The Matchmaker of Kenmare

In the summer of 1943, as World War II rages on, Ben MacCarthy is haunted by the disappearance of his wife, the actress Venetia Kelly. Searching for purpose by collecting stories for the Irish Folklore Commission, he travels to a remote seaside cottage to profile the enigmatic Miss Kate Begley, the Matchmaker of Kenmare. Ben is immediately captivated by her, and a powerful friendship is forged. But when Charles Miller, a handsome American military intelligence officer, arrives on the scene, Miss Begley looks to make a match for herself. Miller needs a favor, but it will be dangerous. Under the cover of their neutrality as Irish citizens, Miss Begley and Ben travel to London and effectively operate as spies. As they are drawn more deeply and painfully into the conflict, both discover the perils of neutrality—in both love and war.
 
Steeped in colorful history, The Matchmaker of Kenmare is a lush and surprising novel, rich as myth, tense as a thriller, and, like all grand tales, harrowing, sometimes hilarious, and heartbreaking.

Delaney wrings the pulp out of a Jack Higgins-like premise and turns it into something more satisfyingly literary.
-Publisher's Weekly

One of the best fictional wartime couples animates veteran Delaney's darkly wistful novel.
-Kirkus

Delaney re-earns his reputation for total reader engagement with his latest deeply thought-out novel...As artillery guns fire overhead, hearts ache: a compelling combination.
-Booklist

"Delaney grabs the reader from the first paragraph with his comfortable and nostalgic style. His metaphors are so visual, readers can taste, smell and see the action." -Summer Moore, Associated Press


PRAISE FOR FRANK DELANEY

Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show

"Wonderful entertainment [that] encompasses Irish history and politics, a mystery, a quest, and a coming-of-age story . . . written with style and humor by a masterful storyteller."-The Boston Globe

"Entrancing . . . Delaney unleashes a cavalcade of memorable characters worthy of John Irving. . . . Teeming with life and a sprawling, chaotic energy, [this novel] scores another goal for Delaney."-The Plain Dealer

Ireland

"Wonderfully engaging . . . History, legend, memory and myth come seamlessly together."-The Washington Post

"Dramatic, adventurous, heroic, romantic, slyly comic."-The Philadelphia Inquirer

Tipperary

"Brilliant . . . [Delaney] does his country's storytelling tradition proud."-Entertainment Weekly

"An enthralling journey."-The Seattle Times