[The Winter Guest] is a strangely atmospheric murder mystery set in post-WWI rural Ireland. Sent down from Dublin to investigate the death of a hero of the Easter Rising (who was once his fiancee), Harkin finds himself struggling with shellshock as he tries to unravel the crime against a backdrop of complicated familial relationships and political turmoil. Reminiscent of Charles Todd's Inspector Rutledge books, this book deftly handled the brutality of the Irish Civil War and captured the slow demise of a way of life. All in all, an engaging read - 4 stars. ( )

The Winter Guest opens three murders. A car driven by a British officer is ambushed. The driver and the two passengers are shot after the IRA ambushed them at the gates of Kilcolgan House, a once stately home falling into disrepair but still home to the aristocratic Prendevilles whose name is much loftier than their fortune. The IRA are credited with the murders, but they dispute murdering Maud Prendeville who was a hero for their side, someone they would never murder. Tom Harkin, secretly an IRA agent, goes to investigate in his cover role as an insurance adjustor validating the life insurance claim. He is not a disinterested investigator He and Maud were engaged before he went to fight in World War I.

He is invited to stay at Kilcogan House with Maud’s remaining family, her uncle and cousin. His investigation expands to people in the village including the vicious Abercrombie whose murderous retaliation against the IRA stokes local fear and rage. He meets Moira, a friend of Maud’s and romance kindles, but is seconded to the investigation of the British, the IRA, and the locals. More than one person had a motive.

I enjoyed The Winter Guest. It is carefully plotted so that we are given the clues we need to identify Maud’s murderer and the plot that led to her death. The element of romance was tertiary, though a nice ending for Tom who you can’t help but feel deserves some happiness in the end. The sense of place was extraordinary. Even more impressive, the sense of place while walking in pitch darkness in an urban and a rural setting where he could see nothing, that place made present by the feel of the ground underfoot and the walls of the buildings is a tour de force. This is a mystery well worth your time, especially if you love historical mysteries.

I received an e-galley of The Winter Guest from the publisher through Edelweiss

The Winter Guest at Arcade Crimewise | Skyhorse Publishing
W. C. Ryan author site

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2022/12/12/the-winter-guest-by-w-c-r... ( )

Maud has been found dead. The family is leaving no stone unturned. They have even called in her old lover, Tom Harkin, to help them decipher all the evidence.

Tom is a character I enjoyed. He is just matter of fact until the situation demands more…then he is unstoppable! I loved how he felt about the situation. His heart is broken but that is not going to stop him from doing his job and finding out what happened to Maud.

This book started out so strong. But the further I got into the story the more characters introduced…just sort of lost gusto. But, it kept me entertained enough to keep going. I did want to know more about the house and the history. But the mystery of who did what to whom…quite a good guessing game!

Liam Hourican is the narrator. He did a very good job with all the characters and his tone fit every situation.

Need a good, entertaining mystery…this is it! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )

Murder during The Troubles!

Ireland after the first World War. It’s 1921. The IRA has murdered one of their own, a woman, the Honourable Maud Prendeville, a hero of the Easter Uprising.
Captain Tom Harkin has been sent by the IRA’s top people to investigate. Firstly because he had been engaged to Maud, and because he was once a secretary to Maud’s uncle, John Prendeville, who also is supplying a shipment of guns to the IRA. There was a legitimate insurance policy taken out for Maud which needs legally to be investigated. That would be his cover. He’d also received a telegram from Maud’s brother Billy asking him to come to Kilcolgon House.
His investigations lead him to make contact with a man who’s his opposite with the British Army, a man who was secretly associated with Maud, Major Hugo Vane.
The man leading the British Auxilary Forces forces stationed in the district is Major Abercrombie. A harsh, sadistic leader who’d already had complaints about his behavior reportedly by District Inspector Teevan, a victim in the attack alongside Maud.
Hardin has trouble separating his experiences in the trenches at the Somme. They dog his footsteps. He’s haunted by ghosts. Ominously, he sees the White Lady, an apparition who reputably appears whenever a Prendeville is about to die.
The brutality of the times, of Irishman pitted against the Irishmen, against the British, fighting for freedom and self determination is not to be underestimated.
A convoluted haunting tale, startling and engaging. A curious tale of murder mixed in with the atrocities that were part of the Troubles. Hard to look away from and hard to put down.

A Skyhorse Arcade ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )