Inish Clare

Unlike McMahon’s fresh and atmospheric debut, Bohermore, this sequel is hard to follow; it jumps from graveyard to pub to castle to island to monastery, dizzying the reader. Like all the other women in her family, Maeve O’Malley experiences haunting visions of an ancient pirate queen, which compels her to leave Boston for Galway, Ireland. Maeve believes that an ancient key and ring inherited from her recently deceased grandparents will help her quiet the pirate queen, who she now understands is trying to help Maeve reclaim the ancient lands of their clan. Maeve’s romantic prospects are hampered by her lack of insight and trust in her feelings; she has two suitors, but neither one encourages readers to cheer for his prospects. Despite these flaws, fans of the first book will likely stick with the series, hoping that the queen and her consort will get their own happy ending after 500 years of unrest. (Oct.)