TV producer Laois writes a detective story for teens

A successful Laois journalist has launched his first book, a young adult mystery novel inspired by his childhood love for Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series.

Seán Dunne from Clonaghadoo near Mountmellick, is a television producer on The Tonight Show on Virgin Media in Dublin.

Prior to this, he wrote for The Irish Times, Sunday Independent, Irish Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.

A D’Arcy Blake Adventure, A Case for the Tech Detectives is his first book, published by Galway-based Book Hub Publishing.

The book focuses on teenage detective D’Arcy Blake who has recently moved from Boston in the United States to Salthill, Galway in Ireland. Having struggled to fit in at school in America, D’Arcy sets out to make her new life in the west of Ireland different.

A strong bond with his grandmother Nancy ensured D’Arcy a solid footing in his new local community. D’Arcy is a strong-willed teenager and alongside his friends, Marc and Claire and new town girl, Fatima, D’Arcy and his team set out to solve a mystery at the local abandoned mansion, Wakefield Manor.

The mansion leads the teenage detective down a dangerous path when he meets TJ Wakefield, and a daring mission unfolds for the friends.

The pandemic gave Seán time to achieve his book-writing goal.

“Like most people, I always wanted to write my own book, but finding the time and thinking about it always seemed to get in the way until the Covid-19 pandemic hit and we were all forced to stay home. D’Arcy’s idea was born in the
early days of the pandemic and the book adventure began.

“It’s been an interesting journey for me to write a book as I spent a lot of time working as a journalist for newspapers in Ireland. It’s a totally different experience to write a book and I hope to repeat it “, did he declare.

Friendship, diversity and inclusion are the themes Seán hopes young readers will take away from reading his book and provide them with the same enjoyment the Famous Five gave him as a child.

An award-winning journalist, Seán was named Young Journalist of the Year 2016 by Newsbrands Ireland, as well as a recipient of Law Society of Ireland awards and a recipient of Simon Cumbers funding.

His book is available from Hodges Figgis in Dublin and other selected bookshops such as Charlie Byrnes in Galway. Buy it online at www.bookhubpublishing.com for €12.99.