All Shook Up by Catherine Daly

All Shook Up by Catherine Daly   
(Published by Poolbeg)

All Shook Up is Catherine Daly’s debut novel. Once again Ireland has produced yet another ‘chick fic’ author – so how does she measure up?

Maeve Larkin is an extremely busy, extremely harassed working mother. On the verge of finalising the merger of her career her childminder drops a bombshell: she can’t mind the kids anymore. Suddenly the pressure on Maeve doubles. Everyone at work is relying on her to complete the merger, but her husband and kids are relying on her just as much at home – does she have to choose? Is this a work of fate?

Maeve doesn’t think she’s a stay-at-home Mum so husband Fintan decides to take time off and be a stay-at-home Dad. Between longer working hours and the re-appearance of an old flame, Maeve and Fintan’s home life becomes very shaky…

In All Shook Up, Daly addresses the age-old adage: ‘a mother’s place is in the home’. Maeve, her main character, is strong and career orientated, the type of woman most olden day mother-in-laws would hate.

What I liked about the book is the believability factor, Daly’s characters could be any Joan or Joe Soap. When she writes about Maeve’s workplace she really sounds like she knows what she’s talking about. Whether well done research or based on personal experience, it is a good trait and one that too many modern authors fall down on.

A good debut effort. I look forward to her next novel. Read an extract here

Also by Catherine Daly
Charlottes Way