A Girl Called Eilinora: A Short Story

by Nadine Dorries

This is the story which sets in motion the events of Nadine Dorries's brilliant new novel Ruby Flynn.

It is 1846, famine is gripping Ireland and nowhere is it crueller than in Mayo on the west coast. Owen FitzDeane of Ballyford Castle is a good landlord, but even he is powerless to save all his tenants. When he comes upon a half-dead girl beside the road, he insists on taking her back to the castle, to see if they can save her. But Eilinora is no ordinary girl and soon superstition and fear begin to swirl around her, while Lord FitzDeane of Ballyford falls deeper under her spell.

Genres: Historical

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Nadine Dorries was born in Liverpool in the 1950s and raised on a council estate, the daughter of a bus driver. Her first novel, THE FOUR STREETS, was inspired by memories of her childhood, particularly her Irish grandmother who she was very close to.

Nadine trained as a nurse, then followed with a successful career in which she established and then sold her own business. She has been the MP for Mid-Befordshire since 2005 and has three daughters.

Nadine is currently working on her second novel, a sequel to THE FOUR STREETS.

Reviews

[Hazel Went · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's rare I have to push myself to the end of a book. I know this was a short story, but I kept waiting for the development of the characters and the plot. The time of the story is one which interests me, but for some reason this book just left me flat. Without giving anything away, the ending to me just felt like the author had reached her word count and needed a quick ending; it reminds me of essay writing at school, whereby running out of time we would just write that the main character 'woke up and it was all a dream'.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful prequel to Ruby Flynn. I read after reading Ruby Flynn, as I didn't know it was available! Well worth a read, gives a little more insight of the characters.

[Paula Miceli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the prequel to Ruby Flynn (which I read AFTER reading Ruby Flynn). I don't normally read short stories, but wanted a little more background to the characters in Ruby Flynn. This short story didn't add a lot of lead-in to the Ruby Flynn characters, as it was set in a time period quite a bit earlier. As a story on its own, I felt the ending was rather flat and abrupt.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short story that begs for a fuller sequel...

Different from the Four streets trilogy but captivating and enchanting. A nice primer to the next book. Not expensive but worth the money.

[Elaine]

Intriguing introduction to Ruby Flynn - I've loved all of Nadine's books, I'm sure this new one, sitting waiting for me in my Kindle library will be just as good.

[Jackie corrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Page turning

This is the first book I've read by Nadine dorries and looking forward to reading more starting run to him now

[Kristine Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

[catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good as is all of the books i have read by this author

Very good as is all of the books i have read by this author
Looking forward to the next one

[Helen Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well written book.

I could not put the book down I was not planning to read anymore of bad in stories books but have downloaded the follow on from this book.

[Shirley Carroll · Rating 2 out of 5]

THE POTATO FAMINE

I HAVE TOSAY THAT OF ALL OF MARINE'S STORIES I HAVE READ , I LIKED THIS ONE THE LEAST. IT WAS NOT MY TYPE OF STORY, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE READ MANY STORIES ABOUT THE POTZTO FAMINE.

[Janet East · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book.

[Janey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started well, then shifted to seem like a summary.

[Moira Stranack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good story

I didn't know what to expect but I really enjoyed this book great I'm downloading another hope it's as good

[T · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter garbage from a garbage politician who somehow convinced herself she can write (spoiler: she cannot).

[Anja Leeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 31 for 2024 rated 4.5

I’m a little bias, as live Nadine Dorries Irish stories

This is a quick read with a little supernatural alongside.
Or is it folklore for the time period.

[alan fielding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

Couldn't put this book down , read it in one sitting , cannot wait to start ruby Flynn the sequel .

[patricia pickering · Rating 5 out of 5]

😺loved this story


Great little read love the four streets too Nadine is a great auther have read all her books great storys

[Leona · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story to be read before 'Ruby Flynn' and to help understand whose who in Ruby Flynn.