In today’s post we’re going to learn about The Dermot O’Hara series of detective books set in the beautiful southwest of Ireland.
The Belfast born author writes under the pen name Michael McDonnell and today tells us how a vacation in Ireland inspired a whole series of books. And so I hand you over to the author ….
How Ireland Inspired My Writing …..
One question writers get asked a lot and for which there is rarely a precise answer, is….
“Where did you get the idea for a certain novel?”
I’m fortunate in that I can pin down the exact time and place when the idea emerged for a series with a laid back Irish detective at its heart.
We were staying at a B & B (bed and breakfast) close to the town of Kenmare on the stunningly beautiful coast of Kerry, when the central character made his first appearance.
The real version was a genial Garda officer who, with his wife, ran the guesthouse as a sideline.
As we talked to him, it became clear that fishing was this policeman’s real passion and upholding the law something he squeezed into his busy angling schedule (I hasten to add that Kenmare is a peaceable place and our host was not neglecting his duties)!
A few days later, at Renvyle on the west coast, the weather had closed in. Gales lashed rain against the windows of our hotel as we watched from the comfort of two armchairs either side of a roaring fire.
My wife and I talked about Kenmare and I imagined what might happen if our easy going Garda officer was confronted by real and serious crime.
A few pages of scrawled notes later and the first Dermot O’Hara novella, ‘Thicker Than Water’, was born.
One year after that a full length sequel, ‘Banshee’ arrived with a broader range of characters and a more complex plot. The third Dermot O’Hara Mystery, again a full length novel, will be available in Spring 2016.
I publish the novels on Amazon under the pen name, ‘Michael McDonnell’. It has been a rewarding experience with readers responding positively to my writing. I think the review that pleased me most was the one that read ….
“This quality of writing, combined with a terrific plot,
draws you in to the point that you are no longer
reading the book, but are observing
the story unfold from a corner of Crowley’s bar!”
I can also wholeheartedly recommend Kenmare and Kerry as holiday destinations when the world gets too noisy and you need to slow down to find peace and inspiration…
The Dermot O’Hara Mystery Series:
The first book in the series is called Thicker Than Water.
Here’s the introduction found on Amazon …
“Dermot O’Hara is a policeman in a small Irish town where his greatest challenges are lost library tickets and how to find more time to fish. This peaceful life is upended when death comes to town. And not just any death. O’Hara’s career is on the line as the corpse of a US Senator is found. The Senator, while searching for his ancestors, has uncovered an old, still burning hatred from the time of the Great Famine. Dermot needs all the help he can get to solve the crime but as he starts to unravel the mystery it becomes clear that those around him are not what they seem. This first book in the series introduces us to Dermot, his long suffering wife Jo and his disreputable friends in the local bar.”
The second book in the series is Banshee. Here’s a little introductory blurb ….
“When Peter Foley’s fishing boat sinks in the waters off the coast of Ireland, a lethal secret is revealed. Local superstition claims that when death is imminent supernatural forces manifest themselves and the Banshee sings. New passion is born but an old ghost and past sins emerge to torment Dermot and threaten his cozy existence. All the police officer’s detective skills are called on to solve the mystery and save his town. So great are the dangers that even the love of his wife and the loyalty, humour and friendship of the regulars in Crowley’s Bar, appear inadequate against the forces opposing them. A colourful cast, from former FBI man Frank McMahon, who could happily live on a diet of Irish stew and Black Bush whiskey, to the journalist known as ‘the Beast’, populate the pages of this romantic Irish thriller.”
Thank You To Michael McDonnell:
A big thank you to the author for sharing his books and writing inspiration with us today. Wishing him every success with the third book in the series, which is due to be published soon in spring 2016.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
If you enjoyed this post here are some other stories and tributes you might enjoy.
Eulogy For An Irish American Mother
America Bound
Between The Jigs And The Reels
Lov e detective stories and think I have just found me a wonderful new series with Michael mcDonnells books– hope we have them in our public library here.
Hi Lena – I hope you’ll be able to get these books at your library, and that you enjoy these Irish mysteries.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Mairead, I made your Potato Leak Soup last evening and it was delicious! My hubby had two bowls. He’s Italian and I’m Irish. He never grew up with ANY Irish food and tolerates just some of the dishes. He did like this quite a bit.
On Tuesday next week I’ll be featuring your recipe on my Blog. It’ll point back to Irish American Mom.
Hi Mary – I’m delighted to hear my soup recipe got your family’s seal of approval – that means a lot especially since your husband is a judge who was raised on delicious Italian soups. Thanks so much for featuring my recipe on your blog next week and for linking back to my page. I really appreciate you sharing my work.
Best wishes, and I’ll check out your recipe post next week.
Mairéad
I’m so glad you chose this author to visit with! I loved his two books and have been waiting for word of the third with great anticipation! The characters are so well defined you feel if you were lucky enough to visit Kemare you’d meet Dermot and company at Crowley’s around 7 any night of the week. Thank you, again, Mairead for another enjoyable post.
Hi Deidre – It’s lovely to hear you’ve read these two books and that you enjoyed them so much. I love when I read a book and the characters seem to come to life.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Deidre,
I’m very pleased to hear you enjoyed ‘Thicker Than Water’ and ‘Banshee’ – thank you for your kind words and great review! I’ve just completed the first draft of the next in the series and am starting to rewrite the novel (title to be decided later – I have several I’m torn between)!
Best Wishes
Michael
Thanks so much for the update on your writing, Mial.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
At long last I’ve published the latest in the series. Its title is ‘The Loneliest Man In The World’ and is available on Amazon as a Kindle download or a paperback. If you put the following link into your web browser it will take you to the Amazon page for the new novel myBook.to/LMTW I hope you enjoy it! Best wishes, Mial (Michael McDonnell is my pen name).
Congratulations on this recent publication Mial. I’ll share this on Twitter to let readers and followers know about the latest installment in this wonderful series.
All the best, and wishing you every success with this book.
Mairéad
Sounds like an interesting read. Will be looking for them on amazon
I’ll have to check this series out–thanks for alerting us to it, Mairead. One of my other current favorite Irish crime writers is Brian McGilloway. His books are so good I’ve actually had a friend get one for me while he was IN Ireland, because it wasn’t being sold in the U.S.
Hi Bill – Thanks for the recommendation of Brian McGilloway’s books. I’ll have to check them out.
Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Mairéad