SKU: 8222175856

The Guards

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Description

The GuardsStill stinging from his unceremonious ouster from the Garda Siochana The Guards, Ireland's police force and staring at the world through the smoky bottom of his beer mug, Jack Taylor is stuck in Galway with nothing to look forward to. In his sober moments Jack aspires to become Ireland's best private investigator, not to mention its first Irish history, full of betrayal and espionage, discourages any profession so closely related to informing. But in

Still stinging from his unceremonious ouster from the Garda Siochana--The Guards, Ireland's police force--and staring at the world through the smoky bottom of his beer mug, Jack Taylor is stuck in Galway with nothing to look forward to. In his sober moments Jack aspires to become Ireland's best private investigator, not to mention its first--Irish history, full of betrayal and espionage, discourages any profession so closely related to informing. But in truth Jack is teetering on the brink of his life's sharpest edges, his memories of the past cutting deep into his soul and his prospects for the future nonexistent.

Nonexistent, that is, until a dazzling woman walks into the bar with a strange request and a rumor about Jack's talent for finding things. Odds are he won't be able to climb off his barstool long enough to get involved with his radiant new client, but when he surprises himself by getting hired, Jack has little idea of what he's getting into.

Stark, violent, sharp, and funny, The Guards is an exceptional novel, one that leaves you stunned and breathless, flipping back to the beginning in a mad dash to find Jack Taylor and enter his world all over again. It's an unforgettable story that's gritty, absorbing, and saturated with the rough-edged rhythms of the Galway streets. Praised by authors and critics around the globe, The Guards heralds the arrival of an essential new novelist in contemporary crime fiction.

Ken Bruen's The Guards is a 2004 Edgar Award Nominee for Best Novel.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Published: 01/19/2004
ISBN: 9780312320270
Pages: 291
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.50w x 0.80d
Award: Edgar Allan Poe Awards - Nominee
Award: Shamus Award - Winner

Review Citations: Booksense '76 Mar/Apr_2004 03/01/2004 pg. 1
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SKU: 8222175856

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VanillaPepper
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Indestructible Toys My Dobermans ❤️
Size: Large, Color: Mesh Green
Actually Respect! goDog Is a Lifesaver The variety of size and colors are phenomenal 😇 I have two Dobermans — serious, determined power chewers — and I’ve spent years trying to find toys that survive even a few days. I’ve tried the big brands (Kong, Goughnuts, Jolly Ball, you name it) — and while some toys last a little while, almost everything eventually ends up shredded, de-squeaked, or in pieces. goDog toys are the ONLY plush toys my Dobermans won’t destroy. We own multiple goDog toys now — dragons, dinosaurs, lizards — mostly in the large size (perfect for Dobermans), but even a few medium-sized ones hold up surprisingly well. Here’s what’s amazing: • They love them — actually carry them around, toss them, chew them gently, and squeak them happily. • They do not rip them apart — no matter how much tugging, chewing, or wrestling happens. • Large sizes are best for Dobermans (and other big breeds) — but even mediums survive for calmer play sessions. • No ripped seams, no stuffing everywhere, and no destroyed squeakers after months of use. What makes goDog toys different? The secret is their Chew Guard Technology — • A reinforced, high-strength inner mesh layer under the soft plush • Double-stitched seams • Durable yet flexible material that somehow resists punctures, tears, and brutal shaking The outside stays soft and fun, but the inside is built like armor. It’s NOT a super hard rubber or rough canvas — it still feels like a cuddle toy, but it’s engineered to survive serious chewing. Materials include: • Durable polyester plush • Chew Guard inner lining (high-tensile mesh fabric) • Reinforced stitching • Non-toxic squeakers • Safe for dogs to play with long-term Real Owner Advice: • Always size up if you have a heavy chewer — large sizes are a must for Dobermans or similarly strong breeds. • Medium sizes are fine if you supervise or your dog is more moderate with toys, but the large toys are built tougher overall. Final Thoughts: If you have big dogs, strong jaws, or just tired of wasting money on destroyed toys — goDog toys are a must. No other plush-style toy even comes close. My Dobermans will destroy almost anything… but they treat their goDog toys like treasured companions. No holes, no rips, just happy dogs. Follow me here on Amazon for more honest, dog-tested reviews! Like this review if it helped — I’ll be uploading even more proven tough toys and pet essentials soon!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2025
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BB
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 4
Surface Fabric is very durable
Size: Small, Color: Hot Pink
Surface Fabric is very durable, but the squeaker didn't last two months. I have urged the manufacturer to find a strong more durable squeaker for their product. My dogs really enoys it when the speaker works. One of his 3 work. I have just bought two more he likes them so much. He takes it to bed every night to catch it once or twice before sleeping. Also loves to catch it a few times during the day.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2026
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Taraknits
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Best. Toy. Ever. For My Superchewer!
Size: Large, Color: Skinny Green, Size: Large, Color: Skinny Green
Best toy ever! My dog destroys toys. Usually within about 15 minutes, she has de-squeakered and defluffed them. By the second day, she has tug-of-war-ed them to shreds. From the time we got this adorable dragon out of the package, she LOVED it. She set to work. It’s been a week, and while she has dewinged him, he lost his squeaker after a few days, and he looks a bit rough, he’s still in one piece! And, we’ve had HOURS of tug-of-war with minimal rips! She’s obsessed 😍 I ordered two more today. We’ve finally found the perfect toy for my baby!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2026
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Verified Purchase
SnowshoePete
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
My 90 lb. Pitbull's All-Time Fave Toy
Size: Large, Color: Coral, Size: Large, Color: Coral
I ordered a plethora of new toys for Bruce to keep him occupied while I am working remotely from home. Poor guy gets so bored while I'm stuck in front of my computer 8+ hours a day. All the other toys are animated, but this one is just a big floppy chewy squeaky toy. Bruce quickly lost interest in all the other chirping, hopping, and twirling toys and fell in love with "Diny". When I opened Diny and gave it to Bruce, he had the elated and surprised look of a 3 yr old at Christmas. And he stayed that happy for hours, and then each time he picked up Diny to play. Diny became his go-to toy over all others (and there are many!). It is well made out of durable fabric, and they did not stuff it full of kapoc (I hate kapoc in dogs toys!). And it is delightfully low-tech. Normally he tears a squeaky toy apart as soon as he can isolate the squeaky mechanism. But cleverly, the squeaky box is loose in the long belly so it moves from one end to the other as the toy is handled. That made it difficult for Bruce to locate it. The toy remained in good condition for 2 weeks of near constant attention by Bruce. But yesterday he zeroed in on the squeaky box and ripped Diny to shreds. I was sad to see Diny go so soon. But boy-howdy was Bruce happy with it. I'm gonna buy another because we liked it so much. And so did I : )
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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
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Jason W
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
This is one “under the radar” gem!!
Size: Large, Color: Coral
This is one “under the radar” gem!! Very strong internal squeaker and way tougher than it looks. My big 125lb Shepard-Husky mix gave it heck, then made it his new buddy. He’ll occasionally give it the business but on the whole, it’s surprisingly tough and my big boy loves it. Nice price!!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2026

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