All Them Dogs

LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2026
'An electrifying debut' Economist
'Explosive' Observer
'One of the debuts of the year' Irish Times
'A powerful new voice in Irish literature' Guardian
'A stylish, adroit and gritty debut' Anne Enright
'A book you inhale, devour, grapple with, and reel from more than read' Marlon James
Things are different since Tony Ward landed back in town. The West Dublin gangland has changed. His old mentor is dead, and his best pal Kenny Boyle is on the straight and narrow. After five years keeping quiet across the way, Tony is keen to reinstate himself, and when the opportunity arises to work side by side with Darren 'Flute' Walsh, a top enforcer of notorious crime boss Aengus Lavelle, it feels like a no brainer. Biting off more than he can chew has never bothered Tony Ward, but Flute Walsh is not the meek, quiet boy Tony remembers from school. Brooding, stoic, and unpredictably dangerous, Tony finds himself drawn to his new associate in more ways than one. With retribution from his past actions always close in the rear view, the protection offered by Flute's standing in the gang is crucial. But how safe is Tony really, when a mutual attraction starts to complicate matters? By turns savage, thrilling and unexpectedly tender, All Them Dogs is a gripping story of violence, lust, and greed that explores one man's struggles to find his place in an unsparing world. 'Exhilarating and often frightening . . . a hugely satisfying read' Roddy Doyle
'As beautiful and tough as an uncut jewel' Colin Walsh
'A moving, fast-paced novel . . . written in prose at once glittering and tender' Sarah Moss
'Frenetic and exhilarating . . . has the energy and drama of a shoot-out' Rob Doyle

After leaving school early at age 17, Djamel White started volunteering in the Irish non-profit literary organisation Fighting Words, established by Roddy Doyle in 2009. Working there reinforced his love of writing as something worth pursuing. At 21, Djamel went on to attend University College Dublin, where he earned a BA in English and Creative Writing, followed by an MFA in Creative Writing, and was mentored by writers such as Declan Hughes, Sarah Moss and Anne Enright. He has been the recipient of a Literature Bursary Award and an Agility Award from the Arts Council of Ireland. As a child he was the only reader in the house and at 28, his debut All Them Dogs was published. He is based in Lucan, Dublin.