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Featured Reviews!
Critical Mick Review of Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart
Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart


Critical Mick Review of 24/7 by Susan DiPlacido
24/7 by Susan DiPlacido


Critical Mick Review of Song for Katya by Kevin Stevens
Song for Katya by Kevin Stevens


Critical Mick Review of Death in the Desert by Francine Biere
Death in the Desert by Francine Biere


Critical Mick Review of Things You Should Know by John MacKenna
Things You Should Know by John MacKenna


Critical Mick Review of The Deal Master by Gerard F. Bianco
The Deal Master Gerard F. Bianco


Critical Mick Review of Confederate Nation: Special Appearance by Elvis Presley by Michael Loyd Gray
Confederate Nation: Special Appearance by Elvis Presley by Michael Loyd Gray

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NFG Magazine- Writing With Attitude!
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Books Ireland Magazine- News and Reviews
Books Ireland- Also Highly Recommended


The Dublin Quarterly: International Literary Review
The Dublin Quarterly


Greatest Uncommon Denominator- A Magazine of Fiction, Art, Reports, Comics, Poetry, and Scripts
Greatest Uncommon Denominator

Other Review Sites!
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Reviewing the Evidence- Mystery Reviews, and a Cat
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Reader Views- nice interconnected series of review sites and author services
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Escape Pod- Short Fiction. From Weirdo Imaginations, Straight to Your Ears
Escape Pod


writingshow.com, Paula B's weekly interviews about elephants. NO!  LIES!  About writing.
The Writing Show


Hey! I'm TALKING here!  The New York Times Book Review Podcast
The New York Times Book Review Podcast


Authors on Tour Live! Tales from the book tours.
Authors on Tour Live!

Mick's Fave Bookstores
Read Ireland- Clicks and Mortar, plus a whole lot more
Read Ireland


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Critical Mick

Reviews Free of Rules.

Reviews by the Clown that All Other Critics Want to Strangle with a Black Turtleneck

Based in Dublin, Mick Halpin- aka Critical Mick- has many questions. He also has one wart.
What's the big idea?

Mick Halpin offends snooty critics by offering reviews that non-intellectuals will groove to. UNRULY REVIEWS. The rules of proper diction can bite my ass.

What?!

(*&% off outta here if you want all the latest news, raves, faves, defences and assaults. Plus the stack of what's currently on the Critical Mick nightstand. Visit the home page. This page is where all Mick's reviews go for posterity.

The Full List (chronologic-wise)          Click here for Alphabetic List

April 2008

Critical Mick Review of Fourtold, by Michael Stone

Fourtold by Michael Stone

.mp3

 

April 2008

Critical Mick Review of Run, by Douglas E. Winter

Run by Douglas E. Winter

.mp3

Douglas E. Winter's Run is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2008

March 2008

Critical Mick Review of Possession, Obsession and a Diesel Compression Engine, by Gerard Brennan

Possession, Obsession and a Diesel Compression Engine by Gerard Brennan

.mp3

 

March 2008

Critical Mick Review of In the Beginning... There Were No Diapers: Laughing and Learning in the First Years of Fatherhood, by Tim Bete

In the Beginning... There Were No Diapers: Laughing and Learning in the First Years of Fatherhood by Tim Bete

.mp3

 

March 2008

Critical Mick Review of The Cat Trap, by K.T. McCaffrey

The Cat Trap by K.T. McCaffrey

.mp3

 

February 2008

Critical Mick Review of In the Woods, by Tana French

In the Woods by Tana French

.mp3
(3.4 MB)

Tana French's In the Woods is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2008

February 2008

Critical Mick Review of The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse, by Robert Rankin

The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse by Robert Rankin

.mp3

 

January 2008

Critical Mick Review of I Am America (And So Can You!), by Stephen Colbert

I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert

.mp3

 

January 2008

Critical Mick Review of Caught in Amber: An Anthology of Poetry, Prose and Fiction, edited by Eileen Casey

Caught in Amber: An Anthology of Poetry, Prose and Fiction edited by Eileen Casey

.mp3

 

Laura Lippman's The Last Place is the Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2007        2007: The Year in Unruly Review

December 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Last Place, by Laura Lippman

The Last Place by Laura Lippman

.mp3

Laura Lippman's The Last Place is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2007

December 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Judas Heart, by Ingrid Black

The Judas Heart by Ingrid Black

.mp3

 

December 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Everyday Miracles of Divine Mercy and Selected Stories, by Val Conlon

The Everyday Miracles of Divine Mercy and Selected Stories by Val Conlon

.mp3

 

November 2007

Critical Mick Review of Irish Murders: The Shocking True Stories, by Terry Prone

Irish Murders: The Shocking True Stories by Terry Prone

.mp3

 

November 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

.mp3

 

November 2007

Critical Mick Review of Stingy Jack, by R. Scott Taylor

Stingy Jack by R. Scott Taylor

.mp3
(5.1 MB)

 

October 2007

Critical Mick Review of Eightball Boogie, by Declan Burke

Eightball Boogie by Declan Burke

.mp3

 

September 2007

Critical Mick Review of Murphy's Revenge, by Colin Bateman

Murphy's Revenge Colin Bateman

.mp3

 

September 2007

Critical Mick Review of Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year, by Anne Lamott

Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year Anne Lamott

.mp3
(2.8 MB)

 

September 2007

Critical Mick Review of Is Anybody Listening?, by Larry O'Loughlin

Is Anybody Listening? Larry O'Loughlin

.mp3

 

August 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Elvis Sightings by Peter Eicher

The Elvis Sightings by Peter Eicher

.mp3
(3.6 MB)

 

August 2007

Critical Mick Review of Haunted by by Chuck Palahniuk

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

.mp3

 Chuck Palahniuk's Haunted is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2007

August 2007

Critical Mick Review of Mind's Eye by Philip Henry

Mind's Eye by Philip Henry

.mp3

 

July 2007

Critical Mick Review of Why Do Men Have Nipples? Hundreds of Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Martini, by Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg

Why Do Men Have Nipples? Hundreds of Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Martini by Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg

.mp3

 

July 2007

Critical Mick Review of Dublin Noir, edited by Ken Bruen

Dublin Noir edited by Ken Bruen

.mp3

 

July 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Colour of Blood, by Declan Hughes

The Colour of Blood by Declan Hughes

.mp3

 

June 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Big O by Declan Burke

The Big O by Declan Burke

.mp3

Declan Burke's The Big O is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2007

June 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Machine Man Letters by Monte Davis

The Machine Man Letters by Monte Davis

.mp3

Monte Davis's The Machine Man Letters is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2007

May 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Four Courts Murder by Andrew Nugent

The Four Courts Murder by Andrew Nugent

.mp3

Andrew Nugent's The Four Courts Murder is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2007

May 2007

Critical Mick Review of Murder Off the Books by Evelyn David

Murder Off the Books by Evelyn David

.mp3

 

May 2007

Critical Mick Review of Spacesuits and Sixguns Magazine

Spacesuits and Sixguns Magazine

.mp3

 

April 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Hanging Garden, by Ian Rankin

The Hanging Garden by Ian Rankin

.mp3

 

April 2007

Critical Mick Review of Bad Men, by John Connolly

Bad Men by John Connolly

.mp3

John Connolly's Bad Men is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2007

March 2007

Critical Mick Review of Chion, by Darryl Sloan

Chion by Darryl Sloan

.mp3

 

March 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Bard of Bethlehem, by David James Trapp

The Bard of Bethlehem by David James Trapp

.mp3

 

March 2007

Critical Mick Review of Big Easy, by Eric Wilder

Big Easy by Eric Wilder

.mp3

 

February 2007

Critical Mick Review of Vanish, by Tess Gerritsen

Vanish by Tess Gerritsen

.mp3

 

February 2007

Critical Mick Review of Christine Falls, by Benjamin Black (John Banville)

Christine Falls by Benjamin Black (John Banville)

.mp3
(5.3 MB)

 

February 2007

Critical Mick Review of Greatest Uncommon Denominator, a new magazine of fiction, poetry, art and attitude

Greatest Uncommon Denominator a new magazine of fiction, poetry, art and attitude

.mp3

 

January 2007

Critical Mick Review of One Hand Screaming, by Mark Leslie

One Hand Screaming by Mark Leslie

.mp3

 

January 2007

Critical Mick Review of Ambush, by Paul Carson

Ambush by Paul Carson

.mp3

 

January 2007

Critical Mick Review of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

.mp3

 

January 2007

Critical Mick Review of The Wilt Alternative, by Tom Sharpe

The Wilt Alternative by Tom Sharpe

.mp3
(3.1 MB)

 

Roddy Doyle's A Star Called Henry is the Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2006        2006: The Year in Unruly Review

December 2006

Critical Mick Review of Undead and Unwed, by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

.mp3

 

November 2006

Critical Mick Review of A Book About A Thousand Things, by George Stimpson

A Book About A Thousand Things by George Stimpson

.mp3

 

November 2006

Critical Mick Review of Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clarke

Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clarke

.mp3

 

November 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Midnight Choir, by Gene Kerrigan

The Midnight Choir by Gene Kerrigan

.mp3
(3.6 MB)

Gene Kerrigan's The Midnight Choir is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2006

November 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

.mp3

 

October 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Mermaids Singing, by Val McDermid

The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid

.mp3

 

September 2006

Critical Mick Review of Headbanger, by Hugo Hamilton

Headbanger by Hugo Hamilton

.mp3
(4.74 MB)

Hugo Hamilton's Headbanger is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2006

September 2006

Critical Mick Review of Vernon God Little, by DBC Pierre

Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre

.mp3

 

September 2006

Critical Mick Review of County Lines: A Portrait of Life in South Dublin County, edited by Dermot Bolger

County Lines: A Portrait of Life in South Dublin County edited by Dermot Bolger

.mp3

 

August 2006

Critical Mick Review of Want to Play? by P. J. Tracy

Want to Play? by P. J. Tracy

.mp3
(3.36 MB)

 

August 2006

Critical Mick Review of Murder Etouffee by Eric Wilder

Murder Etouffee by Eric Wilder

.mp3

 

August 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Mercury Man by John Galvin

The Mercury Man by John Galvin

.mp3

 

August 2006

Critical Mick Review of Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

.mp3

 

July 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Secret World of the Irish Male by Joseph O'Connor

The Secret World of the Irish Male by Joseph O'Connor

.mp3

 

July 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

.mp3

 

July 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Deal Master by Gerard F. Bianco

The Deal Master by Gerard F. Bianco

.mp3

 

July 2006

Critical Mick Review of Saboteurs: The Nazi Raid on America by Michael Dobbs

Saboteurs: The Nazi Raid on America by Michael Dobbs

.mp3
(4.52 MB)

 

June 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Teenage Dirtbag Years by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly

The Teenage Dirtbag Years by Ross O'Carroll-Kelly

.mp3
(9.1 MB)

 

June 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

.mp3

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2006

June 2006

Critical Mick Review of Missing: Missing Without Trace in Ireland by Barry Cummins

Missing: Missing Without Trace in Ireland by Barry Cummins

.mp3

 

June 2006

Critical Mick Review of Amongst Women by John McGahern

Amongst Women by John McGahern

.mp3

 

May 2006

Critical Mick Review of Seagulls by Eileen Casey

Seagulls by Eileen Casey

.mp3

 

May 2006

Critical Mick Review of Phoenix Park: A History and Guidebook by Brendan Nolan

Phoenix Park: A History and Guidebook by Brendan Nolan

.mp3

 

May 2006

Critical Mick Review of Mind Prey by John Sandford

Mind Prey by John Sandford

.mp3
(15.6 MB)

 

May 2006

Critical Mick Review of Confederate Nation: Special Appearance by Elvis Presley by Michael Loyd Gray

Confederate Nation: Special Appearance by Elvis Presley by Michael Loyd Gray

.mp3

Confederate Nation: Special Appearance by Elvis Presley by Michael Loyd Gray is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2006

April 2006

Critical Mick Review of Crazy Man Michael by Jim Lusby

Crazy Man Michael by Jim Lusby

.mp3

 

April 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Bloke's Guide to Pregnancy by Jon Smith

The Bloke's Guide to Pregnancy by Jon Smith

.mp3

Jon Smith's The Bloke's Guide to Pregnancy is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2006

April 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Legend of Juggin Joe by Joseph Yakel

The Legend of Juggin Joe by Joseph Yakel

.mp3

 

April 2006

Critical Mick Review of More Letters from a Nut by Ted L. Nancy

More Letters from a Nut by Ted L. Nancy

.mp3

 

April 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Master by Colm Toibin

The Master by Colm Toibin

.mp3

 

March 2006

Critical Mick Review of The Guards by Ken Bruen

The Guards by Ken Bruen

.mp3

 

March 2006

Critical Mick Review of A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle

A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle

.mp3

Roddy Doyle's A Star Called Henry is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2006

March 2006

Critical Mick Review of A Year of our Lives by John MacKenna

A Year of our Lives by John MacKenna

.mp3

 

March 2006

Critical Mick Review of Darkhouse by Alex Barclay

Darkhouse by Alex Barclay

.mp3
(20 MB)

Alex Barclay's Darkhouse is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2006

February 2006

Critical Mick Review of Death in the Desert by Francine Biere

Death in the Desert by Francine Biere

.mp3

 

January 2006

Critical Mick Review of Johnny Cash: The Life of An American Icon by Stephen Miller

Johnny Cash: The Life of An American Icon by Stephen Miller

.mp3

 

January 2006

Critical Mick Review of Last to Know by Liz Allen

Last to Know by Liz Allen

.mp3

 

Pete McCarthy's McCarthy's Bar is the Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2005        2005: The Year in Unruly Review

December 2005

Critical Mick Review of Niagara Falls All Over Again by Elizabeth McCracken

Niagara Falls All Over Again by Elizabeth McCracken

.mp3

Elizabeth McCracken's Niagara Falls All Over Again is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2005

December 2005

Critical Mick Review of Embedded in America: Complete News Archives Volume 16 by the Editors of The Onion

Embedded in America by the Editors of The Onion

.mp3

 

December 2005

Critical Mick Review of One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

.mp3

 

December 2005

Critical Mick Review of Shadows Will Fall by Rose Doyle

Shadows Will Fall by Rose Doyle

.mp3

 

December 2005

Critical Mick Review of The Keeper by Gareth O'Callaghan

The Keeper by Gareth O'Callaghan

.mp3
(5.19 MB)

 

November 2005

Critical Mick Review of Crime Lords by Paul Williams

Crime Lords by Paul Williams

.mp3

 

November 2005

Critical Mick Review of Heaven Lies About Us by Eugene McCabe

Heaven Lies About Us by Eugene McCabe

.mp3

 

November 2005

Critical Mick Review of Felicia's Journey by William Trevor

Felicia's Journey by William Trevor

.mp3

 

November 2005

Critical Mick Review of Scaredy Cat by Mark Billingham

Scaredy Cat by Mark Billingham

.mp3
(3.62 MB)

 

October 2005

Critical Mick Review of Mary, Mary by Julie Parsons

Mary, Mary by Julie Parsons

.mp3
(3.53 MB)

Julie Parsons' Mary, Mary is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2005

October 2005

Critical Mick Review of Utterly Monkey by Nick Laird
Utterly Monkey by Nick Laird

.mp3

 

October 2005

Critical Mick Review of No Second Chance by Harlan Coben
No Second Chance by Harlan Coben

.mp3

 

October 2005

Critical Mick Review of Cold Steel by Paul Carson

Cold Steel by Paul Carson

.mp3
(4.12 MB)

 

September 2005

Critical Mick Review of Song fo Katya by Kevin Stevens
Song for Katya by Kevin Stevens

.mp3

 

September 2005

Critical Mick Review of Kill The Messenger by Tami Hoag
Kill The Messenger by Tami Hoag

.mp3

 

September 2005

Critical Mick Review of Dracula by Bram Stoker
Dracula by Bram Stoker

.mp3

 

September 2005

Critical Mick Review of Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen

Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen

.mp3
(2.93 MB)

