This compelling narrative unfolds the gripping story of the IRA's audacious attempt to assassinate Margaret Thatcher—an account that extends beyond the infamous Brighton hotel bombing. The focus not only encompasses the dramatic incident but also offers an in-depth exploration of the life and background of Patrick Magee, the mastermind behind the bomb, while tracing the evolution of the Troubles and examining how the Hunger Strikes in the early 1980s, and Thatcher's response to them, ultimately paved the way for the Brighton bombing.

Written with a narrative flair that rivals a page-turning novel, this book is accessible to readers across the spectrum, whether they are well-versed in Irish history or newcomers to the subject. The author skillfully sets the scene, providing crucial context to the pivotal event. The result is a riveting account that captivates the imagination and engages readers on multiple levels, making it an enlightening and absorbing read for a diverse audience.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Brilliant, balanced, study of the events leading up to the Brighton bombing and its aftermath. Carroll sensitively gives space to all perspectives - the politicians, the terrorists, the police and bomb squads - to explore the motivations and impact of their actions.
Written like a thriller, but backed up with clear notes on sources to illustrate every assertion, this is an intensely readable retelling of events. Must read if you’re interested in Anglo-Irish politics in the 1970s and 80s.

"Today we were unlucky," it said, "but remember, we only have to be lucky once. You have to be lucky always. Give Ireland peace, and there will be no war." said the IRA statement after the failed assassination attempt

This book based on the Brighton Hotel bombing in 1984 that almost killed Margaret Thatcher reads like a fiction. For the uninitiated, this is a treasure trove of information on the Irish resistance movement (Dubbed by the Brits as "The Troubles") and about the original Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher. The amount of research that has gone into this gives you a quick catchup on the whole political scene before it gets to the event.

Put together based on more than 800 interviews and police records, kudos to the author who has made it a coherent narrative. Something that is not established gets called out and hence the journalistic principles are upheld in this fast paced book. The background setting that establishes the various players is critical as it talks about the reason for dissent which was new to me.

Earlier in 1981 when Thatcher had to decide how to handle Northern Ireland, she takes a hard stance that to treat all resistance movement as criminal activities. This leads to belittling of the Irish sentiments and builds hatred. Politician Bobby Sands openly started threatening the British of repercussions and follows it by various factions setting off bombs across England.

At 2:54 am, a bomb concealed in room 629 of the Grand Hotel in Brighton more than 24 days ago gets detonated. The mastermind behind this bombing is the English division on IRA and the bomber Patrick Magee nicknamed Chancer. Magee has first hand experience of casual brutality in the streets of Belfast and almost non-chalantly participates in the movement as a sense of meaning to his otherwise crumbling personal life. His stubbornness to the cause makes him the most dangerous of the lot "I regret that people were killed; I don't regret the fact that I was involved in a struggle" said he in 2002 after his release.

The manhunt that was painstakingly manual in the absence of technology makes the arrest an improbable event. However, as the author explains it took a lot of luck good and bad to finally crack the case. Somehow none of the characters stand out despite the long drawn histories and their feelings.

The one person who stands tall in this entire book is Margaret Thatcher. There is a subtle admiration even by those who are trying to bring her down and political opponents. Her entire strategy, rise in politics after two losses, her response to the Irish problem and the almost superhuman response to the bombing make you admire the person! For me, this was the first account with her as a central character and I surely would want to read a bit more of her era and stories set in this era.

Riveting piece of non-fiction.

A fascinating account of the IRA's attempt to kill Margaret Thatcher, not just the bombing of the hotel in Brighton, but a close examination of the life/background of Patrick Magee, the bomb maker himself, and also how the Troubles developed and how the Hunger Strikes of the early 1980s - and particularly Thatcher's response to them - led to the Brighton bombing.

This book reads almost like a page-turning novel and can be read by anyone, from someone who is already steeped in Irish history but also someone who is completely new to the subject due to the author's ability to set the scene and his knowledge of the all-important background to the key event.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Northern Ireland and the 'troubles' but also, of course, to anyone who wants to fully understand the reasons behind the attempt to kill Margaret Thatcher.

Killing Thatcher by Rory Carroll is specifically the story of the IRA's bomb attack in 1984 on the Grand Hotel in Brighton and generally the history of Republican Bomb attacks during "The Troubles".
The book begins with the murder of Lord Louis Mountbatten ,the first IRA "Spectacular" and follows with the build up then attack on The Grand Hotel where then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was the target. From there it takes up the story of the investigation into the atrocity and the eventual detection and apprehension of the culprits.

Author Carroll takes us into the reality of the Belfast street riots,mostly composed of very young people,some 80% of whom became IRA volunteers as a result of beatings from the Army,Police or both rather than any ideology. He dissects some amazingly hamfisted and provocative political decisions then details the incredible bravery of Bomb Squad personnel and the patient and cerebral tracking down of the killers by determined police officers.
Carroll gets under the skin of the characters involved in the events in his book and there are a few surprises with stories of Thatcher sitting up through the night writing personal letters of condolence to the parents of dead soldiers and her fortitude in insisting that the mere fact someone had tried to blow her to pieces the evening before,and might well still be around to finish the job,not deterring her from making a conference speech a few hours later. In a few paragraphs Rory Carroll had me convinced about the bravery and amazing personality of Bobby Sands,then there were Patrick Magee and Gerry Adams, I don't know their opinion of themselves but I doubt it's one I share.
An engrossing and fascinating read on many levels. from an insight into "The Troubles" to the human cost to those caught in the crossfire or on the wrong end of a detonator and finally a truly amazing piece of detective work.