The Good People

More about the book

In 1825, in a remote valley of south-west Ireland, three women find their lives intertwined by unsettling events. Nóra Leahy, grieving the loss of her daughter and husband within the same year, is now responsible for her four-year-old grandson, Michaél, who suffers from a mysterious condition that leaves him unable to walk or speak. Overwhelmed by her circumstances, Nóra hires a servant girl named Mary. As Mary becomes part of the household, she hears whispers about the "blasted creature" that has brought sorrow to Nóra's home. Isolated and surrounded by suspicion, Mary and Nóra seek the help of Nance Roche, a figure shrouded in local lore. Despite the community's wariness of her, Nance is rumored to possess the knowledge to confront the supernatural forces affecting Michaél. The narrative unfolds with a blend of lyrical prose and tension, exploring themes of grief, isolation, and the haunting presence of the past. As the women navigate their fears and the mysteries of their world, their journey becomes a poignant reflection on the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones amidst a backdrop of societal superstition and tragedy.