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In Search of Brigid Coltrane
A lazy Sunday afternoon of fishing on an Irish lake suddenly turns into a nightmare of flight and terror when Peter Coltrane and his fourteen-year-old daughter Brigid stumble on a gruesome execution. The chase is on when the assassins find out that they have been discovered. In his small motorboat, Peter leads them in the falling darkness through the hazardous channels of the boggy terrain where they finally find refuge and think they are safe. However, the next morning, Brigid has vanished. The ensuing rescue mission leads Peter into a Gordian knot of political and religious intrigue involving the Blueshirts--an Irish Fascist group--including Major Adler, a Nazi agent; Abbot Jonathan, the rheumy-eyed abbot of a local monastery; and Kincade, the ruthless enforcer. A shared objective unites them silence Peter Coltrane. Peter must race against the clock to save Brigid. But will good trump evil, and at what cost?
338 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2018
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Seamus Beirne
3 books4 followersSeamus Beirne grew up in Ireland and emigrated to the United States at eighteen to study for the priesthood. After ordination he went to Southern California to teach Latin and English in a Catholic high school. Things happened fast after that: he earned an M.A. in English, met his future wife, left the priesthood, got his first Social Security card, got married, and had three children. He spent the next twenty-five years as a high school English teacher and administrator, including a stint as president of the teachers union.
Although he had written opinion pieces for the Los Angeles Times and contributed to school newsletters,he never attempted to write fiction until seven years ago. Since that time he's completed three historical novels one of which, Breakout From Sugar Island, was published by Fireship Press in September, 2015. He's received the following awards: Conference Choice Award winner for adult fiction, San Diego Writers Conference, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Runner-up for adult fiction, San Francisco Writers Conference, 2010. Finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference, 2011.
Although he had written opinion pieces for the Los Angeles Times and contributed to school newsletters,he never attempted to write fiction until seven years ago. Since that time he's completed three historical novels one of which, Breakout From Sugar Island, was published by Fireship Press in September, 2015. He's received the following awards: Conference Choice Award winner for adult fiction, San Diego Writers Conference, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Runner-up for adult fiction, San Francisco Writers Conference, 2010. Finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference, 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 13, 2018
Well, this book sure knocked my socks off! Talk about an exciting, never-letting-up adventure of a book that was! I was completely engrossed and racing through the pages to see what was going to happen. Loved it! And I learned a lot about Ireland during WWII that I wasn't aware of, which was an added bonus. I think books set in Ireland might be my new obsession :)
Thanks to Seamus for the great read!
Thanks to Seamus for the great read!
May 11, 2020
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I came to Seamus Beirne’s In Search of Brigid Coltrane on the heels of a public reading. I’d no experience with the author, but his depiction of the Magdalene laundries tickled my imagination. I purchased the title soon after and quickly lost myself in Beirne’s authentically Irish voice and unique brand of storytelling.
For me, In Search of Brigid Coltrane falls somewhere between Max Allan Collins’ Road to Perdition and Andrew M. Greeley’s Nuala Anne McGrail series. Beirne blends a compelling emotional storyline with an intense conspiratorial arc, then binds them together with an array of fascinating historical detail.
There’s also something to be said for the cultural undertones of the narrative. Beirne is Irish by birth, and I feel his firsthand perspective transcends his writing. His nuancing is subtle, but there’s a natural fluidity to it, a fact particularly noticeable in the cadence of his characters’ dialogue.
An engaging story beginning to end, In Search of Brigid Coltrane proved difficult to put down. A compulsively readable and recommended historical thriller.
I came to Seamus Beirne’s In Search of Brigid Coltrane on the heels of a public reading. I’d no experience with the author, but his depiction of the Magdalene laundries tickled my imagination. I purchased the title soon after and quickly lost myself in Beirne’s authentically Irish voice and unique brand of storytelling.
For me, In Search of Brigid Coltrane falls somewhere between Max Allan Collins’ Road to Perdition and Andrew M. Greeley’s Nuala Anne McGrail series. Beirne blends a compelling emotional storyline with an intense conspiratorial arc, then binds them together with an array of fascinating historical detail.
There’s also something to be said for the cultural undertones of the narrative. Beirne is Irish by birth, and I feel his firsthand perspective transcends his writing. His nuancing is subtle, but there’s a natural fluidity to it, a fact particularly noticeable in the cadence of his characters’ dialogue.
An engaging story beginning to end, In Search of Brigid Coltrane proved difficult to put down. A compulsively readable and recommended historical thriller.
January 18, 2019
An engaging story, which was beautifully written. I painlessly learned a great deal of Ireland’s part in World War II. “The Search for Bridget Coltrane” is a compelling story that kept me turning pages. While I would have liked to have learn a great deal more about Bridget and how she spent her time while the riveting search for her took place, I found the behind the scenes story and the writer's voice engaging.
November 24, 2018
I've read many WWII novels but none taking place in Ireland – until now. In the summer of 1941 England was deep in the fight against Germany, but Ireland was a neutral country. Agents for both England and Germany were working secretly to gain Irish sympathy. Ireland's location would be a perfect jumping-off point for attacking England.
Into this dramatic setting, author Seamus Beirne places his protagonist Peter Coltrane and 14-year-old daughter Brigid. The pair witnesses a cold-blooded assassination of two English agents. Worse, the assassins notice the innocent father and daughter have observed them.
In Search of Brigid Coltrane is a rip-roaring tale about Coltrane's heroic attempt to rescue his child. The German agents are aided by an evil Englishman, Irish monks, and rogue Irish police. Coltrane dares not go to the police because he doesn't know whom he can trust. Coltrane faces a very formidable team. Fortunately he is an intrepid veteran of the fierce Spanish Civil War just five years earlier and is backed by close friends from his small town.
