The Puddle Dock Murders

Brendan O'Carroll is an ex-Indian Army RSM and now the well-respected City of London Town Crier. The beginning of the Edwardian era is full of promise and hope for many, but Brendan, dismissed after twenty-five years' service, finds his life spiralling out of control as he is drawn into a conspiracy which will threaten the very existence of the British empire.

Millions of people are at risk from a conflagration which will see a new world order prevail and despite Brendan's reluctance to get involved, he finds himself at the heart of the conspiracy. Used and abused by forces he has no control over, his only course is to fight to save himself and his wife, Mary-Jane. Brendan will do anything to protect her from his mistakes.

Too late, Brendan begins to understand the consequences of his actions. Can he act in time to save himself and Mary-Jane, or is it too late?

"McDonagh is a superb storyteller. His uncanny ability to get inside the minds of all his characters is remarkable. The attention to detail regarding the historical context, the streets and place-names of London, the arms and ammunition of the day, is laudable and adds to the authenticity of the novel."

• Amazon reviewer