Andrew M. Greeley, Irish Linen

Irish Linen

Andrew M. Greeley

Forge, February 2007, $25.95

ISBN 0765315866

Idealist peace lover Desmond Doolin is missing somewhere in the Middle East, probably Iraq, where his Chicago based family last heard from him. The US government does what it does best, deny knowing anything about what happened to Desmond or if he is even alive. Having heard nothing for several weeks, his grieving family assumes he is dead.

Part-time psychic Nuala Anne McGrail finds out that fellow Windy City resident Desmond vanished without a trace somewhere allegedly in the Middle East. While everyone else concludes he was murdered, she believes he remains alive. She persuades her spouse Dermot Michael Coyne, who trusts her instincts, that they must follow the missing man's path, both in the Middle East and with the Catholic Church.

The investigation into Desmond's disappearance engages readers, as Nuala Anne's psychic power keeps her and Dermot believing the young man is alive; he especially has come a long way from the earlier tales. However, a memoir written by an Irish diplomat to Nazi Germany that the lead couple is reading is also fascinating, but distracts from the prime plot, though it makes some interesting muses like "Wars are easier to start than to end". Still, this is an intriguing thriller starring an interesting, obstinate protagonist.