C.K. McDonnell weaves together his various plot lines with great skill and inserts the occasional strange report from The Stranger Times archives. As in the previous books, one of its epilogues serve as a teaser for what is coming next. I can hardly wait! The third novel in C K McDonnell's hugely original, fast-paced, very funny and critically acclaimed Manchester-set series revolving around the investigations of The Stranger Times newspaper into the weird, the spooky and the supernatural!

Having a return of some of the characters we met in book two was a bonus, and we meet a new character in this book called Betty, who drives a car called Betty 2. A wonderful character in this book, full of surprises and a lot of fun. I'm hoping she appears in later books in the series as well. I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the author, Transworld Books – Random House UK and NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own. Plus I did buy my own hardcover AND audio copy anyway, so…!* Pet Squad (Animation, Comedy, Family), Darrall Macqueen, Inspidea, March Entertainment, 27 June 2011 , retrieved 11 February 2022I don’t normally read from the urban fantasy genre but I will always make the exception for Caimh. In fairness no matter what genre Caimh writes in I will always read it. His ingenuity and pure sense of fun is evident throughout all his writing and his pure brilliance in depicting a character or a scene is 100% and uniquely his own. Love Will Tear Us Apart by C.K. McDonnell is published with Bantam Press (Transworld) It is the third novel in this critically acclaimed Manchester-based series, following on from The Stranger Times and This Charming Man, one described as ‘a contemporary comic fantasy series. Original, fast-paced and funny…revolving around the investigations of The Stranger Times newspaper into the weird, the spooky and the supernatural’. As completely and wonderfully bonkers as the previous two books in this series . . . a rollercoaster of a ride . . . kooky and fantastical, a riotous experience, one not to be missed. As The Times put it "a tennis match of witty banter." WRITING.IE Many of the characters were also underutilised. Why were we introduced to... John Mór when he is not doing much? Like in this book he was literally Hannah's driver to get her to where the plot was happening. Same goes with a bunch of the major people too! We have barely seen anything of BANECROFT, arguably the most fun character in this thing.

Saying that strange things are afoot at the offices of The Stranger Times is a bit like telling someone that the Pope is a Catholic but bear with me because they are weird even by Banecroftian standards. Vincent Banecroft, the irascible editor of The Stranger Times, has never believed his wife died despite emphatic evidence to the contrary. Now, against all odds, it seems he may actually be proved right; but what lengths will he go to in an attempt to rescue her? And the fact that I missed him and Hannah interacting. The Stranger Times gang interacting and their banter are what I've grown to really like with this series. The whole (quite intricate) machinations of the Illuminati ... No, sorry! What are they actually called, the secret people doing secret stuff? I keep forgetting! Because I find them a bit too over the top and frankly quite tedious, except for that one grand lady, giving me huge Maggie Smith vibes.But there’s more. Whilst Hannah is gone, a new assistant editor, Betty steps in - you’re going to LOVE Betty. Hannah leaves The Stranger Times to do some investigation on a wellness retreat/cult, meanwhile a previous contributor of the paper disappears without a trace.

As I said above, with each book McDonnell drags us deeper and deeper into his magical version of Manchester, allowing us to learn more about the creatures that live along side us, as well as giving us a deeper insight into The Founders, a council of magical beings who control all those who live here. It’s hard to talk about these books too much without giving away spoilers, but just know that McDonnell is slowly introducing us to the players in his world, whilst still keeping us on our toes, never quite sure who to trust. His writing style verges towards the humorous & extremely northern which, as a northerner, I adore. And he keeps the pace of the story by throwing in some plot twists, as well as some killer cliffhanger chapter endings making sure you continue reading to find out what happens next. I think, my response to the book could have a lot to do with me wanting to get the whole thing with Banecroft's dead (or not dead?) wife finally over and done with. I know you already have heard me repeat this many times over the last few years but I’m going to say it here again – I am a fan, a huge fan of C. K. McDonnell’s (aka Caimh’s) writing. I originally read The Dublin Trilogy, an Irish based, extremely funny, crime series featuring Bunny McGarry, one of my all time favourite lead protagonists, and have been hooked since. Caimh has his roots in stand-up comedy and his wit and comedic timing shines through in every single word, every piece of dialogue. I thought this book was somewhat of a mixed bag. It had moments of real brilliance and "laugh out loud" witticisms that I simply adored and yet .... somehow ... Not as solid an experience as the previous two. Not all love stories have a happy ending The Stranger Times investigates ..’ cover tag line, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ by C.K. McDonnell.I started Love Will Tear Us Apart with some trepidation, remembering my reservations about the second in the series, which I reviewed at the start of 2022. I need not have worried. C K McConnell swiftly sweeps us into the weird world of The Stranger Times. But with a jolt, as the reliable Hannah has disappeared off to pastures new. Indeed, as we find Hannah contemplating the oddities about her divorce proceedings, it seems she has a role to play still, thank goodness. Barraclough, Leo (4 March 2020). "Colin Callender's Playground Nabs Rights to C.K. McDonnell's 'The Stranger Times' ". Variety . Retrieved 20 March 2023. White, Peter (9 June 2021). " 'Veep's Chris Addison & 'Breeders' Producer Avalon To Adapt Caimh McDonnell's 'The Dublin Trilogy' Novels For TV". Deadline . Retrieved 20 March 2023. The series reached an interesting point. The world of Stranger Times got expanded, we have the big bads set up, the sides in a huge magical conflict. We do have some sort of a case in every book to move the plot, but also there is an overarching thing going on. Some of the bigger rules of the universe are there.