It's true what they say . . . revenge is sweet.
1975. A baby, minutes old, is forcibly taken from its devastated mother. 2010. The body of an elderly woman is found in a Dublin public park in the depths of winter.
Detective Inspector Tom Reynolds is working the case. He's convinced the murder is linked to historical events that took place in the notorious Magdalene Laundries. Reynolds and his team follow the trail to an isolated convent in the Irish countryside. But once inside, it becomes disturbingly clear that the killer is amongst them . . . and is determined to exact further vengeance for the sins of the past.
Read MoreAbsolutely my comfort reading . . . the investigative team members are interesting and well-drawn - Ann CleevesTakes the traditional "country house mystery" and gives it an Irish twist. Atmospheric and compelling - Sinead Crowley, author of Can Anybody Help Me?Jo Spain's vivid thriller explores the dark secrets from Ireland's past that continue to haunt Irish society today - Martin Sixsmith, author of PhilomenaIn a very strong year for Irish crime-fiction debuts, Jo Spain's With Our Blessing is among the most assured . . . The story is rooted in decades-old cruelty and abuse, but despite the vivid brutality with which Spain opens the novel the tale as a whole is a rather genteel affair, an old-fashioned harking back to Agatha Christie . . . The apparently cosy tone is only skin deep, however: With Our Blessing picks at the scabs of recent Irish history to reveal raw and gaping wounds - Irish TimesAn uncomfortable read that delves into [a] country's dark secrets - Irish IndependentBrilliant! Fast paced, well researched and sensitive. Jo Spain is a sparking new talent - Irish ExaminerSpain's vivid thriller explores the dark secrets of Ireland's past that are a real-life situation haunting so many people within Irish society today - Irish Country LivingFiendishly clever . . . and a big fat twist is lobbed into the ending like a hand grenade - Irish Sunday Independent