Some of the most iconic, hard-boiled Irish detectives in fiction insist
that they are not detectives at all. Hailing from a region with a
cultural history of mistrust in the criminal justice system, Irish crime
writers resist many of the stereotypical devices of the genre. These
writers have adroitly carved out their own individual narratives to
weave firsthand perspectives of history, politics, violence, and changes
in the economic and social climate together with characters who have
richly detailed experiences.
Recognizing this achievement among Irish crime writers, Babbar shines a
light on how Irish noir has established a new approach to a longstanding
genre. Beginning with Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor, who rejects the detective
title in favor of "finder"--a reference to Saint Anthony of Padua in the
context of a traditionally secular form--Babbar examines the ways Irish
authors, including John Connolly, Tana French, Alex Barclay, Adrian
McKinty, Brian McGilloway, Claire McGowan, Gerard Brennan, Stuart
Neville, Steve Cavanagh, and Eoin McNamee, subvert convention to reclaim
their stories from a number of powerful influences: Revivalism, genre
snobbery, cultural literary standards, and colonialism. These writers
assert their heritage while also assuming a vital role in creating a
broader vision of justice.