This was my first Peter McGarr mystery and it won't be my last. Bartholomew Gill created this most Irish detective and imbued both he and his setting with the charm of an Irish Bed and Breakfast.



McGarr is the Chief Inspector of Detectives, a position created to lure him away from Interpol. Before that McGarr had been with Criminal Justice in Paris and is somewhat revered in his home of Ireland. When a particularly young and beautiful Irish lass named May Quirk is found murdered with a pitchfork along the roadside McGarr tackles a case that will involve the I.R.A. and lead him all the way to New York and back to catch a killer.



Gill writes a complex mystery full of atmosphere for a beautiful country where some tawdry things take place. He shows the sympathetic nature of most in Ireland for the I.R.A. even though their methods are frowned upon. It appears May Quirk may only have returned to her homeland to expose the financial pipeline of the I.R.A. for her paper in New York.



McGarr is a fleshed out character with a wife, Noreen, 21 years younger than he, and a love for fine food and Ireland. As he tries to get to the bottom of May Quirk's death an explosive attempt to take out McGarr and a high ranking I.R.A. member will give him a steely resolve to find out whether love or politics was at the bottom of her death.



Gill subtly makes us feel as though we really are in Ireland throughout this entire mystery. Whether describing the lovely Irish countryside or coast, Gill perfectly captures the charm of a country where a friendly Irish pub is a social club while at the same time showing political division.



This is a good series with finely drawn characters, great atmosphere and just enough fun mixed in to make this a great read. Open up this McGarr mystery and enjoy some great food in scenic Ireland.