Easy quick book featuring a young woman who has learned the art of herbs and healing in ireland. When a child in her care dies she is tried for murder. Acquitted, she flees Ireland to escape the gossip and taunting. In England her upper crust cousins help her find a place with a young widowed doctor. Sometimes it's nice to just float along with the anticipated romance -- as long as it doesn't get to sappy...And Nancy Herriman in her first book manages to continue the story line with nice darts and turns without a bit of maudlin or drooling honey soaked icky stuff. This isn't literature, it's not going to challenge your mind or be a good report for the book club, but when you hit a weekend and need warmth and comfort, stoke up the fire, put on some easy music, simmer a pot of your favorite soup and read away. You'll restore your soul and sooth your ills. The Irish Healer is the ageless romance between the handsome, English Doctor and the pretty, Irish girl, who is socially beneath him. Both haunted by past failures, they are instantly attracted to each other, although their social classes make any future together unacceptable. While the main characters, Rachel and James, are likable, they lack depth, and their background, which is the basis of the whole story, is only skimmed over; as is the background of several of the secondary characters such as Molly, Claire and Joe.As Rachel and James begin making changes in their lives to leave past memories behind, they are continually drawn together and forced to face the truth. And, of course, there's the evil sister (in-law) reminding them of who they are and where, in her and society's opinion, they belong.The comment on the cover regarding the Daphne du Maurier Award for Mystery/Romance Suspense was misleading because it does not refer to this novel but to a previously unpublished manuscript written by the author. This novel, in fact, contained no mystery and the only suspense (if you want to call it that) was whether Rachel and James would be able to overcome their feelings of failure, heal those closest to them, and build a life together.While the message is good and not overdone, and it was overall a pleasant book, I found it predictable and lacking in detail. The basis was there for a great novel, but was never fully developed. I would have preferred more history and healing and less pondering of the main character's worthlessness.If you're looking for more than an romance, then this book is not your best choice.
What do You think about The Irish Healer (2012)?
Cute story, but it was a little slow for me.
—Maria
