Caimh McDonnell's Blog: Caimh McDonnell's blog

In yet another confirmation that the world has gone mad, some lunatics have only gone and decided to make a TV show based on my books! It’s called Tall Tales & Murder. It’s co-funded by the BBC and RTE and is being filmed in Ireland right now! There are some fantastically talented people involved, and I can’t wait to see how it all turns out. It’s already been commissioned for a second series, presumably because if you get a dry day’s filming in Ireland, you want to get the most out of it by trying to get at least two series’ worth of outdoor shots done before it starts chucking it down. To be entirely honest with you, I’m not involved in the day-to-day writing side of things as I’ve already got a job and I’m far too busy writing books while being permanently on standby to give dog belly rubs. I’m not allowed to give much away about the plot, but it’ll be loosely based on A Man With One Of Those Faces. We don’t know who’s playing whom yet, but the named cast includes some of Ireland’s finest, including Ella Lily Hyland (Black Doves, Towards Zero), Aidan Gillen […]

I know we all love banging on about how the book is so much better than the film/TV show, and let’s be honest, that is often the case, but that’s not to say there isn’t merit in both. To be honest with you, as someone who at least has to consider the possibility of what my work would be like if made into a film (unlikely), or TV series (more likely), I think the best way to view it is the ‘multiverse’ perspective. As in, the books are one version of a world, and the TV or film is another version. That way, you can appreciate you’re seeing something that’s probably very different but equally entertaining in its own right. And it might not be change for change’s sake either, some things just work better in a book than on screen, etc. My point is, don’t’ get over-heated if your favourite book gets turned into something you consider to be lesser – the book is still there and nobody can take that away from you.   And FYI – if you’re looking for the perfect example of something that bucks the ‘book is always better’ trend, then look no further […]

Here’s my round up of the books that I’m loving at the moment. Hopefully, they’ll provide you with something to read as you snuggle up with as you keep warm this autumn.   Cracked Mirror – Chris Brookmyre At the risk of killing the suspense, let me start with my absolute favourite book of the year. Now, anyone who has suffered through my emails for any length of time will be painfully aware that I’m quite the Chris Brookmyre fanboy – but honestly, when he says a book is the best he’s ever written, then anyone with opposable thumbs should pay attention. The Cracked Mirror is a magnificent, genre-bending, crime book which I absolutely adored. In fact, I’ve already decided I’m going to leave it until next year and then read it again. It’s a book that’ll benefit from multiple reads if you’re a nerd like me, or just one read if you’re just someone who enjoys magnificent fiction Read Cracked Mirror Miniatures – John Scalzi John Scalzi is a name I’ve seen around, but I’d never actually read one of his books. I was scrolling through my Audible library and realised I’d downloaded a short fiction collection of his […]

The Holly King is coming, and you’re on his list . . .  It’s December 1940, and Christmas has come to Woodville. Faye Bright is looking forward to a good […]

Here’s bi-annual round up of books, TV and film that I’m loving at the moment. I’ve also cheekily included what I’m looking forward to reading and watching as well. Hopefully, […]

You know how you’ve been reading bits of my books out loud to your unsuspecting partners/friends/colleagues/the lovely person who delivers your post saying you really must read this? Maybe you’ve […]

Seeing as it’s now tradition, I thought I’d put together a big bumper selection box of books, TV, films and stand-up that I’ve enjoyed over the last year. Hopefully, they’ll provide some ideas to help you fill in that weird gap between Christmas and New Year when you’re not passed out in a food coma. […]

Summer lovin’ – had me a blast! Here is my bi-annual brain dump of books and some TV/Film stuff that has brought me much joy. Books   The Old Reliables First off, I wanted to give a shout out to new books in series that I’ve recommended before. I ended up reading these four books […]

Very exciting news – the Caimhster has only gone and been nominated for a blimmin’ award! To be exact, The Stranger Times has been nominated for the New Kid on the Block Award for Best New Series at the Dead Good Book Awards. We’re seriously over the moon with this. If you’d like to vote […]

Bit of a different blog post this one. As luck would have it, today is Father’s Day – the first since the passing of Daddy McD. Peculiar timing then that Facebook decided to remind me of a blog post I did while on Holiday in Japan five years ago which was primarily to send him […]