Carl Hiaasen's Story Weather is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2005

August 2005

Critical Mick Review of Big Fat Love by Peter Sheridan
Big Fat Love by Peter Sheridan

.mp3

 

August 2005

Critical Mick Review of Every Dead Thing by John Connolly
Every Dead Thing by John Connolly

.mp3

 

August 2005

Critical Mick Review of McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy

McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy

.mp3

Pete McCarthy's McCarthy's Bar is the Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2005

August 2005

Critical Mick Review of Streetwise: Stories from an Irish Prison, edited by Neville Thompson
Streetwise: Stories from an Irish Prison, edited by Neville Thompson

.mp3

 

July 2005

Critical Mick Review of An Unfortunate Assemblage of Villains by Adam McGrath
An Unfortunate Assemblage of Villains by Adam McGrath

.mp3

 

July 2005

Critical Mick Review of Motherless Brooklyn by Mr. Jonathan Lethem

Motherless Brooklyn by Mr. Jonathan Lethem

.mp3
(3.11 MB)

Mr. Jonathan Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn is Nominated for Best Book Critical Mick Read in 2005

July 2005

Critical Mick Review of The Silent People by Walter Macken
The Silent People by Walter Macken

.mp3
(3.9 MB)

 

July 2005

Critical Mick Review of All Summer by Claire Kilroy
All Summer by Claire Kilroy

.mp3

 

July 2005

Critical Mick Review of True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey
True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of The Death of an Irish Sinner by Bartholomew Gill
The Death of an Irish Sinner by Bartholomew Gill

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart
Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of The Shot by Philip Kerr
The Shot by Philip Kerr

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of A Dangerous Business by Michael Underwood
A Dangerous Business by Michael Underwood

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of The Siege of Krishnapur by J. G. Farrell
The Siege of Krishnapur by J. G. Farrell

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of A Haunted Heart by John MacKenna
A Haunted Heart by John MacKenna

.mp3
(2.56 MB)

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of The Rizzoli Contract by Kevin Stevens
The Rizzoli Contract by Kevin Stevens

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of Divorcing Jack by Colin Bateman
Divorcing Jack by Colin Bateman

.mp3
(1.4 MB)

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of Greetings From Lake Wu by Jay Lake
Greetings From Lake Wu by Jay Lake

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of Adam and Eve and Pinch Me by Ruth Rendell
Adam and Eve and Pinch Me by Ruth Rendell

.mp3

 

June 2005

Critical Mick Review of Hemingway by Kenneth S. Lynn
Hemingway by Kenneth S. Lynn

.mp3

 

May 2005

Critical Mick Review of 24/7 by Susan DiPlacido
24/7 by Susan DiPlacido

.mp3

 

May 2005

Critical Mick Review of Above Suspicion by Lynda LaPlante
Above Suspicion by Lynda LaPlante

.mp3

 

May 2005

Critical Mick Review of The Broken Cedar by Martin Malone
The Broken Cedar by Martin Malone

.mp3

 

May 2005

Critical Mick Review of Have Ye No Homes To Go To? by Neville Thompson
Have Ye No Homes To Go To? by Neville Thompson

.mp3

 

May 2005

Critical Mick Review of Fathers Music by Dermot Bolger
Father's Music by Dermot Bolger

.mp3

 

May 2005

Critical Mick Review of The Valparaiso Voyage by Dermot Bolger
The Valparaiso Voyage by Dermot Bolger

.mp3

 

Want your work featured on Critical Mick?

Seriously? Ah go on then... email mick at mickhalpin dot com for info on where to send a review copy. Mick is impressionable enough to read anything. But careful, now! When it comes to taste, he's as fiercely independent as a microbrewery.

And now for an important disclaimer from Critical Mick

Yo! All content on the DFA Guide site are copyright 2006 Mick Halpin. All links to other sites and documents are copyright to whatever source wrote something cool enough for Mick to give it a referral. Try to claim them as your own work and bad karma will catch up with you, baby. Believe it.

Irate, huh? Managed to piss off another one? Direct your hatemail to mick @ mickhalpin dot com.


This Page Was Last Updated On 24 April, 2008.

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