The Famous Five meet the Goonies in Mallow author’s exciting new book
A MALLOW writer is continuing to make his mark on the literary world with the release of his fourth children’s book.
Born in Mallow and educated at St Patrick’s National School and the Patrician Academy, Kieran Crowley returned to his native town in 2005 after spending 15-years working for Aer Lingus in the capital.
He turned his hand to writing and in 2007 his story ‘ The Hapless Frog’ was runner up in the prestigious Walker Book Challenge.
Spurred on by this success, Kieran began devoting more time to writing and in 2009 he published his first book ‘Colm & the Lazarus Key’, which was subsequently short-listed for the 2010 Bisto Children’s Book of the Year award.
Kieran admitted that prior to that he never believed he could become a writer.
“It was only after I saw ‘Colm and the Lazarus Key’ on the local bookshelf that I finally convinced myself I was a writer,” he said.
The sequel ‘Colm and the Ghost’s Revenge” was published in late 2012 and his third book ‘ The Mighty Dynamo’, which was published last year, was short-listed for the Hill Children’s book of the Year.
Kieran, who is represented by the literary ‘super-agent’ Marianne Gun O’Connor who also counts Pat McCabe, Cecilia Ahern and Shane Hegarty, will publish his fourth book ‘ The Misfits Club’ this week.
Aptly coinciding with the start of the school summer holidays, the book is a humorous and heart-warming tale of mystery and intrigue aimed at 9-12 year old’s.
When Brian, Hannah and twins Chris and Sam start their summer holidays they know that the Misfits Club will soon disband, heralding the end of an era in their lives. However, they have yet to fulfil one cherished ambition – solving a real mystery.
This ambition is realised when they persuade new club member Amelia to investigate a spooky house and they stumble upon some stolen goods and launch one last adventure trying to track down the crooks behind the theft.
“Without giving too much away, its like the Famous Five meet the Goonies,” said Kieran.
Published by Pan McMillan ‘ The Misfits Club’ will be available in bookshops and online from today (Thursday).
In addition, Kieran will be meeting his young fans and signing copies of the book from 4pm on Friday at Philip’s Bookshop in Mallow.