On Tuesday, March 17 we celebrate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Parades, green beer, leprechauns and maybe a few shamrocks for fortune! Who needs luck when you have a good book?

Seven Letters
by J.P. Monninger

Kate, a beautiful young professor at Dartmouth, receives a grant to examine the remote Blasket Islands off the rocky coast of Ireland. After studying her own familial history, these islands have become both her speciality and her obsession. She unexpectedly befriends an old woman on a ferry and is quickly introduced to the woman’s grandson, Ozzie Ferriter. A handsome, intelligent former soldier, Ozzie initially appears overzealous for Kate — but as his family history runs deep in these waters, Ozzie’s vast knowledge and persistence leads them to friendship. It is not long before Kate surrenders to his Irish charms and they fall in love. Kate’s year for study turns into more than she ever imagined and she is forced to make impossible choices. Always a fan of a magical Irish setting, the accent alone will melt your heart and have you feeling the grá (love) in no time at all.

The Trust
by Ronald Balson

Private detective Liam Taggart has been in Chicago for many years. One day he receives a devastating phone call from his cousin Janie in Ireland. Sadly, the man who raised him, Uncle Fergus, has passed away. Although Liam had not been back to Northern Ireland in 16 years he decides he must return for the funeral and make amends with the family he dearly misses. After the will is read, Liam is shocked to learn he is the trustee of a complicated beneficiary chain and that Fergus was mysteriously murdered. Liam extends his stay and works hard to regain the confidence of the family while trying to keep them safe. He must unravel these buried secrets of a bitter blood feud which may lead them straight to the killer. Filled with suspenseful twists and turns and the violent history of Ireland’s Troubles, Liam, star detective, is finally on his home turf.

Postscript
by Cecilia Ahern

Holly Kennedy spent the last seven years trying to build a new life for herself. After her husband’s tragic illness, Holly felt like she, too, had disappeared. With help from friends, family and a year of P.S. I Love You letters, Holly finally found her way back. She works in her sister’s shop, has a sexy tree-trimming boyfriend and can see the future more brightly than ever. As a favor for her sister’s podcast, Holly reflects in public for the first time about her unexpected year of letters and adventures she received from Gerry when he died. After the broadcast, a small group of terminally ill people form a club to create something similar for their loved ones and they want Holly’s help, instantly threatening the progress she has made. More than a decade after the best-seller “P.S. I Love You,” (book & movie!) get ready to laugh and cry in Dublin with one of my all time favorite Irish authors.

Karen Newfield is first and foremost a reader, she has reviewed hundreds of books on her blog www.readingandeating.com. And, more recently, this new Keys resident has also begun writing.