The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland

by Anne Emery

The murdered body of Sorcha the prophetess is discovered following a lavish banquet at the Maguire castle in 16th-century Ireland. In present day, a dig commences on the land, and not only is the body discovered, but a sheaf of prophecies. Who killed Sorcha? There has been a guesthouse on the Tierney land in County Fermanagh for hundreds of years. Now Tierney's Hotel is faced with a development that will block the hotel's best feature, its view of Enniskillen Castle. But the project can be stopped if there are important historical artifacts buried on the property. Enter the archaeologists. Mick's ancestor, Brigid Tierney, ran the guesthouse in the late 1500s. We see Brigid and Shane and their children at a lavish banquet at the castle, home of the ruling family, the Maguires. The wine and ale flow freely, the harpist plays, the bard recites the Maguires' heroic deeds. But one woman has a sense of foreboding. Sorcha the prophetess sees harrowing times ahead. The Tudors of England are determined to complete their brutal conquest of Ireland. The morning after the banquet, Sorcha is found dead on a bed of oak leaves. And Shane is accused of the killing. His lawyer, Terence, conducts his defense on the hilltop that constitutes the court in 1595. In the present day, the dig commences on Mick Tierney's land. Historical artifacts? Yes. But also a sheaf of prophecies. And a body ― a bogman ― four hundred years old.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Ireland, Historical, Irish Literature

392 pages, Hardcover

First published September 21, 2021

About the author

Librarian 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

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Keening is so much more than an historical mystery which is why it’s appeal grew and grew as I read. There is a divided timeline, with the contemporary story set primarily in 2018. The historical story is set between 1595 and about 1607, in the same setting, Fermanagh, Ulster. The central family is the Tierneys who have apparently been in the hospitality business for centuries though this had different implications at different times. And I can thank the author for working some very interesting aspects of 16th century Ireland into this novel to explain the history, culture, laws, and behavior that underlie the mystery.

There are numerous quotations from Irish, English and other sources, many from or shortly after that time, that add much to the reading experience, at least for this reader. To give much detail would be to risk ruining the story. Suffice it to say, in 1595, the people of Ulster are worried about the English who have already made deep incursions in the south of Ireland. Their leaders are fighting when needed to maintain their Catholic and Gaelic lives. Brigid Tierney is well known and respected. A close friend is Sorcha O’Cassidy, a physician who is also a seer. The modern Tierneys are the center of the modern story, working to maintain their hotel which exists on the same land as 400 years before.

The mystery of the past will eventually envelop the present.

I really enjoyed this novel and appreciated the author’s use of source material to provide emphasis and background. There is full listing of notes at the end of the novel.

Rating 4* and recommended for readers of historical mysteries and those interested in Irish history, remembering that this is, after all, fiction.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[S. ≽^•⩊•^≼ I'm not here yet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland by Anne Emery, Narrated by Sean David Power. Duration: 11 Hours, 17 Minutes.

A duel timelines historical mystery set in Ireland about one family, A mystery in the past that reveals in the present.
Mick Tierney’s family manage a Guest House in Northern Ireland for hundreds of years. They decided to study the artifacts of historical importance on their ground in 2018.
Brigid Tierney ran the inn in 1595. Her friend, a predictor, had been killed. They didn't find any clue who could be a killer. The priest, Brigid's husband who had been seen around, there could be some political reason or simply had a personal matter, no one knows.

This isn't just a mystery, there is a lot of information about Irish history, culture, customs, Fight of the Earls in the early 1600s, in the time that Tudors of England was determined to complete their conquest of Ireland.
It was moving and sad how the bond between people had been broken, and for what really! Also, I can't imagine a better way to read this book except listening to an amazing Irish accent.

Many Thanks to ECW Press Audio and NetGalley for the ARC, I have given my honest review.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Keening is an entertaining and also moving, historical mystery. Set in Northern Ireland in county Fermanagh in two timelines; the late 1500s-early 1600s and a modern timeline. There is a lot of information in the story particularly about Irish customs and the history, especially around the Flight of the Earls in 1603. It’s well researched and I found these parts of the story very interesting. The other part of the story is a murder mystery in 1597. Sorcha, a seer and healer is found murdered and Simon, the partner of Brigid Tierney is accused by a witness. In 2018, the descendants of Brigid, engage archaeologists to dig on their land. The two storylines are interwoven, with well written characters and I enjoyed reading this.

[JoyReaderGirl1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book Maven’s Journal Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
REVIEWER: J.Hunt
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland
By Anne Emery

Both a Mystery Novel & an Historical Treatise

Author Anne Emery's engrossing new novel, The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland, is a dual-timeline “whodunnit” set in both historical Ireland, as well as in the modern era. The interwoven stories revolve predominantly around the Tierney Family, their Guest House and the unsolved murder of Sorcha, a 16th Century seer/prophetess and physician.

Spanning generations, most of the action of The Keening occurs in the historical past and is set mainly on the cusp of the 1600s in Northern Ireland. This is during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, when the travails and insurrections by local Irish Clans and rebels are heightened by the invasion and plantation demands of the British.

The title of the book, The Keening, is a term for extremely woeful mourning lamentations for the dying and the dead that took place at most Gaelic funerals and wakes.

However, in Irish folklore it was believed that the wailing and keening screams of a Banshee (a female phantom of death) were very bad omens and they actually foretold of deaths to come.

"...The wailing cry continued unabated, rising in volume and pitch, a desperate keening that seemed to fill the vault of the heavens, to fill the entire world…” Anne Emery, The Keening

The well-documented historical aspects of The Keening, that Author Anne Emery so brilliantly and easily described and explained in the novel, are what will precipitate a 400+-year-long struggle by Irish nationals for home rule and religious freedoms.

Of Scot-Irish descent myself, I was totally absorbed and mesmerized by this book. The multi-layered mysteries are perplexing and and intriguing. In addition, the historical period, place and action is well presented and woven throughout. I highly commend Emery for her through research-oriented narration and themes of Irish history included in the text.

I have long wanted to understand more about the “Great Plantation of Ulster” and Northern Ireland in a manner that was easy to grasp. Anne Emery achieved this through her majestic storytelling skills. She's an exceptional storyteller and scholar.

Both a thought-provoking mystery, as well as a brilliant HISTORICAL REFERENCE tool, RESEARCH guide and TEACHING PRIMER, The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland is an overall enjoyable reading and learning experience.

For those with literacy curiosity and a more studious nature, Author Anne Emery graciously provides a well-documented reference section that she used in preparation of this novel. It can be found at the end of the book.

The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland is by Author Anne Emery. This Advanced Readers Copy is made available from ECW Press. Publication Date for the book is scheduled for 21 September 2021. The novel can be found referenced under Historical Fiction / Mysteries / Thrillers.

https://www.goodreads.com/joyreadergirl1
(Check-out some of my other favorite Books and their Reviews on Goodreads at the above link. There you can research and read 300+ other book reviews that I have written and posted—all with an average of 3.98 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Rating Average. Thank you looking and enjoy your reading!)

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Keening is a historical murder mystery novel, situated in 16th century Ireland. The story flips between the 16th century and current day (2017) and is very well researched. How to describe this book without giving away too much? At the heart of it is the murder of Sorcha, the local physician and prophetess. A local man (Shane, partner of Brigid Tierney who runs the local guest house and is best friends with Sorcha) is accused of Sorcha’s murder and what follows is a thorough court scene and the death of Irish culture at the hands of the English. In present day, there’s an archeological dig on the ruins of the original Tierney guesthouse.

This book was a great idea; however, I felt that the execution of it was lack luster. Emery did a fantastic job researching Irish history, but I wish she would have presented in the material in a “show, don’t tell” sort of way. For example, quite a bit of the dialogue between the present day characters involved explaining Irish history, which most likely would not have been necessary for these characters to tell each other. The dialogue was clearly more for the reader than for the plot of the novel. I usually heartily enjoy novels that flip between different times, but the modern day story line had a bit too much going on that didn’t feel necessary and had a ton of characters that weren’t important. I also had a problem with the present day language—was all that cursing necessary for the story? I don’t think so. It felt forced. There are also lots of characters (too many in my humble opinion) and too much history (I love history books, but it was a tad overwhelming). The mystery is revealed in the present day (2018) which diminished the "punch". There are many of red herrings, twists and turns, and sleuthing.

Overall, this was an okay book, but it felt a little bland, I believe due to the way the history was presented. I had trouble connecting to some of the characters in either positive or negative ways—some weren’t very life like. Emery’s court scene was fantastic and it makes complete sense that she’s a lawyer. I think this book would have been better set exclusively in 1595.

Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for providing me with an ARC.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received The Keening as part of a NetGalley giveaway.

In the late 16th century, Protestant England is encroaching on Irish rights, lives, and lands. But in the north of the country, people still keep to the old ways. Brigid Tierney continues the family tradition of running a successful guest house in County Fermanagh. When the physician and prophetess Sorcha O'Cassidy is murdered in cold blood, Shane O'Callaghan, the father of Brigid's children, initially falls under suspicion. But the truth is much more convoluted than appears at first glance, and enormous betrayals--of country, community, and family--will be unveiled--before the real culprit is discovered.

I had mixed feelings about The Keening. I liked the historical story more than the modern one, as I found the modern day characters caricature-like. While I found the subject matter and era interesting, I was disappointed in how the mystery was concluded--it wrapped up very quickly and "off-screen," and years passed before this was unveiled. I think I would have appreciated a bit more of a payoff in real time. It just didn't seem very tightly plotted. I give points for effort, because mysteries are incredibly difficult to write, and I think this was a really interesting period of history to write about, but it didn't quite land for me.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ which I’ve rounded down

I had the 🎧audiobook version. I was drawn to it as I love Irish accents. The narrator I felt did a decent job.

Mick Tierney’s hotel is threatened with losing the beautiful views of the castle by proposed new development. The plan is to try and disrupt that proposal by looking for historic artefacts from the historical site associated with the hotel and their ancestors.

There are 2 time frames, modern day and the 15th century with their ancestors Brigid her husband Shane and their children.

The writing style and language changed slightly to encompass terms used in the 15th century not a big change, enough to make it feel a bit stilted in places. The writing style is a bit waffly a lot of prose with little dialogue. The pace is too slow for me. I preferred the historical section ( which is the majority of the story) as each character had their own problems, I didn’t really engage with any of the characters, my favourite was Shane.

It is a work of fiction but is firmly based in fact and appears well researched (going by the notes at the end (It blends various periods of Irish history well by using the different time frames. It includes wars, the famine,the troubles. The way it’s blended works quite well.

I wasn’t taken with the incorporation of poetry, although it was integral to one of the characters.
For me it’s an ok read, the best is when everything comes together at the end which raised my rating.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked/loved many aspects of The Keening. I enjoyed the historical part a great deal, about Brigid Tierney and the hospitality of the Irish people, especially when dealing with the encroaching English colonisers, the mystery involved with the local murders, and the connection to the modern day descendants of the Tierney's trying to save the hotel from encroaching U.S. developpers. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the stilted language with the modern characters, when discussing the history dating back to the 16th as well as The Troubles; the language didn't flow, and seemed to be included to inform any readers who are unfamiliar with Irish/English history, which was great, but hearing characters talking with each other about things they are familiar with seemed a bit awkward.

[Michelle Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Close to 5 stars for me! I loved learning Irish history and customs through this tale that connects the past and the present. I can understand why it might not appeal to some people, as it had a lot of detail, and I also think hearing it in audio enhanced the experience as opposed to reading it in print. This has made me want to learn more about my own Irish heritage.

[Christy Stef · Rating 3 out of 5]

The two timelines tied together well and I enjoyed learning so much about the culture and history of Ireland. Beautiful descriptions and a wonderful wise woman protagonist make this an interesting read. It was a little slow in parts but enjoyable overall.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting dial-timeline historically based mystery, incorporating relevant poems and literature and conjuring the spirit of 16th century Ireland.

[Susan Appleyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Keening by Anne Emery
This is a dual timeline novel set in 2917/18 and the late 16th/early 17th centuries in Northern Ireland. In the 20th century story, Mick Tierney who runs the Tierney Hotel for his father is faced with the threat of a large development, including a casino being built between the hotel and the view of the River Erne, in the midst of which is a Castle on an island. Mick comes up with the idea of bringing in archaeologists to dig up the land round about because a guesthouse stood there four hundred years earlier. If historical artifacts are found, the development will be stopped or at least delayed. Mick’s grandmother warns him not to do it because she is afraid of what will be found.
Which brings us to 1595 and Brigid Tierney, who runs the guesthouse for her brother Diarmait. She attends a gathering at the island castle along with her friend Sorcha who is also a doctor and a seer. The next morning, Sorcha is found dead near her home with two arrows in her. After an investigation, Brigid’s man and the father of her two children, Shane O’Callahan is accused of the murder.
I hardly know where to begin with this book. One of the best aspects is a treasure trove of information about Irish law, customs and culture. Some truly fascinating tid-bits are offered up. The dialogue skips along (mostly) and some is pure gold. ‘The tide’s nearly out’, meaning the beer is almost gone, and the number of words a man can use to insult another is astonishing. The reader can hear the Irish brogue throughout the modern story.
As the story of Brigid and Shane progresses, shocking facts are revealed that are far worse than anything the modern grandmother could have imagined. At the same time they live in fear that the English will cross the border into Ulster and they will lose the guesthouse.
This was an interesting story and an enjoyable read, although the end was unexpected and horrific. I recommend it for those who particularly enjoy Irish history.
****

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Keening by Anne Emery is a heart-breaking tale of Ireland in the 1500s, and the modern day archeologists who discovered the conclusion of on of the many gruesome stories. In an attempt to keep a developer from building a neighborhood of huge, ugly houses and a casino, which would cut off the view from his hostelry, Mick Tierney plots to being the archeologists to his home to unearth the remains of the original building and whatever else may be there, but first he has to get past his grandmother, who is a firm believer of leaving the past in the past. She is frightened that the ancestor who treated his peers so cruelly during the mid-1800s would cause talk again and ruin the reputations. Upon getting past her objections, so much more was discovered.
The story was told on two timelines: 2017 and circa 1600. We tend to think that the English cruelty forced many Irish out of Ireland in the 1850s but here was much murder and mayhem in the time of Oliver Cromwell when there was wholesale murder in Ireland and the looting of the Catholic churches.

This is the story of one family, who in many ways escaped the worst of the genocide but had its won story to tell, one that is not true, but representative of the time when was a crime to turn someone in need away from your door. When, marriage was the norm, but certainly less formal than it came to be later. This is a time when people still believed that witches walked among them, and that a few people could see into the future. It was a startling time in history, one told poignantly in this beautifully written book. We tend to think that prejudice and depravity is something new but this story proves that it is not. Nicely done, Anne Emery. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Keening by ECW Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #ECWpress #thekeening

[Kirstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story, on both timelines, was beautiful, engaging, and heartbreaking. I find that most people I speak to know about an Gorta Mór (the potato famine or the great hunger), The Troubles, and lesser, the Easter Uprising. But, few, if any, know that the English perpetrated numerous atrocities against the Irish for CENTURIES. Though this is a work of fiction, it touches on the atrocities across at least 500 years. It pulls in Irish folklore, real like figures such as Grace O’Malley (who I named my daughter after), gives a stark, if brief, account of what happened during the famine, and embraced the tension that still exists today in Northern Ireland. It also highlights the horrible things that have been done to women throughout history.

The mystery of Sorcha’s murder (and everything following) was intriguing, I could NOT figure out who the perpetrator was! I feel like the biggest missing piece was more background on the Brehon Laws and the change from a matriarchal to a patriarchal society thanks to the Catholic Church.

While I was born and lived most of my life in the US, I did live in Ireland for a couple years and, in my soul, it feels like home to me. This book ripped at my soul for what the incredible people of Ireland have endured over the centuries, but I know they will continue on as one of the strongest, kindest, most magical people.

I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator. His beautiful voice brought me to Ireland and allowed me to immerse myself in the story for both timelines.

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Shelly Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5)
This is a decent book and I used the audio book with it just to make sure I was able to pronounce everything the correct way!
There has been a guesthouse on the Tierney land in County Fermanagh for centuries. Now, the Tierney’s hotel is faced with the prospect of a development that will block the best view they have, that of Enniskillen castle. However, if there are important historical artifacts buried on the property the project can be stopped. Soon, archaeologists appear.
Mick has ancestors called Brigid and Shane Tierney. She ran the guesthouse way back in the 1500s. You get a good look at how things were back then at a lavish banquet at the castle. The wine and ale flow freely as the bard recites the stories of the ruling family, The Maguires. However, Sorcha the prophetess sees bad things ahead. The Tudors are determined to complete their brutal takeover of Ireland.
The morning after the banquet, Sorcha is found dead. Shane is accused of her murder. His lawyer conducts his defense on the hilltop that was used as the court in 1595.
In 2018, the dig begins on Mick’s land. Were there artifacts found? Yes but also a whole lot of prophecies and more. Oh, and not to mention that body…
This book was pretty good when it was in the past but the current was a little boring. I think you just wanted it to hurry up and get back to the past. Once the past and present caught up in a sense then it was a little more interesting for both time eras.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystery of murder and other fowl deeds is uncovered by archeologists in present Ireland. The tale of the Keening starts centuries ago, in 16th-century Ireland, when the murdered body of Sorcha the local physician and prophetess is discovered by her son on the morning after a lavish banquet at the Maguire castle. The common bond between past and present is the Tierney clã. For centuries the Tierney family has owned and managed a guest house on their property a short walking distance from Maguire Castle. Now, that legacy is threatened by an American investor who plans to build vacation homes in the area. Homes that will block Tierney's guest house views of Enniskillen Castle and Loch. The narrative jumps in time between the violence, the brutality, the oppression faced by the Irish in the past, and the present fears, threats, and dreams of Bridget Tierney's descendants centuries later. It is told with a richness of history, love, loss, lament, beauty, and justice that is found in this small piece of Irish land, its people, and their stories. I loved the Keening. I loved learning about a country that is so dear to me. I feel fortunate to have been given a glimpse of such a wealth of history. Feeling as if I can understand a bit better the bitterness behind the endless struggle, violence, and passions that Ireland has lived. All told through an enthralling tale with lovable characters, fierce women, brave warriors, evil men, and so much more.

[Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of Ireland, set both in the early 1600s and present day, following the murder of a seer, Sorcha and the descendants of the Tierney line. Brigid Tierney is Sorchas friend, and is devastated by her murder, especially as someone is trying to implicate her lover Shane, for her murder. Mick Tierney, along with his daughter, run a hotel on the same spot that Brigid did. But their livelihood is threatened by an American with a plan to build around their hotel, robbing it of its views and character.

Both stories are intertwined very well, it’s an atmospheric read, and the troubled history of Ireland and its people at the hands of the English is well told. I initially preferred Brigids story but felt it was a bit too drawn out, making it slightly heavy going at times. Micks storyline was interesting, with Liam, his father being a great story teller, keeping alive their traditions with the telling of them. This took me longer to read than I expected, mainly because some of the historical detail felt too in depth for what is a historical who-dunnit rather than a history text book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Judi Zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will say that this book rates higher than a 3, but it isn't close enough to a 4 in my mind to get pushed there. More of a 3.5-3.6 range.
I chose the book because I'll be going to Ireland soon and I love historical fiction as a way of getting to know a little bit of the history of an area or era. I enjoyed the dual timeline story, neither story overshadowed the other.
Having read a good bit about the impact of both the Reformation and the Inquisition I found it easy to follow the plot and actions of the 1595-1607 story. No matter how much I read on the subject, it leaves me questioning my faith in the face of the wars and senseless deaths that have occurred in the name of God. I never really saw that plot twist that came at the end, nicely done!
The modern story was also clearly presented and I appreciated the sensitivity to some of the more current events in Ireland's history.
Loved the interspersed poems and other writings at the beginning of chapters and the use of Gaelic phrases with their English understanding. These helped set the tone of each chapter and engaged me in the reading in a more meaningful way.

[J. Robinson-Readersgottoread · Rating 3 out of 5]

This audiobook is a nice blend of history and mystery. Listeners will come away with knowledge of the some of the ways and traditions of Ireland before what is called the “Flight of the Earls”. At first there are chapters alternating between two time periods (late 1500’s and 2017) and then another is introduced years after the events of the 16th century. Reading along with the audiobook might be helpful to some readers, because there are lots of characters a.k.a suspects, in the 16th century.

The voice actor’s performance is melodious and has what is/sounds like an Irish accent. The beginning of the chapters start with poems, prose, or quotes from historical books. The wonderful narration carries over into parts of the story, where characters both past and modern share renditions or amusing rhymes like a bard.
Definitely for those who love lots of details and drama in their novels.

Thanks to ECW Press Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. My reviews and ratings are my own.

TW/CW: SA, murder off page, adultery

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the late 16th century, and Protestant England is encroaching on the Irish.  On their lives and lands.  Brigid Tierney runs a successful guest house in County Fermanagh. 

When the local physician and wise woman, Sorcha O'Cassidy is found murdered, the father of Brigids children is accused of the crime.

Present day.  Mick Tierney and his family run an old hotel which is in danger of losing business when rumors of a company planning to build around it start flying.

Honestly, I found the past storyline to be much more interesting than the present day one.

Disappointingly, the mystery is not actually solved on the page, you just kind of find out about it in passing which is a bit of a let down when you find yourself so invested in it.

The history was well researched, I just wish the mystery part had been a bit more of a mystery.

I received a free copy of the ARC via netgalley. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tierneys have been operating a guest house in Ireland for generations, and while Mick Tierney occasionally finds the busloads of guests annoying, he wants to preserve his heritage. Unfortunately, an American developer plans to build estates on the hillside behind his hotel, which would totally destroy his view.

Despite his grandmother's strong disapproval, Mick proceeds with the archeological dig, hoping to find cause to prevent development. What is Cait so eager to keep buried?

The story is told in two time periods--contemporary (2018) and 16th century. In 1595, Brigid Tierney is operating a guesthouse and her friend, doctor and seer Sorcha, is found murdered on the hillside. Who would have killed the talented prophetess? Although this book in engrossing, there seems to be an excess of subplots that make it overly long. Nonetheless, those interested in the history of Gaelic Ireland will find it fascinating. #TheKeening #NetGalley

[Reading-for-life (Angela Sanford) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Keening by Anne Emery is a well researched glimpse into the history of Gaelic Ireland. The storyline switches between the years of 1595 to 2018 and reveals the death of Sorcha,who is a seer and physician, and the search for her killer. There are many different twists and turns in this historical telling and reveals many dark secrets that remain well hidden.
I found myself engrossed in the mystery surrounding the murder and in the search for the responsible party. Author Anne Emery made necessary historical facts known throughout this novel. Finding myself drawn into Ireland's history, I could not imagine the identity of the guilty party nor the reasoning behind the murder. I applaud Author Anne Emery in the way she threw in clues but did not let the murderers identify be known until the end. A great historical read!

[Leslie Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Keening, by Anne Emery is a richly filled historical fiction and murder mystery. The dual time line plays out like a cold case when the investigation of a body from the 1500s is found after a dig in the year 2018.
If you love Gaelic Irish history this book is for you. This book is moving, well researched and at times has you gripped with emotion.

I do have to comment that the mystery of the story was a bit of a mystery as the author only offered small details and clues along the way, leaving the reader to speculate what happened. Depsite this, the imagery of life in Ireland and historical details keep the reader engaged.

The main thing I carried away from this book, is to understand the connection to the past and what is means in the future.

