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Carmel Harrington Author

@happymrsh

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I fell down a bit in my reel-making duties at this year's @murderonefest because I failed to capture video evidence of many of the murdery faces that descended on Dun Laoghaire - but here's what *did* end up on my camera roll. Congrats to the entire @murderonefest team on another fabulous weekend of great chats and great reads. My personal highlights included getting to interrogate @janecaseyauthor and @andreamaraauthor, our traditional visit to Karen's Kitchen (brought to you by @karenperrywrites), @_antoniolanzetta_'s stories, our panel on first lines that wasn't really about first lines at all, seeing the FEAR anthology finally out in the world and rearranging all the chairs in the Royal Marine lobby two nights in a row.

Roll on M1 2027!

PS. Literally made this on the bus home

PPS. #notanad Insta, just a recap!

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Peak gallivanting at this weekend’s east-west festivals @murderone and @rolling_sun_book_festival . Had one of the best meals ever at @savoir_fare Westport and the best company in the Irish crime writers and some old and new pals, including a beautiful Irish wolfhound @murderone @rolling_sun_book_festival @royalmarinehotel @clewbayhotel @savoir_fare

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Another Beaver camp, which means another quiet morning with a seasonal mug and a new book (and a new author @happymrsh ) 🫖📚🍂

My birthday is on Halloween, so naturally I have an array of Emma Bridgewater Halloween mugs to choose from! 🎃🧡 @emma_bridgewater

Sorry I’ve been a little quiet on here lately. Work has been incredibly full on, and by the time I’ve finished, there hasn’t been much brain space left for creative Instagramming! Hoping to get back into the swing of things soon.

For now, I’m enjoying a slow, quiet morning and getting stuck into a new read.

What are you reading this morning? 📖☕️ #newbook #saturdaymorning #emmabridgewatercollector #cosyreading #booksbooksbooks

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📚 SIGNED COPY OF FEAR GIVEAWAY! 📚

This photo captures how much fun I had at the FEAR launch last night in the midst of a busy signing line. I’m feeling creatively nourished (yes, I say things like that now) after time spent in the company of the warm and wonderful women behind FEAR ❤️

I had such a great time even though we got onto rumours of haunting happenings at the hotel just before we got kicked out of the bar (closing time, not bad behaviour) & I genuinely tried to sleep with the light on 🫣 The irony of travelling over to launch FEAR & being too scared to sleep didn’t escape me but I survived the night 😂

An especial big thanks to @samblakebooks and @kitty_murphy_writes for all they’ve done in bringing us - and the book - together as well as our publisher @hachetteireland and @eason_ireland Dun Laoghaire for hosting us

I made sure to get an extra copy signed by all the authors at the launch (slide 7) so who’s in for a little weekend giveaway?

Simply comment with either a word or emoji which conjures one of your fears and repost this post to enter. I’ll pick a winner on Monday. Happy to post to wherever you are in the world 🚀

A reminder that all author royalties are being donated to @womens.aid so do pick up a copy of FEAR if you get the chance. Glorious to see it on display at WHSmiths Travel in Dublin airport earlier (➡️). Perfect end to a whirlwind trip ❤️

Big thanks to my lovely cousin Michelle and her fiancé Victor for coming along AND taking insta-ready photos without me even asking! 🫶🏻 (I managed to take just one photo 🤦🏻‍♀️)

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My gallivanting this weekend…. @rolling_sun_book_festival @murderonefest

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Some time ago, in a WhatsApp group of Irish female crime writers that I started but then fled because I am horrifically easy to distract, there was a discussion about greatest fears - and this gave @samblakebooks and @kitty_murphy_writes an idea to put together an anthology of short stories by Irish female crime writers where each one would focus on a different fear.

Tonight, many of those writers gathered in @eason_ireland Dun Laoghaire to officially launch it.

FEAR is out now! Royalties go to Women's Aid

@hachetteireland

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📚 Kildare Readers Festival 2026 ✍️

On Saturday evening, I headed off to my very first book festival 📚 at @riverbankartscentreie in Newbridge and it definitely won’t be my last!

