A DETECTIVE novel set in Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey has been shortlisted for the Bord Gais Energy Book Awards Books.
Sam Blake’s ‘Little Bones’ hit bestseller lists and stayed at the number one spot for four weeks.
It remained in the top ten for another four weeks back in the spring when it was launched, and has now been shortlisted for one of the biggest awards in the country.
Sam Blake is a pseudonym for Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, founder of the Inkwell Group and the hugely popular writing resources website Writing.ie.
Vanessa is also Ireland’s leading literary scout and works closely with agents and publishers to discover new talent – as a result she has assisted in starting the careers of many award winning and bestselling authors.
But now it’s her turn to shine.
“I’m really humbled that Little Bones has been chosen as one of the six shortlisted titles in this year’s Crime Novel of the Year category,” she said.
“It’s a massive vote of confidence from the industry and I’m thrilled to be shortlisted with international bestsellers like Alex Barclay and Tana French.”
Vanessa has two children, aged 16 and 12, and is married to a retired member of the gardai, Shane O’Loughlin, who was based in Dalkey for many years.
“It’s really important to me when I write to make sure that the policing and forensics are factually accurate in my books,” Vanessa revealed.
Little Bones reveals what happens when 24-year-old Detective Garda Cat Connolly discovers a baby’s bones hidden in the hem of an antique wedding dress.
Vanessa said: “Cat is great fun to write, and she often breaks the rules, but it’s vital that I know what those rules are in order for the story to work. My husband’s colleagues have been incredibly generous with their time over the years.”
Cat Connolly is based in Dun Laoghaire and the story moves from Dalkey to Monkstown, with a key subplot set in the East End of London. With a determined double killer arriving from Las Vegas, the story is a fast paced page turner.
Published by Bonnier, the fourth biggest publisher in the UK, Little Bones is the first of a trilogy featuring the kick-boxing champion Cat Connolly, but as The Sunday Times explains: “Connolly is hiding her own secret, once that could damage her career….the shocking cliff hanger ending leaves you hoping for more investigations led by the likeable Connolly.”
It’s down to a public vote to decide the winner in each category and you can vote on www.bgeirishbookawards.ie/vote2016. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner on November 16 that will be televised on RTE on Saturday, November 19.