The Payout Game by Robert Craven
I was dying to sink my teeth into this murder mystery over Christmas, but alas a 14 and a 12-year-old don’t allow for much reading time, so it was after my precious gremlins returned to school that I could enjoy The Payout Game. This is the third book by Dublin author Robert Craven, in the Detective Inspector Crowe series. I have had the privilege of reading Crowe’s first book A Kind of Drowning and his second one Malign Intent. Whilst there is the odd reference to the previous two books, these books have the beauty of being stand alone reads, as the actual stories themselves are not connected.
If you enjoy books written by authors Tana French or Ian Rankin, then you’ll definitely enjoy Robert Craven’s DI Crowe books. Craven finds Rankin’s writing an inspiration and like French, Crowe’s imagery especially in settings is strong like Tana’s.
I love Crowe’s character, you should loathe him as he’s a grumpy auld git, but I find myself wanting to shake the bejesus out of him, and say “Come on man!”. Aside from his son, he loves his upright bas and his cactus Bob, and Clodagh – the joys of complicated relationships! RTÉ, if you’re reading this, I’d love Crowe to get his own series, as I sincerely think that he would be a hit with loads of Irish viewers.
The Payout Game: the blurb
“Garda Inspector P.J. Crowe is hoping for a quiet Christmas in Roscarrig, Fishing town on Ireland’s rugged north Dublin coast.
But when a body is found on the rocks below the lighthouse during a charity regatta, his peace is short-lived.
The victim – one of Ireland’s most flamboyant celebrity bookies – is a man more at home in Dubai or New York than washed up on a desolate shore.
When the death is quickly ruled a misadventure, Crowe digs deeper, uncovering a dark world of illegal dog fights, crypto betting, and politics.
As the stake rise, Crowe and his small team must race to expose the truth – before the killer cashes out for good.”
If you like detective, murder mysteries then this book is for you. It has the added bonus of being set in Ireland too. All you need is a cup of tea or if you’re more like Crowe – a strong coffee or a Jack Daniels, and as it’s Winter time at the moment a nice roaring fire, although it also would make a nice holiday read by a swimming pool.
(c) Grace O’Reilly
The Payout Game is out now. Order your copy online here.
Robert Craven has written some political and action and adventure books too, including Get Lenin and The Road of a Thousand Tigers. His book Eagles Hunt Wolves was the winner of the 2021 Firebird Book Award for Best Action/Adventure. Read more here: www.robert-cravenauthor.ie
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