I'm very grateful to be able to post another review in this occassional series. Today I'm delighted to be able to post one by my friend Nick Kinsella. I first met Nick about 12 years ago when he was heading the UK's Human Trafficking Centre, and leading on the creation of more effective policing responses to crimes of contemporary slavery in the UK. Nick is, as you may have gathered, a PROPER detective with over 30 years experience of policing, and so it was with serious trepidation that I handed over my story of accidental cops to his professional eye. Here's what he has to say:

The ‘Undiscovered Country’ is the outstanding first novel by Aidan McQuade. Set in the troubled and often dark and violent times of revolutionary Ireland in the 1920’s, McQuade weaves a story of such depth and intrigue that the readers imagination and interest is immediately captured and cleverly held right through to the novel's dramatic conclusion.

McQuade subtlety and seamlessly introduces vivid images of both the times and characters in the story that effortlessly draws the reader in until they become fully immersed in the desperate events surrounding a child’s disappearance, murder and the subsequent investigation by ‘republican police’.  

This is a wonderful first novel by McQuade that left me wanting to read more. I found it almost impossible to put down once I started reading and I have no hesitation in recommending it to others. I hope this is the first of many novels from Aidan, and I look forward with some impatience to his next! In my view McQuade can now add the title of ‘accomplished writer’ to his many other achievements.