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Today as part of the #lovebookstour for Whatever It Takes by Tadhg Coakley. J.A Warnock reviews the book for us whilst she is on furlough in the Scottish Boarders.
Whatever It Take by Tadgh Coakley
Set in Cork city, Detective Garda Collins is at war with the leading local criminal, Dominic Molloy. Unwilling to accept the human degradation caused by Molloy’s drugs, violence and prostitution. He has made up his mind to bring Molloy down, but just how far is he willing to go to make that happen? What is he willing to do and what fall-out will ensue for himself and his garda colleagues? This tense crime novel (the first in a series featuring Collins) tells the story of two immovable forces colliding. Something has to give. Running out of time before the murder of two teenagers becomes inevitable, and with a traitor in the garda station feeding information back to Molloy, Collins takes his battle to new heights. He is determined to win, whatever the cost, whatever it takes.
Tadhg Coakley
Tadhg Coakley is from Mallow and lives in Cork city. His debut novel The First Sunday in September was shortlisted forthe Mercier Press fiction prize and was published in 2018 to much acclaim. His sports writing has appeared in The Irish Examiner and The Holly Bough. He has also been published in The Stinging Fly, The Honest Ulsterman, Silver Apples,Quarryman and the From the Well anthology. He is a graduate of the MA in Creative Writing course at University College Cork. www.tadhgcoakley.com
Book Review by J.A. Warnock for Love Books Group
‘Whatever it Takes’ by Tadgh Coakley dives head long into an uncomfortably realistic world that is murky, violent and corrupt. As the story unfolds, Coakley shows that the worst of motivations and the best of intentions can both lead to perilous or questionable situations. He gives his reader a Godlike perspective to oversee plot and counter plot by writing in the 3rd person from a selection of different perspectives. I rather like a book written with that all seeing eye. I think perhaps I enjoy the power trip!
Coakley’s writing style is exceptionally atmospheric but demands attention from the reader. I read a lot and tend to read quickly but found I had to slow my pace a little with this book to ensure I knew who was doing what to whom or in which direction folks were heading. Lazy readers need not apply; you are going to have to think, keep up and fathom out a few things for yourself along the way. I love being thrown in at the deep end (if it is possible for a book to have a deep end) and think it adds to the enjoyment and entertainment value of this novel.
There is a nice mix of personal history and plot not all of which is fully resolved so I doubt we have heard the last of… well I can’t say… read the book and find out. There was lots of action, plenty of plot and even a few moments where I forgot to breathe! Health warning aside, it is well worth a read. Four Stars.
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