"The Killing of the Tinkers"

"The Killing of the Tinkers" is Ken Bruen's second Jack Taylor novel.  When Taylor returns to Galway a year after relocating to London, he's acquired a wife and a coke habit.  Although the marriage appears to be on the rocks, the coke habit and his drinking do not.

When Sweeper, a Tinker (or gypsy) approaches him about the brutal murders of several young tinkers, he's asked to look into it because the Guardia seem to be ignoring them.  In return Sweeper gives him a house to live in as well as keeps him in funds.

Taylor does manage to solve the case of who is killing swans and reconnects with old friends.  As usual, his main case is a little less straightforward than he thinks.  When a London policeman friend visits Galway, he gives him some assistance and warns him not to be too focused in a specific direction.  I read this book in less than 24 hours -- couldn't put it down unless I had to!  Time to look for the next book in the series.  pazt