Books On Board

Nuala Anne McGrail Books in Order

  • 12 Books
  • 1994 – 2009 Published

Amazon links here are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reading order
1 of 1 reading orders shown

The Recommended Reading Order

For readers diving into the cozy, historical world of Nuala Anne McGrail, the best path forward is simple: read the books in publication order. Written by Catholic priest and sociologist Andrew M. Greeley, the series is structured as a chronological journey tracking the personal lives, courtship, marriage, and growing family of its two main protagonists. Skipping ahead will spoil major milestones, including wedding bells, relocations, and the arrival of children who inherit their mother's unique gifts.

Publication and Chronological Order List

  • Irish Gold (1994) – The adventure begins in Ireland, where Dermot Michael Coyne searches for the truth behind his grandparents’ flight during the Troubles, meeting Trinity College student Nuala Anne McGrail and uncovering a mystery tied to Irish revolutionary Michael Collins.
  • Irish Lace (1996) – Relocating to Chicago, the duo investigates a conspiracy rooted in the American Civil War and the notorious Camp Douglas prison camp, all while navigating their budding courtship.
  • Irish Whiskey (1998) – With their wedding approaching, Nuala’s psychic visions focus on the 1926 disappearance of Jimmy "Sweet Rolls" Sullivan, a rival of gangster Al Capone.
  • Irish Mist (1999) – During a trip to Ireland, Nuala experiences spells connected to the 1927 assassination of Kevin O’Higgins, drawing the newlyweds into a web of old political secrets.
  • Irish Eyes (2000) – Now parents to their first daughter, Nelliecoyne, the family investigates spirits from a 19th-century ghost ship that sank in Lake Michigan and a hidden fortune linked to the Great Chicago Fire.
  • Irish Love (2001) – A diary belonging to a 19th-century Chicago journalist leads the couple to investigate a mass murder and an unjust trial in historical Ireland.
  • Irish Stew! (2002) – Traveling to a music festival in Milan, Nuala and Dermot cross paths with a corrupt Chicago politician while researching the 1886 Chicago Haymarket Riot.
  • Irish Cream (2005) – The couple defends a young man from a wealthy South Side Chicago clan accused of vehicular homicide, aided by a 19th-century priest's diary from Donegal.
  • Irish Crystal (2006) – After a riverfront car bombing, Nuala faces scrutiny from Homeland Security while investigating a hidden manuscript about the failed Irish Uprisings of 1798 and 1803.
  • Irish Linen (2007) – Modern search efforts for a missing soldier in Iraq intertwine with the memoirs of Timothy Patrick Clarke, a fictional Irish ambassador to Nazi Germany involved in a plot against Adolf Hitler.
  • Irish Tiger (2008) – Nuala acts as a fierce protector for an elderly couple facing threats, uncovering a deep-seated conspiracy targeting their romance.
  • Irish Tweed (2009) – In the series finale, Nuala and Nelliecoyne take up self-defense to deal with school bullies, Dermot researches a famine refugee's memoir, and the family wraps up the remaining threats left over from their previous case.

The Core Premise: Psychic Visions & Dual Timelines

Every novel in the Nuala Anne McGrail series follows a distinct, dual-narrative blueprint. In the contemporary timeline, Nuala and Dermot live their lives in Chicago or Ireland, frequently getting pulled into modern-day issues like legal battles, political corruption, or family disputes. The second, historical timeline is driven by Nuala's "fey" nature—her Celtic psychic abilities. Through visions, dreams, or the discovery of long-lost memoirs and diaries, Nuala experiences events from the past. Dermot, acting as her researcher and self-described "spear carrier," digs into public records, archives, and historical documents to verify her visions and solve cold cases that still influence the present day.

Greeley uses this structure to examine key moments in Irish and Irish-American history. From the tragedy of the Great Famine and the political struggles of the Irish Civil War to the immigrant experiences in 1920s Chicago, the series serves as an educational but lighthearted exploration of cultural heritage. While the histories are real and meticulously researched, Greeley inserts fictional characters and diaries to drive the plot forward.

What to Know Before You Start

Before checking out the first book, there are a few stylistic quirks of Andrew M. Greeley's writing that readers should keep in mind:

  • Narrative Voice: The stories are narrated from the perspective of Dermot Michael Coyne. Dermot is an independently wealthy, self-deprecating writer who is completely devoted to Nuala. His narration heavily features Irish-American vernacular, romanticized descriptions of Nuala's beauty, and recurring jokes about his role as her assistant.
  • Repetitive Descriptions: Greeley frequently repeats character traits, physical descriptions (especially Nuala's "celestial voice" and appearance), and relationship dynamics across the books. Reading the novels back-to-back can make these tropes stand out, so pacing yourself is highly recommended.
  • Cozy Tone with Serious Subjects: Despite tackling heavy themes like the Famine, war crimes, and murder, the overall tone remains warm, cozy, and romantic. The focus is always on the strength of Nuala and Dermot’s relationship and their Catholic faith.

Frequently Asked

Can the Nuala Anne McGrail books be read as standalones?

While the historical mysteries in each book are self-contained and resolved by the final page, the contemporary storyline follows a strict linear path. The characters age, get married, and raise children over the course of the twelve novels. To avoid spoilers regarding their family life, it is highly recommended to read them in order starting with Irish Gold.

Who is Nuala Anne McGrail?

Nuala Anne McGrail is a young, exceptionally talented singer from County Galway, Ireland. She is "fey," meaning she possesses Celtic psychic abilities or "second sight." This gift allows her to receive visions, sense danger, and connect with spirits from the past, which she uses to solve historical and modern crimes.

Is the history in the Nuala Anne McGrail series accurate?

Yes, Andrew M. Greeley utilized his academic background in sociology and history to ground the series in factual events. Real historical figures like Michael Collins, Kevin O'Higgins, and Robert Emmet are central to the plots, and events like the Chicago Haymarket Riot and Camp Douglas Civil War camp are represented accurately, though the diaries and specific clues used to solve the mysteries are fictional.

Are there any spin-offs or co-authored books in this series?

No. The Nuala Anne McGrail series consists strictly of the twelve novels written solely by Andrew M. Greeley. There are no official spin-offs, short story collections, or co-authored entries in this specific universe.

Is there a difference between the publication order and chronological order?

No, the publication order and chronological order of the contemporary events are identical. The books take place in the years they were published (1994 to 2009). The only timeline jumps occur when the characters investigate historical mysteries, which range from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century depending on the novel.