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The Powerscourt Series #1
The Saint of Impossible Causes: An Irish 19th Century Family Saga
Ireland, 1879.
Maura Doyle has always felt she was meant for more than her life as a poverty-stricken farmer’s daughter in County Laois could provide. Her father has arranged for her to marry into a wealthier local family, but she has more interest in her neighbor, Joseph O’Malley. Forced to leave school at age 16, she takes a full-time job as a maid in the local landlord’s mansion after a family tragedy. But the arrival of the lord’s son upends her role in the house and the equilibrium of the entire community.
Joseph and some of his friends, under the influence of an old rebel in the area, hatch a plan to strike back at the landlords and fire the first shot in the upcoming land war that will soon consume Ireland. But when their scheme fails, the new lord will exact revenge on the community and order a round of evictions that will devastate the local population.
Joseph, Maura, and their friends will take a stand against the forces of the English Crown but will pay a devastating price. It will be up to Maura, with the help of the new rising star of the Irish political scene, Charles Stewart Parnell, to save her neighbors from the hangman’s noose and take actions that will change not only her life but those of her family and community forever.
Maura Doyle has always felt she was meant for more than her life as a poverty-stricken farmer’s daughter in County Laois could provide. Her father has arranged for her to marry into a wealthier local family, but she has more interest in her neighbor, Joseph O’Malley. Forced to leave school at age 16, she takes a full-time job as a maid in the local landlord’s mansion after a family tragedy. But the arrival of the lord’s son upends her role in the house and the equilibrium of the entire community.
Joseph and some of his friends, under the influence of an old rebel in the area, hatch a plan to strike back at the landlords and fire the first shot in the upcoming land war that will soon consume Ireland. But when their scheme fails, the new lord will exact revenge on the community and order a round of evictions that will devastate the local population.
Joseph, Maura, and their friends will take a stand against the forces of the English Crown but will pay a devastating price. It will be up to Maura, with the help of the new rising star of the Irish political scene, Charles Stewart Parnell, to save her neighbors from the hangman’s noose and take actions that will change not only her life but those of her family and community forever.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2023
352 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Eoin Dempsey
37 books1,035 followersEoin Dempsey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1977. He grew up in the beautiful Dublin suburb of Dalkey, where he and his friends would jump into the icy waters of the Irish Sea (during summertime) to prove their manliness. Eoin had a fantastic time attending Blackrock College, where he played rugby (poorly) and did his best to coast his way through. Eoin’s first ambition was to play rugby for Ireland. Due to a lack of talent, he soon abandoned that goal for the more reasoned path of the rock star. He played in bands through his teens and well into his twenties before harsh reality came calling, and his dreams of being the next Keith Moon faded.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 28, 2023
I was amazed at how one of my favorite authors so easily changed from writing historical fiction about WWII to writing historical fiction about Ireland. This book is well researched and sheds light on a part of Irish history that many don't know. The characters are well developed and the scenery and setting is beautifully described. I was amazed at the story and the parts of that piece of time in Irish history had gone unexplained in my understanding. I loved this first book in his new series and will be excitedly waiting for the next book!!!!!
May 1, 2024
What a great storyteller Eoin Dempsey is! I like unpretentious books that simply tell a good story with characters you care about. This is exactly what you get with any of Dempsey's books. They're well researched and offer believable settings and background that add a lot to the interest, but at the same time, also relatable and fascinating characters and suspenseful plot. I have read all of Dempsey's Lion's Den series and enjoyed it immensely, and now enjoyed this one very much as well. I wanted so much to know what happens next to the characters I've gotten to know so well, that I moved on straight to the next part, hoping the next installment comes out before I finish it (highly unlikely, I swallow them whole in hours). I wish I could translate these novels to my language - I'm sure they'll be a great hit here and will being joy to many more people.
May 10, 2024
This is a good book: 3 bill-stars. Regarding the title, the book informs us that St Jude is the Catholic saint of impossible causes. I did not know that. (smile)
The story is set in 19th century Ireland and features a group of families dealing with the hardship of British rule. The plot and the characters are pretty compelling. I like the writing style. The main characters, Maura and Joseph, are two young people in love trying to overcome the difficult circumstances of the times.
I do wish the author, Eoin Dempsey, had given deeper descriptions of Irish culture in these times, just 30 years after the potato famine. Also, the ending felt rushed. But it’s okay; these are things that differentiate a 3-star book from a 4 or 5-star book.
QOTD
Mrs. Lynch got up from teaching the youngest children their letters and began stalking the classroom with a face that could turn milk sour. She lived with her mother in the village, and she was the archetypal teacher Maura had read about in novels—gray as a badger, mean as a bear, and untouched by the hands of men.
- teacher in a 19th century Irish school, The Saint of Impossible Causes
The author has a nice website, https://www.eoindempseybooks.com.
A good read. thanks...yow, bill
November 25, 2023
The Saint of Impossible Causes
The reader is transported to rural Ireland in 1879, 30 years after the famous potato famine.
The Irish lands are owned by Protestants, who were deeded them by The English Crown,
and they lease them to Catholic tenant farmers.
The land once belonged to these Catholic tenant farmer’s ancestors.
Let the land wars begin, the story evolves in a small town with, well-developed characters.
Eoin uses his pen to draw you into their daily life and the onset of what became the Irish land wars.
The book was a bit slow at the start, which was necessitated to develop the ground work for the story to continue. Once I knew the characters, the book began to fly and it became a page turner.
The author’s ability to transport you to another time and place is terrific.
The author is truly talented and paints with words the picture of the struggles during those times in Ireland.
This is the ideal start of a series and I hope the story continues.
I want to know what happens to the main characters, Joseph and Maura, in future books.
Eoin has written a great historical novel and if you like this book,
look up Eoin’s other books as they are all terrific historical novels.
The reader is transported to rural Ireland in 1879, 30 years after the famous potato famine.
The Irish lands are owned by Protestants, who were deeded them by The English Crown,
and they lease them to Catholic tenant farmers.
The land once belonged to these Catholic tenant farmer’s ancestors.
Let the land wars begin, the story evolves in a small town with, well-developed characters.
Eoin uses his pen to draw you into their daily life and the onset of what became the Irish land wars.
The book was a bit slow at the start, which was necessitated to develop the ground work for the story to continue. Once I knew the characters, the book began to fly and it became a page turner.
The author’s ability to transport you to another time and place is terrific.
The author is truly talented and paints with words the picture of the struggles during those times in Ireland.
This is the ideal start of a series and I hope the story continues.
I want to know what happens to the main characters, Joseph and Maura, in future books.
Eoin has written a great historical novel and if you like this book,
look up Eoin’s other books as they are all terrific historical novels.
November 28, 2023
As with any first book in a series, the initial chapters of this novel give the reader a comfortable vision of the novel’s setting while allowing for a growth of empathy and compassion for the main characters. Then the scenes sharpen and move much faster to unfold suspense and trepidation, in which the unfolding behaviors of the characters make for a questionable future. The Irish political scene displays a coming land war, which will soon consume Ireland and its fragile but determined people. Tension rises as we witness these people questioning their survival and the moral decisions forced upon them.
Best-selling author, Eoin Dempsey walks the reader into another series that promises a good read. Dempsey weaves this plot sensitively, intertwining historical events with human relationships. The best chapters appear towards the end, where there becomes a rhythm connecting the novel’s passages that makes the reader flow more swiftly from chapter to chapter. By the end of the novel, the reader is hooked and will want to read book #2 in this series.
Best-selling author, Eoin Dempsey walks the reader into another series that promises a good read. Dempsey weaves this plot sensitively, intertwining historical events with human relationships. The best chapters appear towards the end, where there becomes a rhythm connecting the novel’s passages that makes the reader flow more swiftly from chapter to chapter. By the end of the novel, the reader is hooked and will want to read book #2 in this series.
February 14, 2024
Delightful read! Our hero and heroine have such large hearts. Love learning history through Ein's storytelling. I can appreciate the tough choices Joseph was faced with and the determination and smarts of Maura as she faced her challenges. Loved getting a view into the gorgeous Garden of Ireland as well as the brutal realities of working in a Manchester tannery and sleeping in the basement of a pub. All the detail of character and place springs the history to life. Sorry to see the series end but loved the glimpse into that era with such compelling personalities to make it all real and so readable.
December 2, 2024
Loved the narration of Jess Moran, who brings the era to our ears , emotions, characters and drama.
It is 1879 Ireland, when poor Irish tenants have started to rise up against their landowners and the system that has oppressed them for generations. Two families Mara Doyle and Joseph O’Malley’s, have grown up on neighbouring farms. Always helping each other when times get difficult . As the tensions rise between landowners and tenants increase, Mara and Joseph find themselves caught up in the revolution. Maura and Joseph could find themselves evicted or sent to jailed.
A time of intrigue, passion, strength and love.
It is 1879 Ireland, when poor Irish tenants have started to rise up against their landowners and the system that has oppressed them for generations. Two families Mara Doyle and Joseph O’Malley’s, have grown up on neighbouring farms. Always helping each other when times get difficult . As the tensions rise between landowners and tenants increase, Mara and Joseph find themselves caught up in the revolution. Maura and Joseph could find themselves evicted or sent to jailed.
A time of intrigue, passion, strength and love.
December 17, 2023
This was the first book in this series that takes place in rural Ireland in the 1870s as the Irish fight for their freedom against the English. Maura Doyle must endure hardship as her father dies suddenly leaving her to take care of her family. When their landlord decides to triple the rent they rebel and a policeman is shot dead in the melee. Maura will do anything g she can to help the men accused of the crime and designs a desperate plot to make it right. Enjoyed this book like I have every other Dempsey novel ai have read!
March 7, 2024
I Wanted To Know
This is a part of history I know near to nothing about. I love the author and his WWII books. They are amazing. So, I decided to give this history a go. Glad I did. The storyline is so good and keeps you interested.
