Jim Loughran graduated in 1976 from Queen’s University Belfast with an Honours Degree in French and Spanish. He spent a year in Paris and the following year completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Education. After two years teaching French in Belfast and 10 years working for one of Dublin’s leading advertising agencies he joined Amnesty International where he was Head of Media and Communications for 15 years. He was then head hunted to join Front Line Defenders, a newly established Irish based human rights organisation working on the security and protection of human rights defenders, as Head of Communications.
Since retiring, Jim has turned his attention to creative writing with a focus on historical fiction. His first appearance in print was ‘Ill Met by Moonlight’ a gothic vampire story published as part of ‘These Dark Things’ an anthology of gothic fiction published by Briar Press, New York.
His first full length novel, ‘The Bratinsky Affair,’ was published by Sharpe Books in 2025. According to one critic, The Bratinsky Affair is, “an impressive debut offering historical context, taut suspense, and flawed but believable characters. If you enjoy geopolitical mysteries, historical thrillers and intergenerational dramas, you will not be disappointed.” – Review Tales
His new book, ‘Syracuse Will Burn, also published by Sharpe Books, is out now.
413BC and the Greek city of Syracuse is fighting for its life against the might of Athens.
Timon, a thirteen-year-old miller’s son, makes the disturbing discovery that his premonitions have a habit of coming true.
When his vision warns of the imminent attack by the Athenian fleet, he becomes the boy who heard the voice of the god. His warning saves the city, but brings him and his seer’s gift into the brutal power struggle within Syracuse.
It is now 407BC, and Syracuse faces an existential threat as the Greek cities of Sicily fall like dominoes before the Carthaginian advance. But which is the greater danger, the threat of Carthaginian troops outside the walls, or the rising power of the ruthless and ambitious Dionysius, within?
As Timon investigates the murder of his mentor, General Hermocrates, he must use his instincts to find out who he can he trust? He follows the thread of evidence from the brothels of Syracuse to the councils of the rich and powerful. Step by step he is drawn into the heart of a dangerous conspiracy.
It is only when he learns to trust his own insights that Timon comes face to face with the killer.
‘Syracuse Will Burn’ has been described by one critic as, “simply breathtaking.”
