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Dublin Trilogy (Publication order)
Shorts: A Bunny McGarry Short Fiction Collection
Gathered together for the first time and featuring two brand new stories, this collection contains all of the short stories and novellas featuring Bunny McGarry, star of the million-selling Dublin Trilogy. Spanning his entire career in law enforcement and beyond, these stories give a whole new perspective on Ireland’s most truly unconventional police officer as he juggles being a force for justice and managing the world’s worst under-12s hurling team.
The new stories, The Many Deaths of Timmy Branch and Meanwhile in Dublin chart the journey from his first New Year’s Eve on the job doing the crappiest gig imaginable, to the present day, where someone is trying to dig up some rather sensitive information about him.
Dive in to find out why The Irish Post said these are ‘brilliant comedic thrillers', The Strand Magazine considers them to be ‘A modern great of crime comedy’ and why the Wall Street Journal described them as ‘poignant, suspenseful and gut-bustingly funny’.
Bunny McGarry Shorts contains:
The Many Deaths of Timmy Branch (Short Story): It’s New Year’s Eve and Probationer Garda Bunny McGarry has been tasked with guarding evidence as retribution for doing his job properly. When a call is received, it’s down to Bunny to leap into (and onto) action.
Meanwhile in Dublin (Novella) : Brigit is having quite the day. She’s organised to take her dad’s bride-to-be wedding dress shopping and has assembled a motley crew to join her. Paul isn’t faring much better as he agreed to play golf with Brigit’s dad and highly irritating brothers despite having never picked up a golf club in his life. When news of a strange deed reaches them, their day takes a turn from bad to worse.
Dog Day Afternoon (Short Story)
How to Send a Message (Short Story)
Escape from Victory ( Novella )
Bloody Christmas (Novella)
Good Deeds and Bad Intentions (Novella)
Please Most of the short stories included in this collection were previously available in How to Send A Message and in the Dublin Trilogy and McGarry Stateside Deluxe
The new stories, The Many Deaths of Timmy Branch and Meanwhile in Dublin chart the journey from his first New Year’s Eve on the job doing the crappiest gig imaginable, to the present day, where someone is trying to dig up some rather sensitive information about him.
Dive in to find out why The Irish Post said these are ‘brilliant comedic thrillers', The Strand Magazine considers them to be ‘A modern great of crime comedy’ and why the Wall Street Journal described them as ‘poignant, suspenseful and gut-bustingly funny’.
Bunny McGarry Shorts contains:
The Many Deaths of Timmy Branch (Short Story): It’s New Year’s Eve and Probationer Garda Bunny McGarry has been tasked with guarding evidence as retribution for doing his job properly. When a call is received, it’s down to Bunny to leap into (and onto) action.
Meanwhile in Dublin (Novella) : Brigit is having quite the day. She’s organised to take her dad’s bride-to-be wedding dress shopping and has assembled a motley crew to join her. Paul isn’t faring much better as he agreed to play golf with Brigit’s dad and highly irritating brothers despite having never picked up a golf club in his life. When news of a strange deed reaches them, their day takes a turn from bad to worse.
Dog Day Afternoon (Short Story)
How to Send a Message (Short Story)
Escape from Victory ( Novella )
Bloody Christmas (Novella)
Good Deeds and Bad Intentions (Novella)
Please Most of the short stories included in this collection were previously available in How to Send A Message and in the Dublin Trilogy and McGarry Stateside Deluxe
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2024
256 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Caimh McDonnell
43 books1,703 followersIrishman Caimh McDonnell is a former professional stand-up comedian and TV writer who now concentrates all of his energies on his books. Born in Limerick and raised in Dublin, he has taken the hop across the water and calls Manchester his home.
His TV writing work has seen him work on some of the biggest topical comedy shows on British TV and has earned him a BAFTA nomination. These days he can be found happily writing his next book in the office in the back garden, with only his dog and his imagination for company.
His book 'I Have Sinned' was shortlisted for the Kindle Storyteller Award 2019. Previously, his debut novel 'A Man With One of Those Faces' was nominated for best novel at the 2017 CAP awards.
His TV writing work has seen him work on some of the biggest topical comedy shows on British TV and has earned him a BAFTA nomination. These days he can be found happily writing his next book in the office in the back garden, with only his dog and his imagination for company.
His book 'I Have Sinned' was shortlisted for the Kindle Storyteller Award 2019. Previously, his debut novel 'A Man With One of Those Faces' was nominated for best novel at the 2017 CAP awards.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 16, 2024
Look, it's Caimh Mcdonnell writing about Bunny McGarry. It's hilarious, moving, action-packed & bonkers.
Stop wasting time reading reviews & read it.
Stop wasting time reading reviews & read it.
May 22, 2024
Some great stories. Very funny.
The narrator did a good job for the most part, but I’m left a bit confused as to why all the New Yorkers sound Irish but the one Canadian in the book sounds like she’s from New York.
The narrator did a good job for the most part, but I’m left a bit confused as to why all the New Yorkers sound Irish but the one Canadian in the book sounds like she’s from New York.
May 18, 2024
Just honest to goodness humour. Again.
It's so hard to keep writing positive comments about books. Luckily this one is full of short stories, so I don't need to waffle about characters and how they develop and interact.
Instead I'm just putting two quotes down here that made me laugh:
Honesty is like a heatwave – we all love the idea in principle, but as soon as it comes along, we’re sweaty, uncomfortable and unable to sleep at night.
There are certain events in life that you never interrupt. The big four are, of course, births, weddings, funerals and bowel movements. Even then, that’s a soft never, as circumstance can trump all other considerations.
Pure bl**dy genius writing.
Roll on to the next book.
It's so hard to keep writing positive comments about books. Luckily this one is full of short stories, so I don't need to waffle about characters and how they develop and interact.
Instead I'm just putting two quotes down here that made me laugh:
Honesty is like a heatwave – we all love the idea in principle, but as soon as it comes along, we’re sweaty, uncomfortable and unable to sleep at night.
There are certain events in life that you never interrupt. The big four are, of course, births, weddings, funerals and bowel movements. Even then, that’s a soft never, as circumstance can trump all other considerations.
Pure bl**dy genius writing.
Roll on to the next book.
August 8, 2025
Morgan C Jones is delightful as always, and it's lovely to have the stories all together.
Caimh's New Tina Count:
"Good Deeds and Bad Intentions": Tina Lacroix is one of the girls at the children's home they leave gifts for, who gets into a fight.
"Meanwhile in Dublin": No Tinas but they tie Liam Darcy and his men to a junked Ford Cortina.
Caimh's New Tina Count:
"Good Deeds and Bad Intentions": Tina Lacroix is one of the girls at the children's home they leave gifts for, who gets into a fight.
"Meanwhile in Dublin": No Tinas but they tie Liam Darcy and his men to a junked Ford Cortina.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2024
I knew most of the short stories in here already, but giving some of them another spin was still entertaining and the two new stories were hilarious as well.
In The Many Deaths of Timmy Branch, we meet a young Bunny McGarry as a rookie police officer in his early twenties and while he might not yet be as experienced and street-smart, this is still very much the Bunny McGarry we know. After all, recklessness bordering on the insane isn't something that he tends to shy away from later in his "career".
Meanwhile in Dublin on the other hand deals with the fallout of Bunny's faked death for his friends back in Dublin. Or to be more precise, the fallout of the criminal underworld finding out that he is very much not dead. This ends up being another fun little adventure with Brigit, Paul and a couple of other series regulars.
All in all, it's great to have all the shorts in one place and now, I'm once again looking forward to another full Bunny McGarry or MCM Investigations novel.
In The Many Deaths of Timmy Branch, we meet a young Bunny McGarry as a rookie police officer in his early twenties and while he might not yet be as experienced and street-smart, this is still very much the Bunny McGarry we know. After all, recklessness bordering on the insane isn't something that he tends to shy away from later in his "career".
Meanwhile in Dublin on the other hand deals with the fallout of Bunny's faked death for his friends back in Dublin. Or to be more precise, the fallout of the criminal underworld finding out that he is very much not dead. This ends up being another fun little adventure with Brigit, Paul and a couple of other series regulars.
All in all, it's great to have all the shorts in one place and now, I'm once again looking forward to another full Bunny McGarry or MCM Investigations novel.
