An Irish Country Village

by: Patrick Taylor

Published by: Forge (February 3 release)

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

An Irish Country Village is the Sequel to An Irish Country Doctor. The author, Patrick Taylor, is a medical doctor.

It’s always tough to follow a really good act, and if you’re a new doctor in Northern Ireland in the 1960’s it’s really tough, especially if the doctor in question is the sometimes grumpy Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly. The local legend of Balleybucklebo is “one” with his patients. He views their diverse medical problems and lives as an extension of his own in some ways.

Dr. Barry Laverty is new to Balleybucklebo and practices medicine in a more “modern” manner than his mentor. Yet with all their differences, Laverty respects O’Reilly.

The doctors continue where they left off in An Irish Country doctor. They are healing the sick, becoming involved in the lives of their patients and experiencing the good and the bad of life (along with some quirky characters).

There is a malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Laverty and he must struggle to save his reputation following the misdiagnosis of a prominent local man. There is also a little love in the air as he finds his attraction to Patricia Spence growing. But that may be short lived as there is also the fear that she will leave the village for Cambridge.

There’s also a roof to fix, a troubling pregnancy, a fight over the fate of the Black Swan pub, a distressing rash and so much more that will keep you turning the pages with a smile on your face. Balleybucklebo is populated with the quirky characters we all have known in our own lives and they, as well as the two good doctors, make the visit to this small Northern Ireland village a place you’d like to stop awhile and visit, not wanting to hurry that visit.

Patrick Taylor writes a funny, fun-filled story of characters that are living life and are for the most part pretty good-hearted (even the bad have that spark of goodness). The two doctors are the glue that holds everything together and the result is a rollicking good story with the beauty of the area as a backdrop.

A good read, but start with An Irish Country Doctor, followed by An Irish Country Village and round out your journey with An Irish Country Christmas.

Armchair Interviews says: It will be a wonderful visit to Balleybucklebo.

Author’s Web site: http://www.PatrickTaylor.ca