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A Shameful Murder
A Shameful Murder: A Reverend Mother Aquinas mystery set in 1920s Ireland | Cora Harrison
17 posts | 12 read | 8 to read
Introducing the Reverend Mother Aquinas in the first of a brand-new historical mystery series. Cork, Ireland. 1923. When, one wet March morning, Reverend Mother Aquinas discovers a body at the gate of the convent chapel washed up after a flood like a mermaid in gleaming silver satin, she immediately sends for one of her former pupils, Police Sergeant Patrick Cashman, to investigate. Dead bodies are not unusual in the poverty-stricken slums of Cork city, but this one is dressed in evening finery; in her handbag is a dance programme for the exclusive Merchants Ball held the previous evening and a midnight ticket for the Liverpool ferry. Against the backdrop of a country in the midst of Irelands Civil War, the Reverend Mother, together with Sergeant Cashman and Dr Sher, an enlightened physician and friend, seek out the truth as to the identity of the victim and her killer.
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review
Suet624
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Pickpick

Thank you to #NunLitQuarterly for the introduction to this 1st in a series of mysteries. A Reverend Mother in 1920‘s Cork works to help solve a case. Mixing a bit of politics, a bit of social conditions and culture into the story, it was a fast paced read and one I enjoyed. Quotes from Thomas Aquinas start each chapter and made me want to read more of those! Honestly, the cover itself made me want to get my hands on the book. I love that area.

batsy Glad you liked it! 12mo
jlhammar That is a great cover. Happy to hear you enjoyed it! I‘m terrible about completing series, but would like to give the second book a try. 12mo
kspenmoll My library has some of these so I have read 2 out of order since #nunlit. All good for reading u indicated Sue-like your review. Happy Solstice! 12mo
Suet624 Same to you!! 12mo
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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

Finally finished last month‘s #NunLitQuarterly …I really enjoyed it! Admittedly, it took me a few chapters to become accustomed to the writing style. To watch the Reverend Mother‘s methodical thinking, was entertaining. I loved her character, how her past life has helped her build a network in her current life and has in its way given her so much compassion. Great choice!

marleed I really enjoyed this one too! I loved the language used. I read it on kindle and found myself looking up words several times! 14mo
jlhammar Glad you ended up enjoying it. I definitely want to give the next one in the series a try eventually. Great review! 14mo
Librarybelle @marleed @jlhammar I would read book two eventually - I also have no background knowledge of Cork during that time, so that was very insightful to read. 14mo
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KathyWheeler It took me awhile to get used to the style as well, but once I did, I enjoyed it. 14mo
batsy I enjoyed it quite a bit, too! It's kind of a slow burn but I really appreciated the writing. 14mo
Librarybelle @KathyWheeler @batsy Slow burn is a good description! 14mo
79 likes6 comments
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batsy
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Pickpick

Really glad that #NunLitQuarterly brought me to this book, because I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. Loved the 1920s Cork setting, and very much liked Mother Aquinas as a character. Found it full of intelligent and thoughtful writing that immerses you in that time and place, and the Aquinas quotes that open each chapter were a bonus in terms of grounding the story in questions of ethics, politics, and morality. @jlhammar

Lindy Oooo, this sounds good! 14mo
batsy @Lindy Nothing flashy, but a very satisfying read, I thought 🙂 14mo
jlhammar I loved the Aquinas quotes setting up each chapter as well. I wonder if she continues that structure with the rest of the series. Wonderful review! 14mo
See All 10 Comments
Lindy @batsy I‘ve placed a library hold. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. 14mo
batsy @jlhammar Thank you! I'm keen to try the rest in the series, or at least the next one, but I'm not sure how soon that'll happen. Knowing how other books tend to distract me... 😆 14mo
Suet624 Ooohh, Nuns in Cork? Yes please. 13mo
batsy @Suet624 Ha, yes! Perfect combo. 13mo
Suet624 So I can‘t find book one of the nun series but my libraries have all the books after that. Do you think it matters if I don‘t read the first book? 13mo
batsy @Suet624 Hmm, I'm not sure. I've only read the first one. I've no idea if the later books reference characters/incidents from the first and whether that matters... sorry, Sue! 13mo
Suet624 Of course, that makes sense. 13mo
69 likes3 stack adds10 comments
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kspenmoll
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#20in4 #readathon #day2

~Started and finished A Shameful Murder ✔️
~Finished first section of Big Book of Female Detectives, Victorian and Edwardian (British) ✔️

Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 14mo
33 likes1 comment
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kspenmoll
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My hopes for this #20in4 #readathon. @Andrew65 snuck in an extra day for us- runs today, Friday,October 27-Tuesday, October 31. Goal is to finish at least 2 of these books.

Andrew65 Hope it is going well 😁 Good luck. 14mo
35 likes1 stack add1 comment
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marleed
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Pickpick

In my blow-through-books era I‘m seldom a fan of overly descriptive books. Not this time! I was completely drawn into the details, backstories, and the Ireland history of this 1923 Cork murder mystery. When considering 2023 reading challenges I‘d have never guessed my amusement in taking part in #NunLitQuarterly. Thank you @jlhammar for exposing me to four great books I‘d never had otherwise read.

kspenmoll Love the nuns in the background. I do have enjoyed this journey I‘ve gotten behind. I‘m just starting to shameful murder right now. 1y
jlhammar Love the tableau! Those figurines are fantastic. I felt the same way about this book. So glad you‘ve been part of the group. I‘ll be posting our 2024 options for voting soon (probably this weekend or next) so stay tuned! 1y
rubyslippersreads ❤️ your little “convent.” 😊 1y
See All 7 Comments
LeahBergen I love your little nuns! 1y
marleed @kspenmoll @jlhammar @rubyslippersreads Oh thank you! The mic‘ed up nun is my oldest personal possession (well over 1/2 century!)- a gift heading into kindergarten, I suppose in hopes of qualming fears of the IRL Sr Theadotta (it didn‘t). Sr Mary Salt and Sr Mary Pepper were possessions my sister, Monica who passed away in 2021, and Sr Mary Celtic came from her Irish gift store in my hometown - Butte MT. (edited) 1y
marleed @LeahBergen Thank you! I was typing their history as you commented! 1y
LeahBergen I‘m so glad you added their history! 🥰 1y
64 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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jlhammar
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Pickpick

Enjoyed this historical mystery quite a bit. Reverend Mother Aquinas is a great character. Look forward to continuing with the series!

Interesting timing to be reading about the flooding in 1923 Cork this week while Storm Babet was wreaking havoc. Can‘t believe how high the water was in some of the photos I‘ve seen. Devastating.

#NunLitQuarterly

Librarybelle I plan to get to this one this week - looking forward to reading it! 1y
marleed I think I‘ll finish this one tonight! 1y
rubyslippersreads I‘m behind, but do want to read this. 1y
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Tamra Loved the Reverend Mother‘s character! 1y
LeahBergen I skipped this one for our little club. 🙁 1y
batsy I just started and I'm enjoying her voice. 1y
charl08 Ooh, not heard of this one. Will have a look for it. In the mood for a crime spree. 1y
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Centique
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Pickpick

#nunlitquarterly
Thank you for putting me onto this book @jlhammar Spending time with a feisty 70 year old Nun figuring out a whodunnit in 1920‘s Cork, Ireland, turns out to be just the mood read i needed! Although there are a couple of clunky paragraphs here (may just be the ebook i was reading) it didnt draw me out of the story. An atmospheric mystery - almost cosy in tone - with lots of clues to untangle.

jlhammar So glad you enjoyed! I'm only about a third of the way through. Can't wait to get back to it this evening! 1y
CarolynM Sounds good🙂 Have you read this one @Cathythoughts ? 1y
Cathythoughts @CarolynM Sorry Carolyn for my late reply. I havnt been on Litsy as much lately. I hope all is getting easier for you. I havnt read this but it does sound good and it‘s a gorgeous picture of Cobh in Cork… I‘m looking out my window and at Cobh right now , it‘s across the river from us , we can go over by a little ferry. All the more reason to add this to my TBR .. stacked 👍🏻😁 sending warm wishes to you. And to you @Centique Paula 😘 1y
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Aimeesue
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Pickpick

#PerpetualReadingSistersofLitsy

I enjoyed this one,though I‘m admittedly biased toward crime solving religious folk. I blame Brother Cadfael.
I adored Reverend Mother Aquinas and her shrewd mechanizations to get what‘s needed - a difficult thing in Cork in 1923, amid the Irish Civil War. The characterizations and backstories were excellent & added a lot of depth. The audio was very good, and gave a good sense of place.

#nunlitquarterly

mrsmarch Between Brother Cadfael and Father Brown, we‘re spoilt for choice. 🥰 1y
jlhammar I‘m only a couple chapters in and enjoying it so far. Hope to make some good progress yet tonight! 1y
Aimeesue @mrsmarch and Kemmelman‘s Rabbi Small, Sidney Chambers (Grantchester),) and whole not involving a rabbi/cleric/nun, Faye Kellerman‘s Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series always involves some aspect of Judiaism. ❤️ 1y
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mrsmarch @Aimeesue maybe you‘d like Isaac of Girona 1y
Aimeesue @mrsmarch oooh! That sounds good! Thanks for the rec! 1y
batsy Haha! Yes to Brother Cadfael. And I've just started watching Father Brown and enjoying it so much. Looking forward to starting this. 1y
Chrissyreadit I am an unreligious raised Catholic who loves Brother Cadfael and Father Brown. A niche i had not considered. Turns out Catholic mystery solving is fun. 1y
39 likes8 comments
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Tamra
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Mehso-so

Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy

Plenty of red herrings & blind alleys in this one! I enjoyed the Reverend Mother‘s spirited (pun intended) character - intelligent, clever, independent, just, & kind.
I disagree with Lucy‘s assessment she is naive to the ways of the “real” world.

I appreciated the pictured quote. 🤓

#nunlitquarterly

JamieArc Great passage! 1y
jlhammar That is a good quote! Look forward to starting soon. Life has really been getting in the way of my reading plans lately. You've been a treasured Reading Sister this past year. Stay tuned for 2024 #NunLitQuarterly voting (early November)! 1y
Tamra @jlhammar my reading has been wayyyyy down too! Too much busy work for work. 😩 1y
46 likes3 comments
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Deblovestoread
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Pickpick

#Scarathlon #NunLit

Set in Ireland during the early 1920‘s with the political upheaval as a backdrop a Reverend Mother finds a body and becomes involved in finding out what happened. I liked this beginning of series and will likely pick up the second.

Points: 15 photo challenge prompt #black, 730 word search, 220 readathon, 20 themed book, 1 participation = 986

#BatBrigade

jlhammar Can‘t wait to get started! Hopefully this weekend. 1y
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼👻🖤 1y
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Deblovestoread
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Starting my first book for #Scarathalon and also our quarterly #NunLit book. For #Photochallenge the nun‘s habit is black.

#BatBrigade @Catsandbooks @cats.and.books

5 pts + 1 participation point 🎃

Catsandbooks Great start! 🦇 1y
38 likes1 comment
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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

I finished A Shameful Murder for #nunlitquarterly. I especially liked how evocative it is of time (1920s) and place (Ireland.) I did occasionally lose the thread of the story, but I think that was more me than the fault of the author. I will read more in this series. #audiowalk

jlhammar Wow, finished already! Glad to hear you enjoyed. Looking forward to it! 1y
KathyWheeler @jlhammar I‘m doing a lot of walking and driving lately, so audiobooks are getting finished pretty quickly! 1y
32 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
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Started A Shameful Murder for #nunlitquarterly. I think I‘m going to like it. You can‘t tell, but the water in that fountain at the bottom is purple. It‘s down by the University of South Carolina, so I‘ve no clue what the purple is about since their colors are garnet and black. #audiowalk

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LitsyEvents
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Reposting for @jlhammar
#NunLitQuarterly 🔔 October 2023 reminder 🔔

Dear Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy,

Hope you are all ready for a historical mystery set in 1920s Cork, Ireland. Reverend Mother Aquinas is said to “rival Jane Marple in her astute observations of human nature.”

You know the drill—read the book sometime in October, post your review &/or any thoughts along the way and be sure to tag the group.

All are welcome!

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jlhammar
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#NunLitQuarterly 🔔 October 2023 reminder 🔔

Dear Perpetual Reading Sisters of Litsy,

Hope you are all ready for a historical mystery set in 1920s Cork, Ireland. Reverend Mother Aquinas is said to “rival Jane Marple in her astute observations of human nature.”

You know the drill—read the book sometime in October, post your review &/or any thoughts along the way and be sure to tag the group.

All are welcome!

jlhammar @LitsyEvents Please repost. Thanks! 1y
LeahBergen Oops! I may not get to this one. 1y
Deblovestoread Looking forward to this one! 1y
See All 7 Comments
Librarybelle Hooray!! 1y
Tamra Ready to take off the shelf! 1y
marleed Oohh, thanks for the reminder! 1y
batsy Thanks for the reminder! 1y
67 likes7 comments
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jlhammar
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#NunLitQuarterly QUARTER 4 VOTING

Thought it might be fun to go with a mystery for our October read. Reverend Mother Aquinas or Inspector Tom Reynolds?

If you‘d like to be added to the group (or removed), just let me know. All are welcome!

EvieBee They both sound great! I‘ll vote for 2y
See All 19 Comments
LeahBergen @Aimeesue The other choice is first in a series, too (at least it says so?). And I‘m the same!! 2y
Aimeesue @LeahBergen Oh, you're right. It says book 1 of 6, and I only caught the 6. Sheesh, I need to get my glasses! 🤓 I'll stick with the Harrison because 1923. 2y
quietjenn This one's tough, so I'll go with the one where the nun is the sleuth - 2y
Kristin_Reads I‘ll probably end up reading both! Either one!! 2y
JamieArc My opinion is split on this one! 2y
kspenmoll Please add me to the read! 2y
jlhammar @kspenmoll Do you want to vote on this Q4 pick? Which mystery would you prefer? I'll definitely tag you as part of the group in future posts. So glad you are joining us! 2y
41 likes19 comments