Mullingar's world bestselling crime author joins the stars at glittering award ceremony

Mullingar’s bestselling author Patricia Gibney was brushing shoulders with the stars for the Irish Book Awards Ceremony in Dublin’s Clayton Hotel this week. 

Patricia, whose book The Stolen Girls was nominated for the Ryan Tubridy Listener’s Choice Award, didn’t win in her category but was honoured to be part of the prestigious event.

“It was a brilliant experience to be there among all the shortlisted authors, and especially to have my book, The Stolen Girls, shortlisted for the Ryan Tubridy Listener’s Choice Award,” said Patricia, whose sister Marie Brennan attended the gala dinner as her guest. 

Graham Norton, Dara O’Briain and Niall Breslin were among the stars attending, as well as sports stars Davey Fitzgearld, Cora Staunton, and boxer Andy Lee.

Liz Nugent won the Listener’s Choice Award with her novel, Skin Deep, and she also took home Crime Novel of the Year Award.

“For me it was a personal achievement to have The Stolen Girls shortlisted and a highlight of the year for me,” said Patricia.

“Graham Norton said everyone was a winner on the night and I concur with that sentiment,” said the mother of three who took up writing after her husband died in 2009.

“I want to thank everyone who voted for my book and all my readers everywhere, who have supported me since the start. 

“My family have been particularly supportive. Local people and local media especially have been fantastic.”

Patricia is now working on book six in the Lottie Parker crime novel series. 

The first in the series, Patricia’s debut crime novel, The Missing Ones, has become a bestseller in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

Patricia (centre) at the awards with Jackie Walsh, Grainne Daly, Marie Brennan (Patricia’s sister) and Louise Phillips, Irish crime author.