Frank Delaney Books

Set in 1950s Ireland, the narrative immerses readers in a richly detailed landscape filled with vibrant characters. The story explores the intricate political and personal relationships that shape the lives of its inhabitants, offering a compelling blend of historical context and emotional depth. Delaney's vivid descriptions create an engaging atmosphere that brings the era to life, making it a captivating read.

In the winter of 1951, a storyteller arrives at the home of nine-year-old Ronan O'Mara in the Irish countryside. The last practitioner of an honoredcenturies-old tradition, the Seanchai enthralls his assembled audience forthree evenings running with narratives of foolish kings and fabled saints,of enduring accomplishments and selfless acts- until he is banished from the household for blasphemy and moves on. But these three incomparable nights have changed young Ronan forever, setting him on the course he will follow for years to come- as he pursues the elusive, storyteller..and the magical tales that are no less than the glorious saga of his extraordinary i

The powerful new thriller from one of Britain's most skilled and wide-ranging novelists and broadcasters, featuring Nicholas Newman, the hero of The Amethysts, the pscyhological thriller acclaimed by the Sunday Telegraph as 'harrowing, absorbing ... unforgettable'. Played out in the arena of football, Pearl is a compelling story in which the past rises to dominate the present and perhaps the future. Nicholas Newman, affluent, successful, but emotionally unresolved, is a reluctant discoverer of events that took place during the Second World War. Placed under huge moral pressure by the terms of a dead friend's bequest, he stumbles upon a secret that directs the violence on the football terraces of Europe. One of his clients holds the key. Johan Pearl -- 'the Black Pearl' -- a Dutch international footballer, has commissioned Newman to design his house. With the plans comes extraordinary violence, and Nicholas Newman is once again at the centre of a psychological mystery that he can resolve only by examining his own life.

A tale of love and revenge told in the alternating voices of the two main characters.

Set against the backdrop of January 1932 Ireland, the story follows young Ben MacCarthy as he embarks on a quest to retrieve his father, who has abandoned the family for a life with the captivating Venetia Kelly of a traveling variety troupe. This journey transforms into a coming-of-age odyssey, filled with a rich cast of characters, including Venetia's enigmatic family and a truth-telling ventriloquist's dummy. The narrative explores themes of abandonment, identity, and the quest for belonging over a decade of tumultuous change.

This book aims to trace the origin, growth, flowering and eventual decline of the Celts, a people who are traditionally portrayed as wild, excitable, warlike, ferocious and uncivilized. In truth, despite their numerical smallness they made a major contribution to Western civilization.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, a man named Ben MacCarthy grapples with the mystery of his missing wife while collecting stories for the Irish Folklore Commission. His journey leads him to the intriguing Miss Kate Begley, the Matchmaker of Kenmare, sparking a deep friendship. However, the arrival of an American officer complicates matters, as they embark on a dangerous espionage mission in London. The novel explores themes of love, neutrality, and the complexities of war, blending history with myth in a compelling narrative.

After the slaughter of his girlfriend by an unknown assassin, Nicholas Newman wants only to start afresh. However, when a link is made between killings across Europe, he reluctantly agrees to help the police again. When attempts are made on his life, he realizes his nightmare has only just begun.

(For more than half a century, Betjeman's writings have awakened readers to the intimacy of English places - from the smell of gaslight in suburban churches, to the hissing of backwash on a shingle beach. Betjeman is England's greatest whether he's talking about a townhall or a teashop, he gets to the nub of what makes unexpected places unique. This new collection of his writings, arranged geographically, offers an essential gazetteer to the physical landmarks of Betjeman Country. A new addition to the popular series of Betjeman anthologies, following on from Trains and Buttered Toast and Tennis Whites and Teacakes, this is a treasure trove for any Betjeman fan and for anyone with a love for the rare, curious and unique details of English life.)