The Irish Crime Novel Of The Year 2013: And The Winner Is …

The Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards were held last night, November 26th, and it’s a hearty Crime Always Pays congratulations to Louise Phillips, who won the Ireland AM Irish Crime Novel Award for THE DOLL’S HOUSE (Hachette Ireland). I’m delighted for Louise, who is a very popular winner indeed. Quoth the blurb elves:

People say that the truth can set you free. But what if the truth is not something you want to hear?
  Thirty-five years ago Adrian Hamilton drowned. At the time his death was reported as a tragic accident but the exact circumstances remained a mystery. Now his daughter Clodagh, trying to come to terms with her past, visits a hypnotherapist who unleashes disturbing childhood memories of her father’s death. And as Clodagh delves deeper into her subconscious, memories of another tragedy come to light - the death of her baby sister. Meanwhile, criminal psychologist Dr Kate Pearson is called in to help in the investigation of a murder after a body is found in a Dublin canal. When Kate digs beneath the surface of the killing, she discovers a sinister connection to the Hamilton family.   What terrible events took place in the Hamilton house all those years ago? And what connects them to the recent murder? Time is running out for Clodagh and Kate. And the killer has already chosen his next victim . . .

  Heartfelt commiserations go out, of course, to all the other nominees. For the full shortlist, clickety-click here …

Always Be Closing

I won’t, alas; but if you’re likely to be in the vicinity of Galway this Thursday evening, August 8th, do yourself a favour and wander by that emporium of literary wonder, aka Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, where Seamus Scanlon’s collection of short stories AS CLOSE AS YOU’LL EVER BE gets its long overdue Irish launch. The details:

What: Irish launch of crime fiction collection AS CLOSE AS YOU’LL EVER BE by Seamus Scanlon
Where: Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Galway
When: Thursday, 8th August @ 6.30
What else: James Martyn Joyce & Alan McMonagle also reading from their books
What else: Tayto & Wine

  Tayto? Now that’s what I call a classy joint …
  If you can’t be in Galway on Thursday, but you’re fond of a well told short story, do yourself a different kind of favour and clickety-click here for reviews of AS CLOSE AS YOU’LL EVER BE. I really can’t remember when I’ve seen so many impressive reviews for a debut title.
  And while we’re on the subject of book launches, Arlene Hunt will be doing the honours on behalf of Louise Phillips’ THE DOLL’S HOUSE at the Gutter Bookshop on Wednesday, August 7th, at 6.30pm. For all the details, clickety-click here …

Well Hello, Dollies

Louise Phillips launches her second novel, THE DOLL’S HOUSE (Hachette Books Ireland), next Wednesday, August 7th, at the Gutter Bookshop. Arlene Hunt will be doing the honours, and festivities kick off at 6.30pm.
  Louise’s debut, RED RIBBONS, was shortlisted for the Ireland AM Irish Crime Fiction Novel of the Year in 2012, and THE DOLL’S HOUSE sees the return that book’s heroine, criminal psychologist Dr Kate Pearson. Quoth the blurb elves:

People say that the truth can set you free. But what if the truth is not something you want to hear?
  Thirty-five years ago Adrian Hamilton drowned. At the time his death was reported as a tragic accident but the exact circumstances remained a mystery.
  Now his daughter Clodagh, trying to come to terms with her past, visits a hypnotherapist who unleashes disturbing childhood memories of her father’s death. And as Clodagh delves deeper into her subconscious, memories of another tragedy come to light - the death of her baby sister.
  Meanwhile criminal psychologist Dr Kate Pearson is called in to help in the investigation of a murder after a body is found in a Dublin canal. When Kate digs beneath the surface of the killing, she discovers a sinister connection to the Hamilton family.
  What terrible events took place in the Hamilton house all those years ago? And what connects them to the recent murder?
  Time is running out for Clodagh and Kate.
  And the killer has already chosen his next victim . . .

Toy Story

Louise Phillips’ debut novel, RED RIBBONS (2012), was shortlisted for the Ireland AM Irish Crime Novel of the Year award, and the heroine of that novel, criminal psychologist Dr Kate Pearson, returns in THE DOLL’S HOUSE (Hachette Books Ireland). Quoth the blurb elves:

Clodagh Hamilton has never questioned why she can’t remember large parts of her childhood. But when she’s released from rehab following the death of her mother she’s visits a hypnotherapist who, through deep regression, delves into her subconscious - unleashing disturbing childhood memories.
  Meanwhile criminal psychologist Dr Kate Pearson is called in to investigate a murder along a Dublin canal. She is soon convinced that this murder won’t be the killer’s last but is now in a race to stop him before he strikes again.
  But what links Clodagh Hamilton and a horrific accident 35 years ago to the murder of a television celebrity? As Clodagh grows closer to the truth about what happened to her father - and her sister Emmaline - she unravels a web of lies and deceit over thirty years old. The killer is ready to strike again. Will Kate Pearson discover the vital link to save Clodagh before it’s too late?

  THE DOLL’S HOUSE isn’t published until August 1st but if you’re of a mind to pre-order, you can clickety-click here …