A spellbinding story about WWII in Ireland and everyone who featured in it. Jean Grainger is a very fine historian who weaves the facts of the Irish Free State, North Ireland and it's alliances into very intriguing stories. As a descendant of Irish Free State folks, most who came to the US prior to the Anglo Irish Treaty, I still am enthralled. After all, my great grand aunts uncles and cousins lived in Cork City, Mitchelstown Cork and surrounding Tipperary and Limerick, many in 1921.
This particular story, spanning a generation, pulled South and Northern Irish as well as British, into European wars with Germany. The twins James and Juliet, in their contrasting relationship with the mother who abandoned them, had incredibly different paths through this conflict. Their father, who had fought in the earlier war in France, tried to stay neutral, as did others. He and the Cork community were their touchstones and eventually pulled them back home.
I could not put this one down, as is often the case with Jean Graingers novels. Remarkably complex, it is a must read!
Owen Archer has his work cut out for him as he is now a sort of spymaster/consultant to the Black Prince(Edward)as well as Captain of the City Bailiffs, an all encompassing title. The author describes it as a murder mystery in her notes, but it seems almost to be a political historical tale with some deaths involved.
Lucie and Owen's children are recovering from a longish illness as the story opens which is why the hours is full of healers and helpers. I felt the characters had more depth than the last episode, much more vibrant. There were a lot of subplots and much intrigue- babies being born, people falling off roofs, and watchers of ladies at the midden!
The Nevilles descending on the city for Alexander's installation as Archbishop thrown in even more political upheaval, violence and mayhem. Enjoyable if a bit confusing.
This mystery twisted and turned until the very end , which was Christmas Eve! Joe Ashworth and his daughter Jessie were on the Metro
(rapid transit in US) returning from his daughters choir concert in Newcastle Northumberland.
The train stops before the destination at Mardle dues to excessive snow. Passengers were being collected by a transit bus, but Jessie notices a nearby passenger was not moving. She runs back to "wake" the lady and then screams! This gripping tale both begins and ends with Jessie.
The murder victim,"Margaret Krukowski has been fatally stabbed. Why would anyone want to harm this reserved, elegant lady?" (Publisher blurb) The rest of the story revolves around Margaret's life on Harbor Street which had many twists and turns. Mardle a fictional town held many deep secrets and Ann Cleeves wove an impressive tale, as always!
