The Cold Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty Summary
Overview of The Cold Cold Ground
In 1981 Belfast, Catholic detective Sean Duffy navigates sectarian violence while hunting a serial killer. NPR's Nancy Pearl called it "the best crime novel in years," winning the 2013 Spinetingler Award. Could a murder investigation during The Troubles reveal uncomfortable truths about society itself?
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Key takeaways
Murder in the Shadow of the Troubles
In Northern Ireland, May 1981, Detective Sean Duffy stands over a body in a burnt-out car. The Troubles are at their peak-Bobby Sands is dying on hunger strike in the Maze Prison while the world focuses on Lady Diana's wedding preparations. As a Catholic cop in the predominantly Protestant Royal Ulster Constabulary, Duffy walks a dangerous line every day. What appears to be a standard paramilitary execution has one disturbing detail: a severed hand placed on the accelerator. When forensic pathologist Dr. Laura Cathcart reveals the hand belongs to someone else-likely a sixty-year-old guitarist-and finds a rolled-up musical score from Puccini's "La Boheme" hidden in the victim's body, Duffy realizes this is no ordinary killing. The morning ritual of checking under his car for mercury-tilt bombs is as routine as brushing his teeth in a place where police officers are prime targets. Every bump during his drive triggers waves of panic as he imagines the deadly physics of a mercury switch completing its circuit.
A Serial Killer in a War Zone
The Missing Woman
Peeling Back the Layers
The Hidden Connection
The Brutal Truth
A Labyrinth Without Exit
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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