Irish Crystal

In this novel, Andrew Greeley presents a historical and a current mystery for Nuala Anne McGrail to resolve. The basic story concerns the Coyne family, Dermot, Nuala, and their children Nelliecoyne, Michael, and Socra Marie. The Coynes provide a good example of how the struggle between parents and children can be handled with dignity and humor. Dermot and Nuala's marital love is caring and their relationship is becoming one of mutual acceptance of their individual personalities and needs. The historical story in Irish Crystal I found intriguing. I think historical fiction is an excellent way to learn history. Irish Crystal deals with the "risings" of 1898 and 1903, small unsuccessful Irish revolts against the English rule. These are aspects of Irish history with which I was not familiar. The legendary characters Wolf Tone, Robert Emmet, and Sarah Curran are portrayed with clarity and elegance. The inclusion of Lord Cornwallis, the English administrator for Ireland and the general that George Washington defeated at the battle of Yorktown, was a special treat. The current mystery tangentially involves the US Patriot Act. Nuala is harassed by government representatives because she is not a citizen of the United States. It seems that "spies", American citizens who object to immigrants, file complaints to the government concerning the activities of any individual, especially successful persons, that they deem suspicious. Her fight to retain her status is impressive. I enjoyed this novel for the interesting historical story and the implied criticism of the Patriot Act. I especially enjoyed the fun scenes with Dermot, Nuala Anne and their lovely children.

This one is as good as all of the other Nuala Anne Stories. Can't wait for the next one.

Andrew Greeley's affluent Irish Catholic families in modern-day Chicago are more fantasy than reality anyway, especially Dermot and Nuala. The trouble is, they are so damn appealing to us remaining hopeless romantics. They are sexy and talented and witty and decent and in every book, in danger. So we root for them to figure out who the bad guys are, and neutralize them. As with the other novels in the series, to accompany the contemporary mystery, there is a bit of Irish history thrown in with a mystery aspect of its own for Nuala to solve. This time, the historical one is a bit less dramatic than its predecessors. Father Greeley, by and large a good writer, paints with a broad brush some of the flaws of federal agents and of the recent administration's attempts to keep us safe from real terrorists. Take the plot for what it is, however, an entertainment device to tell a story with a few gentle lessons in morality, religion and Irish Catholic culture. I agree with an earlier reviewer that a little of character Cindasue Murphy's Appalachian dialect goes a long way, but I don't think it has ruined this book for fans. Greeley, as with most priests I've known (and most writers) has virtues which outweigh his flaws, and pros which count more than his cons.

As usual, Fr. Greeley did not disappoint. Nuala Anne was at her best. Love reading about the family and how it grows. I am always enthralled by the weaving of the modern day and early Irish mysteries.

Dermot, the husband of the beautiful, enticing and caring Nuala Annie McGrail, adores his fey wife. Her mystic powers have led them into solving mysteries that have saved lives and brought criminals to justice. When Nuala Annie wakes up screaming about spies being around them, Dermot knows that her dream is a vision and they will be plunged into another mystery very soon. At a party celebrating that Nuala Anne has finally becoming a citizen, an explosion rocks the foundation of the building; Nuala knows that the home of John and Estelle Curran just blew up. Having recently had dinner with the Currans, Nuala and her husband want to help them; they get a chance to do so when the couple, on the advice of a detective (who knows Nuala's history), ask for their assistance. Two more attempts are made on the family and Nuala realizes someone is spying on them. With the information Dermot collects from the various family members she tries to figure out who it is but there is a plethora of suspects. There is plenty of action and excitement in this exciting who-done-it. Andrew M Greeley's heroine, a mystic, singer, wife, mother and investment counselor accountant is a total charmer with her husband as totally enamored of and bemused by her as is readers. There are enough colorful suspects to keep the reader guessing who the spy is until the author the chooses to reveal that person's identity in this fast paced paranormal thriller. Harriet Klausner