Welcome to my website where I share news of my books and writing life. My new novel Before the Leaves Fall was published by Fairlight Books in October. Set in present-day Switzerland, it tells the story of Margrit and Ruedi who have come together for the most important of reasons.
The first few happenings of 2026 are confirmed. First, I am going to be a guest of the Zurich James Joyce Foundation for an author event on Friday, February 20th at 6.30pm. This outpost of Irish culture in Switzerland has been doing amazing work for years on Joyce and on literature in general. It’s an honour to be invited there and I hope I see some friendly faces in Augustinergasse next month. Full details and an email address to sign up to the event (required) at this link. The moderator is Rafaël Newman.
A week after that I will be heading to Brussels to give a writing workshop with the Wordcraft Collective. The workshop is entitled Holding it all Together: Structure in Fiction Writing. The Wordcraft Collective is a community of Brussels-based authors writing in English. They sound lovely and I’m looking forward to the workshop at 11am on Saturday, February 28th. Open to members and non-members, sign up here.
On March 5th, I’ve been invited by the Irish Business Network Switzerland to give a talk on the art of storytelling at Books Books Books in Lausanne. The event is open to all and it’s a good chance to discover the lovely new, bigger and brighter location of my favourite Swiss bookshop!
Here’s the text from the back cover of Before the Leaves Fall:
“Seeking a new purpose in life, Swiss widower Ruedi signs up to work with Depart, an assisted dying organisation. His role is to spend time with those who have sought out Depart’s services, acting as a guide and companion in their final weeks.
Margrit, his crotchety first client, wants only to get on with things. Marking time in a care home, with poor health weighing down on her, she has decided it’s time to go. Her family are upset by her choice, but she is determined. By the end of the summer, she’ll have left the world behind – and on her own terms.
Yet when she and Ruedi realise their paths have crossed once before, an unexpected bond forms. One that will illuminate both their lives.”
If you ask me what the book is about beyond the story, the answer changes all the time. I could say it’s about relationships and regrets. Or that it’s about the things we hide and how small steps can lead us astray in life. It’s also about the magic of human connection and making up for lost time.
Those who’ve read Voting Day (set in 1959) will recognise the two main characters but Before the Leaves Fall is a stand-alone novel.
I hope that readers will identify with these characters and take them to their hearts. I’m excited to find out what you all think! If you do enjoy the book, don’t forget to tell your friends or post a review online.
Clare O'Dea 