Review
Her best book yet, says Sarah Lapsley
- Jumping in Puddles
- Poolbeg
Cold Feet
Set in the sleepy Donegal village of Rathinch, Allan’s newest book is a departure from her usual style; with each of the main characters taking a turn at telling the tale.
It’s a device that works perfectly in this story of small-town, lone parents banding together. Niamh Quigley has everything she ever thought she wanted, but she’d give it all up to have another minute with her dead husband – or even to know why her best friend left her high and dry when she needed her most. Ruth Byrne’s husband has run off with a younger woman and left her to fend for their three children, including the stroppiest teenage girl alive, without a penny. Liam Dougherty’s wife is the younger woman in question and he would do anything to win her back. And last but not least is teen mum Ciara Boyle who will need a very good reason before revealing the identity of her daughter’s father. This disparate bunch is brought together by the mysterious Detta O’Neill, recently returned to the village, in the Looney Lone Parents’ Support Group. It’s the best scandal the rest of the village has seen in years, but our erstwhile heroes have more in common than they ever dreamed possible and each of their lives is about to change forever. Allan is in the Marian Keyes’ school of chick-lit, mixing her romance with serious issues and a dash of black Irish humour. This is her third novel in as many years and for my money it’s her best to date – slick, confident and with just the right mix of pathos and laughs. This local girl goes from strength to strength.
Sarah Lapsley