Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Murder In An Irish Village Reviewed

Irish Setting In A New Mystery Series

irish village
Irish Village Scene courtesy of Pixabay.com
Today's review is for the first book in a new mystery series called Irish Village Mysteries that I literally stumbled upon last week. I wasn't familiar with the author but decided to take a chance and I am so glad that I did. 

The first book in this two book series is: Murder In An Irish Village. The story takes place in County Cork, Ireland in the small village of Kilbane. The O'Sullivans are a family of six children who lost their parents a year ago in a tragic auto accident. Since that terrible day the kids, led by 22 year old Siobhan, have kept the family business running. The business is a little bistro that their parents started called Naomi's Bistro. They serve breakfast and lunch in the small shop and live upstairs over the eatery. 

The book has a most delightful cast of characters! The children are so very believable with the sibling arguments that any family has to encounter. The youngest is a 10 year old little boy who is just hysterical in his antics and not knowing when to rein in his words. He just blurts things out at the most inopportune times. Just like most 10 year olds. 

Siobhan is smart, funny and quite the little sleuth. Her older brother James has been accused of murdering Niall in their family bistro and she is determined to find the real killer so that her brother can be set free. Now Niall was a bad sort! He tried to extort 10,000 euro for Siobhan just before he was killed. Was he blackmailing others? Our fiesty little red-haired gal is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. 

I just absolutely loved the setting, the plot and the characters in this book. There are several twists and turns and I have to admit that I was surprised at who the murderer turned out to be. I liked the realism of the bungling attempts of 22 year old Siobhan as she tries to solve the mystery of Niall's death. She isn't exactly subtle in her questioning sometimes but then again she is young and wouldn't have the experience that an older person might have. 


I also loved that Carlene O'Connor used real Irish slang in the conversations between the characters.  There is a glossary at the beginning of the book that gives you the meanings of some of the phrases that might not be part of your own vocabulary. Ms. O'Connor also helps with the pronunciation of the very Irish names of the O'Sullivan kids. Like Siobhan...that is pronounced shi -vawn. She has a brother named Eoin which is Owen. That impish little 10 year old is named Ciaran which is pronounced Keeran. It is well worth looking through those pages before the story begins.

I plan to read the second book in the series, too. I found the writing of the author very entertaining with her well rounded characters and fast pace twists and turns as she unfolded the story. Very well done!



Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


7 comments:

  1. Beverly, this sounds like an utterly charming book. I like mysteries and love stories with children and animals in them. So the plot to "Murder in an Irish Village" sounds delightful. Can't wait to read it. Thanks so much for your interesting review.

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  2. What a wonderfully engaging review! I have only one book left on my Kindle that I haven't read. This sounds like the perfect series for me to "pick up" next. I am so glad that you and a few of our other contributors have opened my eyes to how wonderful the mystery genre can be. Prior to the reliable reviews here on Review This, I steered clear of mysteries because I didn't want to be grossed out or frightened at bedtime.

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  3. Sounds like a cast of characters and a mystery story that's a must-read! I'm happy to know that the author included a glossary for her readers to know how to pronounce the Irish names. (I'll be honest - when I can't pronounce a name, I often don't finish a book.) Thank you, Bev, for the delightful review!

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  4. Thanks for the review. I love mysteries and this sounds like one I would like! I appreciate your recommend.

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  5. Great review! Sounds like this book has a cast of characters I would love. I'm also a mystery fan.

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  6. Terrific review, I really want to read this one - my mother will love this - pinning it to my book list I'm keeping for her

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  7. This sounds like another book that needs to go on my summer reading list. It keeps getting longer, but I will read it one day. Sounds like my kind of book, characters and all. I love it when an author paints a picture that you can relate to without trouble. Thanks Bev Owens.

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