Sinn Fein adviser wins crime fiction deal

A leading Sinn Fein official in Dublin has secured a two-book deal with Quercus after her debut crime novel was shortlisted for the 2015 Richard and Judy "Search for a Bestseller" competition.

Second novel by Jo Spain

Jo Spain's follow-up to her bestselling debut novel With our Blessing is Beneath The Surface, the second book in her "Inspector Tom Reynolds" series.

Cream of Irish crime writing at Dulwich

The third "Deadly in Dulwich" event in London is devoted to Irish crime fiction. Authors Sinead Crowley, Jo Spain and Kate McQuaile will talk about their work at Dulwich Books on 26 April 2016. Tickets for the evening are £10 including whiskey cocktails.

Best Irish crime fiction of 2015

2015 was a bumper year for Irish crime fiction. Among major releases were novels by - to name just ten - Alex Barclay, Louise Phillips, John Connolly, Ava McCarthy, Adrian McKinty, Benjamin Black, Sinéad Crowley, Mark O'Sullivan, Karen Perry and Anthony J Quinn.

There were also some dazzling debuts in the crime fiction department, such as novels by Steve Cavanagh, Jax Miller, Alan Walsh, Michael O'Higgins, Frankie Gaffney, Jo Spain and Kelly Creighton.

And it was a good year too for crime fiction on the small and big screen.

Here are some of our personal choices from the past year's Irish crime fiction novels, movies, TV shows and audio books...