Reviewed
by: BigAl
Genre:
Thriller/Suspense
Approximate
word count: 80-85,000
words
Availability
Click
on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes &
Noble, or Smashwords store
Author:
An
attorney and former politician (he served three terms in the
Massachusetts Legislature), Pete Morin lives on the coast south of
Boston. When he isn’t writing or working in his law practice,
you’ll sometimes find Morin hanging out with his guitar in Boston’s
blues bars. Morin has one previous novel, Diary
of a Small Fish, plus the
former collaboration in this series with O'Leary, and a short story
collection, also available. For more, visit his website.
A
native of Sweden, Susanne O’Leary has spent most of her adult life
as a globetrotter, moving from country to country with her husband, a
former Irish diplomat. They’ve now settled in Ireland where O’Leary
writes in many genres including chick-lit, women’s fiction (both
historical and contemporary), mystery, and now thrillers. For more,
visit O’Leary’s blog.
Description:
“When
an immigrant Irish roofer plummets to his death from a South Boston
building, lawyer Paul Forte steps in to settle the man’s presumably
meager estate as a favor to his friend, Dublin reporter Finola McGee.
A routine probate matter, he thought, until he discovers the
penthouse condo, the top-of-the-line Harley and credit card
statements reflecting a fondness for Las Vegas.
In
Ireland, Finola’s human interest story about the tragedy prompts
several Irish widows to inform her of similar accidents in the
States. In each case, the laborers had been beneficiaries of CRAIC,
an Irish 'charity' run by ex-politician Finbarr Murphy; their lives
had been insured for substantial amounts; and their widows did not
receive what they were due.
When
insidious political forces (and a little blackmail) impel her editor
to silence her, Finola smells another big story. She is convinced
CRAIC is another word for scam.
As
Paul and Finola team up once again to plumb the depths of Irish
treachery, secrets are divulged, privileges violated, punches thrown,
loyalties shredded and bombs ignited; but it takes a meddling amateur
to unmask the saboteur.”
Appraisal:
Once
again, Boston attorney Paul Forte and Dublin reporter Finola McGee
team up to get to the bottom of a cross-Atlantic crime. As with Full
Irish, the first book in
the series, this was a fun read. The scam Paul and Finola investigate
seems plausible with tension increasing as they uncover the details
of exactly what is going on.
One
aspect of this series, setting it apart from a run-of-the-mill
mystery or thriller, is the differences between the US and Ireland.
These are an integral part of the story, giving these books a unique
feel and perspective.
FYI:
This
is the second book in the series. Although I can see some advantage
to reading the first book before this installment for a better
understanding of the characters, I believe reading this book as a
standalone would also work.
Format/Typo
Issues:
This
review is based on a pre-release beta version. I can't judge the
final product in this area.
Rating:
***** Five Stars
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