the role of Gerry Adams on the political stage.
On a lighter note, the 1980s are evoked with talk of Atari games, the upcoming wedding of Charles and Diana and the trial of the infamous Yorkshire ripper
Streetview Maps
B ) Corornation Road, Carrickfergus
D) Carrickfergus Castle
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: The Cold Cold Ground
Destination: Belfast, Carrickfergus Departure Time: 1982
Twitter: @adrianmckinty Web: Adrianmckinty.com/
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