Louise Phillips's Blog, page 77
August 25, 2013
The Reading Life - Waiting for a Monsoon to end!
Link to review of RED RIBBONS by Mel Ulm of The Reading Life
"Normally I read several books at one time. Yesterday I took Louise Phillips' novel Red Ribbons with me to our community pool, thinking I will start it after my swim. I sat down briefly in a pool side cabana and a monsoon rain began. I could not get back in the club house without being drenched so I started reading. Three hours of rain went but I was so drawn into the incredibly well done powerfully absorbing crime story, set in Dublin, that I barely noticed the time and rain. It is compulsive reading.
The plot action begins when a young girl is found murdered. The killer put red ribbons in her hair. We also meet a woman, Ellie, who was placed in a mental hospital 15 years ago for burning down her trailer with her 12 year old daughter inside. This begins as a seemingly separate subplot and a lot of the fun of the novel is in wondering how this is connected to the murders. Soon another girl is killed and a massive hunt for the killer begins. It was fascinating to be an insider on this and to get to know a profiler and some detectives. We know early who the killer is and we see the events also through his eyes.
There are lots of exciting plot twists and I never could have predicted the very satisfying close of this marvelous novel. The level of the prose is very high. I completely endorse Red Ribbons to anyone one who likes well written suspense and crime novels. I am really looking forward to reading her second novel, drawing rave reviews, The Doll's House."
"Normally I read several books at one time. Yesterday I took Louise Phillips' novel Red Ribbons with me to our community pool, thinking I will start it after my swim. I sat down briefly in a pool side cabana and a monsoon rain began. I could not get back in the club house without being drenched so I started reading. Three hours of rain went but I was so drawn into the incredibly well done powerfully absorbing crime story, set in Dublin, that I barely noticed the time and rain. It is compulsive reading.
The plot action begins when a young girl is found murdered. The killer put red ribbons in her hair. We also meet a woman, Ellie, who was placed in a mental hospital 15 years ago for burning down her trailer with her 12 year old daughter inside. This begins as a seemingly separate subplot and a lot of the fun of the novel is in wondering how this is connected to the murders. Soon another girl is killed and a massive hunt for the killer begins. It was fascinating to be an insider on this and to get to know a profiler and some detectives. We know early who the killer is and we see the events also through his eyes.
There are lots of exciting plot twists and I never could have predicted the very satisfying close of this marvelous novel. The level of the prose is very high. I completely endorse Red Ribbons to anyone one who likes well written suspense and crime novels. I am really looking forward to reading her second novel, drawing rave reviews, The Doll's House."
August 22, 2013
It's Teacher Time!!!
Sure the old blog tour wouldn't be the same without having the fab Michelle Moloney King, who as well as being an IT expert, manages to teach, write, and do lots of creative stuff!!
So how many legs are on this blog tour for THE DOLL'S HOUSE you might ask?
Well there are lots of legs to come, but today is LEG 4, and we're talking writing deadlines and inspiration, along with other interesting things!!
Call over to Michelle HERE , and see what interesting snippets we have for you! You won't regret it!
MICHELLE MOLONEY-KING, is a primary school teacher, writer, avid reader and a pretty awesome person! She blogs about country life, books, school, IT, flash fiction & more at...... http://teacherMoloneyKing.com and on Twitter @MoloneyKing
So how many legs are on this blog tour for THE DOLL'S HOUSE you might ask?
Well there are lots of legs to come, but today is LEG 4, and we're talking writing deadlines and inspiration, along with other interesting things!!
Call over to Michelle HERE , and see what interesting snippets we have for you! You won't regret it!
MICHELLE MOLONEY-KING, is a primary school teacher, writer, avid reader and a pretty awesome person! She blogs about country life, books, school, IT, flash fiction & more at...... http://teacherMoloneyKing.com and on Twitter @MoloneyKing
August 21, 2013
Tick Tock, Tick Tock - THE DOLL'S HOUSE BLOGTOUR
The Doll's House blog tour calls over to writer Susan Condon today.
We talk hypnotherapy and how fictional characters surprise you, and you can read all about it HERE!!
Go on, pay a visit, you won't regret it!!
Susan Condon
Susan Condon, a native of Dublin, is currently editing her debut novel – a crime fiction thriller set in New York City. Her short stories have won the Jonathan Swift Award, the Bealtaine Short Story Competition and the Sport and Cultural Council, City of Dublin VEC and she was long-listed for the RTÉ Guide/Penguin Short Story Competition. Publications include Original Writing from Ireland’s Own, Anthology 2012; South of the County: New Myths and Tales and www.fivestopstory.com
We talk hypnotherapy and how fictional characters surprise you, and you can read all about it HERE!!
Go on, pay a visit, you won't regret it!!
Susan Condon
Susan Condon, a native of Dublin, is currently editing her debut novel – a crime fiction thriller set in New York City. Her short stories have won the Jonathan Swift Award, the Bealtaine Short Story Competition and the Sport and Cultural Council, City of Dublin VEC and she was long-listed for the RTÉ Guide/Penguin Short Story Competition. Publications include Original Writing from Ireland’s Own, Anthology 2012; South of the County: New Myths and Tales and www.fivestopstory.com
August 19, 2013
LADY KILLERS
Due to 'popular demand' this event is now taking place in the Main Autitorium
An Event Not To Be Missed!
Main Auditorium – Civic Theatre Tallaght – 18th October 8 p.m.Crime Writing by Leading Female Authors: Alex Barclay, Arlene Hunt, Louise Phillips and special guest former Boulder Coroner Joanne Richardson in conversation with Susan CondonA RED LINE BOOK FESTIVAL EVENT
REMIND ME ABOUT THIS SHOW
A killer evening not to be missed! Some of Ireland’s most popular female crime writers share insights into creating a gripping thriller. Special guest Joanne Richardson, former County Coroner of Boulder Colorado, brings an interesting element to the evening as she shares her experiences in this challenging role.Alex Barclay’s first novel Darkhouse was a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. Since then Alex has written several bestselling thrillers and won the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards for her third novel, Blood Runs Cold, which was the beginning of the Special Agent Ren Bryce series.Arlene Hunt’s dark and atmospheric stories perfectly capture the grimy underworld of Dublin and beyond. She is the author of a series of fast-paced crime-thrillers, featuring John Kenny and Sarah Quigley from Quik Investigations. Her sixth novel Undertow was nominated for best crime novel of the year in 2009. Her current novel – a stand alone set in the US – entitled The Chosen, was voted as TV3′s Book of the Month for November 2011.Louise Phillips’ bestselling debut crime novel, Red Ribbons, was shortlisted for Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year (2012) in the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards. Her eagerly awaited second psychological crime novel, The Doll’s House will be published August 2013Joanne Richardson was County Coroner in Boulder Colorado from 2003 to 2012 and was responsible for determining cause and manner of death, which indicates whether the death was accidental, natural, suicide or homicide. Despite having what many would perceive to be a morbid profession, Richardson is upbeat, colourful and frank about her work.Susan Condon is currently editing her debut novel – a crime fiction thriller set in New York City. Her writing career began in 2008. She has won many short story awards and was Longlisted in the RTE Guide / Penguin Ireland Short Story Competition 2012.Friday 18th October @ 8pmAdmission €12/€10 concession
BOOK TICKETS HERE
Whether you are a crime fiction reader or currently honing your skills as a crime fiction writer, this is an event not to be missed. An opportunity to delve into the minds of three prolific writers as they divulge the secrets (we hope!) to their success and how they manage to get into the minds of their characters: the victims and the killers . . .At the end of the night, there will be a chance for you, the audience, to ask those burning questions that have been eating away at you. If you can’t make it on the night and that burning question will not go away, post it here. The most intriguing question will be asked, on your behalf, on the night.Hope to see you there!
An Event Not To Be Missed!
Main Auditorium – Civic Theatre Tallaght – 18th October 8 p.m.Crime Writing by Leading Female Authors: Alex Barclay, Arlene Hunt, Louise Phillips and special guest former Boulder Coroner Joanne Richardson in conversation with Susan CondonA RED LINE BOOK FESTIVAL EVENT
REMIND ME ABOUT THIS SHOW
A killer evening not to be missed! Some of Ireland’s most popular female crime writers share insights into creating a gripping thriller. Special guest Joanne Richardson, former County Coroner of Boulder Colorado, brings an interesting element to the evening as she shares her experiences in this challenging role.Alex Barclay’s first novel Darkhouse was a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. Since then Alex has written several bestselling thrillers and won the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards for her third novel, Blood Runs Cold, which was the beginning of the Special Agent Ren Bryce series.Arlene Hunt’s dark and atmospheric stories perfectly capture the grimy underworld of Dublin and beyond. She is the author of a series of fast-paced crime-thrillers, featuring John Kenny and Sarah Quigley from Quik Investigations. Her sixth novel Undertow was nominated for best crime novel of the year in 2009. Her current novel – a stand alone set in the US – entitled The Chosen, was voted as TV3′s Book of the Month for November 2011.Louise Phillips’ bestselling debut crime novel, Red Ribbons, was shortlisted for Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year (2012) in the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards. Her eagerly awaited second psychological crime novel, The Doll’s House will be published August 2013Joanne Richardson was County Coroner in Boulder Colorado from 2003 to 2012 and was responsible for determining cause and manner of death, which indicates whether the death was accidental, natural, suicide or homicide. Despite having what many would perceive to be a morbid profession, Richardson is upbeat, colourful and frank about her work.Susan Condon is currently editing her debut novel – a crime fiction thriller set in New York City. Her writing career began in 2008. She has won many short story awards and was Longlisted in the RTE Guide / Penguin Ireland Short Story Competition 2012.Friday 18th October @ 8pmAdmission €12/€10 concession
BOOK TICKETS HERE
Whether you are a crime fiction reader or currently honing your skills as a crime fiction writer, this is an event not to be missed. An opportunity to delve into the minds of three prolific writers as they divulge the secrets (we hope!) to their success and how they manage to get into the minds of their characters: the victims and the killers . . .At the end of the night, there will be a chance for you, the audience, to ask those burning questions that have been eating away at you. If you can’t make it on the night and that burning question will not go away, post it here. The most intriguing question will be asked, on your behalf, on the night.Hope to see you there!
