Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe explores the Irish “Troubles,” focusing on the murder of Jean McConville, a widowed mother of 10 abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972. Keefe delves into the socio-political complexities, cultural silence, and human memory inaccuracies, contextualizing McConville's case within the broader conflict. Keefe investigates various episodes of violence, prominent IRA and British figures, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and the lingering aftermath for those involved. The book suggests the complexities of historical truth and moral responsibility. The narrative includes acts of abduction, secret killings, abuse, trauma, addiction, and mental health struggles.

Patrick Radden Keefe's Say Nothing garners widespread praise for its meticulous research and compelling narrative on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Reviewers commend its gripping storytelling and depth of insight. Some note a dense amount of detail may overwhelm casual readers, but overall, it is regarded as a masterful blend of history and true crime.

Readers who appreciate in-depth investigative reporting and true crime, similar to Michelle McNamara's I'll Be Gone in the Dark or Ronan Farrow's Catch and Kill, will find Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe compelling. It's ideal for those interested in political history, particularly the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Informative / Mysterious / Unnerving / Dark / Suspenseful

Patrick Radden Keefe

Adult

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Nonfiction

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Say Nothing Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Part 1: “The Clear, Clean, Sheer Thing” 

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 5

Say Nothing Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “The Clear, Clean, Sheer Thing”

Part 1, Chapters 6-10

Say Nothing Part 1, Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Human Sacrifice”

Part 2, Chapters 11-15

Say Nothing Part 2, Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 16-19

Say Nothing Part 2, Chapters 16-19 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “A Reckoning”

Part 3, Chapters 20-24

Say Nothing Part 3, Chapters 20-24 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 25-30

Say Nothing Part 3, Chapters 25-30 Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

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Themes

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Index of Terms

Say Nothing Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

Say Nothing Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Say Nothing Essay Topics

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland

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