Critical Mick

Reviews Free of Rules.

Reviews by the Clown that All Other Critics Want to Strangle with a Black Turtleneck

Critical Mick's Charity Auction 2009

In addition to irreverent, unruly reviews, Critical Mick is responsible for something that might actually be worthwhile...

What's the big idea?

In the past four years of unruly reviewing and author interviewing, Mick has collected a groaning bookshelf of Irish fiction and non-fiction titles signed by their authors. Starting with six well-known works, these will be auctioned into the hands of fellow book fans in March 2009, all in aid of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Why Alzheimer's? Given criticalmick.com's focus on Irish crime fiction, some worthy cause that aids victims of violence would seem more appropriate.

Alzheimer's is a killer. The illness is terminal. Before it's through, though, this sadist gradually turns every victim into a missing persons case. More than 40,000 people in Ireland are affected. It's Mick Halpin's third fondest wish to kick this murderous identity thief's ass.

Are these auctioned books first editions in mint condition?

Check out Declan Burke's essay In Praise of Pre-Loved Books. Each of these six is from my own bookshelf and has been read, but they're in good shape. Detailed photos are available for your examination: click on "Mick's Review & More Photos" in the table below.

The ebay.ie account "criticalmick" has no feedback, how do I know you're not running a scam?

I've scanned in my Letter of Authorisation from the ASI and the copy of their letter to eBay. There's also a poster and letter of thanks from a fundraiser I held in 2005. I've also found the deposit slip from the 2006 fundraiser and scanned that in. Feel free to confirm everything with Emily Brew, ASI's Fundraising Executive: contact details are on alzheimer.ie.

Who pays shipping and all that?

I'll cover costs of shipping. I've asked eBay.ie to waive all the closing fees and charges from their end. There's been no response to date.... Screw it! Let's not wait any longer, I'll cover that expense myself too if eBay won't. 100% of the winning bidder's price will go to the charity- and more (read on...).

Working in computer security, it's benumbing to learn how much action fraud goes on and how many fake charities there are. Everything done through my auctions will be done as openly and verifiably as possible.

There can only be six winners of these auctions... I don't think I'll get a chance to win and help out.

If this initial series is a success, I have plans to expand its scope. Details (fingers crossed!) to follow....

When's the next signed book being auctioned?

Links are below, too! Please click away to check it out.

Title Mick's Review & Photos Auction Link Raised Cracking Crime: Jim Donovan - Forensic Detective by Niamh O'Connor Sold 13 March 2009 €10.00 Christine Falls by Benjamin Black (John Banville) Sold 22 March 2009 €41.50 The Secret World of the Irish Male by Joseph O'Connor Sold 30 March 2009 €10.50 The Mercury Man by John Galvin Auction ended 6 Apr No takers Have Ye No Homes To Go To? by Neville Thompson Auction ended 6 Apr No takers All Summer by Claire Kilroy Auction ended 7 Apr No takers €62.00 x 2 Grand Total €124.00

Many thanks to all who helped!!!

Critical Mick says: Many thanks to all who helped. This year's auction raised €62.00, which I hope to add to by organizing a Tea Day at my workplace. I will post the results after Thursday, 7 May 2009, along with the final deposit slips and documentation regarding the matching funds.

Many Thanks, Dec and Brian! Superstars and official Grant Gents of Irish Crime fiction Declan Burke and Brian McGilloway have kindly donated signed first editions of The Big O and Bleed a River Deep to support Critical Mick's 2009 Tea Day. (It really is funny how those who write about theft and murder are always the most generous and kind people you'll ever meet....)

Update, 21 May: Final, €1205.50 deposit lodged. From a Tea Day?! Mysterious and amazing.

Please make a note to check back around March of next year for Critical Mick's Charity Auction 2010!

Yo! This shameless appeal and all content on the DFA Guide site are copyright 2009 Mick Halpin. All links to other sites and documents are copyright to whatever source wrote something cool enough for Mick to give it a referral. Try to claim them as your own work and bad karma will catch up with you, baby. Believe it.

Irate, huh? Managed to piss off another one? Direct your hatemail to mick @ mickhalpin dot com.

This Page Was Last Updated On 8 June, 2009.