Crime Always Pays: “Ya Wanna Do It Here Or Down The Station, Punk?”: Matt McGuire

Praise for Declan Burke: “A fine writer at the top of his game.” – Lee Child. “Prose both scabrous and poetic.” – Publishers Weekly. “Proust meets Chandler over a pint of Guinness.” – The Spectator. “A sheer pleasure.” – Tana French. “A hardboiled delight.” – The Guardian. “Imagine Donald Westlake and Richard Stark collaborating on a screwball noir.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review). “The effortless cool of Elmore Leonard at his peak.” – Ray Banks. “Among the most memorable books of the year, of any genre, was ABSOLUTE ZERO COOL.” – Sunday Times. “The writing is a joy.” – Ken Bruen. “A cross between Raymond Chandler and Flann O’Brien.” – John Banville.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

“Ya Wanna Do It Here Or Down The Station, Punk?”: Matt McGuire

Yep, it’s rubber-hose time, folks: a rapid-fire Q&A for those shifty-looking usual suspects ...

What crime novel would you most like to have written?
Peter Temple, TRUTH. An Aussie crime novel that won the Miles Franklin Award in 2010, their version of the Booker Prize!

What fictional character would you most like to have been?
Dracula.

Who do you read for guilty pleasures?
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY.

Most satisfying writing moment?
A very short email from an agent to whom I had sent the 3 chapters of my first book - ‘Is very good. Send rest. Peter.’

The best Irish crime novel is …?
Colin Bateman, MYSTERY MAN.

What Irish crime novel would make a great movie?
BORDERLANDS by Brian McGilloway

Worst / best thing about being a writer?
Worst thing - the blank page. Best thing - the blank page.

The pitch for your next book is …?
Police corruption in the new Northern Ireland. Can you ever really shake off the hand of history?

Who are you reading right now?
Northern Irish writer David Park’s new novel, THE LIGHT OF AMSTERDAM.

God appears and says you can only write OR read. Which would it be?
Read.

The three best words to describe your own writing are …?
Tight, lean, original.

DARK DAWN: KILLING IN COLD LIGHT by Matt McGuire is published by Corsair, an imprint of Constable & Robinson, price €16.99

1 comment:

Gerard Brennan said...: That sounds like my cup of tea. Best served with a Belfast bap.

Good luck Mr McGuire!

gb; July 13, 2012 at 12:58 PM

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BOOKS TO DIE FOR, ed. John Connolly and Declan Burke, (“as good a collection of short essays on crime fiction as one is likely to find” - Washington Post) won the 2012 Agatha Award for Best Non-Fiction at Malice Domestic.

SLAUGHTER’S HOUND, (“the most perfect noir novel” - Sunday Times; “a hardboiled delight” - The Guardian), is shortlisted for the Goldsboro Last Laugh Award at Crimefest 2013. It was also shortlisted in the crime fiction category for the Irish Book Awards 2012.

BOOKS TO DIE FOR, ed. John Connolly and Declan Burke, is shortlisted for the HRF Keating award at Crimefest 2013. It is also shortlisted for the Anthony Awards at Bouchercon 2013.

ABSOLUTE ZERO COOL (“A cross between Raymond Chandler and Flann O'Brien” - John Banville), won the Goldsboro Last Laugh Award at Crimefest 2012.

For a biography, click here.

Agent: Allan Guthrie, c/o Jenny Brown Associates.

Email:
dbrodb[at]gmail.com

LATEST REVIEWS

THE BIG O

“If Elmore Leonard met Jim Thompson down a dark alley at midnight they might emerge a week later with thick beards, bloodshot eyes and the manuscript for
THE BIG O.” – Eoin Colfer

“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)

“Burke has married hard-boiled crime with noir sensibility and seasoned it with humour and crackling dialogue … fans of comic noir will find plenty to enjoy here.” – Booklist

“Declan Burke’s THE BIG O is full of dry Irish humour, a delightful caper revolving around a terrific cast.” – Seattle Times

“Burke has [George V.] Higgins’ gift for dialogue, [Barry] Gifford’s concision and the effortless cool of Elmore Leonard at his peak.” – Ray Banks

“The writing is a joy, so seamless you nearly miss the sheer artistry of the style and the terrific, wry humour.” – Ken Bruen

“Carries on the tradition of Irish noir with its Elmore Leonard-like style … a high-octane novel that fairly coruscates with tension.” – Irish Times

SLAUGHTER’S HOUND

“Everything you could want - action, suspense, character and setting, all floating on the easy lyricism of a fine writer at the top of his game.” - Lee Child

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“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

“SLAUGHTER’S HOUND starts with a body diving from a building and a car exploding, and the action doesn’t let up until the last line. But what sets this novel apart is its tone: it’s dead-pan and sardonic, and although it’s often very, very funny, this is a grim and gritty read.” - Marian Keyes

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BOOKS TO DIE FOR

“Books to Die For is a must-have for readers and writers alike.” - Boston Globe

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“Part celebration, part list of required reading … it is that rare breed of anthology of interest to both the initiated and the newcomer. Indeed, like the ideal mystery novel itself, this is a page-turner with an addictive quality.” - Irish Examiner

“Delightful … it serves as both a primer on the evolution of the genre and an escort into its remoter corners.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A sumptuous exploration of some of the best mystery authors of our time that showcases their passion for writing and their heartfelt tributes to their fellow writers. It is a resource readers will want to keep for decades.” - Miami Herald