The Second Sorrowful Mystery — Jonathan Harrington

SINS OF THE FATHER

Having traded his native New York for his Irish roots, Danny O'Flaherty is teaching school in Dublin, making frequent visits to the small, close-knit town of Ballycara, where fishing and a lovely redhead capture his attention. But here in this picturesque seaside town, a shocking murder draws him into the secrets, sins and sorrows of its most colorful inhabitants.

The victim is the local priest, Father O'Malley, found dead in a locked basement. The priest's odd behavior in the days preceding his murder -- including an urgent letter to Danny -- has the locals speculating on everything from Protestant extremists to disgruntled parishioners. But Danny, suspecting the key to the murder lies in the Second Sorrowful Mystery of the holy rosary -- The Scourging -- never anticipates the tragic web of deceit and vengeance behind Ballycara's darkest secret...