Ireland and Northern Ireland have a long history of crime fiction, with the tensions and history of the two countries often providing a backdrop to the central crimes of the story. With the international popularity of writers like Tana French and Catherine Ryan Howard, this sub-genre has become a popular choice for readers of crime stories. While most of the books here are chilling, they do each present a unique story of a crime (or crimes) and the impact that unspools in its wake. Pick up these titles for an introduction to Irish crime fiction that will introduce you to some of the best-known authors and series of the genre, as well as some newer names in this well-known category. It’s worth noting that there is a lack of authors of color in Irish crime fiction. Ireland’s population is ~92% white, but increasing diversity in the country has led to new authors entering the Irish literary scene, so hopefully this genre will diversify soon. For a selection of diverse Irish voices, check out Breaking Ground Ireland, which profiles Irish authors of color. If you’re looking for more unsettling crime fiction, check out these must read crime novels or these unique crime stories. And for more stories by Irish writers, make sure to these Irish authors you need to read.
