A Story of the Bodkin Murders - Softcover

McNulty, Paul B

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1512111546 ISBN 13: 9781512111545

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

I write historical novels based on real events in 18th century Ireland. My apprenticeship in writing commenced at University College Dublin where I edited an engineering magazine, The Anvil. Afflicted with wanderlust, I travelled west to Ohio State and MIT to continue my studies to master’s and doctoral level. While in Boston, my interest in history unfolded through participation in the Committee for Justice in Northern Ireland and in the anti-Vietnam war movement. On return to Ireland, I honed my writing skills, publishing scientific papers as well as writing on food-related issues in the popular media. Following a career in Biosystems Engineering at UCD, I revisited my historical interest by studying “The genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches who settled in Galway.” The consequent discovery of a treasure-trove of forgotten Irish stories inspired me to write Spellbound by Sibella, a finalist in the 2012 William Faulkner Novel Competition. My debut novel deals with the turbulent romance between Irish beauty, Sibella Cottle and the rakish Sir Harry Lynch-Blosse of Mayo. Critiques from a writer’s group, The Corner Table, of which I am a founding member, guide my writing. I am at an advanced stage in my second novel, The Abduction of Anne O’Donel, a finalist in the 2012 William Faulkner Novel-in-Progress Competition. My third novel, The Bloody Bodkins, is at an earlier stage of development. It explores the possibility that a man may have been hanged for a crime he did not commit. I live in Dublin with my wife, Treasa Ní Chonaola. We have three children, Dara, Nora and Meabh, and a grandchild, Lily Marie. I derive inspiration from the wild splendour of Mayo and Connemara. My website address is: http://paul-mcnulty.com/

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1512111546
• ISBN 13: 9781512111545
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 194