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  • The Stranger Times

The Stranger Times

Stranger Times #1 / 6
by C. K. McDonnell
The Stranger Times (Stranger Times #1) by C. K. McDonnell
★ 8.00 / 1
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There are dark forces at work in our world (and in Manchester in particular), so thank God The Stranger Times is on hand to report them...

A weekly newspaper dedicated to the weird and the wonderful (but mostly the weird), it is the go-to publication for the unexplained and inexplicable.

At least that's their pitch. The reality is rather less auspicious. Their editor is a drunken, foul-tempered and foul-mouthed husk of a man who thinks little of the publication he edits. His staff are a ragtag group of misfits. And as for the assistant editor... well, that job is a revolving door - and it has just revolved to reveal Hannah Willis, who's got problems of her own.

When tragedy strikes in her first week on the job The Stranger Times is forced to do some serious investigating. What they discover leads to a shocking realisation: some of the stories they'd previously dismissed as nonsense are in fact terrifyingly real. Soon they come face-to-face with darker forces than they could ever have imagined.

The Stranger Times is the first novel from C.K. McDonnell, the pen name of Caimh McDonnell. It combines his distinctive dark wit with his love of the weird and wonderful to deliver a joyous celebration of how truth really can be stranger than fiction.

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MysteryUrban FantasyParanormal FantasyHumor
Release date: January 14, 2021

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C. K. McDonnell

C. K. McDonnell

C.K. McDonnell, a writer with a sharp wit and a knack for blending the quirky with the mysterious, has found his voice in genres that allow for humor and intrigue to coexist. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, McDonnell’s storytelling roots were planted in the lively and rich culture of his hometown, a place where dark humor often walks hand in hand with the bizarre. Though known for his Stranger Times series, McDonnell’s journey to the literary world was anything but typical.

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Before becoming an author, McDonnell made his mark as a stand-up comedian, performing on stages across the UK and supporting big names like Sarah Millican. His comedic background is evident in his writing, where his characters often display a dry, sarcastic sense of humor even in the most absurd or dangerous situations. It’s no surprise that his debut novel, A Man With One of Those Faces, introduces readers to a protagonist who is as deeply flawed as he is hilariously human. The book launched The Dublin Trilogy, a series praised for its masterful blend of crime fiction, dark comedy, and surprising depth.

In 2021, McDonnell took a daring leap into urban fantasy with The Stranger Times, a series that marries the mundane with the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of a peculiar newspaper reporting on strange happenings, the series has captivated readers with its unique take on paranormal intrigue and its unforgettable cast of misfit characters. The Stranger Times quickly gained recognition, with its audiobook winning Best Audio at the 2023 British Fantasy Awards. McDonnell’s ability to mix genres and create a world that feels both grounded and fantastical has made this series a standout in contemporary fantasy.

Now residing in Manchester with his wife and two dogs, McDonnell continues to write stories that entertain and challenge expectations. His writing doesn’t just ask readers to suspend disbelief—it dares them to embrace it, to lean into the absurdity, and to find the humanity lurking beneath even the strangest of circumstances. Whether you're diving into the mystery of a murder or the enigma of a supernatural event, McDonnell’s work promises an adventure where laughter is never too far behind the dark corners of his worlds.

Stranger Times

In the quirky world of The Stranger Times, reality is a bit too strange to be taken seriously. Set in Manchester, this series invites readers to follow the offbeat adventures of a ragtag group of journalists at a newspaper dedicated to covering the bizarre, unexplained, and outright weird. When new assistant editor, Hannah Willis, steps into this unpredictable newsroom, she quickly learns that reporting on ghosts, monsters, and time loops is just the tip of the iceberg.

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At its heart, The Stranger Times is a delightful blend of supernatural mystery and sharp humor. As Hannah and her colleagues tackle increasingly absurd stories—haunted toilets, mysterious disappearances, and an unsettling number of cursed objects—they uncover deeper, darker secrets that tie their fates together. What starts as an exploration of the quirky becomes a thrilling, unpredictable journey, where every odd occurrence hints at something much bigger.

The series is as much about the eccentric characters as it is about the strange phenomena they investigate. Each individual brings their own mix of skepticism, curiosity, and charm, making for a team that's equal parts dysfunctional and endearing. From the jaded editor to the quirky staff, the ensemble cast drives the story forward with witty banter and a shared sense of wonder at the inexplicable.

Rich in atmosphere, The Stranger Times is more than just a series of paranormal escapades—it's an exploration of the thin line between the ordinary and the extraordinary. With each new case, readers are drawn deeper into a world where the rules of reality are constantly being rewritten, and nothing is ever quite what it seems.

Whether you're a fan of supernatural intrigue, dark comedy, or clever twists, The Stranger Times offers an engaging, immersive experience that keeps readers on their toes, always wondering what's coming next.


Stranger Times consists of five books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

The Stranger Times (Stranger Times #1)
★ 8.00 / 1
This Charming Man (Stranger Times #2)
★ 8.00 / 1
Love Will Tear Us Apart (Stranger Times #3)
★ 8.00 / 1
Relight My Fire (Stranger Times #4)
★ 8.00 / 1
Ring the Bells (Stranger Times #5)
★ 8.00 / 1
Stranger Times Book 6 (Stranger Times #6)
⧗ 8.00 / 1


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