Death of a Novice

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

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August 1, 2017
Set in the 1920s in teeming, tumultuous Cork, Ireland, where Republicans continue to wage a bloody war against the government, Harrison's latest continues her successful Irish historical mystery series featuring Reverend Mother Aquinas. When the Reverend Mother learns that Father Dominic, the gentlest of religious men and the brother of the Reverend Mother's childhood friend, has been brutally murdered, she's determined to use every one of her diverse contactsfrom former pupils to doctors to policemen and even members of the Republican Armyto find out who killed him. There are plenty of puzzling clues: a mysterious woman spotted hovering near but never entering Father Dominic's confessional booth, a young boy who claims he's seen a treasure house of gold and silver underneath the city, an earlier sighting of Father Dominic in a pricey local antiques shop, and a local musical group that may have been cover for a much darker purpose. Fine historical ambience, well-drawn characters, a twist-filled plot, and a surprising conclusion make this one a good choice for all crime collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

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.)