This series is classified as an archaeological mystery, but as in the previous book, I would call it an antiquity series. Instead of digging up ancient artifacts, the main character travels to different places in the world to pick up antiquities for her antique shop called Greenhalgh and McClintoch in Toronto. In this one the reader visits Ireland to learn some Irish history, mythology, and geography. The book includes a murder mystery, descriptions of Irish culture, rare and valuable antiques, a travelogue of the local sights and visitor spots, and a search for a mysterious treasure.
Lara McClintoch's dear friend, neighbor, and faithful helper at her antiques store, Alex Stewart, is reluctant to go to a reading of the will of wealthy businessman Eamon Byrne in County Kerry, Ireland. He hadn't seen Eamon for years and only had a passing relationship with him. To encourage Alex, Lara gives moral support and accompanies him. She also convinces a friend named Rob Luczka (RCMP) and his daughter Jennifer to go along for a vacation too. They plan to tour Ireland after the reading of the will. Besides the will there is also a video recording by the deceased detailing what's in the will along with comments and snide remarks. Alex inherits Rose Cottage, its contents, and the land on which it sits. He loves it at first sight. This does not set well with the family.
It was a source of considerable pain to Eamon Bryne that there was so much strife in his family which includes his wife, Margaret; his three daughters Eithne, Fionuala and Breeta; his two sons-in-laws Conail and Sean; and others so he devised a treasure hunt. They each get an envelope that contains a different clue, which leads to a secondary clue, and putting all the clues together leads to something that is remarkable and priceless. It could keep the family from financial ruin. One clue is not enough - they must work together as a team and, hopefully, will mend their quarrels. A problem arises when the wife and daughters don't want to search for clues. The rest need those clues to continue the search.
The main clues are lines from an old Irish poem titled "Song of Amairgen". Lara decides for Alex's sake to join in the hunt for clues, and she thinks it will be fun. It isn't long before two murders occur - the butler, John Herlihy and the gardener, Michael Davis who work at the estate - they didn't even get any clues! Later the maid, Deirdre, is murdered. She was very skittish and had a secret of her own. Lara meets three elderly gentlemen named Kevin, Malachy, and Denny who are well versed in Irish mythology and history. Denny is the storyteller who regales them with the legends and lore of ancient Ireland; and, as it turns out, is woven in and connects to the present treasure hunt. His stories open some of the chapters. The plot becomes somewhat convoluted when Lara discovers the clues are based on an ancient language called ogham. Lara eventually gets too close to finding the treasure, and she and Rob are kidnapped and locked in a clochan - a beehive shaped hut. They escape and when she finally figures out where the treasure is and who the murderer is, her life is in peril again.
Subplots include; (1) To justify her long stay in Ireland, Lara searches out antiques to ship back to her shop, (2) Jennifer falls for a local named Padraig Gilhooly who is much older than she is, and Rob wants Lara to talk some sense into her, (3) has Rob been smitten by Garda Maeve Minogue of the local police and Lara by one of the lawyers, Charles McCafferty, that Eamon Brynes had hired for his legal affairs?
This book was slow reading at times. There were plenty of red herrings, twists and turns. Something that was concerning in the plot was that once the first clues were figured out, the secondary clues were vague when indicating a general location but were immediately found by Lara and her team when they searched. Some clues just showed up with no explanation where they were found. There was a good wrap-up in the last chapter and a surprise for Lara regarding her shop when she returns to Toronto. Except for recurring characters, it is not necessary to read in order. An OK story.