Set in the US in the 1970s, Michael Collins’ noirish mystery explores the obsessions that a brutal murder awakens in a small Midwestern town.

The last of a manufacturing dynasty in a dying industrial town, Bill lives alone in the family mansion and works for the Truth, the moribund local paper. Then old man Lawton goes missing and suspicion fixes on his son, Ronny, the local bad boy. The violent death breathes new life into the town, with network TV attention and national scoops for the Truth. But for Bill, a deeper, more disturbing involvement with the Lawsons ensues.

Shortlisted
The Booker Prize 2000
Published by
Phoenix House
Publication date

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Michael Collins

Michael Collins

About the Author

Michael Collins was born in Limerick, Ireland. He is the author of six novels, and two collections of short stories.
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