On Milestones, Bargains And The Future Of Irish Crime Fiction

I mentioned last week that the Crime Always Pays blog was about to pass the 1,000,000 point for page views, which is a milestone of sorts that I’d like to mark. Of course, the whole point of this blog is to bring to readers’ attention new and interesting Irish crime writing, my own included. In that spirit, I’d like to refer to you this post on the Irish crime novels of the year, and also point out that the e-book versions of my novels are retailing at the recession-busting price of $2.99 / £2.50 for the month of July.
  If said spirit moves you to mention this on Twitter, Facebook et al (all you need do is click the buttons beneath this post), I’d be very grateful indeed …

THE BIG O $2.99 / £2.50
“Imagine Donald Westlake and his alter ego Richard Stark moving to Ireland and collaborating on a screwball noir and you have some idea of Burke’s accomplishment.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

EIGHTBALL BOOGIE $2.99 / £2.50
“I have seen the future of Irish crime fiction and it’s called Declan Burke. Here is talent writ large - mesmerizing, literate, smart and gripping. If there is such an animal as the literary crime novel, then this is it. But as a compelling crime novel, it is so far ahead of anything being produced, that at last my hopes for crime fiction are renewed. I can’t wait to read his next novel.” - Ken Bruen

ABSOLUTE ZERO COOL $2.99 / £2.50
Winner of the Crimefest 2012 Goldsboro ‘Last Laugh’ Award. “Among the most memorable books of the year, of any genre, was Declan Burke’s ABSOLUTE ZERO COOL ... a fiendishly dark thriller that evokes the best of Flann O’Brien and Bret Easton Ellis.” – Sunday Times

SLAUGHTER’S HOUND $2.99 / £2.50
“Many writers of crime fiction are drawn to the streetwise narrator with the wisecracking voice – Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett have a lot to answer for – but only a handful can make it credible and funny. Irish writer Burke is one who has succeeded spectacularly well … From the arresting opening image to the unexpected twist at the end, this is a hardboiled delight.” – The Guardian