Summer Reading

I’ve never been one to turn down a bargain, so when I was browsing in a local bookstore looking for something to pass a few hours and came across a selection of paperbacks at a reduced price, I was only too eager to investigate. There were so many volumes of best sellers by the likes of Stephen King, Dan Brown, Graham Masterton and James Patterson, that I was spoilt for choice.

However, as I scrutinised the collection I noticed a book titled Apart from the Crowd and when I opened the cover to see that the author, Anna McPartlin hails from Dublin, it was an instant if somewhat impulsive buy.

Nevertheless, when I got home I made some fresh coffee, settled myself on the sofa and began to read what turned out to be one of the most enjoyable novels I’ve read in a long time. I found it a highly addictive read and was half way through the book in a couple of hours. It perfectly portrays the frailty of the human emotions, the prejudice that often prevails village life and the sense of sorrow that losing a loved one brings..

The story is set in the small town of Kenmare, County Kerry and is centred around Mary – a woman with a troubled past – and her group of close friends; Penny, the alcoholic home-wrecker; Michael, the married man with whom she’s having an affair and whose home she has wrecked; and Ivan, Mary’s cousin whose wife has recently left him.

Despite this and to all outward appearances they are relatively happy. But when Sam, an American music executive with a dark - tormenting secret, arrives in the town to recuperate following a drug overdose, it sets in motion a chain of events that will change their lives forever.

I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, so I won’t. But what I will say is that the book is sharply written, moving and insightful. It has enough humour and moments of tension to carry the plot along quickly and precisely. The dialogue is effective, I could just imagine those soft Irish accents and the quick wittedness of the characters.

If you’re looking for a book to take on holiday, or even to spend a few hours with in the back garden, take a look at Apart from the Crowd. You won’t be disappointed.

Anna's book is available from most good bookstores and you can also obtain a copy by clicking here.