The Tisperer

The Tisperer is a gripping Irish novel that follows the journey of a lone nationalist sniper who takes on the British Army during the turbulent times of the ‘dirty war’ in the Six Counties of Ireland. The story is set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement, which led to a violent conflagration that intensified after the shooting of thirteen unarmed protestors by members of the notorious Paratroop Regiment of the British Army in Derry.

At the heart of the book is the unwavering spirit of the Irish nationalist, who refuses to be subjugated by the British and instead fights back with everything they have. The central character of the book, Scran Donaghey, is working on the family farm when a foot patrol of British paratroopers shoots and kills his only brother, Scruff. This tragic event shatters Scran’s world, leaving him with post-traumatic stress disorder but determined to seek retribution.

Scran faces two formidable foes - the British Army and the harsh Irish winter - as he wages his war for justice. The novel explores the dark corners of the Irish psyche, revealing the deep-seated need to fight back against historical oppressors like the British. The Tisperer is a complex and emotionally charged story that blends elements of mysticism, humor, sadness, hope, hopelessness, and anger.