FICTION

An Irish Doctor in Love and at Sea: An Irish Country Novel

Forge. Oct. 2015. 496p. ISBN 9780765378200. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9781466860384. F
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OrangeReviewStarBefore Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly became the village doctor of Ballybucklebo, Ireland, he was a young surgeon-lieutenant in the British Navy aboard the HMS Warspite, honing his medical skills at the peak of World War II. In this latest addition to Taylor's hugely popular "Irish Country" series (An Irish Doctor in Peace and at War), Dr. O'Reilly and his wife Kitty are enjoying the comfortable life of their quaint Irish village when an event commemorating the war causes O'Reilly to revisit old friends and his days as a young surgeon in wartime. Seamlessly shifting between the two eventful eras of his life, he recalls the excitement of learning his skills, pursuing his first love, Deirdre, and forging ahead during a time of terrifying uncertainty, while facing the present challenges of learning new skills, training novice doctors, and assisting comrades in times of need. Taylor is a master storyteller who meshes past and present with meticulous detail and sumptuous atmosphere.
VERDICT This wonderfully fresh story in a great series is full of colorful characters, fascinating history, and charming Irish settings. Fans will be delighted to learn more of O'Reilly's wartime years and catch up with Fingal and Kitty. New readers can step right into their lives and be swept away by remembrances of experiences aboard the HMS Warspite and the love story of Fingal and Deirdre.
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