What do you think?
Rate this book
Sharpe & Donovan #0.5
Rock Point
Rediscover the story of one New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers’s most beloved characters in this special prequel novella, Rock Point, part of the enthralling Sharpe & Donovan series.
Seven years after suffering an unspeakable loss, Finian Bracken is recently out of seminary and leaving Ireland to serve a small parish in the quaint but struggling fishing village of Rock Point, Maine. Here he meets FBI agent Colin Donovan for the first time…and discovers the dangerous secrets he left back home in Ireland. Smugglers are using the Bracken family’s old whiskey distillery as cover for their illicit activities—and the violent group isn’t going down without a fight.
Originally published in 2013
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
170 people are currently reading
760 people want to read
About the author
Carla Neggers
143 books1,608 followersCarla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sharpe & Donovan series featuring Boston-based FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, and the popular Swift River Valley series set in the small, fictional New England town of Knights Bridge. With many bestsellers to her credit, Carla loves to write now as much as she did when she climbed a tree at age eleven with a pad and pen and spun stories perched on her favorite branch.
A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids' places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland.
Find out more and sign up for Carla's newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com.
A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids' places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland.
Find out more and sign up for Carla's newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 28, 2016
This short prequel was a nice introduction to Carla Neggers' writing style but for me that was all I really took away from this story.
The Good and The Bad: While I found Neggers' writing style easily engaging I found reading this story first rather than in published order a detriment instead of an asset. This story was published in between books 3 and 4 of this series. Getting the additional information on what drives a specific character and seeing some of their beginnings is normally a cool thing but because Finian is new to me I wasn't fully invested in him as a character so the emotional impact of his back story was a bit lost on me. That factor aside I found what should have been a suspenseful story ended up a bit of a dud. As a romantic suspense it fails in the romance aspect as there was absolutely no romance in the story and the suspense is rather vague, only hinting at some tension with the resolution and climax happening off page.
In a Nutshell: While my experience is less than stellar I wouldn't say this story was a complete dud. I would definitely recommend reading this in published order and not list order. It will help connect readers to the character and give it some much needed reference.
The Good and The Bad: While I found Neggers' writing style easily engaging I found reading this story first rather than in published order a detriment instead of an asset. This story was published in between books 3 and 4 of this series. Getting the additional information on what drives a specific character and seeing some of their beginnings is normally a cool thing but because Finian is new to me I wasn't fully invested in him as a character so the emotional impact of his back story was a bit lost on me. That factor aside I found what should have been a suspenseful story ended up a bit of a dud. As a romantic suspense it fails in the romance aspect as there was absolutely no romance in the story and the suspense is rather vague, only hinting at some tension with the resolution and climax happening off page.
In a Nutshell: While my experience is less than stellar I wouldn't say this story was a complete dud. I would definitely recommend reading this in published order and not list order. It will help connect readers to the character and give it some much needed reference.
July 9, 2020
Rock Point was a nice short story in the Sharpe & Donovan series detailing the events that led to Finian Bracken settling in Rock Point, Maine.
Seven years after tragedy struck, Finian Bracken has found a new path in life and is leaving his home of Ireland for a year to serve a small parish in Maine. But Fin’s exit from Ireland hits a few snags when he finds himself unexpectedly involved in a Garda investigation.
This story is quite short and there isn’t a ton there plot wise. For the most part this story simply provides background on how Fin ended up in Maine and also gives some background on Sean Murphy, a member of the Garda featured heavily in book three in the series, Declan’s Cross. The investigation Sean is conducting finds Fin involved when one of the people Sean is chasing makes contact with Fin. This plot is largely completed off page so we don’t get to see any of the action and only hear about it’s outcome second hand. I do wish that we had seen a bit more of that plot first hand as it would have added some much needed plot to this story.
One thing I would recommend is reading Rock Point in the order it was published rather than before starting the series. Without getting to know Fin’s character throughout the first few books, this story has less of an impact. In my case, this story was available in the physical copy of the fourth book which I thought was a great place to read it although it also would have worked well in the actual place it was published, after book three.
Overall Rock Point was an enjoyable read and I was happy to learn how Fin ended up in Maine. Although I will say this story doesn’t add much beyond that to the series so I would only recommend it to those already reading the books.
Seven years after tragedy struck, Finian Bracken has found a new path in life and is leaving his home of Ireland for a year to serve a small parish in Maine. But Fin’s exit from Ireland hits a few snags when he finds himself unexpectedly involved in a Garda investigation.
