Haunted Ground (Nora Gavin, #1) in Around the World in 80 Books

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

Shelves: ireland, mysteries-thrillers, mystery, series, world-mysteries-thrillers, 2014-bookshelf, 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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May 31, 2008 Jessica rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, archaeology, ireland

A well-written mystery that weaves together history and a rich understanding of human frailty into a cohesive whole. The perpetrator was somewhat obvious, but Hart entertains and informs.

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Aug 12, 2012 Madeleine rated it it was ok

Shelves: mystery-thriller, series

This seemed to contain a lot of Cliches About Ireland for American readers who are susceptible to that sort of thing. I feel one part annoyed, and one part catered to.

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