A gripping tale of sport, politics and sex.
The novel is set against the background of events in Ireland in 1970-85, a dangerous and destabilising time in the country. Danno Stoner's passion for bowlplaying is fuelled by his conviction that sport is his pathway to self-fulfilment. As a road bowler, he is naturally gifted way above the ordinary. But Danno has a secret past: he was induced to join the IRA in the emotional period following Bloody Sunday in 1972. Later he acts as a back-up getaway driver for the IRA bomb squad responsible for the assassination of the British Ambassador in Dublin in 1976. He is betrayed to the Special Branch and imprisoned. This turns out to be a time of self-examination and reappraisal. After his release in 1984 the IRA still claims him as one of their own. They insist on another bombing assignment. Now, on the eve of the All-Ireland Senior Road Bowling Championship, for which he as qualified, Danno faces a life-or-death decision. What is he to do? Does he follow IRA orders, or follow his conscience and risk being branded a traitor?
The novel is set against the background of events in Ireland in 1970-85, a dangerous and destabilising time in the country. Danno Stoner's passion for bowlplaying is fuelled by his conviction that sport is his pathway to self-fulfilment. As a road bowler, he is naturally gifted way above the ordinary. But Danno has a secret past: he was induced to join the IRA in the emotional period following Bloody Sunday in 1972. Later he acts as a back-up getaway driver for the IRA bomb squad responsible for the assassination of the British Ambassador in Dublin in 1976. He is betrayed to the Special Branch and imprisoned. This turns out to be a time of self-examination and reappraisal. After his release in 1984 the IRA still claims him as one of their own. They insist on another bombing assignment. Now, on the eve of the All-Ireland Senior Road Bowling Championship, for which he as qualified, Danno faces a life-or-death decision. What is he to do? Does he follow IRA orders, or follow his conscience and risk being branded a traitor?
