Snapshots and memories shape Allison Cundiff’s debut novel, “Hey Pickpocket.” A resident of south St. Louis, the author of four poetry books has channeled recollections of her time in Ireland to craft a tale filled with trauma, romance, biting dark humor and colorful characters.

Her rich story centers on Frances White, an ICU nurse in St. Louis with a burnt fuse, who decides to leave her life of family dysfunction and domestic turmoil for a chance to be alone. Unfortunately, her trip to Ireland is not as enchanting as she hopes after her passport and money are lifted by a sneak thief.

Despite this unfortunate happenstance, Frances finds some greener pastures in the Aran Islands, a chain of three islets lying near the mouth of Galway Bay, off the west coast of Ireland.

Here, in a village

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