Something Wicked … with Arlene Hunt

The Full Monto

I received an interesting email yesterday, the gist of which ran like this:

“I’m a PhD student at Queen’s University Belfast, researching prostitution in modern Irish literature. I’m hoping to write a chapter of my thesis on crime fiction, and I was wondering if you’d be able to give me any reading suggestions for Irish crime fiction books with prostitutes in them?”

  The student had already identified Stuart Neville’s STOLEN SOULS and Arlene Hunt’s VICIOUS CIRCLE, along with Liam O’Flaherty’s THE INFORMER and THE ASSASSIN for background. After taking a good long look at the Irish crime fiction shelves, about all I was able to add to the list was Niamh O’Connor’s TAKEN, which – if memory serves – features an escort model.
  That set me wondering as to why prostitution hasn’t featured more frequently in Irish crime writing. A hangover from an unusually puritanical Catholicism? I really don’t know. Anyway, if anyone out there has any reading suggestions for the PhD student, I’d be very grateful if you’d send them on, either via the comment box below or by email. Thanks in advance, folks.

The Cuirt Is Now In Session

Galway’s Cuirt Festival takes place next month, from the 23rd to the 28th of April, with its usual eclectic mix of writers, poets and dramatists taking part. Of chief interest to Irish crime fans – and European crime fans – will be the panel featuring Stuart Neville, Arne Dahl and Antti Tuomainen, which takes place at the Town Hall at 6.30pm on Saturday 27th. The panel will be hosted by Arlene Hunt, and you can find all the details here.
  Meanwhile, Stuart Neville will be giving a two-hour Crime Writing Workshop on the morning of Saturday 27th, focusing on plot and character, their connectivity and dependency. You may want to book early for this one; you’ll also need to send a CV and a short covering letter as part of your application. For all the details, clickety-click here.