The Devil's Half Mile

A Novel

By: Paddy Hirsch

Narrated by: Euan Morton

"Narrator Euan Morton’s soft Irish brogue transports listeners to New York City in 1799." (AudioFile Magazine)

This program includes a bonus interview with the author

From Paddy Hirsch comes a gritty, evocative audiobook about Irish gangs in New York at the end of the 18th century

Seven years after a financial crisis nearly topples America, traders chafe at government regulations on Wall Street, racial tensions are rising, and corrupt financiers make back-door deals with politicians...1799 was a hell of a year.

Thanks to Alexander Hamilton, America recovered from the panic on the Devil's Half Mile (aka Wall Street), but the young country still finding its way. When young lawyer Justy Flanagan returns to prove his father's innocence, he exposes a massive fraud that has already claimed lives, and one the perpetrators are determined to keep secret at any cost. The body count is rising, and the looming crisis could topple the nation.

A thrilling, unrelenting audiobook that will appeal to fans of early American history and the renegade characters who determined its shape.

"A thriller with strong, multifaceted heroes and villains, tight plotting which rattles along in a city where you can smell the horse droppings and hear the authentic voices." (Patrick Taylor, New York Times best-selling author of the Irish Country Doctor series)

©2018 Patrick Hirsch (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"A thriller with strong, multifaceted heroes and villains, tight plotting which rattles along in a city where you can smell the horse droppings and hear the authentic voices." (Patrick Taylor, New York Times best-selling author of the Irish Country Doctor series)

Justice!

Very interesting...well researched and written! Set up well for a series. Good guys prevail!

author's note made sense

this was not a book I usually listen too, but I did like how everything tied together. the author's note really explained some important points of the story.

Good start

Hope for more from Mr Hirsch and Mr Morton! Enjoyed story and narration. More Justice please!!
Interesting time period, characters and plot. Would listen if this became a series!

Great book. Interesting NYC info

Especially if you are familiar with lower Manhattan it will be fun to hear all the historical info about the area. Good story that has a second book already

Very realistic

Historical NYC murder mystery fans will be begging for more. Well researched. Hirsch knows the right amount of detail to give while letting the story and action take center stage. Similar to Caleb Carr's The Alienist.

author's historical notes best part!

Overall, 4 stars.

Story, 3 stars. Often found it plodding, and though the violence was probably true to the period, I found it gratuitous after awhile

Performance and author's historical notes 5 stars. I wish all authors of historical fiction would give this kind of afterword. The only thing missing is a brief bibliography, but he is forgiven for this oversite.

Interesting

This was a very interesting look into a horrifying time in the history of our country, very interesting nonetheless.

Not what I was expecting...

Based on the brief description, this was not the story I was expecting, but I loved it. This is a time period that fascinates me and the depiction of how different New York was in 1799 only enhanced the enjoyment of the listen for me. I liked that Justice was usually in the midst of a conflict between his baser brutality and his moral compass. Given the task he has set for himself, it keeps him from being too good to be true. Well done Paddy Hirsch and I hope there will be more fiction in your future.

A transporting, riveting mystery

The author does an excellent job of filling out a very alien New York from the one we know. The mystery unfolds slowly and you're right there with Justice as he gets to the bottom of it all. The story is true to the times which is heartbreaking and maddening at points but I appreciate the truthfulness of it. I'd be more specific but I think that might give the game away.

Gritty Story of Old New York

Post revolutionary days in the streets of New York City. A tangled web of murder and Wall Street financial schemes. A combination of historical novel and detective story. The main character Justy was almost supernatural in his fighting skills and ruthlessness with a knife although the aughor lets us know how conflicted he is about his anger. A lot of interesting Irish street slang of the period. A plot with many twists and surprises, suspense and action. Well orchestrated fight scenes. Excellent historical detail and strong plot and characters. I recommend it.