From the coast of Maine to the shores of the Emerald Isle, Irene M. Drago’s Irish Timber, her latest work of historical fiction, is a meticulously researched, elegantly written tale of maritime tragedy, life-changing love, and the harsh realities of war. Timely and relevant, Drago’s insightful follow-up to Lavinia Wren and the Sailmakers is an incisive and perceptive addition to the genre.
—Robert Monroe, author of Bungalow Terrace
Irish Timber
Inspired by true events, Irish Timber is a standalone novel and a follow-up to Lavinia Wren and the Sailmakers. In the summer of 1931, Susie Rowley travels to Ireland with her cousin, a friend, and the undoubtable Eliza Willey Walker. Eliza convinces the band of Yankee scholars to investigate the wreck of her grandfather’s ship, the Alfred D. Snow. When Susie falls for Hugh Larkin, a medical student from County Wexford, their quest takes a detour. Later, she returns to Dublin and takes a job at the national library working for Dr. Richard Hayes. The librarian is soon drafted by Irish military intelligence, and Susie, a gifted linguist, is asked to join him to catch a German spy. As war engulfs their world, Yankee and Irish families alike demonstrate the power of love and the enduring value of Irish timber.