Over the years I have read so many historical fiction novels all with varying degrees of subject matter, time period, and sub genre. I am always on the lookout for the next hot historical fiction novel especially from up and coming new authors. I love having a ‘secret’ book that no one knows about that I can share with everyone.
A few years ago I reviewed the first book in this series, A Class Apart, and I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when I first picked it up but then I was quickly involved with Bridget and Cormac’s story and devoured the book. Author Susie Murphy is an independent author and honestly sometimes self-published or independent authors are hit and miss but in Murphy’s case she is an absolute HIT. I cannot wait to see her books picked up by some big publishing houses because her epic series here is something special!
If I recall correctly, this series was meant to be just one book and then perhaps a trilogy but here we are on book four with I believe four more in the works! My heart is so happy that we aren’t done with Bridget and Cormac’s story yet and I am thrilled to see more books will be coming out in the upcoming years. This series has become by ‘secret’ book that I share with my friend and family. The book/book series that’s off the beaten path and a hidden gem in historical fiction!
Summary
Their choices have shackled her dreams…
It’s 1836, and Bridget and Cormac have arrived, full of hope, to the city of Boston with their growing family. However, as they adjust to domestic life together for the first time, they face anti-Irish sentiment from the local Americans, as well as a threat to their happiness from a much closer source.
Cormac undertakes the challenging search for his missing sister, Bronagh. He is determined to do all he can to put the broken pieces of his family back together, but the appalling truth he uncovers will shake him to his core.
Meanwhile, as Emily grows up in this new country, she realises how her parents’ past actions will affect her entire future and she begins to covet that which is no longer within her reach. When she receives an unexpected proposition, will she be able to resist its temptation, despite the untrustworthy nature of the person behind it?
A Class Coveted is the fourth book in Susie Murphy’s historical fiction series A Matter of Class. The story will continue in the fifth book, A Class Reunited. (summary from Goodreads)
Review
This is a BOOK. Not just in story but in length! Most of the books in this series come in around 500 pages but this one comes in at just over 600 so it certainly hit the ‘epic’ level for me. This series is truly ‘sweeping’ not just because the books are long but because the author takes her time writing developed characters, plot, and setting the historical stage for readers. Any historical fiction writer can throw in some historical details to highlight the time period but Murphy wants readers to have an understanding not just of the historical time period but also the social/cultural struggles that the Irish faced during the time period in which the book is set. In this book we have Bridget and Cormac coming toe Boston and they face quite a bit of cultural discrimination and distrust. Her dedication to history and research is evident in this book and is the case with all the books in this series. As Murphy is from Ireland herself, her love of Irish history and the country shine.
As we are four books in to this series now, I do not recommend randomly picking this one up without reading the other books in the series. This book builds on the plot from other books as well as the lives of the characters. Murphy does do a nice job of nudging readers memories about different characters from previous books to make sure they are reminded where things are at in the plot. I know that often with large sweeping sagas, recalling characters and picking up the threads of the plot from previous books can become cumbersome and tedious but Murphy does a nice job keeping readers on track and up to speed.
I don’t want to give a lot away about the plot but I loved reading about each characters struggles as well as their triumphs. This is another excellent installment to a beautiful series. If you love historical fiction that is more epic in nature this is certainly going to be an exciting book series for you. I have fallen in love with Bridget and Cormac and have loved seeing their relationship, lives, and families evolve throughout the series. I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series (side note, it did end with a bit of a cliffhanger!). Do not miss this series, it’s a wonderful piece of historical fiction from a lover of all things Irish and history!
Book Info and Rating
Format: 608 pages ebook
Published: November 29 2021
Free review copy provided by author, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: historical fiction
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