The New Policeman [Hardcover]

" 'Kate Thompson writes with marvellous and magical ease' - Janni Howker, TES 'Daring and accomplished' - Books for Keeps 'A storyteller of genius' - Irish Times"

There is something hallucinatory, if not delirious about this stylish, magical book.

A distinctive and beautifully written book...an enthralling tale, both whimsical and deep, told with a dry, laconic wit.

Imaginative, neatly constructed and rich in Irish lore, characters and atmosphere, it is deservedly gathering prizes.

THE NEW POLICEMAN: a wonderfully intriguing story going right to the heart of Irish magic, folklore and music, from the four-times honoured recipient of the Irish Children`s Book of the Year Bisto Award. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Everyone in Kinvara is conscious that time is flying past, faster and faster - to such an extent that when JJ asks his mother what she would like as a birthday present she ask for more time. JJ dismisses this as mere wishful thinking, an impossibility, for who know where the time goes? The Liddys have been musicians for generations and JJ is no exception but what he discovers is that a shadow from the past hangs over their family -did his great-grandfather murder the village priest? When he sets out to buy his mother time, he discovers the fate of a flute which will provide the key to both problems - it is the vital clue. He makes the transition to Tir na n'Og, the land of eternal youth, where the fairy people are also having a problem with time and it falls to his lot to locate the leak between the two parallel worlds. JJ finds where time goes! Music proves to be the touchstone for communication between the fairy and the human domains and the book is saturated with the lure of Irish music for JJ's whole existence is built round the ceili and each chapter relates to a tune, printed out as a heading so that the reader can also become a performer. As for the New Policeman, Larry O'Dwyer, he is an enigmatic figure who has a significant bearing on the plot but whose identity is kept a superbly guarded secret to the very last surprising moment.

Who knows where the time goes?
There is never enough of it in Kinvara, or anywhere else in Ireland for that matter. When Helen Liddy is asked what she wants for her birthday, she says, 'Time. That's what I want. Time.'
For generations the Liddys have been musicians, and fifteen-year old JJ is continuing the tradition with his wonderful fiddle-playing. But one day in the school yard he discovers that music might not be the only thing that runs in his veins. Can it be true that his great-grandfather was a murderer?
When JJ sets out to buy his mother some time he discovers the answer as well as some truly remarkable things about music, myth and magic. And more.
Who knows where the time goes?
JJ does.

'The New Policeman is charming, seductive and completely enthralling. Everyone with even a passing interest in Irish music, or magic should read it.'
EOIN COLFER

Kate Thompson has travelled widely in the USA and India and has studied law in Lodon. After living in Country Clare in Ireland, she has move to Kinvara in Country Galway and there, three years ago, she discovered her passion for playing the fiddle - which has had a marked influence on the writing of THE NEW POLICEMAN - she is now an accomplished player and also has a great interest in building and restoring instruments.