Secrets, lies and a fight to save an Irish town

Judith is the grande dame of Killcawley Estate and at 75 has as active and interesting a life as anyone could wish for, regardless of age. Her son Miles lives in New York and thinks his mother is decrepit and should move into a retirement village or assisted living. As a compromise Judith advertises for a PA/dogsbody which brings young Englishwoman Emma to her door with nothing except the designer suit on her back.

After a brief interview Emma is hired and moves into the ‘big house’ with Judith. It’s obvious to the old lady and her two best friends Marsha and Hetty that Emma is hiding a big secret.

Judith herself is an open book – a self-confessed show-off and drama queen, she dresses flamboyantly and likes to be the centre of attention. One of Emma’s tasks is to film her daily TikTok video where she showcases her vintage designer outfits and vast collection of hats. Fashionistas and clothes lovers are in for a treat as O’Loughlin gives a vivid description of her various styles.

When plans for a motorway threaten to cut through Killcawley and demolish several houses in the village (including Hetty’s), Judith, helped by Emma, turns her talent for self-promotion into a massive campaign to save the town.

Miles is unimpressed by all of this and, not unreasonably, quite suspicious of Emma, her unknown background and her increasingly close relationship with his mother, so he comes back from the US intent on making some big changes to his mother’s life.

Judith, as open as she is, has a fair few secrets of her own, things even her best friends do not know.

Despite some violence, this is a really sweet and, come the end, a surprisingly emotive book.