Murder at the Queen's Old Castle

May 21, 2018
Early in Harrison’s workmanlike fifth whodunit set in 1920s Ireland (after 2017’s A Gruesome Discovery), Reverend Mother Aquinas is devastated to find the body of 22-year-old Sister Gertrude, a promising new member of her convent, in a hen shed. When the doctor who examines Sister Gertrude deems her a victim of alcohol poisoning, the reverend mother considers that verdict ludicrous and resolves to discover the real cause of death. Meanwhile, another novice, Sister Catherine, claims that Sister Gertrude was extorting two other novitiates, who regarded Sister Gertrude as insufficiently patriotic and spoke of killing her. A prologue reveals that a ruthless Sinn Fein leader has been using two nuns to further his cause, raising the likelihood that Sister Gertrude was murdered. Harrison’s vivid recreation of the turbulent period when most of Ireland gained independence from Britain compensates for a solution that’s not up to her usual high standard. Agent: Peter Buckman, Ampersand Agency (U.K.).

Starred review from June 1, 2018

In the 1920s, the city of Cork is still torn between the Irish rebels and those who have accepted the Anglo-Irish Treaty that divided the island between British-ruled Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State. Eileen MacSweeney, who has moved on, can still be coerced into helping Sinn Fein. However, the death of a novice at St. Mary's of the Isle Convent brings Eileen to Reverend Mother. Eileen knows two other young novices who served as messengers for Sinn Fein. She and Reverend Mother wonder if Sister Gertrude was killed for political reasons. Or were the small jealousies and secrets at the convent enough to lead to murder? With a strong sense of place, this intricately plotted novel leads to an unexpected but logical denouement. VERDICT Harrison's fifth engrossing historical mystery (following A Gruesome Discovery) brings to life the turbulence and politics of 1920s Ireland. Reverend Mother will appeal to admirers of Ellis Peters's "Brother Cadfael" mysteries, while Conor Brady's fans will appreciate the Irish history.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2018
A fifth case for Reverend Mother Aquinas, of St. Mary's of the Isle Convent, strikes shockingly close to home.Newcomer Sister Gertrude's ample figure and fondness for sweets might have doomed her to health problems in her declining years if she hadn't died at 22 in the convent's hen shed. Since dealing with the deceased already plays so large a role in Reverend Mother's ministry (A Gruesome Discovery, 2018, etc.), she's able to maintain her decorum and keep her wits about her as she slowly and patiently gathers information about the circumstances leading up to the novice's death. Sister Gertrude had been ill following yesterday evening's meal, where she'd eaten exactly the same thing as Sister Bernadette, Sister Mary Immaculate, and all the rest. The cause of death was alcohol poisoning even though Sister Gertrude was dead set against drinking. Does her demise have some connection to that of her father, prosperous factory executive John Donovan, whose liver failed him only a few months ago and who left his entire estate to Gertrude's sister, Betty Kelly? Or are larger-scale forces at work here, forces that have revealed themselves most recently in the links between the Irish language lessons Sister Brigid and Sister Joan, two other novices, were taking at St. Ita's School and an explosion Sinn Féin contrived that's destroyed the considerable arsenal on Spike Island? While everyone else in 1925 Cork has the luxury of fretting over the troubled relationship between the infant Irish Free State and the hated English, Reverend Mother, with the help of former Sinn Féin member Eileen MacSweeney and Inspector Patrick Cashman, must struggle to determine how, or whether, this latest fatality fits into a larger pattern.A thin mystery with forgettable suspects and a tangled conclusion make this one of Reverend Mother's lesser efforts.

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June 1, 2018
In the latest installment of Harrison's historical series set in Ireland in the early 1900s, Reverend Mother Aquinas has plenty to worry about?the terrible poverty in Cork, the lack of money to keep her convent school operating, the poor nutrition of her pupils?without having to deal with the sudden death of novice Sister Gertrude. But what makes the matter most horrifying is that it appears Sister Gertrude may have been murdered. Why? The reverend mother enlists the aid of her good friend Dr. Scher and also asks for help from two of her former pupils: Eileen McSweeney, who left the convent school to join the Republicans but who eventually became disillusioned and moved on to a respectable job with a printing company, and Patrick Cashman, who joined the police and has worked his way up to the rank of inspector. What they discover is a twisted tale of greed, misfortune, and revenge that is both sad and tragic. An admirable heroine, vivid characters, and an inventive plot, combined with intriguing insights into life in Ireland at a crucial juncture for the Troubles, make for a captivating read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

November 1, 2018
Harrison delivers another entertaining installment in her charming historical-mystery series set in 1920s Cork, Ireland, and featuring Reverend Mother Aquinas, who has a knack for getting involved in murder cases. This time the murder victim literally lands at her feet while she's shopping in the Queen's Old Castle department store. She's come to the store at the invitation of old Joseph Fitzwilliam, the dour owner, who's agreed that Aquinas can take some of the items damaged in the recent flood for the poor children who attend the reverend mother's convent school. Shocked by the murder, she teams up with her old friend Dr. Scher and her former pupil, police Inspector Patrick Cashman, to find the killer. There are plenty of suspects, from the victim's rather odd family to the poorly paid clerks who work at the store to the young and badly treated shop apprentices. Using her powerful intellect and her intimate knowledge of the citizens of Cork, the reverend mother is the first to understand the motive behind the terrible deed. Sparkling descriptions of life in 1920s Cork and fascinating historical details combine to ably support a clever plot and an intriguing cast.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)