Haunted Ground (Nora Gavin, #1) in Around the World

May 11, 2012 Almeta rated it really liked it

Shelves: revue, caught-read-handed, in-a-land-far-far-away

In books with historical content, I need to trust that the author has done the research. I did look up a few things, but trusted Erin Hart on several points. Being educated about Bog People and their preservation was really interesting. Considering the destruction of the peat bog in favor of a fuel source for personal use and profit versus the environmental impact of the harvesting of an un-renewable resource was also a thought provoking topic. I’m surprised more was not said about the flora and ...more

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Apr 24, 2007 Jenny (Reading Envy) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: secret-agents-and-detectives, read2006, location-ireland

Another volume in my attempt to read more mysteries - this one is an archaeological mystery set in Ireland, where a "bog body" has been discovered. The archaeologist and historian involved work on simultaneous mysteries - one set in ancient Ireland, and one in the present. I was impressed by the unique feeling of this book and it actually made me interested in the mystery itself (a small feat). ...more

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May 04, 2011 Kimberly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014-bookshelf, mystery, world-mysteries-thrillers, ireland, mysteries-thrillers, series, library-books-read-2014

Back in 2011 I had Mr. Turning the Pages try this one out since when he does read, he likes mysteries and he wanted to try something new, and he liked it a lot so I finally stopped dragging my feet and gave it a try earlier this year.

Before I read this book I had no idea how common bog bodies were. I'd heard of them, but thought they were so rare that I was surprised to find out there was more out there than I thought. I thought it was fascinating how Nora came to Ireland to study bodies like t Back in 2011 I had Mr. Turning the Pages try this one out since when he does read, he likes mysteries and he wanted to try something new, and he liked it a lot so I finally stopped dragging my feet and gave it a try earlier this year.

Before I read this book I had no idea how common bog bodies were. I'd heard of them, but thought they were so rare that I was surprised to find out there was more out there than I thought. I thought it was fascinating how Nora came to Ireland to study bodies like that and ended up getting herself wrapped up in an investigation into a decapitated head, and the mystery shrouding the disappearance of a young mother and toddler 5 years before so there was very much a mystery within a mystery for this one because the two seemed unconnected in the beginning but in the end they each helped solve the other crimes.

Nora was an excellent character and I really enjoyed getting to know her and her back story. I thought she was a strong character and I'm always a fan of an archaeologist in a mystery since I always wanted to be one. It was nice to read a mystery novel where the main character was not only smart, and strong but didn't use her looks to get what she wanted. She didn't act like she knew everything, and her lack of arrogance was refreshing because she didn't act like she had something to prove. I appreciated the kindness she showed Hugh Osborne's "nephew" and one of the elderly women she encountered.

I also really liked Cormac, the pathologist. He was a bit arrogant but in a quite way which kind of makes him be at odds with himself at times. He had a brilliant mind as well and I enjoyed very much how he and Nora played off each others strengths while excepting each other's weaknesses. His approach to the decapitated head and the missing persons case was interesting and seeing him work through it all was a treat.

My favourite part of the book though was the setting. When I was 17 I spent three glorious weeks in the Republic of Ireland and many of the towns, and major landmarks were familiar to me and made me nostalgic which I loved. The descriptiveness of the land made me smell the rich clean air, and I could see the many shades of green in the hills that the island is known for. I felt like I was back in Ireland which was a gift for me.

While I suspected who was responsible for the disappearance of Osborne's wife and son, the author through in some great plot twists that made me change my mind at least twice before Nora and Cormac solved it and then everything fell into place just so. I also really enjoyed how the mystery behind the decapitated woman was solved, because while she was fictional, I did feel sorry for her.

I thought Haunted Ground was a very strong debut and I enjoyed the author's writing quite a bit. I do wish that is had moved a little faster in a couple of parts but that was my only true issue with the novel. I liked the twists and turns the author employed to keep me busy, and really enjoyed getting to know Nora and Gavin and can't wait to see where she takes these characters in the next book.

If you're looking for a good archaeological mystery set in Ireland, I highly recommend this one, but I would also recommend it to readers just getting into the mystery genre who don't want a cozy mystery but don't want a lot of blood and violence. If you're a mystery fan though, I don't think you'll want to miss the gem set on the Emerald Isle. ...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Tejas Janet rated it really liked it

I liked how the author weaves in some Irish history, music, and language into the story, and successfully captures something of the feeling of the culture. I did think the middle dragged, but the ending was strong. Though I wouldn't cut any of the final 100 pages or so, I don't think it needed so many pages overall to tell the story. Further editing of its mid-section would have been a plus in my opinion. Enjoyed reading it overall even so. Enough so that I gave four instead of three stars. ...more

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