Novels with an Irish Setting
published under the name M. R. O'Donnell in Britain
and Malcolm Macdonald in the U.S.A

Hell Hath No Fury

Published by St Martin's Press and Headline, 1990

When Lady Lyndon-Fury snubs Daily O'Lindon on the station platform one soft day in 1885 she has no idea of the whirlwind she is sowing. For Daisy, bent on a minor revenge, becomes embroiled in a tit-for-tat that ends in the destruction of one family and a bitter-sweet triumph for another.

This novel features another of Macdonald's vigorous, sensible, and ambitious heroines of the middle class. ... Beautifully written, this is Macdonald's best effort yet — Cynthia Ogorek, US Booklist
Macdonald's characters fail to become credible, their actions are inconsistent and often unappealing ... and the prose is perfunctory — Publishers Weekly
Set in late 19th-century Ireland, this delightful novel is full of the warmth, humour, and passion of the Irish. — TV Guide
A compelling story ... Daisy, a strong woman, beautiful and clever, unwittingly creates her own particular hell. How exactly this comes about is not revealed until the very last page. — South Hants Gazette
With generally agreeable, chatty characters, a slow-moving but – like some of Macdonald's others – restfully gossipy novel — Kirkus
He is every bit as bad as Dickens – Martin Seymour-Smith

Jacket artist
Gregory M. Dearth

A Woman Scorned

Published by Martin's Press and Headline, 1991

In 1886, five years after the tragedy that ruined her 15th birthday, Judith Carty returns to Castle Moore and resumes her flirtation with its heir, young Rick Bellingham. But Rick's best friend, Fergal, has reasons to see their love thwarted. So does Fergal's sister, Sally, who wants Rick for herself.

This lively account of life among the Anglo-Irish aristocracy combines absorbing historical background, a pleasing romance, and colorful characters — Publishers Weekly
Macdonald presents another leisurely period novel of romantic and domestic dilemmas — but here, in a Victorian Irish setting, there's a strong lacing of fallout from a violent political crime backgrounding the lives of a clutch of bright young people ... Thoroughly enjoyable people and chat — for those fond of slow-paced tales in a low key. — Kirkus
A historical romance which catches the flavour of turbulent times — Oxford Mail
He is every bit as bad as Dickens – Martin Seymour-Smith

Jacket artist
Gregory M. Dearth

All Desires Known

Published by St Martin's Press and Headline, 1993

Lucy and Michael Raven are in deep trouble. The cost of being the most talked-about couple in Dublin in 1904 is high. But their troubles really begin when a wily old moneylender suggests a most bizarre solution to all their woes.

If lavish romantic page-turners set your heart pounding, [this book] could be just the thing to fire up a chilly winter's evening — Irish Voice
A most entertaining romantic read [with] the added interest of its Irish setting. [Macdonald] is an acknowledged expert on the history of the last [=19th] century. It shows in the authentic nature of his writing about old Dublin and environs — Irish Press
... combines strong characters and a brisk narrative full of trenchant observations about life, love, and the eternal communications problems between the sexes — Publishers Weekly
Talk-talk-talk and much of it bright and appealing — though, overall, the whole is a shade less lively than Macdonald's feisty-lady portraits or the gossipy Hell Hath No Fury — Kirkus
He is every bit as bad as Dickens – Martin Seymour-Smith

Jacket artist
Darryl Zudeck

For I Have Sinned

Published by St Martin's Press and Headline, 1994

It is 1913 and the McKennas are emigrating from Cork to South Africa. Through a tragic misunderstanding, they leave 7-year-old Salome behind on the quay ... and so begins an extraordinary tale of intrigue as, time and again, the growing girl finds herself loved and betrayed, inspired and abandoned.

A real tear-jerker — Oxford Mail
Fans of this type of yarn will enjoy it, although I can't say sagas are my favourite kind of fiction — Manchester Evening News
Macdonald's plot twists are deftly placed, and his female characters are especially well drawn, but much of this is slow going, with many of the scenes and subplots lacking compelling historical detail ... doesn't measure up to [his] usual fast-paced historical fiction — Publishers Weekly
Macdonald does a splendid job of creating a fascinating character in tune with the turn of the [19th] century — US Booklist
He is every bit as bad as Dickens – Martin Seymour-Smith

Jacket artist
Gordon Crabb

What, if one may so put it, would Dickens be without a bit of Malcolm Macdonald?
Martin Seymour-Smith

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Novels with an Irish Setting published under the name M. R. O'Donnell in Britain and Malcolm Macdonald in the U.S.A