“Declan Burke is his own genre. The Lammisters dazzles, beguiles and transcends. Virtuoso from start to finish.” – Eoin McNamee “This bourbon-smooth riot of jazz-age excess, high satire and Wodehouse flamboyance is a pitch-perfect bullseye of comic brilliance.” – Irish Independent Books of the Year 2019 “This rapid-fire novel deserves a place on any bookshelf that grants asylum to PG Wodehouse, Flann O’Brien or Kyril Bonfiglioli.” – Eoin Colfer, Guardian Best Books of the Year 2019 “The funniest book of the year.” – Sunday Independent “Declan Burke is one funny bastard. The Lammisters ... conducts a forensic analysis on the anatomy of a story.” – Liz Nugent “Burke’s exuberant prose takes centre stage … He plays with language like a jazz soloist stretching the boundaries of musical theory.” – Totally Dublin “A mega-meta smorgasbord of inventive language ... linguistic verve not just on every page but every line.Irish Times “Above all, The Lammisters gives the impression of a writer enjoying himself. And so, dear reader, should you.” – Sunday Times “A triumph of absurdity, which burlesques the literary canon from Shakespeare, Pope and Austen to Flann O’Brien … The Lammisters is very clever indeed.” – The Guardian

Monday, May 4, 2009

THE DYING BREED: Not Quite Dead Yet

He may not have won the Edgar last week, but Squire Declan Hughes (right) is back-back-BACK! THE PRICE OF BLOOD / THE DYING BREED is up for a Macavity ‘Best Mystery’ Award, with the competition looking something like this:
TRIGGER CITY by Sean Chercover (Wm. Morrow)
WHERE MEMORIES LIE by Deborah Crombie (Wm. Morrow)
THE DYING BREED (UK)/ THE PRICE OF BLOOD (US) by Declan Hughes (John Murray/ Wm. Morrow)
THE DRAINING LAKE by Arnaldur Indridason (Minotaur)
CURSE OF THE SPELLMANS by Lisa Lutz (Simon & Schuster)
THE CRUELEST MONTH by Louise Penny (Minotaur)
THE FAULT TREE by Louise Ure (Minotaur)
  Correct me if I’m wrong (it’s a figure of speech, fact-fiends) but Squire Hughes is the only one on that list who was also nominated for an Edgar. Which augurs well for his chances when the envelope is opened at this year’s Bouchercon in Indiana, which takes place from October 15-18. It also augurs well for his being nominated for a host of other awards at said B’con, and doing a Tana French on it and sweeping the boards … with the added bonus that Squire Hughes is guaranteed to turn up and make a speech. Or two. And then sing, quite possibly ‘The Fields of Athenry’. And then make another speech.
  The point being, convention organiser-types, that it’s a good idea to have Squire Hughes nominated for awards. The man gives value for money … Oh, and have I mentioned yet how good ALL THE DEAD VOICES is? Suffice to say it’s his best yet … and if you don’t believe me, try this.

6 comments:

Peter Rozovsky said...

I could picture Hughes swaggering around singing "Rocky Road to Dublin" and maybe saving "Fields of Athenry" for closing time.

Oh, and cool local detail: the cafe where I eat breakfast most afternoons played Thin Lizzy's "Whiskey in the Jar" on its sound system one day this week.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
“Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home”
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

Declan Burke said...

Peter - 'Whiskey in the Jar' would make a great crime novel ... Or has it already?

Cheers, Dec

The other one said...

Consider yourself corrected:

"Curse of the Spellmans" by Lisa Lutz was nominated for an Edgar (Best Novel)

and "The Fault Tree" by Louise Ure was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark / Simon and Schuster award.

The three of them can harmonize on "The Fields of Athreny" -- who's buying the drinks?

Peter Rozovsky said...

Nothing matters, Mary Higgins Clark, when the drinks are free. Who cares who's bying?

Declan, you have first right base a crime novel on "Whiskey in the Jar," or at least on one of its lines.
==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

The other one said...

Quite right, Peter Rozovsky, the question is never who's buying, but instead who's paying.

Anonymous said...

Delan,

I would bet with you that Hughes will win the Shamus.

All the best

bernd