Irish Mist

Nuala Anne McGrail #4

by Andrew M. Greeley

Dermot Michael Coyne isn't sure what he's gotten himself into. Nuala Anne McGrail, that beautiful and vivacious "Celtic witch" has finally agreed to marry him. But they've barely tied the knot when Nuala's psychic "spells" begin again. Visions of a burning castle, the captain of the infamous "Black and Tan" police force, a wild woman from Chicago, and bloodshed--all somehow connected--lead the two to the remnants of a mystery long buried in the mist of Ireland's turbulent and violent past. How did Kevin O'Higgins, the murdered leader of the movement to free Ireland, die? And who among the living will do whatever it takes to keep Nuala and Dermot from finding out?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Irish Literature, Ireland, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 15, 1999

About the author

Andrew Greeley was a Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist, and author of 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of nonfiction. For decades, Greeley entertained readers with such popular characters as the mystery-solving priest Blackie Ryan and the fey, amateur sleuth Nuala Anne McGrail. His books typically center on Irish-American Roman Catholics living or working in Chicago.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/andrew...

Reviews

[Janis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently Irish Mist is part of a sequence of other books with Nuala Anne McGrail, an international Irish American singer, as the protagonist. My advice is that if you like Andrew Greeley's books written in the manner in which the Irish dialect is spoken and if you like Irish history then this is a book for you. I would also advise you to read them in the order in which they were written. Irish Mist would most likely make more sense. The plot centers on Nuala's psychic premonitions.She has agreed to perform a free concert for the "poor people" which unknown to her has been organized by a corrupt priest who plans to use the proceeds to cover his gambling debts. While there she plans to solve the mysteries of the visions she has been having of the 80 year old mystery behind the assassination of Kevin O'Higgins , the leader of the movement to free Ireland. Her visions also indicated that Lady Downs, the widow of a World War I hero did not burn Castle Garry, her family home. The importance of solving this mystery was a mystery to me.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Irish Mist by Andrew M. Greeley is the fourth book of the Nuala Anne McGrail mystery series set in contemporary Ireland. As Nuala Anne McGrail and Dermot Michael Coyne travel to Ireland for Nuala Anne to give a charity concert, Nuala Anne sees frightening and scary visions. She's "a dark one", so they'll have to detect once again. Who are the visions about, and what is the secret they must discover?

They're attacked by thugs and criticized by a jealous Irish singer. Dermot handily defeats the thugs. Nuala Anne responds with grace and pity to the jealous singer. The Gardai are embarrassed by the attacks, so they provide a wolfhound "Fiona". Fiercely protecting them, she's effective in later attacks.

Irish Mist is a lengthy history lesson about the Irish Civil War, and a detailed rendition of the assassination of Kevin O'Higgins. Nuala and Dermot solve the mystery of Lady Augusta Downs at Castle Garry. Meanwhile, they struggle to overcome inhibition in their intimacy.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off this review by saying I adore Nuala and Dermot. I would read about them doing anything. A mystery on the stage of Barney the dinosaur? Sure! They have such amazing chemistry. They are each others biggest fan.

Nuala has a touch of the fey, so when she started having visions about Irish history, they decided to investigate.

In the meantime, they are attacked. Even once they fight off the bad guys, they seem to keep creeping around.

Could her visions and these attacks have anything to do with each other? Surely not.

Also, the newlyweds are having a little trouble in the bedroom. Not that it isn't pleasant, but they both want more. Dermot's devil on his shoulder and Nuala's side of the story are both very amusing.

I really hope to find more books in this series. They really are delightful.

[Doug Schreiber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of Greeley's best works. It is fun to follow the Nuala Anne and Dermot saga, but Greeley gets lost in his own fascination in their relatoinship and forgets to weave together a plausibly exciting story to go along with it. Actually, hard to beleive GReeley is a priest with the excess of colorful language and other descriptive narrative. THere are some bright spots. He almost does the Irish history and the ancient middle age time of Columbanus justice.
If youve read Irish Gold et al - what the heck go on and read it!

[Dawnrenae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Done finished Irish Mist! 4th in the Nuala Anne McGrail series by Andrew M. Greeley!

While Irish Mist wasn't as captivating as the first 3 novels in the series, still it held its mystery! Ah doesn't Irish mysticism hold a dear place in my heart!

Passion, love, and the church run strong in this slow paced adventure.

I hope whomever next finds this series, will love it as much as I.

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could be the worst book ever. Not finished. Deciding if I want to waste my time. If your interested in Irish history ,that to me was boring, this book is up your alley. Slooooow moving. Detail which added nothing just more pages. I don’t dislike books often but this one is not to my liking. Hope someone enjoys.

[Erica Giambrone · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should say I didn’t realize this was a part of a series before I picked it up, but even after trying to adjust to the more “Irish English” the stories are convoluted and hard to follow.... I’m not sure what Irish history and singers have to do with a new couple struggle to enjoy their sex life.... very odd.

[Cathi Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than charming tale woven with everything Irish... historical time traveling mystery in present time. Great characters, terrific story. I'd missed the first three of this series but was enchanted by this 4th and final(?) book anyway. Lost myself in the magic and the Irish brogues and the history. Lovely, simply devouring!

[Karen L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I may need to go to the library and get a book hat doesn’t fit in one of the three series I am currently reading. Although I enjoyed his book, it wasn’t the type of book” just couldn’t put down”. Nuala Anne and Dermot continue to develop as characters as they weave through history. Still interested in the series, but need a break.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery surrounded by a love story. As always, Andrew Greeley supplies us with intrigue, history, a little romance thrown in. The descriptions of Ireland and some of the Irish history of the Troubles thrown in, make it a interesting read.

[Russ Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. I'm really enjoying Father Greeley's novels. I guess I'm on a bit of a Greeley binge right now.

[Meg Graham · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really couldn't get into the story. And I found the characters irritated me.

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't seem to see where they were getting anywhere with the mystery. Think I got to about half way to the book and still don't think I heard anything that really kept me interested. sorry

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the author's use of Irish vernacular and phrasing in the conversations between the characters. While this is definitely a novel, there is some accurate historical background in terms of The Troubles in Ireland. The story is entertaining and held my attention; I would recommend it to others.

Dermot Michael Coyne isn't sure what he's gotten himself into. Nuala Anne McGrail, his beautiful, vivacious and fey wife have barely married when Nuala's psychic "spells" begin again (this is the fourth book in this particular series). Visions of a burning castle, the captain of the infamous "Black and Tan" police force, a wild woman from Chicago, and bloodshed--all somehow connected--lead the two to the remnants of a mystery long buried in the mist of Ireland's turbulent and violent past. How did Kevin O'Higgins, the murdered leader of the movement to free Ireland, die? And who among the living will do whatever it takes to keep Nuala and Dermot from finding out?

[John Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through four books in this series, all binge-consumed in the past three days, some commonalities emerge:

* The mysteries aren't terribly complex
* The histories interleaved with the mysteries, aren't they wonderful?
* The complexities of Nuala Anne are lovely; I like her very much
* The adversaries, aren't they a pack of amadons and onchucks, easily overcome?
* The Adversary, and the asides within dialogue, aren't they delightful literary devices?
* The spiritualities, especially in this book 4, inspire

The author is no Graham Green, as his reflection in the book notes.

There are a few odd product placement mentions, for long-outdated computers and software. On the few occasions I do something like that, I do it for free, as I'm sure was true for Fr. Greeley.

Regardless, I'm enjoying the series very much, and am well into book 5 now.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've truly liked the books of this series. There are some mystical elements that are a bit strange, but the characters are interesting and have mostly good morals. All in all, these are good mysteries. They are written well also although I was surprised at the level of eroticism considering the series is by a priest.
In each book,the couple solves at least one older often ancient mystery and a current-time mystery that are slightly connected as well as work through a crisis in their relationship or,in the later novels,family life.

[Susan Phelan]

Hmmm. Love the Irish voice. The two mail characters were fun, if a little too perfect. WAAAYY too much Irish history. It was not enough to make me totally understand the era/history (I'd need to have read the history section like a textbook, perhaps with a map and taking notes) but too much to keep me from wanting to skim. Payoff in the end fell kind of flat. But I did enjoy it enough to read the others in the series if I run into them.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series should be read in order. All about Chicago, Catholicism, Irish immigrants, families, etc. Not excellent, but I read them all, because someone gave them all to me. Each book has an "inside" story about Irish history contained within, my least favorite part of each book, so that I very often skipped those parts...bad Beth.

[Lawrence · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is some Irish history hidden in this book somewhere, mostly about "The Troubles". Vague references, back & forth, round & round-hard to keep track who is saying what. Andrew M. Greeley obsessed with sex and foul language. I don't know why he became a man of the cloth. I would not recommend this book.

[Blair T · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. It just never got off the ground and there was no edge to the mystery. The greatest mystery of the book was whether the lead characters would finally have an all-out, no holds barred shag. That they did was no surprise, but neither was much else in the book. I won't be looking to read any other Nuala Anne epics.

[Pat Baratta · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Nuala Anne McGrail novels are about an Irish family and their trials and tribulations. Greeley is another great writer and. These novels are all enjoyable. You can't wait for the next one to come out.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do enjoy the Nuala Anne mysteries. They're quite different than the typical fare out there, and when you add in all the Irish history and stories (as well as the ribald humour), Andrew M. Greeley's books always make for a simply fabulous read

[Heather Griffitts Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was slow to get into this one - but I do love Nuala
Anne books. All in all, it wasn't bad.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The couple go back to Ireland for a benefit concert and to learn who killed O'Higgins during the troubles.

[Cathy]

Wow, do not remember a THING about this book - guess that means I can read it again!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting and plot twists are captivating.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Finally, we get inside Nuala Anne's head. I like the series. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read some bad book but I could not make myself finish this one. The story jumped around so much I could not follow it.

[Pat Wolf-bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several Nuala Anne books and find the history in them fascinating.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

For bored and patient readers only.