Order of Bartholomew Gill Books

Mark McGarrity (1943-2002) crafted compelling mystery fiction under the pseudonym Bartholomew Gill, creating the beloved Peter McGarr detective series that captivated readers for decades. A Massachusetts native from Holyoke, McGarrity brought impressive academic credentials to his writing, holding degrees from Brown University and Trinity College in Dublin, where he earned his Master's.

His passion for outdoor pursuits extended beyond his novels, as he regularly penned columns and articles exploring outdoor themes and adventures. This love of nature often enriched the atmospheric settings that became a hallmark of his fiction.

McGarrity launched his publishing career in 1977 with McGarr and the Politician's Wife, introducing readers to his Irish detective protagonist. While most of his work appeared under the Gill pseudonym, he also published A Passing Advantage and White Rush, Green Fire under his real name.

The Peter McGarr mysteries frequently appeared with alternate titles, with several books known by both their original names and "Death of an Irish..." variants. McGarr and the Politician's Wife also circulated as The Death of an Irish Politician, while other series entries carried similar dual titles, including The Death of an Irish Consul, The Death of an Irish Lass, and The Death of an Irish Tradition.

In The Death of an Irish Consul, the series' second installment, Chief Inspector McGarr ventures beyond Ireland's borders when two former British intelligence chiefs are murdered on Irish territory. Tasked with protecting the current S.I.S. head Sir Colin Cummings during a trip to Italy, McGarr finds himself navigating a complex web of international intrigue involving former spies, political agitators, and powerful industrialists across multiple countries.