Back to Andrew Greeley. I picked up Irish Whiskey from the library which I knew was part of a series not starring Father Blackie. I figured I'd just jump in midway through the series and, if i like it, I'd request the first ones. However, the librarian convinced me that I should really start at the beginning-that may not have been the best advice. The first one is Irish Gold and the only adjective I can find for it is overwrought. Obviously, well-researched, it is the mystery of who actually killed Michael Collins and why the grandparents of the main character left Ireland and could never return. Using verifiable history, of which there is little enough in Ireland, Greeley fabricates a story about the Troubles in Galway and interweaves it with the history of Dermot Coines' family. On top of this is the story of boy meets girl, etc. Probably enough plot for a book half its size, the irritating angst of Dermot and should he or shouldn't he love Nuala takes up the other half.

I had ordered two because the librarian was enthusiastic and I already knew I liked Greeley. And, I have to admit I liked the second one better. This one is Irish Lace. Nuala has moved to Chicago to work and to continue her angst-filled relationship with Dermot. For some reason, Greeley is turning her into a full-fledged "fey" character who sees visions, and understands truth behind events that the police and detective agencies can't ferret out. This series frustrates me because it always seems to be on the verge of actually being interesting and then goes of the deep end again. This one involves the American Civil War, a buried treasure in the form of a lost letter written by Lincoln, art heists, and funding of the Irish IRA. A little much.