'Funny, smart, soulful and sometimes devastating, this book shows life in all its shades. It made me laugh and cry.' Emilie Pine, author of Notes to Self
'Hilariously, painfully, Freynefully brilliant' Joseph O'Connor
Patrick Freyne has tried a lot of stupid ideas in his life. Now, in his scintillating debut, he is here to tell you about them: like the time (aged 5) he opened a gate and let a horse out of its field, just to see what would happen; or the time (aged 19) he jumped out of a plane for charity, even though he didn't much care about the charity and was sure he'd end up dead; or the time (aged old enough to know better) he used a magazine as a funnel for fuel when the petrol cap on his band's van broke.
He has also learned a few things: about the power of group song; about the beauty of physically caring for another human being; about childlessness; about losing friends far too young. Life as seen through the eyes of Patrick Freyne is stranger, funnier and a lot more interesting than life as we generally know it. Like David Sedaris or Nora Ephron, he creates an environment all his own - fundamentally comic, sometimes moving, always deeply humane. OK, Let's Do Your Stupid Idea is a joyous reading experience from an instantly essential new writer.
'Patrick Freyne is a comic genius' Marian Keyes
'Clever, lovely and great, great fun' Roddy Doyle
'Patrick Freyne has a distinct and enviable gift for story-telling, guiding the reader into the tardis of his brilliant brain; from music and families to society and loss. Full of humour and tenderness, this book is an absolute JOY' Sinéad Gleeson, author of Constellations
'Patrick Freyne is a writer of rare humour, depth, and humanity. These essays are a delight' Mark O'Connell, author of To Be a Machine
'Funny, smart, soulful and sometimes devastating, this book shows life in all its shades. It made me laugh and cry.' Emilie Pine, author of Notes to Self
'I could probably have been an actress.
It is not difficult to pretend to be somebody else.
Isn't that what I've been doing for most of my life?'
Cordelia Russell has been living on the French Riviera for twenty-five years, passing herself off as an English socialite. But her luck, and the kindness of strangers, have run out.
The arrival of a visitor from her distant past shocks Cordelia. She reacts violently to the intrusion and flees her grotty flat to spend a drunken night at a glittering party. As dawn breaks she stumbles home through the back streets. Even before she opens her door she can hear the flies buzzing. She did not expect the corpse inside to start decomposing quite so quickly ...
'I could probably have been an actress.
It is not difficult to pretend to be somebody else.
Isn't that what I've been doing for most of my life?'
'Gone Girl fans will love Liz Nugent's Lying in Wait ... it twists, it turns, its characters are utterly despicable and it is a compulsive triumph' Stylist 'A stunningly talented writer' Sophie Hannah 'The intricate plotting and jolting suspense hold you in a vice till the last page' Sunday Times 'Clear your diary if you pick up this seductively sinister story. The twists come together in a superbly scary denouncement which delivers a final sting in the tail. Brilliantly macabre' Sunday Mirror 'Brilliant plotting ratchets up the tension in this chilling tale of obsessive love, madness and motherhood' Woman & Home 'The wit is sharp and the plot full of punishing twists' The Times Crime Club 'An unputdownable psychological thriller with an ending that lingers long after turning the final page' Irish Times 'An excellent example of "Domestic Noir" ... excitement and curiosity mount until you realise you can't put the book down. Highly recommended.' Literary Review From the award-winning author of the No 1 bestseller, Unravelling Oliver 'My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it.' Lydia Fitzsimons lives in the perfect house with her adoring husband and beloved son. There is just one thing Lydia yearns for to make her perfect life complete, though the last thing she expects is that pursuing it will lead to murder. However, needs must - because nothing can stop this mother from getting what she wants ... 'A tense, taut, almost gothic thriller where the tension tightens to near unbearable proportions ... impossible to stop reading. A brilliantly written, stand-out novel.' Marian Keyes 'Taut, crisp, clear, a storm-warning of a book. It has the eeriness of The Turn of the Screw; but as these screws turn, a mighty tension takes hold. Masterly' Sebastian Barry 'Deliciously twisted, shot through with dark and acid humour and the denouement is truly chilling.' Sarah Hilary 'Liz Nugent's characters are as unforgettably monstrous as they are believable. A superbly crafted novel and an absorbing portrait of the purest kind of evil.' Jane Casey 'I thought it impossible to match the brilliant Unravelling Oliver, but this Liz has done. Not only is her style beautiful, but she keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from page one until the completely unexpected ending. I read Lying in Wait in one sitting. I just couldn't bear the suspense. I absolutely loved it.' Amanda Redman 'She writes compellingly, creates posh sociopaths like no-one else and doesn't flinch when the end demands what it demands. Lying In Wait is a story you genuinely should not miss' Rick O'Shea, RTÉ
'Gone Girl fans will love Liz Nugent's Lying in Wait ... it twists, it turns, its characters are utterly despicable and it is a compulsive triumph' Stylist 'A stunningly talented…
Wild Child by Alan a child's journey through crime, punishment and redemption. From the moment his mother went into labour with him - on a transatlantic flight - Alan Croghan's life was chaotic. As a young boy in north Dublin, he drank, took drugs and rarely attended school. What he loved best was stealing cars, driving them around, and swapping parts with his fellow thieves. By the age of sixteen he had accumulated thirty-five criminal convictions - and yet he'd never been locked up. Fearing that his friends suspected he was a police informer, he contrived to get himself imprisoned. Wild Child - published in trade paperback as Disorganised Crime - is the story of this troubled young boy, and of the man he became - a criminal and alcoholic who eventually had the strength and courage to get sober and go straight. Sometimes shocking, often hilarious, and always gripping, Alan Croghan's memoir is both a true-crime classic and an uplifting story of personal redemption. Alan Crogha
Wild Child by Alan a child's journey through crime, punishment and redemption. From the moment his mother went into labour with him - on a transatlantic flight - Alan Croghan's…
"I love The Happy Pear. Its cheery optimism is enough to make it a charming refuge ...genuinely good food that brings healthy eating in from the cold". (Irish Times). Let's face it: while we want to eat more fruit and veg and things we know are good for us, we sometimes fall short because we're not sure how to turn all that great produce into great food. Well, welcome to the Happy Pear way of eating - healthy but never worthy, easy but never dull, and packed with mind-blowing flavour, exciting texture and vibrant colour. The Happy Pear opened ten years ago when twins David and Stephen Flynn, passionate about starting a food revolution in their home town, took over their local fruit and veg shop and later opened a cafe. Their revolution has not only succeeded, but it is spreading, and The Happy Pear's fans range from young parents to pensioners, ladies-who-lunch to teens-on-the-run, Electric Picnickers to Hollywood stars. David and Stephen's first cookbook is full of irresistible recipes for everything from everyday breakfasts, lunches and dinners, to scrumptious - and yes, still wholesome! - cakes and sweet treats, to special occasion splurges. David and Stephen also tell their story (how they transformed from jocks to hippies before finally finding their groove), share their top tips for maximizing taste and goodness in food, and explain how they've succeeded in building a food business based on flavour, health and community. "One of the funkiest eateries in the country". (Irish Independent).
"I love The Happy Pear. Its cheery optimism is enough to make it a charming refuge ...genuinely good food that brings healthy eating in from the cold". (Irish Times). Let's face…
Liz Nugent's gripping novel of psychological suspense, Unravelling Oliver, is a complex and elegant study of the making of a sociopath in the tradition of Barbara Vine and Patricia Highsmith.
Oliver Ryan is a handsome and charismatic success story. He lives in the suburbs with his wife, Alice, who illustrates his award-winning children's books and gives him her unstinting devotion. Their life together is one of enviable privilege and ease - enviable until, one evening after supper, Oliver attacks Alice and beats her into a coma.
In the aftermath, as everyone tries to make sense of his astonishing act of savagery, Oliver tells his story. So do those whose paths he has crossed over five decades. What unfolds is a story of shame, envy, breath-taking deception and masterful manipulation.
Only Oliver knows the lengths to which he has had to go to get the life to which he felt entitled. But even he is in for a shock when the past catches up with him.
Liz Nugent has worked in Irish film, theatre and television for most of her adult life. She is an award-winning writer of radio and television drama and has written short stories for children and adults. Unravelling Oliver is her first novel.
Liz Nugent's gripping novel of psychological suspense, Unravelling Oliver, is a complex and elegant study of the making of a sociopath in the tradition of Barbara Vine and…
Niamh Greene's new novel Coco's Secret is a deeply moving reinvention story that will be enjoyed by fans of the modern day fairytales of Cecelia Ahern. Throw in Niamh's unique brand of heart-warming storytelling and readers are in for a real treat.
Coco Swan has always been embarrassed by her name.
With a name like Coco, she thinks people expect her to be as exotic and glamorous as the famous designer, not an ordinary-looking small-town antiques dealer who could win an award for living cautiously.
But when a vintage Chanel handbag turns up in a box of worthless bric-a-brac, Coco's quiet world is turned upside down. Where did it come from? And is it just coincidence that it's the same bag Coco's late mother always wanted for her?
When Coco discovers a mysterious, decades-old letter hidden in the bag's lining, she sets off on a quest to piece together the story behind it, stumbling across secrets that span three generations as she goes.
Could the beautiful Chanel bag be about to teach Coco more than she wants to learn? Or will it show her just where her heart can take her if she lets it lead the way?
