Book Review - Finding Mr Flood

A heartwarming tale to brighten up January

Claire O'Mahony

Finding Mr Flood

Ciara Geraghty

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The third novel from Dublin-based Geraghty confirms her status as an engaging writer of superior chick-lit. Dara Flood works in a dog shelter and lives a contained life, with her occasional boyfriend, Ian, and her desire to never rock the status quo. Family circumstances have caused her to choose this settled, if dull, existence: her father, Mr Flood, walked out of the house to buy a packet of cigarettes before she was born, never to return, and her sister Angel is in the final stages of kidney failure.

Dara, Angel and their mother (who has been on anti-depressants for the past 27 years) wait constantly for the phone call that will tell them a donor kidney has been found. But this doesn't happen so in desperation, Dara calls upon the services of one Stanley Flinter – private eye, garda reject and a man struggling to come to terms with the fact that his brother has a baby with the love of Stanley's life.

Together they set out to track down Mr Flood. Love blossoms between them, although its course certainly doesn't run smoothly. But they learn a lot about each other, familial bonds and the elusive Mr Flood along the way. With a cast of characters who are both likeable (if flawed) and believable, this is a lovely mix of romance, heartbreak, angst and ultimately happy endings to get you through January.

Finding mr flood By Ciara Geraghty, Hachette Ireland €12.99