Caimh McDonnell

Caimh McDonnell (/kwiːv/, 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

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

After a career of many years in stand-up comedy, McDonnell became a full-time writer. He has written twenty 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

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

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

Works

Novels

The Dublin "trilogy"

• 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

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

MCM Investigations series

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

The Stranger Times (as C.K McDonnell)

• The Stranger Times (2021)
• This Charming Man (2022)
• Love Will Tear Us Apart (2023)
• Relight My Fire (2024)
• Ring the Bells (2025)

Stand-alone novels

• Welcome to Nowhere (2020)
• Ursula und das V-Team (2025 German, English edition TBD, co-written with Elaine Ofori)

Short stories

Short story collections

• 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

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

Personal life

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]