Sister is surprised to hear the sound of a bomb outside the convent. She was on retreat and not fond of political candidates being there as well. Now one of them was dead.
Canongate and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published on September 7th.

The body was in pieces but they knew who he was. Was it the IRA? Who killed him?

The sisters work on trying to make sense of it. It was a homemade bomb and they learned how it was done.

Every path taken ends up being a dead end. Then his daughter who has diphtheria and is a nun confesses. Is it the truth?

This is the right installment in the Reverend Mother mystery series. Mother Aquinas on a retreat when a murder happens. Mother Aquinas has to find out who the killer is. Overall, this was a fun mystery series. The story is predictable. However, I loved the characters. I recommend this for fans of Charles Todd, C.S. Harris, and Victoria Thompson!

The murder mystery was a bit on the thin side. The politics of the Convent of the Sisters of Charity in 1920’s Ireland was much more interesting. When a bomb is planted in the Orchard Cemetery questions will be asked of the IRA or is this more close to home. The Reverend Mother will listen and find out the truth. A well thought out slow moving story but well worth keeping with.
I was given an Arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Cora Harrison returns to post-WWI Cork with her endearing protagonist in Murder in an Orchard Cemetery. Reverend Mother Aquinas is on an annual retreat. This year the bishop has invited members of the laity, five participants in the race for alderman, to attend the retreat, which makes it rather less than the tranquil week of contemplation the Reverend Mother is used to. When a bomb explodes in the orchard cemetery, blowing the stockbroker to smithereens, suspicion falls on the solicitor with connections to Sinn Féin. Or perhaps it’s the builder, the stocking factory owner, or the shoe seller. There’s reason to suspect them all. And what part does the convent novice play in all of this?

Harrison uses her unique knowledge of Cork’s history to lend a real feel for the era. She adds delightful touches: the police scotch the factory owner’s alibi because he’d apparently been sitting on a wall overgrown with bougainvillea! The Garda Barracks smells of Jeyes Fluid. The self-doubting detective, Patrick, and Eileen, the brilliant, budding journalist, are both prior students of the Reverend Mother, raised in abject poverty, and her pride in their achievements is evident. Harrison uses these three characters to relate her tale, which is so full of red herrings, (politics? religion? greed?) that I gave up trying to figure out whodunnit and just let the investigation flow to its clever conclusion. The Reverend Mother does not play a big role in the proceedings, but she is the glue which holds it all together, and is the one who, Poirot-like, lays out the intricacies of the plot at the end with razor-sharp accuracy. Harrison is a prolific and atmospheric writer with several series under her belt. This is my favourite, along with her Burren Mysteries, which I also recommend.

A deadly retreat!

1920’s Cork and Reverend Mother Aquinas is looking forward to the annual retreat at the Sisters of Charity Order for the religious superiors of the Cork area. She enjoys meditative and discussion times in the orchard, which is also a cemetery. When that quiet retreat is threatened by the annoying inclusion of prospective mayoral candidates, prompted by the Bishop, she’s somewhat put out.
There’s more to come:
A novice with the Sisters of Charity, who is the daughter of one of the candidates and who rather surprisingly, chose the name Mary Magdalene
And shockingly a bomb explosion in the convent’s apple orchard cemetry—possibly IRA?
Once again I’m fascinated by the development of the Reverend Mother’s ex pupils Eileen, who’s just completed her studies at Cork University and is looking to be apprenticed in a solicitor’s office; and Inspector Patrick Cashman. I so enjoy seeing what they have become, given the rocky starts they’ve both had.
Mother Aquinas is as delightfully astute as ever. A wonderful way of looking at the world, a religious persona engaged in her community, observant, alive to the individuality of those around her. She brings those facets to her quiet assistance in the solving of crimes.

A Canongate Severn ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I love Reverend Mother mysteries and I think it's the best one I read so far.
The mix of historical facts and fiction works and it creates an interesting background to this complex and well developed mystery.
There's some local politics, a bombing that could involve IRA and a fleshed out cast of characters.
The descriptions of the retreat are quite funny and the mix of spirituality and local politics is well explained.
I loved the twists and turns of the mystery that kept me guessing and was happy to catch up with the characters.
I read it in one setting as couldn't stop reading.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Cora Harrison places us in 1920 Cork Ireland just after Irish independence when a candidate for town political office is blown up in an orchard burial ground for the nuns. Reverend mother is on the case along with the police and an investigative reporter. Signals falsely point to the IRA, but other suspects emerge. Twisty family goings on and rivalry with another businessman. Read and figure it out.

When the Reverend Mother goes on retreat she thinks that it's going to be peaceful in spite of the fact that the Bishop and candidates for the council are attending. She is met with a nasty surprise. The orchard cemetary is suddenly bombed and the stockbroker James Musgrave is killed. Could it be the IRA or is it meant to look like they are responsible?

This is a clever and interesting murder story with a lot of fascinating historical detail about Ireland and Cork in the 1920s, especially about poverty, illness and the IRA ,with some snippets about politics.The Reverend Mother is wise and sympathetic, and young and ambitious Eileen, one of her former students, who is reporting on the murder, is very likeable, with her social conscience and feistiness. I also enjoyed reading the descriptions of Cork.I will look for more of

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

It's bad enough that the Bishop has invited a group of politicians to the convent during the annual retreat but Reverend Mother really wasn't expecting that someone would be blown up in the apple orchard. Set in 1920s Cork, this has terrific atmospherics and a mystery involving not only political unrest but also family issues. Reverend Mother is as intrepid as they come. She's a character you'd like by your side. I've only read one of the previous books so this was more or less a standalone and it was a fine one. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's. good read.

A worthy addition in this brilliant series set in Cork at the end of the Roaring Twenties, an engrossing and captivating mixture of political and religious shenanigans in a young Irish Republic still reeling from the recent Troubles.
Cleverly plotted and full of unforgettable characters, this original whodunit should definitely appeal to anyone interested by a delightful blend of murder mystery and historical fiction.
Highly recommended and to be enjoyed without any moderation.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Canongate/Severn for this terrific ARC

Cora Harrison’s eighth Reverend Mother mystery, Murder in an Orchard Cemetery is a book that fits my taste in Irish history. Admittedly, a lot of people won’t find this leisurely paced historical mystery as intriguing as I did. Harrison brings together the three protagonists in every book, and, through their eyes, readers see the violent history of Cork in the mid-1920s, as well as the division between the social classes.

Usually, Reverend Mother Aquinas looks forward to the annual retreat for the religious superiors of Cork school. It’s seven days of silence and prayer. But, this year, the bishop has rescinded the order of complete silence, and invited five people running for alderman, four men and a woman who hope to win the bishop’s support, knowing they could become Mayor of Cork eventually, a position of power, influence, and, a steppingstone to wealth.

There’s a cemetery in an orchard on the property of the convent where the retreat is held. When she’s tired of politics, Reverend Mother finds it a perfect place for a little quiet and time to herself, or the chance to converse in French with another Reverend Mother. So, she’s irritated that the bishop announces his favorite candidate will need her favorite spot to work towards the end of the retreat. When a bomb explodes, killing the candidate, Reverend Mother suspects politics. In fact, the first thought from everyone, including Inspector Patrick Cashman, is the IRA.

For a short time as a child, Patrick was one of Reverend Mother’s students. He’s learned quite a lot as he’s worked to move upward in the Garda. One thing he’s learned is to listen, and not rush into conversation. He’s learned from one of Reverend Mother’s other students as well. Eileen is bright. Once an active member of the IRA, she’s working as a reporter, but with Reverend Mother’s assistance, she received a college scholarship, and hopes to continue on to become a solicitor. With her background, she knows that bomb was too small for the IRA, and they didn’t claim the death.

Step-by-step, Reverend Mother, Patrick, and Eileen work towards a solution. But, it’s Reverend Mother, with the wisdom of her years, her life among the wealthy before she took her vows, and her knowledge of people, who finds the answer. It’s an answer she’s willing to confide only in her friend, Dr. Scher, another person who understands the people of Cork.

Murder in an Orchard Cemetery may have a little too much local history for some readers. And, some won’t find the solution satisfying. However, after reading this series, the solution works for Reverend Mother Aquinas, who really answers only to God.

This is the eighth in The Reverend Mother series and Harrison does an excellent job of weaving history and some regular characters into the plot so it’s not necessary to have read the first books in the series. Those people who like series may still prefer to read the books in order so they have the opportunity to experience relationships as they grow.

The plot moves at a measured pace throughout the book and it was easy for me to determine the murderer’s identity.Mother Superior is kind and presents a bright mind that is talented at unraveling mysteries. She is on a typically silent retreat, but this year the Bishop has lifted that requirement so politicians attending can plead their case with other attendees.

The murder of one of the candidates was the father of one of the novices who is young, thin, and appears to be in poor health. Mother Superior worries for her health and for the coldness shown by the head of the girl’s own convent and host of the conference. Possible suspects include politics. Is one of the candidates so desperate to win the election that they are willing to kill the competition? Or is it because the victim has recently been rumored to be engaged to a rich widow who had been thought to be preparing to marry one of the other candidates?

Two other recurring characters are Inspector Patrick and Eileen, and they have both been watched and shepherded through school and a successful scholarship application by Mother Superior. Their thoughts and activities are interleaved with the chapters focusing on Mother Superior.

My thanks to Canongate Books Severn House Publishing for providing an advance copy for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Another comfortable read by Cora Harrison. I love how the independent findings of all the characters culminate into the solving of her murder mystery case. What I found amazing was that this is the eighth novel of the Reverend Mother Mystery series and it does not diminish in being an unique and enthralling read.

I thank NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for an eARC of this book

Another Worthy Addition....
A Reverend Mother historical mystery, and the eighth in this series, which finds the Reverend Mother’s annual retreat rudely disrupted. With a compelling plot, well researched historical commentary, credible characters and solid sense of place this is an atmospheric and engaging mystery. Another worthy addition to the series.

Church and state combine for murder in the latest Rev. Mother Aquinas book.

The Bishop has called his school and religious leaders to a retreat at a convent high above Cork, Ireland, of the 1920s to evaluate the five candidates for city council. When the Bishop's favorite is murdered, there is no shortage of suspects, including the four other candidates.

Cora Harrison illustrates the dangers of life in Ireland after the country was divided into north and south. Did the IRA do it? Was the murdered a victim of class hatred? And where does Sister Mary Magdalene fit into all this?

Possibly the best Reverend Mother mystery yet ( or do I always say that)? Reverend Mother and her cousin Lucy remind me so much of me and my cousin Patricia, same age,Irish and our memories of everyone.

"When a body is discovered in the convent's apple orchard cemetery, blown to pieces by a makeshift bomb, it is assumed the IRA are responsible. But does the killer lie closer to home? Once again, the Reverend Mother must call on her renowned investigative skills to unearth the shocking truth. "

Yes this setting is a convent, although a large important one, with an annual retreat convened by the Bishop of Cork. Unfortunately, on this one political candidates for Alderman are included. This certainly confuses this issue which the Reverend Mother is able to untangle and show as a family issue.

Happily regular characters Cousin Lucy, Patrick, Eileen and Dr. Scher are called to assist. Awesome read!!