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Hillary Broome Novels #3
House of Eire
Hillary Broome flies to Ireland to research her departed ancestors but gets tripped up by ghostly specters haunting her journey from Dublin by way of Cork and ending at Galway Bay, where she must tread some spiraling dark waters.
- GenresMystery
262 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
38 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
June Gillam
14 books43 followersJune Gillam writes award-winning crime fiction exploring the shadow side of humanity, chasing her obsession to figure out what makes ordinary people mad enough to kill. Her books explore topics like women’s empowerment, racism, greedy land development and intergenerational trauma.
A native of the Central Valley, June lives cradled between California’s Coastal Range and the Sierra Nevada mountains. A co-founder of Gold Country Writers and San Joaquin Valley Writers, she also belongs to Capitol Crimes, Sacramento Chapter of Sisters in Crime; Northern California Publishers & Authors; and Town Square Writers and was honored by the San Joaquin Valley Writers branch of the CA Writers Club with the establishment of the biannual June Gillam Award for Excellence in fiction, memoir or poetry.
June loves it when her readers post reviews and follow her, and she invites everyone to visit www.junegillam.com and sign up for her monthly emails.
A native of the Central Valley, June lives cradled between California’s Coastal Range and the Sierra Nevada mountains. A co-founder of Gold Country Writers and San Joaquin Valley Writers, she also belongs to Capitol Crimes, Sacramento Chapter of Sisters in Crime; Northern California Publishers & Authors; and Town Square Writers and was honored by the San Joaquin Valley Writers branch of the CA Writers Club with the establishment of the biannual June Gillam Award for Excellence in fiction, memoir or poetry.
June loves it when her readers post reviews and follow her, and she invites everyone to visit www.junegillam.com and sign up for her monthly emails.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 26, 2020
I don't know is it the fact that this is the third book in the series and I haven't read the previous ones, I just needed a lot of time to get into it. It is not a problem to read it as standalone. Average everything. Character and mystery plotline - meh.
2,5 stars
2,5 stars
April 24, 2020
I wrote this book and hope you all love it!
January 11, 2019
The third book of the Hillary Broome novels, House of Eire, by June Gillam, is my favorite of the three. Here, protagonist Hillary Broome, her loving husband Ed, their almost seven-year-old daughter Claire, and Claire’s surrogate gran, Sarah, travel from Lodi, CA to Ireland. Hillary and Ed hope it will be their long postponed honeymoon trip even though Ed is scheduled to attend a business conference in Dublin, and Hillary has plans to find out more about her paternal grandfather’s family from Galway. In Ireland, they find murder and mystery, and nothing goes as planned. The last several chapters left me eagerly turning pages, excited to learn how everything would turn out. The everything Irish part of the book, including visiting Knock and Thoor Ballylee; hearing Irish ghost stories; and learning details of the tuberculosis epidemic and the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s, were most interesting and informative.
Like Gillam’s House of Cuts, the greed of corporate America is one theme of this book. Developer Dermot Connolly, from California, has plans to build a Disney-like theme park in Tuam, and this involves Hillary with Bridget Murphy, her long time Irish-American friend and champion of the poor, as well as Bridget’s boyfriend, Seamus, who works for the developer. But I won’t reveal more of that plot here. In addition, another compelling theme threaded throughout the novel, and which gives the book both depth and breadth, is the theme of heritage and family––especially that of mothers.
One central mystery in the book is why Hillary’s mother left her when she was only ten-years-old. Hillary therefore questions whether or not she can be a good mother to her own young daughter Claire. Revealed to Hillary through Bridget is a history of certain Irish mothers and unspeakable acts committed out of poverty and desperation. Even the evil Dermot Connolly is spurred on by his relationship with his mother, hoping to give her a better life, and Seamus, Bridget’s boyfriend, is still haunted by his childhood, being seen as “less than” his brother by this mother. Claire’s cry of “Maaa,” echoed throughout the novel when addressing her mother Hillary, amplifies this theme.
Although the who-dun-it aspect of this book is compelling, as is Hillary’s character in particular, this novel also leaves one wondering about our own role as mothers (if we are women) and about our own relationships, good or bad, with our mothers and grandmothers. The book ends with Hillary’s plans to meet her mother again. I can’t wait to see what happens.
This novel can be enjoyed without reading the two that preceded it, House of Cuts and House of Dads. However, if one first reads the other two, one cannot only see the evolution of Hillary’s character, but also one can see such things as Hillary’s early relationship with Ed before she is married as well as being able to be involved with other of the protagonist's friends and family. I have enjoyed all three of Gillam's novels, and I look forward to reading the next in this series, House of Hoops.
Like Gillam’s House of Cuts, the greed of corporate America is one theme of this book. Developer Dermot Connolly, from California, has plans to build a Disney-like theme park in Tuam, and this involves Hillary with Bridget Murphy, her long time Irish-American friend and champion of the poor, as well as Bridget’s boyfriend, Seamus, who works for the developer. But I won’t reveal more of that plot here. In addition, another compelling theme threaded throughout the novel, and which gives the book both depth and breadth, is the theme of heritage and family––especially that of mothers.
One central mystery in the book is why Hillary’s mother left her when she was only ten-years-old. Hillary therefore questions whether or not she can be a good mother to her own young daughter Claire. Revealed to Hillary through Bridget is a history of certain Irish mothers and unspeakable acts committed out of poverty and desperation. Even the evil Dermot Connolly is spurred on by his relationship with his mother, hoping to give her a better life, and Seamus, Bridget’s boyfriend, is still haunted by his childhood, being seen as “less than” his brother by this mother. Claire’s cry of “Maaa,” echoed throughout the novel when addressing her mother Hillary, amplifies this theme.
Although the who-dun-it aspect of this book is compelling, as is Hillary’s character in particular, this novel also leaves one wondering about our own role as mothers (if we are women) and about our own relationships, good or bad, with our mothers and grandmothers. The book ends with Hillary’s plans to meet her mother again. I can’t wait to see what happens.
This novel can be enjoyed without reading the two that preceded it, House of Cuts and House of Dads. However, if one first reads the other two, one cannot only see the evolution of Hillary’s character, but also one can see such things as Hillary’s early relationship with Ed before she is married as well as being able to be involved with other of the protagonist's friends and family. I have enjoyed all three of Gillam's novels, and I look forward to reading the next in this series, House of Hoops.
September 15, 2016
June Gillam dedicates this novel to her mother Geraldine Price Skalisky Robeson, who she says sang “Galway Bay” to her sisters and her. According to the map of Ireland right beneath the destination, the song likely refers to the western coastal city Galway on the Emerald Isle. Below the map is a quote from Alex Haley, author of Roots, about people hungry to learn about their lineage. Each part opens with a quote from William Butler Yeats’ “Second Coming,” and the main text involves protagonist Hillary Broome going to Ireland to uncover her family history, although she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery. Overall, this is an enjoyable realistic novel, with each chapter indicating the location of the events, and the end leaving room for another sequel, with those contemplating reading assured that the third book on the Hillary Broome series can be enjoyed without reading its predecessors.
October 2, 2019
A crime novel with a historical perspective..
Hillary Broome ia visiting With her family. While her husband Ed is attending a Gang summit, Hillary attempts to find the stories of her Irish ancestors with the help of her friend Bridget. But she finds herself getting pulled into Bridget's fight against a influential real estate developer. Will Hillary and her family survive this ?
This was an excellent read. The author's respectful use of trgedies in Irish history was interesting. I have already added the first two Hillary Broome novels to my to-read list.
Hillary Broome ia visiting With her family. While her husband Ed is attending a Gang summit, Hillary attempts to find the stories of her Irish ancestors with the help of her friend Bridget. But she finds herself getting pulled into Bridget's fight against a influential real estate developer. Will Hillary and her family survive this ?
This was an excellent read. The author's respectful use of trgedies in Irish history was interesting. I have already added the first two Hillary Broome novels to my to-read list.
May 8, 2024
Hillary and her family take a vacation trip to Ireland to visit her friend Bridget. Bridget, an activist, is at war with an American land-developer who wants to build an amusement park . Bridget stipulates that the park must include a section devoted to educating tourists about Irish history and the plight of Irish citizens in the 1840s potato famine. Things get ugly. Hillary and her family are drawn in to some tragic events. I enjoyed this thriller that included Irish history and culture.
December 30, 2016
FIRST IMPRESSION:
When you are hooked onto a series, and read all the books in it continuously, it becomes difficult as time goes on to separate the individual events that happened in the different books. You have absorbed the story as a whole but you are not quite sure if, say, the marriage or the car chase happened in the books 2 or 3. There is always a slight risk of confusing characters even if the books could be read as standalones. The Hillary Broome novels would work good as standalones but since I got the first two (chronologically, not in series structure) as a gift from the author, I read them in the sequential order. So the first impression for the book would be merged with those I had of the previous books on the whole and not a unique, defining line.
The cover for the book (like its predecessors) looked simple and not really covering the brilliance of the writing within. The summary kept it short and intriguing and has enough substance to make the random reader pick this up at bookstores and read further.
REVIEW:
House of Eire is the third Hillary Broome novel and like the books before it, it was also filled with great writing, tight plots and splendid story weaving. After having read all the three books in the set, I am of the opinion that the House of Eire could be read as a standalone because it does not miss out on any vital information but reading the other two books in the chronological order of release would make more sense. The protagonist herself undergoes a sea of change that changes her perspective on everything she encounters and it would be cruel injustice to just try to absorb her character and analyse it if you have read this one first. Reading the other two after this would be like watching a movie in reverse - from adulthood to gestation, because there is a lot to be gleaned about all the major characters from the first two books. That being said, House of Eire can be perfectly understood as one standalone book if that is all you have time for!
The story itself is simple. Hillary is a reporter / ghostwriter. She decides to go to Ireland accompanied by her detective husband Ed. Ed is out there for a different purpose but Hillary focuses on retracing her ancestory while she is embroiled in a local problem. Her friend is now the leader of the group of people resisting the construction of a theme park that does not focus on Ireland's history as much as it should. Things turn murky when murders happen and all of a sudden it is not just the normal lives anymore. Paranormal references infuse the story after that point and it becomes a thick plot and a good page turner material.
It is hard to write successive books with the same characters without seeming to offer contradictory development in character traits over multiple installments. For example, a character defined as 'generous with words' cannot be made to stutter and use bland words in later books, unless the situation calls for it. It is in the little things like these that Gilliam scores. The developmental changes that happen are almost always either completely consistent or veer off with good reason. The author deserves special praise for this. The language and descriptions are so realistic that they made me visit Ireland in my mind and it was, in equal parts, fun and emotional to know about the people and their living conditions.
I looked at the book as a separate standalone and from that perspective, the novel and its plots are simple yet stunning. But when I say 'plots', I mean the two different things that the story focuses on and somewhere halfway through, the beginning is swiped down on the priority list only to be brought in to tie up the loose ends later on. But the overall tone and mood of the book more than makes up for this lapse. It is emotional, it is poignant and at the same time, enough to generate and keep the interest going until the last page. Having read all the books together, I would really like to read the next book in this set that comes along because Hillary as a character has got a niche for herself in my mind, thanks to June's carefully constructed writing.
WHAT I LIKED:
•Focused writing that drew me in and kept me there
•Pace did not slacken much
•Descriptive writing that took me to the actual place I was reading about
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
•A bit more continuity and expansion to the 'looking into the family tree' angle of the story would have helped the book.
•A slight confusion as to the main plot arises when the deviations come, but even then the story maintains pace wonderfully
•The cover could have been a bit more alluring
VERDICT:
Go for this one! It is a good read that keeps you turning the pages.
RATING: 4/5
When you are hooked onto a series, and read all the books in it continuously, it becomes difficult as time goes on to separate the individual events that happened in the different books. You have absorbed the story as a whole but you are not quite sure if, say, the marriage or the car chase happened in the books 2 or 3. There is always a slight risk of confusing characters even if the books could be read as standalones. The Hillary Broome novels would work good as standalones but since I got the first two (chronologically, not in series structure) as a gift from the author, I read them in the sequential order. So the first impression for the book would be merged with those I had of the previous books on the whole and not a unique, defining line.
The cover for the book (like its predecessors) looked simple and not really covering the brilliance of the writing within. The summary kept it short and intriguing and has enough substance to make the random reader pick this up at bookstores and read further.
REVIEW:
House of Eire is the third Hillary Broome novel and like the books before it, it was also filled with great writing, tight plots and splendid story weaving. After having read all the three books in the set, I am of the opinion that the House of Eire could be read as a standalone because it does not miss out on any vital information but reading the other two books in the chronological order of release would make more sense. The protagonist herself undergoes a sea of change that changes her perspective on everything she encounters and it would be cruel injustice to just try to absorb her character and analyse it if you have read this one first. Reading the other two after this would be like watching a movie in reverse - from adulthood to gestation, because there is a lot to be gleaned about all the major characters from the first two books. That being said, House of Eire can be perfectly understood as one standalone book if that is all you have time for!
The story itself is simple. Hillary is a reporter / ghostwriter. She decides to go to Ireland accompanied by her detective husband Ed. Ed is out there for a different purpose but Hillary focuses on retracing her ancestory while she is embroiled in a local problem. Her friend is now the leader of the group of people resisting the construction of a theme park that does not focus on Ireland's history as much as it should. Things turn murky when murders happen and all of a sudden it is not just the normal lives anymore. Paranormal references infuse the story after that point and it becomes a thick plot and a good page turner material.
It is hard to write successive books with the same characters without seeming to offer contradictory development in character traits over multiple installments. For example, a character defined as 'generous with words' cannot be made to stutter and use bland words in later books, unless the situation calls for it. It is in the little things like these that Gilliam scores. The developmental changes that happen are almost always either completely consistent or veer off with good reason. The author deserves special praise for this. The language and descriptions are so realistic that they made me visit Ireland in my mind and it was, in equal parts, fun and emotional to know about the people and their living conditions.
I looked at the book as a separate standalone and from that perspective, the novel and its plots are simple yet stunning. But when I say 'plots', I mean the two different things that the story focuses on and somewhere halfway through, the beginning is swiped down on the priority list only to be brought in to tie up the loose ends later on. But the overall tone and mood of the book more than makes up for this lapse. It is emotional, it is poignant and at the same time, enough to generate and keep the interest going until the last page. Having read all the books together, I would really like to read the next book in this set that comes along because Hillary as a character has got a niche for herself in my mind, thanks to June's carefully constructed writing.
WHAT I LIKED:
•Focused writing that drew me in and kept me there
•Pace did not slacken much
•Descriptive writing that took me to the actual place I was reading about
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
•A bit more continuity and expansion to the 'looking into the family tree' angle of the story would have helped the book.
•A slight confusion as to the main plot arises when the deviations come, but even then the story maintains pace wonderfully
•The cover could have been a bit more alluring
VERDICT:
Go for this one! It is a good read that keeps you turning the pages.
RATING: 4/5
March 18, 2020
Supernatural and thrilling mystery in Ireland!
Lovers of thrilling mystery, tinged with a bit of the supernatural, and set in a strongly historical and misty location of Ireland, will love this book. Fans of all things Irish, will also find their niche here, as the mystery takes place in stunning natural, as well as ancient human backgrounds, and the authors writing brings these vividly to life in the minds eye as you read. The all encompassing magic of the Irish world is brought to life in this novel as an amateur investigator is drawn into a thoroughly modern web of greed and a love of money which leads to murder and to other crimes. For an unforgettable experience of all things Irish, as well as a thrilling mystery, this book is absorbing and thrilling reading. I look forward to reading the other books in this series, as well!
Lovers of thrilling mystery, tinged with a bit of the supernatural, and set in a strongly historical and misty location of Ireland, will love this book. Fans of all things Irish, will also find their niche here, as the mystery takes place in stunning natural, as well as ancient human backgrounds, and the authors writing brings these vividly to life in the minds eye as you read. The all encompassing magic of the Irish world is brought to life in this novel as an amateur investigator is drawn into a thoroughly modern web of greed and a love of money which leads to murder and to other crimes. For an unforgettable experience of all things Irish, as well as a thrilling mystery, this book is absorbing and thrilling reading. I look forward to reading the other books in this series, as well!
September 14, 2019
A Cozy Murder Mystery And More
I received this book as a free e-book from Onlinebookclub.org in exchange for a fair and honest review .
I would describe this novel as a cozy murder mystery but it is much more than that because of the beautiful prose written by the author. The story takes place as our heroine Hillary Broome, an investigating reporter, takes her husband and daughter on a work vacation to Ireland. The author's description of Ireland's landscape is mesmerising to read. I could see the lush green hills. I could feel the damp grass on my feet from the foggy morning dew.
Hillary , however, is not just there to enjoy the beauty of this country. Her best friend needs her help fighting a conglomerate that wants to build a Disney like amusement park destroying the pure land and history that is Ireland's pride and joy.
Along the way, there is murder and mystery. The book is not gory. There is no cursing or embarrassing sex scenes. In fact, this story would fit right in with Hallmark's Murder Mystery channel.
I did not realize that this book was the third book in the Hillary Broome series. It works as a stand alone story. However, I've already ordered the first two books, House of Cuts and House of Dad, so I can have a better understanding of the main character.
I would have liked there to have been more suspects in the murder mystery and for the killer to have been more prominent throughout the story rather than near the end of it. It's just more fun when you truly can't figure out who done it!
I received this book as a free e-book from Onlinebookclub.org in exchange for a fair and honest review .
I would describe this novel as a cozy murder mystery but it is much more than that because of the beautiful prose written by the author. The story takes place as our heroine Hillary Broome, an investigating reporter, takes her husband and daughter on a work vacation to Ireland. The author's description of Ireland's landscape is mesmerising to read. I could see the lush green hills. I could feel the damp grass on my feet from the foggy morning dew.
Hillary , however, is not just there to enjoy the beauty of this country. Her best friend needs her help fighting a conglomerate that wants to build a Disney like amusement park destroying the pure land and history that is Ireland's pride and joy.
Along the way, there is murder and mystery. The book is not gory. There is no cursing or embarrassing sex scenes. In fact, this story would fit right in with Hallmark's Murder Mystery channel.
I did not realize that this book was the third book in the Hillary Broome series. It works as a stand alone story. However, I've already ordered the first two books, House of Cuts and House of Dad, so I can have a better understanding of the main character.
I would have liked there to have been more suspects in the murder mystery and for the killer to have been more prominent throughout the story rather than near the end of it. It's just more fun when you truly can't figure out who done it!
September 7, 2016
FTC: I received a free copy of this book from iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.
House of Eire by June Gillam was a great book. This is the third book in the series and the first book that I have read. That being said I understood what was going on in this book, so you don’t have to read the other books if this is the only one that interests you. I love that parts this book take place in Ireland because it is the one place that I want to visit one day. This book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book, and I didn’t stop reading until I had finished the book.
I enjoyed the authors writing, and I can’t wait to read the other two books in the series. Hillary was my favorite character in this book, and I am hoping that the author will write more books with her in them. I liked the characters in this book like I like the characters in the King and Maxwell books written by David Baldacci. The books aren’t alike at all, but I liked Hillary like I like those characters.
I am sure that most people who like mystery books will like this book. It is an easy read and a book that I would recommend to anyone. I also think that this is a book that high school kids would like to read as well. If you have read this book what, did you think about it?
House of Eire by June Gillam was a great book. This is the third book in the series and the first book that I have read. That being said I understood what was going on in this book, so you don’t have to read the other books if this is the only one that interests you. I love that parts this book take place in Ireland because it is the one place that I want to visit one day. This book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book, and I didn’t stop reading until I had finished the book.
I enjoyed the authors writing, and I can’t wait to read the other two books in the series. Hillary was my favorite character in this book, and I am hoping that the author will write more books with her in them. I liked the characters in this book like I like the characters in the King and Maxwell books written by David Baldacci. The books aren’t alike at all, but I liked Hillary like I like those characters.
I am sure that most people who like mystery books will like this book. It is an easy read and a book that I would recommend to anyone. I also think that this is a book that high school kids would like to read as well. If you have read this book what, did you think about it?
September 14, 2016
House of Eire is book three in the Hillary Broome series by author June Gillam. While they are all stand alone, there is a personal timeline for the main character that is best followed by reading the books in order.
In book three, Hillary and detective Ed Kiffin have been married for ten years and have a beautiful, precocious daughter named Claire - a true hand full. They are finally headed off to Ireland on the honeymoon they always wished for. Kiffin has a conference to attend, so will only be spending time with them here and there. Joining Hillary and Claire is her friend Sarah who she saved from a psychotic killer in book one.
The vacation turns serious when the close friend Hillary is supposed to meet up with - Bridget - ends up dead. Hillary is devastated. Evil forces begin to circulate and a second murder occurs. Our heroine is torn between loyalty to her friend, the desire to solve her murder and returning home to ensure the safety of her daughter.
Similar to the author's first book in this series, House of Eire offers more than just a simple murder mystery. It addresses the effect on a small local community when an international developer decides to invest dollars in a big tourist theme park without respect for the community nor consideration for how it will affect local people's lives.
In book three, Hillary and detective Ed Kiffin have been married for ten years and have a beautiful, precocious daughter named Claire - a true hand full. They are finally headed off to Ireland on the honeymoon they always wished for. Kiffin has a conference to attend, so will only be spending time with them here and there. Joining Hillary and Claire is her friend Sarah who she saved from a psychotic killer in book one.
The vacation turns serious when the close friend Hillary is supposed to meet up with - Bridget - ends up dead. Hillary is devastated. Evil forces begin to circulate and a second murder occurs. Our heroine is torn between loyalty to her friend, the desire to solve her murder and returning home to ensure the safety of her daughter.
Similar to the author's first book in this series, House of Eire offers more than just a simple murder mystery. It addresses the effect on a small local community when an international developer decides to invest dollars in a big tourist theme park without respect for the community nor consideration for how it will affect local people's lives.
September 6, 2016
A wonderful thrilling adventure full of suspense, mystery and history. This book is set in Ireland and we learn so much about their history, their people and their struggle. I found myself at several times, stopping where I was so I could look up an event or place to learn more about it. It left me in tears at times with the suffering the people went through.
The plot line falls in perfectly with the history of Ireland. Hilary is going back to her home country to learn her past and visit her friend who has been researching and leading a fight to stop a developer from building a theme park without truly representing the suffering of the Irish people. This quickly turns deadly when individuals are murdered, leaving Hilary scared not only for herself but for her family.
The plot quickly speeds up and you literally can not put the book down as it is that exciting! The murder, suspense and never truly knowing what was going to happen next was thrilling. House of Eire is well written, laid out, with amazing characters and an even better plot. You will easily fall in love with this story!
The plot line falls in perfectly with the history of Ireland. Hilary is going back to her home country to learn her past and visit her friend who has been researching and leading a fight to stop a developer from building a theme park without truly representing the suffering of the Irish people. This quickly turns deadly when individuals are murdered, leaving Hilary scared not only for herself but for her family.
The plot quickly speeds up and you literally can not put the book down as it is that exciting! The murder, suspense and never truly knowing what was going to happen next was thrilling. House of Eire is well written, laid out, with amazing characters and an even better plot. You will easily fall in love with this story!
September 16, 2016
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
This is the first Hillary Broome novel I've read. I plan on reading the first two books in the series when I have time but House of Eire does stand on its own.
Hillary and her family are excited to be going to Ireland. She and her husband Ed joke that it's their belated honeymoon but their daughter Claire and friend Sarah are also going. Hillary learns a lot about her Irish heritage while they are there but she also runs into a bit of danger and excitement while there.
June Gillam's writing flows well and this was a quick read. There was a lot of Irish history which was interesting. There was also a bit of mystery and suspense.
I liked the characters. The relationship between Hillary and Ed was refreshing. They had no conflicts and were obviously happily married. The characters are complex and likable. Seamus, the boyfriend of Hillary's friend, was my favorite because he was so complex and conflicted.
Anyone who enjoys a mystery with a lot of history will enjoy House of Eire. I'm looking forward to reading the first two books in the series.
This is the first Hillary Broome novel I've read. I plan on reading the first two books in the series when I have time but House of Eire does stand on its own.
Hillary and her family are excited to be going to Ireland. She and her husband Ed joke that it's their belated honeymoon but their daughter Claire and friend Sarah are also going. Hillary learns a lot about her Irish heritage while they are there but she also runs into a bit of danger and excitement while there.
June Gillam's writing flows well and this was a quick read. There was a lot of Irish history which was interesting. There was also a bit of mystery and suspense.
I liked the characters. The relationship between Hillary and Ed was refreshing. They had no conflicts and were obviously happily married. The characters are complex and likable. Seamus, the boyfriend of Hillary's friend, was my favorite because he was so complex and conflicted.
Anyone who enjoys a mystery with a lot of history will enjoy House of Eire. I'm looking forward to reading the first two books in the series.
November 20, 2016
I state now that I've never not read anything about June Gillam and, in fact, this is her first novel to have happened in my hands. Despite being the third volume of a series, dedicated to Hillary Broome, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised how easily I was able to approach myself with the character: almost always known! Needless to say, both immediately found my favorite. What prompted me to literary adventure was the setting in Ireland, the country that I love always and I want to visit (and maybe move it with a little 'luck) one day: I was not disappointed. A mystery that keeps the reader glued to its pages from the start thanks to the smoothness of the text and the immediacy with which the author knows address his audience. A good book that fans of the genre will find to their liking. I'm going to recover the previous two! Recommended!
N.B.: I received a free copy of this book from iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.
N.B.: I received a free copy of this book from iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.
September 11, 2016
An amazing read to explore Ireland and its history
My husband has an Irish blood in him. I am always intrigue to learn more about his Irish ancestry and history. Though he never visited Ireland before but reading the House Of Eire gave me an idea how beautiful this land of the shamrocks.
Not only this book is educational, it is also suspense. The book is hard to put it down. I wanted to take a peek on the last page but hold on real tight not to do it. The mystery is killing me so as my nerves. House Of Eire is also a story of a beautiful family and friendship. It is also very sweet, funny aside from suspense.
I so loved the smart and beautiful girl Claire. She is not only witty at seven years old but so matured at a very young age. You will loved her and so this book from Ms. June Gillam. I cannot wait to read her other books. I highly recommend this book if you want to know more about Ireland at the same the suspense as you read along each chapters.
Disclosure:
I received a paperback copy of the book from ireadbooktours in exchange of my honest review.
My husband has an Irish blood in him. I am always intrigue to learn more about his Irish ancestry and history. Though he never visited Ireland before but reading the House Of Eire gave me an idea how beautiful this land of the shamrocks.
Not only this book is educational, it is also suspense. The book is hard to put it down. I wanted to take a peek on the last page but hold on real tight not to do it. The mystery is killing me so as my nerves. House Of Eire is also a story of a beautiful family and friendship. It is also very sweet, funny aside from suspense.
I so loved the smart and beautiful girl Claire. She is not only witty at seven years old but so matured at a very young age. You will loved her and so this book from Ms. June Gillam. I cannot wait to read her other books. I highly recommend this book if you want to know more about Ireland at the same the suspense as you read along each chapters.
Disclosure:
I received a paperback copy of the book from ireadbooktours in exchange of my honest review.
September 8, 2016
House of Eire by June Gillam is the third book in the Hillary Broome Novels series. I received all of the book in the series for free for only my honest and unbiased review. I can tell you honestly that it is best to begin by reading books one and two in the series before diving into book three as it gives you more insight into the characters and the author's writing style. That said House of Eire by June Gillam can be read by itself and the reader will not miss out on any extremely vital information in giving books one and two a miss.
House of Eire by June Gillam is a well written novel that follows Hillary Broome to Ireland as she works to uncover more secrets and mysteries. I greatly enjoyed House of Eire by June Gillam because not only did it have an amazing plot line, but it also had a strong female character as the main character.
**I was sent this book for free for only my honest and unbiased review***
House of Eire by June Gillam is a well written novel that follows Hillary Broome to Ireland as she works to uncover more secrets and mysteries. I greatly enjoyed House of Eire by June Gillam because not only did it have an amazing plot line, but it also had a strong female character as the main character.
**I was sent this book for free for only my honest and unbiased review***
September 3, 2019
3.5 stars
This book was sent to me by Online Book Club and I didn't know getting into it that it would prove to be so exciting and thrilling. It revolved around two individuals who are connected through friendship and their yearning to learn more about their ancestors and heritage. So Bridget who has researched stuff invites Hillary and her family to Ireland so she could share her research with her. But as Hillary reaches there, she finds Bridget murdered and is suck into the mystery behind it. The beginning and the plot was great and engaging but towards the end it drifted apart. It would have been a 4 stars if the end was well written. It felt as if the author just wanted to get over with the story. So the unsatisfying end is the only con, it could have had a better end
This book was sent to me by Online Book Club and I didn't know getting into it that it would prove to be so exciting and thrilling. It revolved around two individuals who are connected through friendship and their yearning to learn more about their ancestors and heritage. So Bridget who has researched stuff invites Hillary and her family to Ireland so she could share her research with her. But as Hillary reaches there, she finds Bridget murdered and is suck into the mystery behind it. The beginning and the plot was great and engaging but towards the end it drifted apart. It would have been a 4 stars if the end was well written. It felt as if the author just wanted to get over with the story. So the unsatisfying end is the only con, it could have had a better end
March 29, 2020
This was a decent mixed genre book. Slower paced because of the historical details woven into the narrative. The crime didn’t come into the story until it was half over and it was very predictable with heavy foreshadowing. I liked the historical bits and the cultural lure of the book more than the crime, and the plot focused more on the vacation to Ireland. The book deals with Ireland’s tragic past and rebuilding its economy, which made a nice story but I didn’t get the suspense/thrills that come with a typical crime/thriller/mystery book.
August 6, 2016
Another page Turner!
Gillam's third novel follows nicely her first two books in the series. An easy-to-read page Turner, honor and respect is symbolized through people's interactions in the story. I also enjoyed travelling through the author's words. This book, along with the others in the "Broome" series is a wonderful and clear visualization of events. I look forward to the next "Hillary Broome Novel."
Gillam's third novel follows nicely her first two books in the series. An easy-to-read page Turner, honor and respect is symbolized through people's interactions in the story. I also enjoyed travelling through the author's words. This book, along with the others in the "Broome" series is a wonderful and clear visualization of events. I look forward to the next "Hillary Broome Novel."
September 5, 2019
Thrilling, Tragic, Hopeful
A thrilling read about a woman’s journey into her Irish history. As she encounters the tragic past, lives the harsh present, and looks to the hopeful future, Hillary teaches the importance of finding the truth. If you love a thrilling mystery, tales of Irish history and folklore, and have time for a binge read (because it’s hard to put this book down once you start!), then this is the book for you.
A thrilling read about a woman’s journey into her Irish history. As she encounters the tragic past, lives the harsh present, and looks to the hopeful future, Hillary teaches the importance of finding the truth. If you love a thrilling mystery, tales of Irish history and folklore, and have time for a binge read (because it’s hard to put this book down once you start!), then this is the book for you.
July 21, 2017
I listened to the audiobook version of House of Eire. The descriptions of settings and characters are captivating, and I thoroughly enjoyed this brief visit to Ireland. The narrator spoke clearly and could be easily understood, even while I traveled in a noisy car. The different accents were challenging, and I thought she handled them well.
October 2, 2019
Mystery meets ghost stories.
The headline is absolutely true. The author seamlessly blended these two ideas. This combo created so much suspense that I found myself unable to set this book down. I absolutely had to get to the bottom of what was going on and why. As a result, this story was a quick and easy read.
The headline is absolutely true. The author seamlessly blended these two ideas. This combo created so much suspense that I found myself unable to set this book down. I absolutely had to get to the bottom of what was going on and why. As a result, this story was a quick and easy read.
August 23, 2019
Narrator on Audiobook leaves much to be desired but book is good.
June 1, 2020
Hillary Broome returns in June Gillam’s House of Eire, the third book in Gillam’s Hillary Broome Novels series. Hillary can be defined as a lot of things: mother to her rambunctious and precocious 7-year-old, Claire; wife of her supportive husband, Ed; esteemed ghostwriter for a popular tell-all biography series. But right now, she’s just a woman taking her family on vacation.
Hillary, Claire, Ed, and their close family friend, Sarah, travel to Ireland to learn more about Hillary’s grandfather who grew up in the Galway region. Prior to their trip, Hillary had been in touch with Bridget Murphy, a Galway native that is heavily involved in a growing scandal. Actively fighting against Dermot, an American theme park developer, Bridget works to acknowledge Irish suffering during the historic “Great Hunger” by erecting a memorial inside the new Irish theme park. Unbeknownst to Bridget, her boyfriend, Seamus, is heavily involved as Dermot’s middle man and is trying to hinder her progress.
When Hillary and her family land in Ireland, she takes it upon herself to assist Bridget with her campaign and the two find themselves in some sticky situations.
House of Eire, by June Gillam, is a mystery novel best suited to readers who enjoy travel. I say this because there is a significant chunk of the book devoted to Hillary, Claire, and Sarah’s travels around Ireland’s Galway region. This leads me into one of the aspects I liked least, as I got lost in the details of their vacation and couldn’t understand how they were relevant to the main storyline. I kept waiting for something mindblowing to happen when they were visiting tourist destinations but found that it mostly read like a mom’s personal blog of her family vacation.
Despite this, the book started out strong, introducing and describing the multi-faceted personalities of Hillary, Claire, Ed, and Sarah. Claire was both my favorite character and my favorite part of the book. Gillam gave her so much unique personality, which I sometimes find is rare for books with child protagonists. Claire is definitely not perfect, more often than not getting into trouble with her natural curiosity and exuberance, but she has many quirky and unique traits that made me love her. From her refusal to get a haircut, to her insistence on calling her mother “Maaa” like a sheep, she gave the story some much-needed levity.
I was confused by the ending of the book, as it seemed incomplete. Without giving away any spoilers, I will just say that the end seemed confusing at best and unrealistic at worst. I did not feel the conflict was resolved and was left disappointed. There were also several “don’t go into the basement!” moments for me where I seriously questioned the character’s decisions.
Overall I am giving this book 2 out of 5 stars. Although the book started out strong, the middle chunk of the book describing their vacation, as well as the unrealistic and unresolved ending, disrupted my enjoyment of the book and prevented me from giving it a higher rating. Though this book did not resonate with me personally, I feel others will likely enjoy the mystery and relate to the dynamic main characters.
Readers should be aware that there is profanity in the book. Although there are some adult concepts, the content is neither graphic nor crude. This book can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Hillary, Claire, Ed, and their close family friend, Sarah, travel to Ireland to learn more about Hillary’s grandfather who grew up in the Galway region. Prior to their trip, Hillary had been in touch with Bridget Murphy, a Galway native that is heavily involved in a growing scandal. Actively fighting against Dermot, an American theme park developer, Bridget works to acknowledge Irish suffering during the historic “Great Hunger” by erecting a memorial inside the new Irish theme park. Unbeknownst to Bridget, her boyfriend, Seamus, is heavily involved as Dermot’s middle man and is trying to hinder her progress.
When Hillary and her family land in Ireland, she takes it upon herself to assist Bridget with her campaign and the two find themselves in some sticky situations.
House of Eire, by June Gillam, is a mystery novel best suited to readers who enjoy travel. I say this because there is a significant chunk of the book devoted to Hillary, Claire, and Sarah’s travels around Ireland’s Galway region. This leads me into one of the aspects I liked least, as I got lost in the details of their vacation and couldn’t understand how they were relevant to the main storyline. I kept waiting for something mindblowing to happen when they were visiting tourist destinations but found that it mostly read like a mom’s personal blog of her family vacation.
Despite this, the book started out strong, introducing and describing the multi-faceted personalities of Hillary, Claire, Ed, and Sarah. Claire was both my favorite character and my favorite part of the book. Gillam gave her so much unique personality, which I sometimes find is rare for books with child protagonists. Claire is definitely not perfect, more often than not getting into trouble with her natural curiosity and exuberance, but she has many quirky and unique traits that made me love her. From her refusal to get a haircut, to her insistence on calling her mother “Maaa” like a sheep, she gave the story some much-needed levity.
I was confused by the ending of the book, as it seemed incomplete. Without giving away any spoilers, I will just say that the end seemed confusing at best and unrealistic at worst. I did not feel the conflict was resolved and was left disappointed. There were also several “don’t go into the basement!” moments for me where I seriously questioned the character’s decisions.
Overall I am giving this book 2 out of 5 stars. Although the book started out strong, the middle chunk of the book describing their vacation, as well as the unrealistic and unresolved ending, disrupted my enjoyment of the book and prevented me from giving it a higher rating. Though this book did not resonate with me personally, I feel others will likely enjoy the mystery and relate to the dynamic main characters.
Readers should be aware that there is profanity in the book. Although there are some adult concepts, the content is neither graphic nor crude. This book can be read as a stand-alone novel.
December 19, 2025
Hillary Broome, a journalist-turned-ghostwriter who lives in Lodi, California, with her detective husband Ed Kiffin, her seven-year-old daughter Claire, and her mother-like friend Sarah, is planning a postponed honeymoon to Ireland with her husband. Her desire to learn more about her family's history, as well as the mystery of why her mother abandoned her at the age of ten, drives her to travel to Ireland. She sees this vacation as a way to escape the disturbing nightmares she associates with her mother and the constant pressure from her college friend turned boss, Roger, on her next writing project. While she is looking forward to meeting her sister-like friend Bridget, a strong and independent woman who is in love with a lawyer named Seamus and is fighting an evil developer named Dermot against his theme park project on Irish grounds, which disrespects the history of the Great Famine, she is also terrified of learning about her father's origins. Her journey to Galway to meet Bridget leads her to become involved in a crime that shakes her to her core.
What exactly was the crime? What secrets did Bridget have that contributed to these events? Was it linked to the evil dermot in any way? Where was Seamus during this incident? Is he involved in any of the events surrounding Bridget? What will Hillary do when she discovers the cause of the incidents occurring around her? Will she be able to protect Claire and Sarah? Can she trust Seamus with the items she discovered? The plot progresses as Hillary learns more about her ancestors, Bridget's secrets, and Irish ghost stories.
The third book in June Gilliam's Hillary Broome series, "House of Eire," takes an unexpected turn, entangling Hillary in deadly conspiracies orchestrated by theme park developers. In a picturesque land of a thousand welcomes, the story is a blend of romance, genealogy, and suspense. I liked how the author built suspense, incorporated the history of Ireland's Great Famine, developed the characters throughout the book, and crafted a compelling narrative with intriguing mysteries that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The book is divided into three sections, each of which stands out for its seamless storytelling and captivating plots. There were many moments where the author explained Irish history, culture, and sufferings, which I appreciate the author's effort to gather for great storytelling.
There were some drawbacks to the book as well. First, it was not as good of a horror plot as it appears from the cover; it is more of a thriller, which disappointed me, but the author made up for it with a crime thriller. Second, it cannot be called a standalone in the series because there were so many unanswered questions about the characters that I kept thinking I should have read the previous two parts first.
Overall, the book was professionally edited and was a thrilling read, earning it a 5 out of 5 star rating from me for all of the reasons stated above. The book's enthralling mysteries and Gilliam's adept storytelling make it a must-read for fans of suspenseful tales set against the enchanting Irish landscape.
What exactly was the crime? What secrets did Bridget have that contributed to these events? Was it linked to the evil dermot in any way? Where was Seamus during this incident? Is he involved in any of the events surrounding Bridget? What will Hillary do when she discovers the cause of the incidents occurring around her? Will she be able to protect Claire and Sarah? Can she trust Seamus with the items she discovered? The plot progresses as Hillary learns more about her ancestors, Bridget's secrets, and Irish ghost stories.
The third book in June Gilliam's Hillary Broome series, "House of Eire," takes an unexpected turn, entangling Hillary in deadly conspiracies orchestrated by theme park developers. In a picturesque land of a thousand welcomes, the story is a blend of romance, genealogy, and suspense. I liked how the author built suspense, incorporated the history of Ireland's Great Famine, developed the characters throughout the book, and crafted a compelling narrative with intriguing mysteries that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The book is divided into three sections, each of which stands out for its seamless storytelling and captivating plots. There were many moments where the author explained Irish history, culture, and sufferings, which I appreciate the author's effort to gather for great storytelling.
There were some drawbacks to the book as well. First, it was not as good of a horror plot as it appears from the cover; it is more of a thriller, which disappointed me, but the author made up for it with a crime thriller. Second, it cannot be called a standalone in the series because there were so many unanswered questions about the characters that I kept thinking I should have read the previous two parts first.
Overall, the book was professionally edited and was a thrilling read, earning it a 5 out of 5 star rating from me for all of the reasons stated above. The book's enthralling mysteries and Gilliam's adept storytelling make it a must-read for fans of suspenseful tales set against the enchanting Irish landscape.
September 18, 2019
I'm not sure what everyone else has seen in this book to give it such a high rating, but even though I stuck with it to the end, I wasn't impressed. It might be because I was reading the third in a series without having read the two previous books, so I was unfamiliar with the characters. I'm not sure if more familiarity would have helped, though, because a lot of what I didn't like had to do with a need for more time anchors, a lack of clarity, unconnected statements, and a large variety of mechanics issues (including British spellings in a book about an American protagonist), to the point where I wondered if it had been professionally edited at all.
There was a lack of character building that contributed to my inability to connect with the characters. I had to wonder what Ed's function was other token male, since he was almost never present and seemed to just show up to pat Hillary's shoulder or tell her that her concerns were silly. Why bother bringing him into the story at all if he's going to spend most of his time at a conference? And pseudo mother/grandma Sara had even less of a function that was totally unnecessary. Daughter Claire was supposed to be adorable and precocious but came across as spoiled and bratty. The constant use of "Maaa" instead of "Ma" or "Mom" was supposed to make her sound like a lamb bleating, but it sounded whiny instead. In the very last chapter she called her mother Mom twice, which sounded totally natural. Hillary herself was such a mass of neuroses and paranoia that I was repelled rather than empathetic. Her reactions to fairly normal situations was often completely out of proportion. Her agonizing over her mother's desertion pops up in random places where it seems forced and as if the author is afraid we'll forget about that plot point. By the end of the story I didn't even care what happened to any of them
There was also a lack of scene building and clear transitions within/between scenes. Characters appear without having been mentioned before, let alone introduced into the scene. Food is eaten that hasn't been served yet. Statements and observations are made so long after the original subject that they felt confusing and arbitrary. Future events are telegraphed so clearly that I figured out every plot twist well in advance, so there was no tension or suspense for me and the final climax came off as just okay. The author kept over-taxing my suspension of disbelief with unlikely coincidences and circumstances (CAN someone dangle by their hair without it all ripping out?), to the point where I was focused on trying to understand them rather than paying attention to the scene itself. Too many were completely unbelievable, which brought the believability of the whole text into question.
The glimpses of Ireland were well done, but few and far between. I wish there had been more of those. I'm not sure I'd recommend this book but if you've read and enjoyed the other Hillary Broome novels, you'll probably like this one, too.
There was a lack of character building that contributed to my inability to connect with the characters. I had to wonder what Ed's function was other token male, since he was almost never present and seemed to just show up to pat Hillary's shoulder or tell her that her concerns were silly. Why bother bringing him into the story at all if he's going to spend most of his time at a conference? And pseudo mother/grandma Sara had even less of a function that was totally unnecessary. Daughter Claire was supposed to be adorable and precocious but came across as spoiled and bratty. The constant use of "Maaa" instead of "Ma" or "Mom" was supposed to make her sound like a lamb bleating, but it sounded whiny instead. In the very last chapter she called her mother Mom twice, which sounded totally natural. Hillary herself was such a mass of neuroses and paranoia that I was repelled rather than empathetic. Her reactions to fairly normal situations was often completely out of proportion. Her agonizing over her mother's desertion pops up in random places where it seems forced and as if the author is afraid we'll forget about that plot point. By the end of the story I didn't even care what happened to any of them
There was also a lack of scene building and clear transitions within/between scenes. Characters appear without having been mentioned before, let alone introduced into the scene. Food is eaten that hasn't been served yet. Statements and observations are made so long after the original subject that they felt confusing and arbitrary. Future events are telegraphed so clearly that I figured out every plot twist well in advance, so there was no tension or suspense for me and the final climax came off as just okay. The author kept over-taxing my suspension of disbelief with unlikely coincidences and circumstances (CAN someone dangle by their hair without it all ripping out?), to the point where I was focused on trying to understand them rather than paying attention to the scene itself. Too many were completely unbelievable, which brought the believability of the whole text into question.
The glimpses of Ireland were well done, but few and far between. I wish there had been more of those. I'm not sure I'd recommend this book but if you've read and enjoyed the other Hillary Broome novels, you'll probably like this one, too.
April 3, 2024
How far would you be willing to go to fight against the big guys to prevent them from building one of their theme parks or malls from being built? Would you ignore all of the warning signs that they send you saying to back off? Would you think that their threats didn’t hold water and they wouldn’t dare to harm you? House of Eire: A Hilary Broome Novel by June Gillian is based on this premise.
Hillary Broome and her husband, Ed, wanted to go on a delayed honeymoon. Ed has to go on a business trip to Ireland, and they decide that this will also be the perfect place and time to go on their honeymoon. They bring their daughter, Claire, and an old friend, Sarah, with them. Hillary has another friend, Bridget, who lives in Ireland and is campaigning against a developer. The developer is planning on building a theme park, which will take away from the beauty of the green rolling hills that Ireland is known for.
This book was very enjoyable to read. It is a crime storyline, and it has you wondering who committed what crime and who will be next on the list to meet their demise. The characters were well-defined, and the writing flowed through the pages with ease. The storyline kept you invested throughout, and there wasn’t any loll in the story that made you bored. I would recommend this book to people who love stories on crime and “whodunnit” plots. This book is only for adults because the plot is written around the murder theme, and there is some profanity in it. I will gladly give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Hillary Broome and her husband, Ed, wanted to go on a delayed honeymoon. Ed has to go on a business trip to Ireland, and they decide that this will also be the perfect place and time to go on their honeymoon. They bring their daughter, Claire, and an old friend, Sarah, with them. Hillary has another friend, Bridget, who lives in Ireland and is campaigning against a developer. The developer is planning on building a theme park, which will take away from the beauty of the green rolling hills that Ireland is known for.
This book was very enjoyable to read. It is a crime storyline, and it has you wondering who committed what crime and who will be next on the list to meet their demise. The characters were well-defined, and the writing flowed through the pages with ease. The storyline kept you invested throughout, and there wasn’t any loll in the story that made you bored. I would recommend this book to people who love stories on crime and “whodunnit” plots. This book is only for adults because the plot is written around the murder theme, and there is some profanity in it. I will gladly give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
September 24, 2021
Intrigue. Suspense. Ghosts! Sadness! Delight!
Intrigue. Suspense. Ghosts! Sadness! Delight! It’s all in here. Having no idea about the Irish or their history, I think I found it hard to connect to this story at first. But yet, I found myself returning to the story over and over again, waiting to see what Bridget had found out, if Seamus was really in live with her, what little Claire was up to, and when the ghosts showed up, thus became a real page turner for me. I found this book to be thrilling, suspenseful, haunting and at times, downright sad. Their are several heroines in this story…and I definitely think little Princess Claire is one of them. Read for yourself and see if you agree. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 😊
Intrigue. Suspense. Ghosts! Sadness! Delight! It’s all in here. Having no idea about the Irish or their history, I think I found it hard to connect to this story at first. But yet, I found myself returning to the story over and over again, waiting to see what Bridget had found out, if Seamus was really in live with her, what little Claire was up to, and when the ghosts showed up, thus became a real page turner for me. I found this book to be thrilling, suspenseful, haunting and at times, downright sad. Their are several heroines in this story…and I definitely think little Princess Claire is one of them. Read for yourself and see if you agree. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 😊
January 5, 2024
I read the first three books of the series in order and really enjoyed this one. Hilary and Ed are a wonderful copy and I have loved their story. In book three we're introduced to their daughter Claire, who is very endearing. Like the others we're introduced to the villain early on, so it's not a matter of 'whodunnit' but 'will they be stopped in time.'
I'm looking forward to the next on in the series.
I'm looking forward to the next on in the series.
October 9, 2020
Not too bad for a spooky October pick!
I selected this book as the story location was Galway. Having visited several times and lived there briefly, I enjoyed reminiscing on the landmarks, streets, and shops of Galway mentioned in the book. Besides horror, thriller, and crime, this novel also has actual history and historical fiction components. It was interesting to read about the Irish famine, Irish American settlements, and Irish cultural heritage. However, on the whole, the story doesn't hold and the plot tapers off. It was quite a disappointing read for me.
I selected this book as the story location was Galway. Having visited several times and lived there briefly, I enjoyed reminiscing on the landmarks, streets, and shops of Galway mentioned in the book. Besides horror, thriller, and crime, this novel also has actual history and historical fiction components. It was interesting to read about the Irish famine, Irish American settlements, and Irish cultural heritage. However, on the whole, the story doesn't hold and the plot tapers off. It was quite a disappointing read for me.
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