IRISH CRYSTAL

Father Greeley, that most prolific of blarney-spinners, adds a ninth to his Coyne collection (Irish Cream, 2005, etc.).

Dermot Michael Coyne, bestselling novelist, and his wife Nuala Anne, world-class seer, work as a pro bono peeper team, operating so effectively that they’ve become the darlings of the Chicago PD. When rich, influential John and Estelle Curran experience a bit of a problem with terrorists, where else would law enforcement send them but to the Coynes? “We’ll sort it out,” chirps Nuala Anne. “We always do.” Instantly reassured, the Currans go about their business and leave the Coynes to go about theirs. Meanwhile, someone blows up their elegant old manse, misses the owners, but tries for them again with a car-bombing. Terrorists, is it? Well, maybe, but in cases like this, experience has taught Nuala Anne that it’s best to consider the possibility of black sheep. Time for Dermot Michael, who does the legwork, to start climbing the Curran family tree, while Nuala Anne tackles things the fey way. Agreeing on their assignments, and that they’re “terrible lucky altogether” to have each other, the Coynes soon justify the confidence the cops and the Currans have placed in them, cooking the gobshites.

For the faithful only. For the rest, Irish treacle.