CAST A COLD EYE

by Alan Ryan ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1984

A sluggish, unevocative ghost-chaser involving sanguinary rites in old Ireland. American writer Jack Quinlan is in Ireland to work on a book about the Famine. He takes a house on the west coast and soon starts to see and hear ghosts of Famine victims. The local priest, Father Henning, is sympathetic but uncommunicative. Meanwhile, four mysterious oldsters are tramping the hillsides, pouring blood into the graves of the recently departed. And finally, after things warm up between Quinlan and his Irish girlfriend, it emerges that the living must placate the ghosts with a big bowl of their mingled blood (for drinking and graveyard pouring)--a rite in which Quinlan and his girlfriend must participate. Unfortunately, Ryan fails to establish any logical or emotional connection between Quinlan, the ghosts, the oldsters, or the blood; it all takes far too long to develop. And the result is hardworking, with lots of pleasant Irish ambience--but the story doesn't add up.

Pub Date: May 1, 1984

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dark Harvest (P.O. Box 48134, Niles, IL 60648)

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1984

Categories: FICTION