Hidden River

By: Adrian McKinty

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Alexander Lawson is a former detective for Northern Ireland's police force. After a disastrous six-month stint in the drug squad, he became addicted to heroin and resigned in disgrace. Now 24, sickly, and on the dole, Alex learns that his high-school love, Victoria Patawasti, has been murdered in America. Victoria's wealthy family sends Alex to Colorado to investigate the case, and he seizes the opportunity for a chance at redemption.

But things don't go as planned. Plagued by a heroin habit, forced to go on the run after the only credible witness to Victoria's murder is accidentally killed, wanted by both the Colorado cops and the Ulster police, Alex struggles just to stay alive.

Gritty, with spot-on dialogue and black humor, Hidden River is a dynamic thriller.

©2004 Adrian McKinty (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

• 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Mystery

"This is not only an expertly crafted suspense novel but also a revealing study of addiction." (Publishers Weekly)
"A storyteller with the kind of style and panache that blur the line between genre and mainstream."(Kirkus Reviews)

A simple story, richly told...

An abridgement of this book would be an absolute sin. This very personal, intimate story of a young and brilliant man in over his head before the book even opens, is wonderfully written and warmly and plaintively read. Rich, ample literary and historical references are inserted with grace and style, and Alexander Lawson may well be the most-hapless anti-hero in modern fiction. A very suitable place for a Jewish ex-cop from Belfast. McGinty has captured the seamy side of Denver and the air of American politics with astonishing aplomb. I'll be looking for any more books from this author, and I hope that Gerard Doyle will be reading them.

I can't get enough

Adrian McKinty's name on a book is enough for me to devour it gladly. True for HIDDEN RIVER. As with so many of his heroes, I sometimes want to reach into the story and shake some sense into the characters. Alex is one of them. Heroin, Alex?!!!

Interesting story but a bit less than exciting as some others. The location is a change - Colorado. The narration by Gerard Doyle is as good as McKinty's prose. What a pair! I want more!

Best Narrator Ever!

If you could sum up Hidden River in three words, what would they be?

While the story line is good, what stands out is the narration. I've listened to this narrator, Gerald Doyle, just for his work. He does most of his narration for this author, Adrian McKinty, and together the work of the author is superb.

The plot

When you know the ending mid way through the book but are inspired to keep listening to the narration and the character development, you know you have a novel you will listen to again and again. Thanks.

A bit hard to get into...

But once you're there, get ready for a great story that takes you from Ireland to America and back with more than one murder along the way. I wasn't sure I liked it for a while, and the self depreciating storyteller doesn't make it easy, but soon you will be hooked, and by all means, enjoy the ride.