Eoin McNamee was born in Kilkeel, Co. Down, in 1961, and educated at TCD. His first book, a novella entitled The Last of the Deeds, was shortlisted for The Irish Times Irish Fiction Prize. His novel Resurrection Man (1994), about the Shankill Butchers, was made into a film for which he also wrote the screenplay. He has written a volume of poetry entitled The Language of the Birds. Today's extract is from his latest novel, The Blue Tango (Faber, £10.99 in UK). Eoin McNamee lives in Sligo with his wife and family.