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Song of the Wren
In the summer of 1986, burly witch Dara and his boyfriend, Lorcan, return to Ireland to celebrate their clairvoyant friend's wedding. But when Dara accidentally summons a ghost, he feels compelled to investigate and uncovers a tangled web of family secrets.
While Lorcan loves his new life on the road, reconnecting with old friends has him feeling homesick, and a generous offer to stay could prove too tempting to refuse.
And with a growing list of disasters in the run-up to the wedding, could someone — or something — be trying to ruin it?
Return to the world of HEART OF THE WREN in this paranormal tale of gays, ghosts, and gowns.
While Lorcan loves his new life on the road, reconnecting with old friends has him feeling homesick, and a generous offer to stay could prove too tempting to refuse.
And with a growing list of disasters in the run-up to the wedding, could someone — or something — be trying to ruin it?
Return to the world of HEART OF THE WREN in this paranormal tale of gays, ghosts, and gowns.
- GenresRomance
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2026
About the author
Glenn Quigley
12 books87 followersGlenn Quigley is an author and artist originally from Tallaght in Dublin, Ireland, and now living in Lisburn, Northern Ireland with his husband, Mark.
His first novel, The Moth and Moon, was published in 2018 by Ninestar Press.
He has eight novels to date — The Moth and Moon, The Lion Lies Waiting, We Cry The Sea, These Young Wolves: The Knights of Blackrabbit book one, The Star We Sail By: The Knights of Blackrabbit book two, Teacup Promises, Curse of the Stag's Eye, and Heart of the Wren. He has a short story, Use as Wallpaper, all from Ninestar Press, and a novella named The Great Santa Showdown with JMS Books which was collected in the anthology 2023 Top Ten Gay Fiction.
His second novel, The Lion Lies Waiting, was runner-up in the 2019 Rainbow Awards list for Best Gay Book. His third novel, We Cry The Sea, was runner-up in the 2021 Rainbow Awards for Best Gay Book.
When not writing, he paints portraits in acrylics and watercolours. He also designs for the popular brand themoodybear.com. In 2022, he created a series of portraits based on characters from his Moth and Moon novel trilogy which were displayed in Kallio Library, Finland, and at a gay event in Estonia.
His first novel, The Moth and Moon, was published in 2018 by Ninestar Press.
He has eight novels to date — The Moth and Moon, The Lion Lies Waiting, We Cry The Sea, These Young Wolves: The Knights of Blackrabbit book one, The Star We Sail By: The Knights of Blackrabbit book two, Teacup Promises, Curse of the Stag's Eye, and Heart of the Wren. He has a short story, Use as Wallpaper, all from Ninestar Press, and a novella named The Great Santa Showdown with JMS Books which was collected in the anthology 2023 Top Ten Gay Fiction.
His second novel, The Lion Lies Waiting, was runner-up in the 2019 Rainbow Awards list for Best Gay Book. His third novel, We Cry The Sea, was runner-up in the 2021 Rainbow Awards for Best Gay Book.
When not writing, he paints portraits in acrylics and watercolours. He also designs for the popular brand themoodybear.com. In 2022, he created a series of portraits based on characters from his Moth and Moon novel trilogy which were displayed in Kallio Library, Finland, and at a gay event in Estonia.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 16, 2026
There is something hypnotic about this Irish witchy-fable romance. I absolutely love learning some of the stories and myths; it’s why I love reading authors from around the world. You don’t just get a delicious romance, but also some worldly flavour.
This is book two for Dara and Lorcan. Lorcan had never really ventured from his small, deeply religious town, until Dara. And since book one, they’ve living their best campervan life. But they’re back where it all started for a wedding.
And while we get to see how they are doing, witness their relationship continue to grow, we also get some fun witchiness that seems determined to disrupt it.
Glenn’s style feels real, especially in the relationship. It’s not all swoon and roses, it’s questioning, talking, working through real life issues. Which makes you invest in them. Makes it satisfying.
This is book two for Dara and Lorcan. Lorcan had never really ventured from his small, deeply religious town, until Dara. And since book one, they’ve living their best campervan life. But they’re back where it all started for a wedding.
And while we get to see how they are doing, witness their relationship continue to grow, we also get some fun witchiness that seems determined to disrupt it.
Glenn’s style feels real, especially in the relationship. It’s not all swoon and roses, it’s questioning, talking, working through real life issues. Which makes you invest in them. Makes it satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars. A really enjoyable sequel, with the same excellent combination of Ireland politics from the time interwoven with traditional folklore and history. There was more of the townsfolk who felt very realistic. Dara had to work out several mysterious supernatural issues, supported by the seventh daughter and Lorcan. All the elements fit perfectly.
Thanks for the advance copy, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
Thanks for the advance copy, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
October 19, 2026
Entertaining
This was such an entertaining story to read. I got pulled in early on and it kept my interest throughout. I definitely recommend reading this one.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This was such an entertaining story to read. I got pulled in early on and it kept my interest throughout. I definitely recommend reading this one.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
October 22, 2026
I never expected to see Dara and Lorcan making the journey back to Ireland, let alone back to County Kerry. But family, friends, a wedding, and a little magic seems to draw them in like moths to the flame.
And what's a little ghost summoning amongst celebrations?
What I expected was complete chaos, which is definitely what I got. But what I didn't expect was to be homesick for a land I've never visited. I've heard the stories from my grandmother, I've followed the history, the superstitions, the folklore. And it gave me a longing to go back to a home I feel connected to, but haven't quite known personally.
And a lot of that feeling came from the characters, too. The intricacies of the family ties, and the importance of found family along the way. The importance of being authentic to yourself, and respectful of everyone around you. I really found myself wanting to be friends with Dara and Lorcan, and wanting to be a part of their inner circle.
This book masterfully played on feelings of wholesomeness, playfulness, spirituality, found family, healing, and continued growth. All in all, I loved it. I loved it all so much.
And what's a little ghost summoning amongst celebrations?
What I expected was complete chaos, which is definitely what I got. But what I didn't expect was to be homesick for a land I've never visited. I've heard the stories from my grandmother, I've followed the history, the superstitions, the folklore. And it gave me a longing to go back to a home I feel connected to, but haven't quite known personally.
And a lot of that feeling came from the characters, too. The intricacies of the family ties, and the importance of found family along the way. The importance of being authentic to yourself, and respectful of everyone around you. I really found myself wanting to be friends with Dara and Lorcan, and wanting to be a part of their inner circle.
This book masterfully played on feelings of wholesomeness, playfulness, spirituality, found family, healing, and continued growth. All in all, I loved it. I loved it all so much.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the honour to read the beta version of Glenn's upcoming book: Song of the Wren.
As a beta reader, my "main job" was to enjoy it, and oh boy, enjoy I did!
It is the sequel to Heart of the Wren, following the events in County Kerry, Ireland.
This book gave me really warm, fuzzy feelings, although it is no wonder, Glenn's every book has this effect on me, but still, this was the most warm, welcoming and tender read of all of his books.
The characters welcome the reader (and those arriving home) as family, spending and enjoying the days together.
There were scenes, where my "inner movie in my head" stopped (I also stopped reading) and I looked around in the scene. It got brighter, more detailed and became a full-fledged imagined reality. Am I the only one who while reading hears voices, noises and music? ;) And this book has a lot of music to offer.
Glenn masterfully mixes storytelling, playful events followed by mild heart attacks and back, his characters having background, motivation and style. It is really easy to fall in love with them just after two pages.
Glenn's knowledge and use of Irish mythology, folklore and psyche is stunning.
His ability to create is so extraordinary that it tickles your imagination into transforming reading into a 5D movie experience.
As a beta reader, my "main job" was to enjoy it, and oh boy, enjoy I did!
It is the sequel to Heart of the Wren, following the events in County Kerry, Ireland.
This book gave me really warm, fuzzy feelings, although it is no wonder, Glenn's every book has this effect on me, but still, this was the most warm, welcoming and tender read of all of his books.
The characters welcome the reader (and those arriving home) as family, spending and enjoying the days together.
There were scenes, where my "inner movie in my head" stopped (I also stopped reading) and I looked around in the scene. It got brighter, more detailed and became a full-fledged imagined reality. Am I the only one who while reading hears voices, noises and music? ;) And this book has a lot of music to offer.
Glenn masterfully mixes storytelling, playful events followed by mild heart attacks and back, his characters having background, motivation and style. It is really easy to fall in love with them just after two pages.
Glenn's knowledge and use of Irish mythology, folklore and psyche is stunning.
His ability to create is so extraordinary that it tickles your imagination into transforming reading into a 5D movie experience.
September 16, 2026
Lorcan and Dara are back. Back in Ireland. Back to the Scooby-Doo happenings of a cozy supernatural mystery.
And that’s what I really enjoy about this book, like the first, is that the supernatural aspect of this are not here to be spooky or scary, but to lean into Irish history and culture. Add into that the political happenings around this time and you have a well-formed world in which this story is told.
There is also a lot of real feeling relationship narratives here, both between Lorcan and Dara, as well as amongst the side characters which bring to love the small village feel of Tullycleena. Again this brings a sense of reality to the story that brings you right in.
This is once again a great representation of Glenn’s work and another impressive visit to the world of Irish folklore and the supernatural
And that’s what I really enjoy about this book, like the first, is that the supernatural aspect of this are not here to be spooky or scary, but to lean into Irish history and culture. Add into that the political happenings around this time and you have a well-formed world in which this story is told.
There is also a lot of real feeling relationship narratives here, both between Lorcan and Dara, as well as amongst the side characters which bring to love the small village feel of Tullycleena. Again this brings a sense of reality to the story that brings you right in.
This is once again a great representation of Glenn’s work and another impressive visit to the world of Irish folklore and the supernatural
October 19, 2026
"Song of the Wren" is the sequel to "Heart of the Wren". Lorcan and his witch, Dara are back in Lorcan's hometown of Tullycleena to attend a wedding after traveling the roads in their campervan. While they're in town, Dara deals with some supernatural mischief. And just like in the first book, the story is a combination of magic and Irish mythology. Intertwined with a teeny bit of 1980's politics.
The pacing is easy. Interactions between our mains and the townsfolk will leave you with a smile. The people in Glenn Quigley's worldbuild are absolute charmers. And quite realistic. Lorcan and Dara's relationship is solid and easy. I could see them growing old together, two grouchy and sweet codgers, full of fond banter and a bit of witchery.
I received an advanced reader copy of this ebook and this is my review.
The pacing is easy. Interactions between our mains and the townsfolk will leave you with a smile. The people in Glenn Quigley's worldbuild are absolute charmers. And quite realistic. Lorcan and Dara's relationship is solid and easy. I could see them growing old together, two grouchy and sweet codgers, full of fond banter and a bit of witchery.
I received an advanced reader copy of this ebook and this is my review.
October 18, 2026
Heartwarming and fun!
You can’t help but fall in love with Dara and Lorcan! I do hope there will be more of their adventures to come! This was a well written story using a lot of the Irish symbolism which makes it feel more real. Mr. Quigley has a gift!
You can’t help but fall in love with Dara and Lorcan! I do hope there will be more of their adventures to come! This was a well written story using a lot of the Irish symbolism which makes it feel more real. Mr. Quigley has a gift!
September 14, 2026
This was an amazing sequel to Heart of the wren. I love these guys. The flow of the story i can picture this so easily in my head, it just flows so well.
Keep these great stories coming Glenn
Keep these great stories coming Glenn
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sequel to ‘Heart of the Wren’, this time Lorcan and his burly witch boyfriend Dara come back to Kerry for a wedding. Before long there’s more going on the village than meets the eye. I enjoyed the first in this series a lot, and the sequel uses the same three themes of magic and mythology, life in 1980’s Ireland and a healthy dose of spicy scenes from a red-blooded gay relationship, all to good effect. There is humour and suspense, one or two poignant moments, and a lovely authenticity to the dialogue. Great feckin craic altogether!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews