«The Irish Goodbye»

Twenty years ago, there was a fatal accident on their brother Topher’s boat, and it was a defining moment for the family. Topher took his own life several years later. Now, as they get ready for the holiday, each sister carries a huge secret.

The oldest sister, Cait, is a single mother of two toddlers, who has always been so career-driven, but now she’s at a turning point. The middle sister, Alice, always does the right thing and has a stable household with a reliable husband and two boys. But she’s received news that could derail all her plans for the future. And the youngest, Maggie, is bringing her girlfriend home for the holiday, but she’s terrified of what her catholic mother will think.

As everyone is together under one roof again, tensions build and secrets are soon revealed. Can the family finally heal and move forward?

The Irish Goodbye is quite the engaging read. There’s family drama, but mainly it’s a look into the long-lasting nature of grief, and how it can alter a family forever.

Heather Aimee O’Neill: «The Irish Goodbye», Mantle, 2025.