Fun Facts Friday: Mark McGarrity

Mark McGarrity (22 July 1943 – 4 July 2002) was an American writer who wrote mysteries under the nom de plume Bartholomew Gill. Most of Mr. McGarrity’s novels featured Irish detective Peter McGarr.

Books by Mark McGarrity*
Books written as Bartholomew Gill*

Fun Facts about Mark McGarrity:

1. Mark McGarrity was born in Holyoke, MA To Hug and Cecilia McGarrity.
2. The author earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Brown University in Providence, RI, and a Master’s degree in literature from Trinity College, Dublin.
3. McGarrity used his knowledge of Irish history and his heritage to write his novels.
4. In 1996, Mark McGarrity joined the famous New Jersey newspaper, The Star-Ledger, as a staff writer. In 2000 he was made a feature writer focusing on the outdoors.
5. Bartholomew Gill, the author’s pen name, was the name of his maternal grandfather.
6. He did, however, use his real name when writing for The Star-Ledger.
7. According to Mr. McGarrity, he chose his nom de plume because his grandfather “was a great storyteller”.
8. Mark McGarrity wrote five novels, and several nonfiction works under his real name.
9. McGarrity died in Morristown, NJ from a fall he sustained in his home. It is thought he tried to enter his home by climbing through a window, after forgetting his keys.
10. His gravestone identifies Marc McGarrity by his real name and pen name.

Books by Mark McGarrity*
Books written as Bartholomew Gill*

Zohar — Man of la Book
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account, the money is usually spent on books