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Murphy's Troubles
Ian Padraic Murphy harbors a scandalous secret. To avenge the death of his best friend in a Belfast raid, Ian joins the Provisional IRA which he conceals for 30 years. He meets investigative reporter Eileen Donohue and friendship blossoms into a love affair. Eileen inadvertently discovers the man she thought was a reclusive novelist is actually the brain trust for the IRA. Eileen betrays her lover by disclosing his secret in Ireland’s leading newspaper. Driven by guilt and remorse, Ian atones for his years in the IRA by working with Sinn Fein to negotiate the 1998 Peace Accord which ended The Troubles in Ireland. After deserting the IRA Ian’s own troubles are far from over when they order his assassination. The assignment is given to his friend, IRA Commander, Kieran Fitzpatrick. Will Ian pay the ultimate price for disloyalty to the IRA?
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2013
17 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Rex Owens
5 books11 followersMy work explores our motives to make life changing decisions and searches for common themes in our journey to create ourselves.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 20, 2016
Owens has a passionate voice for the historical extremist movement in contemporary Ireland. Told mostly through alternating viewpoints, the reader is carried along with Ian Murphy, who as a young university student, is recruited and serves the next thirty years in the Irish Republican Army.
With loving exacted scenery and dialect, the author transports his readers to the Ireland of the sixties, to the underlying despair of prejudice, anger, and inequality due not to outward characteristics, but to devotion and heritage according to faith. Allegiance to a culture of religion causes sides to be taken and lines to be drawn. Owens’ fictional account of the inner workings of what it might have been like for principal players in the movement, unable to trust anyone, not even the people you grew up with, called brother, or confessed to or shared a bed with, provides a rich and satisfying read.
With loving exacted scenery and dialect, the author transports his readers to the Ireland of the sixties, to the underlying despair of prejudice, anger, and inequality due not to outward characteristics, but to devotion and heritage according to faith. Allegiance to a culture of religion causes sides to be taken and lines to be drawn. Owens’ fictional account of the inner workings of what it might have been like for principal players in the movement, unable to trust anyone, not even the people you grew up with, called brother, or confessed to or shared a bed with, provides a rich and satisfying read.
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July 27, 2020This was a thoughtful, very well-crafted story. A reader can't help but be empathetic toward the characters. Well-written!
March 26, 2014
I won this book on a goodreads giveaway and I must say, I was very glad I did.
I am not sure how to classify this book; I want to call it historical fiction although it begins in 1968 and ends in 1998; this is my lifetime and I always think of historical fiction as before my lifetime, maybe it’s time to realize that history is occurring everyday, and classify this book for what it is Historical and Fiction.
The book is about Ian Murphy and the secret role he plays in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The roots of this organization can be found in Irish Catholic Nationalism and was first used about the time of the 1922 Irish Free State Act, which technically split Ireland into two countries.
Before reading this book (and researching as I read) the only thing I could recall about the IRA was that it was the first time I recall the term terrorist being used to identify a group of people. I recall the acts of bombings and assassinations conducted by the IRA, and I recall that the problem seemed to stem between Irish Catholics and Protestants.
I learned a great deal about the IRA and the people who belonged to the organization via this book which took a long, hard look at another deadly problem caused in part by organized religion.
The book is more than a reminder of the deadly battle to reconnect Ireland, it’s the story of Ian Murphy and how he became a part of the IRA. It gives the reader a good sense of how people, seeking to do what they consider right, go about it in the wrong way; and, it shows how one act of terrorism can change a man’s outlook on life.
With the exception of the ending, this is a fantastic book. I say this about the ending because after a strong, emotional story, the ending was quick and weak; therefore, I am giving this book a 4 star rating.
I am not sure how to classify this book; I want to call it historical fiction although it begins in 1968 and ends in 1998; this is my lifetime and I always think of historical fiction as before my lifetime, maybe it’s time to realize that history is occurring everyday, and classify this book for what it is Historical and Fiction.
The book is about Ian Murphy and the secret role he plays in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The roots of this organization can be found in Irish Catholic Nationalism and was first used about the time of the 1922 Irish Free State Act, which technically split Ireland into two countries.
Before reading this book (and researching as I read) the only thing I could recall about the IRA was that it was the first time I recall the term terrorist being used to identify a group of people. I recall the acts of bombings and assassinations conducted by the IRA, and I recall that the problem seemed to stem between Irish Catholics and Protestants.
I learned a great deal about the IRA and the people who belonged to the organization via this book which took a long, hard look at another deadly problem caused in part by organized religion.
The book is more than a reminder of the deadly battle to reconnect Ireland, it’s the story of Ian Murphy and how he became a part of the IRA. It gives the reader a good sense of how people, seeking to do what they consider right, go about it in the wrong way; and, it shows how one act of terrorism can change a man’s outlook on life.
With the exception of the ending, this is a fantastic book. I say this about the ending because after a strong, emotional story, the ending was quick and weak; therefore, I am giving this book a 4 star rating.
January 17, 2022
Rex tells an authentic story of life during the troubles in north Ireland through the narrative of characters that tell the reader about their life in difficult times. The decision to wage a war based on revenge fared no better here than for Ahab, but thankfully they lived to forge a new, more peaceful and resilient path. I loved how the three featured females rose to center stage to influence a change toward peaceful resolution of the troubles to begin to forge a lasting tolerance in a land pulled apart by differences. Rex is a master storyteller who carefully and succinctly develops his craft from beginning to end giving the reader time to feel and be immersed in his story. As he points out, the words and meaning are only his until the reader picks it up and makes it theirs. Enjoy the experience.
March 5, 2014
Rex Owens crafts a riveting path through the history of Ireland’s troubles with his engaging tale of an IRA-supporting writer who comes to question the decisions he’s made. With intriguing twists and turns that surprise us with the outcome, you will not want to put this novel down. This is a particularly enjoyable read for those with an appreciation of all things Irish. From a good pint of Guinness to a walk by the sea on the Dingle Peninsula, you’ll feel as though you’ve been on a visit to the Emerald Isle.
May 11, 2015
Ian Murphy is an Irish writer who becomes the pen of the Irish Republican Army, to avenge the death of his boyhood friend Timolty. The novel tracks his writing and his friendship with IRA organizer, Kieran until a family tragedy leads to a personal crossroad. Well-crafted and a good read.
April 30, 2017
Intriguing Premise
This story has strong conflicted characters in a conflicted setting and time. What more could you want? Love the journey this story goes on.
This story has strong conflicted characters in a conflicted setting and time. What more could you want? Love the journey this story goes on.
April 5, 2018
It was interesting. I didn't think it would be as good as it was. I really don't know much about the IRA and this gave me some insight into it. I read it because the author is from my home town.
March 23, 2019
A great read, with well developed characters and a well written tale!
I enjoyed immensely
I enjoyed immensely
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews