From Publishers Weekly
Greeley takes a big step forward with the second in this new series (after Irish Gold, 1994) starring Nuala ("Noola") Anne McGrail. The 20-year-old Irish immigrant is beautiful, psychic, a gifted singer, charmingly fey and now in Chicago. Specifically in Fr. Greeley's Chicago, peopled by large Irish-Catholic, Democratic families of overachievers. An exception is hero and narrator Dermot Michael Coyne, who has made an accidental killing on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and retired, at 25, to write. He also moons over Nuala: they love each other but are not about to rush the relationship. As in Gold, there are two mysteries here, one modern, the other historical. The first involves recent robberies in Chicago's upscale art galleries that an an ambitious prosecutor links to an I.R.A. conspiracy; the second centers around the major psychic pain Nuala Anne has suffered at the site of a Civil War prison camp. As Dermot unearths the story of the Camp Douglas conspiracy to set Confederate prisoners free, Greeley uses a long (fictional) letter of real-life Letitia Walsh to tell the story of her Peace Democrat father's trumped-up arrest. Moving effortlessly between the (fictional) conspiracies of 1864 and 1995 Chicago, Greeley is at his top page-turning form, throwing in a few stinging words about racism and xenophobia and delivering a rousing defense of the Bill of Rights. When he's good, as he is here, Greeley is very, very good. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Greeley's second offering in a series featuring Nuala McGrail (the first was Irish Gold, LJ 11/1/94) finds the winsome 20-year-old recently transplanted from Ireland to Chicago. Nuala is romantically involved with Dermot Coyne?just the back-up she requires, given her penchant for attracting dicey situations. Nuala's "gift," experiencing visions from the past, allows the plot to careen back to Camp Douglas, a Union prison in Civil War-era Chicago. From thence the story proceeds, tenuously, to envelop a contemporary art theft, Irish terrorists, and corrupt city officials. Much of the book centers around when the couple will marry and whether or not Dermot can restrain his lust until they do. Further slowing the plot is Nuala's Irish brogue, which some may find charming but many will find tedious. Only libraries with a strong Greeley readership should consider.-?Terrill Persky, Woodridge P.L., Ill.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"If you liked Irish Gold, Greeley's first tale of this detective duo, you'll be delighted to have the sequel, Irish Lace, in time to read before you give it for Christmas presents." --Charlotte Observer
"Like the delicate handiwork that its title evokes, Greeley's Irish Lace is finely crafted, laced with compelling characters, and criss-crossed with strong story lines." --Savannah Morning News
"Greeley is at his top page-turning form, throwing in a few words about racism and xenophobia and delivering a rousing defense of the Bill of Rights. When he's good, as he is here, Greeley is very, very, good." --Publishers Weekly
Book Description
The beautiful and fey--as they say in the Old Country--Nuala Anne McGrail uses her psychic abilities to help solve mysteries. But even she will admit with a smile that she couldn't do it without Dermot Michael Coyne, her devoted admirer and self-proclaimed "spear carrier."
Now both living in Chicago, their unique courtship is once again interrupted by one of Nuala's "spells." On a quiet street on the South Shore, she is overwhelmed by the screaming of thousands of dying men--Confederate soldiers held as prisoners of war.
Soon the pair are caught up in a Civil War controversy, and an all-too-present-day mystery involving a sophisticated gang of art thieves, corrupt politicians, and international terrorists. But Dermot is cheerfully resigned, for as he well knows, life with Nuala will never be simple. After all, she's like Irish lace--"thin and delicate and pretty, and just a little bit complicated."
About the Author
A native of Chicago, Reverend Andrew M. Greeley, is a priest, distinguished sociologist and bestselling author. He is professor of social sciences at the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona, as well as Research Associate at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. His current sociological research focuses on current issues facing the Catholic Church-including celibacy of priests, ordination of women, religious imagination, and sexual behavior of Catholics.
Father Greeley received the S.T.L. in 1954 from St. Mary of Lake Seminary. His graduate work was done at the University of Chicago, where he received the M.A. Degree in 1961 and the Ph.D. in 1962.
Father Greeley has written scores of books and hundreds of popular and scholarly articles on a variety of issues in sociology, education and religion. His column on political, church and social issues is carried by the carried by the Chicago Sun Times and may other newspapers. He stimulates discussion of neglected issues and often anticipates sociological trends. He is the author of more than thirty bestselling novels and an autobiography, Furthermore!: Confessions of a Parish Priest.
Irish Lace FROM THE PUBLISHER
The beautiful and fey--as they say in the Old Country--Nuala Anne McGrail uses her psychic abilities to help solve mysteries. But even she will admit with a smile that she couldn't do it without Dermot Michael Coyne, her devoted admirer and self-proclaimed "spear carrier."
Now both living in Chicago, their unique courtship is once again interrupted by one of Nuala's "spells." On a quiet street on the South Shore, she is overwhelmed by the screaming of thousands of dying men--Confederate soldiers held as prisoners of war.
Soon the pair are caught up in a Civil War controversy, and an all-too-present-day mystery involving a sophisticated gang of art thieves, corrupt politicians, and international terrorists. But Dermot is cheerfully resigned, for as he well knows, life with Nuala will never be simple. After all, she's like Irish lace--"thin and delicate and pretty, and just a little bit complicated."
FROM THE CRITICS
LA Times
A master of the human heart.
Baltimore Sun
Greeley has a fluent, beguiling pen.
Chattanooga Times
Andrew Greeley always writes a gripping novel.
Associated Press
Greeley is a wizard at spinning a yarn.
Science Fiction Chronicle
Greeley is a skillful writer who has created a very interesting character, one who deserves to be more widely known, as well as an intricate and well worked out plot.
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