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A Collins-Burke Mystery #8
Ruined Abbey: A Collins-Burke Mystery
It’s 1989. The Troubles are raging in Ireland, bombs exploding in England. In this prequel to the Collins-Burke series, Father Brennan Burke is home in New York when news of his sister’s arrest in London sends him flying across the ocean. The family troubles deepen when Brennan’s cousin Conn is charged with the murder of a Special Branch detective, and suspected in a terrorist plot against Westminster Abbey. The Burkes come under surveillance by the murdered cop’s partner and are caught in a tangle of buried family memories. From the bullet-riddled bars of Belfast to an elegant English estate, Ruined Abbey combines a whodunit with a war story, love story, and historical novel, while exploring the eternal question: what is fair in love and war? It all starts with a ruined abbey.
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First published May 1, 2015
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About the author
Anne Emery
17 books79 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 6, 2014
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
Note: This is a prequel to a series that I haven’t read. I plan on reading it now.
When Jimmy McNulty is going undercover as a John in the second series of the Wire, he takes the name Cromwell because the bastard, as he puts it, stole his family’s land in Ireland. Okay, his wording is a bit more colorful, but there it is. I always wondered how many Americans knew exactly what he was referring to. Most Americans knowledge of Irish Troubles seems facile at best, confused at worst.
Ruined Abbey does deal with the Troubles, from the perspective of three siblings whose family left Ireland because of them. Father Brennan gets word from his sister that the British police have arrested her because she might have links to the IRA, so he drops everything and with the help of his brother Terry, a pilot who gets some rescheduling time, flies off to London to lend a hand. What then follows is a mystery concerning the murder of a policeman as well as a plot to blow up an important London Landmark.
A really important landmark.
But what the book does, far more neatly and nicely than the actual murder plot, is present the conflict that has consumed Ireland and, to a lesser degree England, a conflict between the two countries. In part, this is because Molly, Brennan’s sister, has a very accurate knowledge of history, and her comments about Cromwell are ones that are not only historically accurate but ones that McNulty would likely toast. She serves, in part, to broaden the understanding or the view of the hatred that underlies, or underlay, the conflict between Ireland and England in general, and the whole battle over Northern Ireland in particular. The role of Molly isn’t simply that of the stereotypical woman who functions as a plot device. You know, of those women who is killed or attacked and, therefore is the reason for the male hero to seek revenge or justice. You see them everywhere, all the time. How many television and movie detectives in mysteries have a tragic murder story involving their wife in their past?
No, thankfully, wonderfully, Molly is so much more than that. Her passionate diatribes, rants, history lessons done in a way teachers should copy fulfill the function of making the history accessible to the reader who does not know it while at the same time not sounding like an info dump and being boring to a reader who does know the history.
Molly is also funny in that serious type of a way.
She also doesn’t have to be saved.
The real charm of the story isn’t the wonderful narrative that makes use of family history, national history as well as the stories and legends that come from both types of history (there are wonderful parts of the novel where it does sound like an Irish Bard telling the tale), no. Though that’s close. It isn’t the wonderful look at conflict and how it affects both sides, and how those on the ground actually make a peace that those above should note.
It’s the relationship, the sibling and family relationship at the heart of the novel. Brennan, Molly, and Terry all seem as if they could walk off of the page and take you out for a pint.
A Guinness of course.
You read because of that.
Note: This is a prequel to a series that I haven’t read. I plan on reading it now.
When Jimmy McNulty is going undercover as a John in the second series of the Wire, he takes the name Cromwell because the bastard, as he puts it, stole his family’s land in Ireland. Okay, his wording is a bit more colorful, but there it is. I always wondered how many Americans knew exactly what he was referring to. Most Americans knowledge of Irish Troubles seems facile at best, confused at worst.
Ruined Abbey does deal with the Troubles, from the perspective of three siblings whose family left Ireland because of them. Father Brennan gets word from his sister that the British police have arrested her because she might have links to the IRA, so he drops everything and with the help of his brother Terry, a pilot who gets some rescheduling time, flies off to London to lend a hand. What then follows is a mystery concerning the murder of a policeman as well as a plot to blow up an important London Landmark.
A really important landmark.
But what the book does, far more neatly and nicely than the actual murder plot, is present the conflict that has consumed Ireland and, to a lesser degree England, a conflict between the two countries. In part, this is because Molly, Brennan’s sister, has a very accurate knowledge of history, and her comments about Cromwell are ones that are not only historically accurate but ones that McNulty would likely toast. She serves, in part, to broaden the understanding or the view of the hatred that underlies, or underlay, the conflict between Ireland and England in general, and the whole battle over Northern Ireland in particular. The role of Molly isn’t simply that of the stereotypical woman who functions as a plot device. You know, of those women who is killed or attacked and, therefore is the reason for the male hero to seek revenge or justice. You see them everywhere, all the time. How many television and movie detectives in mysteries have a tragic murder story involving their wife in their past?
No, thankfully, wonderfully, Molly is so much more than that. Her passionate diatribes, rants, history lessons done in a way teachers should copy fulfill the function of making the history accessible to the reader who does not know it while at the same time not sounding like an info dump and being boring to a reader who does know the history.
Molly is also funny in that serious type of a way.
She also doesn’t have to be saved.
The real charm of the story isn’t the wonderful narrative that makes use of family history, national history as well as the stories and legends that come from both types of history (there are wonderful parts of the novel where it does sound like an Irish Bard telling the tale), no. Though that’s close. It isn’t the wonderful look at conflict and how it affects both sides, and how those on the ground actually make a peace that those above should note.
It’s the relationship, the sibling and family relationship at the heart of the novel. Brennan, Molly, and Terry all seem as if they could walk off of the page and take you out for a pint.
A Guinness of course.
You read because of that.
September 3, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It takes place in 1979, during the Irish "Troubles", and several members of Father Brennan Burke end up in jail for various reasons. He and his siblings try to get to the main source of their problems, and also try to figure out where everyone fits into the bigger picture.
This book was very interesting, partially because I don't know anything about the time period in Ireland or Britain.
Highly recommended!
This book was very interesting, partially because I don't know anything about the time period in Ireland or Britain.
Highly recommended!
June 7, 2015
2.5 stars
There was no doubt that this was thoroughly researched and well written. It is Anne Emery's latest book. It takes place in time prior to Father Burke moving from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia and meeting lawyer Monty Collins.
There are 7 Collins/Burke mystery books set mainly in Nova Scotia, and I have enjoyed the plots and characters immensely.
In this book Father Burke travels from New York to England in the 1980's on hearing that his sister has been arrested. The stated crime was making an impassioned speech regarding atrocities committed by Oliver Cromwell against the Irish and his destruction of Irish Catholic monasteries and churches. In fact she and her family are under surveillance as suspected IRA sympathizers and possibly terrorists. No sooner is she is out of prison when a young cousin is arrested and imprisoned for the murder of a British police officer and possibly a plan to blow up nearby Westminster Abbey. Next Father Burke's teenaged nephew disappears, probably into Northern Ireland. These events delay the priest's return to New York as he tries to sort out what is going on. In the meantime a police car is frequently observed watching the house. Why is the policeman watching his sister who has been cleared of any charges?
I found that my lack of knowledge of the history of the English/Irish troubles and the various historic rebellions made this a slow read for me. Also I failed to connect with the characters in the same way I did with the Collins/Burke mysteries. I was happy to learn that the next book will find Father Brennan Burke back with lawyer M.Collins in Nova Scotia.
There was no doubt that this was thoroughly researched and well written. It is Anne Emery's latest book. It takes place in time prior to Father Burke moving from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia and meeting lawyer Monty Collins.
There are 7 Collins/Burke mystery books set mainly in Nova Scotia, and I have enjoyed the plots and characters immensely.
In this book Father Burke travels from New York to England in the 1980's on hearing that his sister has been arrested. The stated crime was making an impassioned speech regarding atrocities committed by Oliver Cromwell against the Irish and his destruction of Irish Catholic monasteries and churches. In fact she and her family are under surveillance as suspected IRA sympathizers and possibly terrorists. No sooner is she is out of prison when a young cousin is arrested and imprisoned for the murder of a British police officer and possibly a plan to blow up nearby Westminster Abbey. Next Father Burke's teenaged nephew disappears, probably into Northern Ireland. These events delay the priest's return to New York as he tries to sort out what is going on. In the meantime a police car is frequently observed watching the house. Why is the policeman watching his sister who has been cleared of any charges?
I found that my lack of knowledge of the history of the English/Irish troubles and the various historic rebellions made this a slow read for me. Also I failed to connect with the characters in the same way I did with the Collins/Burke mysteries. I was happy to learn that the next book will find Father Brennan Burke back with lawyer M.Collins in Nova Scotia.
December 1, 2016
This is a prequel to Emery's Collins-Burke series that is all Burke and no Collins. If I had my druthers, every book in this series would be more Burke than Collins. This story takes place in London, Dublin and Belfast during the Troubles and like Obit, the second book in the series, this one focuses not just on Father Brennan Burke but also on several members of his brilliant, but slightly manic family. One of his cousins, an IRA operative in London winds up in jail for a murder he didn't commit, and Brennan and his siblings work to get him freed and track down the real killer. The story is full of larger than life characters tied up in love/hate relationships with their family, their homeland and their church. With Father Burke, Emery has created one of the most flawed, brilliant, headstrong, stubborn and complicated characters in contemporary mysteries, all wrapped up in holy vestments. The reader is never sure which is the holier place for Burke, the cathedral or his pub.
Christian Rummel narrates all of the other books in the series and does an excellent job. However, since this takes place in England and Ireland versus Nova Scotia and since almost all the characters are Irish someone evidently decided to have Gerard Doyle narrate this book. Doyle is currently my absolute favorite narrator and I will listen to anything he reads, regardless of the nationality of the characters, but give him an Irish brogue and you have narration perfection.
Christian Rummel narrates all of the other books in the series and does an excellent job. However, since this takes place in England and Ireland versus Nova Scotia and since almost all the characters are Irish someone evidently decided to have Gerard Doyle narrate this book. Doyle is currently my absolute favorite narrator and I will listen to anything he reads, regardless of the nationality of the characters, but give him an Irish brogue and you have narration perfection.
September 18, 2021
This novel is the eighth book in the Collins Burke series but is actually a prequel to “Sign of the Cross”, the first book Emery crafted about a hard drinking, music loving Irish priest named Father Brennan Burke and criminal defense lawyer Monty Collins set in Halifax Nova Scotia. This story takes readers back to 1989 when Father Burke was still in New York City and called to London by his older sister Molly who was in Halloway prison, accused of being a member of a banned terrorist organization. Brennan can tell by the sound of her voice Molly is trying to stay strong as she describes her incarceration, terrorized by both the staff and the inmates in a old building overrun by filthy rats. She has been threatened with anything from a fine to ten years in prison for her suspected crime. Brennan quickly contacts their brother Terry a commercial airline pilot and both quickly arrange to make the trip to London to help their sister.
After two days Molly is released, but that is not the end of her troubles. Special Branch is following her, believing that although she may not be directly involved, she may know something about the death of Detective Richard Heath, a policeman recently shot in the line of duty. It happened close to the time the police received a warning call about explosive devices planted in Westminster Abbey and the police believe the two events may be connected.
The Burke family has always been closely involved in Ireland’s fight for independence and Molly, a professor of history at the University of London, had recently delivered a paper at an academic conference that criticized Oliver Cromwell, the man well known for helping the English fight the Irish. He was responsible for the destruction of many Catholic churches and abbeys, destroyed villages and towns and massacred thousands during the English Revolution. Following the conference, the London police uncovered a plot to bomb the statue of Cromwell during a ceremony honoring his achievements and that discovery led them to arrest Molly. Unable to make the case against her, they released her, but since then Special Branch have been following her and have stationed a car outside her home to intimidate her.
Conn, the sibling's cousin is arrested and sent to Brixton prison, suspected in the shooting death of Detective Heath and for his part in the plot to blow up Westminster Abbey. In order to free him, Molly, Terry and Brennan search for the truth about the shooting and the plan to blow up the abbey, learning more and more about their family’s deep dark history with the republican cause along the way. Meanwhile Conn, who they believe knows more about the murder of the policeman than he is letting on, isn’t talking and is languishing in prison.
As Emery unfolds the story of the republican Burke family, played out in conversations in Molly’s flat, bars and a huge English estate, she also recounts a detailed history of the English/Irish conflict and the Burke family’s role in that history. Much of the dialogue includes Gaelic, helping to make the story authentic and placing it in the times it occurred.
The story showcases Emery’s meticulous attention to the historic record as she describes the tensions and conflicts that have simmered between the Irish and the English for years, trying to keep a neutral tone, advocating for neither side. Despite her efforts, it is clear the Protestant case receives less attention given the fact many in Northern Ireland viewed the Catholics as their oppressors rather than the British. That history has been long and violent, filled with incidents of torture, outright murder, bomb blasts and destruction. Women and children, often turned out of their homes, were often caught in the crossfire. At times the dark history threatens to overwhelm the story rather than being the backdrop to the history of the Burke family and the mystery Molly, Brennan and Terry are trying to solve.
Emery creates a novel with a mystery set against a violent history that includes a touch of romance, all the while asking readers to consider thought provoking questions about what constitutes a “just war”. What justifies killing? Who makes the decisions about what is to be done during a conflict and who is held accountable for the results? The complex question of what is right and what is wrong in war, the moral implications of not going to war and surrendering a population to continued oppression all arise in the dialogue between the family members as they try to solve the mystery of who carried out the crimes Conn is accused of.
This is another good addition to the series, a little heavy on the history side, but still a good tale with lots of twists and turns.
After two days Molly is released, but that is not the end of her troubles. Special Branch is following her, believing that although she may not be directly involved, she may know something about the death of Detective Richard Heath, a policeman recently shot in the line of duty. It happened close to the time the police received a warning call about explosive devices planted in Westminster Abbey and the police believe the two events may be connected.
The Burke family has always been closely involved in Ireland’s fight for independence and Molly, a professor of history at the University of London, had recently delivered a paper at an academic conference that criticized Oliver Cromwell, the man well known for helping the English fight the Irish. He was responsible for the destruction of many Catholic churches and abbeys, destroyed villages and towns and massacred thousands during the English Revolution. Following the conference, the London police uncovered a plot to bomb the statue of Cromwell during a ceremony honoring his achievements and that discovery led them to arrest Molly. Unable to make the case against her, they released her, but since then Special Branch have been following her and have stationed a car outside her home to intimidate her.
Conn, the sibling's cousin is arrested and sent to Brixton prison, suspected in the shooting death of Detective Heath and for his part in the plot to blow up Westminster Abbey. In order to free him, Molly, Terry and Brennan search for the truth about the shooting and the plan to blow up the abbey, learning more and more about their family’s deep dark history with the republican cause along the way. Meanwhile Conn, who they believe knows more about the murder of the policeman than he is letting on, isn’t talking and is languishing in prison.
As Emery unfolds the story of the republican Burke family, played out in conversations in Molly’s flat, bars and a huge English estate, she also recounts a detailed history of the English/Irish conflict and the Burke family’s role in that history. Much of the dialogue includes Gaelic, helping to make the story authentic and placing it in the times it occurred.
The story showcases Emery’s meticulous attention to the historic record as she describes the tensions and conflicts that have simmered between the Irish and the English for years, trying to keep a neutral tone, advocating for neither side. Despite her efforts, it is clear the Protestant case receives less attention given the fact many in Northern Ireland viewed the Catholics as their oppressors rather than the British. That history has been long and violent, filled with incidents of torture, outright murder, bomb blasts and destruction. Women and children, often turned out of their homes, were often caught in the crossfire. At times the dark history threatens to overwhelm the story rather than being the backdrop to the history of the Burke family and the mystery Molly, Brennan and Terry are trying to solve.
Emery creates a novel with a mystery set against a violent history that includes a touch of romance, all the while asking readers to consider thought provoking questions about what constitutes a “just war”. What justifies killing? Who makes the decisions about what is to be done during a conflict and who is held accountable for the results? The complex question of what is right and what is wrong in war, the moral implications of not going to war and surrendering a population to continued oppression all arise in the dialogue between the family members as they try to solve the mystery of who carried out the crimes Conn is accused of.
This is another good addition to the series, a little heavy on the history side, but still a good tale with lots of twists and turns.
March 12, 2017
The mix of murder mystery and historical lessons about the English oppression of the Irish, the IRA, and how this shapes the lives of the families involved worked pretty well for me. Where the story is problematic for me is the odd narrative device of dropping flashbacks into the story without making them part of a character's story. They just pop up, disrupt the narrative and then disappear again, which I found rather clumsy.
September 20, 2022
Anne Emery did a great job of research for this book, set as it is in Ireland in 1979, when the country was still embroiled in the Troubles. Readers would be advised to do a little research on the subject themselves to help them better understand the issues. In this book, Father Brennan Burke and his siblings seek to solve a murder and find themselves to be in deep danger. Lots of plot twists ensue and we meet an intriguing cast of characters. This is a great read.
July 9, 2024
Burke Mysteries getting better. Still, writing could be tighter and more succinct and the mysteries have a few obvious misses in clues by the otherwise Keene eyed Burkes. Getting better than previous, although I did like Sign of the Cross.
Read by Gerard Doyle - who is talented indeed - with a special treat to hear him sing! So far, I’ve enjoyed listening to the audiobook rather than reading.
Read by Gerard Doyle - who is talented indeed - with a special treat to hear him sing! So far, I’ve enjoyed listening to the audiobook rather than reading.
June 10, 2019
This is not the best of this series. The book was too long and the plot becomes lost in the Irish history.
June 15, 2019
Oh my goodness how this book dragged.
January 10, 2020
Modern day tale of Ireland v England, IRA , lots of history that I'd not known re: Oliver Cromwell.
September 5, 2020
Don't listen or read this if you want to stay off the Guiness. Gerard Doyle an excellent narrator.
July 22, 2021
The history of the IRA wrapped in a mystery in the late 1980s.
December 31, 2021
Enjoyed the prequel, but missed the Monty Collins contributions to the story. There is a lot I do not know about the Irish independence movement.
May 20, 2015
Ruined Abbey by Anne Emery
4 out of 5 stars
A relentless thriller that is rooted in recent Irish history
Father Brennan Burke is preparing to take Mass at St Kieran’s Church in New York City when he receives some news that stops him in his tracks and has him high-tailing it to London. His sister Molly, a university lecturer, is in police custody having been arrested on charges of allegedly belonging to a proscribed organisation, i.e. the IRA.
We are in 1989 when The Troubles were in full flow and where the Nationalist Irish/Catholics were ‘at war’ with the Unionist British/Protestants. The Burke family has for many generations been staunch Nationalists and this, and Molly’s outward anti-establishment attitude, has landed her in trouble. Brennan and his brother Terence, who is a commercial airline pilot, support Molly, and after a couple of days she is released without charge.
However, when rumours of a plot to bomb Westminster Abbey emerge and a policeman is murdered in his car nearby, the Burkes’ cousin Conn is arrested in connection with these two activities. That is as far I can venture with the story and plot without giving too much away, but suffice it to say that other members of the family are involved and there are many twists and turns right up to almost the final page.
Anne Emery has written a novel that is deeply immersed in the history of The Troubles, but which nevertheless provides the reader with a thriller in its own right. The characters are exquisitely formed, with the pick of the bunch being Father Brennan Burke, the priest with family allegiances but also a man of God with allegiances to a higher power. The other family members are also large figures in this book, and one can sense the feeling of togetherness and commitment that the Burkes have. Ms Emery has also managed to seamlessly include an unlikely romantic element in the story. The historical accuracy, the relentless plot and the liberal sprinklings of typically Irish humour all result in a super thriller that I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending.
Sméagol
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy to review
4 out of 5 stars
A relentless thriller that is rooted in recent Irish history
Father Brennan Burke is preparing to take Mass at St Kieran’s Church in New York City when he receives some news that stops him in his tracks and has him high-tailing it to London. His sister Molly, a university lecturer, is in police custody having been arrested on charges of allegedly belonging to a proscribed organisation, i.e. the IRA.
We are in 1989 when The Troubles were in full flow and where the Nationalist Irish/Catholics were ‘at war’ with the Unionist British/Protestants. The Burke family has for many generations been staunch Nationalists and this, and Molly’s outward anti-establishment attitude, has landed her in trouble. Brennan and his brother Terence, who is a commercial airline pilot, support Molly, and after a couple of days she is released without charge.
However, when rumours of a plot to bomb Westminster Abbey emerge and a policeman is murdered in his car nearby, the Burkes’ cousin Conn is arrested in connection with these two activities. That is as far I can venture with the story and plot without giving too much away, but suffice it to say that other members of the family are involved and there are many twists and turns right up to almost the final page.
Anne Emery has written a novel that is deeply immersed in the history of The Troubles, but which nevertheless provides the reader with a thriller in its own right. The characters are exquisitely formed, with the pick of the bunch being Father Brennan Burke, the priest with family allegiances but also a man of God with allegiances to a higher power. The other family members are also large figures in this book, and one can sense the feeling of togetherness and commitment that the Burkes have. Ms Emery has also managed to seamlessly include an unlikely romantic element in the story. The historical accuracy, the relentless plot and the liberal sprinklings of typically Irish humour all result in a super thriller that I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending.
Sméagol
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy to review
January 30, 2016
I won Ruined Abbey by Anne Emery from Goodreads.
Anne Emery's writing draws the reader into her novel, Ruined Abbey, and her complex characters keep the reader fully engaged. Readers are immediately caught up into the lives of the main characters at the beginning of the novel which establishes motives for the crimes, including the murder of Detective Sergeant Heath. The mystery is so entertained with rebellion and politics that it is, for this reader, difficult reading. Yet, this fact speaks well for Emery's writing skills as I remained engaged until the murder mystery itself began in earnest.
The denouement of this whodunit is not typical and, although I always prefer my protagonist to suss out the details, Ruined Abbey concludes with a thought-provoking scene that satisfies the mystery while lifting the theme successfully.
Ruined Abbey by Anne Emery is a book for readers who enjoy fiction placed in settings of rebellion or war. It is also a solid mystery for fans of that genre.
Anne Emery's writing draws the reader into her novel, Ruined Abbey, and her complex characters keep the reader fully engaged. Readers are immediately caught up into the lives of the main characters at the beginning of the novel which establishes motives for the crimes, including the murder of Detective Sergeant Heath. The mystery is so entertained with rebellion and politics that it is, for this reader, difficult reading. Yet, this fact speaks well for Emery's writing skills as I remained engaged until the murder mystery itself began in earnest.
The denouement of this whodunit is not typical and, although I always prefer my protagonist to suss out the details, Ruined Abbey concludes with a thought-provoking scene that satisfies the mystery while lifting the theme successfully.
Ruined Abbey by Anne Emery is a book for readers who enjoy fiction placed in settings of rebellion or war. It is also a solid mystery for fans of that genre.
August 15, 2015
This is the first book in the Collins-Burke series that I have read. Considering that it was a prequel, it might be a good place to start. Father Brennan Burke receives a phone call from his sister in England. She is in jail for her alleged ties to a the Irish Republican Army. Brennan takes a leave from his parish duties in New York to go to England to support his sister. He is joined by his brother, Terry. Although, Molly gets out of custody soon after they arrive, it isn't long before their cousin, Conn gets arrested. Brennan and Terry decide to stay longer to try and prove their cousin is innocent. They have their work cut out for them because of their family's well-known history in Ireland with the IRA. I enjoyed this story set in 1989 during The Troubles in Ireland.
June 24, 2015
*I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.*
"Ruined Abbey" by Anne Emery is one of those books that you hate to see end. The characters quickly pulled you into their lives and the plot was thrilling. This was thoroughly enjoyable and I would give it 4.5 stars. It would be worth reading the other books in this series if they are as good as this one.
"Ruined Abbey" by Anne Emery is one of those books that you hate to see end. The characters quickly pulled you into their lives and the plot was thrilling. This was thoroughly enjoyable and I would give it 4.5 stars. It would be worth reading the other books in this series if they are as good as this one.
February 26, 2015
I've not read any of the Collins-Burke mysteries and since this one is prequel, I may see if I can find more. Lots of history about the "Troubles" in Ireland with which I wasn't very familiar but now know a lot more.
Read as an ARC, to be published in May, 2015.
Read as an ARC, to be published in May, 2015.
September 29, 2015
To properly enjoy this book you need more than a few pints of Guinness and shots of Jameson(though I prefer Bushmills myself). It is rambling gem of a read. I want to read more of the series just to see what happened to various member of the cast.
November 21, 2015
I learned a lot about the struggles of the Irish & the English in this one. The plot was good & I really enjoyed these characters. The first book was so good that this one didn't quite live up to those standards. Still, very enjoyable. I'll definitely read more from this author.
Want to read
August 10, 2017Can't wait to receive it! Looking forward to reading it. Will update and post a honest review when I receive and am able to read it.
October 28, 2015
I am not as fond of the prequil stories as the ones based in Halifax.
July 22, 2015
I didn't finish. The back story at the front of this book was just too long. I need a bit of action, at least, to grab me sooner.
September 30, 2015
Not bad. Rather rushed twist at the end.
April 7, 2016
Read for a mystery group discussion
May 20, 2016
Although at times the story moved a little slow, it was a good read. The ending was incredible. The book was a prequel to the series and I want to read the rest of the books.
Read
October 8, 2016after two poorly written books, I am happy to report this is a well written book but I just can't get into the IRA stuff today, I may pick this one up another day in the future.
Read
January 16, 2017Dumped. Got tired of it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews