Paul Charles (born 1949, Magherafelt) is a Northern Irish novelist, concert promoter, manager and talent agent.[1]

Charles managed his first act, The Blues by Five, when he was 15 years old, and had to list the number of his local telephone call box on business cards.[2] The telephone would be answered by whoever was passing, who would then walk to Charles' house and knock on the window to let him know there was a call for him.[3]

In 1967 he moved from Northern Ireland to London, planning to study civil engineering, but soon began writing for Belfast-based magazine City Week, filing live reviews of Irish groups performing in London, and returned to the music business full-time.[2][4][5] He then became manager, agent, lyricist and roadie for progressive rock band Fruupp.

When Fruupp disbanded Charles formed a promotion agency, Asgard, with associate Paul Fenn. The agency's first big signings were English punk bands Radio Stars and the Buzzcocks.[3] Charles' clients now include Tom Waits, Ray Davies, Christy Moore, Don McLean, Waterboys, Nick Lowe, Lisa Ekdahl, Ronnie Spector, Marti Pellow, Ani DiFranco and Paul Carrack.[6]

Personal life

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Charles lives in Primrose Hill, London, and County Donegal with his wife Catherine.

Bibliography

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Detective Inspector Christy Kennedy series

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  • I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass (1997)
  • Last Boat to Camden Town (1997)
  • Fountain of Sorrow (1998)
  • The Ballad of Sean and Wilko (2000)
  • The Hissing of the Silent Lonely Room (2001)
  • I've Heard the Banshee Sing (2002)
  • Justice Factory (2004)
  • Sweetwater (2007)
  • The Beautiful Sound of Silence (2008)
  • A Pleasure To Do Death With You (2012)
  • Departing Shadows (2019)

Inspector Starrett series

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  • The Dust of Death (2007)
  • Family Life (2009)
  • St Ernan's Blues (2016)

McCusker Mysteries

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  • Down on Cyprus Avenue (2014)
  • A Day In The Life of Louis Bloom (2018)

Other fiction

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  • First of the True Believers (2002)
  • The Last Dance (2012)
  • The Prince of Heaven's Eyes (A Novella) (2012)
  • The Lonesome Heart is Angry (2014)
  • One of Our Jeans is Missing (2016)

Non-fiction

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  • How To Succeed in The Music Business (2002)
  • Pocket Essentials: The Beatles (2003)
  • The Complete Guide To Playing Live (2004)
  • The Essential Beatles Book (2021)
  • Adventures in Wonderland (2023)

References

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  1. ^ Sansom, Ian. "Northern Irish Writing". British Council. Archived from the original on 29 July 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  2. ^ a b McGrotty, Catherine (25 September 2007). "Death Becomes Him" (PDF). Verbal Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b Connolly, John. "Paul Charles: Interviewed by John Connolly". John Connolly Books. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  4. ^ Doherty, Amanda (13 December 1998). "Paul Charles: Crime is another string to music man's bow". Sunday Mirror. London.
  5. ^ Gallen, Catriona (24 August 2007). "A dark tale of crucifixtion in Ramelton church". Donegal News. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Artists". Asgard London. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
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