Nine Inches

Nine Inches is the eighth installment in Colin Bateman's Dan Starkey series, set in the gritty landscape of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The story centers on Dan Starkey, a former journalist turned private investigator, who takes on a case involving the brief kidnapping of a controversial radio host's young son. Starkey's investigation pulls him into Belfast's criminal underworld as he navigates through a web of local gangsters, paramilitary forces, and corrupt officials. His search for answers leads him to confront the notorious Miller brothers, high-ranking members of the Ulster Volunteer Force who control much of the city's drug trade. The novel continues Bateman's exploration of post-Troubles Belfast, where old sectarian divisions persist alongside new forms of crime and corruption. Through dark humor and sharp social observation, the story examines the complex relationships between media, crime, and justice in modern Northern Ireland.

Readers note this as one of the darker entries in the Dan Starkey series, with a more somber tone than Bateman's previous works. Readers appreciated: - The blend of dark humor with serious subject matter - The evolution of Dan Starkey's character - Fast-paced plot that maintains tension - Belfast setting details and cultural references Common criticisms: - Too much focus on violence compared to earlier books - Some plot points feel far-fetched - Less humor than fans expect from the series Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (147 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (38 reviews) Review quotes: "The violence feels more graphic and less cartoonish this time" - Goodreads review "Missing the laugh-out-loud moments of Mystery Man" - Amazon reviewer "Starkey finally shows some character growth" - LibraryThing user Note: Limited review data available online compared to other Bateman books.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay A crime fiction novel featuring a forensic expert who moonlights as a vigilante killer targeting other murderers.

The Guards by Ken Bruen A disgraced Irish policeman becomes a private investigator and navigates through violence and corruption in Galway.

Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty An Irish immigrant in New York works as an enforcer for a crime boss while seeking revenge against those who wronged him.

London Boulevard by Ken Bruen A ex-con attempts to go straight as a handyman but gets pulled back into London's criminal underworld.

Gun Machine by Warren Ellis A New York detective discovers an apartment filled with guns linked to unsolved murders spanning decades.

🔍 The Dan Starkey series has been praised for its authentic portrayal of post-Troubles Belfast, drawing from Bateman's own experience as a journalist in Northern Ireland. 🖋️ Colin Bateman dropped his first name professionally to avoid confusion with the American Batman comics, publishing simply as "Bateman." 📚 The title "Nine Inches" refers to the traditional measurement of a news column in Belfast newspapers, where the author worked before becoming a novelist. 🎬 Bateman's work has been adapted for screen, including his novel "Divorcing Jack" (another Dan Starkey story) which became a feature film in 1998. 🏆 The novel incorporates real locations and social dynamics unique to Belfast, including the "peace walls" - physical barriers that still separate Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods in parts of the city.