Coco's Secret is a gripping and thoroughly satisfying story about a young women finally finding courage to become the kind of woman she always had it in her to be. It will go straight to readers' hearts just like her previous bestselling novels, including the bestselling and award-nominated Secret Diary of a Demented Housewife. Her other novels are Confessions of a Demented Housewife, Lessons from a Love Rat, Rules for a Perfect Life and A Message to Your Heart.
Niamh Greene's new novel Coco's Secret is a deeply moving reinvention story that will be enjoyed by fans of the modern day fairytales of Cecelia Ahern. Throw in Niamh's unique…
Downturn Abbey is the thirteenth novel in Paul Howard's 'Ross O'Carroll-Kelly' series. Ross books - annual No 1 bestsellers - have sold over half a million copies, are annually nominated for the Popular Fiction prize at the Irish Book Awards - where they have twice won the prize - and are also critically acclaimed as satirical masterpieces. Titles include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightdress, Should have Got off at Sydney Parade, This Champagne Mojito is the Last Thing I Own, Rhino What You Did Last Summer, NAMA Mia!, The Oh My God Delusion (chosen as Ireland's favourite book in Eason's 2011 125th birthday poll) and The Shelbourne Ultimatum.
Downturn Abbey is the thirteenth novel in Paul Howard's 'Ross O'Carroll-Kelly' series. Ross books - annual No 1 bestsellers - have sold over half a million copies, are annually…
A beautiful and gripping story from 1930s rural Ireland, a time when women paid a terrible price for unmarried pregnancy, The Herbalist will appeal to fans of The Midwife's Daughter and The Outcast.
When the herbalist appears out of nowhere and sets out his stall in the market square he brings excitement to Emily's dull midlands town. The teenager is enchanted - the glamorous visitor can be a Clark Gable to her Jean Harlow, a Fred to her Ginger, a man to make her forget her lowly status in this place where respectability is everything.
A beautiful and gripping story from 1930s rural Ireland, a time when women paid a terrible price for unmarried pregnancy, The Herbalist will appeal to fans of The Midwife's…
The Crocodile by the Door by Selina Guinness is a remarkable, compelling and moving memoir of a farm, a family and a home.
When Selina Guinness and her partner Colin, both young academics, moved in with Selina's uncle Charles, an elderly bachelor, they had no idea what the coming years held for them: a crash course in farming, tense discussions with helicopter-borne property developers, human tragedy, and the challenge of dragging a quasi-feudal estate at the edge of Dublin into the twenty-first century.
The Crocodile by the Door - a dazzling debut memoir that will appeal to fans of Edmund de Waal, William Fiennes and Richard Benson's The Farm - tells this remarkable story.
The Crocodile by the Door by Selina Guinness is a remarkable, compelling and moving memoir of a farm, a family and a home.
Sinéad Moriarty's breathtaking eighth novel, This Child of Mine, is the story of two daughters, two mothers and the extraordinary bond of motherly love. It's a unique blend of the storytelling genius of Jodi Picoult and the compassion and humour of Marian Keyes, in a complex and deeply involving story that will have readers arguing about the nature of motherhood and the rights and wrongs of the characters' actions.
Sophie is a happy 18-year-old living in London with Anna, her Irish mother. Anna has devoted her life to Sophie. It may be just the two of them but Anna has more than enough love to give. Sophie has everything she could ever need.
Laura is a not-so-happy artist. She too has a daughter, Mandy. But Laura is haunted by the loss of her first child, Jody. Happy-go-lucky as she is, Mandy lives in Jody's shadow and wonders why her mother can never let go.
Both mothers carry secrets and cannot forget the day their paths crossed. But a chance discovery is about to bring everything into the open and mothers and daughters, love and lies, past and future, will spectacularly collide.
Sinéad Moriarty's novels have sold over half a million copies in Ireland and the UK and she is a four times nominee for the popular fiction Irish Book Award. She has won over readers and critics telling stories that are funny, humane, moving and relevant to modern women. This Child of Mine is Sinéad at her very best.
Sinéad Moriarty lives with her family in Dublin. Her previous titles are: The Baby Trail; A Perfect Match; From Here to Maternity; In My Sister's Shoes; Whose Life is it Anyway?; Pieces of My Heart and Me and My Sisters.
Sinéad Moriarty's breathtaking eighth novel, This Child of Mine, is the story of two daughters, two mothers and the extraordinary bond of motherly love. It's a unique blend of the…
Ross thought the porty was going to last forever. He certainly didn't believe the current economic blahdy blah was going to affect people like him. But as he watched the shutters fall, one by one, on all his old haunts - Renards, Mint, Guess Meanswear - he was forced to question all the truths that he once held as sacred.
