Born from the Irish Murderesses WhatsApp group, when a conversation about being frightened of cockroaches grew to an incredible, in-depth conversation, thirty-two Irish female crime authors have come together to explore some of life’s greatest fears in this anthology of original stories teeming with terror.
Edited by crime authors Sam Blake and CL Murphy, this collection explores a wide and electrifying spectrum of the fears that keep us awake at night – from dolls, clowns and ghosts, to fire, heights and doors in hidden rooms. Here you’ll find tales of being buried alive, being forgotten, of loss and betrayal.
Full of thrilling twists and chilling reveals, and introduced by Mr Fear himself, actor Emmett J Scanlan (Kin, MobLand, Peaky Blinders, Fool Me Once ) Fear will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
Fear contributor Fiona Gartland said, “Fear is essential for our survival, isn’t it? It’s the fight, flight or freeze response that has kept us alive for millennia. The problem is when our fears no longer mirror reality. Nothing will happen to me if a Daddy Long Legs lands on my head, but try telling my amygdala and hypothalamus that!”
Sharon Dempsey explains, “It’s hardly surprising that we have become crime writers when we consider the old adage write what you know. We know and understand fear so we are drawn to writing crime fiction. Within the confines of a story we get to control the narrative and see justice served. Women are conditioned to be fearful through the real threat of violence in our every day lives. This makes us exceptionally good at recreating it on the page.”
And Edel Coffey added, “For me I was very intrigued by the prospect of writing about the subject of fear. I am really interested in exploring the origin of fear and how something might come to be a fear in one’s life or one’s psyche. A lot of our fears are deeply rooted in past experiences and I loved having the opportunity to dig into that in my story. It was also so lovely to be part of a group doing something together, and for such a good cause.”
Fear features: Cecelia Ahern, Alice Bell, Sam Blake, Jen Bray, Andrea Carter, Amanda Cassidy, Marie Cassidy, Edel Coffey, Kit Conway, Claire Coughlan, Sharon Dempsey, Michelle Dunne, Fiona Gartland, Karen Gillece, Carmel Harrington, Catherine Ryan Howard, Arlene Hunt, Amy Jordan, E.V. Kelly, Olivia Kiernan, Casey King, Hannah King, Catherine Kirwan, Siobhan MacDonald, Andrea Mara, Michelle McDonagh, CL Murphy, Gill Perdue, Louise Phillips, Eithne Shortall, Michelle Teahan and Mary Watson.
As Editor Kitty Murphy says: “Thirty-two cracking writers, thirty-two original stories, one great book for a good cause.”
To grab your copy preorder here and watch this space for launch details!
The editors’ royalty earnings from worldwide sales of this book (expected to be at least €8,000) will be donated to domestic violence charity Women’s Aid (RCN 20012045). Contributing authors have donated their stories without renumeration to help make this possible.
Women’s Aid is a national, feminist organisation working to prevent and address the impact of domestic violence and abuse including coercive control, in Ireland since 1974. We are working to create an Ireland where every woman and child has the chance for a thriving future and can live free from violence. Our vision is an equal Ireland with zero tolerance of domestic abuse, and all forms of violence against women.
Women’s Aid’s mission it to listen, believe, support and empower. Help is available. Contact the 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 or www.womensaid.ie