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Father Brennan Burke’s father, Declan, gathered up his family and fled Ireland under the cover of night four decades ago after disobeying an order from his commanding officer in the IRA. Declan has not set foot in Ireland since. Until now. Why now? And why not? What could go wrong after all this time? All he tells his family is that “it’s time” to see his beloved homeland again. But sons Brennan and Terry, knowing their father’s checkered past, suspect there is more to this sudden impulse than merely “it’s time,” so they insist on going with him.
And sure enough, when they get to Ireland, there are men in the shadows. Knowing. Waiting to settle old scores. After an evening in the pubs of Dublin, Declan and Brennan call it a night, but Terry isn’t ready to leave his barstool quite yet. The next morning when Brennan wakes up, he sees that Terry never came home. Had the men in the shadows missed their chance to grab Declan and taken Terry instead? Brennan and Declan are frantic to find him, and they call upon the services of Declan’s brother Finn and Brennan’s old friend Detective Shay Rynne. As Brennan searches for the motives behind this action against his family, he is joined by lawyer Monty Collins, and they learn things about Brennan’s father that he had never wanted revealed. The revelations are not limited to the Burke family’s long campaign against the British occupiers of their country. Some matters are much more personal.
And sure enough, when they get to Ireland, there are men in the shadows. Knowing. Waiting to settle old scores. After an evening in the pubs of Dublin, Declan and Brennan call it a night, but Terry isn’t ready to leave his barstool quite yet. The next morning when Brennan wakes up, he sees that Terry never came home. Had the men in the shadows missed their chance to grab Declan and taken Terry instead? Brennan and Declan are frantic to find him, and they call upon the services of Declan’s brother Finn and Brennan’s old friend Detective Shay Rynne. As Brennan searches for the motives behind this action against his family, he is joined by lawyer Monty Collins, and they learn things about Brennan’s father that he had never wanted revealed. The revelations are not limited to the Burke family’s long campaign against the British occupiers of their country. Some matters are much more personal.
380 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Anne Emery
17 books80 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Anne Emery is the author of SIGN OF THE CROSS (2006), OBIT (2007), BARRINGTON STREET BLUES (2008), CECILIAN VESPERS (2009) and CHILDREN IN THE MORNING (2010). Anne was born in Halifax and grew up in Moncton. She is a graduate of St. F.X. University and Dalhousie Law School. She has worked as a lawyer, legal affairs reporter and researcher. Apart from reading and writing, her interests include music, philosophy, architecture, travel and Irish history. Anne lives in Halifax with her husband and daughter.
Series:
* Monty Collins Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best First Novel (2007): Sign of the Cross
Anne Emery is the author of SIGN OF THE CROSS (2006), OBIT (2007), BARRINGTON STREET BLUES (2008), CECILIAN VESPERS (2009) and CHILDREN IN THE MORNING (2010). Anne was born in Halifax and grew up in Moncton. She is a graduate of St. F.X. University and Dalhousie Law School. She has worked as a lawyer, legal affairs reporter and researcher. Apart from reading and writing, her interests include music, philosophy, architecture, travel and Irish history. Anne lives in Halifax with her husband and daughter.
Series:
* Monty Collins Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best First Novel (2007): Sign of the Cross
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 11, 2026
Declan, set in the mid 1990s, is the latest entry in Anne Emery’s series of Collins-Burke mysteries though this is not a classic mystery. Very early, we learn that Declan Burke, the patriarch of the clan in New York, has decided it’s now time for his return to Ireland after forty years. He left the country in the 1950s with his wife and young family amid accusations of having betrayed his Republican cause. Now, for some unknown reason, he insists he is going back. Sons Terry and Brennan (Father Brennan) state their intention of going with him in case there are any complications. And, boy, are there complications!
to be continued….
to be continued….
