The Lobster Pot

by Bernie McQuillan

Ireland, Rathmore Forest, 1988. Kitty lay on the forest floor for a long time, her body adapting to the rocks beneath the grass. She was in no hurry to go home. Tommy wouldn't be looking for her. He would go straight to bed, counting down the nights until he could escape Rathmore and her, his rotten roots. He never asked her about her own life and ambitions, never assumed she wanted anything more than to snare a local man and have his babies.

She dreamt the hut he had built for his old trysts was still there, among the roots and the boat engines and the decaying yew trees. She saw the shovels in their usual place, leaning against the wall. She knew there would be no need for consecrated ground.

Three decades later, Kitty returns to her childhood home to find her village as twisted as she found it. She needs to find her brother, without getting entangled. But how do you remember what you've tried to forget?

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2026

Reviews

[Kathleen McDonnell]

This book (The Lobster Pot by author Bernie McQuillan) was a wonderful read.
The Writer's ability to bring alive the lived experiences of the characters and the emotional turmoil involved in their lives, plus the detail in describing the beauty of the scenery of the place in which the story is set was amazing.

I found it difficult to leave down until I had completed the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read.

[Alison Renfrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this novel set over 2 time periods decades apart, with family jealousies, the church, roles of females in 1980s rural Ireland, friendships, power and love asthe backdrop to the story. Keeps you guessing until the end. Didn’t want to put it down.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Great story and complex characters.

[D S · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the story unfolds, it becomes a tale of 'who done it' with gripping twists and turns to keep you hooked. With a surprise ending that you didnt see coming. A good read.

[Noreen Devaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly good read. Total escapism with many twists throughout. Kept me captivated. A must have for holiday

[Christina Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite a complex story, told in different times and featuring different characters in turn. It is well done, and a compelling story - you will want to find out what exactly happened. For me, I considered giving a 4 rather than a 5 star because the way I read for leisure is probably too fast and lightweight to remember everything that people say, so I struggled to keep tabs on who has said what. The ending was a big surprise to me! But if you love the complexities of family life and life in a small community - and you have the time to concentrate on it - you will love this.

[marie heaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Stunning & Atmospheric Debut
I absolutely loved this cracking, fast-paced first novel by local author Bernie McQuillan.Set in the fictional Donegal village of Rathmore, the Lobster Pot is an exceptional mystery and family saga made even more relatable and special by its authentic use of local phrases and evocative descriptions of the landscape and its people. It felt nostalgic, and I could hear clear echoes from my own early life, with familiar talk of whin bushes, wains, thran people, and the daily rhythm of praying the Angelus.
The novel masterfully traces the intertwined lives over a 40-year timeline starting in 1985. We follow compellingly developed characters like Kitty Isabel and Alannah as they navigate the gripping and shocking aftermath of the devastating disappearance of Tommy and Finn.
Beneath the tense, carefully woven mystery, McQuillan handles darker themes with expertise and sensitivity. The stories dive deep into the realities of generational trauma.
I strongly recommend this powerful debut novel

[O M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping, fast paced mystery set in the fictional Irish village of Rathmore, Co Donegal. A real page turner following the complex lives, relationships and traumas of a family over four decades, with the Lobster Pot pub at the centre. Bernie builds tension skillfully leaving the reader always wanting more. An absorbing read.

[Frances McVeigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining read with a great sense of place. The author captures the twists and turns of a small village packed with big personalities. Buckle up, there's a lot going on in this novel that will keep you hooked!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read
Keeps you guessing until the end
Would highly recommend

[Colin Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Lobster Pot. The characters were well developed and the time shifting drove the story forward well. I was held in suspense until the very end. Bravo Bernie.