Talent Borrows, Genius Steals

The guys over at The Rap Sheet run an occasional post on books by different authors which use spookily similar art work, but the latest offering from Maverick House may have even them perplexed. First off, here’s Alan Sherry’s THE A-Z OF IRISH CRIME, which was released last October, about which the Maverick House elves had this to say:

THE A-Z OF IRISH CRIME is an in-depth reference book on modern Irish crime concentrating mainly from 1996 to present day, focusing on key gangland figures and murders. The book also focuses on key criminal agencies, weapons of gangland Ireland, drugs, missing persons and all serious crime. An A-Z of Irish crime has not been done before. This should be a comprehensive, original book giving a wide perspective of crime throughout Ireland.

So far, so straightforward. Except now Maverick House have released THE A-Z OF IRISH CRIME: A GUIDE TO CRIMINAL SLANG IN IRELAND by John Mooney and Jean Harrington, about which the blurb elves have this to say:

This book is a highly entertaining introduction to the world of criminal slang. Those who are hell bent on breaking the law have created their own unauthorized and underground language that is often more colourful and vulgar than plain English. If you are interested in speaking the language of the street, or want to converse with fences, street walkers and the army, this book is for you. Forget what you learned in English class, this book is the definitive guide to the ever changing language of the street.

Erm, we call on J. Kingston Pierce to mediate. We’re off for a lie-down in a darkened room …

“Irish Crime Is Brought To You Today By The Letter Z, And The Number 2007.”

Released last week, there’s a funky cover to Alan Sherry’s THE A-Z OF IRISH CRIME, featuring bullet-holes, handcuffs and – lawks! – actual guns. Well, one gun. We’re particularly interested as to who and what from the realms of Irish crime comes under the ‘Z’ section, so we’re waiting with bated breath for our review copy to arrive from Maverick House Mansions (hi, Gert). And while we go slowly blue in the face, here’s the Maverick blurb elves giving it their quill-smouldering best, to wit:

“THE A-Z OF IRISH CRIME is an in-depth reference book on modern Irish crime concentrating mainly from 1996 to present day, focusing on key gangland figures and murders. The book also focuses on key criminal agencies, weapons of gangland Ireland, drugs, missing persons and all serious crime. An A-Z of Irish crime has not been done before. This should be a comprehensive, original book giving a wide perspective of crime throughout Ireland.”

Marvellous stuff. You think our beloved leader, Patrick Bartholomew, gets a mention?

“Oh Go On, Just A Tincture Of Sherry Then.”

Crazy true crime maverick kids Maverick House publish The Suspect today (August 13), Jenny Friel’s take on the murder of Rachel O’Reilly and the subsequent trial and conviction of her media-savvy husband, Joe, who has announced his intention to appeal the conviction since the book went to press. Laurel-resting not being an option out in Maverick-land, they're already busy prepping Alan Sherry’s A-Z of Irish Crime for an October release. Quoth the blurb elves:

“The A-Z of Irish Crime is an in-depth reference book on modern Irish crime concentrating mainly from 1996 to present day, focusing on key gangland figures and murders. The book also focuses on key criminal agencies, weapons of gangland Ireland, drugs, missing persons and all serious crime. An A-Z of Irish crime has not been done before. This should be a comprehensive, original book giving a wide perspective of crime throughout Ireland.”

Erm, it ‘should’ be? You’re not exactly filling us with confidence over here, folks …