Book club fiction > Family saga > Thriller
The Maker’s Name: Winner, Literary Titan Gold Book Award
For more than four decades one Irish voice has spoken out, consistently, courageously, and with piercing clarity, against the intertwined power of Church and State in Ireland.
The Considine brothers, Rudi and Gus, are at war.
Their father, Malachi, has died in a ‘freak accident’. But is there such a thing as a freak accident? When Rudi attempts to grab Gus’s inheritance there’s a real prospect of human blood appearing on the Hawthorne Meats slaughterhouse floor. Enter Cosgrave, a solicitor with expensive tastes, and Toomarood, the banker with an eye to making money outside of his day job. Mix in the ‘free’ energy device, after experts have stated that the promoters are suffering from long-term, severe self-delusion. Does this all make up a catastrophe waiting to happen?
How will Gus’s childhood friend, Raymond Quinn, his partner, Kaarina, and their children, be able to deal with him being placed under an exit ban in China because of his part in a pyramid scheme that has defrauded Chinese small investors? Is Gus really the nice guy everyone thinks he is? His activities as a ‘celebrity butcher’ might suggest otherwise. Does Rudi go too far by defrauding Quinn senior and his business partner through the use of a shadow company?
Is Rudi capable of murder?
And Rudi’s wife, Penny – whose side is she on?
Treachery hangs over this story of the pressures and tensions, both personal and commercial, of Celtic-Tiger era Ireland, especially when that edifice is destroyed in the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.
For Rudi, the payback from Gus and Raymond is severe indeed.
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Publisher : Audacity Publications
Publication date : 18 May 2024
Language : English
Print length : 328 pages
ISBN-13 : 9781738541010
Item Weight : 13.4 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.64 x 9 inches
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From the United Kingdom
4.0 out of 5 stars
A well-crafted story that reflects his life experiences
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2024
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
“The Maker’s Name” by Seamus McKenna is an impressive debut novel that showcases the author’s rich professional background and storytelling skills. Drawing from his extensive career as a civil engineer and his experiences in the financial world, McKenna weaves a tale that is both knowledgeable and engaging. His detailed descriptions of events and settings add a layer of authenticity that benefits the narrative, making the story vivid and immersive.
The plot centers on the classic struggle between two brothers over inheritance, a theme that McKenna handles with originality and complexity. His unique insights and experiences enrich the story, making the conflict more relatable and multifaceted. While the narrative can sometimes be interrupted by historical details, these elements also provide depth and context, particularly in the book’s second half where the pace notably accelerates.
Character development in “The Maker’s Name” is compelling, with a diverse and interesting cast that adds variety to the storyline. However, there are moments where the narrative could benefit from more detailed exploration of key events and character motivations. The initial introduction of new characters and settings can feel somewhat fragmented, leaving the reader momentarily disoriented. Nevertheless, as the story progresses, these elements converge, leading to a cohesive and satisfying resolution.
The ending of the novel is dramatic and leaves some questions unanswered, which might intrigue some readers while leaving others wanting more closure. This open-ended conclusion, however, is fitting for a debut novel, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the business world McKenna portrays.
Overall, “The Maker’s Name” is a testament to Seamus McKenna’s talents as a writer. It is a well-crafted story that reflects his life experiences and his ability to translate them into engaging fiction. This novel marks a promising start to McKenna’s literary career, demonstrating his potential to captivate readers with stories that are both insightful and entertaining.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 February 2025
Format: Kindle Edition
I received this book as part of an advanced reader group and sometimes I struggle through the submissions. Not this time. Reminiscent of an Archer story, I was interested in the story, the brothers, the history and the country descriptions.
It is a compelling read with great insight into a world I didn’t know.
I actually read most of it on a beach – perfect place, so a definite holiday read, or a cosy fireside, as you get drawn into another world – so on the daily commute might be better!
Give it a go – you won’t regret it!
Katherine Mezzacappa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sibling rivalry at its deadliest
Reviewed in Italy on 26 November 2024
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This is a compelling saga of the Celtic Tiger years. At its heart is the rivalry between the mercurial, quick to anger Rudi and his brother Gus, one a tycoon who doesn’t blink at dubious business practices and the other a celebrity butcher – not that this makes him a nice guy. What really happened the day their father died, and where is his will? The prologue, describing slaughterhouse practices, sets the dark tone for what is to come; things are not what they seem in the Considine family. McKenna draws from his extensive work experience, at home and overseas, to evoke authentically the Brussels and Macau of those years, and the traps set for the unwary. Reading this thriller, one gets the clearest confirmation of what a lot of us on the outside already think, namely that international business deals and currency exchange are often a form of legalised gambling, where the cards are never evenly distributed. Looking forward to more from this author.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Weak plot line
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2025
Format: Kindle Edition
I was hoping that this was going to be an intriguing story about Irish families and I was prepared to follow them around the world as the story unfolded. I found the plot line to be confusing, I found it was difficult to follow who was doing what, and in some cases, what was the point of what they were doing.
I finished it but it left me strangely unsatisfied.
i received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 November 2024
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed the “The Maker’s Name” an epic tale spanning half a century, focusing on the Considine brothers, Rudi and Gus. You have a story of conflict, betrayal and the dynamics of business against the backdrop of Ireland’s Celtic Tiger era and the global financial crisis of 2008. The story draws you in, each page leaving you wanting more.. it was a hard book to put aside and that’s its greatest compliment. Well worth a read and always great when you find a new author. . Highly recommend.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2024
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Good book. Found it hard to put it down. The end seems to indicate another to follow. A fantastic debut novel
From the United States
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 February 2025
Format: Hardcover
A story inspired on true life events. Based on the rivalry between two brothers as they battle for the inheritance from their father who himself died in mysterious circumstances.
Received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2025
Format: Kindle
I give the author a lot of credit for writing a multi POV story that spanned decades, because that’s a feat. I liked the general premise of the book, and I really enjoyed learning about subject matters I wasn’t as familiar with (business/economics, butchery, etc.). My main issue with the book is that I feel that the main characters had to share attention with side characters who didn’t matter to the story as much. This partly led to the book being longer than it needed to be. I would have liked a tighter story, with some more introspection from those main characters. Note: I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2025
Format: Hardcover
I enjoyed this book. It is easy to read and I had a hard time putting it down. Gus and Rudi Considine’s characters are well developed. It is interesting to see how their relationship changes. I hope there is a sequel. I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2025
Format: Kindle
Enjoyable book that was easy to get into. The author has you follow the characters over many many decades and throughout many different countries.
