Tipperary author to launch eighth instalment of popular series described as ‘Irish Downton Abbey’

Thurles author Susie Murphy is celebrating another milestone in her writing career with the publication of the eighth book in her popular historical fiction series, A Matter of Class.

Susie will launch ‘A Class Divided’ at Bookworm Bookshop in Thurles on Friday, November 20, following its worldwide release on November 16.

It marks the latest chapter in a writing journey that began in 2018 with the publication of ‘A Class Apart’. Since then, Susie has steadily built an eight-book series that has attracted readers both at home and internationally.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Ireland, England and America, ‘A Matter of Class’ is a sweeping historical saga spanning more than two decades and two generations of families. Tenant unrest and Catholic-Protestant tensions provide the historical setting for a love story that crosses the social divide between Bridget, a landowner's daughter, and Cormac, the son of a stable hand.

Described by readers as the 'Irish Downton Abbey', the series has earned considerable recognition. The third instalment, ‘A Class Forsaken’, was selected as an Editors' Choice by the Historical Novel Society in spring 2021, while the opening book, ‘A Class Apart’, was shortlisted among the final five in the fiction category of the Carousel Aware Prize for Independently Published Authors in November 2023.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Susie said the latest book represented a significant undertaking, being the longest in the series to date.

‘A Class Divided’ runs to approximately 130,000 words and around 480 pages and Susie explained that while she initially published a book roughly every year, the increasingly lengthy stories mean that the gap between instalments has grown to around 18 months.

Having published her first book in 2018, she has continued to develop the series while also expanding its reach beyond Ireland. The first two books have already been translated into French, with a third translation in the pipeline.

The books are available in ebook and paperback formats, with the audiobook edition of ‘A Class Divided’ expected later this year, with Susie's long-time narrator, Gary Furlong, once again taking on the project.

An Irish voice actor now based in Texas, Gary has narrated every book in the series. The pair first met through their college drama society, long before Susie became a published author, and their working relationship has developed over the years.

Susie said her audiobook listeners have been hugely appreciative of his performances, joking that she has even started adding extra accents to her characters to give him new challenges.

Readers will be able to purchase ‘A Class Divided’ through Susie's own online bookstore at www.susiemurphywrites.com, as well as through Amazon. It will also be available to order through independent bookshops and libraries from November 16. Bookworm Bookshop in Thurles will have copies in stock.

A former pupil of the Ursuline Secondary School in Thurles, where she attended from 1999 to 2005, Susie also taught piano at St Angela's Academy of Music between 2009 and 2018.

Despite having eight books published, she insists there are still plenty of stories left to tell.

Readers can keep up to date with her work through her website, www.susiemurphywrites.com, where they can also sign up for her newsletter and access free stories. She is also active on Facebook and Instagram.

The launch of ‘A Class Divided’ will take place at Bookworm Bookshop, Thurles, at 7pm on Friday, November 20. All are welcome to attend.

Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to [email protected].