Sorcha's boutique was bleeding him dry, the Deportment of Social Welfare had stuck two yahoos in the penthouse next door, while Oisinn - his business empire in ruins - hadn't been seen since he porked his cor at Dublin Airport and took off for who knows where.
'Isn't it wonderful?' the old man went to Ross. 'Times like these, they bring out the best in people like us.'
But just when he thought the recession couldn't get any worse, an unexpected twist in the tale threatened to take away the most precious thing in the world to him.
Ross thought the porty was going to last forever. He certainly didn't believe the current economic blahdy blah was going to affect people like him. But as he watched the shutters…
A riveting novel of friendship, rivalry, and betrayal, set against the lush but tumultuous backdrop of war-torn Africa.
In Dublin, a newspaper editor called Cartwright is found dead. One of his colleagues, Owen Simmons, discovers a dossier on Cartwright's desk containing a photograph that brings him back to a dusty road in Africa and to a woman he once loved. "Not Untrue & Not Unkind" is Owen's story—a gripping tale of friendship, rivalry, and betrayal among a group of journalists and photographers covering Africa's wars. It is an astonishingly powerful and accomplished debut that immediately establishes Ed O'Loughlin as a mature master of the novel form.
A riveting novel of friendship, rivalry, and betrayal, set against the lush but tumultuous backdrop of war-torn Africa.
In Dublin, a newspaper editor called Cartwright is found…
A performance artist opens his chest and displays his beating heart on stage. A young man walks through the hills of south-west Romania, where the locals have peculiar ideas about gold. On the morning of a medical examination, a woman tries to coax her husband off the roof. A smuggler pays off an old debt to his sister and resigns himself to a life of honest toil in the mine-shafts of his home town. A mysterious rodent named Brigitte enters the lives of two old men. And, in the astonishing long story 'In the Neighbourhood', the inhabitants of a crumbling tower-block go about their business, unforgettably. The stories of Philip Ó Ceallaigh create a world that is utterly original and yet immediately recognizable - a world of ordinary people grappling with work and idleness, ambition and frustration, wildness and sobriety, love and lust and decay. Scabrously honest, screamingly funny and beautifully crafted, Notes from a Turkish Whorehouse is a brilliant debut from a writer who cannot be ignored by anyone who cares about the art of fiction.
A performance artist opens his chest and displays his beating heart on stage. A young man walks through the hills of south-west Romania, where the locals have peculiar ideas about…
In its landscape, history and folklore, Connemara is a singular region ill-defined geographically, and yet unmistakably a place apart from the rest of Ireland. Tim Robinson, who established himself as Ireland's most brilliant living non-fiction writer with the two-volume "Stones of Aran", moved from Aran to Connemara nearly twenty years ago. This book is the result of his extraordinary engagement with the mountains, bogs and shorelines of the region, and with its folklore and its often terrible history: a work as beautiful and surprising as the place it attempts to describe.
In its landscape, history and folklore, Connemara is a singular region ill-defined geographically, and yet unmistakably a place apart from the rest of Ireland. Tim Robinson, who…
Kadie Kingston is a young woman in flight and in pursuit. For reasons too awful to think about, she's running from Milenko, the glorious Croatian she is due to marry. And she's chasing her best friend who has fled Cork rather than face sudden crushing grief. Misunderstandings and missed messages see Kadie hauling her travel-phobic heartbroken self around the globe - starting in a mortuary in Stockholm and ending on a boat in Queensland - before she can go home. Along the way she somehow starts to get that precious thing - perspective. And, despite herself, she also comes by something nearly as precious: a no-ties fling that is just the ticket to launch her new post-Milenko life. But Milenko isn't giving up on her that easily - and the fling may not be quite as forgettable as she wants it to be!
Kadie Kingston is a young woman in flight and in pursuit. For reasons too awful to think about, she's running from Milenko, the glorious Croatian she is due to marry. And she's…
In the run-up to the second Gulf War a young Irishwoman, Vivien, fulfilling her dream of seeing the magical land of Yemen, starts a passionate affair with a charismatic English anthropologist. However, he has a traumatic history with the woman who was once Vivien's best friend, a history he doesn't realise Vivien knows all about, leaving her battling the conflicting demands of loyalty and love. A gripping depiction of a female friendship disintegrating, and of disillusionment, jealousy and obsession.
In the run-up to the second Gulf War a young Irishwoman, Vivien, fulfilling her dream of seeing the magical land of Yemen, starts a passionate affair with a charismatic English…
Thirty-three-year-old writer, Oliver, becomes the guardian of his best friend's 14-year-old daughter, Jude, after the friend's sudden death. In the seven years that follow, they each work through searing personal crises and ill-advised romances to find love with each other. But can it last?
Thirty-three-year-old writer, Oliver, becomes the guardian of his best friend's 14-year-old daughter, Jude, after the friend's sudden death. In the seven years that follow, they…
