Carmel Harrington has written twelve stand-alone novels, that can be read in any order
The Stolen Child (Headline 2025)
Heartwrenching dilemmas – Deliciously clever twists – Long-buried family secrets
While they were sleeping, their nightmare began
Two-year-old Robert Murphy disappears from his cabin on a Mediterranean cruise in 1984, devastating his family. Forty years later, his little sister Lily meets Zach, who has a shocking theory about what happened to her brother, which will uncover decades of lies.
What happened to Robert in 1984? Can Lily trust Zach?
Carmel Harrington’s much anticipated next novel will go on sale in February 2025 in Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada.
“Carmel is such an effortless storyteller, writing wholly immersive page-turning family dramas that are full of both suspense and heart”
Jennifer Doyle, Headline
The Lighthouse Secret (Harper Collins 2024)
Sweeping Family Saga – Mystery in past and present – Suspenseful Reveals
‘If anyone finds out, we’ll hang for what we’ve done.’
A vow is made by four lighthouse keepers wives in 1951, never to tell. But someone does tell, and seventy years later, an anonymous letter is sent saying family secrets never remain buried
What did the Keepers’ wives do in 1951? And who is threatening to tell now?
Instant No.2 Irish Times Bestseller, Eight weeks Top 10 Irish Times Bestseller
“A page-turner with wonderfully descriptive language”
The Sunday Times
The Girl From Donegal (Harper Collins 2023)
Sweeping Love Story – Dual Timeline – Emotional Secrets
Can you ever truly forget your first love?
When Eliza Lavery leaves Donegal in 1939 for a new life in Bermuda, the fateful true-life events on the SS Athenia change her life, leaving her with an impossible choice between her past and present. Eighty years later, Saoirse O’Donnell visits her aunts in Bermuda, discovering that she is connected to Eliza and reveals a secret hidden for over eighty years.
What happened on board the SS Athenia in 1939? And who will Eliza and Saoirse choose in the battle of hearts between their past and present?
Instant No. 2 Irish Times Bestseller, Six weeks Top Ten Irish Times Bestseller, No 1. Amazon Bestseller, No. 1 Waterstones Bestseller
“Heartwarming with Harrington’s trademark literary twist. We defy you not to say, just one more chapter”
The Belfast Telegraph
A Mother’s Heart (Harper Collins 2022)
Intimate family drama – Heartfelt – Shocking Reveals
When a stepmother finds herself in a custody battle with her children’s grandparents, an explosive secret is revealed that threatens all of their happiness
What makes a mother – nature or nurture? Can Rachel find a way to heal the rift between her complicated blended family before it tears them all apart?
No. 2 Irish Times Bestseller, Five weeks Top 10 Irish Times Bestseller, Amazon Bestseller, No. 2 Borrowed book in Cork City Libraries 2023
“Carmel Harrington is a natural storyteller with heart, humour & hope”
RTE
The Moon Over Kilmore Quay (Harper Collins 2021)
Emotional Family Drama – Heartbreaking Twists – Romantic
Two women, a twist of fate, one journey that changes everything
A young woman receives a letter from her younger self, sending her deep into her family history, where long-buried secrets come to light. As Bea tries to discover what happened to her mother, it sends her on a quest from New York to Kilmore Quay.
Who is Bea’s mother? What happened to Maeve and Lucy when they emigrated to America? And what is Bea hiding from her family and friends?
USA Today Bestseller, No. 2 Irish Times Bestseller, No. 1 Amazon Bestseller, RTE Culture Book of Note 2021
“A heartwarming story which shows the power of friendship, family and heritage“
The Irish Independent
My Pear-Shaped Life (Harper Collins 2020)
USA Road Trip Dramedy – Feel-Good – Quirky Characters
When things go wrong, they might just be right
A young actress has hidden so much behind her big smile that she’s forgotten who she is until a life-changing road trip through the USA reminds her of what is truly important.
Can Greta learn to accept herself for who she is?
Irish Times Bestseller, Amazon Bestseller, The Irish Independent Critics Choice Best Book of 2020, A Dublin City of Literature Featured Book 2020
“Greta is everywoman, laugh, love and cry with her. I truly couldn’t stop reading. A beautiful, tender and joyful story“
Susan Lewis, Sunday Times Bestseller
A Thousand Roads Home (Harper Collins 2018)
Social Issue Drama – Unlikely Heroes – FeelGood
A chance meeting between a homeless single mum, her son and a rough sleeper brings three ordinary people together to do extraordinary things.
Why does Tom choose to live on a park bench? Where is DJ’s father? Can Ruth help her son and friends find their way home?
“Warm, uplifting & important … a very VERY special book“
Marian Keyes
Irish Times Bestseller, Amazon Number One Bestseller, An Eason’s Top Ten Favourite Book 2018 (as voted by Irish Readers), Once Upon a Book Club USA Pick
The Woman at 72 Derry Lane (Harper Collins 2017)
Gripping Family Drama – Deadly Disaster – Heartbreaking
Behind close doors, everyone has a secret to keep
Agoraphobic Rea is trapped indoors, helpless to save Stella, her next door neighbour, who is in an abusive relationship. Can Rea find the strength to face her traumatic past, so that she can move forward? Can Stella find the strength to leave her husband? And what is the connection between Rea, Stella and a young girl called Skye?
Irish Times No. 2 Bestseller, Amazon No. 2 Bestseller, Shortlisted for Irish Book Award 2017
“Beautifully written, emotionally intelligent & moving in the extreme“
The Daily Mail UK
Cold Feet The Lost Years (Harper Collins 2017)
Funny – Relatable – Heartfelt
A standalone original novel based on the hit TV show Cold Feet, revealing what happened to favourite characters between series five and six.
Can Adam recover from the sudden death of Rachel, for the sake of their baby son? Can Pete and Jenny move forward, when she is pregnant with another man’s child? And can Karen and David keep their divorce amicable, when she finds out he has slept with the divorce lawyer?
Official novel from the hit TV series Cold Feet, Number 14 Sunday Times hardback Bestseller, Amazon Bestseller
“Harrington has captured the characters’ colloquialisms, personalities and group dynamics. An immensely enjoyable companion to the TV show“
The Irish Times
The Things I Should Have Told You (Harper Collins 2016)
Campervan Road trip Dramedy – Heartwarming -Inspirational
Every family has a story…
But for the Guinness family, a happy ending looks out of reach. Olly and Mae’s marriage is crumbling, their teenage daughter Evie is on a mission to self-destruct, and their beloved Pops is dying of cancer. Their once-strong family unit is slowly falling apart. They are sent on an adventure across Europe in a campervan, guided only by their grandfather’s letters of wisdom and love.
Can they find their love for each other and find their way home?
Irish Times and Amazon Bestseller, Shortlisted for an Irish Book Award 2016, Woman’s Way Top Read of 2016
“A bittersweet tale of family and love on a stunning road trip of self-discovery“
The Irish Times Gloss Magazine
Every Time A Bell Rings (Harper Collins 2015)
Magical Drama – Romantic – Sentimental
Belle Bailey spent her early years in and out of foster homes, never finding a family to love her. Now a foster parent herself, with her husband by her side, she has given many children a happier start in life. They’ve loved them all as if they were their own. But when life throws several curveballs, Belle wishes she had never been born.
Before it’s too late, will Belle realise that her life is the most wonderful of all?
Amazon, iBooks, Kobo Bestseller, Once Upon a Book Club USA, Book Club Pick
“It embraces the spirit and the message of the movie, a must read“
Karolyn Grimes, the actress who played ‘Zuzu’, in It’s A Wonderful Life
The Life You Left (Harper Collins 2014)
Suspenseful – Heartfelt – Feel-good
When a mother of three small children is abandoned by her husband, help and complications arrive from an unusual source – her guardian angel, Edward. When a body is discovered on a nearby beach, Sarah begins to have psychic visions that will send her on the hunt for a serial killer.
Can Sarah find out who is behind the brutal murder of a local girl before he strikes again?
No. 1 Amazon, iBooks, Kobo
“Engaging from the first page, at times emotional, at others thoughtful, will make you see life in a different way“
Woman’s Way
Beyond Grace’s Rainbow (Harper Collins 2013)
Romantic Tearjerker – Heartbreaking Twist – Life-affirming
When a single mum finds out that she needs a bone marrow transplant, she embarks on a search for her unknown biological family, uncovering decades of secrets and lies
What is the mystery that surrounds Grace’s biological parents? Can she find them in time to save her life?
Romantic eBook of the Year 2013, Kindle Book of the Year 2013, No 1 iTunes, Kobo, Amazon bestseller
“A bittersweet, quietly brilliant novel, that will make you cry, laugh and cry all over again“
Female First Magazine