August 16, 2013
DEADLY EFFECT!
THE PAST AND PRESENT COLLIDE WITH DEADLY EFFECT -
Myles McWeeney Irish Independent THRILLER - THE DOLL' S HOUSE When Dublin businessman Adrian Hamilton died in what appeared to be a drowning accident 35 years ago, the event had a devastating effect on his family. His now adult daughter Clodagh Mc Kay, a recovering alcoholic, decides to visit a hypnotherapist in an effort to fill in the huge gaps in her childhood memories and come to terms with herself. As Clodagh’s hypnotherapist helps her peel away the barriers her subconscious has erected to block out many of her childhood memories, it is clear that a dreadful tragedy had happened in the Hamilton household just before her father’s death… As her childhood memories begin to take shape, her old brother Dominic and husband Martin, close friends since childhood, become increasingly alarmed and try to suggest she is having a mental breakdown. Clodagh’s regression sessions happen to coincide with a series of bizarre murders, including that of prominent television personality Keith Jenkins, that are being investigated by Garda Inspector O’Connor and criminal psychologist Dr Kate Pearson. As Pearson and O’Connor investigate the background of each of the victims, it becomes evident the victims were friends are youngsters and that someone is eliminating the group in an effort to cover up something that happened in the past. As Kate delves deeper into the history of the Hamilton family, she realises that it is more than likely the methodical killer may be targeting Clodagh…. Dublin-born Louise Phillips scored a solid hit with her first psychological thriller Red Ribbons. Published last year, it was an instant bestseller and was shortlisted for Best Irish Crime Novel of 2012. In The Doll’s House Phillips has delivered a sequel that betters her debut – a gripping, suspenseful story peopled with well-drawn characters.
EXTRACT FROM MYLES MCWEENEY - IRISH INDEPENDENT
August 15, 2013
The 2nd Leg of The Doll's House Blogtour - Cracking Crime Fiction Research!!
It's great calling over to sites like friend and writer Valerie Sirr as part of The Doll's House blog tour. There are some interesting question which you might enjoy, including how to do your research as a crime writer with the police.
You can visit by clicking HERE
VALERIE SIRR, has had short fiction and flash fiction widely published (Ireland, UK, US, Australia and Asia). Awards include 2007 Hennessy New Irish Writer Award, two Arts Council of Ireland bursaries and other national and international literature prizes. She holds an M. Phil in Creative Writing from Trinity College,Dublin. She teaches creative writing, and she hopes to find a publisher for her flash and story collections soon and is working on a novel.
Follow Valerie on Twitter @ValerieSirr
August 14, 2013
THE DOLL'S HOUSE BLOG TOUR STARTS HERE!!!
THE DOLL'S HOUSE BLOG TOUR kicks off with the wonderful Katy O'Dowd!
KATY O'DOWD, is an arts and entertainment journalist and has worked for Time Out, Associated Newspapers and Comic Relief and her articles have appeared in The Times (London), Metro (London) and many other arts and entertainment publications, paper and online.She reviews for the Historical Novels Review and the British Fantasy Society, is a commissioning editor at Pendragon Press and is co-editor of the Nasty Snips II Project for that press.Alongside writing with her Dad under the pen-name Derry O’Dowd, whose first book ‘The Scarlet Ribbon’ was chosen to launch the History Press Ireland’s fiction line, she writes under her own name.‘The Lady Astronomer’, a YA Steampunk novel, is out with Untold Press. Visit Katy at www.katyodowd.com And on Twitter@katyod
So CALL OVER TO KATY HERE and find out a few things about Louise Phillips, including MY FAVORITE THINGS!!
