With pitch-perfect writing, McCarthy gives us a new slant on Western history, illuminating the extensive role of Irish immigrants in the U.S. Army in the 1860s. The emotional heart of the book is the close, unsentimental relationship of the O'Driscoll brothers ... a strong entry in the modern Western genre, encompassing both historical accuracy and social commentary, wrapped in a well-told story.
Gripping ... At the moment of truth surrounding the crime at the heart of the novel, the details add up to a tense jumble of passions and uncertainty. This Western-inspired historical war novel deserves recognition alongside the works of Patrick O’Brian and Hilary Mantel for its dynamic exploration of the depths of human depravity and compassion.
The shifting points of view, the unique voices, and the painstakingly researched historical detail make for a dense, rewarding tale about the roles of Irish immigrants in the genocide of Native Americans. A fine amalgam of historical fiction, western, and thriller.
Absorbing, dark ... The amount of boozing in general may serve historical accuracy but also may sustain the hoary slur of Erin go blotto, while the purely white man’s view of Native Americans as savages is hardly balanced by nods to the Indians’ athletic skills ... McCarthy has a fine sense of voice and period detail, but it’s the well-drawn characters and riveting scenes that make this novel memorable.
A historically rich blend of mystery, morality, and brutal frontier warfare between the U.S. Army and the Sioux ... Though not for the squeamish, this is a riveting and propulsive mystery.
