WATCH Karen Fitzgibbon’s ‘The World’s End’ launch at O’Mahony’s Bookstore Limerick

Karen Fitzgibbon launched her debut novel, ‘The World’s End’, at O’Mahony’s Bookstore on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Karen Fitzgibbon debut novel ‘The World’s End’ has received high praise from established Irish authors

Crime fiction lovers and Limerick’s literary enthusiasts will be treated to the eagerly anticipated launch of Karen Fitzgibbon’s debut novel, ‘The World’s End’.

With an intriguing premise telling a story of deceit, betrayal, and secrets, ‘The World’s End’ has received endorsements from notable authors and promises to be a welcome and gripping addition to the crime fiction genre.

Described as “addictively tense” and “the definition of a page-turner” by acclaimed Limerick author Donal Ryan, “The World’s End” follows Private Investigator Lana Bowen as she tries to piece together the events from the previous summer in the seaside village, Castle Cove.

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On a beautiful weekend in May, Grace Doran and her friend Sarah travel to the seaside village of Castle Cove. They have been invited to stay in a luxurious summerhouse, The World’s End, with Sarah’s boyfriend and some of his friends. After a night of partying and sizzling temptation, they hire a boat and sail to a nearby island. Five go out, but only four return.

One year later, Private Investigator Lana Bowen journeys to the seaside resort to try to piece together the catastrophic events that happened the summer before. Haunted by a traumatic event in her own past, and tormented with panic attacks, Lana fights her own demons as she tries to piece together what happened on the island. The further she delves, the more she uncovers – a web of deceit, betrayal, and a sinister undercurrent. Someone is desperately trying to hold on to a secret. Leaving the question, what did happen to Grace Doran?

Karen Fitzgibbon is described as “a fantastic new voice in the crime fiction world” by the creator of Detective Inspector Lottie Parker, Irish crime fiction author Patricia Gibney, ‘The World’s End’ has received high praise and is expected to have readers glued to every page as they read the story of someone desperately trying to hold onto a secret.

Karen Fitzgibbon is an actor, producer, director, writer, and educator based in Limerick City. She has been co-writing, co-producing, directing, and performing in short plays, full-length plays and short films with community and professional groups for over fifteen years.

She holds a licentiate in theatre studies with Trinity College London. ‘The World’s End’ is Karen’s debut novel, and the first in the series, introducing Private Investigator, Lana Bowen. She lives in Limerick with her husband, three children and adored springer spaniel, Major.

‘The World’s End’ was launched at O’Mahony’s Books on Thursday, May 2, 2025 and is available now from all good booksellers.

Find out more about O’Mahony’s Books
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Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick