The Last Crossing - by Brian McGilloway (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

*LONGLISTED FOR THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2021*

'Poetic, human and gripping... reminded me of Bernard MacLaverty's early work. Yes, it's that good' Ian Rankin

'Moving and powerful, this is an important book, which everyone should read' Ann Cleeves

'The Last Crossing is not only a riveting story about loss and guilt in a fractured society, it is also an
important work. Beautifully written and lingers long in the memory' Steve Cavanagh

Tony, Hugh and Karen thought they'd seen the last of each other thirty years ago.

Half a lifetime has passed and memories have been buried. But when they are asked to reunite - to lay ghosts to rest for the good of the future - they all have their own reasons to agree.

As they take the ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland the past is brought into terrible focus - some things are impossible to leave behind.

In The Last Crossing memory is unreliable, truth shifts and slips and the lingering legacy of the Troubles threatens the present once again.

Praise for Brian McGilloway:

'... McGilloway brings a forensic and compassionate eye to bear on the post-Troubles settlement in this thoughtful, moving, morally complex book' Irish Times

'McGilloway's grasp of characterisation is of the first rank, and more than compensates for the familiarity of the scenario here. The author continues to be one of Ireland's most accomplished crime writers' CrimeTime

'[A] superb book... thoughtful and insightful, wrenching and utterly compelling. It says something truly profound and universal about love, loyalty and revenge... If you want to understand Northern Ireland, or any society that has experienced conflict, put it on your list. And the writing is exquisite' Jane Casey

'Unearths individuals truths, unreliable memories and personal mythologies with a complex character-driven story that will leave you breathless until the final page' Gerard Brennan

'As heart-stopping and thrilling as it is exquisitely written and prescient' Claire Allan

'Another extraordinary novel from one of Ireland's crime fiction masters' Adrian McKinty

'A remarkably timely thriller' Irish World

From the Back Cover

Tony, Hugh and Karen thought they'd seen the last of each other thirty years ago. Half a lifetime has passed and memories have been buried. But when they are asked to reunite - to lay ghosts to rest for the good of the future - they all have their own reasons to agree. As they take the ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland the past is brought into terrible focus - some things are impossible to leave behind.

In The Last Crossing memory is unreliable, truth shifts and slips and the lingering legacy of the Troubles threatens the present once again.

Praise for Brian McGilloway

'... McGilloway brings a forensic and compassionate eye to bear on the post-Troubles settlement in this thoughtful, moving, morally complex book' The Irish Times

'McGilloway's grasp of characterisation is of the first rank, and more than compensates for the familiarity of the scenario here. The author continues to be one of Ireland's most accomplished crime writers' CrimeTime

'Poetic, humane and gripping... reminded me of Bernard MacLaverty's early work. Yes, it's that good' Ian Rankin

'[A] superb book... thoughtful and insightful, wrenching and utterly compelling. It says something truly profound and universal about love, loyalty and revenge... If you want to understand Northern Ireland, or any society that has experienced conflict, put it on your list. And the writing is exquisite' Jane Casey

'Unearths individuals truths, unreliable memories and personal mythologies with a complex character-driven story that will leave you breathless until the final page' Gerard Brennan

'As heart-stopping and thrilling as it is exquisitely written and prescient' Claire Allan

'Another extraordinary novel from one of Ireland's crime fiction masters' Adrian McKinty

'Moving and powerful, this is an important book, which everyone should read' Ann Cleeves

'The Last Crossing is not only a riveting story about loss and guilt in a fractured society, it is also an important work. Beautifully written and lingers long in the memory.' Steve Cavanagh

Review Quotes

... McGilloway brings a forensic and compassionate eye to bear on the post-Troubles settlement in this thoughtful, moving, morally complex book.--The Irish Times

The Last Crossing is quite simply a brilliant piece of fiction, which is both gripping and riveting in equal measure.--Next to the Aisle

[A] superb book... thoughtful and insightful, wrenching and utterly compelling. It says something truly profound and universal about love, loyalty and revenge... If you want to understand Northern Ireland, or any society that has experienced conflict, put it on your list. And the writing is exquisite.--Jane Casey

A brilliant excavation of the recent past... Another extraordinary novel from one of Ireland's crime fiction masters.--Adrian McKinty

A fantastic read which I found hard to put down.--Over the Rainbow

A powerful, compelling read and it will stay with me for a long time.--Sarah's Vignettes

A story that will resonate with a lot of folks. It's nuanced and written in such a way that lends to rereads... It's no surprise that this book, similar to humans, is a mystery that awaits your attention.--Fantasy Book Critic

An absolutely stunning novel.--Damo Says

An outstanding read which will remain with me, I cannot recommend it highly enough.--Hair Past A Freckle

As heart-stopping and thrilling as it is exquisitely written and prescient.--Claire Allan

Brian has a beautiful way of writing, the story flowed seamlessly, and I couldn't wait to find a spare few minutes within my day so I could pick up my book once again.--Orchard Book Club

I admired McGilloway s ability to probe their mindset, to exaggerate their vulnerabilities, to highlight the utter terror they lived under as the military took over their streets, as violence lurked behind every corner... a thoughtful novel.--My Bookish Blog Spot

McGilloway s grasp of characterisation is of the first rank, and more than compensates for the familiarity of the scenario here. The author continues to be one of Ireland s most accomplished crime writers.--CrimeTime

Superbly character-driven with thoughtful prose and tense scenes, The Last Crossing is a memorable thriller that will have you engrossed in the characters' journey from start to finish.--Bookshelf Butterfly

The writing is a cut above, it's simply quite a stunning read. A brutal, dark read, that shows how far-reaching past mistakes can be.--Alex J Books

The Last Crossing by Brian McGilloway is an emotional story with plenty of depth and that spark of something special that makes you feel connected to it all. A must-read for all fiction fans.--Books of All Kinds

This book completely bowled me over. This is addictive writing that draws you into a complex and character-driven cracker of a novel that leaves you with plenty to think about when you are done.--Brown Flopsy's Book Burrow

This is a definite 5* read, that I would recommend to anyone, who likes a story with complex characters, along with a powerful and moving storyline... [and] a moving ending.--Jackie's Reading 4 Leisure

This is spell-binding fiction that speaks a deeper truth... You have to read this book. It is important, meaningful and quite extraordinary.--Live and Deadly

This standalone tale is packed with intrigue, heightened with the split timelines and the quest for something whether it be closure or justice for the dead.--A Knight's Reads

Unearths individual's truths, unreliable memories and personal mythologies with a complex character-driven story that will leave you breathless until the final page.--Gerard Brennan

You feel connected to not only the characters in the story but also to the plot.--Ally's Reading Corner

About the Author

Brian McGilloway is the author of eleven crime novels including the Ben Devlin mysteries and the Lucy Black series, the first of which, Little Girl Lost, became a New York Times and UK No.1 bestseller. In addition to being shortlisted for a CWA Dagger and the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, he is a past recipient of the Ulster University McCrea Literary Award and won the BBC Tony Doyle Award for his screenplay, Little Emperors. He currently teaches in Strabane, where he lives with his wife and four children.