May 18, 2024
Collected back short stories ... and something new and special!
Yes, some of these were previously released short stories, but now there all in one place and wonderfully worth the revisit.
Also some new and wonderfuller bits.
Always brilliant and funny, and while about Bunny, a bit of Paul, Briget, and Phil as well.
Great craic! (Says the yank who spells "defense" wrong ... apparently.)
Yes, some of these were previously released short stories, but now there all in one place and wonderfully worth the revisit.
Also some new and wonderfuller bits.
Always brilliant and funny, and while about Bunny, a bit of Paul, Briget, and Phil as well.
Great craic! (Says the yank who spells "defense" wrong ... apparently.)
May 23, 2024
Really enjoyed this book of short stories and being back in the Bunniverse for a while. A few LOL moments, but mostly it felt like being with friends.
April 18, 2024
The perfectly timed arrival on my kindle yesterday of this was blissful escape from the horrors of my sick bed.
Couple of new stories on there as well as some favourites - great to have the 'Big Fella' featuring shorts all in one place.
Strong recommend.
Couple of new stories on there as well as some favourites - great to have the 'Big Fella' featuring shorts all in one place.
Strong recommend.
November 15, 2025
Another comfort read. You just can't go wrong with C.K. McDonnell around this time of the year. Had some proper life-affirming belly laughs too.
May 16, 2024
My hero
Forget Superman, though he was always too much of a goody two shoes. Forget Batman too. Bunny McGarry is my kind of super hero. I want to be him.
Forget Superman, though he was always too much of a goody two shoes. Forget Batman too. Bunny McGarry is my kind of super hero. I want to be him.
Read
May 11, 2024Laughter Abundant
So enjoyed all his books and look forward to next. Thank you for Bunny and Hurly team and the Nuns and bad guys as well.
So enjoyed all his books and look forward to next. Thank you for Bunny and Hurly team and the Nuns and bad guys as well.
May 5, 2024
Great Stuff
Once again, the legendary exploits of Bunny McGarry bring suspense, comedy of errors, and the most imaginative of plots, subplots, and quirky characters. Vintage McGarry indeed.
Once again, the legendary exploits of Bunny McGarry bring suspense, comedy of errors, and the most imaginative of plots, subplots, and quirky characters. Vintage McGarry indeed.
April 29, 2024
Any book that has Bunny McGarry in it, is going to be laugh ou loud funny, always. Now you add in the likes of Smitty, Diller and the MCM investigation crowd you have a home run. I would highly recommend all Caimh McDonnell’s books no matter who the characters are from Bunny to the MCM team or the Sisters of the Saints, they are all good. Well done Caimh, keep up the good work.
April 26, 2024
I started listening to this book on my walk yesterday. Big mistake! After a couple of rounds in the park, I noticed people were giving me odd looks and stepping just a little bit away while passing me. Something to do with sudden guffaws escaping me perhaps?
The combination of Caimh’s writing and Morgan’s narration is just brilliant!
If you’re a Bunny fan, this book is a wonderful treat! If you aren’t, it’s a great way to experience his sheer Bunny-ness. (I’m so jealous you’re getting introduced to him for the first time).
Just make sure you lock yourself in a room and read/listen to the book. Can’t have you scaring people away with manic laughter.
The combination of Caimh’s writing and Morgan’s narration is just brilliant!
If you’re a Bunny fan, this book is a wonderful treat! If you aren’t, it’s a great way to experience his sheer Bunny-ness. (I’m so jealous you’re getting introduced to him for the first time).
Just make sure you lock yourself in a room and read/listen to the book. Can’t have you scaring people away with manic laughter.
April 28, 2024
good bunny fare
While I get that McDonnell is trying to keep his loyal readership happy by producing in the off-time between books, this collection confused me. Despite the lead ins, there were several of these shorts that were either parts of other books or in his other collection, I.e., the Santa story. I did like the wedding dress-golf short because it is a good set up for another Bunny in America book.
While I get that McDonnell is trying to keep his loyal readership happy by producing in the off-time between books, this collection confused me. Despite the lead ins, there were several of these shorts that were either parts of other books or in his other collection, I.e., the Santa story. I did like the wedding dress-golf short because it is a good set up for another Bunny in America book.
