Jack Taylor Geht Zum Teufel (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Jack Taylor's world is the underbelly, no doubt, moving among the detritus of society, including Taylor himself. Bruen explores a lot of darkness in this series, but in this one, he casts the Devil himself, and the treatment gets too literal for me. A metaphorical figure of the arch demon would have suited better, for me at least, a figure we're left thinking could be Satan. Here, the guy shows up, does a lot of stuff to people just because he wants to and he can, and then he moves along, surfacing somewhere else. Taylor is always up against the devil, in a roundabout way, but here, he's up against him literally. What are ya gonna do--shoot the guy? It won't help. Taylor has his two friends, who give what help they can, but in the end, it's Jack and Lucifer. Once you start reading the first Jack Taylor book...you just simply can't stop! I have absolutely loved this series by Ken Bruen. Bruen has pulled Jack down in almost every way possible...drinking, drugs, a limp, a hearing aid, and the uncanny ability to make some really bad life choices...but still Jack keeps on getting right back up and moving forward. This eighth book in the series is a bit different from the previous seven. You still have Jack being Jack in all his glory...cynical, crass, hopeful, and hopeless...but throw in the Devil and you have an entirely new spin on things. For me, the most wonderful thing about any Jack Taylor book is that I don't just read it...I hear it...very clearly...Jack's Galway brogue singing in my ear.
What do You think about Jack Taylor Geht Zum Teufel (2012)?
Not my favorite Jack Taylor novel and not Bruen's best. I guess the devil made him do it.
—aikesakes
This book didn't grasp me, and was a let down. Couldn't make it past the 2nd chapter.
—Nancy
My favorite Ken Bruen "Jack Taylor" book to date...literally could not put it down.
—cheetaheaf
A clean gun is like prayer- it might not do the job, but you're en route.
—Kiki
