Maeve Binchy is back with a tale of joy, heartbreak and hope, about a motherless girl collectively raised by a close-knit Dublin community. When Noel learns that his terminally ill former flame is pregnant with his child, he agrees to take guardianship of the baby girl once she’s born. But as a single father battling demons of his own, Noel can’t do it alone. Fortunately, he has a competent, caring network of friends, family and neighbors: Lisa, his unlucky-in-love classmate, who moves in with him to help him care for little Frankie around the clock; his American cousin, Emily, always there with a pep talk; the newly retired Dr. Hat, with more time on his hands than he knows what to do with; Dr. Declan and Fiona and their baby son, Frankie’s first friend; and many eager babysitters, including old friends Signora and Aidan and Frankie’s doting grandparents, Josie and Charles. But not everyone is pleased with the unconventional arrangement, especially a nosy social worker, Moira, who is convinced that Frankie would be better off in a foster home. Now it’s up to Noel to persuade her that everyone in town has something special to offer when it comes to minding Frankie.
Download and start listening now!
"A continuation of the same characters from "Heart and Soul" with the addition of a few new ones. A young alcoholic learns that a girl he spent a weekend with is dying of cancer, and is pregnant with his child. She wants him to take the child and raise her. He denies at first that he could possibly be the child's father, but ultimately accepts it and deals with the baby, a misanthropic social worker, his alcoholism, his job, and classes at university. Many other people's stories are intertwined, and the whole makes for a wonderful read!"
— Linda (5 out of 5 stars)
“When a baby's mother dies, A Dublin community bands together to care for the infant and keep her out of foster care. Joyful, quintessential Binchy.”
— O, The Oprah Magazine, “Ten Titles to Pick Up Now”" Reminds me of Canterbury tales mixed with the poem "As I was going to St. Ives". As the reader you will be on a journey down a wacky road with a weird cast of characters. Fun read! "
— Sandra, 2/5/2014" This isn't a deep book, but it's a really satisfying story and Maeve Binchy does a terrific job with each character and the very fast plot. "
— Alison, 2/3/2014" Once again Maeve Binchy transports the reader to Ireland and a group of friends and neighbors who are well worth knowing. Rarely have I been disappointed in one off her books. "
— Betty, 2/1/2014" It's been a while since I read one of her books. It felt nicely familiar. I cried when one of her characters died. I felt like knew him from prior novels. I was devastated. "
— Mina, 1/27/2014" This is one of the books that you will love as long as you don't think too much. It's unrealistic, but a cute story about love, redemption, saints, sinners and what happens when babies find a good home. It's adorable but with a really tidy ending that left me unfulfilled. "
— Emily, 1/24/2014" As many others have at least inferred, 'Minding Frankie' is another great, happy-ending, story from Maeve Binchy. The story, once again, intertwines a variety of interesting characters and unfolds a compelling story. Great literature, no, but something that holds your attention and interest, yes. I should add that I audiobooked this novel and enjoyed hearing the Irish vs. American accents... but I think it didn't make that big a difference in my assessment of the book. "
— Margalee, 1/24/2014" It has been a while since I have read a Maeve Binchy novel - so a while since her community of family and friends have been on my radar. As always, a very easy read - a heart-warming book where everyone tries to do their best for each other. As always meant to be a feel-good read and she always delivers. I have no doubt that there is more to this story so it will be in a another book where the story continues. "
— Camy, 1/23/2014" Lovely story with great characters as is usual for Maeve Binchy. Is a bit predictable but she truely takes you into a lovely place with people you wish you knew. "
— Amanda, 1/20/2014" I really liked this book. I've never read anything by Maeve Binchy before, but this was a great, human interest story. The characters were very believable and very human. The book did a good job of holding my interest. "
— Mayde, 1/19/2014" Charming story of a community in Dublin. The story could take place anywhere, but the bits of Ireland give it a nice touch. More and more characters get added in as the story goes, but it doesn't get unruly. "
— Sharron, 1/16/2014" so far it's really cute story, you like most of the characters right from the start....sometimes I struggle with really getting into Binchy's books but not this one! "
— Megan, 12/19/2013" Another very fine Binchey story. Good reading about people who weave interesting fabrics of their experiences. "
— Doti, 12/8/2013" any one out there....is this book any good "
— Tara, 12/5/2013" As usual Maeve Binchy had a cast of characters that lead interesting lives and solve all their problems. A good wholesome story. "
— Lee, 8/16/2013" Sweet simply reading to relax. "
— Lynette, 5/19/2013" Always like Maeve Binchy's books. She has great characters and everything always works out in the end. This one is a bit too convenient - problems too easily solved. "
— Terry, 8/30/2012" Another nice book by Maeve Binchy. It was fun to see characters from her earlier books reappear in this one in supporting roles. "
— Tina, 8/12/2012" Mind numbing saccharine crap. I used to like her, too, but this one? Pretty ick. "
— Felicity, 7/3/2012" This was a sweet book. It was a light, easy read, although at 400+ pages, it wasn't short. There's a lot of charm in this non-traditional Irish family, and that was exactly what I was looking for when I chose this book. "
— Kathi, 7/1/2012" A lovely story to listen to in the car. I'll be looking for another Maeve Binchy book. "
— Janet, 6/10/2012" Really good cast of characters. Several twists in the plot kept my attention. Revisited characters from Scarlet Feather and Quentins. "
— Kelly, 4/28/2012" Wonderful read, like Maeve's books "
— Marie, 1/1/2012" This book brings back so many characters from earlier books so I am loving that! I am listening to this book in my car. "
— Vicki, 5/23/2011" One of the better books she has written lately. Was a great weekend read. "
— Kimberly, 5/22/2011" Typical Maeve Binchey. Like a cup of creamy cocoa - warm and soothing, but not much substance. That's not meant as a put down! "
— Melissa, 5/22/2011" Love that Irish language. Relaxing read. I read one of Binchy's books every year just to get my Irish fix. "
— Margaret, 5/18/2011" Another heartwarming story of love and unique families .Binchy knows hiw to develop characters that are not perfect but through family and friends have the love and support to turn their life around. Many of her characters have connections to previous books so it's like coming home again. "
— Valovich, 5/17/2011" Not her best work but still a fun read. "
— Dia, 5/17/2011" Typical Maeve Binchy; a pleasant read with some familiar characters and some new ones, all going about their lives. "
— Vicki, 5/16/2011" this is a nice book, sweet story, but kind of slow (think At Home in Mitford). Has a lot of the same characters as a few of Binchy's other books, but not really a sequel. "
— Kristy, 5/15/2011" Binchy scores again with a complex, engrossing tale of friends and family in Ireland. She is always enjoyable and entertaining. "
— Carol, 5/14/2011" I can always depend on Maeve Binchy to deliver an enjoyable read. In each book, she creates several characters I care about, and worry about. This book is no exception. "
— Bobbi, 5/13/2011" I enjoyed this book which has a good plot. I always want that. <br/>The characters are too good to be true but very likeable. I will read more of her books. Sometime happy endings are just what I need. "
— Phyllis, 5/12/2011Maeve Binchy (1940–2012) was the author of numerous bestselling books, including Minding Frankie, Heart and Soul, Whitethorn Woods, and Circle of Friends, as well as Tara Road, which was an Oprah’s Book Club selection. She contributed to Gourmet; O, The Oprah Magazine; Modern Maturity; and Good Housekeeping, among other publications. Married to Gordon Snell, she lived in Dalkey, Ireland, until her death in July 2012 at the age of seventy-two, shortly after finishing A Week in Winter.
Sile Bermingham began her acting career in theater in her native Dublin before moving to New York to attend HB Studios. Theater credits include Loot, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe, Remembrance, A Touch of the Poet, A Woman of No Importance, and Crimes and Crimes, among many others. An avid reader and lover of stories, Sile has read the works of Maeve Binchy, Cecilia Ahern, and Joanne Harris.