Critically acclaimed Tyrone crime writer takes to the road to launch latest thriller

Quinn, described by the Daily Mail as ‘a star in the making’, had his debut novel Disappeared shortlisted for a Strand Literary Award in the United States. The detective thriller was also listed by Kirkus Reviews as one of the top ten thrillers of 2012, and after its UK publication in 2014, it was selected by the Times and the Daily Mail as one of the best novels of the year.

In 2015, he was nominated for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year.

Blind Arrows, published by No Exit Press on September 24, is set during the Irish War of Independence and features Republican leader Michael Collins and a sadistic serial killer in a tale of political intrigue, secrets and treachery.

Already it has been selected as September Book of the Month by the UK’s New Book Magazine.

“This is the second in my historical thriller series, following The Blood Dimmed Tide, which was published last year”, said Quinn.

“I’m fascinated by the political intrigue of Dublin during the War of Independence, and the fact that the city was a cauldron of rogues and rebels. I thought it was a classic noir setting with ample opportunity for me to open up the dark matter of political ambition and treachery in the minds of these competing spies and politicians.

“In many ways, I’m projecting the themes of the Troubles, which dominate my Celcius Daly detective series, onto an interesting and pivotal historical period and letting them take a different shape there.

“The energy that drives me on is exposing layer by layer the web of secrets that political conflicts create, and the personal struggles of characters who have been sent to illuminate the murk.

“I think I’ve created some of my darkest characters to date in Blind Arrows, the type of protagonists who flourish at times of violence and blurred lines between lawmakers and lawbreakers and who have an addictive compulsion towards evil. I’ve tried to make them as interesting and believable as possible to readers, taking them places they would not normally go.

“And I’ve also given the hero of the book, Martin Kant, an ailing English journalist suffering from TB, some very difficult obstacles to overcome.

“It is only when he is most trapped and beset by dark forces, that he works out how he might save Lily Merrin, the woman whose disappearance is the central mystery of the book.”

Quinn will be appearing at Belfast’s main Easons store on Saturday October 3 at 3.30pm; Rushmere’s (Craigavon) Easons on Thursday October 8, at 7pm; Coleraine’s Easons on Saturday October 10 at 11am, followed by Foyleside’s at 3pm; the Lisburn Eason’s store on Saturday October 24 at 11am and afterwards Newry’s store at 3pm.

For more information log onto anthonyjquinnwriter.com.