Got a copy at Malice Domestic and just read it as we have a family trip to Ireland this July. I'll definitely recommend it to the folks going as it's a fun romp through Ireland by a couple of Americans. It reminded me a bit of Hitchcock's 39 Steps, and some of his other plots where some innocents get pulled into a spy adventure without really understanding what's going on. You like the couple who have a believable relationship and the setting is gorgeous. Definitely a fun read! ( )

Though I didn't like this book as much as I expected to, I'm willing to take a look at the next book in the series when it comes out. The basic premise -- "ordinary" people caught up in espionage -- has been a favorite of mine since I read Helen MacInnes back in the 60s. There is one difference in Beyond the Pale -- one of the protagonist couple is a woman who actually trained for the CIA and then decided not to join. Instead, she returned to marry an academic and became one herself. Their marriage has become a little stale when a former classmate at "CIA Academy" shows up with a proposition involving a trip to Ireland. Since the husband is an expert in Irish literature, he agrees to take the trip. What at first seems like a simple bit of handing over a lost manuscript, leads to the pair witnessing murders, being kidnapped, and having a very difficult time figuring out who is on what side of a complicated plot. I felt the beginning was rather slow and put the book aside for quite a while, but the last half was sufficiently entertaining to keep me at it until I finished. Your results may differ.

First in a new series by well-established cozy writer, Clare O'Donohue, this book takes the reader on a wild roller-coaster ride through the dark world of international espionage. Two married small town college professors are in a bit of rut with their marriage. Suddenly, her long-forgotten beau, from her early days training with the CIA, has approached her and her husband to handle an "easy in-easy out" covert operation in Dublin, Ireland. She's eager for the adventure, but he's not. However, he and his keen knowledge of Irish literature are the key variables needed to execute the operation. Once on the ground, they try and make contact with another key player and it just gets worse for them from there on out.

The story holds lots of red herrings, various spies, charming Irish folk and provides a vast tour across Ireland - from the bustling city of Dublin, across the Burren, through charming villages to the edge of the sea. Ms O'Donohue captures the heart of the Irish people and landscape's beauty with her painterly writing style. The story was cozy and charming - just the way I like it!

I am grateful to author Clare O'Donohue, publisher Midnight Ink Books and Kings River Life Magazine for having provided a free copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone. ( )

Beyond the Pale by Clare O’Donohue is the first book in A World of Spies Mystery series. Hollis and Finn Larsson are professors at a local college who have been married for fifteen years. Hollis feels that Finn does not appreciate her and that their marriage is lacking (stale, dull, predictable). She has been trying to convince him to travel this summer without success (liven things up). Hollis is surprised when she hears from David Agnelli whom she trained at the Farm with many years ago. He needs her help in convincing Finn to do a job. They need Finn and his reputation (credentials) to obtain a rare manuscript in Ireland that could help save an agent. The job should last under twenty minutes and then they can enjoy a vacation in Ireland. The job, though, fails to go as expected. They show up at Byrnes Antiques, but their contact does not. Finn and Hollis have fifty thousand euros (courtesy of David) and a trail of mysterious people following them. They are not the only ones trying to obtain the manuscript. There are other dubious people after it, and they will do whatever it takes to get it. Hollis and Finn need to find the manuscript and the missing agent while staying ahead of their adversaries. Will they make it home alive?

Beyond the Pale sounded like a great fast-paced mystery/suspense novel, and I enjoyed Claire O’Donohue’s A Someday Quilts Mystery series. After I finished Beyond the Pale, I wondered if it was the same author. The best part of the book is the beautiful descriptions of Ireland (the scenery, Trinity College, Book of Kells) and the Irish history. The one thing I kept wondering throughout the whole book was why had Hollis married Finn and why did she stay married to him. Finn is more interested in baseball and his adoring fans than Hollis. The pair seem to have nothing in common. I never felt any passion or emotion between them. I never got into Beyond the Pale. The book starts off with Hollis whining about her marriage (not a good start). She wanted them to travel during the summer and he had already agreed to teach. I thought Hollis should plan her trip and go. I have a feeling Finn would never have noticed she left. Hollis’ backstory seemed slightly farfetched (unbelievable). She finished college and trains for the CIA. She is top of her class, but she gives it up for the love of her life (is anyone buying this) and teaches at a small-town college. I can understand Finn being at a small-town college. It makes him a big fish in a small pond (he likes attention, accolades, and admirers). You knew the mission to Ireland would go sideways, but there seemed to be a bad guy everywhere they turned (who knew them, their names and what they were after). I found the pacing in Beyond the Pale to be slow which made the book seem so very long (360 pages). There were some good elements in the story, but it failed to come together. Identifying the bad guy was child’s play. I kept thinking the author would throw a twist in at the end because the solution could not be that simple. Unfortunately, there was not surprise ending. I am giving Beyond the Pale 2 out of 5 stars. While Beyond the Pale was not for me, I suggest obtaining a sample to see if the story appeals to you. ( )