"...WE SEEM TO BE GETTING CLOSER TO THE NOIR I ENVISAGE.": GALWAY'S EDGE'S KEN BRUEN

In Galway's Edge Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor is hired by a Vatican troubleshooter to deal with a Galway preinst involved with Edge. when the priest and members are murdered, Jack looks for justice as he deals with other jobs from a priest accused of srx abuse to a cat killer. I talked with Ken about the book, Jack Taylor, and if this may be the Galway investigator's last case.

SCOTT MONTGOMERY: As dark as Galway's Edge is, I felt it to be one of the more upbeat Jack Taylor books,, at least where ihis psyche is concerned. How off am I?

KEN BRUEN: You are so right, I definitely wanted a lighter tone and it was fun to lighten up!

S.M.: What did giving Jack several jobs throughout the book while dealing with the Edge storyline allow you to do?

K.B.: It is a very Irish thing to tell a heap of stories around the main event, I call it the scenic route,

S.M.: I found Father Richard, the obese Vatican troubleshooter, to be incredibly entertaining. How did you see him when writing?

K.B.:  It was a joy to write of a priest who is full of the very spirit of life, he made a nice contrast with the usual predators I write about.

S.M.: You had said before that this would be the last Jack Taylor book. While there is a swan song in here if you're listening for iit, it also felt like a rebirth. Is it time to say goodbye?

K.B.: I think it is the final Jack, as I wrote it, I had this strong feeling of closure but if I hear Jack's voice, who knows, I don't currently hear him at all.

S..M.: Which is closer to the truth, Jack embodies your view of Ireland or Ireland of itself?

K.B.: The country I write about is so much darker than the reality but every day, we seem to be getting closer to the noir I envisage.

S.M.: What has made you stick with Jack for long?

K.B.: Simple answer to this, I loved the character and he allowed me to write of my own preoccupations