A Bastard Evil Twin Stole My Chapbook!

As I normally do before reviewing a book, I've been ignoring (as much as possible) the internet activity promoting Sam Millar's The Dark Place. Which is why I missed this extract from his interview with Critical Mick:

CM: Have you read Gerard Brennan's short story collection, Possession, Obsession and a Diesel Compression Engine?

SM: Not yet, because he keeps saying he's going to send me a signed copy, but never does. Too tight, the tight-arsed git. He had a great run of 'short stories' in the AndyTown News, a while back. Everyone was talking about it, saying how great it was. I have to admit, he scares me sometimes, what's going on in his head...

Read the rest of that very funny interview here.

Thanks to Mick raising the question in the first place, and Sam reminding me that I did very little to push it, I've been thinking. Maybe I should have promoted that wee short story collection a lot harder. But its publication just happened along at the wrong time. I'd just finished writing a book that had taken me well away from the black-humoured horror I'd been working on in the years before. I wasn't sure if the collection was really representative of the kind of writer I wanted to be.

But now I've found this rather alarming news report on the Baysgarth Publications website telling me that some pup, who claims to be my evil twin, has swiped the chapbook and taken control of it. According to a tweet I came across, Garner claims that he's 'always been sicker' than me. It's a weird situation, and I'm not sure how I'm meant to deal with it just now... I'm just going to ignore Brendan Garner and hope he goes away.

A Wee Review - The Dark Place by Sam Millar

Sam Millar could be labelled Northern Ireland’s answer to Edward Bunker. But I wonder if it’s a disservice to Millar and his craft to describe him as a man who writes what he knows intimately -- has lived 'the life'. Certainly, in the case of The Dark Place, there is very little that could be gleaned from time spent in Long Kesh or even an American prison.

There are humorous references within The Dark Place describing it as ‘the Belfast version’ of Silence of the Lambs and even night-vision goggles play a part in the tale. But this is no cheap spoof. It’s a brutal and ugly tale. Merciless in its nihilism. Exploring loss and misery is what Sam Millar does best in his maturing Karl Kane series.

Karl Kane is a Belfast private investigator and a martyr to his haemorrhoids. He has a knack for saying the wrong thing at the worst time. The bookies love to see him. Kane’s tendency to operate outside the law means he’s not a hot favourite with the cops... Kind of a PI prototype circa 1950. Apart from the arse scratching, that is.

Plot-wise, homeless, drug-addicted young girls are disappearing off the Belfast Streets. Karl Kane takes a slightly unwilling interest in the case. Homeless people are practically invisible in Millar’s Belfast, so not much of a fuss is made when bodies start to show up. But with the slight chance of some cash and pressure from debtors always on his mind, Kane tries to engage with the homeless. His less than subtle methods lead him to... If you’re still interested, read The Dark Place. Millar tells this one better than me.

As with my previous experience of Sam Millar’s work, I was disturbed by The Dark Place. Millar has a way about him; like he’s smiling and shaking your hand while he cocks the .45 to shoot you in your gut. Be aware of Millar’s intentions (and the cover makes them pretty clear) before you crack the spine. He’s the anti-cosy. You have been warned...

It'll Be Dark Come September

Sam Millar's tormented PI, Karl Kane, returns! The Dark Place, published by Brandon, will hit the shelves on the 2nd of September. Here's some nifty pics of the cover. Click the images for an extreme close-up.

The Dark Place -- Coming in October 2009

Check out this pretty disturbing cover for what is sure to be a very disturbing read if the first Karl Kane novel is anything to go by. And of course, the blurb gives you a hint or two:

“Young homeless women and drug addicts are being abducted before being brutally mutilated and murdered, and a city is held in grip of unspeakable terror. The cops are unable – or unwilling – to apprehend the elusive killer, and corrupt politicians turn a seemingly blind and almost approving eye to the catalogue of murders.

The perpetrator is cunning, wealthy and influential. More importantly, he has never once made a mistake in his grisly calling – until now. By abducting Katie, the young daughter of legendary private investigator, Karl Kane, the killer has just made his first mistake, which could well turn out to be his last.”

Incidentally, you might be interested to know that Sam's contribution to the anthology I'm editing with Mike Stone is also a Karl Kane story. Just saying...

Sam Millar - Event Reminder

A major reading event will take place on March 25th from 6-8pm at Belfast Central Library. It will have an invited audience of reading group members from all the Belfast libraries, but also be open to the general public. Admission is free. Sam Millar will read a chapter, exclusively from his new book, The Dark Place due out this year. This is the follow-up to his best-selling and critically acclaimed Bloodstorm.

Sam will also be doing a six-week crime writing workshop beginning on March 26th –April 30th, at 4:30-6:30 in the CWN Boardroom. It is advised to book early for this, as places will be limited and we expect a great deal of interest.

(This info came to me via Joe Murray, PR and the CWN newsletter.)

Rumour Millar

It's been too long since we last mentioned Sam Millar, and although Crime Always Pays scooped this info on Sunday, (while I was rubbing sleep out of my eyes and considering a life without drink, no doubt) here are some reviews for Mister Millar's BLOODSTORM.

“Bloodstorm is a classy, on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller. Relentlessly violent, it may be, but nevertheless delivers - in bloody spades - what it tells you on the cover. A sure-shot hit from Belfast’s most controversial writer…”

Sunday Life

“Sam Millar’s latest book Bloodstorm is a gripping, disturbing read shot through with elements of dark humour. You will find yourself still reading at three in the morning not wanting to put the book down except to go and check that the doors and windows are really secure. What Millar is clearly very good at is telling a story and in doing so he creates set piece scenes which will stay in your head for years to come.”

Ulla’s Nib

“Bloodstorm is a first in a series of books by best-selling and award-winning Belfast author Sam Millar, featuring anti-hero and Belfast private investigator, Karl Kane as the leading protagonist. It is classic crime noir, and has to be the freshest and most original piece of writing to come out of Belfast in years. The book is peopled with characters straight out of a Cohen Brothers movie and is a gripping, disturbing read…”

UTV, Book Review Club

So there you have it folks. If you're one of the ten people left on the island who've let BLOODSTORM pass you by, shame on you! Why haven't you read this book yet? Word on the street is, Karl Kane is back early next year in BLOODSTORM's flollow up, The Dark Place, so get a copy of part one in preparation for it.

Also, Albedo One, the genre fiction magazine from Dublin are running an interview with him. If you've a spare couple of yoyos you can download the PDF for a shuftie. It's got a bloomin' nice cover (right) hasn't it?