Sunday 30 March 2008

Book of the week and bibliography - Brian McGilloway, Gallows Lane


Brian McGilloway was born in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1974, and teaches English at St Columb’s College, Derry. Gallows Lane is his second novel featuring Inspector Benedict Devlin. The novel takes its title from the name of the road down which condemned Donegal criminals were once led, and follows Devlin as he investigates a series of gruesome murders in and around the Irish borderlands. When a young woman is found beaten to death on a building site, in what appears to be a sexually-motivated killing, Devlin's enquiries soon point to a local body-builder and steroid addict. But days later, born-again ex-con James Kerr is found nailed to a tree - crucified - having been released from prison and returned to his hometown to spread the word of God. Increasingly torn between his young family and his job, Devlin is determined to apprehend those responsible for the murders be-ore they strike again, even as the carnage begins to jeopardise those he cares about most.
The previous book in the series and McGilloway's first novel (Borderlands) was shortlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger. Both books have absorbing plots, strong characterisation and capture the atmosphere of the hinterland between North and South of Ireland. Several more books are planned and the series has strong potential to build with time.


Borderlands Macmillan, 2007
Gallows Lane Macmillan, 2008
Bleed a Deep River, Macmillan, 2009
The Rising, Macmillan, 2010

Little Girl Lost, Macmillan, 2011.   Paperback release, but signed numbered hardcover (300 copies) published in association with Goldsboro Books.

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