Irish Cream: A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel (Nuala Anne McGrail Novels) - Softcover

Greeley, Andrew M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0765342367 ISBN 13: 9780765342362

Publisher: Forge Books, 2006

Synopsis

Countless readers have been delighted by Father Andrew M. Greeley's bestselling tales of Nuala Anne McGrail, a fey, Irish-speaking woman from Galway blessed with the gift of second sight and a knack for unraveling mysteries, and her hapless husband and accomplice, Dermot Michael Coyne. From Irish Gold through Irish Stew! this spirited couple has untangled many a knotty mystery, both at home in Chicago and back in Erin. Now they return in another captivating blend of romance, humor, and intrigue

Damian "Day" O'Sullivan is a troubled young man who blames himself for a tragic vehicular homicide he may not have committed. Trouble is, Day's entire family seems to be conspiring to pin the crime on the poor lad, which only leads Nuala and Dermot to wonder who really ran over (three times!) Rodney Keefe in the parking lot of a ritzy Chicago country club.

The O'Sullivans are a ruthlessly ambitious clan of South Side Irish, who consider themselves the cream of the Irish-American community. The sensitive Day has always been something of a black sheep in the family---and perhaps a scapegoat as well.

But the twisted saga of the O'Sullivans isn't the only mystery to be unraveled. Having stumbled onto the diary of Father Richard Lonigan, a nineteenth-century parish priest assigned to a remote village in old Donegal, Dermot and Nuala find themselves caught up in the closely guarded secrets and scandals of that desolate time and place, where simmering resentment against the ruling English sometimes erupted into violence and murder....

Irish Cream is another rich and satisfying concoction by one of America's most popular storytellers.

About this title

About the Author:

Priest, sociologist, author and journalist, Father Andrew M. Greeley built an international assemblage of devout fans over a career spanning five decades. His books include the Bishop Blackie Ryan novels, including The Archbishop in Andalusia, the Nuala Anne McGrail novels, including Irish Tweed, and The Cardinal Virtues. He was the author of over 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of non-fiction, and his writing has been translated into 12 languages.

Father Greeley was a Professor of Sociology at the University of Arizona and a Research Associate with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago. In addition to scholarly studies and popular fiction, for many years he penned a weekly column appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times and other newspapers. He was also a frequent contributor to The New York Times, the National Catholic Reporter, America and Commonweal, and was interviewed regularly on national radio and television. He authored hundreds of articles on sociological topics, ranging from school desegregation to elder sex to politics and the environment.

Throughout his priesthood, Father Greeley unflinchingly urged his beloved Church to become more responsive to evolving concerns of Catholics everywhere. His clear writing style, consistent themes and celebrity stature made him a leading spokesperson for generations of Catholics. He chronicled his service to the Church in two autobiographies, Confessions of a Parish Priest and Furthermore!

In 1986, Father Greeley established a $1 million Catholic Inner-City School Fund, providing scholarships and financial support to schools in the Chicago Archdiocese with a minority student body of more than 50 percent. In 1984, he contributed a $1 million endowment to establish a chair in Roman Catholic Studies at the University of Chicago. He also funded an annual lecture series, "The Church in Society," at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois, from which he received his S.T.L. in 1954.

Father Greeley received many honors and awards, including honorary degrees from the National University of Ireland at Galway, the University of Arizona and Bard College. A Chicago native, he earned his M.A. in 1961 and his Ph.D. in 1962 from the University of Chicago.

Father Greeley was a penetrating student of popular culture, deeply engaged with the world around him, and a lifelong Chicago sports fan, cheering for the Bulls, Bears and the Cubs. Born in 1928, he died in May 2013 at the age of 85.

Review:

“An unexpected smidge of gravitas helps Nuala Anne's sixth rise to the top of the series.” ―Kirkus on Irish Cream

“Irresistible.” ―Booklist on Irish Cream

“No contemporary writer is better than Greeley at depicting the genius, humor, logic, personal skills, and cultural idiosyncrasies of the Irish, whether in American cities like Chicago or across the big pond in Ireland. This author is the master of modern Irish ethnic genius! . . . A delight to read. . . . This book is bound to give you a few hours of great reading pleasure!” ―Shelby-Utica News, Utica MI on Irish Cream

“The prolific cleric plops his psychic singer heroine and her family into a delicious stew of trouble in his latest crowd pleaser. . . . The double plot is rich with detail, while the couple's earnestness and good intentions are never in question.” ―Publishers Weekly on Irish Stew!

“The parallels found between the Coynes and the 1880s Fitzpatricks add a unique dimension and the comical banter between Dermot and Nuala Anne cleverly gives the reader insight into their Irish heritage as well as their Catholic faith. . . . [A] pleasing read.” ―Romantic Times on Irish Stew!

“Greeley fans will be pleased.” ―Arizona Daily Star on Irish Stew!

“Once again, Father Greeley, with his enormous storytelling skill, his knowledge of Chicago, and his mastery of the mystery genre, combines two separate tales in two different eras to give us readers one tantalizing and endearing experience.” ―Sullivan County Democrat on Irish Stew!

“Father Greeley's deep and obvious love for the history and culture of Ireland shines through in his latest contemporary mystery. . . . Greeley skillfully depicts an Ireland flushed with economic success but still carrying the scars of historic poverty.” ―Publishers Weekly on Irish Love

“Greeley has a remarkable way of tying all the loose ends together to create a memorable story. Along the way, he throws in a commentary on racism, intolerance, and a short lesson on the Bill of Rights. Irish Eyes is an appealing installment in the ongoing story of Nuala Anne. . . . Once you get to know these two engaging people, you'll find yourself wanting more. Call it the charm of the Irish.” ―Bookpage on Irish Eyes

“Solid, modest Dermot and fiery, unpredictable Nuala Anne enjoy an ideal marriage: sexy and humorous and unabashedly loving.” ―Los Angeles Times on Irish Mist

“ 'Tis a charmin' tale that Andrew Greeley tells in his latest mystery novel. . . . It's a lively novel filled with Irish wit, interesting situations and likable people.” ―The Chattanooga Times on Irish Whiskey

“Like the delicate handwork its title evokes, Greeley's Irish Lace is finely crafted, laced with compelling characters and criss-crossed with strong story lines.” ―Savannah Morning News

“A tale of young love and faith with a cast of characters, Irish and American, that very well may open Greeley's work to a generation of new readers. Yet those who have followed his works in the past will find the same story-telling mastery and the same understanding of the heart.” ―Chicago Tribune on Irish Gold

“May be Andrew M. Greeley's best effort yet. It has more of everything-more plot, denser character development, fresh dialogue and a more solid now story line than his previous novels. . . . Gives a different dimension and personal look at Irish history and its heroes and villains. . . . A first-rate adventure story with the love interest intertwined in the mystery.” ―Baltimore Sun on Irish Gold

About this edition

• Publisher: Forge Books
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0765342367
• ISBN 13: 9780765342362
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320