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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 par ..read more

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 ..read more

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 T ..read more

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 ..read more

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 red ..read more

If you can make it, you should. It's going to be mega ..read more