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A Story of the Bodkin Murders
Ten people are murdered in an inheritance-motivated feud at the Bodkin residence in 1741. Following the killings, John Bodkin becomes heir to that estate in Galway. He is now free to marry Catherine Bermingham, the gorgeous daughter of Lord Athenry. But their plans are clouded by the ensuing trial in which John's cousin, Shawn Bodkin, is one of those convicted. In a statement from the gallows, Shawn accuses John of fratricide in an earlier conflict. Instead of protesting his innocence, John goes on the run only to be apprehended by the army. At his trial, John refuses to plead either guilty or not guilty to the murder of his brother Patrick. Only Catherine knows why. She is the keeper of a dark secret, which John insists must remain hidden, even if it costs him his freedom or his life. Based on real events, A Story of the Bodkin Murders explores a fascinating tale of treachery, greed and romance in 18th century Ireland.
194 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2015
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About the author
Paul B. McNulty
13 books8 followersPaul is a Fulbright Scholar and Alumnus of University College Dublin, Ohio State and MIT. He served on the academic staff at UCD from 1972 through 2005. After retirement, he studied Genealogy/Family History and Creative Writing. His diploma project, “The Genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches who settled in Galway,” led to the discovery of a treasure-trove of stories that inspired him to write historical novels based on real events in 18th century Ireland. These include Spellbound by Sibella, The Abduction of Anne O’Donel and A Story of the Bodkin Murders each published by Club Lighthouse CLP, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The first two novels have been finalists in the William Faulkner Novel Competitions, New Orleans in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
He has also self-published The Genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches… in 2013 and a novella, A Rebel Romance in 2014, both with CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
More recently, he has written the first draft of a play, based on an extract from his novel, Spellbound by Sibella. A reading of this play occurred within the Theatre Festival of UCD dramsoc in November 2015. He has also completed a second play based on an extract from The Abduction of Anne O’Donel. His third play based on an extract from his novella, 1798: A Rebel Romance was staged by UCD DramSoc on 18-22 April, 2016 at University College Dublin.
Paul lives in Dublin with his wife, three children and three grandchildrens. The wild splendour of Mayo and Connemara inspires his writing. Links to social media include Facebook and Twitter. His website address is https://ucd.academia.edu/PaulMcNulty
He has also self-published The Genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches… in 2013 and a novella, A Rebel Romance in 2014, both with CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
More recently, he has written the first draft of a play, based on an extract from his novel, Spellbound by Sibella. A reading of this play occurred within the Theatre Festival of UCD dramsoc in November 2015. He has also completed a second play based on an extract from The Abduction of Anne O’Donel. His third play based on an extract from his novella, 1798: A Rebel Romance was staged by UCD DramSoc on 18-22 April, 2016 at University College Dublin.
Paul lives in Dublin with his wife, three children and three grandchildrens. The wild splendour of Mayo and Connemara inspires his writing. Links to social media include Facebook and Twitter. His website address is https://ucd.academia.edu/PaulMcNulty
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 12, 2015
Mehreen Ahmed's review
A Story of The Bodkin Murders (Kindle Edition)
Paul B. McNulty's second book that I have read so far, The story of the Bodkin Murders, is an infusion of Sherlock Holmes in its detailed, gory descriptions of murders, Synge's Riders to the Sea, in its annihilation of the entire family, except in Synge, they were engulfed by the howling sea, while here they were brutally murdered down to the last child - family of ten and Poirot's cunning in resolving it. In the aftermath of these horrific murders, astute investigations are carried out with intriguing and harrowing scenario of the justice system in the pursuit of solving the case. Juxtaposed, also, are the two opposing social realities painted in somber colours of a hierarchical order in which the servants' squalid living conditions are depicted equally with those of the high class living quarters. As the language flows in poetic profusion, adorned with the use of simile and metaphor, the book measures up very well to a classy, literary, detective story where there is also a sense of an inescapable rhythm of movement with characters travelling from place to place such as Dublin, Liscarrow and Lynch. Many subliminal responses are surfaced notably, to show how people would usually fare under such testing times. Ironically, as my husband Dr. Soheil Ahmed rightly points out that Dr. McNulty's choice of the word 'Bodkin' meaning 'dagger', has also been referred to exactly as one in Shakespeare's Hamlet.
A Story of The Bodkin Murders (Kindle Edition)
Paul B. McNulty's second book that I have read so far, The story of the Bodkin Murders, is an infusion of Sherlock Holmes in its detailed, gory descriptions of murders, Synge's Riders to the Sea, in its annihilation of the entire family, except in Synge, they were engulfed by the howling sea, while here they were brutally murdered down to the last child - family of ten and Poirot's cunning in resolving it. In the aftermath of these horrific murders, astute investigations are carried out with intriguing and harrowing scenario of the justice system in the pursuit of solving the case. Juxtaposed, also, are the two opposing social realities painted in somber colours of a hierarchical order in which the servants' squalid living conditions are depicted equally with those of the high class living quarters. As the language flows in poetic profusion, adorned with the use of simile and metaphor, the book measures up very well to a classy, literary, detective story where there is also a sense of an inescapable rhythm of movement with characters travelling from place to place such as Dublin, Liscarrow and Lynch. Many subliminal responses are surfaced notably, to show how people would usually fare under such testing times. Ironically, as my husband Dr. Soheil Ahmed rightly points out that Dr. McNulty's choice of the word 'Bodkin' meaning 'dagger', has also been referred to exactly as one in Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Displaying 1 of 1 review