January 25th was a day of celebrations and a career highlight for Moville-based writer Sharon Thompson as her first book hit the shelves.

It was a happy publication day for our own Woman’s Words columnist Sharon as she released The Abandoned, a gripping crime thriller set in 1950s Dublin.

Published by Bloodhound Books UK, The Abandoned has already created much intrigue and reached Number 1 on Amazon’s Irish Crime list due to demand for pre-orders alone.

Sharon held two book signings at Farrens Newsagents in Moville yesterday to greet her fans and friends who were all eager to get a copy – or four! Sharon’s proud husband Brian and good friend Catriona McGuinness were by her side and there was a great party atmosphere as everyone toasted to her success.

Early reviews of ‘The Abandoned’ call it an ‘explosive’, ‘shocking’ and ‘fantastically gritty’ story, with much praise for Sharon’s protagonist Peggy, the hardened backstreet abortionist and brothel owner.

Sharon shared a glimpse at the plot and inspiration behind The Abandoned with DonegalWoman.ie earlier this month which you can read here: Sharon shines a light on her dark debut novel

See all the photos below from Sharon’s evening book launch at Farrens Moville:

Anne McDermott celebrating her birthday with Sharon Thompson and Emma McDermott

Clare Curran, Sharon Thompson and Laura Bonner

Sharon Thompson, Vicki May and Macey May

Margaret O’Kane, Clare Curran and Sharon Thompson

Sharon Thompson and Catriona McGuinness

Liz Norris, Kathleen Morris and Sandra McConnell

Michael Doherty, Sharon Thompson and Kay Doherty

Michelle and Kate Norris

Patricia Farren, Sharon Thompson and Dennis Farren

Sharon Thompson and Kathleen Morris

Sarah Howson-Howarth and Sharon Thompson

Sharon and Brian Thompson

Rachel McLaughlin and Sharon Thompson

Sharon Thompson, Paula McCann and Kim Banks

Want to read more of Sharon’s work? Check out her Woman’s Words column every Sunday on DonegalWoman.ie. Make a cuppa, sit back and read her archive of short stories here: http://www.donegalwoman.ie/tag/womans-words/