Picture an Irish storyteller who swaps police badges for pen and paper, weaving gritty tales of Dublin’s underworld—meet Casey King! As the mastermind behind the Dublin Thrillers series, King brings raw authenticity to crime fiction, drawing from her two decades as an Irish Garda. Her novels, packed with betrayal, revenge, and gangland drama, have readers hooked from page one.
With her debut novel Deceit and its gripping sequel Exposed, King has carved out a niche as the 'Queen of the Murky Underworld.' Her stories aren’t just thrilling—they’re a deep dive into the human psyche, served with a side of Dublin’s dark charm. Ready to meet the woman behind these pulse-pounding tales?
The Making of Casey King
Casey King is the pen name of Marie O’Halloran, a Cork native who spent over 20 years with An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s police force. With a Diploma in Policing Studies, she tackled gangland operations, drug investigations, and community liaison roles, gaining an insider’s view of crime’s underbelly. This real-world experience fuels her fiction, giving her stories a gritty edge that feels ripped from the headlines.
Before turning to novels, King dabbled in poetry and playwriting, co-authoring the staged play Catching the Train and earning a longlist spot in the 2019 Wexford Literary Festival’s Billy Roche International Short Play Award. Her shift to crime fiction was a natural evolution, blending her law enforcement expertise with a knack for storytelling that captivates and unsettles.
Casey King’s Unforgettable Stories
King’s Dublin Thrillers series is a knockout, kicking off with Deceit (2023), a fast-paced tale of Danielle Lewis, a reluctant heiress to a crime family empire. After surviving a shooting that cost her unborn child, Danielle returns to Dublin to uncover who betrayed her. Readers praise its “addictive” plot and “razor-sharp” pacing, with critics likening King to Martina Cole.
The sequel, Exposed (2023), ups the ante as Danielle inherits the Lewis crime family’s top spot. Hiding with her uncle’s orphaned daughter, she’s drawn back into Dublin’s dangerous underworld, chasing a missing cocaine stash. Fans call it “unputdownable,” with twists that keep you guessing. King’s style—gritty, character-driven, and emotionally taut—shines through, blending gangland drama with psychological depth.
Her stories stand out for their authentic portrayal of Dublin’s criminal landscape, informed by her Garda experience. Themes of loyalty, vengeance, and family secrets resonate, while her female-led narratives, anchored by complex characters like Danielle, add a fresh voice to the genre. King’s ability to craft believable dialogue and vivid settings makes her books immersive escapes.
Why Casey King Matters
Casey King is more than a crime writer—she’s a trailblazer bringing Ireland’s gangland to life with unmatched authenticity. Her insider perspective as a former Garda sets her apart, offering readers a rare glimpse into the machinations of criminal empires. Critics and fans alike hail her as Ireland’s answer to Martina Cole, with her debut series earning buzz at the London Book Fair and glowing reviews on platforms like Goodreads.
King’s impact extends beyond her novels. Through writing for wellbeing workshops, she uses her Masters in Wellbeing and Diploma in Coaching Psychology to inspire others, blending creativity with personal growth. As a rising star in Irish crime fiction, she’s paving the way for more female voices in a genre often dominated by men, proving that grit and heart can coexist on the page.
- Key Works: Deceit (2023), Exposed (2023)
- Hometown: Cork, Ireland
- Notable Recognition: Listed in The Bookseller Magazine’s Agent Hotlist for London Book Fair
Snag Deceit and dive into Casey King’s thrilling world of Dublin’s dark side—you won’t put it down!