The Twelve

Geschreven bij Twelve

What is it with the Irish and their fascination, nay near obsession with the supernatural? Is it in their genes or in their water that is distilled three times. The endresult is that Irish novels frequently have some otherworldly themes in them.

We all know John Connolly, whose protagonist Charlie Parker is assited and assaulted by ghosts that may or may not be the figments of his own imagination. Now there’s a new writer that explores the same theme and he does it spendidly.

Stuart Neville’s debut is called ‘The Twelve’ and features Gerry Fegan, a former IRA hitman who served his time in the notorious Maze prison. Fegan is tormented by the ghosts of the 12 people he killed. A psychologist termed it a manifestation of his guilt but that diagnosis does not help at all. Every waking and sleeping moment he is haunted by these apparitions and they want him to take revenge. In a strange and twisted way this is Fegan’s way of redeeming himself.

‘The Twelve’ paints a grim picture of the Ireland after a shaky peace has replaced a brutal civil war. The thugs of yesterday are now the politicians of today and the only difference is that they wear designer suits now. They still instill fear of the Irish population and use the power of the media instead of the power of the guns. Until Fegan starts killing them.

If you like a tense and terse thriller, you should really read ‘The Twelve’.