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This installment of the adventures of Nuala Anne McGrail is particularly interesting to me. Usually Nuala Anne novels present both a current mystery and a historical one. In Irish Linen, the historical situation involves Germany in 1930-1945. I was stationed in Germany for 3 years so, for me that was like reliving parts of my experience. The current situation, the search for the runaway son of a prominent family, is set in Chicago where I was stationed three times. I like Chicago.
There are three elements that I will discuss: The development of the Coyne family, the setting and characters for the historical tale, and a few short references to the two puzzles.

Irish Linen immerses me again in the delightful Coyne family. Nuala Anne has gained some confidence in her abilities as a detective, an entertainer, and a wife and mother. Dermot is often as clueless with Nuala as many males are with their sweetheart and spouses. The children are rapidly maturing, with Nelliecoyne becoming mature well beyond her eight years, while "the Mick" is still a quiet boy. Socra Marie has blossomed into a very effective "terrorist" with the frequent energy of several people. The new edition, Patjo (Patrick Joseph in English) is a pleasant and cute child.

The historical tale tells the story of Timothy Patrick Ridgewood, his friends Claus Graf von Stauffenberg, and Annalise von Sternberg. Timothy, while studying in Germany, meets Claus and they become friends. Claus introduces Timothy to Annalise, an orphaned girl about 16, with the hope that he will fall in love with her and rescue her from life in Hitler's Reich.

Later Tim returns to Germany as the Irish Ambassador. The events of Hitler's arming of Germany and his strategy for war are told to Timothy by Claus and by Admiral Canaris, a German noble stationed in German Intelligence. Neither the Admiral or Claus believe in Hitler and his policies. The stress among the characters in Hitler's Germany make for an exciting story. Will anyone stand up to Hitler? Will those who are against the Nazi authorities survive? Will Timothy develop a meaningful relationship with Annalise?

The current mystery is an intriguing story of family dynamics. Is the son really missing or simply rebelling from his parents? Nuala Anne and Dermot interview witnesses who contradict each other and sometimes even contradict themselves. The resolution of the puzzle is rather satisfying to Andrew Greeley fans.

Irish Linen is a fine story in an exciting setting. I recommend it, especially for those who enjoy experiencing historical Germany.

Idealist peace lover Desmond Doolin is missing somewhere in the Middle East, probably Iraq where his Chicago based family last heard from him. The US government does what it does best, deny knowing anything about what happened to Desmond or if he is even alive. Having heard nothing for several weeks, his grieving family assumes he is dead.

Part-time psychic Nuala Anne McGrail finds out that fellow Windy City resident Desmond vanished without a trace somewhere allegedly in the Middle East. While everyone else concludes he was murdered, she believes he remains alive. She persuades her spouse Dermot Michael Coyne, who trusts her instincts, that they must follow the missing man's path both in the Middle East and with the Catholic Church.

The investigation into Desmond's disappearance engages readers, as Nuala Anne's psychic power keeps her and Dermot believing the young man is alive; he especially has come a long way from the earlier tales. However, a memoir written by an Irish diplomat to Nazi Germany that the lead couple is reading is also fascinating but distracts from the prime plot though it makes some interesting muses like "Wars are easier to start than to end". Still this is an intriguing thriller starring an interesting obstinate protagonist.      --- Harriet Klausner

When a young Irish American soldier goes missing in Iraq, it falls to Dermot Coyne and his adoring, sensible, fey wife, Nualla McGraill, to do what they can to see about making sure he gets home safely. As per usual, they find that their present difficulty might have answers in the past, in this instance, the love story of another young Irishman and the beauty he fell for in Pre World War II Germany. As the two stories play out, truths are uncovered in a delightful fashion.

**** Reading Andrew Greeley is like putting on your favorite, comfy clothes and curling up by the fire. His gentle story telling style will make you swear he's a new incarnation of Taliesin, or some other Irish bard. Old friends reappear, reassuring you that they are still well and alive in his mind. Throughout the narrative, a lesson is given, but not in a preachy fashion, at all. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day or any day at all by giving yourself this treat. ****     --- Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.

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Greeley does such a great job of creating historical back story.
This time he weaves a tale of two "glinty-eyed" Irishmen together in a way that you really don't even mind the chatter of Nuala's spear-carrier husband, Dermot. Having those fey women in my own family, I understand how he feels nevertheless. Nuala and her brood can be hilarious at one turn and mauldlin the next. Life is never dull. It's Nuala's determination to "fix" anything that offends her sense of rightness. You have to love her fight and how Greeley deftly drops his politics into the fray.
The two stories don't parallel as well as some of the previous novels, and that's the only fault I find. Still, the story of Timmy and his lady in war-ravaged Berlin will bring an Irish smile to just about any face.
Okay, it's not Joyce or Yeats, but it's damned good fun.   By Jeffrey Weeks

Best yet in the "Irish...." series
This series has been getting better and better. The 10th and latest volume is thoroughly engrossing, both in the contemporary and the historic sections. The fact that the blend of contemporary and historical narratives has become a bit of a formula for Greeley is finding new strengths in the rather subtle linking of the stories in this volume.   I would heartily recommend this volume to all.

  In 1986, Father Greeley established a $1 million Catholic Inner-City School Fund, providing scholarships and financial support to schools in the Chicago Archdiocese with a minority student body of more than 50 percent. In 1984, he contributed a $1 million endowment to establish a chair in Roman Catholic Studies at the University of Chicago. He also funds an annual lecture series, "The Church in Society," at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois, from which he received his S.T.L. in 1954.

Father Greeley has received many honors and awards, including honorary degrees from the National University of Ireland at Galway, the University of Arizona and Bard College.

A Chicago native, he earned his M.A. in 1961 and his Ph.D. in 1962 from the University of Chicago. He is a penetrating student of popular culture who is deeply engaged with the world around him.

Father Greeley remains an inveterate Chicago sports fan, cheering for the Bulls, Bears and the Cubs, while praying for them to improve.
Product Details

	Hardcover: 310 pages
	Publisher: Forge Books (February 5, 2008)
	ISBN-10: 0765315882
	Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
	Check prices at: Amazon and BooksOnBoard