Originally titled Cycle of Violence, this is the super second novel by author of Smith’s Fresh Talent title Divorcing Jack, set in mythical Northern Ireland town of Crossmaheart.
Drunken journalist Miller is sent as a punishment from his big-city paper in Belfast to small-town Crossmaheart, as replacement for someone who has disappeared – presumed murdered by one terrorist organization or another. Once there, he falls in love with the disappeared man’s girlfriend – and problems aplenty ensue. Very dark, very funny, romantic and quirky – Bateman has a uniquely brilliant voice.
The author was born in Northern Ireland in 1962 and educated at Bangor Grammar School before joining the County Down Spectator, where he was deputy editor for many years. In 1990 he received a Journalist’s Fellowship to Oxford University for his reports from Uganda, and has received a Northern Ireland Press Award for his weekly satirical column.