KATY O'DOWD, is an arts and entertainment journalist and has worked for Time Out, Associated Newspapers and Comic Relief and her articles have appeared in The Times (London), Metro (London) and many other arts and entertainment publications, paper and online.She reviews for the Historical Novels Review and the British Fantasy Society, is a commissioning editor at Pendragon Press and is co-editor of the Nasty Snips II Project for that press.Alongside writing with her Dad under the pen-name Derry O’Dowd, whose first book ‘The Scarlet Ribbon’ was chosen to launch the History Press Ireland’s fiction line, she writes under her own name.‘The Lady Astronomer’, a YA Steampunk novel, is out with Untold Press. Visit Katy at www.katyodowd.com And on Twitter@katyod
So CALL OVER TO KATY HERE and find out a few things about Louise Phillips, including MY FAVORITE THINGS!!
August 13, 2013
Do You Want to Develop your Skills as a Crime Writer???
There are many elements to successful crime writing - establishing tension and pace, creating memorable characters, using effective dialogue, a plot with twists and turns, and an uttering gripping story.
Over the course of 8 weeks at The Irish Writers' Centre - I'll be examining all these elements, along with looking at the area of research, and how to establish rhythm and shape within the narrative.
Through intensive weekly critique, we will look at developing your voice as a crime writer.
TO BOOK THIS 8 WEEK COURSE -Contact The Irish Writers' Centre, Parnell Square, Dublin.
Telephone (353 1 8721302) or email info@writerscentre.ie
(Starting Wednesday 25th September /6.30 p.m.- 8.30 p.m.)
Cost: €220/€200
PLACES ARE LIMITED - SO BOOK EARLY
August 10, 2013
Book Signing around Dublin!
There are SIGNED copies of The Doll's House available in Easons Tallaght, Dundrum, O'Connell Street, St Stephens Green, Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley and Swords, along with Dubray in Grafton Street, WH Smith Terminal 2 Dublin Airport, and Reads of Nassau Street, and a couple left in Hodges Figgis Dawson Street!
Easons now have it in the 3 for 2, so if you're planning on picking up a few books for holidays etc, it might be a good place to go.
Here are some pics from book signings last Tuesday!! Have a lovely weekend :-)
Easons now have it in the 3 for 2, so if you're planning on picking up a few books for holidays etc, it might be a good place to go.
Here are some pics from book signings last Tuesday!! Have a lovely weekend :-)
August 9, 2013
Every Picture Tells A Story!
The launch in The Gutter Bookshop was an amazing night. I'll put some pictures below for you!
For everyone that made the launch on Wednesday, a HUGH thank you, and for anyone who wanted to be there but for whatever reason couldn't, including potential bus strike, LUAS not working with massive delays, not to mention the 3 hour tail back on the M50, I appreciate your support too!
It was a great week, despite some of the challenges above. And having heard last Friday that many shops didn't get deliveries due to a fire in a depot, I thought the book would never arrive!! Thankfully, it's now in all shops barring a couple in Dublin, Reads of Nassau Street, and one shop at Dublin Airport. (They should get them today)
Anyone that knows me, knows I take these sort of challenges head on, so if any of you who had to miss the launch were planning on picking up a copy soon, IF YOU DO SO BY THIS SATURDAY EVENING, and send me a pic, you're in with a GREAT chance of winning a free copy for a gift!! I have lots and lots, so the odds of winning are pretty good.
Spread the word anyway you can! I really appreciate that.
Thanks and best,
Louise
For everyone that made the launch on Wednesday, a HUGH thank you, and for anyone who wanted to be there but for whatever reason couldn't, including potential bus strike, LUAS not working with massive delays, not to mention the 3 hour tail back on the M50, I appreciate your support too!
It was a great week, despite some of the challenges above. And having heard last Friday that many shops didn't get deliveries due to a fire in a depot, I thought the book would never arrive!! Thankfully, it's now in all shops barring a couple in Dublin, Reads of Nassau Street, and one shop at Dublin Airport. (They should get them today)
Anyone that knows me, knows I take these sort of challenges head on, so if any of you who had to miss the launch were planning on picking up a copy soon, IF YOU DO SO BY THIS SATURDAY EVENING, and send me a pic, you're in with a GREAT chance of winning a free copy for a gift!! I have lots and lots, so the odds of winning are pretty good.
Spread the word anyway you can! I really appreciate that.
Thanks and best,
Louise
