I enjoyed this book. It started off slowly, but really picked up and got more and more interesting as the book progressed. Hollis and Finn Larsson are college professors. Hollis was once trained to be a CIA agent but changed her mind, and Finn is a well-recognized expert in rare books. A former associate of Hollis' approaches them and asks them to go to Ireland to have Finn verify a manuscript. It sounded easy, in and out and they get a trip overseas. Of course, nothing is as it appears and Hollis and Finn have quite an adventure that takes them all over the UK and has them running from gangsters and Interpol.

The plot was interesting once the book got going, and the descriptions of Ireland were delightful.

Thanks to Midnight Ink and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a decent, middle-of-the-road mystery in which a married couple realize new ways to appreciate their bond and each other under mysterious and dangerous circumstances. Possibly on the run from violent criminals, rogue international law enforcement agents, or victims of mistaken identities, college professors Hollis and Finn Larsson search for a counterfeit manuscript and a missing agent in Ireland. The descriptions of the setting renew my urge to go there. If this is the start of the series, I'll gladly read the next volume.

If you want a tale of married professors who get in over their heads, then this story is for you. Just when you think nothing else can go wrong, it does. Finn and Hollis are pawns who take the reins in a spy romp that spirals out of control time after time. Does it all end well? You'll have to read to find out.

The story alternates between Hollis and Finn who have now reached an impasse in their relationship at home. Professors and both highly involved in their careers, their marriage is in the doldrums. An opportunity to find a rare manuscript sees them haring off to Ireland.



This is where the story gets both interesting and a bit long winded. Trying to get the manuscript is several bad guys and gals and these two innocents are like lambs to the slaughter. They know it is not as simple as it sounds - a twenty minute operation is the description originally but escaping the not so good guys at every turn makes one skeptical.



Descriptions of Ireland was one of the highlights of this story on another note!



Good story, but it seemed to get side tracked on the way.

Goodreads review posted on 3/3/2018. Amazon is not accepting reviews as yet. Review on my blog 20/3/2018.

I am a Dublin based reader and it was lovely to read about a visitors rather mixed experiences of our eccentricity. The literary slant mixed with crime and love was well done. Sometimes there is too much thinking going on. I don’t claim to understand the complexities of portraying character however now and then I got a little bored.

Saying That it was a rambling jaunt with some serious issues and a lovely description of cross Atlantic goings on.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book; it was not to my taste, however, and I will not be completing it. I have not rated or reviewed this book. (Rating is required by Netgalley and is not reflective of an opinion)

An edgy, fast-paced read. I usually wouldn't enjoy this type of novel but this kept me wanting more. The characters and plot were definitely interesting and one of a kind. You don't pick of mainly books like this.

Thanks NetGalley

Hollis gave up a life of adventure for Finn, her lit prof husband, and she is feeling a bit bored with her settled existence as an affluent academic. She knows it's unreasonable, but the discontentment is growing.

So, when an old flame turns up with a low-key spying opportunity, Hollis jumps at the chance. Since it's a matter of life and death for a stranger, Finn agrees to go on a quick trip to Dublin, all expenses paid, with a simple 20 minute transfer of papers in the middle of it.

That's not how it turns out. A number of potentially dangerous people get involved, Hollis and Finn quickly realize that they don't have enough information to keep themselves safe, and soon they're haring all over Ireland in pursuit of the truth... or at least safe passage back to America.

The story is full of twists and turns, the descriptions of Ireland left me feeling that I'd recognize the scenery if ever I go to Ireland, and there's a satisfying bit of romance along the way.

I’m very much on the fence with this book. I didn’t dislike it but I wasn’t mad about it either. It took me ages to read it so for me, it wasn’t a real page-turner. I don’t want to say it wasn’t good. Books are emotive, different people like different things so I’d be more inclined to say it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. Now, there were many aspects I did like. The relationship between the two main characters, Finn and Hollis was very well portrayed. They complimented each other and I found their relationship very realistic, it was easy to see why they worked well not only as husband and wife but also on this journey they were undertaking.
Approached by an acquaintance in Interpol, college professors, Finn and Hollis Larsson agree to fly to Ireland, procure a rare priceless manuscript and have the rest of the weekend to explore the Emerald Isle. They aren’t long on Irish soil however when they realise this trip is not the simple transaction they had expected. They soon realise they are being followed and their lives are in serious danger.
There are some lovely descriptions of Ireland, references to Irish history and even some Irish language amidst the pages of ‘Beyond the Pale’. There are also shady characters, murder and bullets to be dodged!

I found the book started well but I quickly became skeptical about the main character Hollis, and her husband Finn. It was just a bit too unbelievable for me. The background training didn’t appear to shine through and the characters were a little underdeveloped. The setting was well described and I enjoyed some of the historical references about Ireland. Overall, reasonably fast paced, but not my cup of tea.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

Hollis and Finn are professors married for ten years who have settled comfortably into their routine. At least Finn thinks, so. Hollis, on the other hand, is beginning to feel antsy, a need to roam. When she is approached by a former beau, who is now CIA, to acquire a manuscript believed to be counterfeit, Hollis’s past comes in handy as she pushes her husband to step outside the box and help her out. As they embark on their little jaunt to Ireland, it quickly becomes evident they might be in over their head and who the ‘good guys’ are is murky at best.

This is a smooth, gentle read that is easy to follow and not stressful at all. NOT! It moves along at a steady pace but O”Donohue constantly throws loops and curves at you. You don’t know who to trust and just as you begin to feel comfortable and think you have figured it out, she tosses you to the wolves. Good story and a fun read. I look forward to more adventures with Hollis and Finn.

First book in a new series about an American couple, both college professors, who get drawn in the world of art forgery and theft.
The first bit was a bit slow but after two or three chapters the pace became faster and faster.
At first the husband seemed a real jerk, but the characters evolve a lot after a couple of chapters. Nice descriptions about Ireland.
Looking forward to the next book.

Clare O'Donohue has written several mystery series. I was familiar with her quilting mysteries which I enjoyed. I was excited to see that the author had written something in a new series and that it was set in Ireland. The descriptions of places in the Emerald Isle did not disappoint. I also enjoyed watching the relationship between Finn and Hollis evolve, each has a distinct approach to life at the start of the novel. Anyone who has been married or in a relationship will be able to relate. The mystery itself was a bit too based on chases for me. In that way, I think that perhaps the book could have been more tightly written. Nonetheless, a good read.

What a fantastically fun book! Kept me wanting more, which kept me up late reading. Just all around fun book. I will definitely be on the look out for more by this author!

What a fun husband and wife cozy! Two academic spouses get ensnared by an ex of the female spouse into a bout of espionage, art forgery, traveling around Ireland and meeting up against the various bad guys. It was interesting to learn more about Ireland and watching these extremely well flushed out characters learn whom to trust or not trust. I couldn't seem to put the book down and can't wait for the next one to come out.

** I'd like to thank the author/publisher/netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a straightforward and honest opinion**

For professors Hollis and Finn Larsson, it sounded like a quick and easy way to take a free trip to Ireland. The reality, however, becomes something else entirely. Interpol needed some help tracking down a rare and priceless manuscript. The Larsson’s just had to approach the person selling the document, pay them off and then be on their merry way. But once they get to Ireland, nothing goes right for the couple. The buyer never shows, leaving the Larsson’s holding a suspiciously large amount of cash and it appears that their very lives may be in danger. This is the beginning to a delightful new series about a pair of scholarly spies. Sharp, savvy and snarky