⸺ THE BLACK BARONET. Pp. 476, close print. (Duffy). 2s. [1856]. Still reprinted.
A tragedy of upper-class society life. The interest lies chiefly in the intricate plot, which, however, is distinctly melodramatic. There is little attempt to portray the manners of the society about which the book treats, and there is little character-drawing. The tragedy is relieved by humorous scenes from peasant life. In the Preface the Author tells us that the circumstances related in the story really happened. Contains a touching picture of an evicted tenant, who leaves the hut in which his wife lies dead and his children fever-stricken to seek subsistence by a life of crime. “There is nothing,” says G. Barnett Smith in The XIXth. Century (Author of notice of C. in D.N.B.), “more dramatic in the whole of Carleton’s works than the closing scene of this novel.” And he rates it very high.
⸺ THE EVIL EYE; or, the Black Spectre. (Duffy). 2s. [1860]. Still reprinted.
“Probably the weakest of his works.” Perilously near the ridiculous in style and plot.
⸺ REDMOND O’HANLON. Pp. 199. 16mo. (Duffy). 1s. [1862]. Still reprinted.
The exploits of a daring Rapparee. A fine subject feebly treated. From National point of view the book is not inspiring. Very slight plot, consisting mainly in the rescue by O’Hanlon of a girl who had been abducted. Moral tone good. An appendix (32 pages) by T. C. Luby gives the historical facts connected with the hero.
⸺ THE RED-HAIRED MAN’S WIFE. Pp. viii. + 274. (Sealy, Bryers). 1889.
Exploits of one Leeam O’Connor, a notorious “lady-killer.” One of the chief characters Hugh O’Donnell is implicated in the Fenian movement. Father Moran and Rev. Mr. Bayley, the priest and the rector, bosom friends, are finely portrayed. There are flashes here and there of Carleton’s old powers. Mr. O’Donoghue (Life of Carleton, ii., p. 321) states that part of the original MS. was destroyed in a fire, and that the missing portions were supplied after Carleton’s death by a Mr. MacDermott and published, first in the Carlow College Magazine (1870), then in book form as above.
⸺ TRAITS AND STORIES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. Many editions, e.g. (Routledge). One Vol. 3s. 6d. N.Y.: (Dutton). 1.50.