Oh dear, I went to the Millennium Library's ongoing book sale to get books for release and found this one. I'm a sucker for all things Irish and I've read a few of Patrick Taylor's books but not this one. So I've decided to add it to Mount TBR.

I can be persuaded to read almost any book that is set in Ireland. This series by Patrick Taylor about the general practitioners in the little village of Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland is no exception. The first book in the series An Irish Country Doctor got me hooked and I have read a few more since then. I picked this one up earlier this year and took it with me on holidays. Somehow reading about December in Northern Ireland while sitting in 30 deg. C. dry heat in the interior of BC was appealing.

As can be guessed from the title this book takes place in December in the lead up to Christmas. Everyone is getting ready for the big events of the season but junior doctor Barry Laverty has a few concerns that keep him from fully enjoying the experience. For one thing a new doctor has taken over a practice in the neighbouring town and Barry is worried that the region can not support three doctors. Then the woman he loves, Patricia, is studying in Cambridge and doesn't know when or even if she will make it home to Ireland for Christmas. Meanwhile health crises and personal crises call for the attention of Drs. O'Reilly and Laverty right up until Christmas Eve.

The doctors have a wonderful housekeeper and cook, Mrs. Kinky Kincaid, and the descriptions of meals are lavish. Fortunately Kinky has added some of her recipes at the back of this book. It is not too early to make Christmas cake or Christmas pudding and you could do worse than follow her recipes.

I left this book at the foot of the sign. This release is for the 2015 52 Towns in 52 Weeks release challenge - Town #49.