Summary from GoodReads:

“And there’s a legend—she had only vague details—that all couples who are meant to marry are connected by an invisible silver cord which is wrapped around their ankles at birth, and in time the matchmaking gods pull those cords tighter and tighter and draw the couple slowly toward one another until they meet.” So says Miss Kate Begley, Matchmaker of Kenmare, the enigmatic woman Ben MacCarthy meets in the summer of 1943.As World War II rages on, Ben remains haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his wife, the actress Venetia Kelly. Searching for purpose by collecting stories for the Irish Folklore Commission, he travels to a remote seaside cottage to profile the aforementioned Matchmaker of Kenmare.

Ben is immediately captivated by the forthright Miss Begley, who is remarkably self-assured in her instincts but provincial in her experience. Miss Begley is determined to see that Ben moves through his grief—and a powerful friendship is forged along the way.

But when Charles Miller, a striking American military intelligence officer, arrives on the scene, Miss Begley develops an intense infatuation and looks to make a match for herself. Miller needs a favor, but it will be dangerous. Under the cover of their neutrality as Irish citizens, Miss Begley and Ben travel to London and effectively operate as spies. As they are drawn more deeply and painfully into the conflict, both discover the perils of neutrality—in both love and war.

Steeped in colorful history, The Matchmaker of Kenmare is a stirring story of friendship and sacrifice. New York Times bestselling author Frank Delaney has written a lush and surprising novel, rich as myth, tense as a thriller, and like all grand tales—harrowing, sometimes hilarious, and heartbreaking.

My Review:

I wasn’t introduced to Frank Delaney until fairly recently, when I stumbled across the gorgeous cover of Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show sitting on the table at my local Barnes and Noble.  I was fascinated by the old-style of the art-work, the catchy title and the promise of a story that was new and different to me.  I wasn’t disappointed by it.

I was thrilled to learn that there was a sequel in the works and even more thrilled to be contacted with an offer of an advanced copy.  It was with great anticipation I made time in my reading schedule for The Matchmaker of Kenmare, and I was well-rewarded for doing so.

The first few pages in this book are so lyrical and moving that I savored each and every word like it was the last bite of my mom’s chocolate pie.   Delaney’s method of describing people is superb – I called my dad more than once just to read to him the beauty of what I was seeing on the page.  I found  myself crying more than once as well, because it was that perfect.

I’m not one of those people to write a bunch of stuff about the story that will spoil it for others before the book even is released – so I’ll say this in summary. The Matchmaker of Kenmare enchanted me and has firmly solidified my “fan-girlishness” when it comes to Frank Delaney.  I have a love for (and desire to see) Ireland, I get giddy when confronted with anything Irish and The Matchmaker of Kenmare filled my imagination with sights, sounds and so much more – not just of pleasant, pretty Ireland, but gritty war-time Ireland.  Each side was perfect in its own way and I cannot wait to see what Delaney will do next.

Check out these review(s):

Historical Novel Review