This story is quite short and there isn’t a ton there plot wise. For the most part this story simply provides background on how Fin ended up in Maine and also gives some background on Sean Murphy, a member of the Garda featured heavily in book three in the series, Declan’s Cross. The investigation Sean is conducting finds Fin involved when one of the people Sean is chasing makes contact with Fin. This plot is largely completed off page so we don’t get to see any of the action and only hear about it’s outcome second hand. I do wish that we had seen a bit more of that plot first hand as it would have added some much needed plot to this story.
One thing I would recommend is reading Rock Point in the order it was published rather than before starting the series. Without getting to know Fin’s character throughout the first few books, this story has less of an impact. In my case, this story was available in the physical copy of the fourth book which I thought was a great place to read it although it also would have worked well in the actual place it was published, after book three.
Overall Rock Point was an enjoyable read and I was happy to learn how Fin ended up in Maine. Although I will say this story doesn’t add much beyond that to the series so I would only recommend it to those already reading the books.
March 21, 2014
7/1/13 - Free download on Amazon, B&N, Sony, and Harlequin.
I picked this up last summer and never had a chance to read it. Then I won a copy of Declan's Cross and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I decided it was time to whittle down a few of my freebie books.
This gives a nice background about Sean Murphy and Finian Bracken. It just gives you a taste of the next few books. I will be going back to read the first 2 books in the Sharpe & Donovan series.
It also made me want to plan a nice trip to Ireland and failing that, perhaps a trip to Maine.
I picked this up last summer and never had a chance to read it. Then I won a copy of Declan's Cross and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I decided it was time to whittle down a few of my freebie books.
This gives a nice background about Sean Murphy and Finian Bracken. It just gives you a taste of the next few books. I will be going back to read the first 2 books in the Sharpe & Donovan series.
It also made me want to plan a nice trip to Ireland and failing that, perhaps a trip to Maine.
September 13, 2021
Novella introduces Father Finian Bracken, tells his story, and tells how he gets to Rock Point, Maine, from Ireland.
August 11, 2013
Rock Point by Carla Neggers
From amazon.com:
"New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers enthralls readers with her suspenseful Sharpe & Donovan series. Read the untold story of one of her most beloved characters in this special prequel novella, Rock Point.
Seven years after suffering an unspeakable loss, Finian Bracken is recently out of seminary and leaving Ireland to serve a small parish in the quaint but struggling fishing village of Rock Point, Maine. Here he meets FBI agent Colin Donovan for the first time…and discovers the dangerous secrets he left back home in Ireland. Smugglers are using the Bracken family's old whiskey distillery as cover for their illicit activities—and the violent group isn't going down without a fight."
Leona's Review
A free download and when the book cover says A Sharpe and Donovan Novella, that is what it is. A short story.
The opinions are my own.
This was an introduction, for me, into the lives of people in Declan's Cross, Ireland and Rock Point, Maine.This is my first read by Carla Neggers. It was a good introduction into other books of the series but short.
I am not crazy about series because I do not always get the rest of the books. I guess any book could extend into a series but I do like endings.
It was a good read and I think well done. The Novella does want you to get the rest of the books to read and solve the mysteries. It did a good job as far as I was concerned, I will read the other books.
The beginning of the book has Father Bracken planning his trip to Maine. His friends are introduced as some of the other characters. Arriving in Maine, he meets Colin Donovan at the waterfront; they become friends and Fin also meets his brothers.
The readers are given descriptions of the food and drink in both places. Last year I visited Maine and like Father Bracken, I was introduced to lobster rolls. Good .
Also the areas are described and the reader become familiar with both Maine and Ireland.
I am giving this read a 4 star because it did hold my attention and made me curious to read the other books.
Some characters;
Father Finian ( Fin) Bracken- a widower who becomes a priest. He moves from Ireland to spend a year at Saint Patrick's Church in Rock Point.
Sally- Dead wife of Fin
Kathleen and Mary- Daughters of Fin and Sally; also dead
Declan Bracken- Brother of Fin
Fidelma- Wife of Declan Bracken
Sean Murphy- Friend of Fin who lives in Ireland; of the Irish police force
Colin Donovan- FBI agent Fin meets in Rock Point
Kitty O'Bryne Doyle- Proprietor of O'Bryne House Hotel in Ireland.
