Irish Gold (Nuala Anne McGrail Novels) [Hardcover]

Andrew M. Greeley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1994 | Series: Nuala Anne McGrail Novels

Bestselling novelist Greeley (more than 15 million copies of his books in print) brings readers a contemporary novel of suspense and love. A Chicago man travels to Ireland to investigate his family's mysterious past, but finding answers may prove to be the death of him--for his quest is linked to the current peace talks between Ireland and England. Soon a beautiful student at Dublin's Trinity College is the only one who can save him.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Greeley kicks off a new mystery series with this slick, if far-fetched, entry revolving around a hidden fortune in gold and the real-life, still unsolved, question of who killed Free Irish leader Michael Collins in 1922. Dermot Coyne, a 24-year-old American and sometime commodities trader, is in Dublin looking desultorily into why his maternal grandparents fled Ireland in 1922. An attack by three thugs aimed at getting Dermot to "let the dead sleep in peace" only inspires him to start digging in earnest-and, eventually, to uncover a cabal plotting the reunion of England and Ireland. Dermot shares his sleuthing with Nuala McGrail, a ravishing Trinity College student, singer and actress whom he hires to translate the Irish diaries his grandmother kept during the Troubles of 1919-1922. A typically hot-blooded Greeley hero, Dermot waxes ecstatic about Nuala's physique even while struggling to control his lust, which is never satisfied here-though promised sequels to this entertaining novel, including Irish Lace and Irish Linen, should give Dermot and Nuala further chances at romance, as well as at mystery. BOMC dual main selection; major ad/promo.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

On a benign quest, Dermot Michael Coyne travels to Dublin to investigate his grandparents' mysterious flight from Ireland to Chicago during the time of the "Troubles" in 1922. His initial foray produces life-threatening warnings intended to discourage him from delving into Liam and Nell O'Riada's past. In a local pub, Dermot reflects upon the horrifying prospect that Liam might have been a terrorist. Later, he is dazzled by the presence of a "Celtic goddess," Nuala McGrail. Thus begins Dermot and Nuala's passionate relationship. As translator of Nell's Irish diary chronicling the Troubles, Nuala subtly guides Dermot as he untangles a nefarious web of murder and intrigue. With a promise to continue the saga of Dermot and Nuala, priest and prolific novelist Greeley serves up piquant characters who are engulfed in delightful Irish mystery. Recommended for popular fiction collections.
--Mary Ellen Elsbernd, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 334 pages
• Publisher: Forge; 1st edition (November 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312858132
• ISBN-13: 978-0312858131
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,167,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A native of Chicago, Father Andrew M. Greeley, is a priest, distinguished sociologist and bestselling author. He is professor of social sciences at the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona, as well as Research Associate at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. His current sociological research focuses on current issues facing the Catholic Church-including celibacy of priests, ordination of women, religious imagination, and sexual behavior of Catholics.Father Greeley received the S.T.L. in 1954 from St. Mary of Lake Seminary. His graduate work was done at the University of Chicago, where he received the M.A. Degree in 1961 and the Ph.D. in 1962.Father Greeley has written scores of books and hundreds of popular and scholarly articles on a variety of issues in sociology, education and religion. His column on political, church and social issues is carried by the Chicago Sun Times and many other newspapers. He stimulates discussion of neglected issues and often anticipates sociological trends. He is the author of more than thirty bestselling novels and an autobiography, Furthermore!: Confessions of a Parish Priest.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishingly informative, entertaining, realistic, February 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Irish Gold: A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel (Nuala Anne McGrail Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

It was my first contact with the author Father Andrew M. Greeley and that's the only reason I put a 9 and not a10. I was amazed by his vividness and skill the clarity and effectiveness of his prose. There are no romantic cliches here, only real emotions of everyday people. I will surely read more of your books Father Andrew M. Greeley.

Being a Greek I can't say that I have so much knowledge of the Irish History. I am certainly intrigued to learn much more. This is the accomplishment of the author that I value most. His book being very much entertaining, it goes beyond entertainment. It gives information, it analyses a point of view, an aspect about what happened in a certain occasion that remains one of the mysteries of modern history.

God Bless You Father and May Keep You Well.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greeley comes from an ancient heritage of story-telling., August 2, 1999

By 

Laura Q. Savage - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irish Gold: A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel (Nuala Anne McGrail Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have been a fan of Andrew Greeley for a long time--my first introduction was "White Smoke." This book eclipses that fine tale. The good Father is a skilled story-teller and a sensualist to boot! His weaving of history along with the modern love story between Nuala and Dermot was delightful. I didn't want to put it down. It also offers a plausible explanation for Mick Collins' death. In addition, it brought back fond memories of my travels in Ireland to find my family roots. Turn off the t.v., get a good drink, a comfortable chair, and prepare to enjoy yourself.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story, definitely worth reading., January 5, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irish Gold: A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel (Nuala Anne McGrail Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

Once again, Andrew Greeley has given his readers a sample of his finest work. This story, peppered with perfectly magical imagery of the Irish countryside, succeeds in capturing the true romance of Irish history. Greeley succeeds magnificently in his attempt to link truth and fiction as he explores the mystery of the Michael Collins murder.

Follow Dermot Michael in his quest for the truth about his grandparents, and be swept away by the two parallel love stories which will leave any reader wishing the book would never end.

A truely magical tale, this book is a treasure for any reader who is a romantic at heart.