Haunted Ground

Rating:
Summary: An Impressive Debut
Review: I approached Erin Hart's "Haunted Ground" with some trepidation. First, this is a story of Ireland, written by Hart, an American from the Midwest, as well as a first novel. The pastoral Irish moor provides the backdrop for the teaming Cormac Maguire, a brawny/brainy Irish archeologist, and Nora Gavin, equally eligible American pathologist, providing all the necessary ingredients for a breathless "Harlequinesque" romance. Fortunately, my fears could not have been further off the mark. Rather, Hart demonstrates remarkable talents as a storyteller, lyricist, and historian in this unusual and captivating mystery.

While in the bog cutting turf for fuel, farmers find the severed head of an ancient red-haired girl, perfectly preserved in the damp, dark peat. Meanwhile, Mina Osborne, wife of local gentry High Osborne, and her toddler son have been missing for over two years. Husband/father Hugh is the prime suspect, but there are neither bodies nor solid evidence to convict him. Hart moves deftly between the twin plots of solving the circumstances behind the apparent execution of the red-haired girl centuries before, and those of the disappearance and apparent murder of the Osbornes. The author does a great job of capturing the culture and landscape of rural Ireland, building credible characters in believable situations. The rainy bogs and dark, decaying manors of central Ireland lend a spooky, gothic, air to the tale, which twists to a mostly unexpected and cleverly conceived conclusion.

"Haunted Ground" is a well researched, well written, and refreshing change of pace from the more-standard mystery fare. I would suspect that fans of Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child and Dan Brown would appreciate the history and science Hart blends with her fiction. I would also recommend Martin Cruz Smith's "Rose". In summary, a very impressive debut - I'll look forward to reading more from Erin Hart.

Rating:
Summary: Ma'am, don't quit your day job.
Review: I'm an avid reader of many genres, and am always more than willing to give new authors a fair shot. Unfortunately for me, I decided to give Erin Hart's first novel, Haunted Ground, the proverbial college try on one rainy afternoon.
I found the book's pacing to be sluggish, and its dialogue rich with typical Irish cliche. My overall impression was that Hart is a maniacal American obsessed with the Emerald Isle, but doesn't know the culture well enough to write a plausible story without going overboard. In short, she tried much too hard.
And, concerning my own personal experience with the novel, I tried much too hard... to finish the book. Despite my efforts, I was forced to put this piece back on the shelf after only 5 chapters.

Rating:
Summary: A strong debut that i did not enjoy
Review: In central Ireland, farmers cutting into peat bog to obtain a means of fuel make a grizzly discovery. The severed head of a woman is found. Given that it has rested in the frigid water of the bog, it is in remarkably good condition. Features could easily be recognized including the bright red hair. The question is- who is she? It is up to Irish archaeologist Cormac Maguire and American pathologist Nora Gavin to discover her identity. In the meanwhile, people wonder whether this is the remains of Mina Osborne who disappeared two years before while returning home with her son from a shopping trip. The main suspect is Mina'a husband Hugh Osborne. Policeman Garrett Devaney investigates.
HAUNTED GROUND is a literate crime novel. Ms. Hart is American, yet her writing style is purely British. The great sense of locale will immediately bring to mind the exceptional novels of Stephen Booth or Charles Todd. Her pacing is quite leisurely and the reader will find it difficult to traverse these pages rapidly. Characters are well fleshed out, however, I could not feel a connection to any of them. The writing is strong and sure, yet, when all is said and done, in spite of Ms. Hart writing a fine book, it is one I just did not enjoy reading.

Rating:
Summary: A RICHLY TEXTURED READING
Review: The richly textured voice of John Keating embodies the sights and sounds of Ireland old and new in this engrossing debut thriller.

Unusual items are often found by farmers cutting turf in peat bogs - perhaps an ancient cooking utensil or a shard of pottery. Nothing has ever turned up in this remote Galway spot that rivals the shocking discovery Brendan McGann made one serene spring morning: the head of a young woman with long red hair.

Irish archaeologist Cormac Maguire and an American paleontologist, Nora Gavin, take on the daunting task of solving what appears to be a heinous crime. Compounding matters is the fact that peat bogs act as a preservative, hence the head could have been hidden there for two hundred or two years.

More mystery clouds the issue: Mina Osborne and her young son went for a stroll two years ago and never returned. Wed to local landowner, Hugh Osborne, she was Indian born. Did she want to disappear with her child or did the landowner kill them as is whispered by some in the village?

Shrouded in folkloric fancy and polished with Irish charm "Haunted Ground" is a noteworthy first novel. Curl up with a pint of ale, and listen to this one!

- Gail Cooke