Thomas MacDonald

Book Review & Giveaway: Beyond the Bridge is the prequel to Tom MacDonald’s award-winning debut novel, The Charlestown Connection. I spent a summer doing some consulting work in Boston and have loved that city ever since, so I always look forward to reading novels about it. I don’t quite know what I expected when I picked up Beyond the Bridge but I got much more. This is an excellent detective mystery/thriller featuring a great anti-hero, and I’m excited that the publisher has provided us with two ARCs (advance readers copies) for our giveaway at http://popcornreads.com/?p=6423.… (més)

BEYOND THE BRIDGE is a murder mystery involving the Catholic church. The main character is Dermot, a star football player until he was injured and unable to play. Since then he has become an alcoholic living with his aunt and working in the churches' food pantry. Upon starting to investigate the murders Dermot finds that he has an interest and for the first time in a long while, he wants to do something.

Although the main character, Dermot, has his drawbacks, he is likable enough and at times you find yourself rooting for him to pass the liquor store by and just go home to bed. Even though he has alcoholic blackouts and ends up in the hospital at one point, he still manages to solve the mystery by visiting places such as Marthas Vineyard, going to AA meetings and helping old friends out along the way. The story is well written and with believable characters and scenes. When you finally reach the ending and learn the killers identity, there's one little twist taking you by surprise. If you like a good murder mystery you'll enjoy this one.… (més)