Welcome to Aftershock, my new novel about power, ambition, and the human cost of rebuilding a nation. Historical fiction set in 18th-century Portugal, Aftershock tells the story of one of the most devastating earthquakes in recorded history, and of the man who rebuilt Lisbon from its ruins – the powerful and controversial Marquis of Pombal.
Release date: October 15th, 2025
A Historical Novel Based on Real Events
On All Souls’ Day, 1755, Lisbon was shattered by a massive earthquake, followed by a tsunami and fires that destroyed most of the city. The disaster shook not just the ground, but the very foundations of 18th-century thought.
Was it divine punishment for sin – or an act of indifferent nature?
At the heart of this crisis stood Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, later known as the Marquis of Pombal, who took control in the aftermath and led Portugal through an extraordinary transformation.
Aftershock is a novel of upheaval – geological, political, and deeply personal. Told through multiple voices, it explores what happens when the ground beneath us, literal or moral, gives way.
Inspiration
The idea for Aftershock was sparked years ago, in 2016, when I heard broadcaster Pat Kenny interview historian Mark Molesky about his book This Gulf of Fire. His vivid account of the Lisbon earthquake and its far-reaching consequences sent me down a research trail that eventually led to this novel.
As I dug deeper, I became fascinated by the powerful figures who rose from the wreckage, and by the question of how the drive to restore order can harden into authoritarianism.
Over the years, Aftershock took shape slowly – through research, travel, writing, and rewriting – and through the questions each stage uncovered.
Not Just History – A Human Story
While Aftershock is grounded in fact, it is not a textbook or biography. It’s a novel – a work of historical fiction based on real events and the actions of real people that imagines the human cost behind the headlines of history.
It asks:
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What happens when ambition, trauma, and the hunger for order collide?
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How far should a leader go to restore a broken country?
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And what happens when they go too far? How far is too far?
Advance Publicity & Media
I’m happy to share Advance Review Copies (digital) for reviewers — whether for print, online, or review platforms — and I’d be delighted to discuss the book in interviews (print, radio, podcast, etc.).
Contact:
- pr@turaspress.ie for ARC requests and interviews.
- Download the Press Kit – includes press release, cover art, author bio, and images.
- Release date: October 15, 2025
- Publisher: Turas Press
- ISBN: 9781913598594
About the Author
I’m a writer of fiction and poetry. My collections include Learning to Tango (poetry) and What to Put in a Suitcase (short stories). My first novel, Canticle, a historical novel set in 17th century Spain, was a winner in the 2016 Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair. Aftershock is my second novel.
For more about my work, visit my author page or my personal website.
Looking forward to sharing Aftershock with you!