The @kildarereadersfestival is a free, county-wide celebration of books, writing and ideas, taking place across Co. Kildare from 1st–11th October, and what a lovely way to spend an evening for a book lover like me! ❤️

First up was ‘Behind the Best Sellers’, where we got to step behind the pages with three of Ireland’s bestselling authors, @sheilaoflanagan , @happymrsh and @faithhoganauthor , hosted by @sineadcuddihy , better known as @tiredmammybookclub

It was so interesting hearing about the inspiration behind their novels, the realities of being a writer and how the characters and stories we love actually come to life. 📖

Next up was ‘The Perfect Crime’, where we delved into the dark and fascinating world of crime writing with John Banville, @patricia_gibney_author and @edelcoffey hosted by an Irish crime novelist, journalist, and entrepreneur @fionasherlock . Murder, mystery and the art of suspense were all on the agenda! 🔍

I loved getting an insight into the minds behind the books, hearing where they get their inspiration, how they develop their ideas and the thought process that goes into turning that initial idea into a finished novel. It definitely gives you a different appreciation for the books you pick up and read!

And of course, I couldn’t come home without a signed copy of Carmel Harrington’s The Nowhere Girls… 📚❤️ #upwexford💜💛

This might just have to become a yearly trip for all things books… and, just as importantly, there was cheese 🧀 and wine 🍷😉

Already looking forward to the next one! 📚❤️
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#kildarereadersfestival2026 #booklovers #freeliteraryevent #irishauthors

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Behind the Bestsellers at Kildare Readers Festival 2026

Festival season is in full swing, and my first event was a great success! I had the pleasure of moderating a conversation with three wonderful Irish authors: Sheila O’Flanagan, Carmel Harrington and Faith Hogan.

Between them, they’ve published almost 70 novels, many of them bestsellers, and sold millions of copies worldwide.

We chatted about the reality of being a bestselling author — from the glamorous side of being a bestseller to writing in your comfies!

We also delved into their latest novels: The Nowhere Girls by Carmel Harrington, Secrets Between Friends by Sheila O’Flanagan, and The Sisters of Hope Square by Faith Hogan.

We talked about where story ideas come from, the power of reading, the importance of making books accessible to everyone, and why stories about women’s lives deserve to be celebrated.

A huge thank you to Sheila, Carmel and Faith for making it such an enjoyable conversation, and to Kildare Readers Festival and Riverbank Arts Centre for having me.

And, of course, thank you to everyone who came along.

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📕 Book Review 📕

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this incredible short story collection thanks to the wonderful @edelcoffey 🫶

I haven’t picked up a short story collection for ages but wow, this one blew me away. If you think short fiction can’t leave you lost for words and staring at a wall for way too long, this anthology of 32 incredible Irish female crime authors is here to prove you wrong.

What makes this collection so brilliant is how it tackles an entirely different fear in every story exploring the many terrors that keeps us awake at night.

Because these are short stories, they don’t waste any time. Every single one packs a punch, delivering sharp pacing, and chilling reveals.

It reminded me exactly how impactful short-form fiction can be when handled by masters (or murderesses!) of suspense!

What’s more, it’s meant I’ve discovered some new-to-me authors who I can’t wait to read more from!

An added bonus that makes this book even more special… 100% of the editors’ royalties are donated directly to the domestic violence charity, Women’s Aid.

If you are looking for a book that will hold you hostage until the very last page, I couldn’t recommend this one any more highly… Just make sure you leave the lights on 😱

Publishing in under a week on 15th October 🥳

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

#thrillerbooks #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstagram #read

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📚 Don't miss our Behind The Bestsellers event at Kildare Readers Festival 2026 on Saturday 10 October!

🟠 When: Saturday 10.10.2026 | 6PM
⚪ Where: Riverbank Arts Centre
🟡 How to attend: Book online - see our website for more info.

Step behind the pages with three of Ireland’s bestselling authors—Sheila O’Flanagan, Carmel Harrington and Faith Hogan—for a lively evening of conversation with Sinéad Cuddihy, founder and host of @tiredmammybookclub.

Discover the inspiration behind their beloved novels, the realities of the writing life, and the stories that shape their unforgettable characters. Warm, thoughtful and entertaining, this is a unique chance to hear directly from some of the most popular voices in contemporary fiction.

Join us for a relaxed celebration of storytelling, full of honesty, humour and the magic of books!

This event is ISL interpreted.

❇️ Visit our website to learn more about all our events and speakers!

#RTESupportingTheArts #KRF2026 #kildarereadersfestival

@kildarelibrary @kildarecountycouncil @maynoothuni @creativeireland @artscouncilireland @ckan.ie @explorerte @riverbankartscentreie @arts_in_co_kildare @ernies_athy @tiredmammybookclub @sheilaoflanagan @happymrsh @faithhoganauthor

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