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The Tour #2
Safe at the Edge of the World
A tranquil Irish vacation, music, scenery, food... but someone on this tour has a secret he's desperate to keep concealed.
When a shadowy couple turn up on Conor O'Shea's grand tour of Ireland, the tranquility of Ireland's landscape acts as a shelter against the stormy reality of the life they left behind.
On the run from a notorious mob boss, this mysterious couple flees the U.S. in search of sanctuary on the shores of the Emerald Isle, hoping to blend in with the tourists. In their wake lies a mafia family's secrets and a scarred priest torn between his duty to the cloth and to the truth.
Intriguing and uniquely consuming, Father Declan Sullivan's tale of destiny and duty lies at the feet of those he has betrayed. Can distance and deliverance save the innocent in their desperate pursuit for peace, or will evil catch up to them all?
In Safe at the Edge of the World, author Jean Grainger captures the soothing beauty of Ireland in the lives of those fleeing a criminal bent on revenge.
When a shadowy couple turn up on Conor O'Shea's grand tour of Ireland, the tranquility of Ireland's landscape acts as a shelter against the stormy reality of the life they left behind.
On the run from a notorious mob boss, this mysterious couple flees the U.S. in search of sanctuary on the shores of the Emerald Isle, hoping to blend in with the tourists. In their wake lies a mafia family's secrets and a scarred priest torn between his duty to the cloth and to the truth.
Intriguing and uniquely consuming, Father Declan Sullivan's tale of destiny and duty lies at the feet of those he has betrayed. Can distance and deliverance save the innocent in their desperate pursuit for peace, or will evil catch up to them all?
In Safe at the Edge of the World, author Jean Grainger captures the soothing beauty of Ireland in the lives of those fleeing a criminal bent on revenge.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2021
5798 people are currently reading
732 people want to read
About the author
Jean Grainger
88 books1,581 followersJean Grainger was born in Cork, Ireland. She has been a tour guide of her beloved home country, a teacher, a university lecturer and a playwright. She began writing fiction at the suggestion of her clients on tours, many of whom were sure all the stories she told them would make for a great book. Her first book, The Tour, has become a Number 1 bestseller on Amazon. It tells the story of a disparate group of American visitors to Ireland, who, along with their Irish tour guide have a life changing experience in the magical Emerald Isle.
Her second book, So Much Owed, is a family saga set during the Second World War. The story centres on the Buckley family of West Cork and how their lives are pulled in different directions as they become embroiled in the war. It is a sweeping family saga of intrigue and romance against the background of occupied Europe.
In her third novel, Shadow of a Century, she tells a tale of a battered old flag found in New York in 2016, a century after it was used during the Easter Rising, when Ireland made her final bid for freedom from Great Britain. This tells the story of a journalist who uncovers a story, one with much more to it than a flag.
Her fourth novel, due out in Spring 2016, Under Heaven’s Shining Stars, is set in the 1970s in Cork, Ireland and is a novel about friendship. Three boys, Liam, Patrick and Hugo, though from very different backgrounds are united in a deep but often times challenging friendship. As their lives progress, only by staying strong, can they prevail. Or fail.
Her novella, Letters of Freedom, tells the story of Carmel, stuck in a pointless marriage, when a figure from her past emerges and changes everything with a ‘like’ on Facebook. This quick read will touch your heart.
She lives in Cork with her husband and her two youngest children. The older two come home occasionally with laundry and to raid the fridge.
Her second book, So Much Owed, is a family saga set during the Second World War. The story centres on the Buckley family of West Cork and how their lives are pulled in different directions as they become embroiled in the war. It is a sweeping family saga of intrigue and romance against the background of occupied Europe.
In her third novel, Shadow of a Century, she tells a tale of a battered old flag found in New York in 2016, a century after it was used during the Easter Rising, when Ireland made her final bid for freedom from Great Britain. This tells the story of a journalist who uncovers a story, one with much more to it than a flag.
Her fourth novel, due out in Spring 2016, Under Heaven’s Shining Stars, is set in the 1970s in Cork, Ireland and is a novel about friendship. Three boys, Liam, Patrick and Hugo, though from very different backgrounds are united in a deep but often times challenging friendship. As their lives progress, only by staying strong, can they prevail. Or fail.
Her novella, Letters of Freedom, tells the story of Carmel, stuck in a pointless marriage, when a figure from her past emerges and changes everything with a ‘like’ on Facebook. This quick read will touch your heart.
She lives in Cork with her husband and her two youngest children. The older two come home occasionally with laundry and to raid the fridge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
September 13, 2020
I really enjoyed the first book of the series 'The Tour' because it truly was a feel-good read that made me want to travel to Ireland to see all the beauty for myself.
I thought it would be more of the same with this second book, but I was sorely disappointed. 'Safe at the Edge of the World' is mostly a tense, unhappy tale with lots of death and criticism of religion. If you want to read a mafia themed romance interspersed with random Irish facts, this is the book for you.
I understand that the wonders of the Irish countryside was supposed to counter and soothe the couple despite the trouble they were in, but it wasn't believable. Also, due to bad editing, a couple sections were almost repeating word for word what I read chapters ago. I'm a fast reader so I read it almost all in one sitting (hoping the whole time it would get better, but it didn't) so the lines were still fresh in my mind. I had to stop to see that my kindle didn't jump to the wrong page because I found it so distracting.
You can not call something a feel-good book by making a happy ending. Especially when the majority of the book has been fraught with stress and anxiety.
I thought it would be more of the same with this second book, but I was sorely disappointed. 'Safe at the Edge of the World' is mostly a tense, unhappy tale with lots of death and criticism of religion. If you want to read a mafia themed romance interspersed with random Irish facts, this is the book for you.
I understand that the wonders of the Irish countryside was supposed to counter and soothe the couple despite the trouble they were in, but it wasn't believable. Also, due to bad editing, a couple sections were almost repeating word for word what I read chapters ago. I'm a fast reader so I read it almost all in one sitting (hoping the whole time it would get better, but it didn't) so the lines were still fresh in my mind. I had to stop to see that my kindle didn't jump to the wrong page because I found it so distracting.
You can not call something a feel-good book by making a happy ending. Especially when the majority of the book has been fraught with stress and anxiety.
December 7, 2017
An enjoyable read, not as good as the first though. Characters are almost caricature-ish. Almost. Fluffy, but good. Liked it, didn't love it.
April 15, 2020
Not a feel-good summertime Irish read
“Safe at the Edge of the World” was described as a feel-good summertime Irish read. I found it anything but feel-good, and It is areal stretch to call this a sequel to the previous Tour book.
This was a disturbing story about a priest who impregnates a young parishioner who happens to be the daughter of a powerful Mafia boss. The priest and the pregnant girlfriend join a tour in Ireland in an attempt to hide from the American Mafia godfather. Even when Connor, the tour leader, learns the circumstances surrounding the couple, he allows them to continue on the tour. The fact that the lives of the other tour members could be in danger inexplicably isn’t considered. And it goes downhill from there. The priest’s soul searching and his personal struggles with the Catholic Church are an overarching, repetitious and boring theme. Added to this is an underlying dark Mafia theme. There was nothing feel-good or lighthearted about this book which was
in need of serious editing. This was an unbelievable story that I regret having wasted my time reading.
“Safe at the Edge of the World” was described as a feel-good summertime Irish read. I found it anything but feel-good, and It is areal stretch to call this a sequel to the previous Tour book.
This was a disturbing story about a priest who impregnates a young parishioner who happens to be the daughter of a powerful Mafia boss. The priest and the pregnant girlfriend join a tour in Ireland in an attempt to hide from the American Mafia godfather. Even when Connor, the tour leader, learns the circumstances surrounding the couple, he allows them to continue on the tour. The fact that the lives of the other tour members could be in danger inexplicably isn’t considered. And it goes downhill from there. The priest’s soul searching and his personal struggles with the Catholic Church are an overarching, repetitious and boring theme. Added to this is an underlying dark Mafia theme. There was nothing feel-good or lighthearted about this book which was
in need of serious editing. This was an unbelievable story that I regret having wasted my time reading.
August 29, 2017
Safe at the Edge of the World: Sequel to the Tour is by Jean Grainger. At first, I thought this book would be along the same lines as The Tour but I was wrong. Oh, it does have a bus tour led by Conor and the interactions between some of the people on the tour are shown and enjoyed; but the main portion of the story deals with Father Declan Sullivan and Lucia Sacco and their flight from the United States and her Father. The question of priests being celibate and giving up their priesthood is one of the major themes explored.
Paulie Sacco was a major criminal leader in New York. His only daughter, Lucia, was kept ignorant of his criminal dealings until she went to college. Then, she found out the hard way how dangerous he was. She was whispered about and turned down for social clubs as no one wanted anything to do with a crime lord’s daughter. Lucia just held her head up and continued to study to get her degree. She did what she had always done and turned to the Church for guidance and solace. Lucia really had only her Father as her Mother kept her distance from Lucia as she was growing up. Paulie was thrilled to see Lucia turn to the Church as his view of women meant that wives and daughters were devout and pure and unsullied. Then he introduced her to Antonio Dias and this lead to their engagement and unltimately to the planning of their wedding. The only one Lucia had to talk to was Father Sullivan.
Over the years, Lucia and Father Sullivan had come to know each other through the Church. He encouraged her to play the piano and sing in the choir. They discussed many things and argued over social and political issues as well as Church doctrine. They became best friends. Then, this friendship turned into more and they spent one night together. Then Father Sullivan went away on a retreat and Lucia went back to school. Unfortunately, she was pregnant. When Father Sullivan returned from his retreat, he had decided to give up the priesthood and be with Lucia. He was thrilled she was pregnant. However, she was to marry Antonio within weeks.
On the day she was to marry, Declan Sullivan and Lucia ran away together. They fled to Ireland where they joined a bus tour. No reservations were in their names; but in the name of the bus tour. Here they hoped to be safe enough to figure out what they were going to do. They both knew that Paulie Sacco would never forgive them. Conor came to them early in the tour and asked why someone would be following them? Someone was following the tour bus and there was no one else on the bus who looked like they might be followed. What were they going to do?
Paulie Sacco was a major criminal leader in New York. His only daughter, Lucia, was kept ignorant of his criminal dealings until she went to college. Then, she found out the hard way how dangerous he was. She was whispered about and turned down for social clubs as no one wanted anything to do with a crime lord’s daughter. Lucia just held her head up and continued to study to get her degree. She did what she had always done and turned to the Church for guidance and solace. Lucia really had only her Father as her Mother kept her distance from Lucia as she was growing up. Paulie was thrilled to see Lucia turn to the Church as his view of women meant that wives and daughters were devout and pure and unsullied. Then he introduced her to Antonio Dias and this lead to their engagement and unltimately to the planning of their wedding. The only one Lucia had to talk to was Father Sullivan.
