She’s an icon, she’s a legend.
Here we speak to crime fiction writer Patricia Gibney
What are you reading at the moment?
I’ve just been through a reading spate of Irish non-fiction crime books and the one that impacted me the most was Deadly Silence by Jacqueline Connolly. It was a traumatic read and a worthy winner in An Post Irish Book Awards 2025. I always have a fiction book on the go too. I loved Rembrandt’s Promise by Barbara Leahy, and am now reading The Wake by Yrsa Sigurdardottir. The bleakness of the Icelandic landscape is the backdrop for an excellent crime story.
What is the first book that made you cry?
A long time ago I read Wally Lamb’s She’s Come Undone. I can’t remember exactly why it made me cry but I was on holidays at the pool and was glad I had sunglasses on to hide my tears. It was Lamb’s debut novel in 1992 and featured on Oprah’s Book Club in 1996. It is a vivid story of a mother and daughter being uprooted and the daughter struggles to fit into their new life. She is bullied and lonely. It follows her life battles with her weight, family and society, her search for peace in her life. It is a heartbreaking read but also delivers some hope.
What did you do with your first advance?
I don’t get an advance as my primary contract is with the digital publisher, Bookouture. This means I work on my book without payment up front but I earn a royalty for sales. When I received my first royalty I was relieved and honoured that my books were being read and am so grateful to all who continue to follow the Lottie Parker series.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I have one unpublished book. I wrote it back in the 90’s and I would be afraid to take it out now, even if I could find it. I think it is on a floppy disc somewhere in the house. It may not be as bad as I fear but since my debut novel The Missing Ones was published I believe that I have developed as a writer. With each book that I write I learn something new about the craft and about myself as a writer. I think that unpublished book will remain so.
What book should be on everybody’s shelf?
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. This book was very therapeutic for me after my husband died. I found by writing my morning pages as recommended in The Artist’s Way, I was able to free up my mind which allowed me to face the day ahead. It is a book not just for artists but for everyone. Through The Artist’s Way I was able to rekindle my creativity in art and writing.
Which authors do you admire?
There are so many authors I love and that I can’t begin to list them. I know how difficult writing a novel is and I admire everyone who does it. The talent, hard work and dedication it takes to finish a first draft, let alone the commitment it takes to succeed in getting your work published. There are a couple of authors whose books I buy without even reading the description. I love the psychological stories that come from Liz Nugent and the vivid tapestries painted by everything Maggie O’Farrell writes.
What was the last book that made you laugh?
John Boyne’s The Echo Chamber. I loved Boyne’s satirical novel and how it highlighted the way social media can be used as weapon of consequence and how it can destroy reputations. The Echo Chamber has a serious undertone but overall I found it to have laugh out loud humour.
What is your favourite childhood book?
Being an avid reader from a young age and a library member, I had many favourites in the Enid Blyton range and Carolyn Keane’s Nancy Drew books. But I absolutely loved Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I was intrigued by the March family and Jo in particular. I also developed a love of Great Expectations in my early teens. The darkness in Dicken’s work appealed to me and on some level I think it led me to love crime fiction. Or maybe that came from my fascination with Nancy Drew!
What’s your new book about?
Three Widows is the twelfth book in the Lottie Parker detective series. The tag line reads, ‘Their husbands’ deaths were only the beginning’ which sets the tone of the novel. Three Widows focuses on a group of widows who are being murdered in Ragmullin. Detective Lottie Parker knows they are hiding something and she must work hard with her team to discover the truth. Like all my books Three Widows takes the reader down a dark and twisty road.
What’s your writing process like?
Recently I have been brainstorming ideas and themes with my editor. It’s good to have her input before I start writing because I don’t plan out the book. I just start writing and create characters who bring the story to life. My characters lead me through the first draft. Following the completion of the draft I launch into the editing process which has many rigorous levels. Structural, line and copy edit before the final proof read. I tend to write most mornings which is a practice from The Morning Pages. So far it has worked for me.
Three Widows by Patricia Gibney is published by Bookouture, €15.99