Thanks to the publisher ECW Press and #NetGalley for the advanced ecopy of this book for review.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two timelines interweave in this historical fiction tale of a hotel owned by the Tierney's in lush Ireland. In present day the Tierney's are trying to keep an American investor from developing the land behind them into a casino and horrid tourist attractions by having an archaeological dig to find something to stop them. But old Cait is worried that they will find something that will turn the public against them because of the tumultuous past of the family and their land. In the late 1500s there is a string of murders in the town and the Tierney's are in the middle of helping find the murderer while also being careful not to bring the notice of the English to them. How will the past and present handle what's unearthed beneath?

[Trina Dixon]

A dual timeline novel beginning in late 1500's/early1600's and 2018. There has been a guesthouse belonging to the Tierney family for over 500 years. In 2018 Mick Tierney's hotel is being threatened by American developers so he calls upon an archaeological team to see what the can unearth. In 1575 Sorcha, the local seer and physician is found murdered. Brigit Tierney and her family try to discover who could have killed her. And what did her prophecies mean for the future.
I enjoyed this novel, I have to say I found it quite daunting at the beginning as there is a lot of history spoke about and lots of characters drawn in, I almost didn't persevere but I'm glad that I did
Many thanks to Netgalley and ECW Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
3.5 stars

[Mary Ellen Anaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. I enjoy reading hustorical fiction. I liked the mystery aspect of the story. My favourite parts were going back in time, to when everything began.
The present day Ireland starts with the Tierney's Hotel. A land developer wants to build around it, blocking the view of the castle in the distance. The Tierney's have been there for centuries and don't want the land ruined. They decide to have someone come in and look for hustorical artifacts. Anything found would stop the dig. The mystery is in 1600 century Ireland and what happened back then, and how it effects what is happening now. Enjoyable read, that was well researched.
3 out of 5

[Rosalía · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a dual timeline novel, which starts in present day Ireland, at the Tierney's Hotel. A land developer wants to build around it, blocking the view of the castle in the distance. The Tierneys have been there for centuries and they do not want their land ruined. They decide to have someone come in and look for historical artifacts to stop the dig. The mystery is set in 1600 century Ireland, when the murdered body of Sorcha the prophetess is discovered following a lavish banquet at the Maguire castle. This story is about what happened back then and how it affects what’s happening now.
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Anne Emery does a magnificent job in researching about the period in which this novel takes place. However, on some occasions this historical part was too dense for the reader to enjoy and as a consequence, it was easier to disconnect. On the other hand, I wasn't a massive fan of the current timeline either, as I found the characters rather flat. I thought I was going to like this, but overall, it was just okay.
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The Keening will be published on September 21. Thanks to @Netgalley and @ecwpress for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[chantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I had a hard time getting into this book at first. It took me a couple of tries as I felt like the story was a bit slow to pick up and the first few chapters weren’t that gripping. I also thought that it was a little heavy on historical information. While on one hand, it helped to provide context, I felt like I was being bombarded with a lot of information, especially considering I am not already familiar with Irish history. That took this book from an easier, casual read, to a more challenging one.

That being said, I did still enjoy this book, it just took me a little bit more concentration and time to finish than anticipated.

Thank you to ECW Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solidly written novel that was easy to get hooked into. I looooove when novels have a dual timelines, and as I always do, I found myself way more invested in the past timeline than the present one. However, the plot kind of meandered and the big ‘mystery’ wasn’t even resolved on the page, leaving you to learn about the resolution in a very *balloon deflating noise* way. I think this book could’ve used some tightening up from the editor’s chair, but overall, I enjoyed the journey this book took me on and I was thoroughly impressed with the lengthy list of sources that were used by the author and printed at the end.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in two timelines around the same area this story is quite a slow burn but comes together beautifully at the end. Modern day the Tierney family run a hotel in Fermanagh, the other part of the story is set in 1500's and full of folklore and myth. Well crafted and wonderful descriptions of the scenery and locations. There is quite a bit of historical fact intertwined within the chapters which i loved, and brought the old part of the story alive. Up to date chapters included the large corporate who want to destroy the environment for financial gain so also very topical. Fabulous book and so well narrated. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.