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Robert E. Kearns is the author of multiple novels, novellas, and short stories, including, A Donnybrook Affair, Ossuary, Embers, The Reclusive Life of Rita Rita, The Feathers Flew and A Sporting Life.
He lives and writes in Dublin, Ireland
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
A Retrospective Trip Down Tourniquet Lane by Robert E. Kearns unfolds through a series of letters and visits between two cousins, Henry and Lucy, who reconnect over a mysterious old cottage in rural Ireland. What begins as a simple exchange of pleasantries soon becomes an exploration of memory, history, and superstition. As Henry recovers from illness, he reflects on his past. He invites Lucy to visit Landsborough House, where their conversations rekindle curiosity about Tourniquet Lane—a place linked to unsettling family secrets. Their search leads them through dusty archives, old correspondence, and whispered rumors of tragedy. The deeper they dig, the stronger the pull of the past becomes, haunting every word they exchange. Will they uncover the truth, or will the mystery remain buried forever?
Reading A Retrospective Trip Down Tourniquet Lane by Robert E. Kearns felt like being drawn into an old fireside tale—one part ghost story, one part family chronicle. I loved the letters in the beginning. I felt like I was part of the story while reading them. The writing style is eloquent yet easy to understand, blending period authenticity with warmth and wit. I also appreciated how the story respected the intelligence of its readers, revealing clues naturally rather than forcing them to do so. The ending left me with a satisfying chill, the kind that lingers after you close the book but can’t quite shake off its atmosphere. Kearns masterfully captures the melancholy beauty of the Irish countryside and the quiet ache of unresolved history. It’s an elegant mystery that rewards patience and reflection—a tale for those who love language, mood, and the ghosts that history refuses to bury.
