content: The little town of Castlebay comes alive in this thoroughlyreadable novel. The characters seem compelling and believable.Small-town mores are depicted realistically, without apology.Although it was sad that Clair's education was interrupted, Ithink the ending allows for Clare and David's reconciliationand Clare's eventual return for her degree. If somebody hadto be sacrificed I could handle it being Gerry Doyle, therewas something disconcerting about his character.Angela O'Hara was great; her pairing with Dick Dillon wasat first a bit surprising but satisfying in the end.This was a pleasant story about average Irish people, howthey work, live, and love, and how and why they keep somany family secrets.