Becan Kennedy- carpenter at Bracken Distillery
Father Callaghan (Father Joseph)- American priest who visiting Ireland for a month
Bracken's ( Whiskey) Distillery -Owned by Fin and Declan. Outside of Killarney.
Carla Negger may be reached at :
www.facebook.com/carlaneggers
www.carlaneggers.com
This is a Harlequin book: www.Harlequin.com
www.HarlequinBlog.com
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
March 1, 2017
Although it is technically a prequel to Neggers’ Sharpe & Donovan series, I think Rock Point probably works better if you’ve already read at least one novel in the series first. Rock Point is either a short novella or a long short story, depending on your definition, and it feels a little… unfinished. Not unpolished, but simply unresolved. Rock Point is mainly a backstory for Father Finian Bracken, a secondary character in the series. It also introduces some other series characters as well as at least one mystery. Several of the characters have potential, and I’d like to know more about them. However, neither the mystery nor Fin’s emotions ever come to a full resolution, which left me feeling unsatisfied.
I presume that the mystery (or mysteries) will be solved and some of the other characters will be explored in subsequent books, none of which I’ve read yet. As for Fin’s emotional state, I don’t expect or want a romantic resolution to his grief over his dead wife and daughters, but I hope there will eventually be some sense of… I’m not even sure what I’m looking for. Not closure, exactly. You don’t get over that kind of grief, not entirely. But there’s something missing, some level of acceptance, perhaps. I hope he finds it. And I’m intrigued enough to read the first book in the series, Saint’s Gate.
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
I presume that the mystery (or mysteries) will be solved and some of the other characters will be explored in subsequent books, none of which I’ve read yet. As for Fin’s emotional state, I don’t expect or want a romantic resolution to his grief over his dead wife and daughters, but I hope there will eventually be some sense of… I’m not even sure what I’m looking for. Not closure, exactly. You don’t get over that kind of grief, not entirely. But there’s something missing, some level of acceptance, perhaps. I hope he finds it. And I’m intrigued enough to read the first book in the series, Saint’s Gate.
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
June 30, 2016
This is a short story that unveils the background of how Finian Bracken, an Irish Catholic priest, came to Rock Point, Maine. It is a tale the loss of Fin's wife and two daughters. It s also the tale of God's redeeming love and friendships and the blessing they are in the life of someone who has lost so much.
February 19, 2022
Sharpe&Donovan0.5
This was an interesting study. It’s not quite a novella and not really a short story. But it’s a great introduction to two of her central characters in this series— Finian Bracken and Colin Donovan.
Fin Bracken is still grieving the loss of his wife and daughters, though seven years have passed. He tried suicide by alcohol to no avail. He is rich in friends and family that wouldn’t let him go. But he hasn’t found his way back as yet. Part of his growth led him to seminary and ordained ministry in the Catholic Church. And part of his growth gives him insight into others; though being a priest has its own hazards.
As an older priest told him, “Sometimes you are the first to know something, sometimes you are the last to know something, and sometimes you are the only one to know something. Learning to know the difference will help you...”
This series focuses on Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, but the real arc is Finian Bracken’s learning to know the difference.
This was an interesting study. It’s not quite a novella and not really a short story. But it’s a great introduction to two of her central characters in this series— Finian Bracken and Colin Donovan.
Fin Bracken is still grieving the loss of his wife and daughters, though seven years have passed. He tried suicide by alcohol to no avail. He is rich in friends and family that wouldn’t let him go. But he hasn’t found his way back as yet. Part of his growth led him to seminary and ordained ministry in the Catholic Church. And part of his growth gives him insight into others; though being a priest has its own hazards.
As an older priest told him, “Sometimes you are the first to know something, sometimes you are the last to know something, and sometimes you are the only one to know something. Learning to know the difference will help you...”
This series focuses on Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, but the real arc is Finian Bracken’s learning to know the difference.
June 9, 2018
Rock Point (Sharpe & Donovan #0.5 is an e-Novella I read on my Nook app that introduces the characters in the Sharpe & Donovan series. The story begins in Ireland and ends in Rock Point, Maine where an Irish priest, Father Finian Bracken comes for one year to substitute for a parish priest who goes to Ireland for one year on sabbatical. Father Finian meets Colin Donovan, an FBI agent who works with Emma Sharpe, an expert in art crimes. This sounds like a great series by author Carla Neggers.
December 31, 2017
Cute introduction to the Sharpe & Donovan series. Must have missed this the first time around.... Adds to the history of the series.
Seven years after suffering an unspeakable loss, Finian Bracken is recently out of seminary and leaving Ireland to serve a small parish in the quaint but struggling fishing village of Rock Point, Maine.
Seven years after suffering an unspeakable loss, Finian Bracken is recently out of seminary and leaving Ireland to serve a small parish in the quaint but struggling fishing village of Rock Point, Maine.
June 14, 2020
Love this aspect of this series and the background of my favorite side character in a novel ever! Reading this series educated me enough about whiskey that I could speak intelligently with my nephew over Christmas about the subject, even though I don't drink this brand of alcohol. My nephew added to that education too.
January 20, 2023
Novella was the right word for this. It felt like a lot of background information with a few mysteries woven in. There were no real solutions, just a few mini ones pointing towards bigger ones. I enjoyed myself though. It whet my appetite for more of the story and I certainly want to look into the next book of the series. This was an excellent free read.
October 4, 2024
Rock Point: A Novella
In this novella the fans of Carla Neggers gets a great background of the widowed priest who takes a temporary position in Rock Point a town in Rocky Maine. The reader is also introduced to FBI agent Colin Donovan and Irish Gurdia Sean Murphy Friendships and Irish whiskey brings these three men together.
In this novella the fans of Carla Neggers gets a great background of the widowed priest who takes a temporary position in Rock Point a town in Rocky Maine. The reader is also introduced to FBI agent Colin Donovan and Irish Gurdia Sean Murphy Friendships and Irish whiskey brings these three men together.
July 2, 2024
set up for the rest of the story
This explains how Finian got to America and meets Colin. This is important to how the rest of the series progresses. You meet them both and the towns that they live in.
This explains how Finian got to America and meets Colin. This is important to how the rest of the series progresses. You meet them both and the towns that they live in.
November 14, 2024
Rock Point
Very intriguing story, but this one was too short of a story for me. I've read many of Carla Nuggets books and totally enjoyed them. Hoping for Carla to put out more books PLEASE!!! Thanks, you're an Awesome story teller.
Very intriguing story, but this one was too short of a story for me. I've read many of Carla Nuggets books and totally enjoyed them. Hoping for Carla to put out more books PLEASE!!! Thanks, you're an Awesome story teller.
January 30, 2025
Putting it together
I should have started with this book. Now I know the characters and their background. These are wonderfully entertaining and such a combination of mystery, humor and love!
I should have started with this book. Now I know the characters and their background. These are wonderfully entertaining and such a combination of mystery, humor and love!
December 15, 2017
Need to read the series!
March 13, 2018
Short intro to the major Characters in the series.
August 11, 2018
This is a prequel which introduces characters but doesn’t contain any action. Not the best way to start a series off.
November 26, 2018
Short but nice
Carla is one of my favorite authors. This story just gives us a glimpse of what is yet to come. Mystery, intrigue and more.
Carla is one of my favorite authors. This story just gives us a glimpse of what is yet to come. Mystery, intrigue and more.
December 14, 2018
Left me wanting more...
February 25, 2019
Irish story about a man who loses his wife and 2 daughters in a boating accident. Becomes a priest and moves to Maine.
July 15, 2019
Nice prequel novella letting readers see how Finian Bracken came to Maine.
February 4, 2020
Prequel to the sharp and Donovan series
March 31, 2020
An interesting lead into the new series . . . can't wait to see what develops here
December 27, 2020
A novella introducing you to Sean, Kitty and Colin told from Father Finian's point of view. It was an enjoyable read and look forward to reading more of this series.
May 2, 2021
Excellent prequel
Tells us of the man who became a priest and his interesting friends. Looking forward to rereading the first book in the series with new knowledge.
Tells us of the man who became a priest and his interesting friends. Looking forward to rereading the first book in the series with new knowledge.
August 12, 2022
7 short chapters novella - a kind of prequel to the Sharpe & Donovan series - which is a wonderful series by the way. The series is set in Maine & Ireland. Highly recommend.
October 17, 2022
It was good getting the back story on Father Finn Bracken. I've read so many Carla Neggers and she has yet to disappoint. When I see she has something new, I'm there.
October 17, 2022
Rock Point is the prequel novella to Carla Neggers' Sharpe and Donovan series. It's a short and interesting introduction to a series I've been wanting to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews