Beginners Pluck

At 10, he read the racing news in the papers.

After college he worked on an Irish stud farm for a while, mucking out.! Then he pursued his dream of working in a bloodstock agency in Newmarket, but soon found it wasn’t for him.

“So I came back to Ireland and took the journalism course in DCU. I’ve worked for the Irish Times for 14 years, and before that I was with the Irish Press group. I’ve always wanted to write fiction. I fit it in around my full-time job.”

Who is Brian O’Connor

Date/place of birth: June 1956/Bandon, Co Cork.

Education: Hamilton High School, Bandon. University College Cork: BA English and History. Dublin City University: Postgraduate in Journalism.

Home: Roundwood, Co Wicklow.

Family: Wife, the writer Niamh O’Connor, and three children, aged seven, five, and four months.

The Day Job: Racing Correspondent of The Irish Times.

Hobbies: Reading and movies.

Favourite Writers: “Dick Francis. He created the whole genre. Clive James. Ernest Hemingway’s best novels.”

Second Novel: “It’s another racing thriller. I’ve sent in a first draft, and it’s due out in the Spring.”

Top Writing Tip: Forget about the idea of inspiration. It really is about perspiration. You have to chain yourself to the chair and try to be consistent.

Web/Twitter: Neither.

THE DEBUT

Bloodline. Poolbeg Press: €9.99. Kindle: Not available

Jockey Liam Dee is becoming disenchanted with his job. Is the hard work, and the constant battle to keep his weight in check worth the thrill of winning? This dilemma is pushed into insignificance when a stable boy is found murdered.

Liam finds himself unwittingly involved. He comforts the woman trainer, and does his best to help the police. Meanwhile, he becomes entranced with the Ukrainian stable girl, Lara.

The Verdict: A beautifully written racing thriller, reminiscent of Dick Francis.

— Interviewed by Sue Leonard