Troubled Waters: A Raven's Wing Irish Murder Mystery

by T.E. Harkins

Some fates are seal-ed in blood…

When the President of the United States arrives in the quiet Irish village of Ballygoseir for a family visit, American journalist Savannah Jeffers expects a few heartwarming photo ops—not an international incident.

But her day takes a dark turn when she discovers the body of a young woman in the middle of a stream… next to a live baby seal.

Whispers race through the village. The dead woman was a selkie—a mythical creature that’s half seal, half woman. Savannah doesn’t buy it. Legends don’t kill people. Murderers do.

And when the victim is revealed to be Maureen Kilpatrick, the president’s own niece and a fiery environmental activist with no shortage of enemies, Ballygoseir erupts in speculation and suspicion.

With the Gardaí treading carefully and the Secret Service watching her every move, Savannah and her aunt Audrey Murphy must uncover the truth before the killer slips away—or strikes again.

Because in Ballygoseir, even the most powerful people have secrets worth killing for.

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Raven’s Wing Irish Murder Mystery series (long title for a series!) and it continues the story of Savannah Jeffers, an Alabama journalist who moves to Ireland after a family death, and finds her father and her Aunt Audrey (who is my fave character in this series) and acquires an Irish wolfhound named Fergal. Savannah seems to find trouble and this book is no different. Her small Irish town of Ballygoseir is full of fascinating characters, and if you start with the first book in the series, you’ll get to know them all along the way. However, this book can be read as a standalone. You won’t know all the nuances of the relationships, but the story doesn’t need the characters’ backgrounds.

I won’t go into detail about the plot, as you can read a summary from the publisher and other reviewers will no doubt talk about the plot. As you may expect given the series’ title, there is a murder, Savannah gets herself involuntarily involved by finding the body early in the book, and the plot thickens from there.

This is a G rated book for language and physical romance, so no worries for you if those are of a concern. T. E. Harkins brings the small Irish town to life with her characters and their Irish-isms. The book is well proofed and edited. The pacing is fairly brisk so it’s a quick read. I will say that I was a bit disappointed in the ending this time around. It’s not a bad ending, just not what I’m used to from this series.

All in all, this is a worthy addition to the series, and I look forward to Savannah’s next adventure in small town Ireland.

I received an ARC for free from Booksirens, and I leave this review voluntarily and with pleasure.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. I've been following this series about the residents of Ballygosir, a small village somewhere in Ireland with a cast of characters that are always interesting. Among them is Savannah Jeffers, a journalist from Alabama who, after she lost her mother found a cryptic message sending her to look for her aunt Audrey. Having stumbled across a murder when she'd only just arrived, she's carried on as she started. This time, running late when the President of the USA has arrived to visit his cousin, having been granted the right to write about the visit, she's forced to take a back path through the woods because the road is blocked, another investigation begins. As Savannah and Aunt Audrey get closer to the truth, the realisation becomes more chilling. But in today's world, I can't help wondering, in today's if the author has taken a few ideas from real life.

[Daryl P Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irish adventure cosy mystery with USA connections.

This is the fourth in the series featuring an American journalist settling into small town life with relatives and locals in Eire. She has racked up an implausible number of murders she's discovered in the few months since arriving and developed quite a reputation. She has ambivalent relationships with some of the local police, but her adventurous and un-deterred spirit has her a few steps ahead of the official investigation. This one has a cast of suspects which includes a (fictional) President of the United States and his money-making schemes remain in play even after the culprit is caught. The narrative has several Irish type speech mannerisms although the book is rendered in US English. I felt a bit cheated as the author with-held important information until just before the culprit was revealed. An entertaining, if not very plausible read.

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

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in a really terrific series set in a small village in Cork in Ireland. Savannah finds herself in the thick of things when she discovers the body of a local activist who happens to be the niece of the US president who happens to be in town. As usual, she is warned off by the local police but the secret service want her to conduct her own investigation rather than rely on the piecemeal information from the local gardai.

This was another great read. The characters are terrific, there's plenty of local idiosyncracies to keep you amused, and I had it read before I knew it. Always a good sign! I can't wait for the next one.

[Lucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth installment of the Raven’s Wing series, featuring many of the same characters as in the first three books, namely Savannah, an American journalist settling into her mother’s cottage in a small town in Ireland, as well as her aunt. Somehow, murder seems to always find them. This book features amongst others the President of the United States. This story is less plausible than the others, but I enjoyed the book anyway.

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

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the description of this small village in Ireland, it makes me wish I lived there! The mystery is well written, has lots of twists and turns connected to the victim and the people in the village as well as a US president. This is part of a series and to get the most out of the book, I definitely suggest reading the whole series but this book could be read as a standalone. Of course, the village is small and everybody knows everybody; just like a small town in the US. Great series!

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

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Troubled Waters is Book 4 in A Raven's Wing, Irish Murders Mystery. I enjoyed this mystery. A U S President is visiting an Irish village when his niece is murdered. Journalists, Savannah, along with her Aunt Audry are trying to solve this murder with Secret Service watching their every move. Is the murder an inside job? or will the killer turn on Savannah? Jump into an excellent mystery and see if you can solve this mystery. I received an arc for free am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal, revenge, jealousy, or good ole pay back??? This story was an epic mic drop moment when who is possibly responsible for it all was revealed? Where do all roads lead- a high placed official? They seem to be at the end of each lead?? What's up with that??? Who else is involved? A fantastic journey in Ireland and in crime. Come visit in this book. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great cozy mystery. Savannah is to write a story about the President of the United States coming to Ireland. Instead, she has to help solve a murder. I liked Savannah and her aunt and her aunt's friend, and how they all try to find out info first. Jamie was another great character. It was fun learning a little Irish folklore. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I can't wait for the 5th book.

[Geraldine Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read. It is easy to get into the story and the protagonist, a young American called Savannah is very amusing but she is also a persistent and talented sleuth. Her Irish wolfhound Fergal and her well connected and sarky aunt Audrey provide a touch of comedy to the story.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savannah Jeffers is horrified to find a body of a woman near a baby seal. There is more to this mysterious death than it seemed.

Lots of suspense and a edge of the seat read to this intriguing mystery which I received via Booksirans. I recommend this book to other readers .

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed the activist? It is amazing how the girl from Alabama figures it out. Her Irish Wolfhound is the reason she finds the body.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Kalitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

When is the next coming out?

I almost felt that I should set up a murder board to keep up with all the twists and turns. I like that each book fleshes out the main characters a bit more every time.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, wouldn't have figured out who the villain was. I have to say I love Fergal.