“Old God’s Time” by Sebastian Barry
Sebastian Barry’s new novel is once again located in his homeland of the Emerald Isle, and features the life of recently retired Detective Sergeant Tom Kettle.
A widower he has chosen to move to the coast renting a lean-to attached to an old castle where he watches his landlord Mr Tomelty spending his time gardening. Another neighbour, a cello player, strangely takes pot shots with a rifle at cormorants resting on an island off shore. There is also an actress Miss McNulty, and her son in another apartment, but his contacts with these fellow residents are few and far between yet all have meaning to the story as it unfolds. Another McNulty in another Sebastian Barry novel!
Tom spends his days relaxing on his favourite cane chair enjoying the sea views, savouring his retirement after years spent solving the crimes of Dublin. Some six months into his new routine his peaceful life is disrupted by a visit of two policemen, Wilson and O’Casey asking for his help on an old murder case that they are reviewing and assessing; one that Tom and his old sidekick, Billy Drury, who was renowned for his meticulous recording of case files, some of which his visitors have brought along, had investigated and been unable to solve.
This enquiry followed up by a visit from his old boss, Jack Fleming who requests Tom comes into Dublin to help clarify some queries about the case of two priests, Fathers Martin and Byrne. The issue of corruption and child abuse within the Irish Roman Catholic church is now a matter of record, but back in the 1980s was more often swept under the carpet, vehemently denied by the Church hierarchy.
These visits prompt Tom’s memory to recall events not only in his old career but in his earlier life. His childhood in an orphanage, a spell in the British Army, with time spent in Malaya, which helped him to be accepted into the police force, where he had a successful career, but never advanced beyond Sergeant.
His memories are also very family focused remembering his late wife June, the love of his life and their children Winnie and Joe. June had also grown up in an orphanage and their chance meeting in a Wimpy cafe changed both of their lives for the good, but both have dark memories of an unhappy childhood. A bond which provides a solid happy foundation for the Kettle household; but old memories never fade away.
Time passes, the summer comes, Tom meets his neighbours and the actress reveals the reason for her choice of location. Tom hears little back from the police but their initial questions have rekindled his memories of the case and the events that surrounded the investigation. His recollections merge together in his mind as the present day unfolds and gradually the author reveals to us, his reader, the depth of the story he has to tell.
As ever Sebastian Barry writes beautifully; some of the conversation and Tom’s thoughts recounted in a lyrical Irish voice that make the pages turn. Highly recommended as ever with this prize-winning author.
