A writer of more than 35 horror novels as well as crime fiction tells Caroline Delaney of the chilling moment when art imitates life — sometimes on the streets of Cork.

MULTIPLE murders in Montenotte; hostages in Blackpool; gangland kingpins strolling around Cobh and now deadly dognappers and drug smugglers battling for supremacy in Cork — gardaí in Graham Masterton’s world definitely don’t have it easy.

Graham Masterton has set a thriller in Cork and makes a senior garda, Katie Maguire, its central character. He spoke to Sue Leonard about his life with words and stories.