An Irish Country Girl    by Patrick Taylor Order:  USA  Can Forge, 2010 (2010) Hardcover, CD, e-Book Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth If you have read Patrick Taylor's An Irish Country Doctor, An Irish Country Village, or An Irish Country Christmas, you will recognize the character of Mrs. Kinky Kincaid, housekeeper to the two doctors who tend to the residents of Ballybucklebo. Kinky, as she is known fondly by all, is the star of An Irish Country Girl. She seemed to appear on the scene in the above novels with no history. She's just there. With this book, Taylor gives her a history. Born in County Cork, Kinky never stops dreaming of her home although she has lived in the north of Ireland for most of her life. This story gives her substance, beyond being the doctors' housekeeper. We can now understand why she is such a good cook (even sharing a few of her recipes of the foods she feeds her doctors). And why she is able to take charge of most any situation. We share her elation and her sorrow. Taylor has not only created a character, he's created a lovely wee village peopled by residents who could make up the population of almost any village most anywhere. But he has managed to give Ballybucklebo a polish that makes it stand out. I have enjoyed Taylor's previous offerings and have to admit I prefer the stories centered on the doctors and their patients. But Kinky is, indeed, an interesting person and the Irish fable she tells held my attention and is well worth the read. Please, Dr. Taylor, give me more about the two doctors and their wonderful housekeeper. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews