Cursed Ground: A Raven's Wing Irish Murder Mystery

by T.E. Harkins

Some secrets refuse to stay buried…

When well-known construction magnate Kevin Donnelly dies in what is assumed is a tragic excavator accident, Savannah Jeffers races to the scene to write a report for the village paper.

It quickly becomes clear, however, that Donnelly didn’t fall under the wheels of the digger…someone ran over him on purpose!

Potential suspects begin to stack up—business rivals, a scorned ex-wife, even vengeful fairies getting their revenge on Donnelly for moving their fort.

But much to Savannah’s dismay, the Garda Síochána believe the murderer is none other than the man she’s only recently discovered is her dad.

Ian Murphy had the motive and the means to kill Donnelly. What Savannah doesn’t know is whether her newly found father is capable of murder.

With the guards focusing all their attention on Ian, it’s up to Savannah to try and clear her father’s name…or die trying.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Raven’s Wing series, set in small town Ireland. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy the second, although you’ll get more background if you do. There’s also a tie-in to the author’s Egret’s Loft cozy mystery series, set in Florida at a retirement community. I’ve read the first two of the 3 books in that series, and while I thought the stories were very good, I wasn’t as impressed with the quality of the story telling. I have to say, the author’s storytelling in Cursed Ground is quite good and the story will hold your interest.

In brief, our protagonist Savannah has gone to Ireland to meet her father, whom she didn’t know about until recently (and he didn’t know about her, either). She has inherited a small cottage from her mother Madeline (the protagonist in the Egret’s Loft series) which she hopes to keep if she can find a way to pay the inheritance tax. She is just getting to know her father when there is a murder of a much disliked real estate developer with loose ties to her father. There is action and twists and turns that keep the plot moving along nicely. Oh, and there are fairy castles as well! Savannah has a dog, Fergal, and I like a story with a dog and a strong female lead character. Savannah also is getting to know her Aunt Audrey, her father’s sister. Together they make quite the pair as they get involved in trying to solve the murder, much to the dismay of the local police.

I like the way the dialogue is written. I had no trouble hearing an Irish brogue in my head. I think Savannah is supposed to have a southern accent – Alabama – but I “heard” her voice as an Irish brogue as well. I thought Savannah’s and Audrey’s actions were more sensible and logical than I found Madeline’s to be in the Egret’s Loft series, although probably still more than most people would do. But hey, this is fiction and I’m willing to stretch belief a bit when the story is enjoyable, the characters are likeable (the recurring characters at least) and it’s a setting in a country I would love to visit some day. The ending is believable and satisfying, and the story is complete, no cliff hangers. For those who are concerned, there is no bad language and no overt romance, if you get my meaning. It’s an easy read and one that will entice you to return to Raven’s Wing the next chance you get.

I received an advance review copy of Cursed Ground for free. I leave this review voluntarily and with pleasure.

[Daryl P Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irish myth mayhem and mystery solved by dogged women amateurs.

This is the second book involving Savanah, an American rediscovering her Irish roots and family. The plot revolves around the murder of a property developer who has scant regard for other people or the laws. Despite his fame and connections, suspects abound, but for our heroine, Savanah it's personal as her recently reconciled father is the main suspect. Her partnership with her aunt Audrey is the main force finding the truth and exonerating her father. There is a fair bit of misdirection as well as some ambivalent feelings towards the main detective. An Irish wolfhound pet lends light relief as well as helpful intgervention. The resolution involves peril for our heroine, yet it also yields confession from the guilty.

My immersion in the tale was marred by inconsistent rendering of local speech mannerisms and some editing errors. Otherwise an entertaining cosy mystery.

I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed Ground is a cozy murder mystery with not one but two heroines Savannah and her aunt Audrey new auaintances one fighting to prove her father's innocence of murder the other her brother ,along with an array of colorful, quirky ,untrusting and of course this wouldn't be a mystery murder without a deadly schemer or two hidden somewhere causing trouble for those around them. Though the array of characters are what will at first draw you in you will find the plot full of secrets, lies, betrayals, misdirections, laughter, mayhem ,intrigue and murder that will have you captivated turning page after page following clues and suspects until you've reached its unexpected and climatic conclusion. Acquire " Cursed Ground " book two in a ( Raven's Wing Irish Murder Mystery ). for hours of intriguing and enjoyable entertainment. Kat