April 28, 2024
McDonall does it again
Bunny McGarry has to be the best character Out there. The authors Pacing and style Had me laughing multiple times. Basically He's an Irish Carl Hiasen with outrageous characters That are believable only because They're so absurd They seem plausible
Bunny McGarry has to be the best character Out there. The authors Pacing and style Had me laughing multiple times. Basically He's an Irish Carl Hiasen with outrageous characters That are believable only because They're so absurd They seem plausible
April 29, 2024
I laughed until I cried, and my poor dog thought I needed comforting. Absolutely loved it!
April 27, 2024
Laugh out loud funny
Bunny is the man! Omg I loved these short stories almost more than the full novels! Bunny is not to be missed!
Bunny is the man! Omg I loved these short stories almost more than the full novels! Bunny is not to be missed!
January 23, 2025
read this, but not yet…
First of all, ,Caimh McDonnell (which is apparently pronounced “kweev”, don’t ask) clearly enjoys his work. This is a collection of shorts which slot, vaguely, into the Dublin Trilogy, a magnum opus currently running to 8 novels, and several spinoff series, and which appears to be just warming up. I’ve become addicted to them as audiobooks and downloaded this from Kindle only because I wanted to see how the name of the Irish national police force is spelled, and no, I’m not going to try to write it here, my conventional keyboard is not up to the task. A couple of the stories are Christmas heartwarmers which we love, because we know Bunny will unravel the impossible situation in the end. There’s one prequel, and several others which interdigitate with the Trilogy in various places; and we get to catch up with the perpetually irascible Sister Bernadette, and the denizens of MCM investigations. These are terrific fun stories. Don’t read them. Start with the Dublin Trilogy, or, as I did, with the Mcgarry Stateside series, and get the Audible version because if you don’t, you’ll miss the astonishing performance of Morgan C. Jones, who reads them. You’re in for a treat, the team of McDonnell and Jones is deliciously addicting
First of all, ,Caimh McDonnell (which is apparently pronounced “kweev”, don’t ask) clearly enjoys his work. This is a collection of shorts which slot, vaguely, into the Dublin Trilogy, a magnum opus currently running to 8 novels, and several spinoff series, and which appears to be just warming up. I’ve become addicted to them as audiobooks and downloaded this from Kindle only because I wanted to see how the name of the Irish national police force is spelled, and no, I’m not going to try to write it here, my conventional keyboard is not up to the task. A couple of the stories are Christmas heartwarmers which we love, because we know Bunny will unravel the impossible situation in the end. There’s one prequel, and several others which interdigitate with the Trilogy in various places; and we get to catch up with the perpetually irascible Sister Bernadette, and the denizens of MCM investigations. These are terrific fun stories. Don’t read them. Start with the Dublin Trilogy, or, as I did, with the Mcgarry Stateside series, and get the Audible version because if you don’t, you’ll miss the astonishing performance of Morgan C. Jones, who reads them. You’re in for a treat, the team of McDonnell and Jones is deliciously addicting
April 30, 2025
I've read four of the seven stories in this Bunny McGarry collection, and enjoyed all of them. I did wonder if Bunny was one of those characters that would be better in small doses, but having him front and center for each of these stories did nothing to make me love him any less. The four stories I've read (so far) are:
'The Many Deaths of Timmy Branch' — A funny tale from the very beginning of Bunny's career.
'Dog Day Afternoon' — An even funnier story about Bunny saving a police dog from being put down.
'How to Send a Message' — The funniest story of the collection of those I read, about Bunny sending a message back to someone that tried to intimidate him.
'Escape from Victory' — A funny novella that focused on Bunny's coaching of the local under-12s hurling team.
'The Many Deaths of Timmy Branch' — A funny tale from the very beginning of Bunny's career.
'Dog Day Afternoon' — An even funnier story about Bunny saving a police dog from being put down.
'How to Send a Message' — The funniest story of the collection of those I read, about Bunny sending a message back to someone that tried to intimidate him.
'Escape from Victory' — A funny novella that focused on Bunny's coaching of the local under-12s hurling team.
December 17, 2024
Better than booze or drugs!
Not that I would know anything about the latter, my one attempt about forty years ago as a non-smoker trying a spliff ended with me nearly choking to death. This had to be at least the third time I'd read these stories, but was again helpless with laughter and fielding complaints from the dogs trying to sleep on their side of my bed. Apart from my unexpected demise, it won't be the last time and, if you don't have the same reaction, believe me you're already dead!
Not that I would know anything about the latter, my one attempt about forty years ago as a non-smoker trying a spliff ended with me nearly choking to death. This had to be at least the third time I'd read these stories, but was again helpless with laughter and fielding complaints from the dogs trying to sleep on their side of my bed. Apart from my unexpected demise, it won't be the last time and, if you don't have the same reaction, believe me you're already dead!
April 20, 2024
Loved These Shorts
McDonnell has yet again executed a superb book containing Bunny McGarry. The preface to each story was perfect, and in my opinion the author should receive his Masters with honours. It’s the least the university he attended should award McDonnelly for the hours upon hours of his excellent, funny, and straight up entertaining storytelling.
McDonnell has yet again executed a superb book containing Bunny McGarry. The preface to each story was perfect, and in my opinion the author should receive his Masters with honours. It’s the least the university he attended should award McDonnelly for the hours upon hours of his excellent, funny, and straight up entertaining storytelling.
April 24, 2024
The only problem with finishing a Caimh McDonnell book is that you immediately want more!! I had read most of these short stories separately as they became available so it was awesome to have them all in one place and performed by the incomparable Morgan C Jones. I will never get tired of Bunny stories, and cannot wait for more content!!
June 5, 2024
Do I love this series enough to buy a whole collection of shorts for only two I haven't read yet? You bet! Was it worth it? Definitely!
Truth be told I haven't got to the MCM investigation part of the series and was afraid it had lost its charm without Bunny. No way. I'm starting to believe Caimh could write a variation on the phone book and make it awesome.
Truth be told I haven't got to the MCM investigation part of the series and was afraid it had lost its charm without Bunny. No way. I'm starting to believe Caimh could write a variation on the phone book and make it awesome.
June 23, 2024
Awesome little collection of Bunny tales
As the man himself says, there are a couple of spoilers in here, so don't grab this as an intro, but when you do get there, it is just as fabulous as ever!
For those of us who have been with the Bunnyverse I little longer, there are actually only two new stories in this book, but the are both most definitely worth it!
As the man himself says, there are a couple of spoilers in here, so don't grab this as an intro, but when you do get there, it is just as fabulous as ever!
For those of us who have been with the Bunnyverse I little longer, there are actually only two new stories in this book, but the are both most definitely worth it!
May 21, 2025
I just love everything to do with Bunny and look forward to any instalment either prequel, sequel or embellishment of a previous story. I just keep hold of the hope he’s going to catch up with the nuns and reconnect with the love of his life.
The writing style keeps me gripped and wanting more, so Ciamh, keep them coming.
The writing style keeps me gripped and wanting more, so Ciamh, keep them coming.
April 24, 2024
Love the way the author draws characters who really come alive and I don’t often have a book that makes me laugh but he does it every time. Thank you Caimh for making me laugh, can’t wait for the next edition in the trilogy 🤣
June 4, 2024
Excellent!
Always fun to meet again Bunny McGarry, that « plus grand que nature » odd character. I never thought for one second that I would love him so much, when I started to read the first book!
Always fun to meet again Bunny McGarry, that « plus grand que nature » odd character. I never thought for one second that I would love him so much, when I started to read the first book!
August 2, 2024
bundle of laughs
I love the way Caimh tells a story . I wish I didn’t read them so quickly so I could enjoy them for longer! These short stories brightened a dreary time and I can’t wait for the next full length Bunny story.
I love the way Caimh tells a story . I wish I didn’t read them so quickly so I could enjoy them for longer! These short stories brightened a dreary time and I can’t wait for the next full length Bunny story.
August 25, 2024
Absolutely love reading about 'The big fella'
Great short stories of bunny.
Caimh McDonnell is a great author and I love reading anything bunny related. Always makes me laugh out loud!
Great short stories of bunny.
Caimh McDonnell is a great author and I love reading anything bunny related. Always makes me laugh out loud!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews