Caimh McDonnell (/kwv/, KWEEV) is an Irish writer. Born in Limerick, raised in Dublin, and later based in Manchester, McDonnell is a former stand-up comedian and TV writer.[1][2][3] McDonnell writes comic crime thrillers and humorous paranormal fantasy.[4]

Early life and education

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McDonnell was born in Limerick and grew up in Dublin. He attended Dublin City University graduating with a degree in Electronic Engineering, and started his career assembling computer servers.[5]

Writing career

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After a career of many years in stand-up comedy, McDonnell became a full-time writer. He has written eighteen novels while his TV writing credits include Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, A League of Their Own, The Sarah Millican Television Programme and the BAFTA nominated-children's CBBC animated series Pet Squad which he created.[6][7]

His Stranger Times series, which melds urban fantasy, paranormal and humour with crime, is written under the pen name of C.K McDonnell.[8][9]

Recognition

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His novel I Have Sinned was shortlisted for the Kindle Storyteller Award in 2019.[10]

The Stranger Times series was nominated and shortlisted for The New Kid on the Block Award (Best New Crime Series) Dead Good Reader Award 2022.[11] The series was the winner of Best Audio Work at the British Fantasy Awards 2023.[12]

Media

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Both The Dublin Trilogy and The Stranger Times series have been optioned for television.[13][14]

Works

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Novels

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The Dublin "trilogy"

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  • A Man With One of Those Faces (2016)
  • The Day That Never Comes (2017)
  • Angels in the Moonlight (2017) (prequel)
  • Last Orders (2018)
  • Dead Man's Sins (2021)
  • Firewater Blues (2022)
  • The Family Jewels (2022)
  • Escape From Victory (2023) (Novella)
  • Fortunate Son (2024)

Bunny McGarry (Stateside) series

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  • Disaster Inc (2018)
  • I Have Sinned (2019)
  • The Quiet Man (2020)
  • Other Plans (2023)[15][16]

MCM Investigations series

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  • The Final Game (2020)
  • Deccie Must Die (2022)
  • Meanwhile in Dublin (2024) (Novella)

The Stranger Times (as C.K McDonnell)

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  • The Stranger Times (2021)
  • This Charming Man (2022)
  • Love Will Tear Us Apart (2023)
  • Relight My Fire (2024)

Stand-alone novels

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  • Welcome to Nowhere (2020)

Short stories

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Short story collections

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  • How to Send a Message (2019)
  • Things that Fell from the Sky (2020 as C.K. McDonnell)
  • In Other News (2020 as C.K.McDonnell)
  • Bunny McGarry: Shorts (2024)

Short Story podcasts

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  • The Bunnycast (2018–Present)
  • The Stranger Times (2020–Present; 3 seasons)

Personal life

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McDonnell lives in Manchester and is married to Elaine, who runs a publishing company. He has worked for London Irish rugby club, making stadium announcements.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "C.K. McDonnell – Biography". Penguin. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Caimh McDonnell – Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Book Review: The Day That Never Comes". The Quiet Knitterer. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Caimh McDonnell – About Caimh". Caimh McDonnell. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  5. ^ a b Bell, Gail (17 February 2021). "Limerick author and comedian Caimh McDonnell, aka CK McDonnell, on his new supernatural novel The Stranger Times". The Irish News. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Johnson & Alcock". Johnson & Alcock. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  7. ^ Pet Squad (Animation, Comedy, Family), Darrall Macqueen, Inspidea, March Entertainment, 27 June 2011, retrieved 11 February 2022
  8. ^ Brown, Eric (15 January 2021). "The best recent science fiction and fantasy reviews roundup". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Colin Callender's Playground Nabs Rights to C.K. McDonnell's 'The Stranger Times'". Variety. 4 March 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  10. ^ "UK Kindle Storyteller Award shortlist revealed". The Bookseller. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  11. ^ Dessau, Bruce (5 July 2022). "Caimh (C.K.) McDonnell Shortlisted For Book Award". Beyond The Joke. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  12. ^ "British Fantasy Award Winners 2023 – The British Fantasy Society". 16 September 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  13. ^ White, Peter (9 June 2021). "'Veep's Chris Addison & 'Breeders' Producer Avalon To Adapt Caimh McDonnell's 'The Dublin Trilogy' Novels For TV". Deadline. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  14. ^ Barraclough, Leo (4 March 2020). "Colin Callender's Playground Nabs Rights to C.K. McDonnell's 'The Stranger Times'". Variety. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Other Plans | Caimh McDonnell". Caimh McDonnell. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Other Plans". Waterstones. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
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