ARC Review: Beyond the Pale by Clare O'Donohue

Beyond the Pale
Author: Clare O'Donohue
Series: A World of Spies Mystery
Publication: Midnight Ink (May 8, 2018)

Description: Married college professors agree to help Interpol in Ireland, but a simple errand leads them into a deadly criminal enterprise

It's a simple, twenty-minute job. At least, that's the pitch from Interpol to married college professors Hollis and Finn Larsson. Going undercover to procure a priceless rare book manuscript means an all-expenses paid trip abroad. A little danger thrown into the mix may even spice things up.

Soon after landing in the Emerald Isle, they realize the job is anything but simple. Their contact is a no show and they're left with fifty thousand euros, some serious questions, and a possible death threat. Ducking and dodging their way across Ireland, Hollis and Finn must hunt down the priceless manuscript and a missing agent while trying to stay one step ahead of a dangerous and unknown enemy.

My Thoughts: Hollis and Finn Larsson have a good life as college professors at a small Midwestern college. But Hollis is feeling a little disappointed that her life isn't more exciting. Before she married Finn, she was trained at the Farm to become a CIA agent but decided a life with Finn was what she really wanted.

Fifteen years later, a fellow student David Agnelli comes to recruit them to do a simple errand for him. Well, mostly he needs Finn's skills at authenticating works of literature but Finn has already turned him down. Now he plays on his old relationship with Hollis to convince Finn.

The errand should be simple: fly to Ireland, pick up an unknown play by Brendan Behan at an antique dealer, and hand it off to a contact of David's. But things don't work out nearly that easily. The antique dealer is missing as is the manuscript and Finn and Hollis are being followed by three different parties all of whom want the manuscript. They have no one to trust but each other as they race to find the manuscript first.

I loved the scenic tour of Ireland and the warmth and friendliness of the Irish people. I loved the dynamics of Finn and Hollis's marriage. I thought the mystery was nicely twisty. The action was fast-paced. I recommend this mystery for those who ever wished they had become a spy.

Favorite Quote:

"In life you make choices. And 'all of the above' isn't one of them."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.