Clare O'Donohue

Though I didn't like this book as much as I expected to, I'm willing to take a look at the next book in the series when it comes out. The basic premise -- "ordinary" people caught up in espionage -- has been a favorite of mine since I read Helen MacInnes back in the 60s. There is one difference in Beyond the Pale -- one of the protagonist couple is a woman who actually trained for the CIA and then decided not to join. Instead, she returned to marry an academic and became one herself. Their marriage has become a little stale when a former classmate at "CIA Academy" shows up with a proposition involving a trip to Ireland. Since the husband is an expert in Irish literature, he agrees to take the trip. What at first seems like a simple bit of handing over a lost manuscript, leads to the pair witnessing murders, being kidnapped, and having a very difficult time figuring out who is on what side of a complicated plot. I felt the beginning was rather slow and put the book aside for quite a while, but the last half was sufficiently entertaining to keep me at it until I finished. Your results may differ.… (más)

Hollis and Finn are typical college professors at a small, but prestigious, Midwestern university, except for their relationship with a Irish art forger and a multi-national secret law enforcement organization. I haven't read the first book in this series in which everyone is introduced, but didn't have any trouble picking up the story. This is a light-hearted romp and easy read. While this isn't a serious spy novel in the mode of John Le Carre or Len Deighton, it was fun to read.

I received a digital ARC via NetGalley.… (más)

First in a new series by well-established cozy writer, Clare O'Donohue, this book takes the reader on a wild roller-coaster ride through the dark world of international espionage. Two married small town college professors are in a bit of rut with their marriage. Suddenly, her long-forgotten beau, from her early days training with the CIA, has approached her and her husband to handle an "easy in-easy out" covert operation in Dublin, Ireland. She's eager for the adventure, but he's not. However, he and his keen knowledge of Irish literature are the key variables needed to execute the operation. Once on the ground, they try and make contact with another key player and it just gets worse for them from there on out.

The story holds lots of red herrings, various spies, charming Irish folk and provides a vast tour across Ireland - from the bustling city of Dublin, across the Burren, through charming villages to the edge of the sea. Ms O'Donohue captures the heart of the Irish people and landscape's beauty with her painterly writing style. The story was cozy and charming - just the way I like it!

I am grateful to author Clare O'Donohue, publisher Midnight Ink Books and Kings River Life Magazine for having provided a free copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.… (más)