Book six in the Reverend Mother series of historical mysteries set in Ireland in the 1920's. The Queens Old Castle refers to a department store built into the remains of a medieval castle wall. Upon visiting for the first time in many, many years the Reverend Mother finds herself drawn into an intriguing murder mystery. Suspects aplenty, twists and turns together with a good, solid plot makes this a very enjoyable read. Recommended.

This was an interesting mystery. I like the setting of Ireland. It is the first book I have read in this series, and I think the series has a mature and intellectual heroine. I am very keen to read the other mysteries.

Cora Harrison engages Reverend Mother to find out who caused the death of the owner of the Queen's Old Castle, a store with something for everyone in 1920's Ireland. Too many suspects to count, but just one death. Will the right suspect be found? Was it family or a store worker? Read and enjoy.

How have I managed to miss this series? Here is the 6th in the series and it's all new to me. Now that I have enjoyed this entry, the previous five titles are on my must read list. I was attracted by the fact that it's a historical mystery - 1920's Cork and I have to admit it's a period I'm not very familiar with. I can't wait to catch up.
The Reverend Mother is a true force to be reckoned with. She has come to the shabby department store to pick through stock that has been damaged by a recent flood. Money is always tight and she has been offered free items she can use for the girls under her care. As she moves around the store, aided by a boy who was a former student, now doing an apprenticeship in the store, the store owner makes an appearance. About the same time she smells gas, he falls down dead at her feet. Was it an accident? Or was it murder? Considering how many people disliked him, the list of suspects is long. Then his will is revealed and the list gets even longer when his family is added. However, the prime suspect, according to the dead mans' widow, is the boy and The Reverend Mother is drawn into the investigation. She is a wonderfully drawn character as are Detective Patrick Cashman, Eileen MacSweeney and Dr. Scher. There are plenty of the required twists and turns and a lot of history to hold it all together. The ending left me looking forward to the 7th entry.

This is book 6 in the Reverend Mother series – a fact of which I wasn’t aware when I read the book. It worked fine as a stand alone book for me.


An unusual death occurs during a flood sale at the Oueen’s Old Castle, a basic department store. The Reverend Mother is there acquiring some linen for the convent and is on hand to see the owner, Joseph Fitzwilliam meet his end. Was he murdered? It certainly seems that way, though as a heartily disliked man by family and the residents of Cork, there are more than a few suspects.


This book is what is now generally known as “cosy crime”. This is not a derogatory term by any means but indicates a murder without excessive blood, guts & gore. I found this a really easy book to read as the story flowed well. The plot is well constructed with well written characters. For once the detective doesn’t seem to be a generically dysfunctional person which made a nice change. I loved the Reverend Mother – a wily old bird whom nothing gets past. She is not above slightly abusing her position to find out what she wants. There are undertones of historical Irish politics in the book – which can’t be overlooked in 1920s Ireland – with mentions of the IRA & the separation of the catholics and protestants. These aren’t bought into the story in a big way but are vital background to the city & its people.
I enjoyed the description in this book. The poverty in Cork is apparent as is its “small town” feel. Gossip is rife & the Reverend Mother knows everyone & taught most of them!


I found the characters interesting & three dimensional. I also enjoyed the twist it the end. No, it is not totally original and yes, I did see some of it coming but that didn’t spoil the book for me. I shall certainly be on the look out for more books by this author.


I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

Death in a department store!

"Murder [thought the Reverend Mother] was like a cancer. Its tentacles spread out and infected those who had been touched by it." And nothing is truer than for this murder.
A man dead from gas inhalation in the Queen's Old Castle, a grand name for a local department store in Cork. A young boy accused of murder by the distracted widow. A fractured family kept under the thumb by their tyrannical father, Joseph Fitzwilliam, are all disinherited and thrown over for the favorite son.
Detective Patrick Cashman has his hands full, Eileen MacSweeney is in the mix and the Reverend Mother has an eye on all the participants.
There are some wonderful touches including the whizzing around of the money canisters. I remember them from my childhood in an antiquated favorite store. I was just as fascinated as Brian Moloney.
As a side note the practice of apprenticeship and employment in Cork during the 1920's comes under scrutiny. Harrison has once again given us meat to chew on in this murder mystery set in the Ireland of these times. A pleasing read with my favorites out sleuthing. I love the wisdom and compassion of the Reverend Mother.
Things don't quite turn out in the normal way but as Reverend Mother reflects with a quote from Thomas Aquinas: "For the sake of the community, murder must never be tolerated."
Another great Irish historical crime read!

A NetGalley ARC

I liked this mystery and I'm happy I discovered a new great series!
It's an amazing story, full of twist and turns, that keeps you hooked till the last page.
The cast of characters is well written and likeable, the Reverend Mother and Eileen were my favourite.
The historical background is well researched and it's rich of details about the political and social situation.
The mystery was great, full of twist and turns, with an ending that reminded me of Agatha Christie.
An entertaining, engaging and fascinating book that I read in one setting.
I look forward to reading other instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC

While the castle is no longer a castle, it is still in use. As a very low-end department store in Cork. The goods are shabby at best and the place itself is in deplorable condition. It is not a place we would normally find our good Reverend Mother. And yet due to a recent flood she is offered whatever she would like from the damaged goods. With money always in short supply she ventures out to the old place.

In all these years she has had no reason to go there and very little has changed since she has been there. With an apprentice who was a former student carrying her basket she sets about finding what she can for the girls at school and the other nuns.

At about the same time she smells gas, the owner comes out of his office and falls to his death at her feet. Putting her right in the thick of what looks like murder. 

All of our favorite characters are here. Eileen, Patrick and the good Doctor, who is acting rather odd and solicitous to the man's wife. Mr. Fitzwilliams was not a popular man, even within his own family, but could someone have finally had enough of him?

I enjoyed this one. I have enjoyed them all. The Reverend Mother is a wonderful character and this series keeps getting better.

Very Well Done!

Netgalley/Severn House January 01,2019

The title of this is a little deceiving as it isn’t set in a castle and there isn’t a queen. The story is instead set in 1920 s Dublin. I’ve enjoyed all Mother Supeeior novels from this author. The characterisation is great and the mysteries intriguing, I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good historical mystery.
I was given a ARC by Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

Murder at The Queen's Old Castle, by Cora Harrison, is about neither a queen nor a castle but there is, indeed, a murder. The Queen's Old Castle is actually a department store specializing in cheap quality goods in Dublin, Ireland during the 1920s.

Harrison doesn't waste any time setting the scene and having the grouchy old miser, who owns the department store murdered. The list of possible suspects is as long as your arm, there are very few of the myriad of characters found in the book who could not have done it, and these are basically a nun, a policeman and a physician. Means and motives also abound.

Harrison weaves a clever murder mystery that is solved by an intelligent old spinster (sound familiar?) but in the process she draws our attention to the job prospects available in Ireland at that time and helps one to understand how the IRA managed to recruit so many willing participants.


I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mother Superior novels never disappoint me, the history and the characters are always exactly right. I was a bit shocked at the ending (so apparently was Mother Superior and Dr. Scher).

Did the murderer get away? Will this be continued in another outing? If so, will Patrick and Eileen bring the person to justice? A decent amount of characters left loose ends here so I am hoping for a continuation at another time.

The social and political aspects of this era fascinate me greatly, as well as plot and players. The aspect of a whole generation waiting until the end of their child bearing years, for economic reasons, is intriguing and poignant.

My own Irish immigrant granduncles and grandparents did the same, trying to make their way in this new place, which was far more distant than "the boat to Liverpool".


Strongly recommended for all mystery fans. Thanks to Cora Harrison and NetGalley for this one