Under the Bridge by Jack Byrne is an exposé of the social mores that embrace the English city of Liverpool and its surroundings, explored through the eyes of young reporter Anne McCarthy. When human remains are discovered on a construction site, Anne is assigned the task of covering the story. The more she delves into the mystery, the more she learns not only about the victim, but also those surrounding this mystery, their relationships, and ties to the past. In this sweeping journey of discovery, we are shifted back through Liverpool’s history to a time when working conditions were dire, and life had to cope with the harsh realities of the time, framed within the shadow of a huge influx of Irish immigrants and the IRA conflict. Ultimately, Anne’s quest will lead her to revelations she least expected; truths that touch those closest to her and unexpected feelings that surface within her.

Jack Byrne’s Under The Bridge is a nicely constructed tale of Liverpudlian life, couched in a language that accurately portrays the mood and feel of the region. You can almost hear the moan of a ship’s horn and feel the fog on your skin as men scramble on crammed docks to be selected for a day’s work; a lifeline that will bring a pittance home to their family. This is an exploration of the very core of Liverpool, encompassing the politics, religion, geography, corruption, and most importantly, the people that make up this diverse region. For those who love to experience interesting places and reach into the formative past of societies, Under The Bridge is definitely for you.

Jack Byrne 's novel Under The Bridge opens with the discovery of some human remains. Despite the tragedy of the situation, this was the opportunity Anne was waiting for. A chance to acquire a higher role in the world of journalism. Little did she know it would unleash a wave of buried secrets that would drag Vinny, a close friend, with her. Afraid of what she might uncover, someone threatens both Anne and Vinny, warning them to stop asking questions on the matter. To fully understand what is happening, they will have to look back to the 1960s-70s, when there was more going on than they tried to make everyone else believe. What happened back then is desperately trying to be kept a secret.

If I had to describe Jack Byrne's novel, Under The Bridge, with just one word, I would choose "complete". First, there is the plot. Thoroughly planned, unexpected yet plausible. Not only that but Byrne manages to develop the story coherently and in a way that made the reading extremely pleasing. As well as that, they were amazingly well-written characters that accompanied you through the novel. They had complex and realistic personalities, with a deep background. As the story moves along, you dig into each character's personality, discovering they were not as they might have seemed at first. They evolve with the story. They are dynamic, human. If that isn't enough, you live some crucial moments in the history of Liverpool and Ireland, learning as well as enjoying. If you enjoy thrillers, you shouldn't miss this outstanding page-turner.

Under the Bridge by Jack Byrne is a novel that will delight Irish descendants. It explores the political and religious boundaries that separate the Irish people and the corruption of men used against them through generations. Anne is just beginning her career as a journalist when a skeleton is unearthed and they send her to investigate. Naive to the Irish culture, Anne recruits her friend, Vinny, to help her navigate through their society. Caught up in the story, Anne cannot see the secrets and lies that are evading her. Vinny has his own issues as he researches the effects of the Irish people as they migrate to Liverpool. Vinny has buried events that could sabotage his project and put them both in danger.
 
Jack Byrne gives the reader a glimpse into the past as Michael and Paddy take distinct paths in an Irish community. Under the Bridge accurately depicts the fierce loyalty, beliefs, and conflict embedded in them. Though the plot centers on the mystery of a body found buried many years ago, the author beautifully weaves in Vinny’s need to understand who he really is. I love how he finds his own identity as a person. One of the last chapters explains the difference between the “I am” and the “we are” mentality that causes us to lose our individual personality. Overall, the story unfolded slowly as the characters, the Irish mindset, and locations were established, but after the first few chapters, I was hooked. I loved the conclusion and the answers Vinny and Anne discovered.