Crime novel by Cork legal eagle is 2019’s ‘One Book’ choice

CORK’S 2019 ‘One City, One Book’ initiative will be launched next Thursday.

The One City, One Book project brings people together through the reading and discussion of one book.

This year’s book is Darkest Truth, a crime novel based in Cork and written by local solicitor Catherine Kirwan, who drew on her legal expertise for the plot.

Cork City Lord Mayor, John Sheehan, is launching the project at 6.30pm on Thursday, in the City Library, on the Grand Parade.

Writer Danielle McLaughlin will discuss the book with the author.

A number of free copies of Darkest Truth will be available at the event and the book will be on sale on the night at a special price in Waterstones.

As well as building a sense of community, the One City, One Book project aims to promote individual and social wellbeing through literature and creative writing.

Previous books chosen include The Things We Lose, The Things We Leave Behind, by Cork author, Billy O’Callaghan, and Gold Boy, Emerald Girl, by Chinese-American author and Princeton professor, Yiyun Li.

Mr O’Callaghan’s was the most borrowed adult book in Cork City Libraries that year and organisers will be hoping for a similarly strong response for Ms Kirwan’s novel. 

The book has already received a seal of approval from the bench.

While she was working in court, Ms Kirwan was praised by presiding judge Olann Kelleher.

“Congratulations, Ms Kirwan. I’ve just read your crime novel and it is excellent,” Judge Kelleher said.

Ms Kirwan was quick to clarify that no real-life solicitors were identified by name in the book.