Over the years, Lucia and Father Sullivan had come to know each other through the Church. He encouraged her to play the piano and sing in the choir. They discussed many things and argued over social and political issues as well as Church doctrine. They became best friends. Then, this friendship turned into more and they spent one night together. Then Father Sullivan went away on a retreat and Lucia went back to school. Unfortunately, she was pregnant. When Father Sullivan returned from his retreat, he had decided to give up the priesthood and be with Lucia. He was thrilled she was pregnant. However, she was to marry Antonio within weeks.
On the day she was to marry, Declan Sullivan and Lucia ran away together. They fled to Ireland where they joined a bus tour. No reservations were in their names; but in the name of the bus tour. Here they hoped to be safe enough to figure out what they were going to do. They both knew that Paulie Sacco would never forgive them. Conor came to them early in the tour and asked why someone would be following them? Someone was following the tour bus and there was no one else on the bus who looked like they might be followed. What were they going to do?
June 21, 2018
This is my first book by the author Jean Grainger and it will certainly not be my last. I haven’t felt this much amazement from a book as I did with this one. Nothing I can put in writing will describe my feelings about this book. I loved, loved, loved the entire book and was so moved by the story.
The story is about a priest, Declan Sullivan, and a daughter, Lucia, of the mob. The book goes through so much detail of the life of a priest and life of the mob. Such detail was given that you thought you were in their lives and living every part of their lives. When Declan and Lucia fall in love, it’s the one thing that her father doesn’t want since she was to be married to the son of his archenemy, Knowing that Declan and Lucia will be wanted ,they go to Ireland and do a tour figuring they can stay hidden for awhile. Of course, with many people on the tour they all have their stories. The book describes everything from the characters to the scenery so well. I just can’t say enough about the book and I look forward to reading more from this author..
The story is about a priest, Declan Sullivan, and a daughter, Lucia, of the mob. The book goes through so much detail of the life of a priest and life of the mob. Such detail was given that you thought you were in their lives and living every part of their lives. When Declan and Lucia fall in love, it’s the one thing that her father doesn’t want since she was to be married to the son of his archenemy, Knowing that Declan and Lucia will be wanted ,they go to Ireland and do a tour figuring they can stay hidden for awhile. Of course, with many people on the tour they all have their stories. The book describes everything from the characters to the scenery so well. I just can’t say enough about the book and I look forward to reading more from this author..
May 20, 2020
It was disappointing.
My least favorite book by this author. It had so many areas of improbabilities and poor character development. I found myself reading quickly just to get it over with.
My least favorite book by this author. It had so many areas of improbabilities and poor character development. I found myself reading quickly just to get it over with.
May 20, 2024
Disappointed
I was hoping to learn more about the sites to visit in Ireland, but most of the book focused on a troubled “priest” and his mafia connection in New Jersey.
I was hoping to learn more about the sites to visit in Ireland, but most of the book focused on a troubled “priest” and his mafia connection in New Jersey.
January 1, 2021
Charming
The characters were so realistic. I felt as if they could be my neighbors. A great way to start 2021!
The characters were so realistic. I felt as if they could be my neighbors. A great way to start 2021!
January 15, 2018
I think Jean Grainger is one of the best storytellers writing today. I love that her stories, set in Ireland, not only evoke the scenery and lushness of the country but that she also weaves Irish history into her books. This makes four that I have read, counting the novella. Her characters, at least the main ones, are well flushed out and are generally people you would like to know. The only reason I haven’t read the other two novels is that I’m saving them, not wanting to run out before she has written more.
July 12, 2017
Set in the beautiful country of Ireland. Reading this book is like peeling an onion, layer by layer. Jean Grainger has done a beautiful job with this book. It's well written with a strong and deep storyline and captivating characters. This book captured my attention right at the beginning and kept my interest throughout. A great story. I received an arc copy and voluntarily chose to review.
July 12, 2017
Another great Tour
Much like the original book, The Tour, this book has wonderful characters and descriptions and the history and landscape of Ireland are as much as character as the people. We meet new people with whole new problems and relationships. A few old friends come back, too. A very satisfying read.
Much like the original book, The Tour, this book has wonderful characters and descriptions and the history and landscape of Ireland are as much as character as the people. We meet new people with whole new problems and relationships. A few old friends come back, too. A very satisfying read.
September 21, 2018
I love the premise of the tour , of different people coming together for a short while to share so much. I don't mind the slightly unbelievable story of how to solve a mob problem. Stranger things have been written in fiction and as long as it's entertaining it's good. The writing was however, very very very repetitive with the same dialogues written again and again. I get it. The angst, the drama was all great but the repetition was boring. Also I have an issue with Lucia. I'm surprised no one ever mentioned it in reviews. For someone who falls in love with and then elopes on her wedding day with the priest, you would expect a little more gumption. She's pretty, she pukes she's pale, she adores declan and she's as pure as fresh snow. That's just about it. You can't have a character that vanilla. It would've made the story so much more fun if she had some fire in her. I found Emmanuelle so much better developed even though she got so little page time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2025
I did not enjoy the characters of this book except for Conor. Declan and Lucia were boring, especially the sheltered, whiny Lucia! It was difficult to believe Declan questioned his belief in God at all. A typical priest would lean into his faith not drop it.
July 4, 2017
Ms. Grainger really knows how to write a book that can keep the reader entertained for hours. This one is another winner! She uses words to paint the characters and scenery firmly in our minds. I felt as if I was on the tour bus with Conor narrating and Declan and Lucia in the seat behind me.
The story is full of passion, intrigue and some heart stopping moments.
This book has all of the makings for a wonderful movie!
I received an ARC of this book. The choice to read and review it was all mine.
The story is full of passion, intrigue and some heart stopping moments.
This book has all of the makings for a wonderful movie!
I received an ARC of this book. The choice to read and review it was all mine.
June 5, 2020
Disappointing follow up
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and expected book 2 to be more of the same. The biggest problem I have with this book (and the first, to be honest) is that there’s so much rambling. I understand that with the Declan/Lucia storyline it’s necessary to have internal monologues to further explain the story, but the author takes it to the extreme. I found myself skipping entire pages and missed nothing. The same can be said for conversations. One conversation in particular really bothered me between Declan and the FBI agent. One side of the conversation turned into a monologue that went on for several pages with nothing to break it up. Again, I found myself skipping pages at a time. I enjoyed the Connor/Ana continuation but found it a little odd that Ana’s English didn’t improve but instead worsened in the years since Book One. The character development was lacking in this one and it just missed the mark for me.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and expected book 2 to be more of the same. The biggest problem I have with this book (and the first, to be honest) is that there’s so much rambling. I understand that with the Declan/Lucia storyline it’s necessary to have internal monologues to further explain the story, but the author takes it to the extreme. I found myself skipping entire pages and missed nothing. The same can be said for conversations. One conversation in particular really bothered me between Declan and the FBI agent. One side of the conversation turned into a monologue that went on for several pages with nothing to break it up. Again, I found myself skipping pages at a time. I enjoyed the Connor/Ana continuation but found it a little odd that Ana’s English didn’t improve but instead worsened in the years since Book One. The character development was lacking in this one and it just missed the mark for me.
August 3, 2020
This book is billed as a “feel-good read.” I suppose, if you consider 35-year-old Catholic priests impregnating 23-year-old parishioners whom they’ve known since the parishioners were 16, maybe it is. Oh, and don’t forget the elderly couple who is planning to die, her from untreated cancer and he by his own hand after she dies because he doesn’t want to stick around without her. That’s “feel-good,” too, right?
I was so utterly disappointed in this book that I gave up after 12%...when I found out the priest was, indeed, the father of the baby. See, I wasn’t sure because the mother was engaged to be married — you know, to a member of the mob — and so she and the priest took off on their “feel-good” adventure.
I was so utterly disappointed in this book that I gave up after 12%...when I found out the priest was, indeed, the father of the baby. See, I wasn’t sure because the mother was engaged to be married — you know, to a member of the mob — and so she and the priest took off on their “feel-good” adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2021
I have mixed opinions about this one. I really enjoyed the first in the series, but this one strays from the nice balance of multiple stories and concentrates on one couple. The smaller side stories are also horrible. A dying woman, a couple eloping because the father of the groom hates the bride, a woman virtually kidnapped and abused by the man she was forced to marry. Do any happy people take bus tours to Ireland? The constant sermons regarding the catholic church were annoying along with references to Danny Boy. I enjoy happy endings and often suspend some believability in order to make a good story but this pushed the limit of reality to the extreme.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2019
Horrible
This book was a platform to bash the Catholic Church. A sad day when a priest breaks his vow to God and in the process probably breaks all Ten Commandments. Lucia professes her love of God but aids in the falling of the priest; agrees to put a hit on her father so they can be together.
This book was a platform to bash the Catholic Church. A sad day when a priest breaks his vow to God and in the process probably breaks all Ten Commandments. Lucia professes her love of God but aids in the falling of the priest; agrees to put a hit on her father so they can be together.
April 29, 2018
The Conor O'Shea Boxed Set gives a heartwarming, funny and entertaining experience by reading these three well written books. The characters are realistic, fun, sad, easy and troublesome. The emotions run the gamut and there are surprises along the routes. The well told stories are full of vivid descriptions that make the reader think they're part of the tours themselves. These books are a perfect escape from the woes of modern life, allowing fun and intrigue to take its place. There's a free download for Letters of Freedom; the start of the Carmen Sheehan Series - a must read.
The Tour #1 - I never get tired of reading Ms. Grainger's books. This is another well written, heartwarming, funny, entertaining, intriguing story. The characters are realistic and run the gamut of personalities. Funny and sad and heartbreaking and uplifting things happen along the route, but the reader never wants to stop reading. The vivid descriptions of Ireland and its culture and its people and the scenery, including buildings, keep the reader immersed in the pages.
Safe at the Edge of the World #2 - What, this is a lot about a couple of Americans. But as I kept reading I forgot that I wanted to read more about Ireland. We still have all our favorite characters from The Tour and the two Americans find safety with the fellow tourists and the crew. Help comes from everywhere and this intense, intriguing story with its surprises is an exceptional book on its own. It was similar to works by Mario Puzo; substantial, heartwarming, heart wrenching and entertaining. Ms. Grainger is very talented in her craft.
The Story of Grenville King #3 - What an amazing collection of stories. No, it's one book but the intertwining stories of the many characters make this a rich, fulfilling, twisting, intriguing story. The characters are well developed, interesting and so real. The dialog is better than average. The plot goes on and on with new happenings, twists and turns. The emotions run the gamut: love, happiness, fear, sadness, hate and more.
This is the first book I've read of the Tour series and I didn't miss anything not having read the previous books. I've read several stories by this author and never have I been disappointed. This book is amazing, substantial and hard to put down. My review doesn’t do justice to this story. I’m glad I contacted the author to review her books.
The Tour #1 - I never get tired of reading Ms. Grainger's books. This is another well written, heartwarming, funny, entertaining, intriguing story. The characters are realistic and run the gamut of personalities. Funny and sad and heartbreaking and uplifting things happen along the route, but the reader never wants to stop reading. The vivid descriptions of Ireland and its culture and its people and the scenery, including buildings, keep the reader immersed in the pages.
Safe at the Edge of the World #2 - What, this is a lot about a couple of Americans. But as I kept reading I forgot that I wanted to read more about Ireland. We still have all our favorite characters from The Tour and the two Americans find safety with the fellow tourists and the crew. Help comes from everywhere and this intense, intriguing story with its surprises is an exceptional book on its own. It was similar to works by Mario Puzo; substantial, heartwarming, heart wrenching and entertaining. Ms. Grainger is very talented in her craft.
The Story of Grenville King #3 - What an amazing collection of stories. No, it's one book but the intertwining stories of the many characters make this a rich, fulfilling, twisting, intriguing story. The characters are well developed, interesting and so real. The dialog is better than average. The plot goes on and on with new happenings, twists and turns. The emotions run the gamut: love, happiness, fear, sadness, hate and more.
This is the first book I've read of the Tour series and I didn't miss anything not having read the previous books. I've read several stories by this author and never have I been disappointed. This book is amazing, substantial and hard to put down. My review doesn’t do justice to this story. I’m glad I contacted the author to review her books.
July 18, 2017
I noted the number of enthusiastic five star ratings on Amazon for Jean Grainger's recent release, "Safe at the Edge of the World" and I'm a little bewildered. Not that she hasn't come up with a rather unique premise (at least I haven't read another like it), or that it didn't include sufficient twists and turns for a Holiday genre fan. "The Tour" series main character, tour guide Conor O'Shea takes an active but behind the scenes support character role. The protagonist in this novel is a Catholic priest, Declan Sullivan, who escaped from the U.S. with his pregnant lady love, and apparently comes to staunchly negative terms with his priestly vows, the Catholic Church, and God. His sweetie is much younger, a member of his former church, and unfortunately the daughter of a mafia boss (for whom he was a confidant/confessor). Sure doesn't sound good for a "happy ever after!" They are really between a rock and a hard place! She has also just ducked out of the marriage arrangement between her father and another mob bosses' son, which would have effectively wedded the two factions. In the former book, we got the people, the stories and beautiful descriptions of Ireland, and Conor's story. In this book, we get Declan bemoaning his situation, going over and over it to find a solution. And he does! But the solution? And this is/was a priest? You have to admit Grainger works everything out; neatly wraps it up, but I was glad I wasn't on this tour bus! Part of the "Tour" series, but this could be a stand alone, no problem. Does it move? Yes. Is the dialogue believable? Yes. The character of Declan is more than fully fleshed out. We already know and appreciate Conor. The other characters, with the possible exception of Lucia, go to the back of the bus. Solution to problem believable? I'll leave that for you to decide. I received an ARC from the author for an honest review and I can recommend to those of you looking for something (REALLY) different.
August 19, 2020
So bad. The book is absurd from begining to end. There would be so much complexities in the characters and situations that are totally oversimplified. Fiction is fiction, I get that, but it needs to reasonably reflect emotions, factual situations, decisions, values, dilemas....nothing in this book makes sense.
Spoilers from now on.Iit seems that in this book the catholic church (and its priests) would accept and justify a priest falling in love and getting a woman pregnat simply because "if it happened it was God's will..... " I'm not saying that such situations may not happen, but it would definitely not be addressed in such manner, it would give rise to moral dilemas, contradictory feelings and at least different opinions. The author voices her own opinions though characters that are priests or bishops, and really it borders disrespect on the huge committment priests make and the seriousness with which it should be viewed. Even if you do not agree with celibacy, and may challenge the notion itself, addressing it so lightly makes the book unbelivable. I wondered if the author would similarly justify being unfaithfull in a marriage.....
Then the solution to all the characters problems is getting a person killed. Not any person, the father of the woman the ex-priest allegedly loves. Once again the idea is born without much dilema, accepted by the dauther without significant concern and executed quite simply (because really mob members are sooo easy to manipulate).
There are thousands of absurd situations.
The book in no way resembles real human beings.
To begin with the author constructs characters that have no moral dilemas as everything is justified one way or another, everything is relative and valid and this relativism is voiced by members of the catholic church!!!!!!
