Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Long Way from Clare by Robert W Smith Published by Meryton Press on January 12, 2023
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 268
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon
Conor Dolan, a young Irishman, travels to Chicago in 1903 to visit his older brother but finds only a mystery. His journey sparks a quest to peel away secrets and rediscover a dead sibling he idolized but never really knew as he strives to learn the true meaning of brotherhood.
His search reveals an Irish Republican plot to assassinate a visiting British royal. In the process, he is drawn into an alliance with two women: a mesmerizing Jewish widow and a struggling young Irishwoman. Each teaches Conor existential truths of life and love in her own way.
But the brother he finds may not be the brother he remembers. A Long Way from Clare is a story of Chicago's early twentieth century immigrants and one man’s struggle with both bigotry and injustice in an unforgiving city where no good deed goes unpunished.
Turn of the (Twentieth) Century Chicago is a place and time where history is raw and heartbreaking, but seedy and dangerous for those of the lower and immigrant classes. I was keen to read the story of a young first generation Irish American come to this blustering city to find his older brother and ends up finding more than that. Robert Smith is a new to me author, but his careful research into the setting and background, along with insight into the characters who make up his story, drew me into Chicago’s past and left me richer for the experience.
Conor is a young Irish American lawyer from small town, Springfield, Illinois. He’s on a journey of discovery. He wants to meet up with the older brother he idolizes, so he makes his way to Chicago only to find Kevin has died. Conor has to face that his brother, Kevin, was much more than the ex-Cavalry soldier who stopped in on him at their aunt and uncle’s once after moving him to America for their new start and the old picture he has of Kevin in Chicago police uniform. Conor came to finally get a chance to know his brother and Kevin’s death doesn’t end that search, but is the beginning. In his investigation, he meets intriguing people and unearths a dangerous Irish terrorist group and their plot to assassinate the Prince of Wales on his visit.
I liked Conor. He’s seen poverty as a child in Ireland, but then grows up with his uncle in small town America, fresh-faced and innocent of the corruption and grit he encounters when he goes looking for his older brother. He’s observant and thoughtful. He takes a sympathetic yet clear-eyed perspective which is needed for what he’s doing. In essentials, Conor holds true against some enticing and sometimes downright scary situations. Chicago is roiling with struggles of class, immigrants, political corruptions, and change as it grows as a modern city. Kevin was entangled in Irish republicanism and the political corruption as Conor discovers.
The way the story unfolds as Conor meets people along this journey of discovery was to my liking from the earliest encounter with the Spanish American soldier on the train, to the Irish woman Kevin was with. The female Jewish Pinkerton Agent, Rebecca, who Conor partnered on his brother’s case was the most fascinating for me since my weak spot is historical detecting and detectives.
Life was rough back then and Conor sees the harsh reality and is involved by being the legal aid to the young Irish woman who was in trouble for allegedly attempting to commit suicide with her baby on the bridge. People came for the promise of the American Dream and found more struggles.
Originally, I thought this was a historical mystery when I picked it up. There is that, but there is a mesh of genres from romance to thriller, but I think I’ll label it historical fiction since the historical context and Conor’s own story are the focus. I was very taken with the Irish American history come to life and the author’s writing style that tells a story- a full-blooded story that doesn’t gloss over realities or uncomfortable truths. Historical fiction fans should definitely add this one to the reading list.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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Sounds like a tough time in history! Nice to hear you enjoyed this mix of historical mystery/thriller/romance!
Oh yeah, this one was a bittersweet one in so many ways as my heart ached for the people who came for hope and got their hope dashed by gritty reality. Still this one ended on a high note and the hero was great.
Sophia, Sophia, how did I miss this. I’m now fully subscribed. Thank you again
No worries, Robert! It’s hard to keep up with all the social avenues available on line. 🙂 Appreciate you stopping by and visiting with our guests.
Thank you, Rachel. I don’t know how I missed this thread. I hope you enjoy the book
This sounds really good! I like books that really fit into more than one genre.
Glad to put it on your radar, Carole. Mixing genres is a great thing for me, too. 🙂
Carole, thank you so much. My media skills are a work in progress (more like a disaster) but I hope you like the book
It’s the first time I hear about this one but it looks really good!
Yes, new to me author, too. 🙂
The historical elements sound pretty cool and I think what I also like about historical fiction is how it can also tackle multiple genres, if done right, and still remain a wonderful historical fiction read! Great review, Sophia. 🙂
Well written historical fiction gives me a great perspective on that place and time in history which is my favorite part. 🙂
Lashaan, I so appreciate your comments and I hope you enjoy the book. Best wishes to you
It’s nice to find a new to me author that you end up liking.
A very Happy Easter to you.
Most definitely, Mary!
Happy Easter! 🙂
This sounds like a good book club book 😉
I think it would, too. It would generate good discussion points and keeps the attention from the first pages.