Paul Charles Launching Latest McCusker Mystery at the Irish Cultural Centre
Crime writer to appear in conversation with Mark Billingham
The crime author Paul Charles
April 1, 2026
Crime fiction fans are in for a treat as the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith prepares to host the London launch of Paul Charles’s new novel, Hi Love, You Just Dropped Your Glove. The acclaimed crime writer will appear in conversation with bestselling author Mark Billingham for an evening that promises lively discussion, insider insights and a celebration of the craft of crime writing.
The event on Thursday 16 April brings together two of the genre’s most respected voices. Charles, known for his long-running McCusker Mysteries, will talk about the inspirations behind the latest instalment and the real-world textures that shape his work. Billingham, a major figure in contemporary crime fiction, will guide the conversation, offering his own perspective on storytelling, character and the enduring appeal of the detective novel. The evening will conclude with a book signing.
Hi Love, You Just Dropped Your Glove is the third outing for Detective Brendy McCusker and opens in Portrush, County Antrim, in 1976, where three teenage boys—Thomas Barry, Lefty Kelly and Brendy McCusker—roam the seaside town. A chance encounter with Isabella Scott gives the book its memorable title. More than forty years later, Barry’s remains are discovered at the foot of the Pilgrim’s Steps in Portrush Harbour, just as the town is overwhelmed by visitors for The Open Championship, with global stars such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy descending on the area.
McCusker and DI Lily O’Carroll are drafted from Belfast to help the overstretched local police, and as they dig deeper, long-buried secrets begin to surface. The investigation pulls them into a web of family tensions, property deals, old loyalties and a cast of characters ranging from lawyers and accountants to showband singers. Set against the bustle of a small town hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events, the novel explores ambition, community and the complicated ties that bind people together.
The event starts at 7:30pm and tickets cost £7.
The Irish Cultural Centre is at 5 Black's Road, Hammersmith, W6 9DT, a short walk from Hammersmith Underground station. Tickets and full event details for all of the events listed above are available at irishculturalcentre.co.uk/whats-on.
The centre can be contacted on 0208 563 8232.
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