Writers often talk of the need for inspiration in writing.
For Armagh-based debut author Laura McLoughlin, the inspiration for her ghostly tale – The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrne – came not from beyond the grave as one might expect, but instead from the lyrics of a John Mayer song.
The former digital editor explained that the lines: “We can’t leave each other, But we can dance with the dead. You can rest your head on my shoulder, If you want to get older with me,” led to her “doodling” a rudimentary sketch of young girl with a well dressed skeleton and, once she had created the setting, the bones of the book were formed.
The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrne, follows the story of a young waitress known as Mia Anne Moran who finds herself embroiled in a mystery in a decades old Georgian hotel.
Her mission eventually becomes clear, she has spectral shenanigans to resolve!
While Laura admits she has always held a love for all things “spooky”, the many ghosts that haunt her hotel are somewhat “tameable.”
Laura’s ghosts are not to be feared. Instead, they provoke an examination of what it means to remember someone accurately, if it’s enough to remember someone accurately or – as Laura says – is it simply enough that you loved them and they loved you?
The Many Ghosts of Donahue Byrnes is now available to purchase at Waterstones, Amazon, W H Smith and in Easons.
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