Irish Tiger

Nuala Anne McGrail #11

by Andrew M. Greeley

Wife, mother, lover, celebrated singer, and problem solver Nuala Anne McGrail has a tender side that she often shows to her devoted friends and family. But when those under her protection are in danger, she becomes a veritable Irish Tiger, akin to the fierce warrior women of ancient Erin. With Dermot, her loyal husband, in tow, there are few mysteries she can’t untangle.

The couple will need all their resources when they come to the aid of two loving senior citizens, whose unexpected romance has been targeted by an unknown enemy. John Patrick Donlan and Maria Angelica Connors were both grandparents when they met, and their passionate connection took them each by surprise. But Donlan’s daughters and in-laws bitterly oppose the match…and someone will stop at nothing to destroy their marriage, their thriving careers, and maybe even their lives.

More than a touch fey, Nuala senses genuine evil at work here, and so do the keen senses of her ever-present Irish wolfhounds. As the attacks grow ever more serious, it may be up to one gifted woman and a pair of retired police dogs to prevent a touching love story from ending in unspeakable tragedy.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Irish Literature, Romance, Historical Romance

315 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Andrew Greeley was a Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist, and author of 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of nonfiction. For decades, Greeley entertained readers with such popular characters as the mystery-solving priest Blackie Ryan and the fey, amateur sleuth Nuala Anne McGrail. His books typically center on Irish-American Roman Catholics living or working in Chicago.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/andrew...

Reviews

[kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am finished with this series. Tired of the perfect Nuala..

[Dee Rodden · Rating 1 out of 5]

It has been more than a decade since I read any of the Nuala novels. Either I have become a snob or the author utilized a new editor. I do not recall these novels being so difficult to get through. There were so many passages that had only two people in the conversation but I had to re-read pages in order to figure out which character was speaking which lines. The extreme absence of simple he said/she said made this a difficult read.

This was supposed to be a mystery novel but came off as an episode of Real Housewives with people spewing insults in the media and families divided over money and marriage. I found the constant talk about "marital relations" truly was from the imaginings of a priest as no real life couple would decide on love-making but pause long enough say a decade of the rosary and then have passionate physical connection.

I'm done with this author. I'm confident a better editor may have been able to salvage this into a decent vacation read but to go on for so many pages after your "mystery" is solved is just wasting the reader's time.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've truly liked the books of this series. There are some mystical elements that are a bit strange, but the characters are interesting and have mostly good morals. All in all, these are good mysteries. They are written well also although I was surprised at the level of eroticism considering the series is by a priest.
In each book,the couple solves at least one older often ancient mystery and a current-time mystery that are slightly connected as well as work through a crisis in their relationship or,in the later novels,family life.
However,in this book,there really wasn't an older or ancient mystery. There were two current mysteries although one of them had ties to an earlier time frame because the couple involved were senior citizens with complicated family histories. At any rate,it was a truly interesting novel,and I especially liked how he used several different points-of-view to tell the stories.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 2 out of 5]

When two single grandparents from the corporate world get married, some sets out to scuttle the marriage and remove them from the scene. Nuala Anne McGrail is called him to solve the problem. Father Greeley is light on the mystery and strong on the romantic elements of the story. While there are oblique reference to characters from other series of his, this one read more like a romance novel to me and is not up to his usual caliber of story telling.

[Jo Ann Curry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really like "Andrew Greeleys" books- this is the first one I have read of the Nunla Anne McGrail Novels. The Irish family life in Chicago. The Irish Tiger was what they called the wife.
Also like reading about the places in Ireland I have been to. The story was good and loved the out-come.
My favorite Greeley books are about the Irish Bishop Blackie Ryan Mysteries. All his stories are worth reading.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Father Blackie was in this one, but only had a bit part. The main character is an Irish singer who is "fey," so she helps the local law enforcement in totally implausible ways. Two other characters were a stately pair of grandparents (who would be younger than me!)

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just read some of the other Goodread reviews....and I agree with the majority...the "Nuala Ann McGrail" series is not up to par with Andrew Greeley's other novels. I'm done with the series~

[Brent M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always like Greeley's character er development, enjoy the settings as I grew up near Chicago. The fey Nuala aids in solving a mystery of who is trying to breakup a second marriage of two 'beautiful' successful people. The adventure of the intrigue and connectedness of Chicago Irish Catholics. Always an enjoyable read spiced with mild sex, surprising from a priest or ex priest.

[Christy Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light summer read: pleasant though predictable character and plot, not too much to have to think about, a bit of romance, bit of (super) light mystery. It has elements of Catholic theology running throughout, as do all of Greeley's books, but this one seemed lighter than usual on even that. I prefer the Blackie Ryan series that Greeley did for mystery, but the Nuala Anne McGrail series does have its own charm.

