We are thrilled to share another wonderful new review for a 'backlist' title - a proof that great books don't have a 'use-by' date! REACH THE SHINING RIVER by Kevin Stevens in NB Magazine Stevens has written a grippingly sinister murder mystery that oozes menace and violence. Reach the Shining River captures the deeply corrupt … Continue reading “An intelligent novel that twists your gut.”
Is your home robot cute?
Another short excerpt from Colin O'Sullivan's new novel, THE DARK MANUAL, for your enjoyment: “Where’s your ‘bot?” “It’s shut down for the evening. I’m sick to death of listening to the fucking thing.” “Oh, bring him in. I want to see him.” Susie hates the personal pronoun. Calling it a him. Zen was a he. … Continue reading Is your home robot cute?
Excerpt from “The Dark Manual” by Colin O’Sullivan
From Chapter 3: Susie suddenly lashes out, sending the cereal bowl flying from the counter out into kitchen space. It smashes to pieces against a side cupboard and lays silent on the floor in thick white shards. “Turn it off,” she shouts. “Yes, Miss Susie.” The grey woman on the grey beach vanishes and there … Continue reading Excerpt from “The Dark Manual” by Colin O’Sullivan
Video extract from “The Starved Lover Sings”
This novel is O’Sullivan’s second, after Killarney Blues, published by Betimes Books in 2013. It takes place in a world transformed by disaster: earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, nationalist and corporate mergers, roaming wolves. The Starved Lover Sings is a fever dream of a world at the end of its rope. Our protagonist, and in many chapters … Continue reading Video extract from “The Starved Lover Sings”
Adopt a Minotaur this Christmas
"If all the ways I have been along were marked on a map and joined up with a line, it might represent a minotaur." —Pablo Picasso Craig McDonald's novel Toros & Torsos is based on a theory that the famous Los Angeles "Black Dahlia" murders were inspired by the Surrealist masterpieces of the 1930s. McDonald took … Continue reading Adopt a Minotaur this Christmas
Craig McDonald’s reading in Dublin as if you were there
Thanks to all who attended last night's reading in Dublin! For those who weren't there, here is a recording of the event: https://www.periscope.tv/w/1ypKdPmjArRKW If you want to read the excerpt that Craig read last night, the first chapter of Head Games, click here: viewBook.at/HeadGames_McDonald And here is Craig McDonald's speech and a few pictures of … Continue reading Craig McDonald’s reading in Dublin as if you were there
Literary suicides: excerpt from PRINT THE LEGEND by Craig McDonald
"Hector sat in a booth alone in the back of the Italian restaurant. The freezing rain was lashing the windows and the trees lining the streets of Georgetown looked like glass sculptures. He took another sip of red wine and pulled the letter from his pocket. He read it five times: Poor dearest Pickle: There … Continue reading Literary suicides: excerpt from PRINT THE LEGEND by Craig McDonald
Translation rights news: PRINT THE LEGEND to be published in Mongolia
Craig McDonald's novel PRINT THE LEGEND (#8 in the internationally acclaimed Hector Lassiter series) is going to be translated into Mongolian and published by Bolor Sudar Publishers in 2016. Hector Lassiter novels have been translated so far into French, Italian, Spanish (Mexico), Japanese, Korean and Russian. Listen to an excerpt read by Craig McDonald and … Continue reading Translation rights news: PRINT THE LEGEND to be published in Mongolia
Excerpt from THE PAINTER’S WOMEN by Fionnuala Brennan
The Duchess of Alba Journal extract San Lúcar, March 1797 There he is, the arrogant fellow standing in front of me holding his palette like a shield, wielding his brush like a dagger. Totally ignoring my displeasure. Who on earth does he think he is? 'Excellencia, Maria del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva … Continue reading Excerpt from THE PAINTER’S WOMEN by Fionnuala Brennan
A Father’s Day nod from “Silk for the Feed Dogs”
EARLY TRENDS IN FARMING From Silk for the Feed Dogs by Jackie Mallon I heard the engine of the old red Massey Ferguson fart into life and I emerged running, scrambling to get my wellies on. We were on a rescue mission, Da and me. A cow was refusing to feed her calf. I’d seen … Continue reading A Father’s Day nod from “Silk for the Feed Dogs”
Summer read: A woman, a dolphin and a marble figurine
Excerpt from David Hogan inspiring novel The Last Island “You’ll be the first person to see this,” she whispered. She grabbed the red towel from the steps and threw it in the water, then pushed me in after it. She began to call Yukon from the steps, whistling and slapping. Shortly after, there was the … Continue reading Summer read: A woman, a dolphin and a marble figurine
Summer in Capri with Kat, Edward… and Jackie Mallon
Excerpt from Silk for the Feed Dogs A barman accepted the fifty, distracted during the aperitivo rush, so we had a little money until new funds arrived. We figured it would stretch farther away from the city, and the next morning we headed for Capri. I expected to see descendants of Brigitte Bardot … Continue reading Summer in Capri with Kat, Edward… and Jackie Mallon
From “The Angel of the Streetlamps” by Sean Moncrieff
30 - Michael Bourke I opt to meet her in the office, not the house. The church had to be re-opened anyway: outrageously selfish of me to have kept it closed. I also hope to project a more officious nature, surrounded by the trappings of ecclesiastical power. Not to impress the journalist – she … Continue reading From “The Angel of the Streetlamps” by Sean Moncrieff
The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 7
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: The clerk shrugged and slid across a ten-dollar bill at the old man who scooped it up. Fragments of brick rained down on me. But my … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 7
The Hector Lassiter Competition: Day 6
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: Hector sipped more of his wine. He said, “Progress?” “Yes,” Gertrude said. “What have my mystifiers learned since last night?” As if suddenly reminded about the … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter Competition: Day 6
The Hector Lassiter Competition: Day 4
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: “Old man, I do so appreciate you playing bodyguard to me,” Orson said. “I truly do. But I am racing the clock on multiple fronts as … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter Competition: Day 4
The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 3
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: He held up his Zippo and opened it with a one-handed flick. She leaned in, holding his hand to steady it. Her hand was still cold … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 3
The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 2
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: “The kind of woman a man would burn his life down for,” Hector said, “I know.” Hector specialized in writing such women. “That’s it, exactly,” von … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 2
The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 1
Tell us which novel is this and win two Hector Lassiter e-books of your choice if you are one of the first three people to give the correct answer: The clerk shrugged and slid across a ten-dollar bill at the old man who scooped it up. The old man frowned. “Oh, must have miscounted.” He … Continue reading The Hector Lassiter competition: Day 1
Willow Weep for Me
"By the time the singer appeared, the house was full. Arlene Gray stepped elegantly on the stage and approached the microphone, one hand moving in time with the music, the other resting against the curve of her hip. There was warm applause. Light-skinned and full-figured, she wore a black, strapless sheath with sequins that sparkled … Continue reading Willow Weep for Me
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