This is an odd book. It’s well written, engaging, and comprehensive look at German espionage efforts in Ireland during the emergency. As such I would suggest that it would be better entitled to the more broad offering that it is.…
This historical-action-espionage novel (as strange as that combo may sound) asks the question: just what was it that allowed the Knights Templar to exert influence in or over the Roman Catholic church during the 12th/13th centuries? And what if that…
Ciarán McMahon provides a much-needed call for action by questioning how much we really know about the influence of social media services and platforms on society and social relations in the modern world. His writing is lyrical, approachable and easily…
Again, I feel I am a little late to the game (Vikings, Game of Thrones). I caught an episode of the Last Kingdom early on and despite high production value was not seized to keep watching. Additionally, as a long…
For completeness, I am reporting back on our book club read for February: The Tetris Effect: The Game that hypnotised the world by Dan Ackerman. This was a compelling read for me – first and foremost as a trip down…
Sabrina Murray’s Valiant Gentleman strikes one as a means to get in on the interest surrounding the centenary of the Rising in 2016 and to cater to the appetite of the Irish diaspora for material featuring the Irish martyrs of…
This short novella is a superbly crafted atmospheric character study of the Anschluss. Written with the feel of a screenplay it combines rich description with particularly lyrical delivery. It captures the emotion and psychological temper of the Order of the…
It’s the time of the year when we take stock of 12 months reads with a sumptuous, warm and cosy end-of-year soirée at the Royal Irish Yacht Club. What started with a spurious whim (both the club and the tradition of…
Our choice this month jumps into an existing series with the fourth volume continuing an existing saga with pre-introduced characters. Despite this, the novel is well crafted and delivers a lovely roller-coaster of a read and stands as an enjoyable…
Armageddon by John SchettlerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars More Well. Having finished the 8th book in the series I noted another review feeling that the saga has been drawn out too far. In fairness, to my own enjoyment, I…
The Devil’s Advocate by Morris West is an immensely powerful and moving experience of a book. I was passed a lovely first edition of this work by a good friend who felt it was something I might enjoy. Indeed he…
This is a superb read. It is well executed from the standpoint of the balance between recounting extensive research and engagement with a thrilling narrative. Hewitt covers ground that has been well covered before. Between the days leading up to…