Having solved the mystery of the missing wedding dresses just
before their big day, Private Investigator Regan Reilly and her
husband Jack, head of the Major Case Squad in New York City, want
nothing more than to relax and enjoy their honeymoon in the
beautiful Irish countryside. While the wedding was wonderful, a
little downtime is a precious commodity. Getting away from the Big
Apple surely will provide them with the peace and quiet they so
desperately desire. Won't it?

 

As soon as they arrive in Ireland and get settled in at the stately
Hennessy Castle in a remote village, odd things start happening.
For instance, Regan spots a ghost, one she suspects may be the
scorned May Reilly, maker of a beautiful lace tablecloth for which
she was never paid by the family who owned the castle at the time
in the early 1800s. Then a fire breaks out in the kitchen, scaring
and inconveniencing guests and workers alike. During the course of
the commotion caused by the mishap, May's tablecloth goes missing
and an already angry ghost becomes angrier.   

It doesn't take long to discover that the missing tablecloth was
stolen by a Jane and John Doe who choose to leave a calling card
taunting Jack with the fact that they were able to steal this
valuable antique from under his very nose. Jack and Regan have
encountered this pair before and are determined to do their best to
see the thieves behind bars. 

In addition to solving crime, Regan and Jack manage to connect with
a few of Regan's family members, a peculiar and superstitious maid
at Hennessy Castle named Margaret, an oddball dentist, a manic gym
owner and another couple from America --- Brian and Sheila O'Shea
--- who have a mysterious and hidden agenda all their own.

LACED, just like all the Regan Reilly mysteries, is a fast and fun
read. I found this one to be even a bit more so, with the honeymoon
theme, the Irish countryside and unique characters. It didn't take
me long to work my way through LACED in order to experience the
happy ending that Carol Higgins Clark provides.