I met Ken Bruen at the Las Vegas Bouchercon in 2003. His first book in the Jack Taylor series, THE GUARDS, had come out earlier that year to high critical and fan acclaim. If I recall correctly, he came unannounced and was surprised at how many fans had read THE GUARDS and liked it – and knew who he was. If I would characterize Ken’s personality in one word it would be “charming.” And, in like manner, if I would characterize Ken’s writing style in one word it would be “unique.”
In 2008 he won the Barry Award for PRIEST and at other times was nominated four times for the Barry Awards. One of those nominations was for the Barry Award for Best Book of the Decade for THE GUARDS (which lost out to Stieg Larsson’s THE GIRL IN THE DRAGON TATTOO). He also won two Shamus Awards and two Macavity Awards.
I have recently read and enjoyed his latest Jack Taylor book GALWAY’S EDGE (March 2025). Little did I know it would be his last. Rest in peace, Ken. You have left a great literary and personal legacy and will be remembered long into the future. — George Easter

Comments by DP Contributors

Meredith Anthony
Sad news. Last week the great Ken Bruen died. He was one of my all-time favorite authors and one of my favorite people to have a drink with at a conference. I will miss him.

Ted Hertel
Ken was a great guy! He and his amazing writing will be missed. The first time I met him he told me that he had read a review of mine of one of his early books. He liked the review so much he bought me a drink – though I know that I am far from the only one he did that for. The next time I saw him, I bought the drinks.

From his Editor and Friend Otto Penzler
One of the true greats of the mystery world is gone. I’m broken-hearted to report that Ken Bruen, my dear friend of more than 30 years, has died. In addition to being one of the most talented and original writers I’ve ever read, he was also one of the best people I’ve been privileged to know. Unfailingly kind and generous, he had a heart as big as the universe. Fifteen years ago, when the bookshop was struggling mightily, I had the idea to publish bibliomysteries in the store to help as fund-raisers. The first person I asked to write one was Ken because I knew he would say yes. After he delivered the manuscript of his most recent novel, GALWAY’S EDGE, to the Mysterious Press, he said that it was his final Jack Taylor. I’ve been pressing him to keep on, that he couldn’t let his superb, memorable, tough but poignant character die. It seems that Ken may have known more than he let on.

Jeff Kingston Pierce of the Rap Sheet
The piece is too long to copy and paste here. Go to the Rap Sheet and scroll down to the April 1 posting. It’s worth the effort. Jeff has a fascinating story to tell.