This book is both a good mystery novel and historical fiction.

Anne Emery’s The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland, has 2 storylines involving the Tierney family one in the later 1500s and early 1600s when the Gaelic era was ending and the other in the modern era. These interwoven stories the modern family guest house threatened by development and a murder in Gaelic times near an earlier version of the guest house.

Much of the action of The Keening occurs in the historical past and is set mainly in County Fermanagh which is presently in Northern Ireland and borders the Republic. The historical story takes place during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, when Gaelic Ireland is struggling with the English.

Being of Irish descent and an avid reader of Irish history, I found the historical aspects fascinating. I particularly like that Anne Emery followed the story with a section giving notes on historical events as well as a bibliography.

I thank Netgalley for a chance to read this book before publication. The description of this book sounded interesting. I had read several of Anne Emery’s book previously and enjoyed them, especially Though the Heavens Fall. So the combination of what seemed to be a good story and an author I liked lead to my request for a review copy.

I enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it, especially to those with interests in Ireland or Irish history.