On Galvinising The Irish Publishing Industry

Crikey, but Vincent Browne is a busy man, these days. Not content with running a media empire and persecuting the presidential candidates on TV, he’s also opened what appears to be a sideline in launching books. Last week he did the honours for Tom Galvin’s GABRIEL’S GATE; tomorrow evening, Friday October 14th, he’ll be at the Guinness Storehouse to officially launch Gerry Galvin’s KILLER A LA CARTE. The Big Question: is Vincent Browne on a one-man mission to (koff) galvinise the Irish publishing industry? Answers on used, non-sequential notes to the usual address, please …

“Ya Wanna Do It Here Or Down The Station, Punk?”: Gerry Galvin

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?
THE DEBT TO PLEASURE by John Lanchester, for the cruel, patrician detachment of his main character, Tarquin Winot and his food descriptions, to die for!

What fictional character would you most like to have been?
Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther for the sheer pleasure of being hilariously inept.

Who do you read for guilty pleasures?
John Grisham, who always tells a good story.

Most satisfying writing moment?
When I finally discovered ‘the right voice’ for James Livingstone Gall in KILLER A LA CARTE.

The best Irish crime novel is …?
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by Oscar Wilde. A stunning and creepy depiction of depravity, never bettered.

What Irish crime novel would make a great movie?
So many! Any of Benjamin Black’s or Gene Kerrigan’s - all that authentic Dublin detail.

Worst / best thing about being a writer?
The worst thing is re-reading my over-indulgent wordiness and the best is loving the precious moments of flow.

The pitch for your next book is …?
Food critic, James Livingstone Gall, finally comes to grips with his murderous nature; rehab and a form of redemption. But he is unaware that a newly appointed Detective Inspector is revisiting past unsolved murders with James Livingstone Gall on top of his most wanted list. James, on the run, soon reverts to murder mode, globe-trotting, one step ahead of the posse.

Who are you reading right now?
THE MASTER by Colm Toibin, having just finished a couple of novels by Lawrence Block, a master in his own right. Henning Mankell’s THE DOGS OF RIGA is on standby.

God appears and says you can only write OR read. Which would it be?
I’d insist on the right to consult my lawyer.

The three best words to describe your own writing are …?
Could do better.

Gerry Galvin’s KILLER A LA CARTE is published by Doire Press.

The West Is Awake, And Lethal

It’s hard to keep pace with all the Irish crime fiction titles being published lately, and these days I’m in dire danger of the blogging equivalent of being lapped. Nevertheless, we’ll huff and puff onwards, doing our best to bring you the very latest in crime offerings …
  There’s two for your delectation today, both courtesy of the West of Ireland. First up, Conan Kennedy, who has THE COLOUR OF HER EYES published by Mayo’s Morrigan Press, with the blurb elves wibbling thusly:

This is the story of Ruth Taylor. We meet her first as a troubled schoolgirl in a poor part of London. Her teacher there is John Dexter. They have a brief meeting, and do not meet again for five years. By then he is a married man with children, and she a single mother of a daughter. They have another brief connection, and do not meet again for another five years. THE COLOUR OF HER EYES tells the story of why, and what happens then, and who they really are. And tells the story of the investigation of a crime by Detective Inspector Harris.

  For more on Conan Kennedy, clickety-click here …
  Meanwhile, Galway’s Doire Press publishes KILLER A LA CARTE by renowned chef and food writer Gerry Galvin. Unsurprisingly, the novel has a culinary flavour. To wit:

KILLER A LA CARTE is the story of James Livingstone Gall, London food critic and serial killer. Behind a façade of pedantry, and foodie one-upmanship James is a dangerous psychopath. The story traces James’ perversely romantic association with heiress Claudia Catalano, whose hotels’ tycoon father was having an affair with James’ mother Grace, at the time of his suspicious death. Claudia holds Grace responsible, desires revenge but is also attracted to James. Their headlong, murderous progression is at the heart of the narrative.

  So there you have it. Conan Kennedy and Gerry Galvin, two more names to add to the ever-lengthening roll-call of Irish crime writing. I may be wrong, but something tells me this pair are going to be a couple of mavericks …