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A warning to the UK and Ireland.
by Chris Armitage Aug 13, 2025 In 1933, German conservatives thought they could control Hitler. Two years later, they were being executed in their own homes. I spent weeks researching this question, desperately looking for counter-examples, for hope, for any time in history where people successfully stopped fascists after they started winning elections. Here’s what Continue reading
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Who the hell is the ‘Red Detective?’
Photographed in a Liverpool shirt and given the title after the demise of a corrupt and murderous police officer, Charlie Connolly struggles with the name and the accidental career choice. In a talk with his partner Mina he asks; ‘I mean, how did we end up in the middle of this? Is it me…us, or Continue reading
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From Heathcliff to Vinny ?
Abandoned children from Liverpool centuries apart yet connected through the immigrant’s story is how Dr Mary Burke, University of Connecticut, presented my first novel Under The Bridge as part of her course. I was delighted to assign Jack Byrne’s Under the Bridge to my spring 2024 British Literature survey course at the University of Connecticut. Jack very Continue reading
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A Contested City
My first three books Under The Bridge, Across The Water, and Before The Storm, The Liverpool Mysteries deal with times from the 50s to 2010 in Garston and Speke. Before The Storm shows the rise of a Reform type Councillor in Speke, a nationalist with the constant refrain ‘Stop the boats.’ Whatever is wrong in Continue reading
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Burning Down The House – Early reviews
Some early reviews Loved it. Unputdownable, five star read. Bloody Brilliant. Kind of feel sad that I read it so quick, but I couldn’t stop. Such a gripping, twisted read! Multi-layered brilliance! Exceptional! Natalie Freeman @Natfree37 I’ve just finished this book by Jack Byrne.It has everything. Set in Liverpool the novel tells a story of Continue reading
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Burning Down The House
Click here to order Burning Down The House Liverpool 2020 Facing police violence and climate change, a cast of young characters find they need to change themselves before they can change the world. When climate activist, Matt Whitney dies in police custody, Charlie Connolly’s life is turned upside down after giving a witness statement. Embroiled Continue reading
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Liverpool and Slavery
This website brings the city’s history to life, reminding us that the streets we walk were paved and made from the profits of slavery and the industries that relied on it. Check out the maps, join the walks, or share with friends. *text from Liverpool and slavery website Liverpool’s history is deeply intertwined with the Continue reading
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The Use of Migrant Blame in UK Politics
The response to the killings of the young girls in Southport a few weeks ago, contained different elements, there were vigils and gatherings in sympathy with the families. The flowers and teddy bears left on pavements were a symbol of support for families and at the same time concern about the direction of a society Continue reading
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Exploring Nationalism’s Limits in Modern Ireland
My letter below was published on 3rd October 2024 in response to a very good article by Maurice J Casey. In dealing with the rise of the far right in Ireland I think its important to recognise the limitations of nationalism a theme central to my Liverpool Mysteries Trilogy.https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/the-liverpool-mysteries-series-books-1-3-paperback-pre-order https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/25/who-are-the-irish-history-shows-weve-been-a-mixed-bunch-for-centuries Continue reading
About Me
Thanks for visiting my page. The aim of this page is to let you know what I am working on and allow you to tell me what you think.
I was born and raised in Speke Liverpool, although my parents first lived ‘Under The Bridge’ in Garston, and all my family goes back to Wicklow in Ireland.
The Liverpool Mystery series will be four novels, three books; Under The Bridge, The Morning After, and Fire Next Time are finished. Under The Bridge will be published in Feb 2021 and I hope at least one more will follow later in the year. I am writing The Wicklow Boys now, and I hope to finish it next year.
My writing like my blog is about the lives of working people and how they relate to society as a whole.
My collection of short stories The One Road is available below click to see details.
Jack Byrne 