R. P. O'Donnell grew up on the South Shore of Boston. He was short and wore a back brace for two years, so he really had no choice but to love reading and writing from a young age. He graduated from Bucknell University with a degree in English. He's had a wide range of job experiences: garbage collector, A&E admissions, apprentice to a roving yard-sale salesman, barista, camp counsellor, caterer and a call centre employee. He moved to a tiny fishing village in West Cork seven years ago, where he lives with his two children. His debut mystery, also set in a village in West Cork, is forthcoming from New Island Press (UK) and Crooked Lane (US).

Photo (c) Christopher Luke

‘Castlefreke is a small town with a big dose of corruption – and now murder – and a librarian, Emma Daly, who will get to the truth whatever it takes. Cosy crime with a sharp bite, NO COMFORT FOR THE DEAD has all the charm of an Irish thriller, wrapped in a soft cardigan and wearing wellies.’ – Kitty Murphy

‘The village and its inhabitants are completely alive in this novel … O’Donnell handles the sentimental and the sombre just perfectly, balancing it with the wit and charm of the characters … A thoroughly entertaining, witty, clever read.’ – Hannah King