Picture an Irish storyteller who spins gripping tales along the misty borderlands of Northern Ireland—meet Brian McGilloway! Born in Derry in 1974, this acclaimed crime novelist and educator has captivated readers with his Inspector Devlin series, blending intricate plots with the haunting backdrop of Ireland’s complex border. With a knack for weaving moral dilemmas and vivid settings, McGilloway’s work is a must-read for crime fiction fans.
From his debut novel, Borderlands, which snagged a spot on the CWA New Blood Dagger shortlist, to his New York Times bestselling DS Lucy Black series, McGilloway has carved a unique space in contemporary crime fiction. His stories don’t just solve crimes—they explore the human heart against the backdrop of a divided land.
The Making of Brian McGilloway
Brian McGilloway grew up in Derry, Northern Ireland, where the echoes of the Troubles shaped his worldview. He attended St. Columb’s College, a literary hotbed that nurtured talents like Seamus Heaney. Later, at Queen’s University Belfast, he studied English and dove into student theater, even winning a 1996 Irish Student Drama Association award for theatrical lighting design. This creative spark hinted at the storytelling prowess to come. After graduating, McGilloway became an English teacher, eventually serving as Head of English at St. Columb’s before moving to Holy Cross College in Strabane, where he balances teaching with writing.
Brian McGilloway’s Unforgettable Stories
McGilloway burst onto the crime fiction scene with Borderlands (2007), the first in his Inspector Benedict Devlin series. Set in the liminal space between Northern Ireland and the Republic, the novel follows Garda Inspector Devlin as he investigates a teenager’s murder, uncovering secrets tied to the past. Praised by The Times as “one of 2007’s most impressive debuts,” it set the tone for McGilloway’s lyrical yet gritty style.
The Devlin series continued with Gallows Lane (2008), a heart-pounding follow-up shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards, and Bleed a River Deep (2009), lauded by Publishers Weekly as a Best Book of 2010. In 2011, McGilloway introduced DS Lucy Black in Little Girl Lost, a chilling tale that became a New York Times bestseller. His standalone novel, The Last Crossing (2020), explores the legacy of the Troubles, earning a rare Highly Commended nod from the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. McGilloway’s writing shines through his morally complex characters, atmospheric settings, and plots that weave Ireland’s history into modern mysteries.
Why Brian McGilloway Matters
Brian McGilloway’s work transcends the crime genre, offering a window into the soul of Northern Ireland’s borderlands. His novels capture the region’s duality—its beauty and its scars—while exploring universal themes of justice, loyalty, and redemption. As an educator, he inspires students to find their own voices, just as he found his. His screenwriting, including the BBC NI Tony Doyle Award-winning Little Emperors, further showcases his storytelling versatility. McGilloway’s ability to blend local nuance with universal appeal has made him a standout in Irish crime fiction.
- Born: 1974, Derry, Northern Ireland
- Key Works: Borderlands, Gallows Lane, Little Girl Lost, The Last Crossing
- Awards: Shortlisted for CWA New Blood Dagger (2007), Irish Book Awards (2009); won BBC NI Tony Doyle Award (2014)
Ready to dive into a thrilling world of crime and conscience? Snag Borderlands and discover Brian McGilloway’s masterful storytelling today!