Homicide Detective Absalom "Abbie" Kearney followed in her adopted father's footsteps and became a cop. After living in Miami, she's returned to her hometown of South Buffalo, NY, called Ireland's 27th County, to care for her aging father, who is showing signs of early dementia. John Kearney's exploits are legendary on the force. Will Abbie be able to live up to his reputation?

Sent to investigate the horrifically grisly murder of a local meter reader, Abbie's instincts tell her the death scene has been staged in some malevolent way. As more increasingly gruesome killings occur, her investigation is hindered by distrustful members of the community, as well as fellow police officers. When Abbie discovers a secretive group called Clan na Gael may have connections to the vengeful killings, long-buried secrets going back as far as the old country could endanger not only her father's life, but her own. Discovery of the killer's identity, and the reasons behind the murders, is a shocking revelation for Abbie.

BLACK IRISH, Stephan Talty's debut crime thriller, is an impressive saga of loyalty, retribution and treachery. Character portrayal is realistic in a plot teaming with tension and suspense.