Irish Times review of DISORDER

This review, written by Declan Burke, appeared in The Irish Times on Saturday 21st April 2018.

Potential for violence

Set in Belfast, Gerard Brennan’s Disorder (No Alibis Press, €9.99) opens with stoned student Jimmy McAuley wandering into some “recreational rioting” and sounding off to TV journalist Grace Doran about “the subhuman imbeciles throwing their toys out of the pram over flags and marches”. When the clip of his rant goes viral, Jimmy finds himself at the heart of a maelstrom, caught up in corrupt DI Tommy Bridge’s long-running investigation into Loyalist hard man Clark Wallace.

Disorder reads like Adrian McKinty adapting one of Carl Hiaasen’s shaggy dog tales for a Northern Ireland setting, a coal-black comedy caper in which everyone seems to be feeding off the manic energy generated by the potential for violence that seems stitched into every page.

McAuley is an endearingly shambolic creation, his innocence in sharp contrast to Belfast’s brutal cynicism and the overall tone of world-weary acceptance, a tone leavened and accentuated by Brennan’s dust-dry humour: “the sound . . . swelled and faded in the form of a passing siren. There was an emergency somewhere in Belfast. There always would be.”

Declan Burke is an author and journalist. He is currently Dublin City Council / UNESCO writer-in-residence.

Original link.

Get your copy of Disorder from No Alibis Press,

Upcoming Events

Lit Crawl Belfast:

As part of the Belfast Book Festival, come to No Alibis see me and Rosemary Jenkinson read from works by our favourite crime authors, as well as from our own, on Saturday 16th June at 6pm.

I plan to read from The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett and an excerpt from Edgar Allan Poe's story, The Tell-Tale Heart. I've been practising and timing my readings and everything, because the lovely Jan Carson warned me not to run over my time-slot, and I'd prefer it if she didn't have to tell me off.

I know after watching the recent Novel Ideas video featuring Rosemary that she's a great reader (as you'd expect from a playwright of her calibre) and I'm really looking forward to hearing her read from her new short story collection Catholic Boy. And to getting my copy signed.

Bangor Library DowNoir:

And I'll be reading, Q&Aing and strumming at Bangor Library on Thursday 21st of June at 7:30pm (not the 19th as I mistakenly advertised on my latest podcast episode!) with Simon Maltman.

I'm a fan of Simon Maltman's work, and particularly enjoyed the Bongo Fury novellas. They're lean, mean, fast and fearless. I imagine he'll be reading from his latest novel, A Kill for the Poet, which I know will be a treat. And he's a much better singer and guitarist than me, so that'll be good for keeping my troublesome ego in check.

Be there or be quare disappointed.

The Gerard Brennan Disorder Podcast

I've finally done it. After years of thinking about it, months of talking about it, and weeks of reading about it, I've figured out how to record and distribute a podcast from the comfort of my own bedroom/office/studio. And by the time you read this there might even be a second or third episode available for you to sample.

For now, I'm still experimenting with the format, but I'd like to get some feedback on what the sweet spot for a one-man crime fiction show is, so tell me if it's over too quickly or runs too long. As I say in the first episode, I do want to address questions about the creative writing process, and to talk about the books I'm reading or have recently read.

Tuning in will also keep you up to date on my upcoming releases and all that jazz, because self promotion.

These early podcasts are basically for the people who have asked for audiobook versions of my work. I'm starting with my novella, BOUNCE. It's free, the sound quality is pretty good, and my accent is weird.

Why haven't you downloaded it already?

Links:

iTunes

PodBean

TuneIn

Fireproof Now Available in Paperback

For the first time ever, Fireproof is available in paperback.

Here's a little of what Ken Bruen had to say about it, once upon a time:

"Equally hilarious and jaw-droppingly violent at once. Reading this novel was a total blast."

Tempted?

Your Turn at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival

I'll be forever grateful to Conor Maguire for being so determined to get this play on the stage. And for finding the perfect actors to bring it to life. Come one, come all, and let's get this show on the road.

YOUR TURN
SUNFLOWER PUBLIC HOUSE
TUESDAY 8 & WEDNESDAY 9 MAY, 8.00PM
TICKETS £8.00
BOOK TICKETS

A riotous new comedy makes its premiere at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival this year. Every parent will know when it’s your turn, it’s your turn, except when it isn’t…

Relationships, stand-up, and how not to dispose of nappies all feature as a couple wake up to the reality of parenthood.

Penned by Gerard Brennan, who co-wrote The Sweety Bottle with his father, Joe, the first play to transfer from The Baby Grand to the main stage at The Grand Opera House.

Doors 7:45pm | Unreserved Seating

Tickets also available from: Visit Belfast | 028 90 246 609
9 Donegall Square North - Open 7 days a Week

Calling All Stars

It's been a wee bit quiet on the review front recently. Yes, I do read them, and yes, I'm still that needy.

If you have a blog, an Amazon or Goodreads account, could you do us a favour (i.e. me, my publishers and mine)?

Take a few minutes to slap a few lines into one of them text boxes. Especially Amazon, as they quite often translate to direct sales.

It doesn't have to be a long review. If you've commented on a Facebook post or sent me an email to tell me how much you enjoyed something I've wrote, just copy and paste, or paraphrase what you've already written.

Or you can say, "He could probably do better!" if you don't feel particularly generous. That'd be grand too.

Here's a link to my (UK) Amazon page to make it even easier for you.

Before you get all, "I fought you was a Mick!" on me, I'm using that link because  I figure that's where most readers find my work online. But I'll take them anywhere I can get them. I like readers from all around the planet.

Yes, I said 'around' the planet. No offence, Flat-Earthers. Pobody's Nerfect.

Thanks in advance, you're a star.

Three Crime Writers and Hopefully More Than One Microphone

Luca Veste, his Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast partner, Steve Cavanagh, and I (yeeeooo!) will be chatting about books and stuff in less than a week. In real life and in the same bookshop.

We'd love to see No Alibis packed to the gills next Thursday. This is a special book for Luca. New characters, a different side of Liverpool, a blurring of the genre lines that pays off with twisted beauty. I loved it and it's an honour to participate in the Belfast launch.

Steve and Luca are a riot on their podcast, and with Steve fresh off the American tour circuit for his cracking new novel TH1RT3EN, you'd be mad to miss this. I'm going to have to try really hard to actually participate in the event rather than just sit back and enjoy a great night of craic from both.

More details, you say?

Fill your boots:

Luca Veste at No Alibis Bookstore
Thursday 15th March 2018 at 6:30PM
Tickets: FREE

No Alibis Bookstore are pleased to invite you to celebrate the launch of THE BONE KEEPER, the latest novel from Luca Veste, on Thursday 15th March at 6:30PM. Luca will be joined by local authors Steve Cavanagh and Gerard Brennan. Tickets for this event are free, and can be booked through EventBrite.


THE BONE KEEPER

What if the figure that haunted your nightmares as child, the myth of the man in the woods, was real?

He'll slice your flesh.
Your bones he'll keep.

Twenty years ago, four teenagers went exploring in the local woods, trying to find to the supposed home of The Bone Keeper. Only three returned.

Now, a woman is found wandering the streets of Liverpool, horrifically injured, claiming to have fled the Bone Keeper. Investigating officer DC Louise Henderson must convince sceptical colleagues that this urban myth might be flesh and blood. But when a body is unearthed in the woodland the woman has fled from, the case takes on a much darker tone.

The disappeared have been found. And their killer is watching every move the police make. 

DISORDER Appreciation

DISORDER is the book that just keeps on giving. And everybody's been lovely about it. The release of this Irish News article started off the official release date (March 18). Check it out, if you haven't already. Following that, The Mourne Observer ran a piece, and I hope that'll generate even more local interest in my work. And we've had our first couple of Amazon reviews too (thanks to Mr Maltman and the Village Reader).  The more the merrier, though. If you're feeling suitable moved, I'd love to read more thoughts on the book. My ego loves a wee boost every now and again, you know?

I'm also digging this snazzy press release (click to enlarge):

I uploaded a couple of videos from the pre-Christmas soft launch of the book to YouTube. You'll find both below. The sound isn't great, and the camera has been held sideways to make me look taller, but you'll get an honest taste of what this book means to me, and a wee bit of a reading without any offensive swearing. Apart from when I say "ballbag," but that's not really a curse-curse, is it?

Enjoy!

Addendum:

I forgot to include a link to my Novel Ideas interview on NVTV. D'oh! Here it is.

Disorder on Kindle (et al)

Oi! You know that book I wrote? No, not that one. DISORDER.

Aye, well you can get it on your Kindle now. And on other e-readers, I believe. I haven't checked because I don't have those kind of e-readers. But sure, have a hoke about the site if you're into Apple Books or whatever.

Here's a wee blurb for it, in case you need convincing:

"Tommy Bridge is on a mission. A Yoga mat, his Buddhist teaching and a Glock, his main weapons of choice. Tommy has had a tough time as a Cop. Now he has a clear and definite purpose. Deal with a local crime Kingpin and he may just achieve some sense of redemption.

Patricia, “Dev”, Devenney, Tommy’s partner. Made from more traditional stock. All Dev wants is for Tommy to be at peace with himself…hopefully keeping him alive along the way.

Clark Wallace, the Kingpin. Clark has values, traditions, honour- unfortunately, none of them are really traits that normal folk would adhere to. Clark is like a bad nightmare in technicolour and this movie is about to go into 3D.

Jimmy McAuley. The student. Failing at University. Soaring with the Weed. Quite simply, Jimmy is in the wrong place at the wrong time - stoned and about to learn a harsh life lesson. Hopefully he can pass this exam.

Grace Dornan. The reporter. Grace knows what her Prize should be. The only problem for Grace is that she may let the “truth” behind this grand saga be the last thing she seeks."

Sounds like a cracker, so it does. Grab a copy and see what you think, ye rocket ye.

Peace.