Search - Field of Blood (Paddy Meehan, Book 1)

Very good mystery novel introducing Paddy Meehan, an 18-year-old Irish Catholic woman living in Glasgow and starting a journalism career as a "copyboy." After reading only part of the first chapter I put the book away for awhile (too grim -- children killing a baby), but when I picked it up again I really enjoyed it. The author did a good job of building an entertaining but thought-provoking character. THis story definitely made me want to read more of the series as it continues; the second book was published in 2006.

I was hesitant to switch from Mina's Garnethill trilogy to her Paddy Meehan books, because I liked the first so well, but I'm glad I did. This was really entertaining and Mina creates an interesting portrait of Irish Catholics in Glasgow in the 1980s. It's very different from Garnethill, but just as good.

Denise Mina is an engaging novelist who has elevated the crime novel and creates complex, engaging characters who are a delight to get to know. We can only hope she has many more novels to come.

Well written. An interesting view into a world very different from the usual setting of American and English mysteries. Paddy Meehan is unique and very "human" heroine. I read the second book also and I am waiting impatiently for the third.