(Published by Gill and McMillan)
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When Eithne was just 13 years old, her beautiful older sister, Beatrice, disappeared. She was never found again, alive or dead, and all that her family were left with was a beret, a pearl compact, a sketchbook and a blue scarf.
Eithne’s mother Sarah withdraws into herself, incapable of anything but grief. Joe, Eithne’s father hits the bottle and Eithne, well she is completely alone. Lost without her older sister’s wisdom, gaiety and companionship, the entire family drift through life.
By the age of 32, Eithne is an artist, albeit not a very famous one. She has never forgotten Beatrice and never accepted that she is dead. One day a stranger calls her and once again Eithne experiences new hope and another trip down memory lane.
Harrison narrates this tale through three voices, those of Sarah, Beatrice and Eithne. None of the voices are louder or stronger than the others and, although at first glance this book seems to be a thriller in the making, it is actually closer to a love story. It’s a tale of love lost, love refused, love denied and eventually love found. Harrison’s brilliant narrative gradually weaves the three strands of this book together and the reader is completely immersed in the story as it unfolds.
This book draws you in and the poignancy of the tale – Beatrice’s family will never learn her true fate – is heartbreaking. It’s not until the epilogue, where the truth is eventually disclosed, that you may be able to put this book down.
Highly recommended. 
An intelligently crafted, tenderly told and utterly convincing first novel. Insightful and heartbreakingly honest, Harrison transforms art and the darkly beautiful landscape of County Meath into presences as important as her characters. There was so much to enjoy about this book but I particularly loved her evocation of the childhood relationship between the sisters. 4/5 
A Small Part of Me by Noëlle Harrison
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