Sometimes I stumble onto an author and wonder how I’ve been missing out for so long. Multi-published novelist Carla Neggers has been gracing the New York Times Bestsellers list for years, and somehow I’m only now finding out. The good news is, this means she has a lengthy back list. Her most recent, and the one to catch my eye, is Declan’s Cross, the latest in her Sharpe and Donovan series.

Carla Neggers has penned more than 60 novels, with translations in 24 languages. Born and raised in rural Massachusetts, she now lives with her family in Vermont. When not writing, she enjoys outdoor pursuits and reading good books. Natch.

About this book: For marine biologist Julianne Maroney, two weeks in tiny Declan’s Cross on the south Irish coast is a chance to heal her broken heart. She doesn’t expect to attract the attention of FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan—especially since a Donovan is the reason for her broken heart.

Emma and Colin are in Ireland for their own personal retreat. Colin knows he’s a reminder of everything Julianne wants to escape, but something about her trip raises his suspicion. Emma, an art crimes expert, is also on edge. Of all the Irish villages Julianne could choose…why Declan’s Cross?

Ten years ago, a thief slipped into a mansion in Declan’s Cross. Emma’s grandfather, a renowned art detective, investigated, but the art stolen that night has never been recovered and the elusive thief never caught.

From the moment Julianne sets foot on Irish soil, everything goes wrong. The well-connected American diver who invited her to Ireland has disappeared. And now Emma and Colin are in Declan’s Cross asking questions.

As a dark conspiracy unfolds amid the breathtaking scenery of Declan’s Cross, the race is on to stop a ruthless killer…and the stakes have never been more personal for Emma and Colin.

Genre: Fiction/Mystery

Judge this book by its cover? I love everything this cover represents, and the book delivers what it promises.

Reminds me of…Maeve Binchy (for setting)

Buy or borrow? Depends on how much you love mysteries.

Why did I read this book? For BookTrib for review.

Would I read another by this author? You bet.

My take: This novel’s idyllic Irish setting immediately captured my fancy, and its sparkling dialogue does everything dialogue is supposed to do: ring true to character, reveal their personalities and move the story forward. I thoroughly enjoyed keeping company with the characters, each of which arrives encumbered with complicated pasts, creating interesting conflict in the present.

Though at times I felt the plot’s pace lagged a wee bit, my interest in the characters and the setting made this quibble negligible.

In my opinion, the mystery itself takes a back seat to the exploration of the characters’ lives, which I found well worth the journey.

Note: While most of the story is PG, there is one R-rated love scene that might catch some readers by surprise.

Thanks to BookTrib/Meryl L. Moss Media Relations Inc. and Harlequin MIRA for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.

Find out more about Carla Neggers and her impressive array of novels at CarlaNeggers.com. You can also enjoy these photos she took while researching this book in Ireland.