The dark and dirty world of parliamentary espionage is the subject of Garbhan Downey’s new book, Yours Confidentially: Letters of a Would-be MP, published by Guildhall Press on 30 March 2008.

The Derry author’s fourth novel is a comedy-thriller set against the current British and Irish political landscape. And it cements the former newspaper editor’s reputation as one of the sharpest political fiction writers on these islands.

The story centres on an independent North Derry assemblyman, out to win himself a seat in the House of Commons and some real, honest-to-God power. To do that, he’s going to have sign a Faustian pact with a murderous gangster. But in a country where everyone bugs everyone else, all the time, it can only be a matter of time before the dubious deal is exposed.

As with Downey’s Private Diary of a Suspended MLA (described by the Sunday Times as “the Northern Ireland political novel of the century”), real-live politicians are given cameo roles. And a number of them have already indicated they will be attending the launch in Bookworm, Derry, in early April, if only to ensure their right of reply.

Cover design of Yours Confidentially: Letters of a Would-be MP is by award-winning animator John McCloskey, whose film Crumblegiant was nominated for this year’s BAFTA.