Spoilers from now on.Iit seems that in this book the catholic church (and its priests) would accept and justify a priest falling in love and getting a woman pregnat simply because "if it happened it was God's will..... " I'm not saying that such situations may not happen, but it would definitely not be addressed in such manner, it would give rise to moral dilemas, contradictory feelings and at least different opinions. The author voices her own opinions though characters that are priests or bishops, and really it borders disrespect on the huge committment priests make and the seriousness with which it should be viewed. Even if you do not agree with celibacy, and may challenge the notion itself, addressing it so lightly makes the book unbelivable. I wondered if the author would similarly justify being unfaithfull in a marriage.....
Then the solution to all the characters problems is getting a person killed. Not any person, the father of the woman the ex-priest allegedly loves. Once again the idea is born without much dilema, accepted by the dauther without significant concern and executed quite simply (because really mob members are sooo easy to manipulate).
There are thousands of absurd situations.
The book in no way resembles real human beings.
To begin with the author constructs characters that have no moral dilemas as everything is justified one way or another, everything is relative and valid and this relativism is voiced by members of the catholic church!!!!!!
July 5, 2017
Available Kindle Unlimited although I just have gotten it in a giveaway or one of my free books sites. Read it because got the sequel through ku.
The blurb says A tranquil Irish vacation, music, scenery, food... and a priest on the run from the mob.Sequel to the The Tour.When a shadowy couple turn up on Conor O’Shea’s grand tour of Ireland, the tranquility of Ireland’s landscape acts as a shelter against the stormy reality of the life they left behind. On the run from a notorious mob boss, this mysterious couple flees the U.S. in search of sanctuary on the shores of the Emerald Isle, hoping to blend in with the tourists. In their wake lies a mafia family’s secrets and a scarred priest torn between his duty to the cloth and to the truth. Father Declan Sullivan’s tale of destiny and duty lies at the feet of those he has betrayed. Can distance and deliverance save the innocent in their desperate pursuit for peace, or will evil catch up to them all?
EXCEPT once again it really had nothing much to do with the scenery, and again it was more like an american tv show plot. Again some of the terms/language are not correct. Both books could badly use proofing. Then different endings and people were wrapped up too easily, again. Also as was noted in one of the reviews, they can be read standalone, so not sure how something can be a sequel if it really has nothing to do with the previous book. This one ended even more abruptly and oddly than the previous one. Amazon as a 2 so this is a 2, going by stars not supposed meaning because they don't have any way to match.
The Tour: A Trip Through Ireland
Safe at the Edge of the World: Sequel to The Tour
The blurb says A tranquil Irish vacation, music, scenery, food... and a priest on the run from the mob.Sequel to the The Tour.When a shadowy couple turn up on Conor O’Shea’s grand tour of Ireland, the tranquility of Ireland’s landscape acts as a shelter against the stormy reality of the life they left behind. On the run from a notorious mob boss, this mysterious couple flees the U.S. in search of sanctuary on the shores of the Emerald Isle, hoping to blend in with the tourists. In their wake lies a mafia family’s secrets and a scarred priest torn between his duty to the cloth and to the truth. Father Declan Sullivan’s tale of destiny and duty lies at the feet of those he has betrayed. Can distance and deliverance save the innocent in their desperate pursuit for peace, or will evil catch up to them all?
EXCEPT once again it really had nothing much to do with the scenery, and again it was more like an american tv show plot. Again some of the terms/language are not correct. Both books could badly use proofing. Then different endings and people were wrapped up too easily, again. Also as was noted in one of the reviews, they can be read standalone, so not sure how something can be a sequel if it really has nothing to do with the previous book. This one ended even more abruptly and oddly than the previous one. Amazon as a 2 so this is a 2, going by stars not supposed meaning because they don't have any way to match.
The Tour: A Trip Through Ireland
Safe at the Edge of the World: Sequel to The Tour
October 20, 2025
On the Run
Conor O’Shea was conducting another tour of Ireland. He was semi retired and took this trip due to a driver/guide shortage. As usually he had a cross section of American tourists on his bus.
Declan Sullivan was a devout priest from New Jersey. Members of his congregation included notorious mob boss Paulie Sacco. Declan became close to the family and despite his vows of celibacy he fell in love with Sacco’s daughter, Lucia. She was ready to marry Costa Rican mob boss Fabio Dias’s son Antonio, a marriage of convenience to unite the two mobs in business.
When Declan found out Lucia was pregnant with his child they had to get away. The best way to do it was to take a guided tour overseas where they would be somewhat incognito. They happened to land on Conor O’Shea’s tour. Conor was stuck with this couple on the run, which included FBI involvement, a nauseous pregnant Lucia, and a couple of other dramas during the tour.
Among the beauty of the Irish countryside, Declan had to come up with a plan to escape the wrath of the Sacco family. In the meantime Conor had to keep the tour on track for the rest of the tourists.
How will Declan and Lucia get out of this mess. How will the other people on the tour deal with the situation? Will Conor allow Declan and Lucia to stay on the tour? Will Sacco find them?
This fun tour tale turns into an intriguing mystery with an ending that may shock.
Conor O’Shea was conducting another tour of Ireland. He was semi retired and took this trip due to a driver/guide shortage. As usually he had a cross section of American tourists on his bus.
Declan Sullivan was a devout priest from New Jersey. Members of his congregation included notorious mob boss Paulie Sacco. Declan became close to the family and despite his vows of celibacy he fell in love with Sacco’s daughter, Lucia. She was ready to marry Costa Rican mob boss Fabio Dias’s son Antonio, a marriage of convenience to unite the two mobs in business.
When Declan found out Lucia was pregnant with his child they had to get away. The best way to do it was to take a guided tour overseas where they would be somewhat incognito. They happened to land on Conor O’Shea’s tour. Conor was stuck with this couple on the run, which included FBI involvement, a nauseous pregnant Lucia, and a couple of other dramas during the tour.
Among the beauty of the Irish countryside, Declan had to come up with a plan to escape the wrath of the Sacco family. In the meantime Conor had to keep the tour on track for the rest of the tourists.
How will Declan and Lucia get out of this mess. How will the other people on the tour deal with the situation? Will Conor allow Declan and Lucia to stay on the tour? Will Sacco find them?
This fun tour tale turns into an intriguing mystery with an ending that may shock.
August 1, 2017
A good sequel, if you can really call it that; this book had a much different flavor. While the first was truly an ensemble piece, there was no question who the MC's were here. There was also the element of tension given the MC's circumstances that added something different this time around. A few cameos from some of the characters in the last book, but mostly the only common threads were Ireland, the bus tour, and Conor. Still, this story stood well on its own, and was an enjoyable read.
I'll admit I struggled a bit—as does Declan himself—with some of the moral implications of Father Declan's work with the Sacco's. It definitely gets you thinking about right and wrong, and all the shades of gray. I had a hard time swallowing Declan's plan; whether he pulled the trigger or not, it seemed pretty brutal to me, and something that wouldn't be easily shrugged off your conscience. I was also saddened by his abrupt crisis of faith. I loved Ken and Irene, and their relationship seems right be one all married people could hope for. It was also good to see Conor and Ana doing so well, and Father Shanahan was a great addition.
I enjoyed the deeper plot of this book, and how it got me thinking about morality, as well as another religions' take on absolution, and forgiveness. Certainly worth a read.
I'll admit I struggled a bit—as does Declan himself—with some of the moral implications of Father Declan's work with the Sacco's. It definitely gets you thinking about right and wrong, and all the shades of gray. I had a hard time swallowing Declan's plan; whether he pulled the trigger or not, it seemed pretty brutal to me, and something that wouldn't be easily shrugged off your conscience. I was also saddened by his abrupt crisis of faith. I loved Ken and Irene, and their relationship seems right be one all married people could hope for. It was also good to see Conor and Ana doing so well, and Father Shanahan was a great addition.
I enjoyed the deeper plot of this book, and how it got me thinking about morality, as well as another religions' take on absolution, and forgiveness. Certainly worth a read.
August 5, 2020
This is book two of the Conor O'Shea series. I really liked book one and expected to enjoy the second even more, as I usually do in the case of a series.
This was an easy book to read into the night, it kept my interest and for the first half of the book I was into the story. At some point however, I became more and more concern with the direction the story was heading. This series is presented as 'feel good,' stories, but I found this story anything but feel good. It was concerning enough to have a priest impregnating one of his young parishioners and running off to Ireland on this tour to get away from her angry and dangerous father. By the end of the book the reader is subject to several long rants against the Catholic Church as well as seeing this supposed man of God not only completely lose his Christian faith, but we see him braking most of the remaining Commandments of the Church and the author would try to convince us he is right in doing so. I admit I don't understand the purpose of this book. Obviously the author has felt let down by the Catholic Church and felt a need to, "get it off her chest."
I will check into the third book in the series because I did enjoy book one of the series and because I do feel the author is a good, if misguided in this case, writer.
This was an easy book to read into the night, it kept my interest and for the first half of the book I was into the story. At some point however, I became more and more concern with the direction the story was heading. This series is presented as 'feel good,' stories, but I found this story anything but feel good. It was concerning enough to have a priest impregnating one of his young parishioners and running off to Ireland on this tour to get away from her angry and dangerous father. By the end of the book the reader is subject to several long rants against the Catholic Church as well as seeing this supposed man of God not only completely lose his Christian faith, but we see him braking most of the remaining Commandments of the Church and the author would try to convince us he is right in doing so. I admit I don't understand the purpose of this book. Obviously the author has felt let down by the Catholic Church and felt a need to, "get it off her chest."
I will check into the third book in the series because I did enjoy book one of the series and because I do feel the author is a good, if misguided in this case, writer.
November 5, 2022
This book is well written and compelling, quite the tale. I can best describe this story as a roller-coaster. Suspense, incredible backstory, lots of emotions, oodles of religious conflicts. Obviously, when a priest falls for the devout daughter of a mob boss, they're going to have conflicts.
The father's a criminal and the priest has been granting him absolution time and again after hearing so many of his monstrous crimes, all the while knowing that the man's "repentance" is neither genuine nor long-lasting.
The author and her characters have taken on some serious issues: the right or wrong of celibacy for priests; the church protecting pedophiles; is suicide acceptable at times; is deception justified; do the ends justify the means? Finally the renegade priest is doubting if there even is a God. Everyone who reads and reviews this book will have their own opinion on those issues.
The story focuses on other characters in the tour as well. All this tops all previous messes Conor's had to contend with as tour guide. He comes through it all just as warm-hearted and outwardly unruffled as ever. Nice to know what's happened to a few of the characters from the first book in this series.
One dubious point: when the mafioso father couldn't find them, without prior contact another family member drove straight to their hotel. Good for the story, but...?
The father's a criminal and the priest has been granting him absolution time and again after hearing so many of his monstrous crimes, all the while knowing that the man's "repentance" is neither genuine nor long-lasting.
