Irish Eyes (Nuala Anne McGrail Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Andrew M. Greeley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2001

Nuala Anne McGrail, that beautiful Irish spitfire, now lives in Chicago with her husband, Dermot, and their new baby, Nellliecoyne. As Nuala fans may suspect, Nelliecoyne is no ordinary baby: she is fey like her mother, and can see into the past as well as the future. Both Nuala and her daughter have had strange vibrations from a place on the lake where a shipload of Irish-Americans lost their lives a hundred years ago. In the course of their investigation, Nuala and Dermot make some dangerous enemies, and eventually have to solve a murder and find a buried treasure. Will Nuala survive the attacks of a sleazy DJ, and a dangerous run-in with the Balkan Mafia? And how does the diary of a young Irish woman at the turn of the century play into these events? Once again, Andrew M. Greeley--that master of the human heart--creates an engaging, charming story that will delight fans young and old.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Nuala Anne McGrail and husband, Dermot Michael Coyne, are bewitched by their new baby daughter, red-haired, green-eyed Nellie Coyne, who proves to be as fey as her mother in this latest puzzle from prolific priest Greeley (Irish Gold, Irish Lace, etc.). While at the Lake Michigan summer home of Dermot's parents, mother has a vision of the ramming and sinking of a ship on a stormy night 100 years ago while daughter cries in apparent psychic sympathy. This sets a course that leads the husband-wife team to explore the history of the Irish in Chicago, the conditions for immigrants at that time and the impact of past deeds on the present. Old country politics come into play, as do the descendants of those proud, resilient newcomers. Meanwhile, local radio personality Nick Farmer, who's envious of Dermot's writing success, is determined to destroy Nuala's blossoming folksinging career and even threatens legal proceedings that could take away her baby. Greeley's very loving couple are an amalgam of the traditional and the high tech, with cell phones at the ready and always only a beep away from the baby-sitter. Dermot makes an endearing narrator, in turn adoring and bemused, although at times Greeley goes a bit overboard on the brogue. The author enriches the plot with Windy City lore and even manages to work the Balkan Mafia into the act. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy this one. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Would you ever want to read a bit of an Irish mystery from the Chicago Catholic priest who's almost as prolific (if not quite as successful) as New England's Stephen King? If you would, Andy Greeley has concocted another multi-puzzle adventure for your delectation, featuring Irish singer Nuala Anne McGrail; her author husband, Dermot Michael Coyne; their Irish wolfhound Fiona; and the newest member of the household, baby Nelliecoyne, who seems to be as fey as her mother. It's the infant who first senses the tragedy--the 1898 sinking of a full passenger ship on Lake Michigan--that her parents pursue as the central mystery of Irish Eyes. But there are other issues, too: an obnoxious radio host making a career of attacking Nuala; threats and deadly violence in which the Coynes are implicated; emotional problems in Dermot's extended family; and even a rocky romantic road for the DePaul graduate student who cares for Nelliecoyne when her parents are out chasing down clues. An entertaining entry in Greeley's McGrail series. Mary Carroll --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books (March 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812590244
• ISBN-13: 978-0812590241
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #528,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good paranormal mystery, March 21, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Irish Eyes: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes (Nuala Anne McGrail Novels) (Hardcover)

In Chicago, Nuala Anne McGrail and her spouse Dermot love their infant Nelliecoyne, who shares many of the fey-like powers her mother possesses. At the same time that she finds family bliss, Nuala is enjoying popularity as a recording folksinger. However, her near perfect world comes under siege by an obsessed DJ, Nick Farmer, who wants to destroy Nuala's career and legally have Nelliecoyne taken away from her loving parents.

While preparing for war with her radio foe, Nuala and her daughter share a psychic experience on the shores of Lake Michigan. Nuala "sees" the century old sinking of a ship containing many members of an ancient order. With Dermot's help, Nuala researches the Irish heritage in the Windy City thinking it is linked to what went down with that ship. She also valiantly fights to preserve her loving family from Farmer's odious tirades.

The return of Nuala Anne McGrail is more than just good luck for readers. The audience knows they are in for a weird, but wonderful tale about fascinating characters. Nuala and Dermot retain their charm especially when they dote on an infant with psychic powers. The story line is entertaining in a strange sort of way, bringing insight into the history of the Irish along the shores of Lake Michigan. Like with his previous bestsellers IRISH GOLD and IRISH MIST, IRISH EYES will surely shine down on Mr. Greeley for another triumphant tale.

Harriet Klausner

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tell me more!, June 28, 2000

By 

"momfed" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irish Eyes: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes (Nuala Anne McGrail Novels) (Hardcover)

I've just been introduced to Nuala & Dermott--where have I been! I am hooked now, however, and am going back in time to read Irish Gold & Irish Lace to start. Father Greeley has created two wonderful characters in Nuala & Dermott, the language is, as one would expect, typical of Irish-Americans, as is the portrayal of the woman being of strong character. I was tickled by his honest portrayal of Dermott's mixed feelings about their new little baby, and the worry it was causing his precious wife. I was fascinated by the history of the Great Lakes shared in this book, and realized how little I know of other, not so famous shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. So, as well as going back and reading more of Nuala & Dermott, I am going to read up on Great Lakes History as well. Tis a fine thing when an author inspires one to read more about it, tis!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love This Book!!!, August 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Irish Eyes (Nuala Anne McGrail Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is one of the best books I have read in a long long time. The way the writer writes about Naula and Dermot's love, is astounding. Then mixing in what it's like for them to a child, and a protective dog. Then the mystery they wanted/needed to figure was great.