'Charlestown Connection' Author In Town To Promote New Book

Crime author Tom MacDonald will hold an event in Charlestown this weekend to promote his second book, “Beyond the Bridge”—a prequel to his 2011 debut novel, “The Charlestown Connection.”

Like the first book, this newest novel features character Dermot Sparhawk, a “former all-American football star at Boston College” who is on the hunt for a priest killer in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood.

“In ‘Beyond the Bridge,’ Sparhawk, a struggling alcoholic, agrees to help find the killer of an accused pedophile priest. When two more priests are slain in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood, it becomes evident that it is the work of a sadistic serial killer who crucifies his prey after killing them,” according to a book description on MacDonald’s website. “Sparhawk blazes an unconventional trail to the killer that puts him at odds with the very people he is trying to help and initiates a turf war with law enforcement.”

The book, published by Oceanview Publishing, is set for official release on Aug. 6.

The book launch, which is open to the public, will be held on Sunday, July 28 from 1-4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus hall on Medford Street. The Old Brigade will perform Irish music as part of the event.

MacDonald will be signing copies of his novels, which will be available for purchase at the event, according to a press release.

MacDonald is the director of social ministries at St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Charlestown and runs the Harvest on Vine Food Pantry.