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With Our Blessing: The unforgettable beginning to the addictive crime series (An Inspector Tom Reynolds Mystery Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 3,696 ratings

It's true what they say . . . revenge is sweet.

1975
A baby, minutes old, is forcibly taken from its devastated mother.

2010
The body of an elderly woman is found in a Dublin public park in the depths of winter.

Detective Inspector Tom Reynolds is on the case. He's convinced the murder is linked to historical events that took place in the notorious Magdalene Laundries. Reynolds and his team follow the trail to an isolated convent in the Irish countryside. But once inside, it becomes disturbingly clear that the killer is amongst them . . . and is determined to exact further vengeance for the sins of the past.

PRAISE FOR JO SPAIN

'A stunning read'
Woman's Way

'Absolutely love this series, so hard to put down!'
5* reader review

'Refreshing and full of twists'
Express

'Jo Spain never fails to keep you guessing'
5* reader review

'Clever, pacey, compulsive'
Sunday Mirror

'Riveting and chilling'
5* reader review

'Expertly crafted, deeply immersive and timely'
Irish Independent

'Chief Super Reynolds at his best'
5* reader review

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 6 books in this series.

From the Publisher

Jo Spain, Inspector Tom Reynolds Mysteries
With Our Blessing (Book 1)
Beneath The Surface (Book 2)
Sleeping Beauties (Book 3)
The Darkest Place (Book 4)
The Boy Who Fell (Book 5)
After the Fire (Book 6)
Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars 3,696
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,892
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,686
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,486
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,841
Price £9.99 £8.27 £8.27 no data £10.11 £5.01

Product description

Review

Packed with fascinating details about the inner workings of Leinster House, this is a satisfying mysteryIrish Independent

Brilliant! Fast paced, well researched and sensitive. Jo Spain is a sparking new talentIrish Examiner

Brilliant! Fast paced, well researched and sensitive.
Jo Spain is a sparkling new talentIrish Examiner

Spain's
vivid thriller explores the dark secrets of Ireland's past that are a real-life situation haunting so many people within Irish society today ― Irish Country Living

In a very strong year for Irish crime-fiction debuts, Jo Spain's
With Our Blessing is among the most assured . . . With Our Blessing picks at the scabs of recent Irish history to reveal raw and gaping wounds ― Irish Times

Spain's vivid thriller explores the dark secrets of Ireland's past that are a real-life situation haunting so many people within Irish society today ―
Irish Country Living

Atmospheric and compellingSinead Crowley

Fiendishly clever . . . and a big fat twist is lobbed into the ending like a hand grenade ― Irish Sunday Independent

An uncomfortable read that delves into [a] country's dark secrets ―
Irish Independent

Spain handles the inevitable tensions with
aplombSunday Times

Absolutely my comfort readingAnn Cleeves

In a very strong year for Irish crime-fiction debuts, Jo Spain's
With Our Blessing is among the most assured . . . The story is rooted in decades-old cruelty and abuse, but despite the vivid brutality with which Spain opens the novel the tale as a whole is a rather genteel affair, an old-fashioned harking back to Agatha Christie . . . The apparently cosy tone is only skin deep, however: With Our Blessing picks at the scabs of recent Irish history to reveal raw and gaping wounds -- Declan Burke ― Irish Times

Jo Spain's vivid thriller explores the dark secrets from Ireland's past that continue to haunt Irish society today ―
Martin Sixsmith, author of Philomena

Takes the traditional "country house mystery" and gives it an Irish twist. Atmospheric and compelling ―
Sinéad Crowley, author of Can Anybody Help Me?

About the Author

Jo Spain is a full-time writer and screenwriter. Her first novel, With Our Blessing, was one of seven books shortlisted in the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition and her first psychological thriller, The Confession, was a number one bestseller in Ireland. Jo co-wrote the ground-breaking television series Taken Down and she's now working on multiple European television projects. Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and their four young children.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00X66FJYM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quercus
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 3 Sept. 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 447 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1784293161
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ An Inspector Tom Reynolds Mystery
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 3,696 ratings

About the author

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Jo Spain
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Jo Spain is the author of the bestselling Tom Reynolds detective series and several No.1 bestselling standalone thrillers. She began writing full-time when her first book, top ten bestseller With Our Blessing, was chosen as one of 7 finalists in the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition.

Jo is a full-time screenwriter. Her first show, critically-acclaimed crime series 'Taken Down', aired in 2018. In 2021, she co-wrote Harry Wild, starring Jane Seymour, with its creator, Emmy-award winning David Logan (to air 2022). She is currently working on several international productions, including adaptations of her own novels.

A graduate of Trinity College, Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and four children.

What the critics say:

Jo Spain's vivid thriller explores the dark secrets from Ireland's past that continue to haunt Irish society today - Martin Sixsmith, author of Philomena

Takes the traditional "country house mystery" and gives it an Irish twist. Atmospheric and compelling -Sinéad Crowley, author of Can Anybody Help Me?

The best crime novels are arguably those which provide insight into how a society’s fabric is structured… With Our Blessing is a timely exploration of Ireland’s shameful recent past. Good ideas are like hens-teeth and the premise for the novel is razor-sharp…. The denouement is fiendishly clever, a climax in the old-fashioned Agatha Christie-esque sense… a big fat twist is lobbed into the ending like a hand grenade' – Claire Coughlan, Sunday Independent

Brilliant! Fast paced, well researched and sensitive. Jo Spain is a sparking new talent - Irish Examiner

An uncomfortable read that delves into [a] country's dark secrets - Irish Independent

Absolutely my comfort reading – Ann Cleeves, author of Vera & the Shetland series

In a very strong year for Irish crime-fiction debuts, Jo Spain's With Our Blessing is among the most assured . . . an old-fashioned harking back to Agatha Christie . . . The apparently cosy tone is only skin deep, however: With Our Blessing picks at the scabs of recent Irish history to reveal raw and gaping wounds - Declan Burke Irish Times

Dublin author, Jo Spain, has debuted with gusto... This is a novel of tension, suspense and stories...a page-turner, no doubt. The warmness of the characters made it an extra special read, with the added feeling of reading a modern Agatha Christie tipping it into one of the best crime thrillers I have read for a while. - Bleach House Library

Involving and intriguing– a really quite beautifully written, immediately immersive story that is completely gripping throughout...one of those novels that you devour, excellent pacing, unpredictable – Lizlovesbooks

One of those books that you won’t forget in a hurry. An excellent début novel, Jo Spain is one to watch - Betweenmylines

Spain's vivid thriller explores the dark secrets of Ireland's past that are a real-life situation haunting so many people within Irish society today - Irish Country Living

We’ve been spoiled for choice over the last few years with some excellent fiction from homegrown authors, and this debut from Jo Spain certainly deserves to take its place among the must-reads in the crime/thriller genre – Mayo library 2015 top picks

Reminiscent of Louise Penny’s The Beautiful Mystery…. stories from past and present mingling together like the twisted roots of an ancient tree…Jo Spain is definitely a name to watch for the future - Crimefictionlover

Superbly written… this fast-paced debut kept me guessing until the end. The characters make this shine above most in the genre. I loved it – Books Ireland

A book ripped straight from shocking headlines – Crimethrillerfella

‘An unexpected and shocking climax’ – The Times

‘Spain handles the inevitable tensions with aplomb’ – The Sunday Times

‘An enthralling read’ – Portobello Book Blog

‘The backstabbing, the pay-offs, the intrigue, the suspense….all here!’ – Swirl and Thread

‘Beneath The Surface has pushed its way into my Top Five novels of 2016, and I will be scanning the horizon for the first sight of the next Tom Reynolds story’ – The Postman Delivers

‘Competently written and tightly-woven thriller is a must-read for fans of political thrillers and Irish crime novels’ – Shotsmag

‘A 5-star stunning debut’ – Nudge magazine

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
3,696 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging with a brilliant twist at the end and many twists and turns throughout. Moreover, the writing is easy to read and the characters feel well-rounded, while the story is researched and had customers guessing until the very end. Additionally, they appreciate the Irish humor scattered throughout the narrative. However, the pacing receives mixed reviews, with some customers finding it good while others note it's a little slow at the beginning.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

93 customers mention ‘Readability’93 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and enjoyable, with several describing it as one of the best they've read.

"Read for a book club - is an excellent read especially if wanting to try out the genre...." Read more

"...It gripped me early in play and just kept getting better and getter. The characters were well written and totally convincing...." Read more

"...The twists and turns meant it never failed to enthral and even though I guessed several times, I was wrong at the outcome!..." Read more

"Absolutely brilliant. Had me guessing right until the end" Read more

74 customers mention ‘Storyline’67 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging storyline of the book, which features many twists and turns and a brilliant twist at the end.

"...It was addictive towards the end, right up until the last page...." Read more

"...all was revealed and I thought the choice of location and her vivid imagination, coupled with a great sense of Irish humour scattered throughout..." Read more

"...Progress in the investigation is made and the storyline is very plausible with all the characters behaving as I would expect them to...." Read more

"After a dramatic and brutal opening, Jo Spain's amazing debut, With Our Blessing, settles into a very satisfying murder mystery steeped in recent..." Read more

38 customers mention ‘Writing quality’38 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as brilliantly written and very descriptive, with one customer noting it is very easy to read.

"...see this being adapted for TV, characters are well rounded and written well." Read more

"Excellent and I hope the start of a new series for this gifted new author, Jo Spain...." Read more

"...often feel fake but this author does this brilliantly and the setup is very natural...." Read more

"A good editor would have taken 100+ pages and several characters out of this and really tightened this good effort up." Read more

28 customers mention ‘Character development’25 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the characters feel well rounded.

"...Can easily see this being adapted for TV, characters are well rounded and written well." Read more

"...The characters were well written and totally convincing...." Read more

"...during Britain's worst winter for 50 years perfectly, with an interesting cast and an unusual subject matter which I don't think has been covered in..." Read more

"...Each of the police team has an interesting personality and there are various back stories. The characters feel well rounded and plausible...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Grip’10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with multiple reviews noting it keeps them guessing from start to finish and to the very end.

"I loved this book, the first of the series. It gripped me early in play and just kept getting better and getter...." Read more

"...100+ pages and several characters out of this and really tightened this good effort up." Read more

"...This story kept me guessing all the way through. I kept thinking I had it figured out, only to be wrong footed. Definitely a must read in my opinion." Read more

"...which was well-plotted with lots of red herrings that had me guessing to the very end...." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Insight’10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's research and realistic portrayal of police investigations, with one customer noting how it incorporates modern investigative techniques.

"...The characters were well written and totally convincing...." Read more

"...but bring it up to date with modern police procedures and modern investigation technology...." Read more

"...Aspects of convent life, historical and modern were insightful as were the various strands that the investigation took...." Read more

"...It was well written and very thought provoking...." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Humour’9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with one review highlighting the great sense of Irish wit scattered throughout the story, while another notes its thrilling elements set in Dublin and the south of Ireland.

"...and her vivid imagination, coupled with a great sense of Irish humour scattered throughout only served to enhance this fantastic story...." Read more

"...wrenching the characters were well written and with enough humour to lighten at times...." Read more

"...It is a thriller set in Ireland with lots of great characters, plots and twists...." Read more

"I loved this murder mystery, based in Dublin and the south of Ireland. The subject of the Magdalene Laundries in the past was true to life...." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Pacing’6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it good while others note it starts a little slow.

"...This is a brick of a book but is a fairly large font and a good pace is usually promised by a good crime novel...." Read more

"...I enjoyed every page and the book was fast moving at all times. The plot was dark and really drew you in...." Read more

"...Really worth the read I found it a bit slow to start." Read more

"...Fast paced with masses of personal history of the victims, the murderer and the police officers. A great read that held my interest throughout." Read more

Incredible start to a series
5 out of 5 stars
Incredible start to a series
With Our Blessing is set in Dublin and introduces Detective Inspector Tom Reynolds in a very powerful and atmospheric story. The gruesome murder and mutilated body of an elderly woman has been discovered in Phoenix Park and it’s a murder designed to send out a specific message. Tom and his team are called to the scene and the resulting investigation follows the trail to a convent tucked away in the Irish countryside, where they discover the murdered woman had been the mostly disliked Mother Superior. They also learn that the convent was previously one of the notorious Magdalene Laundries. The more the team uncover the more convinced Tom becomes that the murder relates to the horrific historic events which took place in the convent. The case has taken a disturbing turn, especially for one member of the team. Tom and some members of the team stay at the convent, the others in the nearby village. It’s nearing Christmas and the weather is only getting worse. Ostensibly the nuns offer to help in the investigation but there are decades of untold suspicions and secrets to uncover before events begin to make any kind of sense. The case hits close to home for Tom, keenly aware of his daughter’s situation. The murder mystery is attention grabbing and is very well laid out. Jo Spain paints a shocking picture of the appalling treatment and conditions women, and in some cases young girls, were subjected to in the Magdalene Laundries and mother and baby homes. It was a very dark period in the not too distant past and hard to believe the Church and State conspired in such practices. This, coupled with a lot of other stuff that’s come to light over the years, continues to have a detrimental impact on the Catholic Church. I always enjoy getting to know the characters through their home lives and relationships away from work, as well as their working personas. The characters in With Our Blessing are fleshed out distinctly and extremely well, allowing them to become three dimensional, realistic and easy to connect with. DI Tom Reynolds is a likeable and genuine family man, with a good team around him. Jo Spain’s writing is self assured and easy to read, the story compelling. The horror of the Laundries depicted without preconceptions, traces of the previous life of the convent giving hints of its chilling history. There are several suspects but the actual perpetrator was a complete surprise. An incredible start to a series, I have the other books already lined up. Aoife McMahon’s narrations are always superb and this was no exception.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 January 2025
    Read for a book club - is an excellent read especially if wanting to try out the genre.
    Follows a group of dectectives investigating a murder of a nun linked to the mother and baby homes.
    Does touch on a lot of tough themes dealing with this and you can tell this was close to their heart.
    Can easily see this being adapted for TV, characters are well rounded and written well.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 July 2021
    I loved this book, the first of the series. It gripped me early in play and just kept getting better and getter. The characters were well written and totally convincing. I though I had the whole case figured out many times through the story, but thankfully I was wrong each time. It was addictive towards the end, right up until the last page. The story of the girls in the laundry was just heartbreaking, a sorry side to Ireland’s history. I can’t wait to read the next in this series now.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2015
    Excellent and I hope the start of a new series for this gifted new author, Jo Spain. The story captured the creepy convent and setting during Britain's worst winter for 50 years perfectly, with an interesting cast and an unusual subject matter which I don't think has been covered in recent times. It held my attention throughout with it's 550 pages and I could have gone on reading had it been longer still. The twists and turns meant it never failed to enthral and even though I guessed several times, I was wrong at the outcome! I would place it as a psychological thriller and hope she is planning her next one as it would be grand to see what the team are up to next. The information was detailed around the infamous laundry scandals which shocked a nation when all was revealed and I thought the choice of location and her vivid imagination, coupled with a great sense of Irish humour scattered throughout only served to enhance this fantastic story. Highly recommended with a hope for a sequel!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2024
    Absolutely brilliant. Had me guessing right until the end
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 December 2020
    I've read a couple of stand alone books by this author and enjoyed them very much. My husband read them both recently and, having enjoyed them too, he decided to start on the Tom Reynolds series by the same author, of which this book is the first. He has read two now and is on the third so I thought I ought to catch up.
    520 pages and 58 chapters. This is a brick of a book but is a fairly large font and a good pace is usually promised by a good crime novel.
    The plot sucks in the reader straight away with an elderly woman having been crucified in a Dublin park. Tom and his team get on the case and the story starts to flow.
    There is never any doubt about the geographic setting of the book as the Irish flavour is everywhere, particularly when the story starts to dig into the secrets of the catholic church that had previously been buried in the past.
    Reading the dialogue gives the reader no doubt about the authenticity of the characters. The Irish accent never takes away from the pace of the speech but words are sufficiently different to add an accent - sometimes it is worth reading a sentence slowly in you head and they will most definitely have an Irish twang.
    I warmed very quickly to Tom and his team as they all seemed to be genuine people with normal problems in normal lives outside the police force.
    Progress in the investigation is made and the storyline is very plausible with all the characters behaving as I would expect them to.
    The timing in December and the snow storm adds drama, intensifying the story. It is a great skill to be able to use the techniques of a traditional Agatha Christie murder mystery but bring it up to date with modern police procedures and modern investigation technology. Many authors try to achieve this by creating enclosed scenarios which often feel fake but this author does this brilliantly and the setup is very natural.
    My big disappointment was the ending which was rushed and unnecessarily dramatic when the killer was finally revealed. I was have been much happier if the last 40 pages had shown a much more subtle touch.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 March 2018
    A good editor would have taken 100+ pages and several characters out of this and really tightened this good effort up.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 March 2017
    After a dramatic and brutal opening, Jo Spain's amazing debut, With Our Blessing, settles into a very satisfying murder mystery steeped in recent Irish history.

    A body is found in Phoenix Park in Dublin. The scene has clearly been staged by the killer and police interest is soon centred on a convent. But it's no ordinary convent; it was formerly one of the Magdalen laundries. These establishments took in young women who were pregnant and unmarried, sparing the family shame and supposedly teaching the girls the correct moral path. Babies were forcibly removed from the mother immediately after birth and to call the regime brutal would be an understatement. The scandal of the way in which the Catholic Church, police and other establishment organisations covered up systemic abuse that went on for decades is relatively recent. In fact the last laundry only closed in the 1990's, so it's still very raw.

    Jo Spain has a real feel for people and dialogue. Each of the police team has an interesting personality and there are various back stories. The characters feel well rounded and plausible. The nuns are a mixed bunch and I found a strong sense of claustrophobia and threat building as the investigation got underway. There was an almost palpable sense of cold in the long corridors and disused dormitory and the scenes are really well set.

    Within the investigating team, there's a link to the convent and this element proved particularly interesting and unexpected. The plotting throughout is intricate and careful. Various pointers are given, but they don't always lead where expected, so it's twisted and kept me guessing. I can't believe it's taken me a couple of years to find this author, who's already a best seller. Her success is well deserved and I'll be following her further work with interest.
    20 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Edward McEneany
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the darkest versions of Dublin and Ireland that you will ever read!
    Reviewed in Canada on 18 April 2019
    What a great ride! Once I picked this book up and started reading a few pages I was hooked! It will change your Dublin and give you a whole new perspective on the Catholic Church in Ireland with twists and turns around every page!
    Jo Spain is a name you will want to follow definitely for future stories!
  • Morrigan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Un excellent début
    Reviewed in France on 13 January 2020
    C'est un premier livre d'auteur et c'est plutôt réussi. Un meurtre plutôt horrible dés le départ et le sinistre sort des jeunes filles enfermées dans les couvents des "Magdalene" - parce qu'elles étaient enceintes hors mariage, avaient été violées ou étaient simplement rebelles - sont la trame de fond de cette histoire policière.
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  • Marc Levison
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding author don’t miss this book.
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 November 2018
    I loved this book Jo Spain is a excellent writer. This murder mystery kept me turning the pages however with every book I enjoy I slow it down towards the end knowing this great read will soon be over.
  • Heidemarie Puntschuh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Großartig
    Reviewed in Germany on 10 July 2018
    Ich bin von diesem Buch begeistert. Es geht um Mißbrauch, Ausbeutung von Kindern, die Schande ein lediges Kind zu bekommen in speziellen Einrichtungen in Irland bis in die 90er Jahre. Der gesellschaftliche Aspekt dieser Story ist hervorragend und informativ dargestellt. Absolut empfehlenswert. Habe Nachfolger bereits bestellt.
  • Tazzii
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
    Reviewed in Australia on 17 May 2017
    Must read!!! In the times of today this book would be unrealistic but for the period it is written, which is not that long ago, it is sad but true. I can usually narrow the "offender" down to one or two but had no idea on this one. One of the best who done it books I have read. You wont be disappointed.
    Facinating and you will not regret the read. I found this book easy to read, really good length, start and touching finish.

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