It is just getting to the party where the landowners feel the need of the land workers and the Irish are taking a stand together.
I love the central characters and their storyline is getting good. I'm happy for them.
Can't wait to see what happens now that they are in different countries.
This is a part of history I know near to nothing about. I love the author and his WWII books. They are amazing. So, I decided to give this history a go. Glad I did. The storyline is so good and keeps you interested.
It is just getting to the party where the landowners feel the need of the land workers and the Irish are taking a stand together.
I love the central characters and their storyline is getting good. I'm happy for them.
Can't wait to see what happens now that they are in different countries.
April 16, 2024
Another excellent book by Eoin Dempsey. Quite honestly, I held off reading this one because I find historical fiction about Ireland too heartbreaking. The cruelty and inhumane conditions the Irish faced are agonizing for me to read very often. The timeline for this book isn't even that far in the past. The main character, Maura, was born only a few years before my own grandmother! (Yes, I'm old.) I recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers but I'll take a break before reading the sequel.
July 20, 2024
THE SAINT OF IMPOSSIBLE CAUSES is another outstanding historical fiction by Eoin Dempsey, this one set in 1879 Ireland, when poor Irish tenants are rising up against their wealthy landowners and the system that has oppressed them for generations. Two families are featured in this first book of the series—Mara Doyle and Joseph O’Malley’s. The two families have grown up on neighboring farms and when difficult times strike, help each other out. I love Dempsey’s stories for both the way they manage to portray the trying times of history in a way that brings the period to life and also makes me feel for the characters without the writing ever becoming too heavy, and also because of the love stories. As tensions between landowners and renters increase, Mara and Joseph find themselves caught up in a revolution and no one is sure how far they will have to go to stand up for what is right.; I’m excited to read the next book in this series. 5/5 stars.
November 29, 2023
So exciting to read a new book from one of my favorite historical fiction writers. I was interested in the main character, Maura, from the beginning. I like books about strong women. This was a new era for me to read about. The late 1800’s in Ireland. All of the characters were so interesting. Such a hard life, but they don’t give up!
December 14, 2023
What a twisty heroine.
This is a typical Eoin book. It is is a book about Maura a sixteen year old from a small Irish village, who had never been to a town before until her neighbour Joseph is sent to prison for resisting eviction by the English Lord during the Land Wars. a story that brings the trouble time in a very personal way.
This is a typical Eoin book. It is is a book about Maura a sixteen year old from a small Irish village, who had never been to a town before until her neighbour Joseph is sent to prison for resisting eviction by the English Lord during the Land Wars. a story that brings the trouble time in a very personal way.
September 1, 2025
Maura is the expansive being that moves this story
It us hard to read stories of abuse and misuse. But they do turn sometimes to inspired action. This story is based on historical fact and it is astounding that through actions similar to those in this story that many abhorrent conditions were resolved and transformed. Good read.
It us hard to read stories of abuse and misuse. But they do turn sometimes to inspired action. This story is based on historical fact and it is astounding that through actions similar to those in this story that many abhorrent conditions were resolved and transformed. Good read.
December 10, 2023
Another gem
I have read all his books. His research shows deeply whether it’s WWII, Klondike Gold Rush or Ireland in the past. His characters are well developed and more than one dimension. I was hoping that Joseph and Maura would end up in the New World. Time will tell.
I have read all his books. His research shows deeply whether it’s WWII, Klondike Gold Rush or Ireland in the past. His characters are well developed and more than one dimension. I was hoping that Joseph and Maura would end up in the New World. Time will tell.
January 16, 2024
Great book
I have read several of Eoin books. He is a master storyteller . His characters are always warm and passionate. Can't wait to read book #2 in this series. I highly recommend his books.
I have read several of Eoin books. He is a master storyteller . His characters are always warm and passionate. Can't wait to read book #2 in this series. I highly recommend his books.
May 9, 2024
Well written
Sad but true descriptions of the hard times for the Irish. Some of the things done by the characters in the story were far fetched but perhaps that's what it took to win freedom.
Sad but true descriptions of the hard times for the Irish. Some of the things done by the characters in the story were far fetched but perhaps that's what it took to win freedom.
November 28, 2023
An excellent start to a series with very in-depth characters living in post-famine Ireland. Looking forward to the ensuing books!
December 22, 2023
Mr. Dempsey, you’ve done it again. Excellent book! So well written, exciting etc. I can’t wait for book two.
August 7, 2024
A post famine family saga of trying to survive in hard times in Ireland with uncaring landlords. Of loved fought and lost.
November 22, 2024
Ahhh Ireland
This is a great story if you love Ireland. It was a fast read as the story moved without dragging and held my interest.☘️
This is a great story if you love Ireland. It was a fast read as the story moved without dragging and held my interest.☘️
January 22, 2025
Enjoying tis series after coming back from Ireland recently
February 20, 2025
A very enjoyable book. Tells the story of the Irish who were working for freeing Ireland.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews