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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Julie Parsons Wins Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year!

Bestselling author, Julie Parsons (Mary, Mary, I Saw YouThe Hourglass), Wins Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year at the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards.

“A powerful, compelling, and darkly chilling novel of violence, shame and deceit.”


ABOUT THE NOVEL
On Sundays peace was restored. He would lie down, dream and remember. He would enjoy. And later on the bell would ring. He would get up and walk downstairs. He would open the front door. And his life would come to an end . . .
Garda Inspector Michael McLoughlin is trying to enjoy his retirement – doing a bit of PI work on the side, meeting up with former colleagues, fixing up a grand old house in a genteel Dublin suburb near the sea.
Then he discovers the body of his neighbour, a retired judge – brutally murdered, shot through the back of the neck, his face mutilated beyond recognition. McLoughlin finds himself drawn into the murky
past of the murdered judge, which leads him back to his own father’s killing, decades earlier, by the IRA.
In seeking the truth behind both crimes, a web of deceit, blackmail and fragile reputations comes to light, as McLoughlin’s investigation reveals the explosive circumstances linking both crimes – and dark secrets are discovered which would destroy the judge’s legendary family name.

REVIEWS
The Therapy House is clever, beautifully written and thoughtful…Parsons at her subtle, psychologically astute best. Well worth the wait.’ – Sunday Independent
The Therapy House, her first novel in nine years offers up a paean to her beloved home town…There is much to admire in this impressive return to form. Parsons writes crisply and there is a strong moral sensibility at work throughout, despite the extreme violence and the burgeoning body count…. Ireland, like Dun Laoghaire, has had its problems but in virtuous McLoughlin, the wonderful Gwen and love interest Elizabeth, Parsons holds out a possibility of redemption.’ –  The Sunday Times
‘Julie Parsons was Irish Crime Fiction before there was Irish Crime Fiction…Set against a vividly rendered Dún Laoghaire of crumbling old Victorian houses and smart seafront apartments, the action unfolds during a heatwave, proceeding inexorably and violently to a complex and immensely satisfying climax…In the form of a gripping thriller, Parsons has given us an incendiary analysis of our history of violence in all its hypocrisy, vainglory and denial.’ – The Irish Times
‘Julie Parsons’s international legion of fans have had a long wait for her new novel…the wait was worth it…Her new novel shows her to be in cracking form as she re-introduces some characters from her previous mysteries – heroes and villains alike – and produces yet another page-turner.’ – Sunday Independent
‘Clever, complex…has a rhythm and power that lifts the reader along…reminded me at times of the great James Ellroy, as did the tortuous story line, explosions of shocking violence and unflinching ­exploration of the black heart of humanity.’ – Irish Independent 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Parsons is one of Ireland’s most accomplished crime writers and was previously a radio and television producer at RTÉ. Her first novel in nine years, The Therapy House, is a fast-paced and multi-layered tale that heralds the return of an author with an impeccable track record, whose work has been published in over twenty countries and numerous languages.

Monday, November 13, 2017

Lee Child Takes Helm of Theakson Crime Festival!!



The biggest celebration of the crime genre in the world has announced one of the biggest crime writers in the world will take the helm of its 2018 Festival.
Lee Child, author of the global bestselling Jack Reacher series, is Programming Chair of the 2018 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which takes place 19-22 July in Harrogate.
Established in 2003 by crime author Val McDermid, agent Jane Gregory and arts charity Harrogate International Festivals, 2018 marks the 16th Festival, held at Agatha Christie’s haunt, The Old Swan Hotel.
The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is regarded as the world’s best, achieving international acclaim for the programming, organisation and inclusive atmosphere. Over the years, it has hosted iconic names such as PD James, Jo Nesbo and JK Rowling (as Robert Galbraith).
Lee Child said: “It’s a challenge to follow in the footsteps of authors such as Peter James, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves as previous Programming Chairs, but I guarantee I’ll be bringing some very special names to 2018’s Festival.”
“Harrogate is by far my favourite on the circuit, so it is a real honour – and a delight - to be taking the helm. My grandma lived in Otley so Harrogate is a place that has fond memories for me, and the Festival has a real warmth and laid back atmosphere. It’s a chance for readers and writers alike to hang out in a beautiful part of England. I’m looking forward to welcoming new and old friends.”
2017’s event sold out with 16,500 tickets over the four day festival. It is routinely cited as one of the UK’s top literary festivals. As well as over 90 authors, it attracts stars of stage and screen. Past events featured comedians Eddie Izzard, Susan Calman and Rory Bremner, actors Brenda Blethyn, Jodie Whittaker and Robson Green, alongside media heavyweights James Naughtie, Mark Lawson, and Jeremy Vine.
Lee Child, who resides in New York, launched his new Reacher thriller, The Midnight Line, on November 7 in the UK. It sees his iconic 6ft 5 inch hero on a quest for justice in the wilds of Wyoming. His last book, Night School, was the UK’s biggest selling hardback novel of 2016.
With over 100 million books sold, it is said a Reacher novel is sold somewhere in the world every nine seconds. As well as being published in over one hundred territories, the novels have been adapted to two Hollywood films starring Tom Cruise.
Lee Child won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award in 2011 and received the Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction Award in 2017, joining the pantheon of Colin Dexter, Ruth Rendell, PD James, Reginald Hill, Lynda La Plante, Sara Paretsky and Val McDermid, who have received the honour.
Title sponsor and executive director of T&R Theakston, Simon Theakston, said: “Lee Child is nothing short of a phenomenon, and as a regular Special Guest at our festival, it’s wonderful that he’s now our next Programming Chair. He is an inspiration to his fellow writers, but most importantly a hero to his millions of readers. No doubt, he will make 2018 a very special year indeed.”
Sharon Canavar, CEO of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “It’s hard to top the success of the festival year-on-year, but with Lee as Chair it really electrifies the programme. He is a huge advocator and supporter of the genre.”
2018 Special Guests will be announced in the coming months. harrogateinternationalfestivals.com 

Monday, November 6, 2017

There are few things better...

For a writer, there are few things better than getting a great email from a reader about one of your novels. This has made my Monday!!!



"This is the first time I've read one of your books. Normally, I would skip parts of a story that I felt were not important. With this story I couldn't do that, the story kept my attention all the way to the end.The best book I've read for a long time, I will be looking out for more of your books." THE GAME CHANGER


Thursday, November 2, 2017

Irish Independent Crime Novel of the Year - Shortlist!!

It's that time of the year again, when the shortlists of books in the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards are announced.

As always in the Irish Crime Fiction Section, the competition is fierce, but sending huge congratulations to all these fantastic writers who made the shortlist!!

You can view the full list of shortlisted books HERE 

And you can VOTE for your favourites HERE



Irish Independent Crime Fiction Book of the Year 
  • Can You Keep A Secret? – Karen Perry (Michael Joseph)
  • Here and Gone – Haylen Beck (Harvill Secker)
  • Let the Dead Speak – Jane Casey (HaperCollins Publisher)
  • One Bad Turn – Sinéad Crowley (Quercus)
  • There was a Crooked Man – Cat Hogan (Poolbeg Press)
  • The Therapy House – Julie Parsons (New Island Books)
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