Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

January 6, 2003
Fast-paced but ultimately unconvincing, this third novel by the author of The Narrowback
and Bad Connection
begins with the dramatic (but none too credible) downfall of New York City policeman John Coglin. The straight-arrow cop—about to be promoted, about to be married, about to become a father—finds himself facing a murder rap when he shoots a bad guy in the line of duty. While the jury deliberates, he gets a call from his ex-con, ex-IRA uncle, Aidan, a father figure to John when he was a teenager, asking him to come to Pennsylvania for a few final words. Figuring he has nothing to lose—he is convinced he will be found guilty—Coglin agrees to participate in a diamond heist with Aidan and an attractive young single mom. The heist goes spectacularly wrong—the wife of the vice-president of the United States is killed in what appears to be crossfire, bringing all manner of law enforcement down on the heads of the would-be robbers. The prose is competent and the action hot, but the convoluted, conspiracy-laden plot tests the reader's ability to suspend disbelief. Ledwidge usually doesn't provide his characters' backstories until after
the action cools down, in a seemingly belated attempt to justify implausible decisions. His gritty thriller moves fast, but not quite fast enough for readers to ignore the reckless plotting. 5-city author tour. (Jan.)Forecast:Extensive publicity—including a five-city tour and tie-in promotion with the mass market edition of
Bad Connection—should keep sales brisk.

January 15, 2003
Ledwidge here sets the action meter on high and keeps the pages flipping. When good cop John Coglin is falsely convicted of killing a street thug, prison seems to be his only option. Enter his uncle, Aidan O'Donnell, a recently released convict and former IRA member. Aidan offers John the opportunity to participate in a heist that will land him enough money to escape to a new life before his sentence is handed down. But as the plan is set in motion, a new player arrives. Familiar with Aidan's criminal past, FBI agent Colette Ryan may seem to be John's opponent, but she may also be his best chance to survive. After a couple of good-if at times clunky-thrillers (The Narrowback and Bad Connection), Ledwidge has developed his style and makes the leap to excellence with a terrific novel that sizzles with nonstop action and seamless pacing. While his latest work approaches the territory of Michael Connelly, Ledwidge is more on the level of crime novelist David Cray. Recommended for most public libraries.-Craig Shufelt, Lane P.L., Oxford, OH

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