Blog Archives
Trouble Is Our Business: An Evening with Ireland’s Finest Crime Writers
Some of Ireland’s best writers take to the stage: Declan Burke in conversation with Declan Hughes, Alan Glynn and Alex Barclay (Presented by Red Line Book Festival / New Island Books).
An evening of discussion on Irish Crime Writing: Author, editor and journalist, Declan Burke, will be leading the conversation to unravel the ins and outs of the crime-writing process, the development of gripping plots and characters and the evolution of Irish crime writing.
Date: Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Time: 8pm
Venue: The Civic Theatre, Loose End
Admission: €8/€6 concession
Perfect for crime fiction fans and aspiring authors – but it comes with a warning – as there will be a discussion of crime novels etc. and their content, the panel may be unsuitable for a young audience.
I’ve my seat booked and ready to go – hope to see you there!
Alex Barclay (November, 2014)
Alan Glynn (June, 2013)
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Book Review: Alex Barclay – Killing Ways
Over the years, I’ve read and enjoyed all of Alex Barclay’s books. Darkhouse, up until now, would have topped my all-time favourite books. As an avid reader, that’s high praise indeed – but that was before I read Killing Ways. Don’t worry – I guarantee no spoilers – but if you enjoy your crime fiction gritty with plenty of twists and turns then look no further. Engrossed in the story and the characters, about half-way in I had my first of many “oh, my God” moments, as the tension, along with my blood pressure, ratcheted up.
Sitting on the Luas I nearly missed my stop and couldn’t wait to dive between the pages again on my return journey; half of me wanted to race through the pages to the end while the other half wanted to savour every moment.
It was reminiscent of reading childhood books where I became so engrossed in the story that my real world virtually dissolved. The characters were alive and I felt as if I knew them as intimately as close friends and family; my mind already worrying about their future, long after that final page. Barclay is, most definitely, at the top of her game!
About Killing Ways
In the game of vengeance, he holds a killer hand.
In her most shocking case yet, FBI Special Agent Ren Bryce takes on a depraved serial killer fuelled by a warped sense of justice.
A master of evasion, each life he takes ramps up Ren’s obsession with finding him. Then one victim changes everything and brings Ren face to face with a detective whose life was destroyed by the same pursuit.
Together, can they defeat this monster?
Or will he take them both down?
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Interview: Alex Barclay – Harm’s Reach
I’ve heard it said that you should never meet your heroes as more often than not you’re likely to be disappointed. Thankfully, with Alex Barclay, that was most definitely not the case!
We first met some years back at an event in Easons, O’Connell Street, and our paths have crossed at numerous writing events since. In The Civic Theatre last year, as part of the Red Line Book Festival, I chaired ‘Ladykillers’ which gave me the unique opportunity to delve into the minds of Alex Barclay, Arlene Hunt, Louise Phillips and former Boulder Coroner (and good friend of Barclay’s), Joanne Richardson. What I found most disconcerting was how angelic they all appear on the outside, while managing to conjure up the darkest of villains and crimes within the pages of their novels.
Barclay is the author of several bestselling thrillers. Her first novel, Darkhouse, was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller while third novel, Blood Runs Cold (the beginning of the Special Agent Ren Bryce series) won the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards. Harm’s Reach is her sixth adult novel and the fourth in the FBI Agent Ren Bryce series.
Interest in plots and characters (especially villains!) or Homeland or tips for new writers?
Then read the full interview on writing.ie by clicking here.
About Harm’s Reach
FBI Agent Ren Bryce finds herself entangled in two seemingly unrelated mysteries. But the past has a way of echoing down the years and finding its way into the present.
When Special Agent Ren Bryce discovers the body of a young woman in an abandoned car, solving the case becomes personal. But the more she uncovers about the victim’s last movements, the more questions are raised.
Why was Laura Flynn driving towards a ranch for troubled teens in the middle of Colorado when her employers thought she was hundreds of miles away? And what did she know about a case from fifty years ago, which her death dramatically reopens?
As Ren and cold case investigator Janine Hooks slowly weave the threads together, a picture emerges of a privileged family determined to hide some very dark secrets – whatever the cost.
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Author Interviews
Crime Scene Interviews on www.writing.ie
Writing.ie is an online magazine for writers and readers of all ages. Developed and run by Vanessa O’Loughlin, a lady with many hats; publishing consultant, literary scout, writer and Vice Chair of the Irish PEN to name but a few; it is a haven for book lovers of every genre, who will find plenty to keep them coming back for more.
As part of the Crime Scene Team – the brainchild of writer, Louise Phillips – I have had the opportunity to interview a few of the many crime fiction writers I admire. Just in case you’ve missed one of your favourites, I’ve compiled them here:
- Niamh O’Connor – author of BLINK
- Louise Phillips – author of The Doll’s House
- Alan Glynn – author of Graveland
- Mark O’Sullivan – author of Crocodile Tears
- Claire McGowan – author of The Lost
Hope you enjoy getting an insight into how and where each of them write to deliver such fabulous crime fiction that we get to devour in a matter of days!
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Red Line Writing
I was delighted when my short piece, Secret Librarian, was chosen by Sue Hassett to be included in the Red Line Writing as part of South Dublin Libraries Red Line Book Festival last year, along with fellow writers and poets.
This is a reading of new work by writers from South Dublin, presented in diverse voices by actors from Inchicore College, Carousel Theatre School and Clondalkin Youth Theatre. To have your work read by a professional actor, while you sit in the audience of The Civic Theatre, is, I can assure you, quite a thrill.
Curious Broadcast is a radio station and production company who work with people to exchange knowledge through audio and video productions.
Head over to Curious Broadcast and take a moment to listen to the diverse work delivered on the night. Secret Librarian can be found at 00:22:18 but if you have time, I’d encourage you to listen to them all – you won’t be disappointed.
| TITLE | WRITER | ACTOR |
| Artist’s Statement | Molly O’Dwyer | Rachael Dowling |
| Lily Shepherd | Jen Donohoe | Hayley Roche |
| Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori | Michael J. Whelan | Asa Cuthbert |
| Irish Batt | Michael J. Whelan | Vladic Gurdis |
| Covenant Denied | Michael J. Whelan | Kenneth Hudson |
| Secret Librarian | Susan Condon | Nicola Kirwan |
| Sun God | Gavan Duffy | Kenny Stapleton |
| Classmate | Gavan Duffy | Conor Kelly |
| Border Shop | Mae Newman | Rachael Dowling |
| The Mind Fisher | Doreen Duffy | Hayley Roche |
| Tallaght Tardis | Áine Lyons | Nicola Kirwan |
| 2 extracts from Acquittances 123 | Sue Hassett | Rachael Dowling |
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What A Privilege!
There could be only one answer – a resounding YES – when I was asked to chair Three Voices/Three Forms at the Loose End Studio, Civic Theatre last Wednesday.
As part of the Red Line Book Festival 2012, this was a platform to showcase three very diverse, but equally talented writers:
- Colm Keegan
- Eileen Casey
- Louise Phillips
Each writer read extracts from their work – Colm from his poetry, Don’t Go There; Eileen from her short story collection, Snow Shoes and Louise from her crime bestseller, Red Ribbons, along with a tantalizing taster from The Dolls House.
After their Readings I had an opportunity to ask each writer a couple of questions about their writing before opening up to the floor where the fun really began.
You only had to look at the audience to see how much they enjoyed listening to these wonderful writers and from the photo’s it certainly appears as if Colm, Eileen and Louise enjoyed the night too!
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November Events
November is a jam-packed month full of events to keep all avid readers and aspiring writers busy!
And I am delighted to have my short story, Secret Librarian, included, along with pieces from fellow Platform One Writers – Michael Whelan and Doreen Duffy in the:
Red Line Book Festival 2012 – RE(A)D LINE WRITING
Venue: RUA RED, Tallaght
Time: 6-7pm
Tickets: Free but booking essential on 01-451 5860 or boxoffice@ruared.ie
South Dublin County Library’s Red Line Books Festival proudly presents an evening of new work by emerging and recently published writers from South County Dublin.
New work by emerging writers based in and around RUA RED, read and performed by actors from South Dublin theatre and film groups in a collaborative and inter-generational showcase event.
Writers, artists, theatre and film groups from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups are based in RUA RED South Dublin Arts Centre. Individuals and groups based in the building are producing diverse creative projects from poetry, novels, audiobooks, songs and digital media installations to short films.
The first ever Re(a)d Line Writing event introduces a collaborative production of this work to you, the audience.
Led by writer Sue Hassett and actress Rachael Dowling, Red Line presents a one-hour reading and performance of new work.
This event will be recorded for podcast by Curious Broadcast –
Curious Broadcast is a broadcasting space where communities and individuals can exchange and generate new ideas and imaginings for social change www.curiousbroadcast.com
These events are part of South Dublin County Libraries 4-day Red Line Books Festival.
15% discount at Rua Red Café from 7 to 8pm
An evening with writers Eileen Casey, Louise Phillips and Colm Keegan
Venue: Civic Theatre, Tallaght
Time: 8.15pm
Tickets: €5
Niamh O’Connor, Conor Brady and Sam Millar. Chaired by Louise Phillips.
Venue: Smock Alley Theatre
Time: 6.30pm
Tickets: Free but as seats are limited it is advisable to arrive by 6.15pm
Sam Millar is author of highly acclaimed crime novels, the most recent of which, Dead of Winter, is the third Karl Kane novel and Conor Brady, former editor of The Irish Timesand author of crime novel A June of Ordinary Murders.
Louise Phillips is the author of Red Ribbons and her second novel, The Doll’s House, is due out in 2013.
with John Connolly, Niamh O’Connor, Declan Hughes, Declan Burke and Mark Billingham
Venue: Civic Theatre, Tallaght
Time: 8-10pm
Tickets: €10/€8 concession
Susan Condon