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. I enjoyed book 1 in this this series and this, book 2 is just as enjoyable and entertaining. I really like the author's style, painting a vivid picture of a small village at the bottom of Ireland. The characters make me smile - not the murderers obviously - but the villagers who gossip about everything and anything. In my head I try to "hear" the Irish accents and the quirks of dialect, and that of and Savannah, from Alabama. Added to which, the author throws in so many inventive, amusing phrases that I giggled each time. The antics of Fergal, the Irish Wolfhound are also funny. Savannah and Audrey made a formidable team, and Audrey's match making efforts are paying off a bit too well - Savannah has more than one admirer! I'm looking forward to reading book 3!

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savannah is in a small village in Cork in Ireland, worrying about where she can get the money to pay for the inheritance tax on the cottage she has inherited while continuing to work as a reporter. She is also getting to know her aunt Audrey and her father Ian. When Ian is arrested for the murder of a property developer, Savannah and Audrey set out to investigate and prove his innocence.

This was very enjoyable to read. There are lots of people with motives to kill Kevin Donnelly. The mix of American dialogue in with the Irish was done well and didn't come across as too twee. Fergal the dog was wonderful. The ending was also very satisfying. I hadn't read the first in this series but it didn't matter as this worked fine on it's own.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savanna, from Florida, is now in Ireland, looking forward to meeting her father, Ian, since her mother died. She’s living in a cottage her mother bought and trying to figure out how to pay the taxes due.p and working as a reporter for the Glendale Gazette. Her only family now is Ian and his sister Audrey. Audrey calls one morning to tell her that her dad’s old boss, Kevin Donnelly, a construction magnate, has been found dead at his construction site in Inbetween (so named as it’s in between Cork and Kinsale). When Ian is arrested for his murder Savanna and Audrey start to investigate, as the police or Garda, are no longer investigating. The clues lead them on a merry chase, and I really enjoyed the Irish phrases and way of putting things!

[Geraldine Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amusing book with a young American who teamed up with her older (newly met) aunt to solve a mystery to primarily absolve her (also newly met) father of murder.

The clash of the two cultures, Ireland and America were amusing and the mystery

was intriguing.

There was also a hint of a love / hate clash between the protagonist and a local detectiThis was an amusing book with a young American who teamed up with her older (newly met) aunt to solve a mystery to primarily absolve her (also newly met) father of murder.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when they spill the goods there's a few major twists. Oh my gosh, this was one continuous web of lies, distractions, betrayals , and deceit. The poor faries were blamed for what evil , thoughtless, greedy humans had done. With all the head knocks

I'm seriously worrying about TBI !!! This just proves it's not over 'til it's over. Lol. The action just kept coming from all sides. I loved where the "life saving " money came from. Too funny!!! I love the irony. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savannah Jeffers a journalist goes to Ballygoseir in Ireland to visit her Aunt Audrey and her Dad Ian . Then her father’s boss Kevin Donnelly is murdered . This takes her on a strange journey as her father is accused of this murder. Savannah finds out more than what she bargained for secrets, blackmail and murder . A captivating read from the start with intriguing characters. I received this ARC copy via Booksirens and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I hadn't read the first book in this series, I had no trouble following the storyline. Good storyline, great characters, murder with lots of twists and turns and then add fairies and it gets crazy! I am definitely going to go back and read the first, as I really enjoyed this author's writing as it made me feel I was there in Ireland with Savannah. I hope to see many more books in this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.E. Harkins is definitely an author to follow if you like clean mysteries and the good home town and family working together feel.

I love that this is in a small town in Ireland. Their authority is the guard.

There are muddy bones, a murder and Savannah dad is accused. She has only recently met her dad…

I love the mystery, you can visualize the emotions, actions and follow through of this story. Highly recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a nonstop read!
Wow! This was an excellent mystery! Not one you skim but one you read every word so as not to miss a clue. The characters are brilliantly written making them vivid and you can hear the melody of Audrey and Savannah 's voices like a warm hug from home. Fantastic plot with more suspects with motives than you can shake a stick at! I enjoyed every page and am looking forward to the next volume in the series!

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining book with delightful characters and, to quote Audrey, “more threads to pick at than an Aran jumper”.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed the story , the puzzle of it and of course being in Ireland.

[Jane Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

[Polina Posner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series