Weaving together the lives of an unlikely triumvirate, Brandner masterfully brings the troubles of Northern Ireland to a human level. In this poignant debut novel, the reader gains insight into a history of bloodshed, loyalty, and an elusive peace. The characters are well-defined and layered, revealing themselves gradually as they are forced to weigh their obligations -- to country, to family, to self. This is a story of passion, and the willingness to suffer for it.I look forward to the next installment in this series.