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Vincent Swan #2
The Rosary Garden
It was Ali who found the body of a murdered newborn baby, hidden in the garden of her convent school. In an Ireland riven by battles of religion and reproduction, the case becomes a media sensation, even as the church tries to suppress it. But this is not the first dead baby Ali has found. For Detectives Vincent Swan and Gina Considine, the pressure to discover the identity of the dead child is little help against a community with secrets to protect. Gina knows all too well how many of Ireland's girls are forced to make difficult decisions in terrible circumstances, silenced by shame. Is Ali one of those girls? Because what evidence there is, points to Ali herself...
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2013
About the author
Nicola White
3 books15 followersNicola White grew up in Ireland and New York and graduated from Trinity College, Dublin. She lived in London and Belfast before moving to Glasgow to work as a contemporary art curator, moving on to produce arts documentaries for BBC radio and television.
In 2008 she won the Scottish Book Trust’s New Writer Award, and began to publish short stories in a range of journals, anthologies and for broadcast on Radio 4. In 2012 she was Leverhulme Writer in Residence at Edinburgh University.
Her novel, In the Rosary Garden, won the Dundee International Book prize and was shortlisted for the 2014 Deanston (now McIlvanny) Prize. It was selected as one of the four best debuts by Val McDermid ‘New Blood’ panel at the Harrogate crime festival and was one of the Glasgow Herald’s 2014 ‘books of the year’.
She publishes non-fiction with The Dublin Review and has contributed essays to numerous visual art publications, such as the National Galleries of Scotland’s 2014 ‘Generation Reader’.
Nicola currently splits her time between Glasgow and the Highlands, which means she lives mostly on the A9.
In 2008 she won the Scottish Book Trust’s New Writer Award, and began to publish short stories in a range of journals, anthologies and for broadcast on Radio 4. In 2012 she was Leverhulme Writer in Residence at Edinburgh University.
Her novel, In the Rosary Garden, won the Dundee International Book prize and was shortlisted for the 2014 Deanston (now McIlvanny) Prize. It was selected as one of the four best debuts by Val McDermid ‘New Blood’ panel at the Harrogate crime festival and was one of the Glasgow Herald’s 2014 ‘books of the year’.
She publishes non-fiction with The Dublin Review and has contributed essays to numerous visual art publications, such as the National Galleries of Scotland’s 2014 ‘Generation Reader’.
Nicola currently splits her time between Glasgow and the Highlands, which means she lives mostly on the A9.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 28, 2021
EXCERPT: She pushed the door open, Fitz was standing in the middle of the shed, her face as pale as milk and her fingers at her mouth. A smear of lipstick trailed across one cheek. She appeared to be standing in a nest of gardening tools - hoes, rakes and loppers meshed around her ankles. Her eyes were fixed on the floor: on a wire basket filled with smaller tools. Ali picked up a fallen rake that blocked her way, propped it against the wall. As she turned back she noticed a large mushroom or egg nestled among the tools in the basket. She wanted to go to Fitz, to free her from the tangle of handles - but she couldn't make sense of this thing. She stepped closer, wondering at the fuzzy halo around the edge of the egg.
Downy hair on a head.
ABOUT 'THE ROSARY GARDEN': It was Ali who found the body of a murdered newborn baby, hidden in the garden of her convent school. In an Ireland riven by battles of religion and reproduction, the case becomes a media sensation, even as the church tries to suppress it. But this is not the first dead baby Ali has found.
For Detectives Vincent Swan and Gina Considine, the pressure to discover the identity of the dead child is little help against a community with secrets to protect. Gina knows all too well how many of Ireland's girls are forced to make difficult decisions in terrible circumstances, silenced by shame. Is Ali one of those girls? Because what evidence there is, points to Ali herself...
MY THOUGHTS: I liked but did not love The Rosary Garden by Nicola White. This is a new revised edition and prequel to 'A Famished Heart' which I have not read. This book was previously published as 'In the Rosary Garden, Vincent Swan #1).
Set in Ireland in the mid-eighties, this is the story of Ali, who has just graduated school and is awaiting her leaving results. She is next on the scene after her friend Fitz finds the body of a baby in a garden shed. But this is not the first baby's body that Ali has encountered, which is suspicious for a start. Is Ali an innocent caught in the crossfire of other people's desperate acts, or is she more deeply involved?
This mystery is set before the time of the internet, mobile phones and DNA testing. The police (Gaarda) have to rely on investigative footwork for their results. This is an Ireland of no contraception, abortion is illegal and even sex education in schools is sketchy at the best. Girls 'in the family way' are bundled off to relatives in the country or homes for unwed mothers, while the men involved escape relatively unscathed. It is not uncommon for unwanted babies to wind up in slurry pits, or buried in gardens.
Despite the numerous twists and red herrings, the mystery failed to fully engage me. The cast of suspects is relatively small, with the same faces appearing again and again, which is in no way a criticism, but I felt little in the way of suspense or apprehension.
This is a family that has many skeletons in the closet, and one or two under the bed. Secrets are kept and perpetuated, with drastic measures taken to ensure that they are never revealed.
I wish I could have liked this more. I was excited by the beginning, by the premise, but as the book progressed, my interest steadied and settled. This is a better than average read, but not a memorable one.
⭐⭐⭐.1
#TheRosaryGarden #NetGalley
#historicalfiction #familydrama #mystery #irishfiction
THE AUTHOR: Nicola White grew up in Ireland and New York and graduated from Trinity College, Dublin. She lived in London and Belfast before moving to Glasgow to work as a contemporary art curator, moving on to produce arts documentaries for BBC radio and television.
Nicola currently splits her time between Glasgow and the Highlands, which means she lives mostly on the A9.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Serpent's Tail /Profile Books, Viper for providing a digital ARC of The Rosary Garden by Nicola White for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Downy hair on a head.
ABOUT 'THE ROSARY GARDEN': It was Ali who found the body of a murdered newborn baby, hidden in the garden of her convent school. In an Ireland riven by battles of religion and reproduction, the case becomes a media sensation, even as the church tries to suppress it. But this is not the first dead baby Ali has found.
For Detectives Vincent Swan and Gina Considine, the pressure to discover the identity of the dead child is little help against a community with secrets to protect. Gina knows all too well how many of Ireland's girls are forced to make difficult decisions in terrible circumstances, silenced by shame. Is Ali one of those girls? Because what evidence there is, points to Ali herself...
MY THOUGHTS: I liked but did not love The Rosary Garden by Nicola White. This is a new revised edition and prequel to 'A Famished Heart' which I have not read. This book was previously published as 'In the Rosary Garden, Vincent Swan #1).
Set in Ireland in the mid-eighties, this is the story of Ali, who has just graduated school and is awaiting her leaving results. She is next on the scene after her friend Fitz finds the body of a baby in a garden shed. But this is not the first baby's body that Ali has encountered, which is suspicious for a start. Is Ali an innocent caught in the crossfire of other people's desperate acts, or is she more deeply involved?
This mystery is set before the time of the internet, mobile phones and DNA testing. The police (Gaarda) have to rely on investigative footwork for their results. This is an Ireland of no contraception, abortion is illegal and even sex education in schools is sketchy at the best. Girls 'in the family way' are bundled off to relatives in the country or homes for unwed mothers, while the men involved escape relatively unscathed. It is not uncommon for unwanted babies to wind up in slurry pits, or buried in gardens.
Despite the numerous twists and red herrings, the mystery failed to fully engage me. The cast of suspects is relatively small, with the same faces appearing again and again, which is in no way a criticism, but I felt little in the way of suspense or apprehension.
This is a family that has many skeletons in the closet, and one or two under the bed. Secrets are kept and perpetuated, with drastic measures taken to ensure that they are never revealed.
I wish I could have liked this more. I was excited by the beginning, by the premise, but as the book progressed, my interest steadied and settled. This is a better than average read, but not a memorable one.
⭐⭐⭐.1
#TheRosaryGarden #NetGalley
#historicalfiction #familydrama #mystery #irishfiction
THE AUTHOR: Nicola White grew up in Ireland and New York and graduated from Trinity College, Dublin. She lived in London and Belfast before moving to Glasgow to work as a contemporary art curator, moving on to produce arts documentaries for BBC radio and television.
Nicola currently splits her time between Glasgow and the Highlands, which means she lives mostly on the A9.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Serpent's Tail /Profile Books, Viper for providing a digital ARC of The Rosary Garden by Nicola White for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
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February 26, 2021Dnf.
After almost a week, I'm at only at 25% so I'm calling it.
I was anxious to read this despite the central subjects of infincide, religion, and politics. The book also won the Dundee award for writing, giving it an additional pedigree.
The Catholic Church and pregnancy in 1984 Ireland sounded intriguing so I have no explanation how such controversial topics could be dry, but that's how it felt reading it.
For those who want to try it, the writing appeared exceptional and the death of the baby is not described. For some reason, I couldn't get absorbed into the story.
October 30, 2020
Ali found the body of a murdered baby hidden in the garden of her convent school. In an Ireland riven with battles of religion and reproduction, the case becomes a media sensation. But this is not the first baby Ali has found. Detectives Vincent Swan and Gina Considine, the pressure to discover the baby's identity is little help against the community with secrets to protect. Gina knows many of Irelands girls are forced to make difficult decisions in terrible circumstances. Is Ali one of the girls? Because all the evidence is pointing towards her.
The pace is steady in this compelling read. There's family secrets and lies. It's a beautifully written story that's filled with fascinating characters. This was not the first baby Ali had found. There's some good twists in this page turning read and it's filled with secrets and lies. This book is not for the faint hearted as you will need a strong constitution for some of the scenes.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #SerpentsTail #ProfileBooks and the author #NicolaWhite for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The pace is steady in this compelling read. There's family secrets and lies. It's a beautifully written story that's filled with fascinating characters. This was not the first baby Ali had found. There's some good twists in this page turning read and it's filled with secrets and lies. This book is not for the faint hearted as you will need a strong constitution for some of the scenes.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #SerpentsTail #ProfileBooks and the author #NicolaWhite for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2026
Set during the mid-80's the second book in the Detective Vincent Swan series sees him investigate the murder of a three-day-old baby found in a garden shed at a private convent school in Dublin.
This was a first time read from this author and I had no problems reading this title as a standalone.
White recreates the time period perfectly, with both religion and women's rights being a hot topic and potential media storm.
This is much more than just a police procedural, with it's dark and emotional subject matter.
This was a first time read from this author and I had no problems reading this title as a standalone.
White recreates the time period perfectly, with both religion and women's rights being a hot topic and potential media storm.
This is much more than just a police procedural, with it's dark and emotional subject matter.
October 27, 2020
New author for me Nicola White, had me hooked from the beginning with this haunting tale from Ireland.
Ali finds the dead body of a baby in the garden shed of her convent school. As the police ascertain that the child has been murdered it becomes a hunt for the mother/murderer.
The nuns are quick to absolve themselves of any involvement in what becomes a media scandal taking into account the religious views of anti abortion and the shame put on single mothers at that time.
It then transpires that Ali had also found a dead baby when she was a young child in her hometown in the home of her aunt and uncle. Could this just be a strange coincidence or something more ?
I found this a deeply addictive novel which at times was both harrowing and disturbing but I found very believable.
I look forward to reading more of her work.
Ali finds the dead body of a baby in the garden shed of her convent school. As the police ascertain that the child has been murdered it becomes a hunt for the mother/murderer.
The nuns are quick to absolve themselves of any involvement in what becomes a media scandal taking into account the religious views of anti abortion and the shame put on single mothers at that time.
It then transpires that Ali had also found a dead baby when she was a young child in her hometown in the home of her aunt and uncle. Could this just be a strange coincidence or something more ?
I found this a deeply addictive novel which at times was both harrowing and disturbing but I found very believable.
I look forward to reading more of her work.
January 25, 2021
Set in Dublin in the mid 80’s, a teenage girl finds the body of a new born baby in the grounds of her Convent School. Just on the cusp of leaving a life filled with restriction, her future shimmering ahead of her Ali Hogan is suddenly pulled back into a past she had almost forgotten. And it threatens to hold her there.
Because this isn’t the first dead baby that Ali has discovered. Years before, hard on the heels of the death of her father Ali found a scrap of a newborn on Christmas Day in her Aunt’s farmhouse. Concealed from view then, it hasn’t been spoken of since.
Now current events are stirring up the past, and it’s ripples are felt throughout a number of close knit huddles. Through the Convent, through Ali’s own family and friendship group, and through the tight community in the home town of Buleen.
But the truth is hard to come by, for this Ireland of the 1980’s, where the voice of the Catholic Church rings loud, where illegitimate babies are not discussed and alternative solutions need to be found. But never divulged. And for Detective Vincent Swan these issues are very close to home.
This is a case that threatens to run away with the lives of all involved and suddenly Ali’s world is turned upset down, as her role in the tragedy comes under the harshest of spotlights. What exactly is Ali’s role in this crime and how can anyone be persuaded to break their silence?
In this novel it is true the past meets the present but the issues remain the same. Within the narrative we find a sensitive, authentic exploration of the women’s rights. With skill the issues of contraception, the intervention and power of the church, societal pressures and so much more are woven into a compelling and compulsive novel.
So much more than a crime novel, this book tackles difficult issues head on and will open up debate. Highly recommended.
Because this isn’t the first dead baby that Ali has discovered. Years before, hard on the heels of the death of her father Ali found a scrap of a newborn on Christmas Day in her Aunt’s farmhouse. Concealed from view then, it hasn’t been spoken of since.
Now current events are stirring up the past, and it’s ripples are felt throughout a number of close knit huddles. Through the Convent, through Ali’s own family and friendship group, and through the tight community in the home town of Buleen.
But the truth is hard to come by, for this Ireland of the 1980’s, where the voice of the Catholic Church rings loud, where illegitimate babies are not discussed and alternative solutions need to be found. But never divulged. And for Detective Vincent Swan these issues are very close to home.
This is a case that threatens to run away with the lives of all involved and suddenly Ali’s world is turned upset down, as her role in the tragedy comes under the harshest of spotlights. What exactly is Ali’s role in this crime and how can anyone be persuaded to break their silence?
In this novel it is true the past meets the present but the issues remain the same. Within the narrative we find a sensitive, authentic exploration of the women’s rights. With skill the issues of contraception, the intervention and power of the church, societal pressures and so much more are woven into a compelling and compulsive novel.
So much more than a crime novel, this book tackles difficult issues head on and will open up debate. Highly recommended.
February 28, 2021
Do away with the middle 200 pages & you'd have a decent read.
August 21, 2021
I read this kind of book for the descriptions of the places I have been to and for the motivations given by the characters to hide or disclose information as the cases develop. This story takes in Dublin, Ireland, near my sister-in-law's house.
August 7, 2014
Re-read, because it's been a while and I've 'A famished heart' to read. Just as much enjoyed the second time.
Good heavens, this was wonderful! Bought because it was short-listed for the Deanston Scottish Crime Book of the Year, recommended by Declan Hughes and Denise Mina (and already the winner of the Dundee International Book Prize) this has an originality and a freshness which sets it part from usual crime novels. It is beautifully written, tightly and convincingly plotted with exceptional scene-setting and fascinating characters, especially in Ali and detective Vincent Swan, who I hope is due to appear elsewhere. And soon.
Good heavens, this was wonderful! Bought because it was short-listed for the Deanston Scottish Crime Book of the Year, recommended by Declan Hughes and Denise Mina (and already the winner of the Dundee International Book Prize) this has an originality and a freshness which sets it part from usual crime novels. It is beautifully written, tightly and convincingly plotted with exceptional scene-setting and fascinating characters, especially in Ali and detective Vincent Swan, who I hope is due to appear elsewhere. And soon.
July 29, 2014
Much better than I expected it to be this is not so much a thriller more a rumination on the difference between rural and metropolitan Ireland. The descriptions of the country town with its ugly, unfinished breeze block bungalows immediately brought me back to the dismal "improvements" of the 70s and 80s with their half-finished houses and this setting worked well to describe the bigger story about sex and death and hypocrisy. The only negative was the main detective Swan, who did not particularly ring true, but then he wasn't some gifted super cop more a way to get the story told.
December 21, 2013
a great book from a new writer with talent. The characters were fast paced and moving and I loved the difference in all of them, their characteristics and problems varied from each one.
November 21, 2020
Interesting and unusual story with some unexpected twists. Good characters and a believable storyline.
January 27, 2021
All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles.com/
I chose to read and review a free ARC of The Rosary Garden. My grateful thanks to Viper Books for sending me an early copy of the book.
Nicola White first came to my attention when the first book in her Vincent Swan series – A Famished Heart – was chosen as a #R3COMM3ND3D2020 pick by author Rachel Sargeant. I said then how much that first book appealed to me. So when the opportunity to read this second Vincent Swan Mystery – set in Ireland in the 1980s – arose, I grabbed it with both hands.
Teenage Ali and her friend, Fitz, make a shocking discovery in the garden shed at their convent school. The body of a newborn baby. Detective Vincent Swan of the Murder Squad is called to investigate the grisly scene but because of Ireland’s turbulent history between religion and a woman’s rights, the case becomes an instant media storm. Particularly when it’s discovered that this isn’t the first dead baby Ali has discovered. The nuns are quick to absolve themselves of any blame. Swan struggles to find a link between his suspects and the child. Nothing seems to make any sense and the investigation falters. But someone is hiding a very dark secret. Someone knows what happened to the baby…
The Rosary Garden is a dark, beautifully written, emotional story which kept me turning the pages. It works perfectly well as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book in the series but I didn’t feel I was missing out. I will be rectifying that though and reading A Famished Heart as soon as I can. The author has skilfully managed to bring her reader into the lives of these characters to the point where they felt so very real to me. I watched as Vincent Swan struggled to find a link to the baby, as Ali was caught up in the media frenzy, wrung out by the press who claimed their pound of flesh and then left on her own to pick up the pieces. The way Ali was treated at times was appalling but sadly I feel this is how life was for young women in Ireland (and elsewhere) in the 1980s.
The subject matter isn’t something everyone is going to be comfortable with. The heart-breaking scenes the author paints are made to make the reader think about life for a young unmarried woman in Ireland in the 1980s and she does it with aplomb. If you’re looking for a book to make you feel something, The Rosary Garden is definitely it. The mystery aspect of the book flows steadily from the very beginning and I instantly liked Detective Vincent Swan, who is having his own issues at home, as well as investigating a very emotional and prominent case. The story builds gradually layer by layer and I was on the edge of my seat as the story edged ever closer to the end. And what an ending! It was a perfect fit and very satisfying.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Rosary Garden is a very compelling and beautifully written heart-felt mystery which I devoured quicker than most other reads of late. There was something quite addictive about the characters and their story. You’re never really quite sure who to trust and I really enjoyed that. I would happily pick up another book by this author and I look forward to reading A Famished Heart soon. Recommended.
I chose to read and review an ARC of The Rosary Garden. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
I chose to read and review a free ARC of The Rosary Garden. My grateful thanks to Viper Books for sending me an early copy of the book.
Nicola White first came to my attention when the first book in her Vincent Swan series – A Famished Heart – was chosen as a #R3COMM3ND3D2020 pick by author Rachel Sargeant. I said then how much that first book appealed to me. So when the opportunity to read this second Vincent Swan Mystery – set in Ireland in the 1980s – arose, I grabbed it with both hands.
Teenage Ali and her friend, Fitz, make a shocking discovery in the garden shed at their convent school. The body of a newborn baby. Detective Vincent Swan of the Murder Squad is called to investigate the grisly scene but because of Ireland’s turbulent history between religion and a woman’s rights, the case becomes an instant media storm. Particularly when it’s discovered that this isn’t the first dead baby Ali has discovered. The nuns are quick to absolve themselves of any blame. Swan struggles to find a link between his suspects and the child. Nothing seems to make any sense and the investigation falters. But someone is hiding a very dark secret. Someone knows what happened to the baby…
The Rosary Garden is a dark, beautifully written, emotional story which kept me turning the pages. It works perfectly well as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book in the series but I didn’t feel I was missing out. I will be rectifying that though and reading A Famished Heart as soon as I can. The author has skilfully managed to bring her reader into the lives of these characters to the point where they felt so very real to me. I watched as Vincent Swan struggled to find a link to the baby, as Ali was caught up in the media frenzy, wrung out by the press who claimed their pound of flesh and then left on her own to pick up the pieces. The way Ali was treated at times was appalling but sadly I feel this is how life was for young women in Ireland (and elsewhere) in the 1980s.
The subject matter isn’t something everyone is going to be comfortable with. The heart-breaking scenes the author paints are made to make the reader think about life for a young unmarried woman in Ireland in the 1980s and she does it with aplomb. If you’re looking for a book to make you feel something, The Rosary Garden is definitely it. The mystery aspect of the book flows steadily from the very beginning and I instantly liked Detective Vincent Swan, who is having his own issues at home, as well as investigating a very emotional and prominent case. The story builds gradually layer by layer and I was on the edge of my seat as the story edged ever closer to the end. And what an ending! It was a perfect fit and very satisfying.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Rosary Garden is a very compelling and beautifully written heart-felt mystery which I devoured quicker than most other reads of late. There was something quite addictive about the characters and their story. You’re never really quite sure who to trust and I really enjoyed that. I would happily pick up another book by this author and I look forward to reading A Famished Heart soon. Recommended.
I chose to read and review an ARC of The Rosary Garden. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
March 2, 2021
Nicola White has written a sterling second novel in her 'Vincent Swan' series set in Dublin in the mid-’80s.
A teenage girl finds the body of a newborn baby in the grounds of her Convent School. Ali Hogan is on the cusp of leaving a life of restriction and a past she has tried to forget when she is dragged right back in, for this is not the first time she has discovered a dead infant. Detective Vincent Swan of the Murder Squad is called to investigate the grisly scene and the case soon becomes a media storm.
The Rosary Garden is a dark, beautifully written, emotional story that kept me turning the pages. As Detective Inspector Vincent Swan and Detective Sergeant Gina Considine investigated the murder of the three-day-old baby, I found myself in the midst of family secrets and lies, culminating in an all too believable and heartbreaking ending. As well as chapters from DI Swan’s point of view, the reader also heard from Ali. In a fascinating story, it dealt with hard-hitting issues and challenging subjects. Expertly written with care, realism and simplicity, the awful truth is uncovered in this dark tale and I didn't see the cleverly done ending coming. I wholeheartedly recommend The Rosary Garden.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Serpent's Tail / Profile Books/ Viper via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
A teenage girl finds the body of a newborn baby in the grounds of her Convent School. Ali Hogan is on the cusp of leaving a life of restriction and a past she has tried to forget when she is dragged right back in, for this is not the first time she has discovered a dead infant. Detective Vincent Swan of the Murder Squad is called to investigate the grisly scene and the case soon becomes a media storm.
The Rosary Garden is a dark, beautifully written, emotional story that kept me turning the pages. As Detective Inspector Vincent Swan and Detective Sergeant Gina Considine investigated the murder of the three-day-old baby, I found myself in the midst of family secrets and lies, culminating in an all too believable and heartbreaking ending. As well as chapters from DI Swan’s point of view, the reader also heard from Ali. In a fascinating story, it dealt with hard-hitting issues and challenging subjects. Expertly written with care, realism and simplicity, the awful truth is uncovered in this dark tale and I didn't see the cleverly done ending coming. I wholeheartedly recommend The Rosary Garden.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Serpent's Tail / Profile Books/ Viper via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
January 23, 2021
The Rosary Garden - Nicola White
𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒍𝒊 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍. 𝑰𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒕. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅…
This is a new revised edition and a sequel to A Famished Heart.
This book is a compelling, powerfully emotional novel that I just couldn’t put down.
Set in 1980’s Ireland it tackles a lot of deeply difficult subjects from that time surrounding religion, repression and the treatment of young unmarried mothers particularly which could be a trigger for some readers.
Detectives Swan and Cowardine are investigating the murder of a baby found at a convent school and begin to wonder if Ali has more to do with it than first thought as evidence begins to point towards her.
There are links to another baby which died years ago, the effects of this reverberating down the years.
There are undercurrents of religion and the overwhelming influence of the church in Ireland especially at that time, sexual liberation and the treatment of women ‘put away’. Everything sitting cheek by jowl with the bleakness of young women’s lives is laid bare.
How some women and girls were treated is appalling, the attitudes are frightening and some of the book makes for very difficult reading but you simply cannot look away. It is horrifying how society treated women at this time and still do with many issues going unchallenged.
There is much realism in this novel and it is beautifully written with care and stark simplicity. Many families have secrets and as these secrets begin to unfurl, the awful truth is uncovered - the penny finally drops at the end, the atmosphere shifts and becomes much darker and is so cleverly done you just do not see it coming.
This novel gave me a sense of deep unease, it was challenging to read at times and gave me much to think about but I would recommend it wholeheartedly.
𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒍𝒊 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍. 𝑰𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒕. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅…
This is a new revised edition and a sequel to A Famished Heart.
This book is a compelling, powerfully emotional novel that I just couldn’t put down.
Set in 1980’s Ireland it tackles a lot of deeply difficult subjects from that time surrounding religion, repression and the treatment of young unmarried mothers particularly which could be a trigger for some readers.
Detectives Swan and Cowardine are investigating the murder of a baby found at a convent school and begin to wonder if Ali has more to do with it than first thought as evidence begins to point towards her.
There are links to another baby which died years ago, the effects of this reverberating down the years.
There are undercurrents of religion and the overwhelming influence of the church in Ireland especially at that time, sexual liberation and the treatment of women ‘put away’. Everything sitting cheek by jowl with the bleakness of young women’s lives is laid bare.
How some women and girls were treated is appalling, the attitudes are frightening and some of the book makes for very difficult reading but you simply cannot look away. It is horrifying how society treated women at this time and still do with many issues going unchallenged.
There is much realism in this novel and it is beautifully written with care and stark simplicity. Many families have secrets and as these secrets begin to unfurl, the awful truth is uncovered - the penny finally drops at the end, the atmosphere shifts and becomes much darker and is so cleverly done you just do not see it coming.
This novel gave me a sense of deep unease, it was challenging to read at times and gave me much to think about but I would recommend it wholeheartedly.
February 21, 2021
On the surface this is a police procedural. Detective Inspector Vincent Swan and Detective Sergeant Gina Considine investigate the murder of a three-day-old baby found in a garden shed at a private convent school in Dublin. However, like A Famished Heart, the first book in this excellent series, this novel is really a piece of quality literary fiction.
As well as chapters from Swan’s point of view, we hear from Ali, one of the two girls who find the child. This is a coming-of-age story for her as she strives to find her way as a young woman in a world that frowns on her wish for independence. She also revisits a secret from her family’s past that leads to a tragedy in the present.
The story is a reminder that 1950s attitudes to women, contraception and childbirth were alive and well in 1984, when this novel is set. (And, let’s face it, they’ve still not gone away in some quarters…) Even our trusty detectives are products of their times and they subject Ali to obscene scrutiny.
Quality writing and rounded characters. I look forward to the next in the series.
As well as chapters from Swan’s point of view, we hear from Ali, one of the two girls who find the child. This is a coming-of-age story for her as she strives to find her way as a young woman in a world that frowns on her wish for independence. She also revisits a secret from her family’s past that leads to a tragedy in the present.
The story is a reminder that 1950s attitudes to women, contraception and childbirth were alive and well in 1984, when this novel is set. (And, let’s face it, they’ve still not gone away in some quarters…) Even our trusty detectives are products of their times and they subject Ali to obscene scrutiny.
Quality writing and rounded characters. I look forward to the next in the series.
March 1, 2024
My second Nicola White book and I've loved them both. The author does such a great job of describing a country I've never visited but already feels familiar. Both stories have a lot of tragedy, but they are written with such tenderness and attention to detail. The characters are very real and it's a delight to find the same detective in both. I would highly recommend both books - I'm looking forward to reading the third book she has written.
July 18, 2017
After a very slow and uninspiring start this book manages to find it's feet and redeems itself in the latter chapters.
Written from a strongly feminist viewpoint the author manages to have a few digs at the Catholic church and traditional beliefs regarding the pro-life movement clearly mirroring the strength of feeling in modern Ireland regarding these issues.
Written from a strongly feminist viewpoint the author manages to have a few digs at the Catholic church and traditional beliefs regarding the pro-life movement clearly mirroring the strength of feeling in modern Ireland regarding these issues.
May 28, 2023
i definitely enjoyed the 2nd half of this better than the 1st; it was just too slow paced for me, took too long to get to the point. by the middle, it had figured itself out and it became an interesting mystery novel, one that was easy to get invested in.
and as with the first in the series, i love gina, she's a great character
and as with the first in the series, i love gina, she's a great character
February 15, 2021
Written the the present and past tense set in the 1980s Ireland, covering some highly emotive and challenging subjects which were handled with sensitivity and care.
An emotional poignant read which will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
An emotional poignant read which will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
July 17, 2021
In some ways this is a police procedural but the main story concerns a girl, who has just left school, who discovers a dead baby. Set in 1984 the story starts off in Dublin but events also take place in a fictional village on the west coast of Ireland. It's a compelling although sad read.
May 13, 2022
This is a novel which can take its place alongside McDermid and MacBride. The author does an amazing job of bringing dark history to light as a modern crime is presented and solved. Very dark at times and perhaps not for the faint hearted - or weak stomached - this is a true thriller.
June 5, 2022
as good as the first in the series.
As good as the first in the series. A great page turner. Well developed characters and enough twists and turns turns to keep you guessing to the end.
As good as the first in the series. A great page turner. Well developed characters and enough twists and turns turns to keep you guessing to the end.
January 27, 2023
I wasn’t gripped by this book. It was OK, but the characters didn’t come alive, the crime seemed a bit contrived and there were too many loose ends left to guesswork at the end. Also, loads of typos and missed words.
April 30, 2023
And yet another White mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat, bed, wherever I was reading! I’ll be honest and say that I figured out the murderer very early on, yet I never knew for sure. A heartbreaking, but satisfying journey.
March 7, 2021
An absorbing read but overly long. Listed as second in the series but not as gripping as "A famished heart". I hope there is not such a long publication gap before we get a 3rd.
April 20, 2021
Top class book with believable characters and excellent narrative.
August 27, 2021
Didn't really grab me, found the story a bit forced and the ending quite rushed. But liked the ideas and messages behind the story, so not too awful.
May 28, 2022
Creepy story involving dead babies, nuns and life in the Irish countryside.
August 24, 2022
Brilliant.
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