Eileen Brady – flame-haired, loving, a true Irish mother – willing to give up her dreams for her love at first sight, Paddy McNab, a kind-hearted and gentle man. Reader of books and singer of songs, his world revolves around Eileen and their brood of young children. Mick Devlin – a man with the devil in his name and blood on his hands. In his wake comes unimaginable tragedy, and life for Eileen and Paddy will never be the same. Coral, the beautiful wife he brought back from England, has survived the Blitz but, spurned by her neighbours, will she survive the loneliness of life in the West of Ireland? And what does it feel like to be married to a murderer? John-Joe Brady – his mistake was falling for Bernie McBride. Her mistake was returning that love. They planned to marry – then a shot rang out . . .