Book Review: Irish Cream

Reviewed By: Catherine Thompson - RAM

Irish Cream     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Andrew M. Greeley
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Ethnic
Series: Nuala Anne McGrail # 8
Forge; $34.95 hardcover; 319 pages

Damian “Day” O’Sullivan is a troubled young man with a gift for painting and drawing, especially dogs and children. He blames himself for the vehicular manslaughter of his father’s business partner. So does his entire family, from his father, John Patrick O’Sullivan, on down the line. It was only by the grace of God that Day ended up with 5 years’ probation instead of 5 years in prison. Nuala Anne McGrail, with her fey sense, is certain he didn’t do it. Accompanied by her supernumerary husband and chronicler, Dermot Michael Coyne, she sets out to prove that Damian is innocent of the crime. At the same time, they examine the nineteen-century diary of Father Richard Lonigan, who records a time in Ireland between the Famine and the Land League Wars. His writings, too, contain a mystery, which Nuala Anne decides must be solved as well.

I adore Nuala Anne and Dermot. Occasionally, Greeley has stumbled in his Nuala Anne mysteries, but this time, he’s right on track. He paints a portrait of an incredibly dysfunctional family, in which everyone must believe that they are Irish cream, floating on top of the regular scum. Everyone, that is, except young Day, who is the designated family scapegoat.

Once again, Father Greeley impresses me with his knowledge of marriage and families. Surely, there’s a special place for a priest like him! His portrait of two-year-old Socra Marie Coyne is especially endearing. I’ve said many times that if Father Greeley were my parish priest, I’d go to Mass more often.

Catherine Thompson - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Catherine Thompson - RAM

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