THE MAKER’S NAME: Winner Literary Titan Gold Book Award by Seamus McKenna

he 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. Review "The Maker's Name by Seamus McKenna unravels a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and family dysfunction set against the dramatic backdrop of Ireland's Celtic Tiger years. At its heart is Hawthorne Meats, a thriving family business, but beneath the surface, trouble is brewing. When patriarch Malachi Considine dies under suspicious circumstances, his sons, Rudi and Gus, face off over the inheritance. The fallout is swift and brutal, with Rudi attempting to edge Gus out of the company. Yet, the drama extends far beyond the brothers. Ambitious banker Toomarood, the sly solicitor Cosgrave, and a host of other players circle like vultures. The mystery of Malachi's death looms large. Was it truly an accident or something far darker? McKenna draws readers into a narrative that echoes the complex family dynamics of The Godfather and the sharp, corporate scheming of HBO's Succession. The setting, Ireland during its era of unprecedented economic growth, grounds the story in a world where greed and power reign supreme. This tale of familial conflict feels larger than life, yet McKenna roots it in sharp details and vivid personalities. The tense relationship between Rudi and Gus commands attention. Both are richly developed characters, capable of driving the story forward with their flawed yet compelling personalities. Surrounding them is a cast of supporting characters who elevate the narrative, from Gus's loyal friend Raymond and his steadfast partner Kaarina to Rudi's ambitious wife Penny. Even the minor characters leave a lasting impression.