Great story idea, but I struggled with a white trash redneck from Texas, not standing out in rural Ireland.
And the story of how Duke got to be the psychopath he became was almost a book in itself. ( )

En un lugar apartado del norte de Texas, dos adolescentes hacen un escalofriante pacto que los mantendrá unidos para siempre en una tenebrosa y retorcida lealtad. Ahora uno de ellos está muerto. Y el hombre responsable va a pagar por ello.

Después de una investigación de rutina que culmina en un violento y trágico final, el detective Joe Lucchesi se toma unas vacaciones de la policía de Nueva York y se muda con su esposa y su hijo a una pequeña y tranquila villa en la costa sudeste de Irlanda. Son felices, están a salvo y están a punto de experimentar una pesadilla aún más terrible que la que dejaron atrás.

Una joven desaparece y la villa cierra filas en torno a este hecho. Entonces, el detective Lucchesi se propone descubrir la verdad y encuentra una pista siniestra que conecta el otro extremo del Atlántico directamente con el corazón mismo de su familia.

Su esposa está mintiendo, su hijo está mintiendo. Y un asesino está al acecho.

Peccato, un bell'intreccio per un romanzo ricco di suspence che tuttavia man mano che la storia procede si complica inutilmente, si dilunga, mutando scena troppo di frequente. Suggestiva l'ambientazione nel faro. ( )

Yes I really did read this in two evenings. The story was interesting and you always knew there was more to it than met the eye at that moment. I really liked it that the action moved so quickly, without really missing a beat and without going to fast. I think it was more realistic with regards to the son’s actions than the father’s. I think Joe was just a tad over the top. I also loved the ME’s reaction to the impromptu meeting—some authors would have either not put that in at all or would have taken it too far but Barclay tossed it in just right. ( )

A surprisingly violent first novel for a female author, set partly in Ireland and NYC/Texas, following parallel stories of two low-life Texas misfits and Joe Lucchesi, ex-NYC cop now living with his wife and daughter in Ireland and the way their lives intersect. Although I finished the book quite quickly over a Bank Holiday weekend, I didn't find the character of Joe especially sympathetic or even believable. One of the late revealed villains was telegraphed fairly early on, albeit not the exact nature, but you always felt he was involved somehow and puzzled why other characters didn't see it and check him out earlier! Overall a bit disappointing relative to the reviews. ( )