[Steve Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Nuala Anne McGrail mystery.

[Lynn Bingaman · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the past, I have usually really liked Andrew Greeley's books. I felt this one was short on plot and long on the bedroom scenes. I figured out the solution early on in the book.

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a romance novel with some mystery thrown in. This my first read of this author. It was okay.

[Don Baker · Rating 1 out of 5]

No!

[Greynomad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sex is the by word in this book

[Cynthia Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book which stands up well to multiple re-reads.
It should be noted that the author was a Catholic priest and a sociologist. The Nuala Anne McGrath series (of which this is book 11) all contain but do not indulge in scenes of sexual intercourse. Greeley's views on marriage and chastity are a mild but central theme and contain a form of religious instruction.
He used his fiction books to explain and promote his views on how a life with Christ is to be lived; but this is not something that intrudes on the mystery that structures the story. Unlike some other books in the series this has only one modern day mystery. A widow and widower in their fifties meet and are mutually attracted. Someone, however, does not want to see this relationship proceed. As each strategy to befoul the couple fails the attempts increase in intensity.
Characters are beautifully drawn often with a humorous touch; a little OTT perhaps but that helps to get the observations about life and humanity across.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an easy, fast read; this book was my escapist read during breaks between schoolwork this weekend. I think I might like the Blackie Ryan novels a bit better by Greeley, but I really did enjoy the characterization of the marriage between the Irish "fey" off-hours detective Nuala Anne (a singer and accountant!) and her spear-carrier husband Dermot. I love the idea of the Irish husband as a spear-carrier for his wife. Takes me back to my Irish roots and makes me wish I could pay a return visit there soon :) Thanks Holyn for sending me this one!

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first venture into the mysteries of Father Greeley. As a writer he seems like an ordinary guy hip to everything that's going on in the world and not loaded with dogma. The story is part of a series whose main characters are a beautiful, sexy, and fey singer and her writer/spear carrier husband. Together they solve puzzles and mysteries. She is a feisty, fearless woman who protects her home and friends with vigor. If anything the book emphasizes the warmth and safety of family. Anice simple puzzle is solved and one is left with a nice feeling.

[Mascanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up Irish in Chicago so I love this series. And I have always loved the portrayal of married couples as in love and lust. For most of us lust is an integral part of our marriage to often overlooked in the magazines and checkout stand papers. Its not only the beautiful people who carry on! LOL The mystery is good if a bit far fetched and the way most of the loose ends come together in a happy ending for the side of right is a bit corny but I always enjoy Father Greeley's books.

[Kristin Crocker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Nuala Anne...another kid, another concert, another mystery. This one seemed to have more "special effects," and I missed Greeley's usual historical aspect. But I appreciated not being hit over the head with a political agenda like some of the others. In all, a quick, light read that foacuses more on Nuala than Dermot or the mystery.

[Angela Ross Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Andrew Greeley! I've been reading him for two or more decades. Irish Tiger is great, fast read, keeping me figuring out who the criminal is while wearing my heals and faux mink coat!! Can I get a set of the guard digs. I love the continuation of husband & wife working together, totally in rune with each other and 100% supportive regardless of which if them gets it right. Now that' love!❤

[Holyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was another Nuala Anne novel - so much fun to read. This time she and her husband are hired to protect newlyweds who seem to attract danger at every step. Once again an easy, fast read. Love them!

[Alisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As usual, a bit of Andrew Greeley social justice thought, with some Chicago socioeconomic history thrown in. Not much substance, completely predictable (and prediced) outcome. Still good brain candy.

[Lavendersbluegreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous Nuala & Dermot tale... this one does not have a historical tale to tell but is all now (granted there is some reminiscing to recent past). This one is love conquers all wrapped in a mystery...

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more enjoyable Nuala Anne story about the magical powers of an Irish American mom singer. While I can't remember at this point who dunnit or what they did, the transformation of a dysfunctional family with love and song is memorable and fun!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is usually my guilty pleasure but this one had no connection or parallel story from the past which is my favorite part of this series. Bummer.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whenever I need to feel more grateful about life and God I read Andrew Greely! He shows me that God loves His people passionately and the we should cherish each other.

[Darlene Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy stories of Nuala Anne and her family - -

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting mystery. I've read others from the Nuala Anne series - she's an amateur sleuth.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not complicated or deep, but I like th characters and have read the whole series.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read other Andrew Greeley books and like his style. I don't get all of the Catholic references but that doesn't matter usually.