Malarkey

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Summary: Intrigue and danger stalks an American woman in Ireland
Review: Lark Dodge needs a vacation to reassess her life. Her recent miscarriage has left her depressed and she has some doubts about her marriage to Jay. When her mother suggests that she accompany her father (recovering from a stroke) on a research trip to Ireland, she jumps at the opportunity to help him while having some time away for herself. When Lark arrives in Ireland, she decides to tour the estate that she and her father are staying at as guests. Lark soon stumbles upon a corpse of an American, who was the business manager of a software company. The police have two suspects, Lark's father and a missing teen, who had been seen arguing with the deceased. Upon learning about the murder, Jay, a retired police officer, flies to Ireland to protect Lark, who is absolutely irate over his arrival. When another person is killed and her spouse kidnapped, Lark realizes that she must solve the case or potentially lose someone dear to her even if it means placing her own life on the line. MALARKEY is an interesting who-done-it filled with charming characters, the exquisite Irish locale which adds an eerie sense of beauty, and its "grass is not always greener" philosophy. Though the references to modern day Irish politics seem a trifle overdone, Sheila Simonson's novel will be enjoyed by fans of the sub-genre. Harriet Klausner