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The Devil's Own: A tantalising historical mystery
A set of century-old diaries found in an attic draws an Irish couple into a tale of murder and madness, in this absorbing new suspense.
After forty years in the Irish army, Brian is looking forward to retiring and spending time with his wife—though he worries about adjusting to civilian life. While clearing the attic before they move house, he makes a three journals dating back to the early twentieth century.
One was written by Arthur, an ex-Connaught Ranger; another by Arthur’s wife, Edith, a colonel’s daughter; and the third by Henry, a British soldier and Arthur’s best friend.
Brian and his wife are soon engrossed in reading the diaries and following the intertwined stories of these three people from the past. But it soon becomes chillingly clear that these diaries contain more than the daily adventures of ordinary lives. Because one of the three is a killer . . .
After forty years in the Irish army, Brian is looking forward to retiring and spending time with his wife—though he worries about adjusting to civilian life. While clearing the attic before they move house, he makes a three journals dating back to the early twentieth century.
One was written by Arthur, an ex-Connaught Ranger; another by Arthur’s wife, Edith, a colonel’s daughter; and the third by Henry, a British soldier and Arthur’s best friend.
Brian and his wife are soon engrossed in reading the diaries and following the intertwined stories of these three people from the past. But it soon becomes chillingly clear that these diaries contain more than the daily adventures of ordinary lives. Because one of the three is a killer . . .
- GenresThriller
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2023
31 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 13, 2023
In a Nutshell: Good premise, but I didn’t enjoy the writing. I am very much an outlier in my opinions.
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
✔ I couldn’t see the ending coming. That was a nice surprise.
✔ The book is pretty fast-paced.
✔ I liked the details connected to the Irish setting – the place, the army, the attitude towards the Brits.
✔ The author’s informative notes at the end of the book were interesting and helpful.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ There is plenty of repetition not just in the writing but also in the scene development. Edith’s thoughts constantly swing between “I love him” and “I can’t believe I married him”. Brian keeps mentioning how “lucky” he is. Arthur is always on and off with alcohol, with the same reaction every single time. Ditto with Henry and his reactions. All the characters were stuck in a loop almost throughout the book.
❌ Parts of the journal entries are set in India during the time of the British colonial rule. The content related to Indian citizens in these sections is almost offensive. Of course, the journals were written by characters who believed in the monarchy and that the “heathen natives” were nothing but savages. So you might say that those three characters were genuinely representing the British thinking of that era. But I would have appreciated it if Brian and Jean in the contemporary time would have passed some remark on how narrow-minded their countrymen were a century ago. As an Indian, I was left fuming at the language used and the lack of empathy.
❌ The India-related content didn’t feel much accurate. Of course, we don’t even know which area of India the three characters were settled in for a major part of the book. But prepping for the monsoon in March? Not getting relief from the hot summer till December? Soil so bad that grass is never green but always yellow? What part of India is this???
❌ A major part of the content comes to us through the three journals. But these don’t feel authentic at all. All three journals were more like flashback chapters than journal entries. When people pen journals, they don’t use direct speech except maybe a couple of times. One of the characters’ journal entries are rendered impossible after the big reveal, considering what was told to us about that character earlier in the book. I also couldn’t figure out why a majority of the journal entries were dated 21st September in various years, no matter whose journal we were reading.
❌ The contemporary timeline is equally weak. Brian’s reactions are quite disjointed. When he first comes across the serial killer’s journal, he gets all flustered and agitated, wondering what to do. Within a couple of scenes, he has put that journal aside and gone back to the other journals. After a few chapters, the same thing occurs. Also, any normal person would not read three journals part by part, but would complete one and then move to the next. So it was quite odd to see Brian and Jean casually ambulate through the three journals.
To sum up, I expected a lot more from the premise. But the serial killer sections, though shocking, are repetitive, with no clear motive coming out. The contemporary timeline is good for nothing except to provide a foundation to the story of the past. Edith’s story is the only one with substance. However, none of the characters were likeable. The only thing that salvaged the book somewhat was the tiny surprise at the end.
A strictly average read for me the outlier.
2 stars.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a complimentary copy of “The Devil's Own”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
September, 2020. After a long stint with the Irish Army, Brian is looking forward to a retired life with his wife Jean in their new home. While clearing out their current army-issued house, he stumbles upon a cabinet in a far corner of the attic, wherein there are three journals, each dating to the early twentieth century. One journal is written by Arthur, one by Edith, and one by Henry. Who are these three people, and how have their journals ended up in Brian’s house? What makes this quest more intriguing is that one of the persons who wrote the journals is a serial killer.
The story comes to us in the first person perspectives of Brian and Jean, and also of Arthur, Edith and Henry through their journals.
Where the book worked for me:
✔ I couldn’t see the ending coming. That was a nice surprise.
✔ The book is pretty fast-paced.
✔ I liked the details connected to the Irish setting – the place, the army, the attitude towards the Brits.
✔ The author’s informative notes at the end of the book were interesting and helpful.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ There is plenty of repetition not just in the writing but also in the scene development. Edith’s thoughts constantly swing between “I love him” and “I can’t believe I married him”. Brian keeps mentioning how “lucky” he is. Arthur is always on and off with alcohol, with the same reaction every single time. Ditto with Henry and his reactions. All the characters were stuck in a loop almost throughout the book.
❌ Parts of the journal entries are set in India during the time of the British colonial rule. The content related to Indian citizens in these sections is almost offensive. Of course, the journals were written by characters who believed in the monarchy and that the “heathen natives” were nothing but savages. So you might say that those three characters were genuinely representing the British thinking of that era. But I would have appreciated it if Brian and Jean in the contemporary time would have passed some remark on how narrow-minded their countrymen were a century ago. As an Indian, I was left fuming at the language used and the lack of empathy.
❌ The India-related content didn’t feel much accurate. Of course, we don’t even know which area of India the three characters were settled in for a major part of the book. But prepping for the monsoon in March? Not getting relief from the hot summer till December? Soil so bad that grass is never green but always yellow? What part of India is this???
❌ A major part of the content comes to us through the three journals. But these don’t feel authentic at all. All three journals were more like flashback chapters than journal entries. When people pen journals, they don’t use direct speech except maybe a couple of times. One of the characters’ journal entries are rendered impossible after the big reveal, considering what was told to us about that character earlier in the book. I also couldn’t figure out why a majority of the journal entries were dated 21st September in various years, no matter whose journal we were reading.
❌ The contemporary timeline is equally weak. Brian’s reactions are quite disjointed. When he first comes across the serial killer’s journal, he gets all flustered and agitated, wondering what to do. Within a couple of scenes, he has put that journal aside and gone back to the other journals. After a few chapters, the same thing occurs. Also, any normal person would not read three journals part by part, but would complete one and then move to the next. So it was quite odd to see Brian and Jean casually ambulate through the three journals.
To sum up, I expected a lot more from the premise. But the serial killer sections, though shocking, are repetitive, with no clear motive coming out. The contemporary timeline is good for nothing except to provide a foundation to the story of the past. Edith’s story is the only one with substance. However, none of the characters were likeable. The only thing that salvaged the book somewhat was the tiny surprise at the end.
A strictly average read for me the outlier.
2 stars.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a complimentary copy of “The Devil's Own”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
January 9, 2023
An interesting dual time story, one part set in present day and the other part between 1880 and 1924. It is the story of Arthur Torrington, born into violence and poverty, who finds love with Colonels daughter, Edith. The parallels between past and present were interesting and demonstrated how experiences can be felt across generations.
The twist I guessed fairly early on but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book. The characters were relatable and full of depth, the writing was emotional and the story believable. The horrors of war portrayed from many different angles and how trauma can affect a person for many years.
The twist I guessed fairly early on but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book. The characters were relatable and full of depth, the writing was emotional and the story believable. The horrors of war portrayed from many different angles and how trauma can affect a person for many years.
March 3, 2023
Excellent read. Well written. Following the journals found in the attic of the army house that Brian and Jean are about to leave, the story emerges of Arthur and Edith. Arthur wrote his journal whilst serving in the new Irish army, after a lifetime in the British Army in the Connaught Rangers. His service took him to India, Ireland and the battlefields of WW1. Edith was born in India and married against her families wishes and then followed her husband as his regiment moved around, her story was written as a daily journal.
There is a third journal, that of Henry, but who is Henry?
There is a third journal, that of Henry, but who is Henry?
March 16, 2023
I really enjoyed the different voices in this novel and particularly warmed to Brian and Jean in the contemporary timeline. There was a clever twist at the end and a satisfying denouement. I enjoyed the settings within the novel including army posts held in India, Ireland and England. I look forward to further novels by the author.
January 3, 2023
A real page-turner that left me wanting more.
I found the book to be really well written with strong and distinctive main characters – I connected with the two married couples (one from the past, one from the present) and found myself impacted by their struggles and hoping they would get a happy ending.
I thought the use of journals really worked well as a way of telling the story and Ms McDonald moved backwards and forwards in time without creating any confusion for the reader.
The author has a real talent for immersing the reader in the various settings – the chapters that take place in the past are particularly vivid and engaging and clearly a lot of care has been taken and effort made in making it feel historically accurate.
Aside from the story, it’s really interesting to learn details about the life of soldiers (and their families) 100 or so years ago in places like the Curragh Camp and India, the impact the First World War had on them, as well as their treatment in the newly-formed Irish Free State.
I highly recommend this book and thank you to Bloodhound Books for the advanced copy.
I found the book to be really well written with strong and distinctive main characters – I connected with the two married couples (one from the past, one from the present) and found myself impacted by their struggles and hoping they would get a happy ending.
I thought the use of journals really worked well as a way of telling the story and Ms McDonald moved backwards and forwards in time without creating any confusion for the reader.
The author has a real talent for immersing the reader in the various settings – the chapters that take place in the past are particularly vivid and engaging and clearly a lot of care has been taken and effort made in making it feel historically accurate.
Aside from the story, it’s really interesting to learn details about the life of soldiers (and their families) 100 or so years ago in places like the Curragh Camp and India, the impact the First World War had on them, as well as their treatment in the newly-formed Irish Free State.
I highly recommend this book and thank you to Bloodhound Books for the advanced copy.
January 9, 2023
Stories that mirror each other, told through a pile of hidden diaries discovered when the present occupants of a house are packing to leave and start a new life in retirement. Needless to say the packing up gets rather delayed as the occupants are sucked into the story which is revealed through their pages. And what a story!
Suspenseful, mystery and murders, what more could you ask for! The story moves along at a good pace and it was hard to put down as I became really invested in the characters. It offers a fascinating insight into army life in India and Ireland and were really descriptive, so much so that I have started another wish list of books set in these places.
Highly recommended and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC and introducing me to another new author.
Suspenseful, mystery and murders, what more could you ask for! The story moves along at a good pace and it was hard to put down as I became really invested in the characters. It offers a fascinating insight into army life in India and Ireland and were really descriptive, so much so that I have started another wish list of books set in these places.
Highly recommended and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC and introducing me to another new author.
January 17, 2023
Read my full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
A dual timeline novel that begins approximately 1880 to 1924 and present day. The main POV is that of Brian, retiring and facing a move after spending forty years in the Irish army. Brian discovers several journals in the attic that date back a century.
Brian and Jean become engrossed in reading what must have been the separate diaries of Arthur and his wife Edith, and that of Henry, Arthur’s best friend.
The journals take turns as the narrative progresses through the story of Arthur as an orphaned child and his eventual history with the Connaught Rangers. Edith gives up being the privileged child of an officer stationed in India at the Curragh Camp to marry him. Their union is marred by Arthur’s drinking encouraged by his army buddy Henry.
I loved the chapters with Arthur and Edith; Henry’s chapters turn grisly as he describes his exploits. The descriptions of the bases are vivid with detail. The characters are fully developed. It’s easy to be fully invested in them by the time the well-plotted and paced storyline plays out with both the current angst-filled Brian and the tragedy of Edith’s marriage. I had no problem burying myself in the pages in a race to the conclusion.
Gripping, it is indeed a tantalizing and particularly satisfying read. I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bloodhound Books and the author that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.
A dual timeline novel that begins approximately 1880 to 1924 and present day. The main POV is that of Brian, retiring and facing a move after spending forty years in the Irish army. Brian discovers several journals in the attic that date back a century.
Brian and Jean become engrossed in reading what must have been the separate diaries of Arthur and his wife Edith, and that of Henry, Arthur’s best friend.
The journals take turns as the narrative progresses through the story of Arthur as an orphaned child and his eventual history with the Connaught Rangers. Edith gives up being the privileged child of an officer stationed in India at the Curragh Camp to marry him. Their union is marred by Arthur’s drinking encouraged by his army buddy Henry.
I loved the chapters with Arthur and Edith; Henry’s chapters turn grisly as he describes his exploits. The descriptions of the bases are vivid with detail. The characters are fully developed. It’s easy to be fully invested in them by the time the well-plotted and paced storyline plays out with both the current angst-filled Brian and the tragedy of Edith’s marriage. I had no problem burying myself in the pages in a race to the conclusion.
Gripping, it is indeed a tantalizing and particularly satisfying read. I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bloodhound Books and the author that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.
December 31, 2022
This was my first book experience by Ms McDonald.
Whilst I guessed very early on the answer as to whom Henry was, it did not greatly detract from what was a well-written, emotionally touching two handed/ level love story, the first about the couple living now, the second, the couple in the journals found.
In honesty, I hadn’t realised until I read the acknowledgements that the actual author was not male, so well did she reflect how I imagined a 40 year veteran might think, speak and act and this, to me, was one of the main reasons I engaged with the whole tale. That’s not to say that I might have read it any differently had I realised it was a female author, but I may not have sunk so deeply into “his” thoughts and actions.
Either way, that’s a distraction from the actual story. The way Ms McDonald flowed backwards in time to present day and back again worked really well and introduced me to parts of the history of the British Empire and the splitting of Ireland that I knew of vaguely, but now want to learn more about.
Just as a standard story, the books works really well, but as a social commentary on times gone and comparison to current days, it also holds a deeper message.
I had to drop one star purely over the time lost by the finder of the journals, ostensibly reading the same page
as I did, but taking near enough a whole working day to my twenty minutes - petty maybe, but really irritating to me.
All in all, a book worth reading.
Whilst I guessed very early on the answer as to whom Henry was, it did not greatly detract from what was a well-written, emotionally touching two handed/ level love story, the first about the couple living now, the second, the couple in the journals found.
In honesty, I hadn’t realised until I read the acknowledgements that the actual author was not male, so well did she reflect how I imagined a 40 year veteran might think, speak and act and this, to me, was one of the main reasons I engaged with the whole tale. That’s not to say that I might have read it any differently had I realised it was a female author, but I may not have sunk so deeply into “his” thoughts and actions.
Either way, that’s a distraction from the actual story. The way Ms McDonald flowed backwards in time to present day and back again worked really well and introduced me to parts of the history of the British Empire and the splitting of Ireland that I knew of vaguely, but now want to learn more about.
Just as a standard story, the books works really well, but as a social commentary on times gone and comparison to current days, it also holds a deeper message.
I had to drop one star purely over the time lost by the finder of the journals, ostensibly reading the same page
as I did, but taking near enough a whole working day to my twenty minutes - petty maybe, but really irritating to me.
All in all, a book worth reading.
January 11, 2023
What a great read. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I ummed and ahhhed if it was going to be my cup of tea, but I needn’t have worried. A well written storyline told through a set of diaries found in a locked cabinet in the back corner of a loft. A story within a story of life, love and murder.
January 14, 2023
A first-rate novel, well written and well plotted. The main narrator is Brian who is just retiring from the Irish military. In preparing the move for he and his wife Jean to new private accommodation, Brian comes across three diaries in a locked filing cabinet. Many families have lived in these army quarters over the decades.
The diaries are those of Arthur Torrington, his wife Edith and a soldier named Henry who is often referred to as Arthur's "best friend." Arthur was born in Ireland. His father was a drunkard and his mother earned money as a prostitute. After disaster at home Arthur escapes to England where he is raised for a while by a kind old chap who has little but raises his own produce and teaches Arthur to do so. When his caretaker dies, Arthur has to embark upon a venture of his own. He joins the British army as a member of the Connaught Rangers, often referred to as the Devil's Own. After various adventures Arthur ends up as an officer in India. Throughout this part of his diary Arthur often takes up heavy drinking egged on by his friend Henry.
In India, Arthur meets up with Edith, the daughter of an army commander much further up the food chain than Arthur. Against her father's wishes, Edith marries Arthur. Arthur cannot provide the life style to which she is accustomed. Arthur appears to be a good officer but, according to Edith's diary, often falls prey to drinking, encouraged by "Henry". The diary bearing the name Henry does not provide much information about Henry beyond his drunken escapades during which he records encountering young women whom he murders as he is having sex with them.
Arthur and Edith ultimately end up in Ireland at the end of his career after it becomes the Irish Free State. The British presence has dwindled and the barracks where decades later Brian resides is practically deserted until taken over later by the Irish. Arthur returns from the tavern drunk one night in a terrible fit of anger. He finds his gun and commits suicide. When Edith comes across "Henry's" diary she suddenly realizes why.
She abandons Ireland and returns to live with a relative in India. She leaves behind the diaries which are later found and read by Brian and Jean decades later.
I guessed the major secret to this story about two thirds of the way through but that did not diminish my desire to finish the novel.
I would highly recommend it as a welcome departure from British police procedurals and psychological thrillers which are so popular these days.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with an Advance Review Copy.
The diaries are those of Arthur Torrington, his wife Edith and a soldier named Henry who is often referred to as Arthur's "best friend." Arthur was born in Ireland. His father was a drunkard and his mother earned money as a prostitute. After disaster at home Arthur escapes to England where he is raised for a while by a kind old chap who has little but raises his own produce and teaches Arthur to do so. When his caretaker dies, Arthur has to embark upon a venture of his own. He joins the British army as a member of the Connaught Rangers, often referred to as the Devil's Own. After various adventures Arthur ends up as an officer in India. Throughout this part of his diary Arthur often takes up heavy drinking egged on by his friend Henry.
In India, Arthur meets up with Edith, the daughter of an army commander much further up the food chain than Arthur. Against her father's wishes, Edith marries Arthur. Arthur cannot provide the life style to which she is accustomed. Arthur appears to be a good officer but, according to Edith's diary, often falls prey to drinking, encouraged by "Henry". The diary bearing the name Henry does not provide much information about Henry beyond his drunken escapades during which he records encountering young women whom he murders as he is having sex with them.
Arthur and Edith ultimately end up in Ireland at the end of his career after it becomes the Irish Free State. The British presence has dwindled and the barracks where decades later Brian resides is practically deserted until taken over later by the Irish. Arthur returns from the tavern drunk one night in a terrible fit of anger. He finds his gun and commits suicide. When Edith comes across "Henry's" diary she suddenly realizes why.
She abandons Ireland and returns to live with a relative in India. She leaves behind the diaries which are later found and read by Brian and Jean decades later.
I guessed the major secret to this story about two thirds of the way through but that did not diminish my desire to finish the novel.
I would highly recommend it as a welcome departure from British police procedurals and psychological thrillers which are so popular these days.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with an Advance Review Copy.
January 10, 2023
Publication: The Devil’s Own
Author: Maria McDonald
To sum this book up in a phrase – RIVETING READ!
The opening story of Arthur living in Manchester and struggling in an environment where domestic violence, alcoholism and prostitution is part of the normality of life – sets the tone for a read that with keep the reader captivated. From Arthur’s growing into a young man who eventually “adopts” the military life and the Connaught Rangers, which in some ways becomes his saviour, we are brought through a world of service and loyalty as he takes up the mantle of soldering in different parts of the world.
As I read the stories of Arthur and Edith – Brian and Jean, and the worlds that they live in, I identified with their lives and struggles, having servered in the military myself (both home and abroad).
Maria has masterfully interwoven historical fact with a storyline that becomes a tapestry of intrique, suspence, horror, love, happiness and all thoes emotions and feelings in between. It draws the reader in and immerses them into the tandem lives of the central characters where you feel like a “voyurestic time traveller” as you move back and forth between their stories and the reading of the journals.
Definitely a book that is hard to put down once you open the first page. Worthwhile read.
/GG
Author: Maria McDonald
To sum this book up in a phrase – RIVETING READ!
The opening story of Arthur living in Manchester and struggling in an environment where domestic violence, alcoholism and prostitution is part of the normality of life – sets the tone for a read that with keep the reader captivated. From Arthur’s growing into a young man who eventually “adopts” the military life and the Connaught Rangers, which in some ways becomes his saviour, we are brought through a world of service and loyalty as he takes up the mantle of soldering in different parts of the world.
As I read the stories of Arthur and Edith – Brian and Jean, and the worlds that they live in, I identified with their lives and struggles, having servered in the military myself (both home and abroad).
Maria has masterfully interwoven historical fact with a storyline that becomes a tapestry of intrique, suspence, horror, love, happiness and all thoes emotions and feelings in between. It draws the reader in and immerses them into the tandem lives of the central characters where you feel like a “voyurestic time traveller” as you move back and forth between their stories and the reading of the journals.
Definitely a book that is hard to put down once you open the first page. Worthwhile read.
/GG
March 12, 2024
Favourite Quote: "Her answer to everything was a cup of tea."
Part of my March reading goals is to read more works by Irish authors and I really thought this was going to be a great place to start. The concept of coming across a serial killer's journal when moving home was a unique one which I believed had a lot of potential. Add to it the present time, and large parts of the journal being set in the Curragh, Co. Kildare (an area I know well) I thought this work would pull me in. And initally it did, at the start I found myself picking it up just to be like hmmm I wonder what happened in this journal at that time. But unfortunately the journal entries became rapdily repetitive and to make it worse I figured out the "Big Twist" at about 50% which put a dampner on the rest. On top of this, depsite all the POVs we have, I didn't find a single likeable character. They all grated me and had me leaving notes disliking them. I give credence for an innovative original concept, and an accurate protarayl of Irish life but it just fell down for me.
2.75 ⭐️ rounded up to 3
Part of my March reading goals is to read more works by Irish authors and I really thought this was going to be a great place to start. The concept of coming across a serial killer's journal when moving home was a unique one which I believed had a lot of potential. Add to it the present time, and large parts of the journal being set in the Curragh, Co. Kildare (an area I know well) I thought this work would pull me in. And initally it did, at the start I found myself picking it up just to be like hmmm I wonder what happened in this journal at that time. But unfortunately the journal entries became rapdily repetitive and to make it worse I figured out the "Big Twist" at about 50% which put a dampner on the rest. On top of this, depsite all the POVs we have, I didn't find a single likeable character. They all grated me and had me leaving notes disliking them. I give credence for an innovative original concept, and an accurate protarayl of Irish life but it just fell down for me.
2.75 ⭐️ rounded up to 3
January 4, 2023
Wow I am so pleased I had the pleasure to review this book so thank you bloodhound here is my honest review!
So the story is about Barry and Jean beginning retirement from the army and moving to civilian life and during the boxing up of the house process Barry stumbles across some hidden diaries in the loft and begins to read them.
I don’t want to give away spoilers but there are 3 diaries from Arthur Torrington, his wife Edith and then his friend Henry. They follow Arthur from being a small child who witnessed an horrific upbringing and abuse from his alcoholic father to being homeless and then enlisting to the army. The dairy goes back and forth in his life from his present day 1924 back to his youth.
The diary goes through his life and struggles etc and then part way through his journals Edith and Henry’s become part of the story.
Barry is totally drawn in by some shocking readings and enlists his wife Jean to begin reading too. There are many similarities between their lives and marriage and army life as there were in Arthur and Edith’s so the couple kind of go on a journey themselves being able to identify with the journals … for the most part!!
I did have a theory about a 1/3 of the way through and I was right but this was a wonderfully written story which captivated me and had me hooked!
I recommend anyone to read it don’t be put off with the jumping around from dates and characters at the start as it is well worth the read for an excellent conclusion
So the story is about Barry and Jean beginning retirement from the army and moving to civilian life and during the boxing up of the house process Barry stumbles across some hidden diaries in the loft and begins to read them.
I don’t want to give away spoilers but there are 3 diaries from Arthur Torrington, his wife Edith and then his friend Henry. They follow Arthur from being a small child who witnessed an horrific upbringing and abuse from his alcoholic father to being homeless and then enlisting to the army. The dairy goes back and forth in his life from his present day 1924 back to his youth.
The diary goes through his life and struggles etc and then part way through his journals Edith and Henry’s become part of the story.
Barry is totally drawn in by some shocking readings and enlists his wife Jean to begin reading too. There are many similarities between their lives and marriage and army life as there were in Arthur and Edith’s so the couple kind of go on a journey themselves being able to identify with the journals … for the most part!!
I did have a theory about a 1/3 of the way through and I was right but this was a wonderfully written story which captivated me and had me hooked!
I recommend anyone to read it don’t be put off with the jumping around from dates and characters at the start as it is well worth the read for an excellent conclusion
January 12, 2023
The novel comes out January 11,2023. The paperback comes out December 28, 2022. This story is mesmerizing, captivating, and compelling. Brian McElroy after forty years of service with the Irish Defense Forces, is retiring. Jean McElroy is his wife. They have three kids, now adults. They are clearing out the old house in the Curragh Camp. Brian went to the attic found an old British Army metal cabinet, over a hundred and forty years old. He found three journals connected to the couple in the past, Mrs. Edith Torrington, Warrant Officer Torrington A. Connaught Ranchers (disbanded) Eire National Army. Another is Henry Journal. Arthur's Journal is horrific event that happen to him as a little boy. Then, Henry's journal he wanted to pull Arthur close to him. This book is good and a big surprise twist. I enjoyed this gripping emotional story. It's so entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2023
Barry and his wife jean are packing up their home for a move after retiring from the army. In the process of clearing out the attic, Barry stumbles onto an old chest containing old journals and begins to read them.
Soon he finds himself and his wife intertwined in the entries of three people, Arthur Torrington and his wife and friend Edith and Henry. The diaries go back and forth through Arthur's life, from his abusive childhood at the hands of his father to his enlisting in the army, as well as his descent into something else. Told through a dual perspective (a storytelling structure I love). It was easy to get wrapped up in the diaries, and I found myself wanting more whenever it went back to Barry and his wife.
Although I guessed the twist fairly early in the story (and I was right), it didn't take away from experiencing an incredible book for sure.
Soon he finds himself and his wife intertwined in the entries of three people, Arthur Torrington and his wife and friend Edith and Henry. The diaries go back and forth through Arthur's life, from his abusive childhood at the hands of his father to his enlisting in the army, as well as his descent into something else. Told through a dual perspective (a storytelling structure I love). It was easy to get wrapped up in the diaries, and I found myself wanting more whenever it went back to Barry and his wife.
Although I guessed the twist fairly early in the story (and I was right), it didn't take away from experiencing an incredible book for sure.
January 11, 2023
This had me gripped from the start . As Brian and his wife Jean prepare for his retirement from a life career in the Irish army they discover an old set of journals as they pack up their army home . The journals dating back to the end of the nineteenth early twentieth century both fascinate and shock them as they unravel the stories held within . After discovery a tale that covers a myriad of emotions including love , loyalty , camaraderie and true barbarism Brian feels he can only bring justice for those whose voices were silenced over a century before by telling their story . I read this in a weekend and couldn’t put it down until I turned the last page . Looking forward to more from this author.
November 14, 2023
I was lucky enough to win this book and I have found it unputdownable. Blessed with a bad weather day to give it my full attention.
The historical context is interesting and to me, at least, educational. I think the importance is in the make-up of the characters.
The story is the people, their relationships, and the cross generational parallels. I imagine many readers will find points of identification in the life events of the characters - I know I did.
For me it was a big warm hug of a read - despite the shocking nature of some of the content the comfort of the present day mundanity was like the relief of a lifebelt.
I recommend this totally engrossing story.
The historical context is interesting and to me, at least, educational. I think the importance is in the make-up of the characters.
The story is the people, their relationships, and the cross generational parallels. I imagine many readers will find points of identification in the life events of the characters - I know I did.
For me it was a big warm hug of a read - despite the shocking nature of some of the content the comfort of the present day mundanity was like the relief of a lifebelt.
I recommend this totally engrossing story.
January 3, 2023
This gripping historical novel spans the late 1800's to the present day and it is a page turner. From the moment Brian discovers a locked chest containing diaries from over a century ago in the attic of his army house in the Curragh Camp, I was hooked!
Maria McDonald is a superb storyteller and she writes beautifully, creating finely drawn credible characters. Their relationships sensitivity unfold as she draws you into their lives, their struggles and their heartbreaks. The story covers deprivation, betrayal, alcoholism and incredible acts of evil along with intense love and loyalty and friendship. It is an absorbing thriller that keeps you guessing until the end.
The authenticity of historical events and locations gives the book a gravitas that makes it entirely credible. I was fascinated by the detail of army life, postings to Ireland, Malta, Egypt and India and the repercussions for army families. I felt like a fly on the wall in the army house in the Curragh Camp where the story gradually emerges from the diaries.
This is definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time.
Maria McDonald is a superb storyteller and she writes beautifully, creating finely drawn credible characters. Their relationships sensitivity unfold as she draws you into their lives, their struggles and their heartbreaks. The story covers deprivation, betrayal, alcoholism and incredible acts of evil along with intense love and loyalty and friendship. It is an absorbing thriller that keeps you guessing until the end.
The authenticity of historical events and locations gives the book a gravitas that makes it entirely credible. I was fascinated by the detail of army life, postings to Ireland, Malta, Egypt and India and the repercussions for army families. I felt like a fly on the wall in the army house in the Curragh Camp where the story gradually emerges from the diaries.
This is definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time.
January 12, 2023
This is a new author for me which I enjoyed reading. This is a suspenseful historical mystery that is engaging and hard to put down. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into the story from the start. They kept the story fast paced and brought it to life. For me they really made the story and they added to the story which made it easy and entertaining to read. This is a great story that is full of mystery and some suspense. I enjoyed the growth of the plot and a well written story. I really enjoyed reading this story. I highly recommend this book.
January 11, 2023
Barry is retiring from the army and he and his wife Jean are packing up the house when he finds the diaries of previous occupants. When he starts reading them he realises that one of them is a serial killer. As the couple read the diaries and try to identify the people, Barry reflects on his own career and it's parallels. I really enjoyed this novel, it is more than a search for a serial killer, reflecting on life in the army and the toll it can take on families.
January 12, 2023
The devil's own by Maria Mcdonald.
After forty years in the Irish army, Brian is looking forward to retiring and spending time with his wife—though he worries about adjusting to civilian life. While clearing the attic before they move house, he makes a discovery: three journals dating back to the early twentieth century.
Great read. I did like Brian. I liked the journals. Reading about them. 4*.
After forty years in the Irish army, Brian is looking forward to retiring and spending time with his wife—though he worries about adjusting to civilian life. While clearing the attic before they move house, he makes a discovery: three journals dating back to the early twentieth century.
Great read. I did like Brian. I liked the journals. Reading about them. 4*.
January 20, 2023
The book had a clever premise — Finding century old diaries in the attic of a home about to be vacated by a soon-to-be-retired career military man and his wife. As they read the diaries, the stories of the diarists come to life. But what I assume the author meant to be a shocking twist at the end of the novel, was patently obvious within the first third of the book. So after that, it was just a matter of getting to the end to see how the author revealed the “secret.“
January 9, 2023
I enjoyed most of this book.
The diary aspect was great. I did work out what was going on 1/2 way through them but that really didn’t matter. The way they were written and dipped into was great.
I’m just not big into the army stuff. Not the authors fault, it’s mine. I still really fancied the book from the blurb.
It’s very good and I did enjoy it.
The diary aspect was great. I did work out what was going on 1/2 way through them but that really didn’t matter. The way they were written and dipped into was great.
I’m just not big into the army stuff. Not the authors fault, it’s mine. I still really fancied the book from the blurb.
It’s very good and I did enjoy it.
January 10, 2023
Pulls you in right from the start. While cleaning out the attack for their move, Brian finds three diaries from the 1880’s. The book weaves between the present day and the three diaries he found as Brian and his wife try to solve the murders revealed in the diaries. I also enjoyed the historical backdrop of Ireland and India.
January 5, 2023
I am so pleased, I decided to read this book, its so very different and such a compelling read.
One of those books, once you start reading, you become totally engrossed, and lost into the story, and you can't put it down.
The storyline is well written, interesting and compelling with great characters.
The descriptive side, twists and turns, revelations are absolutely well presented.
The flow of writing between each century has you totally captured.
Although I did guess no way did I expect the outcome.
I fabulous read, I look forward to more books from this author.
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the advanced copy this is my honest unbiased review.
One of those books, once you start reading, you become totally engrossed, and lost into the story, and you can't put it down.
The storyline is well written, interesting and compelling with great characters.
The descriptive side, twists and turns, revelations are absolutely well presented.
The flow of writing between each century has you totally captured.
Although I did guess no way did I expect the outcome.
I fabulous read, I look forward to more books from this author.
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the advanced copy this is my honest unbiased review.
January 9, 2023
A well written story within a story. The journals are as page turning as the couple who found them feel. Will they find out who Henry is?
I was given an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I was given an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.
January 11, 2023
I received this book for free from Bloodhound Books.
This book kept me mesmerized.
I loved the journals mixed with Brian and Jean's reactions to what they were reading.
I also loved the mystery aspect that kept me guessing.
This book kept me mesmerized.
I loved the journals mixed with Brian and Jean's reactions to what they were reading.
I also loved the mystery aspect that kept me guessing.
January 23, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Loved the way the author used diary aspect in writing it. I love a dual timeline too. Characters that engaged me. A story that kept me turning the pages.
Well written and intriguing throughout. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
Well written and intriguing throughout. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
September 9, 2023
Whilst I guessed very early on the answer as to whom Henry was, it did not greatly detract from what was a well-written, emotionally touching two handed/ level love story, the first about the couple living now, the second, the couple in the journals found.
May 21, 2024
The novel, set in present and between 1880 and 1924, tells the story of Arthur Torrington, raised in poverty and violence, and his love for Edith. It explores the connections between past and present, highlighting the impact of war and trauma on individuals.
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