The author and her characters have taken on some serious issues: the right or wrong of celibacy for priests; the church protecting pedophiles; is suicide acceptable at times; is deception justified; do the ends justify the means? Finally the renegade priest is doubting if there even is a God. Everyone who reads and reviews this book will have their own opinion on those issues.
The story focuses on other characters in the tour as well. All this tops all previous messes Conor's had to contend with as tour guide. He comes through it all just as warm-hearted and outwardly unruffled as ever. Nice to know what's happened to a few of the characters from the first book in this series.
One dubious point: when the mafioso father couldn't find them, without prior contact another family member drove straight to their hotel. Good for the story, but...?
June 15, 2021
While it is a part of "The Tour" series, this wasn't quite the sequel I was expecting.
I had thought there might be a bit more interaction with some of the characters who stayed in Ireland after the first book, but that wasn't the case. Instead, the common theme linking the books is Connor himself.
I did, however, enjoy the book despite it being different. There are a lot of different themes explored including religion, morality, commitment, family, crime, law enforcement and relationships but it doesn't feel over-packed with any one of these.
The story is fast paced and moves along nicely. There is an element of implausibility in some places where you may need to stretch your imagination to see these events occurring, but it is, after all, a work of fiction so just go with it and enjoy the story. (Personally, I'm ok with an author taking a little creative license if it suits the story.)
I listened to the Audible Unabridged version of this book.
Am I glad I read it - yes
Was it a waste of my time - no
Would I sit down and read it all over again - yes
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes, desperately waiting for Book 3 to be made into an Audiobook
I had thought there might be a bit more interaction with some of the characters who stayed in Ireland after the first book, but that wasn't the case. Instead, the common theme linking the books is Connor himself.
I did, however, enjoy the book despite it being different. There are a lot of different themes explored including religion, morality, commitment, family, crime, law enforcement and relationships but it doesn't feel over-packed with any one of these.
The story is fast paced and moves along nicely. There is an element of implausibility in some places where you may need to stretch your imagination to see these events occurring, but it is, after all, a work of fiction so just go with it and enjoy the story. (Personally, I'm ok with an author taking a little creative license if it suits the story.)
I listened to the Audible Unabridged version of this book.
Am I glad I read it - yes
Was it a waste of my time - no
Would I sit down and read it all over again - yes
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes, desperately waiting for Book 3 to be made into an Audiobook
May 21, 2020
Book 2 in the Tour Series has Conner at the wheel again as tour guide. This story takes place a few years after Book 1.
"A tranquil Irish vacation, music, scenery, food... but someone on this tour has a secret he's desperate to keep concealed. When a shadowy couple turn up on Conor O’Shea’s grand tour of Ireland, the tranquility of Ireland’s landscape acts as a shelter against the stormy reality of the life they left behind. On the run from a notorious mob boss, this mysterious couple flees the U.S. in search of sanctuary on the shores of the Emerald Isle, hoping to blend in with the tourists. In their wake lies a mafia family’s secrets and a scarred priest torn between his duty to the cloth and to the truth.
Intriguing and uniquely consuming, Father Declan Sullivan’s tale of destiny and duty lies at the feet of those he has betrayed. Can distance and deliverance save the innocent in their desperate pursuit for peace, or will evil catch up to them all?" (Synopsis is copied)
This book confronts more serious subjects: scandals in the Catholic Church and questioning of faith, wife abuse, and an elderly couple with the wife dying of cancer. Still an absolute pleasure to read!
"A tranquil Irish vacation, music, scenery, food... but someone on this tour has a secret he's desperate to keep concealed. When a shadowy couple turn up on Conor O’Shea’s grand tour of Ireland, the tranquility of Ireland’s landscape acts as a shelter against the stormy reality of the life they left behind. On the run from a notorious mob boss, this mysterious couple flees the U.S. in search of sanctuary on the shores of the Emerald Isle, hoping to blend in with the tourists. In their wake lies a mafia family’s secrets and a scarred priest torn between his duty to the cloth and to the truth.
Intriguing and uniquely consuming, Father Declan Sullivan’s tale of destiny and duty lies at the feet of those he has betrayed. Can distance and deliverance save the innocent in their desperate pursuit for peace, or will evil catch up to them all?" (Synopsis is copied)
This book confronts more serious subjects: scandals in the Catholic Church and questioning of faith, wife abuse, and an elderly couple with the wife dying of cancer. Still an absolute pleasure to read!
July 2, 2017
Jean Grainger writes great fictional stories which includes a little bit of everything Irish and this sequel to The Tour does not disappoint as it tells us about Declan O'Sullivan and the love of his life as they flee to escape the mafia. But Declan O'Sullivan is a Catholic priest so what would he have to do with the mafia and what would he be doing running away with a beautiful young woman? But run he does - from the mafia, from her father and her family, from her potential in-laws, from the church and from the police. Everywhere they look, they think someone is following them. How does one escape nowadays - well, for one thing they need to stay off their electronic devices and that means, no cell phones, which is or seems like an impossible situation in this age. As the author of this book takes us on another tour of Ireland, she also tells us some very interesting facts and doctrines of the Catholic church and some very interesting things about how the mafia works.
This book is fun, scary, thought-provoking and ends delightfully.
This book is fun, scary, thought-provoking and ends delightfully.
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