The story’s setting is the Irish countryside, with scenes vividly placed in villages, bogs, dreary coastlines and the ever-present rain. The plot is supplemented by local color and culture, which the reader absorbs from Beirne’s well-worded dialog and scenic descriptions. Having many Irish relatives, I found the novel's characters resonating with me.
This is a real thriller. Every chapter is filled with peril, as we see the battle through the eyes of both good guys and bad guys, both on a personal level and the broader view of history. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and thrillers.
Into this dramatic setting, author Seamus Beirne places his protagonist Peter Coltrane and 14-year-old daughter Brigid. The pair witnesses a cold-blooded assassination of two English agents. Worse, the assassins notice the innocent father and daughter have observed them.
In Search of Brigid Coltrane is a rip-roaring tale about Coltrane's heroic attempt to rescue his child. The German agents are aided by an evil Englishman, Irish monks, and rogue Irish police. Coltrane dares not go to the police because he doesn't know whom he can trust. Coltrane faces a very formidable team. Fortunately he is an intrepid veteran of the fierce Spanish Civil War just five years earlier and is backed by close friends from his small town.
The story’s setting is the Irish countryside, with scenes vividly placed in villages, bogs, dreary coastlines and the ever-present rain. The plot is supplemented by local color and culture, which the reader absorbs from Beirne’s well-worded dialog and scenic descriptions. Having many Irish relatives, I found the novel's characters resonating with me.
This is a real thriller. Every chapter is filled with peril, as we see the battle through the eyes of both good guys and bad guys, both on a personal level and the broader view of history. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and thrillers.
October 10, 2018
I'm on the fence about how I feel about this book. I love the history that goes along with the plot. I'm very intrigued by WWII and I didn't know about Ireland's role in the war. So that really kept my interest.
However, the process of finding Brigid, was way too drawn out with so many different points of view that the book seemed much longer than it actually was. We didn't really get much of the story from Brigid's POV either, which might have made things a little more interesting.
There was a lot of action and intrigue when it came to how Brigid was taken and the events that led up to it. It was interesting to learn Ireland has a position of neutrality during the war. That was something I didn't know until I started googling.
That said, even the intrigue and the possibility of something bad befalling Brigid's father didn't give this book that total oomph that it could have had. For me, I wanted more of the female perspective, which seemed to get lost here.
Still the subject matter and the writing was compelling enough for me and for someone that enjoys books about the WWII and some of the lesser known activities in the war, this would make a great read.
However, the process of finding Brigid, was way too drawn out with so many different points of view that the book seemed much longer than it actually was. We didn't really get much of the story from Brigid's POV either, which might have made things a little more interesting.
There was a lot of action and intrigue when it came to how Brigid was taken and the events that led up to it. It was interesting to learn Ireland has a position of neutrality during the war. That was something I didn't know until I started googling.
That said, even the intrigue and the possibility of something bad befalling Brigid's father didn't give this book that total oomph that it could have had. For me, I wanted more of the female perspective, which seemed to get lost here.
Still the subject matter and the writing was compelling enough for me and for someone that enjoys books about the WWII and some of the lesser known activities in the war, this would make a great read.
November 21, 2018
Tension gripped me on page one, so that the hairs on the nape of my neck prickled, right along with the protagonist's.
Peter Coltrane proved himself an awesome father, patriot, and quick-thinking man. His wife, Claire Coltrane, was no slouch herself. Both comported themselves with alacrity and true grit. Their jeopardy was instantly felt and constant throughout. The book was atmospheric, historic, epic and lively.
Irish witticisms and puns displayed the author's sense of humor as well as his knowledge. Phrases such as "She threw him a look that would bubble wallpaper" and "the wife thinks he went on a booze-up" show the vernacular sprinkling. One of my personal favorites was a pun on an Irish custom: "a wake for the dead." That's a leprechaun wink if I ever read one!
Mr. Beirne's work is a multi-sensory delight and a brilliant taste of Ireland, its struggles and wars. This is masterful, Irish story-telling.
Was Bridgid Coltrane, daughter of Claire and Peter, ever found? You'll have to read the book to find out!
I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Peter Coltrane proved himself an awesome father, patriot, and quick-thinking man. His wife, Claire Coltrane, was no slouch herself. Both comported themselves with alacrity and true grit. Their jeopardy was instantly felt and constant throughout. The book was atmospheric, historic, epic and lively.
Irish witticisms and puns displayed the author's sense of humor as well as his knowledge. Phrases such as "She threw him a look that would bubble wallpaper" and "the wife thinks he went on a booze-up" show the vernacular sprinkling. One of my personal favorites was a pun on an Irish custom: "a wake for the dead." That's a leprechaun wink if I ever read one!
Mr. Beirne's work is a multi-sensory delight and a brilliant taste of Ireland, its struggles and wars. This is masterful, Irish story-telling.
Was Bridgid Coltrane, daughter of Claire and Peter, ever found? You'll have to read the book to find out!
I received a print copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2020
Although a bit of a rascal, Peter Coltrane is a devoted father who cares deeply for his daughter. When she turns up missing under his watch, there is no doubting his resolve to find her at all costs. Set in Ireland in 1941, the reader learns about historical events through the eyes and actions of Irish natives and mischievous intruders. The author writes dialog and descriptive phrases to enliven each scene with believable conversations and events. I recommend In Search of Brigid Coltrane to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with thrilling intrigue from beginning to end.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews