Reapers of Justice is a historical novel set during the Irish War of Independence, one of my favourite periods to read. It was a very complicated time in Irish history. Anne Frehill depicts those times vividly from the perspective of a little community in Meath rather than from the more common city's perspective.

The story per sè is quite simple, though a few subplots eventually come together. But I really enjoyed the themes the story touches upon: women's position in a traditional setting, the difficulties of giving an education to the young ones in a community that needs the work of every available hand, and women's mutual help. But also self-discovery and the strength that we often don't know we have until we need it.

The novel starts off slowly. There is quite a bit of setting up, but about halfway through, the pace takes up, as Sarah is forced to find her own way in the world, dodging dangers on the road and the tricks of her own mind.
I enjoyed the journey through the Irish countryside. It comes to life as its own characters, but also it's well placed inside the historical time, with all the dangers that travelling alone in a place presided by an informal army entailes.

It was a nice read. If you love Irish history, give it a go!

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
A well written and researched story of Ireland in the early nineteen hundreds, a turbulent violent time of the IRA and the Black and Tans. Atmospheric descriptive and intriguing with believable characters some you warm too and some you definitely don't. A love story at times happy and sweet others forbidden poignant and sad. There is also a darker side of this novel where our heroine a woman ahead of her time is under constant scrutiny and pressure. A brave clever feisty teacher who gives her all for her pupils risking the wrath of the Parish priest and a particulary violent parent. One moment a charming story of rural Ireland the next tense exciting thriller, but always engaging and interesting.
Recommended.

This is a beautifully written story of a school teacher, Sarah Murphy, set in Ireland during the war. Sarah is an excellent teacher and holds the welfare and lessons of her class in the highest regard. There is nothing she would not do for her class. We learn that Sarah is married and further into the book we learn she is expecting a baby. These facts are not known by anyone. We watch Sarah go in and out of predicaments and all the while maintaining her silence about her personal life. Sarah is a wonderful character and you instantly fall in love with her. The book develops the characters and you get to really have an understanding of them. It is under 200 pages, but a perfect way to spend a nice afternoon of reading - you won't be disappointed.

REAPERS OF JUSTICE BY ANNE FREHILLLoving Ireland...and all things Irish - especially  the men   hee, hee - I knew I had to read this amazing historical fiction novel set in Ireland.  Anne Frehill's writing was emotional and captivating and seamlessly matched the time frame it was set in. The story of Sarah was so heartbreaking yet engaging enough that I finished it in two day.  She was a fabulously created character!  This being only the 2nd historical fiction book after reading The Four Winds...this did not disappoint!  I would definitely recommend it. 5 stars easy!  ️ ️ ️ ️ ️

This story revolves around Sarah Murphy, a school teacher. She is secretly married to Sean Murphy, a wanted member of the IRA. She supposedly lives a normal life and her love of teaching and helping the unfortunate in her town is astounding.

There are many characters in this book that keep you interested, Mel Geraghty who passes on the goings on of the town to the "Black and Tans", Father Daly the Parish Priest who constantly badgers Sarah to marry and often threatens her job, the Magistrate William Taylor who has a secret that drives him to drink and is thought to be going mad, the colourful gypsy Biddy-Anne who is a great help to Sarah in her time of need.

And then there is Sean Murphy who slips in and out of the town who Sarah definitely loves but is always worried that he may be caught and hung whilt working for the Irish IRA.

I give this story 4* and will say that I thoroughly enjoyed it, the only criticism was the ending could have been drawn out a bit more and I would have liked more of Sean's story as well.

Thanks to Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and Anne Frehill for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Orla Kelly Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Set during the time of the Irish Civil War with England, this story is one of a strong woman helping her students and those in need around her. The main character is a school teacher who is married to the most wanted Irishman in the country. No one has a clue she is married. She serves as a link to gaining local information and funneling it on to her husband. The gypsies she encounters add interest to the story. However, the story needs more for it to appeal to me. I would have enjoyed this book more if it had more intrigue in it and if her husband had been more visible.

3.5 Decent storyline, during an important part of Irish history. Written sincerely, but seemed to lack much emotion at the major events in the story. There seemed a hurry to move onto the next scene. The main character is written very nicely and thoroughly.