Cora Harrison, a former headteacher, transitioned to writing, publishing twenty-six children's novels. Her foray into adult fiction began with a Celtic historical crime series, introducing readers to Mara, Brehon of the Burren. Set in the evocative landscape of western Ireland, her work often draws inspiration from her surroundings. Harrison's writing offers a blend of compelling mystery and rich cultural context.
March, 1859. During an exhibition to showcase London's top engineers' plans to solve the 'Great Stink' of sewage from the River Thames, proceedings are disrupted by an agonised scream - and the discovery of a blood-soaked body. Charles Dickens is convinced of foul play, and once again he and Wilkie Collins set about uncovering the shocking truth.
1920s. Cork, Ireland. The Reverend Mother's Christmas Day festivities are shattered by the terrible news of two suspicious deaths at St Fin Barre's Cathedral. When it is revealed that both the deceased were poisoned, the Reverend Mother is drawn into another puzzling mystery. Can she uncover the truth behind these heinous crimes?
Wealthy widow Charlotte Hendrick summons her closest family, including her cousin, the Reverend Mother, to her home on Bachelor's Quay to divide her riches between them. But then a body is discovered in the master bedroom, its throat cut. Could there be a connection to the riots on the quays the night before - or does the killer lie closer to home?
August, 1856. The dress rehearsal for a charity performance atKnebworth House is disrupted by the discovery of a body lying in the centre ofthe stage, shot to death. With everyone involved in the play coming undersuspicion, writer- sleuths Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens, spending thesummer at Knebworth House, feel compelled to investigate.
`To shoot a man on the spur of the moment in the presence of the king and his court, not to mention the cardinal and his household, that took a boldness ... Or utter despair.'
The Reverend Mother's investigative skills are called into action when a local tobacco factory burns down and fingers are pointed at one of her ex pupils..."Stellar . . . Harrison is writing at the top of her game" - Publishers Weekly Starred Review 1920s. Cork, Ireland. Early one morning the Reverend Mother receives news of a deadly fire at the local cigarette factory, a place where she'd been so proud that some of her pupils had been given a steady job. In a city full of poverty, unemployment and political unrest, these ex pupils of hers had surely been blessed with such prospects. Now, though, she is worried . . . What happened at the cigarette factory and why are there rumours circulating that one of her 'girls' was responsible?Inspector Patrick Cashman is under pressure to quickly find the cause of the fire - and identify a suspect - to placate the visiting Lord Mayor and Commissioner and secure his hopes of promotion. Patrick turns to his friend, the journalist and law student Eileen MacSweeney, for help, along with the ever insightful and calm Reverend Mother. From the fog-ridden streets of the slums to the green pastures and prosperity of nearby Youghal, together they begin to unravel a seedy history of greed, ambition and a desire for power.
Wilkie Collins is looking forward to spending Christmas at Gads Hill, Charles Dickens' Kentish country home, but the festivities are cut short when a body is found on the marshland. Timmy O'Connor was invited to the gathering with his four nephews after a chance encounter with Dickens, but is now dead. Who was this unpleasant stranger?
The peaceful atmosphere of the Reverend Mother's annual retreat is shattered by sudden, violent death in this gripping historical mystery. 1920s. Cork, Ireland. The Reverend Mother regrets the bishop's decision to invite the five candidates for the position of Alderman of the City Council to join them for their annual retreat. Constantly accosted by ambitious, would-be politicians hoping to secure the bishop's backing, she's finding the week-long sojourn at the convent of the Sisters of Charity anything but peaceful. What she doesn't expect to encounter however is sudden, violent death. When a body is discovered in the convent's apple orchard cemetery, blown to pieces by a makeshift bomb, it is assumed the IRA are responsible. But does the killer lie closer to home? Was one of the candidates so desperate to win the election they turned to murder? Does someone have a hidden agenda? Once again, the Reverend Mother must call on her renowned investigative skills to unearth the shocking truth.
Meet Jenny Cooper: shy, pretty cousin of clever, sparky Jane Austen.
'Meet the teenage Jane Austen in the gorgeous tale of dances, dresses, disasters ... and first love'--cover.
