Picture a Canadian storyteller who swapped IT spreadsheets for spine-chilling thrillers and noir—meet C.S. O’Cinneide! Writing under her Irish name (pronounced oh-ki-nay-da), this Edgar-nominated author crafts gripping tales that blend dark humor, complex characters, and haunting settings. From the eerie trails of the Camino de Santiago to the gritty underworld of her sassy hitwoman Candace Starr, O’Cinneide’s stories captivate readers with their bold voice and unflinching style.
Through her blog, She Kills Lit, she champions women in thriller and noir, shining a spotlight on voices often overlooked in the genre. With a knack for turning personal experiences into page-turners, O’Cinneide is a rising star in crime fiction. Let’s dive into her journey, works, and why she’s a must-read for thriller fans!
The Making of C.S. O’Cinneide
Born in Toronto, Canada, Carole Kennedy—known by her pen name C.S. O’Cinneide—grew up with a foot in both Canada and the U.S. A single mother of two, she graduated with distinction in Sociology from the University of Toronto in the 1990s. After decades as an IT analyst, a life-changing pilgrimage along Spain’s 500-mile Camino de Santiago in 2015 sparked her writing career. The abduction of a female pilgrim during her trek inspired her debut novel, blending real-world intrigue with her vivid imagination. Living in Guelph, Ontario, with her Irish ex-pat husband, her muse, O’Cinneide brings a worldly perspective to her storytelling.
C.S. O’Cinneide’s Unforgettable Stories
O’Cinneide’s debut, Petra’s Ghost (2019), is a dark literary thriller set on the Camino de Santiago. Following Daniel, an Irish ex-pat carrying his wife’s ashes, the novel weaves grief, guilt, and supernatural dread into a modern ghost story. Praised for its “clean as bone” prose and haunting atmosphere, it earned a Goodreads Choice Award nomination and spots on the Toronto Star’s best horror lists.
Her Candace Starr series, starting with The Starr Sting Scale (2020), introduces a six-foot-three, hard-drinking ex-hitwoman with a penchant for bourbon and “Bad to the Bone.” This tongue-in-cheek noir follows Candace as she navigates murder, mob ties, and her own murky past. The second book, Starr Sign (2021), nabbed an Edgar Award nomination for Best Paperback Original, lauded for its witty grit and chilling action. Her latest, Eve’s Rib (2022), is a domestic thriller with a supernatural twist, exploring a mother’s struggle with a potentially evil teenage daughter, blending black magic and family secrets.
O’Cinneide’s style is a cocktail of sharp dialogue, dark humor, and psychological depth. Her characters—like the unapologetic Candace—are flawed, fierce, and unforgettable, challenging noir’s male-dominated tropes. Whether it’s the ancient rituals of the Camino or Detroit’s mob underbelly, her settings pulse with authenticity and menace.
Why C.S. O’Cinneide Matters
O’Cinneide’s impact goes beyond her page-turners. Through She Kills Lit, she amplifies women writers in thriller and noir, fostering a community that celebrates bold, diverse voices. Her Edgar nomination as the only Canadian in her category in 2022 underscores her rising influence in crime fiction. By crafting strong, complex female leads like Candace Starr, she redefines the genre, proving women can be as gritty and compelling as any hard-boiled hero. Her work resonates with readers craving stories that are equal parts thrilling and thought-provoking.
- Born: Toronto, Canada
- Key Works: Petra’s Ghost, The Starr Sting Scale, Starr Sign, Eve’s Rib
- Awards: Edgar Award nominee (2022), Goodreads Choice Award semi-finalist (2019)
- Fun Fact: Candace Starr’s theme song is “Bad to the Bone”!
Snag The Starr Sting Scale and dive into C.S. O’Cinneide’s wickedly fun noir world—your thriller shelf will thank you!