Category: Contemporary

Murder at an Irish Chipper by Carlene O’Connor

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a Series2 Comments

Murder at an Irish Chipper (An Irish Village Mystery)Barbara’s rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Irish Village Mystery #10
Publication Date: 2/20/24
Period: Contemporary Ireland
Number of Pages: 286

Vera Cowley – or Mrs. Chips as everyone in town calls her – has not been having an easy time lately. Sadly, that time has passed, and she’s no longer a part of this world. She was found, murdered, in her fish-and-chips shop. Oh! My! Who could have done such an awful thing? Was it her ex-husband? Perhaps it was her ex-best friend. Or, was it the vegetable oil salesman – or the bakery owner – or the slimy banker – or the fisherwoman – or the food critic? Or is it somebody totally different? Mmmmm – so many suspects – so little time.

Garda Siobhan O’Sullivan and her husband, Detective Sargeant Macdara Flannery, delayed their honeymoon – for a very long time. However, with Siobhan’s brother, Eoin’s, tensions running high and dementing everyone, Macdara thinks taking a belated honeymoon by the sea would be an excellent idea to relieve the tensions and relax a bit. So, the seven of them head off on a holiday trip.

Within a short time of arriving in the lovely seaside village of Lahinch, they were staring at a dead body. OOPS! Can the ever-curious Siobhan let it go and allow the local garda to handle the investigation? Of course not! She sees a loose end and she has to pull on it until it unravels. As she freely admits, she does not know how to Holiday.

With more threats and more bodies turning up, Macdara and Siobhan haven’t any choice but to openly step up and help investigate. Will you solve the case before they do?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book – as I have all of the other books in the series. I have become attached to each member of the family and always look forward to seeing what has happened off-page in their lives. Of course, I love the mysteries they solve as well, and this one was one with lots of twists and lots of suspects.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Death at a Scottish Wedding by Lucy Connelly

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a Series3 Comments

Death at a Scottish Wedding (A Scottish Isle Mystery)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Scottish Isle Mystery #2
Publication Date: 1/9/24
Period: Contemporary – Sea Isle, Scotland
Number of Pages: 272

Emilia (Em) McRoy, a burned-out American emergency room doctor, has been in the beautiful Scottish village of Sea Isle for three months and she’s loving it. She’s made wonderful friends and cannot imagine ever living anywhere else. While she should have read her contract more closely – after her arrival, she discovered many things she had missed – such as the fact that she was also the coroner – she is still thrilled to be there.

Emilia and her new Sea Isle friends have been invited to attend the wedding of their friend Angie at beautiful Morrigan Castle. Angie is a fun, quirky, young woman who marches to her own drummer, but has a heart of gold – and everyone who knows her loves her. Everyone, that is, except her soon-to-be father-in-law. He is a snob and cannot stand the idea of his son lowering himself to marry someone like Angie.

Before all of the guests arrive, the castle is snowed in, and the snow will continue for several days. There is plenty of food, drink, and good spirits, so the snow isn’t a problem – until – Emilia discovers a body in a tower of the castle. Who is the victim? He isn’t a guest, so how did he get to this high-security, very private event? Is his death natural, accidental, or murder?

Ewan Campbell is the laird, mayor, constable, owner of Morrigan Castle, and probably the richest man in Scotland (we learned that in the first book). In the previous investigation, he constantly second-guessed and argued with Emilia about facts in that case. He’s learned his lesson and has come to trust her instincts and judgment – therefore, when she says it was not a natural death, he believes her.

This was a fun and exciting story that kept me on the edge of my chair wondering who would be the next victim – and who the villain(s) might be. We had avalanches, betrayals, attempted murders, poison, people who weren’t all they seemed, and a wedding couple who were truly devoted to each other. My only ‘complaint’ about the book is Emilia’s constantly telling us how wonderful her friends are and how much she loves them. Yes, it is wonderful to have great new friends – but goodness – you don’t need to tell me in every fifth line of the book. It will be interesting to see if a personal relationship develops between Emilia and Ewan because romance is something I need in any book I read. I enjoyed the book and am already looking forward to the next one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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