Rating: 
Summary: Magnifique
Review: My first book by Andrew Greenly was "Irish Gold" and I could not wait to read "Irish Lace". What really interested me was the information on the Civil War. I was not aware that there were prison camps during this period and of the suffering that occured. Did the government hide it or am I naive on the subject? Nuala is the most enjoyable character that I have been exposed to. The Sunnyvale library closed for the summer for renovations, and I checked out five books, all by Andrew Greenly.
Rating: 
Summary: Nuala Anne McGrail is as familiar as Father Blackie Ryan.
Review: Nuala Anne McGrail and Dermot Michael Coyne with a supporting cast of familiar characters are an exciting way to spend your time. Blackie Ryan fans will find this book to be like a homecoming. Nuala calls on all of her old world skills to solve this mystery. A little romance on the side helps to keep the story from becoming too dark. It is an easy read, except you cann't stay ahead of Nuala.
Rating:
Summary: An absolute delight!
Review: This second book in the Nuala Anne McGrail series is as much of a delight as the first one. I felt like giving Dermot a full-sided kick in the pants at certain points, waiting for him to decide whether he was going to propose to Nuala Anne or not. On the other hand, it's so easy to empathize with all his indecision and "nobler motives"...I'm glad there's a new book to continue the McGrail saga...
Rating:
Summary: Lore... and good reading.
Review: Well, IRISH LACE surprised me. I liked it quite a bit, in fact. I don't think I will dig up the others in the series, but this one worked really well.I have always enjoyed Nancy Drew mysteries - no, this wasn't exactly one, but a very similar formula: beautiful, talented girl, jocular fellow, layers of mystery... this threw in some erotica and mysticism...but otherwise - I mostly appreciated learning a little history at the same time. Greeley did a nice job of illuminating a little of the Civil War's ugly side - and telling a story at the same time. I even ran a few of the expressions by Pat - and he confirmed them - he also filled me in on some of the names of IRA folks... It was clever and fun.
Rating:
Summary: Lore... and good reading.
Review: Well, IRISH LACE surprised me. I liked it quite a bit, in fact. I don't think I will dig up the others in the series, but this one worked really well. I have always enjoyed Nancy Drew mysteries - no, this wasn't exactly one, but a very similar formula: beautiful, talented girl, jocular fellow, layers of mystery... this threw in some erotica and mysticism...but otherwise - I mostly appreciated learning a little history at the same time. Greeley did a nice job of illuminating a little of the Civil War's ugly side - and telling a story at the same time. I even ran a few of the expressions by Pat - and he confirmed them - he also filled me in on some of the names of IRA folks... It was clever and fun.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing
Review: While the interaction between Nula and Dermont were excellent, the simplistic political undertones got in the way. It read more like a hit piece on anyone who dare hold conservative ideas. Those sections dealing simplistically with complex political issues were full of more vitriol than Irish charm. Of course if you are somewhat left of Kennedy you will love it. So bad I threw it away before completing it. I hope Mr. Greeley sticks to the wonderful courtship/relationship and a good historical sleuthing in future Nula mystries.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Greeley's Own Hatreds Get In The Way
Review: While the interaction between Nula and Dermont were excellent, the simplistic political undertones got in the way. It read more like a hit piece on anyone who dare hold conservative ideas. Those sections dealing simplistically with complex political issues were full of more vitriol than Irish charm. Of course if you are somewhat left of Kennedy you will love it. So bad I threw it away before completing it. I hope Mr. Greeley sticks to the wonderful courtship/relationship and a good historical sleuthing in future Nula mystries.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and non-memorable
Review: While this book was written in a simple and easy to read fashion, it was not memorable or particularly engaging. I never actually connected with any of the characters. Nuala was too perfect and Dermot was too stupid. I found the language idiosyncratic and the plot trite and boring. I never got into the book; I was always checking to see if I was close to the end. I would recommend this book to someone who does not like stories that are too complicated or clever.
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