It Could Never Happen Here

Oooh I loved it - small-town primary school politics and a mysterious death as well, sign me up!

It Could Never Happen Here starts with the police investigating an unexplained death (you don't find out any details for a long time which I liked) - but its almost a backstory to the main event which is what happens when a group of school friends grow up, stay in the same town, and their children go to school together.

The years of history and secrets between them all, the unspoken but seething rivalries over tiny issues - it was wonderfully conveyed, shimmering with resentments and misunderstandings. And all the way through, the actual pupils are just trying to put on a school play and have a good time.

If you enjoyed Sarah Storey's Other Parents - this is definitely one for you

It could happen here and it did. I loved all the characters even the nasty horrible self-righteous and weak ones, of which there are many. This book is happy, funny and very sad and will suit both young and old and would make a wonderful TV series. Can’t wait to see what else Eithne Shortall writes.

Such a fun book nearly every chapter gave me a wry smile. Definitely "big little lies meets west cork". All of those silly little interactions that seem to happen when parents get over invested in their children's schooling are so keenly observed and crafted into a cracking read. Highly recommended.

If Big Little Lies based was based in Ireland then this would be it.

No secrets are safe with the Grass Lake parents …..

Competitive mothers, how far would they go to protect their children and ensure their child gets the best!

Really enjoyed reading this book, was engrossed with the dramas of the Grass Lake parents. The author has a magnificent way of engrossing you straight from the start.

Highly recommend

What an enjoyable book, it has everything: schoolyard politics, families with secrets, scandal, tragedy, brilliantly written characters, (one) obnoxious character, mystery, relationships - I was hooked and sorry when it finished

Irish author Eithne Shortall’s novel has a title very similar to a 1935 bestseller by US-American writer Sinclair Lewis that charts the rise of Buzz Windrip, a determined political agitator who runs for President of the USA. Initially I did not think there could be any similarities between the two books, but it soon becomes clear that Shortall’s fictional protagonist, Beverley Franklin, who lives in a fictitious Irish small town called Glass Lake, shares big city dweller Windrip’s fierce determination as she embarks on a quest to ensure her daughter’s performance in the annual school music will go ahead at all cost. As in previous Shortall books, the main themes of this novel are playground politics and toxic competitive parenting, and Shortall does well in her characterisations of fierce mother Beverley, vexed school principal Nuala, and ambitious handyman Arlo. The frequent timeline switches make demands on the reader but the tension and parenting truisms that are revealed are shot through with healthy doses of humour. Overall, I highly recommend this novel and would like to express my thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers for granting me an ARC to complete this honest, unbiased review.

It Could Never Happen Here follows the parents of children who go to a prestigious school in a small town in Ireland. The mums call themselves 'The Lakers' and are lead by Queen Bee Beverly, who is very much an Amanda from Motherland type character.

I would describe it as Motherland meets The Appeal.

The book starts with the revelation that somebody has turned up dead, although you don't find out who and how until the end where there's a big twist that I had no idea was coming! It then goes back in time to the events leading up to the death, centering around the school musical which is being directed by Beverly, with her daughter in the starring role (of course).

During the rehearsals for the musical huge scandal also hits the school and Beverly sees it as her duty as Queen Bee of The Lakers to make sure it goes away and that the school's reputation remains intact.

I absolutely loved this book, it's a hilarious insight into playground politics and even if you don't have children you will definitely recognise some of these mothers.

Despite its somewhat dark subject matter, the book stays lighthearted for the most part, and as the story flits between the different mothers you begin to understand why they behave the way that they do, and is an interesting look at the complex relationships between mothers and their daughters.

At the very heart of it all is the message that a mother will do anything for her children.

Enjoyable read.

Lots of perspectives pull together to make a good story.

The characters are well developed and relatable, mostly unlikeable. Touches on some pertinent themes.

'It Could Never Happen Here' by Eithne Shortall is a fascinating examination of the Irish small town community of Cooney where nothing is secret and playground politics dominate the lives of the parent of Glass Lake Primary School. At the beginning, we know a body has been pulled from the river - who it is and why they ended up dead remains a mystery as we follow the two weeks prior to the death. This is a black cloud looming over the narrative, the past interspersed with flashforwards to police interviews and the investigation. It is pacey, complex, topical and has strong vibes of Lianne Moriarty's 'Big Little Lies' which meant I thoroughly enjoyed it (despite how many times I guessed the victim and explanation for their death completely wrong!).

The cast of characters include Bev Franklin, the overachieving mother of Amelia and director of the school's musical, Christine, local journalist and the Whiteheads, the black sheep family of Cooney due to a recent car accident. The interrelationships between the cast of morally grey characters are a complex web as the reader gradually unpicks the circumstances surrounding the drowning. The story has some dark moments but this is balanced with genuinely hilarious moments - Bev dressing down the munchkins who turned up dressed as oompa loompas being a particularly hilarious highlight (justice for the munchkin mayor!).

Overall, this is a disturbingly plausible story and has some uncomfortable plot points linked to safeguarding and the impact of the young generation growing up with easy access to the internet. This is an interesting and important read as well as being genuinely gripping. I would highly recommend this one! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It Could Never Happen Here by Eithne Shortall

A mysterious death during preparations for the Glass Lake Primary School production of the Wizard of Oz comes with shocking revelations for a West Cork community.

Ooohh this is a DELICIOUS tale of petty rivalries between school parents, the Lakers, whose sharp elbows mean they get what they want for their own children. Fascinating characters, not always likeable but very relatable (we've all met them!) and small town politics combine in this story and ultimately the mystery of the body in the river is solved. Wonderful - kept me turning the pages in one huge reading gulp! Very highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.