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MCM Investigations #3
The Big Steal
Heads You Lose …
Phil Nellis is missing, which is bad – but nowhere near as bad as the reason he had to disappear. His dearly departed uncle double-crossed some truly heinous individuals who have some very specific ideas about how to exact their revenge. Fifty-two hours is an unreasonably short amount of time to be given to steal Ireland’s greatest national treasure, but then again, having a bomb strapped around your neck is an unreasonable form of motivation.
Phil and Paul have no choice but to attempt to carry out the crime of the century against the clock, and Brigit must try to keep her head when all about are in danger of losing theirs.
The Big Steal is book 3 in the MCM Investigations series, a spin-off from the award-nominated, TV-show-pending and infuriatingly inaccurately titled Dublin Trilogy.
Phil Nellis is missing, which is bad – but nowhere near as bad as the reason he had to disappear. His dearly departed uncle double-crossed some truly heinous individuals who have some very specific ideas about how to exact their revenge. Fifty-two hours is an unreasonably short amount of time to be given to steal Ireland’s greatest national treasure, but then again, having a bomb strapped around your neck is an unreasonable form of motivation.
Phil and Paul have no choice but to attempt to carry out the crime of the century against the clock, and Brigit must try to keep her head when all about are in danger of losing theirs.
The Big Steal is book 3 in the MCM Investigations series, a spin-off from the award-nominated, TV-show-pending and infuriatingly inaccurately titled Dublin Trilogy.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2026
311 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Caimh McDonnell
42 books1,762 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.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 17, 2026
The Big Steal by Caimh McDonnell.
At this point we've not so much jumped the shark as strapped ourselves to two sharks & are using them as waterskies to jump a nuclear explosion.
Caimh wanted to write a heist book & did so using the characters available. As such it's hilarious, bonkers, & has enough of a sliver of plausibility to be truly concerning.
Background characters with extended backstories are again given their chance to shine & the little flash fictions that often bookend chapters in Caimh's work are an absolute delight in their own right.
Can Paul & Phil steal The Book of Kells? Are they even speaking to each other? Will Paul & Brigit EVER have five minutes to actually get married? Has anyone fed the dog?
Another superb book from one of my favourite authors.
Highly recommended. Best consumed with a breakfast burrito.
At this point we've not so much jumped the shark as strapped ourselves to two sharks & are using them as waterskies to jump a nuclear explosion.
Caimh wanted to write a heist book & did so using the characters available. As such it's hilarious, bonkers, & has enough of a sliver of plausibility to be truly concerning.
Background characters with extended backstories are again given their chance to shine & the little flash fictions that often bookend chapters in Caimh's work are an absolute delight in their own right.
Can Paul & Phil steal The Book of Kells? Are they even speaking to each other? Will Paul & Brigit EVER have five minutes to actually get married? Has anyone fed the dog?
Another superb book from one of my favourite authors.
Highly recommended. Best consumed with a breakfast burrito.
March 20, 2026
Another hilarious romp, this one featuring Phil and Paul. They were on the outs when Phil disappears. Paul and Bridgett come to the rescue and Paul disappears. Phil's uncle had double crossed a very rich, very evil man and Phil is tasked with making things right. Phil and Paul end up with neck collar bombs and 52 hours to finish what Uncle Paddy started.
This was a hoot as all of these novels have been. Laugh out loud antics and a very creative plot. I enjoyed this as much as the first two, maybe more.
This was a hoot as all of these novels have been. Laugh out loud antics and a very creative plot. I enjoyed this as much as the first two, maybe more.
March 18, 2026
In May of 2022 while teasing a Beyoncé style midnight drop, Caimh McDonnell suggested "The Bible Rewritten by Phil Nellis" as one of the options of what might be coming.
While it isn't the Gospel of Phil, that we got the Gospels Stolen by Phil (and Paul) less than 4 years later is a testament to the pure work ethic of Caimh and the total delight of these books.
So much fun.
Caimh's New Tina Count: No Tinas (or Ford Cortinas), but still brilliant.
While it isn't the Gospel of Phil, that we got the Gospels Stolen by Phil (and Paul) less than 4 years later is a testament to the pure work ethic of Caimh and the total delight of these books.
So much fun.
Caimh's New Tina Count: No Tinas (or Ford Cortinas), but still brilliant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2026
Amazing
I laughed/smirked/smiled on every page. Not sure how Caimh McDonnell is able to do this to his readers. The dialogue and asides and little backstories are amazing. Hilarious does not begin to adequately describe what I have just read. Looking forward to the next MCM investigations and/or Bunny and/or Deccie. It doesn’t matter which as they have all been ridiculously entertaining and takes one’s mind off the real world.
I laughed/smirked/smiled on every page. Not sure how Caimh McDonnell is able to do this to his readers. The dialogue and asides and little backstories are amazing. Hilarious does not begin to adequately describe what I have just read. Looking forward to the next MCM investigations and/or Bunny and/or Deccie. It doesn’t matter which as they have all been ridiculously entertaining and takes one’s mind off the real world.
March 25, 2026
The very lovely duo that are Team McFori deliver again, with no sign of letting up.
Loved this. Read in a day whilst poorly on the sofa on Sunday.
Only criticism, my pal Caimh committed a grave Blasphemy. And I don't mean the whole chapter having the monks from the time of the Book of Kells speaking like modern wankers; I mean the line "Tiramisu is a shite dessert"!
How dare you mate! 😂
Keep 'er lit [erary]🇮🇪
BPC.
Loved this. Read in a day whilst poorly on the sofa on Sunday.
Only criticism, my pal Caimh committed a grave Blasphemy. And I don't mean the whole chapter having the monks from the time of the Book of Kells speaking like modern wankers; I mean the line "Tiramisu is a shite dessert"!
How dare you mate! 😂
Keep 'er lit [erary]🇮🇪
BPC.
March 22, 2026
frantic and complicated!
Everyone’s personality is on full display and a genius plot that takes you on a swirling journey! The improbable is probable in the MCM investigations world!
Everyone’s personality is on full display and a genius plot that takes you on a swirling journey! The improbable is probable in the MCM investigations world!
March 24, 2026
Another wild ride with Paul and the team. Kinda guessed the end but it didn't detract from and great read. A mad plot started by Paddy Nellis which get Phil into real trouble....yeah, just read it, it bloody brilliant!
March 24, 2026
Classic Ciamh chaos; the zany storytelling we all love is in full force. I had the final twist figured out early, but the journey there was an absolute blast. Perfect pick if you’re in need of a good laugh.
March 17, 2026
laugh out loud funny
I read this in one sitting, and laughed out loud several times while gasping in shock a few times too!
I read this in one sitting, and laughed out loud several times while gasping in shock a few times too!
March 21, 2026
Another great read
I love the humour in these books. The characters care about each other and the situations they get into while outlandish, are great fun
I love the humour in these books. The characters care about each other and the situations they get into while outlandish, are great fun
March 24, 2026
just love his books
Well written, full of humour, great characters throughout, cover story line…….Caimh never disappoints and can’t wait for the next one.
Well written, full of humour, great characters throughout, cover story line…….Caimh never disappoints and can’t wait for the next one.
March 24, 2026
MCM books are always fun. Best part—Bunny free except for a couple of mentions.
March 25, 2026
Bloody genius as always. I do love Phil, he's hysterical.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews