Midwest Reviews of The Irish Clans Series by Stephen Finlay Archer — December 2021

“I was pleased to read your fine books and to recommend them to others: I hope your efforts generate many sales for you!” — Diane Donovan, Editor

Searchers: The Irish Clans (Book One)

ISBN 9780990801931

Searchers is the first book in a series of novels about the Irish revolutionary wars between clans. It’s especially recommended for historical novel readers who want an in-depth touch of the military, social, cultural, and religious history of Ireland’s clans, politics, and Celtic heritage.

It’s a fictitious epic that presents the premise of a secret Clans Pact that hides wealth from the British, crafting an engaging series of clashes and scenarios from real-world experiences.

In this opening story, a death in 1915 Ireland fuels the flames of revolution while concurrently, in America, Irish immigrants who remain connected to the Old Country become immersed in the conflict. Three very different characters are drawn into this fray: Claire, an Irish girl who has amnesia after surviving the Torpedo sinking of the Lusitania ocean liner and is renamed Morgan by Tadgh. She has connections to the past that could influence future choices; Tadgh, a rebel sea captain who becomes embroiled in a decision that will lead to his validity as a Clan Chieftain; and Collin, a Canadian husband faced with an impossible choice.

This story operates on many levels as it outlines a search for identity, wealth, redemption, and validity which captures disparate personal transformations.

Irish peoples around the world became embroiled in the revolutionary clashes that emerged between 1915 and 1923. Searchers displays an attention to detail that captures these events as they evolve on more than the home soil of Ireland.

From growing commitments to the cause displayed by Morgan and others to relics, secrets, and emerging political battles with the British, Stephen Finlay Archer crafts a story replete in the special interests, that’s both personal and political, centered on and reflected by characters who stand up to each other to support their ideals of the Irish identity.

Dialogue between these characters neatly sum up and outlines many of these dilemmas: “Don’t ya be throwing Denis McCarthy’s words back at me, Sean,” Tadgh protested. “Parnell tried the pen, and the British bastards spoke with forked tongue. Look what’s happening to the Home Rule Bill to finally integrate our homeland. These demons are allowing for the buildup of arms for the Ulster Volunteers to stop the bill by force if necessary.”

Readers might think they need prior familiarity with Irish history in order to appreciate the evolving scenario in Searchers, but the only prerequisite is an interest in Irish culture and affairs.

Archer takes care of the rest, personalizing the simmering politics of the nation and times by creating a host of characters who display special interests and values. These take on new meaning under the changing, volatile political environment that affects the world.

The result is a fine introduction to the series that successfully crafts a series of encounters and scenarios to set the stage for future stories of each individual and Ireland as a whole. Historical fiction collections and any interested in Irish heritage will welcome the detailed survey introduced in Searchers: The Irish Clans.

Midwest Reviews of The Irish Clans Series by Stephen Finlay Archer — December 2021

“I was pleased to read your fine books and to recommend them to others: I hope your efforts generate many sales for you!” — Diane Donovan, Editor

Entente: The Irish Clans (Book Two)

ISBN 9780990801955

The ancient clans’ pact and influence that was outlined and developed in Searchers expands in Entente, Book Two of The Irish Clans series.

Here, Irish revolutionaries involve Germany in their cause as World War I emerges, challenging Irish Republican Tadgh McCarthy and his lover Morgan to continue their battle for Irish freedom, albeit under the cloak of a wider-ranging war.

As these events take place, Irish Canadian Collin continues to agonize over his vanished sister Claire’s fate and his own failing marriage.

The interplays between politics and personal lives and family clans and world events, that began in Searchers broadens and continues in Entente, where the overlay of war changes everything in a blend of fact and fiction that keeps readers involved not just in politics, but personal lives.

Stephen Finlay Archer’s ability to weave history into a gripping, action-packed story line that captures disparate characters’ special interests and dilemmas keeps his series absorbing even for readers who may harbor little initial interest in the historical fiction genre.

Morgan and Tadgh’s relationship and concerns were introduced in Searchers, but here the two really blossom as world events expand to encompass and challenge their beliefs and objectives.

From blockades and risky confrontations to preparations for a Rising that operate within the confines of bigger conflicts, Archer creates another thoroughly engrossing story that contrasts Irish interests and perspectives with events going on in the rest of the world.

His ability to keep these developments moving swiftly on both a personal and political level makes Entente a powerful story. It builds on its predecessor’s events, but also stands nicely alone as it weaves a tale of Irish forces continuing their struggles under the atmosphere and outside conflicts of other nations during World War I.

Readers who like historical fiction infused with the lives of ordinary people turned revolutionaries will find Entente’s ability to craft believable characters and scenarios based on historical truth spiced with fictional events makes for riveting reading that, once again, is hard to put down.

Rising: The Irish Clans (Book Three)

ISBN 9780998691008

Book 3 of The Irish Clans, Rising, continues the evolving story of Irish rebels Tadgh and Morgan, and Irish Canadian Collin, whose sister is still missing. Here, Tadgh and Morgan participate in the Dublin Easter Rising while Collin makes the decision to leave his wife and newborn son to continue his search for his missing sister in Ireland.

As the Clan continues to look for the Clans Pact treasures and faces many opponents, the tides of war rise. The 1916 era is brought to life by Stephen Finlay Archer’s attention to not just historical detail, but interpersonal relationships.

As events move from Canada to Ireland and characters move beyond their comfort zones to tackle new problems and possibilities, readers gain a vivid sense of the times, its influences, and the conundrums faced by all as the world changes:

“This is only the beginning, Sean. You mind me. We will exterminate the British here in Ireland.” O’Casey pretended not to hear.

From a battle on the Irish Sea at Dublin, Ireland to terrible situations experienced by those devoted to the Cause in that city, and clues provided in the Clans Pact, readers receive a combination of treasure hunt, evolving social and political challenges, and changing hearts and minds. Each character is charged with operating outside of their experience and expectations, growing from their decisions and world influences alike.

Between dangers on the waters to intrigue on shore, Archer juxtaposes disparate journeys of life and death and brings tension to a riveting new level as each character searches for answers, lives through atrocities, and uncovers answers to their personal and political conundrums.

It’s hard to say what is more compelling: the intrigue and plots evolved by rebels Tadgh and Morgan as they struggle to uncover the Clans Pact secrets, or Collin’s desperate attempts to find his missing sister against all odds.

Sometimes, the love for one’s life and country clash. Sometimes the characters despair of any kind of resolution that will allow them to live in freedom, health, and happiness.

The intrigue and questions keep Rising fast paced as Archer highlights the ideas and actions that lend to an inevitable clash, personalizing Irish and world politics in a manner that will keep even readers without a ground in Irish affairs engrossed and wondering what will happen next.

That’s because each character’s individual perspective, efforts, and convictions shine in a story replete with action, unexpected twists, and ongoing challenges.

McCarthy Gold: The Irish Clans (Book Four)

ISBN 9780998691046

Book 4 of the Irish Clans series takes place after the Easter Uprising chronicled in the third story and follows The Clans’ search for the McCarthy gold treasure and the ongoing efforts of Collins to find his sister.

Containing more of a treasure hunt atmosphere than the previous books, McCarthy Gold will engage readers with a different tone and flavor that retains the historical backdrop while moving into puzzles and problem-solving scenarios to intrigue those interested in hidden treasures and suspense.

Each character continues to develop as new dilemmas affect their choices. Will Collin permanently abandon his wife and their newborn child in Canada to pursue the truth about his sister’s whereabouts? Can Tadgh and Morgan keep their activities secret from the Protestant Times and other forces like rogue policeman Boyle that would interfere with their mission?

From the historical religious significance of the O’Donnell Clan to Boyle’s hunt for treasures (now likely in possession of the McCarthy Clans Pact), Stephen Finlay Archer provides a story that entwines politics, passion, and intrigue with an edict to fulfill forefathers’ noble plans: “We are the generation chosen by God and destiny to recover the treasures of our Clans so that they can be used to fuel our glorious revolution.”

Once again, history and mystery entwine with cultural revelations that probe the foundations of social and historical change in Ireland.

Because the Clans and their stories and books are interwoven and build upon a foundation established in Book 1, it’s highly recommended that readers adopt a sequential pursuit of this series. The rich development of characters, perspectives, and missions of transformation and discovery could not be gained from reading just one of these books, while the progressive action and adventures that build upon one another to further the story are nicely constructed.

McCarthy Gold introduces new considerations about the effects of heritage, wealth, and the attitudes of traitors and believers on events that unfold here.

Its development further intrigue and suspense keeps the action vivid as the historical backdrop expands, making for a fine series addition that continues to grow its characters and purposes against a historically accurate, rich backdrop of action.

All these books should be standard acquisitions for any library interested in Irish history and culture.

Revolution: The Irish Clans (Book Five)

ISBN 9781952314001

While it may seem that revolution already fuels the atmosphere in the first four books in the Irish Clans series, Book 5 takes a closer look at the unfolding events that opened the series in 1915 and moves towards a civil war in 1922–1923.

Once again, the lasting legacy and rekindled growth of the McCarthy and O’Donnell Clans add fuel to the fire of anti-British forces and internal debates that threaten to tear Ireland apart.

Hidden treasure and new possibilities again play a major role in the uprising as individuals pursue both personal goals and wider-ranging ideals. But the heart of Revolution lies in its ability to depict connections between historical events, the 1900s challenges that affect Morgan and Tadgh’s lives, and the forces that bring them to the brink of drowning.

From puzzles and their connections to quaffing drinks in pubs that foster the plans and rudiments of war, Morgan and Tadgh navigate an increasingly dangerous atmosphere that’s on the brink of exploding. Readers are introduced to Irish culture and sentiments in a manner that brings these times and perspectives to life.

As Archer builds his series, it’s evident that its foundation of solid historical facts (reviewed in the back of each book, to provide history buffs with detailed information) lends to the evolving story.

It’s easy to absorb medieval Irish history, myths, and culture when these elements are presented through the eyes, hearts, and experiences of memorable characters whose individual concerns and pursuits become embroiled in Irish politics.

Revolution both enhances the series and, once again, concludes in a cliffhanger designed to set the stage for the next addition to the series.

Archer’s ability to build intrigue, incorporate a secret pact and treasure hunt into Ireland’s evolving struggles, and present all events through the eyes of characters who each hold personal strengths and ambitions creates a story that is engrossing, hard to put down, and another strong compliment to the series as a whole.

Collections strong in historical fiction, treasure hunt intrigue, and Irish culture and history will find each book in this series a sterling example of the ability of historical fiction to educate in a lively, compelling manner.