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General Discussion => Welcome and General Discussion => Topic started by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 01:22:12 pm

Title: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 01:22:12 pm
Happy Leap Day! As we transition from February into March, we leave our cozy feature behind (only chronologically - feel free to post on that thread as long as you want) and head into the month of clover and leprechauns. We started talking about this on the cozy thread, so I'll retrieve some of those comments and share them here.

Rather than stick to a St. Patrick's Day focus, I think we can extend the scope of this feature to include mysteries set in and around Scotland as well as Ireland, and even Wales. The feature is an excuse for us to talk about some of our favorite books and authors, so go ahead and dive in with your recommendations. If you are an author of books set in these parts, please tell us about yourself and your books.

I didn't plan this, but I just started THE LOCH NESS PAPERS by Paige Shelton, which fits in nicely. I have a couple shelves of Loch Ness related books, so I was excited to come across this title.

The next few comments/posts will be copied and pasted from the cozy thread, where we kick-started this feature several weeks ago.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 01:23:07 pm
From JRob: Well, we can't forget about Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy series which does start in Ireland but is mostly set in turn of the century (or thereabouts) New York. It is the first series I read that was tied to Ireland and it is fantastic. I got to meet her at a signing and she signed my copy of the first book in the series!

I'm not sure I know of any other series/books tied to Ireland but not actually set there. At least not off the top of my head. I've never had to go looking for that kind of thematic narrative before.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 01:24:31 pm
From me (your moderator):

Jumping ahead to March, some of the books and authors that come to mind (in addition to the authors already mentioned in a previous post):

Tana French's Dublin Murder squad books: http://tanafrench.com/books.html

Stuart Neville's THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/ghosts-belfast

Ken Bruen's THE GUARDS https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/298920.The_Guards

Dervla McTiernan's THE RUIN and THE SCHOLAR

Benjamin Black's Quirke series

Sheila Connolly's County Cork series

Erin Hart's Nora Gavin/Cormac Maguire series

Paul Murray's SKIPPY DIES https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/books/review/Kois-t.html

Colin Bateman's DIVORCING JACK https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-55970-310-9

Adrian McKinty's Detective Sean Duffy series

John Banville's THE BOOK OF EVIDENCE

Cora Harrison's A SECRET AND UNLAWFUL KILLING https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-312-37268-2

Bartholomew Gill's Peter McGarr mysteries https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/bartholomew-gill/
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 01:28:01 pm
From JRob: I started reading the Carlene O'Connor novel Murder In An Irish Pub. I won a copy of it on Goodreads and now that it showed up in the mail, I finally got to start reading it.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 01:34:24 pm
This book was very hard to find for a long time, but now it's available digitally I think it is now also available in print form again. I love it because it is so quirky - if you read the reviews people either love it or hate it. I don't want to give the ending away, but believe me when I say she breaks a lot of the "rules" of mystery.

https://openroadmedia.com/ebook/Fear-by-Night/9781504033503

https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/fear-by-night/author/patricia-wentworth/first-edition/
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 02:12:28 pm
Mary Stewart is one of my favorite authors, and has been since I was a teenager in the Sixties. I think one of her creepiest books is WILDFIRE AT MIDNIGHT: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GW4OZIQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i8

While looking for reviews of this book, I found a wonderful article about Mary Stewart from Mystery Scene magazine, written by Katherine Hall Page: https://mysteryscenemag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2354:mary-stewart-teller-of-tales&catid=38:profile&Itemid=191

Josephine Tey wrote wonderful mysteries and her life was as mysterious as her books: https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/09/josephine-tey-mystery-novelist

Her book THE SINGING SANDS was published posthumously, with her detective being sent to Scotland for his health: https://www.amazon.com/Singing-Sands-Josephine-Tey/dp/0684818922/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=josephine+tey&qid=1583013851&sr=8-6

Loucinda McGary's THE WILD SIGHT combines mystery, romance and the paranormal.
A Booklist review shared on Amazon describes it:
"Haunted by visions of Druid priests and Celtic warriors, Donovan O’Shea left home in Northern Ireland and immigrated to America. With his father ill, he returns to help sell the family property and pub, and now, to his dismay, the “sight” has returned. He inherited the talent from his long-lost mother, who told him to keep it a secret, and he has. He is soon involved in the archaeological excavation on his family’s land and meets American Rylie Powell. Her father walked out on the family when she was a toddler, and she now believes that Donovan’s father is also hers. Donovan knows in his heart this cannot be true as the attraction between them is palpable. In between checking out DNA tests and family histories. the two become involved with murders past and present stemming from the Troubles, a quest that requires Donovan’s gift. Northern Ireland’s violent past combined with supernatural elements add an intriguing twist to this modern love story. --Patty Engelmann"

Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 02:21:18 pm
If it's atmosphere you want, you can't go wrong with Erin Hart's books: https://www.erinhart.com/books.php
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 02:25:00 pm
I'm surprised Bartholomew Gill isn't better known. I have read several of his books and enjoyed them all. I'm always on the lookout for more! https://www.fictiondb.com/author/bartholomew-gill~series~a-peter-mcgarr-mystery~1454.htm
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Brian on February 29, 2020, 02:27:03 pm
I never miss a chance to talk about John Dickson Carr, and his The Case of the Constant Suicides is a Scotland mystery.

It takes place in the Highland castle of the Campbells, has some of the best drinking scenes in mystery fiction, and features two of Carr's best practical locked room problems. (I wonder if later in life, when he was running low on good problems--even re-using some--if he wished he had saved some of them up.)

Anyway, in this one it seems that anyone who stays overnight in the tower room of the castle is forced to commit suicide by hurling themself out the window. The room is locked from the inside each time, and completely inaccessible. The second problem has an apparent suicide-by-hanging-which-is-really-murder in a cabin on the castle grounds with both door and window locked from the inside.

Carr changes the mood from serious to humourous at will, there's a screwball romance, and the murderer is well-hidden. Even Barzun and Taylor, Carr's harshest critics, enjoyed it. What more could a mystery reader want?

Brian
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 03:02:03 pm
I never miss a chance to talk about John Dickson Carr, and his The Case of the Constant Suicides is a Scotland mystery.

It takes place in the Highland castle of the Campbells, has some of the best drinking scenes in mystery fiction, and features two of Carr's best practical locked room problems. (I wonder if later in life, when he was running low on good problems--even re-using some--if he wished he had saved some of them up.)

Anyway, in this one it seems that anyone who stays overnight in the tower room of the castle is forced to commit suicide by hurling themself out the window. The room is locked from the inside each time, and completely inaccessible. The second problem has an apparent suicide-by-hanging-which-is-really-murder in a cabin on the castle grounds with both door and window locked from the inside.

Carr changes the mood from serious to humourous at will, there's a screwball romance, and the murderer is well-hidden. Even Barzun and Taylor, Carr's harshest critics, enjoyed it. What more could a mystery reader want?

Brian

I've read a lot of Carr books but not this one - I'm terrible with titles, but THE CASE OF THE CONSTANT SUICIDES would definitely stick with me.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on February 29, 2020, 05:39:05 pm
By the way, I finished that Carlene O'Connor book and it was superb.

Also, I just picked up the THE LOCH NESS PAPERS by Paige Shelton today.

There's a dark thriller (serial killer I believe or at least a stone cold killer) called Little Bird by Sharon Dempsey. I heard about from reading a panel blurb that was taking place at a book festival in Boston last year. I read up on the book and it does sound right up my alley.

I also picked up the first book in the new Dublin Driver cozy series called DEAD IN DUBLIN. The author is Catie Murphy.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on February 29, 2020, 06:55:29 pm
I now keep a notepad next to my computer so I can keep a running list of the authors you all recommend. I read pretty fast normally but I'm going to have to up my game or I'll never make a dent in the dangerous TBR pile. I mean, I never make much of a dent in it, but it is really scaling the heights these days!
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 01, 2020, 04:11:25 pm
From JRob: I started reading the Carlene O'Connor novel Murder In An Irish Pub. I won a copy of it on Goodreads and now that it showed up in the mail, I finally got to start reading it.

JRob - I went to a local Barnes & Noble today, armed with my list of authors you and others here have recommended. There is more selection online, but I try to support brick-and-mortar bookstores whenever I can. I found two books that fit in with our March feature: MURDER IN AN IRISH VILLAGE by Carlene O'Connor and THE HUNTING PARTY by Lucy Foley (a new release).

At the moment I'm going back and forth between two books - I try not to do this, but sometimes while flipping through books in my TBR pile, I find myself trapped in a story. So I'm still reading Paige Shelton's Loch Ness cozy, but I'm also reading M.L. Longworth's Death at the Chateau Bremont. I really like the way both of these authors write. I didn't have any luck finding more of their books or more Jane Langton books, but I know I can find more online. Now I just have to shut out the world and READ.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on March 01, 2020, 08:01:58 pm
I think you are going to love the Carlene O'Connor series!
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 02, 2020, 05:33:15 pm
I found more recommendations that fit with our March feature:

https://www.booklistreader.com/2018/05/10/books-and-authors/the-celtic-cozies-are-coming/

https://www.cozy-mystery.com/blog/scotland-cozy-mystery-books-with-a-scottish-theme.html

https://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/crime-novels-set-in-scotland-scottish-crime-writers/

https://wayfaringviews.com/airplane-reading-books-set-in-scotland-inspire-inform-travels/

https://www.mysterytribune.com/10-hot-new-crime-thrillers-set-scotland/

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbookshop/usbs-fictioncrime.html
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on March 05, 2020, 06:35:45 pm
That's a lot of reading to check out. The library will be getting a workout from me.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 05, 2020, 07:22:56 pm
I'm kind of afraid to go to the library right now. My recent visit to Barnes & Noble has made me itchy to read the new books I bought there.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 08, 2020, 09:03:51 pm
What is it that draws you to books set in Ireland and Scotland?

I've never been to Ireland, but my parents had been there several times and loved it. My sister-in-law was born in Scotland and still has family there. She and my brother have been there several times, too. My husband and I have been to Scotland once, when we were living in London and living on a pittance. When we learned about a British Rail special - an overnight train from London to Edinburgh, including admission to the Edinburgh Tattoo for just 3 pounds each (less than $10), we jumped at the chance. It wasn't exactly comfortable on the train but we were very glad we took that opportunity to see Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars Bobby, and the Firth of Forth. Someday I'd like to visit Loch Ness and Loch Morar. I have a friend in Scotland, and it would be great to visit him one day. I should probably start buying lottery tickets!

Have any of you been to Scotland and/or Ireland? What were your favorite things?
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 08, 2020, 11:48:28 pm
I found more recommendations that fit with our March feature:

https://www.booklistreader.com/2018/05/10/books-and-authors/the-celtic-cozies-are-coming/

https://www.cozy-mystery.com/blog/scotland-cozy-mystery-books-with-a-scottish-theme.html

https://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/crime-novels-set-in-scotland-scottish-crime-writers/

https://wayfaringviews.com/airplane-reading-books-set-in-scotland-inspire-inform-travels/

https://www.mysterytribune.com/10-hot-new-crime-thrillers-set-scotland/

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbookshop/usbs-fictioncrime.html

And here's another:

https://www.krlnews.com/2020/03/fatal-roots-by-sheila-connolly.html?fbclid=IwAR2zceJA7kxN9PscHIFbcfJpi6ewVHBFF0TxczOtfD7jwRJWPFdD49E1kxs
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on March 09, 2020, 03:54:38 am
I think what draws me is the fact that I'm of Irish descent. It seems kind of a lame reason but growing up the Irish part of my ancestry was played up.

I've never been to Ireland or Scotland but those are two of the very few places I'd like to visit if I could someday.

And I love the Sheila Connolly series.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 09, 2020, 06:05:40 pm
I think what draws me is the fact that I'm of Irish descent. It seems kind of a lame reason but growing up the Irish part of my ancestry was played up.

I've never been to Ireland or Scotland but those are two of the very few places I'd like to visit if I could someday.

And I love the Sheila Connolly series.

There are a lot of redheads in my family (mine used to be red) and people always assumed we were Irish. My parents didn't think we had any Irish connections. Then I got a hold of a journal my great-grandfather wrote, and he described his wife as being "Scots-Irish." For about 10 years, I became a genealogy detective. I found Irish connections on both my mom's side and my dad's side of the family. We're primarily English and French, and according to a DNA search, there is a small percentage of Scandinavian in my family tree, too. I haven't pinned that line down yet - I'm kind of dubious about it.

Anyway, I totally understand why you would be intrigued about Ireland because of family ties. Very cool!
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Denise on March 12, 2020, 02:38:15 am
I'm half Irish. When I was twelve, my family traveled to Europe, and our first stop was in Ireland, where we rented a car and drove around. I don't remember seeing many sites, except the Waterford factory, and a convent, I think. We first stayed in Adare, in a hotel where Teddy Kennedy had stayed, and where I was bitten by a dog. Two small dogs were let out of a room, ran down the hall, and one immediately bit me in the ankle! I had to see a doctor. The owner of the dogs was a senile "Sir Timothy", and couldn't remember if they had had their rabies shots. Luckily, I survived! Then we spent a couple of days at the Great Western Hotel in Killarney, and after that, drove around the Ring of Kerry and stayed there for a night (I think Teddy had stayed there, too).

I don't think I have any Irish mysteries, but I do have a number of books of Irish fairy tales and legends, and ghosts.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on March 12, 2020, 03:52:02 am
Denise, I have just one book of Irish fairy tales and legends. I actually bought it to give someone as a Christmas present but ended up giving them something else instead after I forgot that I had bought the book for them.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 12, 2020, 06:47:49 pm
I'm half Irish. When I was twelve, my family traveled to Europe, and our first stop was in Ireland, where we rented a car and drove around. I don't remember seeing many sites, except the Waterford factory, and a convent, I think. We first stayed in Adare, in a hotel where Teddy Kennedy had stayed, and where I was bitten by a dog. Two small dogs were let out of a room, ran down the hall, and one immediately bit me in the ankle! I had to see a doctor. The owner of the dogs was a senile "Sir Timothy", and couldn't remember if they had had their rabies shots. Luckily, I survived! Then we spent a couple of days at the Great Western Hotel in Killarney, and after that, drove around the Ring of Kerry and stayed there for a night (I think Teddy had stayed there, too).

I don't think I have any Irish mysteries, but I do have a number of books of Irish fairy tales and legends, and ghosts.

You had quite an adventure - thank goodness you didn't have to get rabies shots! I think they have a simple method of vaccinating for rabies now, but it was horrific back in the day!
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Denise on March 14, 2020, 10:38:10 pm
Denise, I have just one book of Irish fairy tales and legends. I actually bought it to give someone as a Christmas present but ended up giving them something else instead after I forgot that I had bought the book for them.

Did you end up reading it yourself? I have one edited by Yeats, and I think another has illustrations by Rackham.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on March 15, 2020, 07:59:48 am
Denise, I have just one book of Irish fairy tales and legends. I actually bought it to give someone as a Christmas present but ended up giving them something else instead after I forgot that I had bought the book for them.

Did you end up reading it yourself? I have one edited by Yeats, and I think another has illustrations by Rackham.

I haven't read it myself. I'm always too busy with my mysteries and murders. :D
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 21, 2020, 07:44:03 pm
I went off-topic briefly and read Sarah Addison Allen's FIRST FROST yesterday; it's sort of a sequel to her best-seller, GARDEN SPELLS.
I loved it, but today I'm back to mysteries.

I'm reading a vintage mystery set in Scotland, with lots of atmosphere and a quirky cast of characters. The book is John Dickson Carr's THE CONSTANT SUICIDES - a Dr. Gideon Fell book. It's a locked room mystery published in 1941. I'm really enjoying it!

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1419648.The_Case_of_the_Constant_Suicides
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 23, 2020, 02:17:33 am
I went off-topic briefly and read Sarah Addison Allen's FIRST FROST yesterday; it's sort of a sequel to her best-seller, GARDEN SPELLS.
I loved it, but today I'm back to mysteries.

I'm reading a vintage mystery set in Scotland, with lots of atmosphere and a quirky cast of characters. The book is John Dickson Carr's THE CONSTANT SUICIDES - a Dr. Gideon Fell book. It's a locked room mystery published in 1941. I'm really enjoying it!

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1419648.The_Case_of_the_Constant_Suicides

I enjoyed THE CONSTANT SUICIDES - it has some silly scenes, drunken shenanigans and an "opposites attract" light romance, but the solution was interesting and the locked room aspects were well thought-out. Brian - I'm assuming this is already in your locked room compendium. Not an all-time favorite but worth a read.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on March 23, 2020, 03:45:58 am
I've got few Irish or Scottish-themed books in my TBR pile that I was hoping to get around to reading this month, but it has been a total failure on my part in that regard.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 23, 2020, 02:36:46 pm
I've got few Irish or Scottish-themed books in my TBR pile that I was hoping to get around to reading this month, but it has been a total failure on my part in that regard.

I have at least 3 more in my pile, too. I'm just starting Molly MacRae's SCONES AND SCOUNDRELS. It's been in my TBR pile for awhile, and I'm in the mood for it today. I'm hoping to read one or more Scottish/Irish mystery before the end of the month.

But once we start these features, we don't have to cut them off just because we come to the end of the month. If you come across a good book that fits with any of our features, come back and tell us about it.

People who are new to the forum are welcome to add to any thread at any time.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on March 23, 2020, 04:29:27 pm
Sounds like a plan.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 25, 2020, 04:27:21 pm
I've got few Irish or Scottish-themed books in my TBR pile that I was hoping to get around to reading this month, but it has been a total failure on my part in that regard.

I have at least 3 more in my pile, too. I'm just starting Molly MacRae's SCONES AND SCOUNDRELS. It's been in my TBR pile for awhile, and I'm in the mood for it today. I'm hoping to read one or more Scottish/Irish mystery before the end of the month.

But once we start these features, we don't have to cut them off just because we come to the end of the month. If you come across a good book that fits with any of our features, come back and tell us about it.

People who are new to the forum are welcome to add to any thread at any time.

As I started reading this, I thought it was very familiar. After reading about 50 pages, I started going through my bookcase. Sure enough, I already have it - and had already read it. I wish I was better at remembering titles!

I also miss Shelfari!
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on March 26, 2020, 09:33:03 am
I haven't had many instances where I started reading a book and realized that I've already read it before.

I keep a list of what I've read by authors so if it is on the list, I know I've already read it.

These days I have very little chance to re-read stuff so that helps cut down on any mistakes on my part.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 27, 2020, 04:24:55 pm
I haven't had many instances where I started reading a book and realized that I've already read it before.

I keep a list of what I've read by authors so if it is on the list, I know I've already read it.

These days I have very little chance to re-read stuff so that helps cut down on any mistakes on my part.

This has happened to me many times. And since I buy new and used books, I also end up with duplicates on my shelves more than I would like. I used to keep track of the books I've read at Barnes & Noble, until they shut that site down. After that I spent a long time creating an account on Shelfari and making it as comprehensive as possible. It was VERY frustrating when that site shut down. I need to come up with my own personal book-tracking database but I haven't done that yet.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on March 27, 2020, 04:31:17 pm
I've been trying to read as many of the books in my to-be-read pile that fit in with our March feature. I just finished MURDER IN AN IRISH VILLAGE by Carlene O'Connor. There are several other books in this series and I think I might have a couple of them around here someplace.

I'm glad there is a pronunciation guide as well as a glossary at the front of the book. I know how to pronounce some Irish names but there are a lot more where I haven't got a clue. It slowed me down a little to have to mentally stop and remind myself how some of the names in this book were pronounced. Normally I have to check with friends in England - their son married an Irish girl and their grandchildren have VERY Irish names. They are my go-to translators!

My parents had very good friends named O'Mahoney (pronounced Oh-MA-hunny) and the whole family also had very Irish names. They were my first introduction to Irish pronunciations.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on March 27, 2020, 05:54:12 pm
I've been trying to read as many of the books in my to-be-read pile that fit in with our March feature. I just finished MURDER IN AN IRISH VILLAGE by Carlene O'Connor. There are several other books in this series and I think I might have a couple of them around here someplace.

I'm glad there is a pronunciation guide as well as a glossary at the front of the book. I know how to pronounce some Irish names but there are a lot more where I haven't got a clue. It slowed me down a little to have to mentally stop and remind myself how some of the names in this book were pronounced. Normally I have to check with friends in England - their son married an Irish girl and their grandchildren have VERY Irish names. They are my go-to translators!

My parents had very good friends named O'Mahoney (pronounced Oh-MA-hunny) and the whole family also had very Irish names. They were my first introduction to Irish pronunciations.

That's a great book and series. One of my favorites. I recently read MURDER IN AN IRISH PUB, the most recent one to come out in paperback and it was another winning read.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Hannah Adams on April 02, 2020, 01:26:24 am
I've read all of Tana French's books.  I especially liked The Witch Elm and Faithful Place. I've never been to Ireland but it would be fun to visit if I ever strike it rich.

I also like Nora Roberts, especially her Irish books. I like Josephine Tey's books with the detective Alan Grant. I remember I liked The Singing Sands a lot.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on April 02, 2020, 05:42:48 am
I've read all of Tana French's books.  I especially liked The Witch Elm and Faithful Place. I've never been to Ireland but it would be fun to visit if I ever strike it rich.

I haven't read any of Tana French's books. Did you watch the Dublin Murder Squad series they made for the Starz channel? They are doing a free preview of the network on my cable system this week and I was thinking of checking it out.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Hannah Adams on April 02, 2020, 07:14:47 pm
I've read all of Tana French's books.  I especially liked The Witch Elm and Faithful Place. I've never been to Ireland but it would be fun to visit if I ever strike it rich.

I haven't read any of Tana French's books. Did you watch the Dublin Murder Squad series they made for the Starz channel? They are doing a free preview of the network on my cable system this week and I was thinking of checking it out.

I watched the first couple episodes but didn't like it enough to follow the whole season.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: JRob on April 02, 2020, 08:15:46 pm

I watched the first couple episodes but didn't like it enough to follow the whole season.

Thanks for the information.
Title: Re: March Feature: Mysteries in or about Ireland (and Scotland, too)
Post by: Becke Davis on April 06, 2020, 03:44:19 pm
I've read all of Tana French's books.  I especially liked The Witch Elm and Faithful Place. I've never been to Ireland but it would be fun to visit if I ever strike it rich.

I also like Nora Roberts, especially her Irish books. I like Josephine Tey's books with the detective Alan Grant. I remember I liked The Singing Sands a lot.

My favorite is probably her most famous, IN THE WOODS. THE SECRET PLACE is also a good one.