Mr. Flood's Last Resort: A Novel“[A] murder mystery about an Irish caregiver and her client, a cantankerous, widowed hoarder . . . [a] darkly comic sensibility [and] plenty of twists.” —Publishers Weekly Finalist, Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award Maud Drennan is a dedicated caregiver whose sunny disposition masks a deep sadness. A tragic childhood event left her haunted, in the company of a cast of prattling saints who pop in and out of her life like tourists. Other than visiting her agoraphobic neighbor, Maud keeps to herself, finding solace in her work and in her humble existence—until she meets Mr. Flood. Cathal Flood is a menace by all accounts. The lone occupant of a Gothic mansion crawling with feral cats, he has been waging war against his son’s attempts to put him into an old-age home and sent his last caretaker running for the madhouse. But Maud is this impossible man’s last chance: If she can help him get the house in order, he just might be able to stay. So the unlikely pair begins to cooperate, bonding over their shared love of Irish folktales and mutual dislike of Mr. Flood’s overbearing son. Examining the space between sin and sainthood, Mr. Flood’s Last Resort “perfectly balances tragedy with dark comedy. . . . the dialogue crackles and every detail enchants” (Shelf Awareness). “Will appeal to fans of Tana French and Sophie Hannah, as it charms and unsettles in equal measure.” —BookPage “The author of Himself has prepared a fine Irish feast for the literary crowd; she simultaneously delights and appalls with her odd and troubled characters, never resorting to formula.” —Library Journal “[A] charming mix of magic and mystery . . . wrapped around a tale of family love and dysfunction . . . The action-packed climax leaves us with the whiff of a sequel. We can only hope it will come soon.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune Published in the UK under the title The Hoarder |