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Anne Emery’s Declan stands out as a tightly woven, impactful novel. What starts as a simple return to Ireland quickly tur ns into something much deeper. Past decisions, hidden secrets and family loyalties are all brought to light. From the very beginning, Emery creates a tension through Declan’s vague reasoning for returning home. “All Da said was ‘It’s time.’” That single sentence sets the tone for the entire novel, raising more questions than it answers. At its core, Declan is not just about solving a disappearance, but about confronting a past that you can never fully escape from. While the pacing is not perfect, the story is ultimately an intense, worthwhile read.
The novel follows Declan Burke, a former IRA member who fled Ireland decades prior due to accusations of betrayal. Now, in his old age, he suddenly decides to return to his homeland, offering little explanation to his family. His sons, Brennan and Terry, insist on going with him due to his complicated past. What begins as a fun trip home quickly turns into something more sinister when Terry disappears after a night out drinking. From there, the novel shifts into a search, but it is not simply about finding Terry. While his disappearance is an important turning point, it actually is a pretty brief part of the story. It then becomes an investigation into Declan’s past and the secrets he had kept hidden for years.
Declan’s character serves as one of the strongest parts of the story. He is a quiet, stoic character who rarely says more than what is necessary. But that is what makes him such a compelling character. The reader is constantly aware that he knows more than he lets on. Even early in the novel, there’s a line, “Declan tried to hide the fact that his hand was shaking,” that shows his calmness is nothing more than a façade. Moments like this add tension without adding overly dramatic action. Emery does an amazing job allowing the details to reveal to the reader that something is afoot, which makes the story feel more grounded overall.
Brennan, on the other hand, is a good but less dynamic character. He clearly cares about his family and tries to do what is right, but compared to Declan, he is simply just not as interesting. Still, he plays an important role in the story. Through Brennan, the reader is able to slowly uncover the truth of the unfolding events. The family’s overall dynamic is one of the novel’s biggest strengths. The characters have a bond that feels genuine, especially the way Brennan and Terry are willing to support their father without fully knowing what they are getting themselves into.
Another element of the story that is well done is the novel’s use of dialogue. Normally dialogue heavy writing slows down the story, but here it works well because of how distinct Emery wrote each character’s voice. The conversations feel natural and help build both what the reader knows about the characters and the rising tension. The shifting perspectives between characters, whether between chapters or mid-chapter, keep the story from feeling stuck in one place for too long. It allows the reader to see different sides of the same situation, adding depth to the story.
The setting and cultural elements also add a lot to the story. Emery’s use of Irish and Gaelic give the novel a strong sense of authenticity and cultural identity. Ireland serves as an important part of the story rather than just a backdrop, and Emery does a great job conveying this to the reader. This ties into one of the novel’s larger themes, which is the focus on Ireland’s history and the impact of the IRA. The book highlights a conflict that many people do not hear much about today, even though it is relatively recent and deeply significant. This sense of unresolved history is reinforced when the novel hints that Declan’s return is tied to “old disputes and enmities to be sorted.” This emphasizes that the past is not something that can be left behind fully.
All that to be said, the novel is not without its flaws. The middle section does drag at times, which slows the momentum that the beginning built so well. While it does pick back up, that slower pace does stand out. The resolution also could have been given more attention. Some of the finals moments felt rushed or not explained fully. This makes the ending a bit less clear than it could have been, leaving some confusion about who exactly the central threat was. Even with these issues, the novel remains engaging throughout. There was never any point where it felt necessary to skip ahead or to skim through the page. And the tension was genuinely effective at its strongest. Emery does a great job balancing the mystery with the emotional weight of the story, making sure both aspects matter.
In the end, Declan is a novel that will appeal most to readers who enjoy a mix of mystery and historical fiction. It is especially strong for those interested in Ireland and its history, as the setting plays a major role in the novel. While it may not fully satisfy some readers who look more for a thriller-mystery, it offers a well thought out, layered, cozy mystery. I personally would give Declan a 4.3 out of 5 and recommend it to anyone looking for a mystery that also takes the time to explore deeper themes such as history, family, and the lasting impact of past decisions.
The novel follows Declan Burke, a former IRA member who fled Ireland decades prior due to accusations of betrayal. Now, in his old age, he suddenly decides to return to his homeland, offering little explanation to his family. His sons, Brennan and Terry, insist on going with him due to his complicated past. What begins as a fun trip home quickly turns into something more sinister when Terry disappears after a night out drinking. From there, the novel shifts into a search, but it is not simply about finding Terry. While his disappearance is an important turning point, it actually is a pretty brief part of the story. It then becomes an investigation into Declan’s past and the secrets he had kept hidden for years.
Declan’s character serves as one of the strongest parts of the story. He is a quiet, stoic character who rarely says more than what is necessary. But that is what makes him such a compelling character. The reader is constantly aware that he knows more than he lets on. Even early in the novel, there’s a line, “Declan tried to hide the fact that his hand was shaking,” that shows his calmness is nothing more than a façade. Moments like this add tension without adding overly dramatic action. Emery does an amazing job allowing the details to reveal to the reader that something is afoot, which makes the story feel more grounded overall.
Brennan, on the other hand, is a good but less dynamic character. He clearly cares about his family and tries to do what is right, but compared to Declan, he is simply just not as interesting. Still, he plays an important role in the story. Through Brennan, the reader is able to slowly uncover the truth of the unfolding events. The family’s overall dynamic is one of the novel’s biggest strengths. The characters have a bond that feels genuine, especially the way Brennan and Terry are willing to support their father without fully knowing what they are getting themselves into.
Another element of the story that is well done is the novel’s use of dialogue. Normally dialogue heavy writing slows down the story, but here it works well because of how distinct Emery wrote each character’s voice. The conversations feel natural and help build both what the reader knows about the characters and the rising tension. The shifting perspectives between characters, whether between chapters or mid-chapter, keep the story from feeling stuck in one place for too long. It allows the reader to see different sides of the same situation, adding depth to the story.
The setting and cultural elements also add a lot to the story. Emery’s use of Irish and Gaelic give the novel a strong sense of authenticity and cultural identity. Ireland serves as an important part of the story rather than just a backdrop, and Emery does a great job conveying this to the reader. This ties into one of the novel’s larger themes, which is the focus on Ireland’s history and the impact of the IRA. The book highlights a conflict that many people do not hear much about today, even though it is relatively recent and deeply significant. This sense of unresolved history is reinforced when the novel hints that Declan’s return is tied to “old disputes and enmities to be sorted.” This emphasizes that the past is not something that can be left behind fully.
All that to be said, the novel is not without its flaws. The middle section does drag at times, which slows the momentum that the beginning built so well. While it does pick back up, that slower pace does stand out. The resolution also could have been given more attention. Some of the finals moments felt rushed or not explained fully. This makes the ending a bit less clear than it could have been, leaving some confusion about who exactly the central threat was. Even with these issues, the novel remains engaging throughout. There was never any point where it felt necessary to skip ahead or to skim through the page. And the tension was genuinely effective at its strongest. Emery does a great job balancing the mystery with the emotional weight of the story, making sure both aspects matter.
In the end, Declan is a novel that will appeal most to readers who enjoy a mix of mystery and historical fiction. It is especially strong for those interested in Ireland and its history, as the setting plays a major role in the novel. While it may not fully satisfy some readers who look more for a thriller-mystery, it offers a well thought out, layered, cozy mystery. I personally would give Declan a 4.3 out of 5 and recommend it to anyone looking for a mystery that also takes the time to explore deeper themes such as history, family, and the lasting impact of past decisions.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In the 1950s Declan Burke, suspected by his comrades in the IRA of betraying the cause, had fled Ireland for NY. Forty years later he is returning, to the surprise of his family. The IRA had long since absolved him of the charge, but some threat still hung over him. His return was prompted by a letter, but he had not revealed this to his family, saying only that, at over seventy, this was his last chance to return to his native soil – land for whose independence he had fought. Rather than let him go alone, two of his sons volunteer to go with him: Terry, ex USAF and now a senior airline pilot, and Brennan, a senior Catholic priest. Their intention is to meet up with Declan’s younger brother, Finn, owner of a large and famed pub in Dublin, and use this as a base from which to do some sightseeing and meetup with old friends. However, Declan’s aim is to resolve what ever was raised in the, still secret, letter that prompted the trip. And, with his checkered history, there are many other issues that might (and do) rear their heads.
This is the 14th book in the Burke – Collins series which ranges over decades (this one is mainly set in the 1990s), but it works perfectly well as a standalone . The common factors are Father Brennan Burke (usually in an investigative role) and the major influence of Ireland’s history, particularly the impact of the long running conflict with Britain the former (some would say still continuing) occupying power. The plot has a central theme with sub plots that revolve around it, but it isn’t a mystery story or a thriller in the usual sense, although there are puzzles and episodes of jeopardy. It is also, to some extent, a family story, an examination of kinship and camaraderie, and an accurate reflection of Ireland at that time. A particular feature is the use of Irish idioms, forms of English primarily spoken in, and with the different accents of, Dublin and Belfast, but also with the interpolation of Gaelic phrases. Helpfully, the author translates all of the Gaelic (and some of the ‘English’.) Much of the story involves conversations, but the author also writes in the same idiom in passages of description, background and action. I’m happy to go with 4.5 stars rounded to 5 on this.
This is the 14th book in the Burke – Collins series which ranges over decades (this one is mainly set in the 1990s), but it works perfectly well as a standalone . The common factors are Father Brennan Burke (usually in an investigative role) and the major influence of Ireland’s history, particularly the impact of the long running conflict with Britain the former (some would say still continuing) occupying power. The plot has a central theme with sub plots that revolve around it, but it isn’t a mystery story or a thriller in the usual sense, although there are puzzles and episodes of jeopardy. It is also, to some extent, a family story, an examination of kinship and camaraderie, and an accurate reflection of Ireland at that time. A particular feature is the use of Irish idioms, forms of English primarily spoken in, and with the different accents of, Dublin and Belfast, but also with the interpolation of Gaelic phrases. Helpfully, the author translates all of the Gaelic (and some of the ‘English’.) Much of the story involves conversations, but the author also writes in the same idiom in passages of description, background and action. I’m happy to go with 4.5 stars rounded to 5 on this.
August 13, 2026
If you are looking for a excellent mystery story that is set in the 1990's then I would highly recommend checking out this book! It is apart of a series so while I haven't read the others I was still able to enjoy the story itself. It was also my first time reading anything by Anne so I must say that she has a very good hand at crafting stories. She was able to weave a fabulous tale which provided twists at every corner.
We are introduced to Declan who has decided to return to Ireland after bring away for some time. His sons are skeptical about the trip but they decide to indulge in his shenanigans. However, the moment they arrive the trip is anything but peaceful. It will take a lot of determination to keep them from spiraling into oblivion.
We are introduced to Declan who has decided to return to Ireland after bring away for some time. His sons are skeptical about the trip but they decide to indulge in his shenanigans. However, the moment they arrive the trip is anything but peaceful. It will take a lot of determination to keep them from spiraling into oblivion.
July 16, 2026
This is the 14th book of the series, but only the second one I've read. Just like the last one, I found that it worked as a standalone.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was plot-driven and character-driven, and it had a mix of mystery and family drama as two adult sons dug into their father's past on a return to their homeland.
The Irish setting was a nice change from the last book. The author included a lot of history about Ireland and its relationship with Britain, which I found quite interesting.
Some parts of the book were a bit slow, but it didn’t keep me from enjoying it. I hope to read more from this author.
Thanks to ECW Press for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was plot-driven and character-driven, and it had a mix of mystery and family drama as two adult sons dug into their father's past on a return to their homeland.
The Irish setting was a nice change from the last book. The author included a lot of history about Ireland and its relationship with Britain, which I found quite interesting.
Some parts of the book were a bit slow, but it didn’t keep me from enjoying it. I hope to read more from this author.
Thanks to ECW Press for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews