Wild Houses

Wild Houses, the thrilling and riotous debut novel from Observer Best New Novelist, Colin Barrett, delves into a weekend of chaos and transformation in the small Irish town of Ballina. As the town prepares for its largest annual festivities, tensions reach a boiling point amongst its colourful residents.

At the centre of this storm is Cillian English, a small-time dealer caught in a simmering feud with the violent Ferdia brothers, Gabe and Sketch. As anger and tempers flare, their long-standing rivalry spirals into an explosive confrontation that promises to change everything. The situation escalates drastically when Gabe and Sketch abduct Cillian's teenage brother, Doll, and drag him to the doorstep of their reclusive cousin, Dev. What starts as a simple feud now ensnares an entire community.

Dev, haunted by memories and driven by a peculiar code of family loyalty and the taunting presence of his late mother’s dog, finds himself roped into the brothers' sinister schemes. Drawn out of his isolation, he must navigate the treacherous terrain of familial obligations and vengeance.

Parallel to this, seventeen-year-old Nicky has an uncanny premonition that something terrible has happened to Doll, her boyfriend. Battling a fierce hangover and the emotional turmoil invoked by recent events, she becomes determined to uncover the truth and rescue Doll. Her journey is intense and driven by a mix of desperation and love, leading her to question her own future in the town of Ballina.

With a richly woven narrative, Wild Houses explores themes such as loyalty, revenge, and the impact of violence on small-town dynamics. Barrett's sharp, evocative prose vividly brings to life the rugged and often perilous landscape of rural Ireland. The intricate web of relationships and the haunting presence of the past add depth to this powerful story, making it an unforgettable read.

Dive into the gripping world of Wild Houses, where every corner hides a secret, and each character's fate is intertwined in a delicate balance of survival, honour, and redemption.