Something for the Weekend

Leo Street #1

by Pauline McLynn

When private investigator Leo Street is sent to County Kildare to spy on the wife of a loathsome client, she's delighted to be getting away from rainy Dublin and her hopeless, permanently resting actor boyfriend Barry. The one catch is she has to masquerade as a member of a cookery course and the only piece of culinary equipment Leo can handle is a tin opener - Weekend Entertaining Part 1 is daunting to say the least. As she strips away layers of marital infidelity - not to mention several other scandalous secrets - she battles with bread-making and brûlée. But where will it all end - in triumph or tragedy?

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Irish Literature

352 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2000

About the author

Pauline McLynn (born 11 July 1962) is an Irish actress, comedienne and author, best known for playing Mrs Doyle on the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. McLynn was born in Sligo but grew up in Galway. She studied History of Art and Modern English at Trinity College, Dublin. She was heavily involved in Trinity's Dublin University Players (college drama society). She is married to the producer and agent Richard Cook. She supports both Aston Villa and Bohemian F.C.

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and very funny, I'd advice anyone to take this on holiday with them and laugh out loud by the pool. Its got plenty of Irish style humour and a great heroine in the form of Leo Street. Plus the twists along the way are also very, very good - not always because they are unexpected but rather the way things don't turn out the way you expected.

[Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was interesting and funny in places but a little long winded

[Robert Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and I got quite into the story from the off. Leo Street certainly has some issues along with her family and useless boyfriend, which was funny. She seemed to be at the right place at the right time to do her job as a private investigator, even though the distractions were many. I did see the bit about Fergus coming, I must admit, but it was handled very well, I thought. I liked him. He was a wonderful character, as were the three other ‘inmates’ in her gang at the cookery class. I also loved the piece about the morning after the ball. Ooo that must have been awful!! On the strength of “Something for the Weekend” I've just bought the other two Leo Street stories. Recommended.

[Cat Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something for the weekend is about a private investigator who gets hired to shed light on a suspected infidelity. Leo is becoming disillusioned with her life and this new client has offered her a weekend away posing as a cookery school student. This gives her the chance to meet new people and find a new perspective. An easy and surprisingly enjoyable read. Not taxing and better than the cover conveys!

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read of the first in McLynn's highly enjoyable series featuring Dublin PI Leo Street and her misadventures, this time involving horses, priests, bread, and a dog called Number 4. Just as much fun at the second time of reading.

[JackieB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book. It was an amusing detective novel but with some serious themes which gave it depth. It had well observed characters too so even though it was amusing I still cared about what happened.

[Alex Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Leo Street trilogy is one of my favourite series of books. Brilliantly written and laugh out loud funny each one follows so brilliantly from the previous. I just wish she would write more!!

[Oop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy, loved Fergus.

[Carla Simoes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I buy this book in a promotion and i love the easy feeling of the cover and the blurb. For me it is the perfect vacations read since it is so funny and light.

The story is easy enough to follow and the writing style is very funny, the main character is a PI from Dublin who gets real human reactions during all the book. The plot is not overwhelming and you could guess easily what will happen but is entertaining.

I gave 2,8 out of 5* to this book. I like it in general but i do not love it. It is a good read for q time where you need something light and that you can read without thinking to much of the book. For me it was a book i read fairly fast but at the same time a book i could put down at any time and do not feel the need to read it non stop.

I recommend it to people you enjoy cosy mysterious plots but who need a good laugh at the middle.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was hilarious. A combination of Stephanie Plum and Bridget Jones. I enjoy McLynn's cheeky style of writing. It was a refreshing, laid back read and gave me a break from the serious, heavy things I've been immersed in lately.

[Jody Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good holiday book. Easy to read and funny in parts. But I guessed the twist very early on in the book

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I have read it many times! It is funny, witty, dramatic. So good!

[Cass Blakeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, it was a quick and easy read with humour throughout. The cookery school in a country house/stables environment provided an excellent backdrop for the whodunit. The character of Leo Street is strong, and the people she meets at the cookery school hold the reader's interest.

There is a real sense of place with plenty of "Oirishness" thrown in.

All in all an impressive debut novel.

[Jeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book 4 years ago. my mate bought me this book 4 easter since i cant ave chocolate. he should have given it 2 me just before he left because i dont think i was much company. i didnt even know pauline written books. however i wil b purchasing more as + wen i find them

[Sandra Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Pauline's books! this one got me started and I actively look out for her next books. This one is an easy to read funny book, some of books are more sad and serious.

she has a great talent

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really struggled to finished this book, mainly because I just didn't care what happened. Too dull, and sometimes just incomprehensible. There's was chapter, that I just couldn't follow what was happening at all. Writing neither elegant or straight forward. Just awful

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite amusing, and loved the characters - they seemed quite real actually. Got a bit confused with who was who's son/daughter/grandfather, but that was me being inattentive than anything else.

[Gloria]

not sure when I finished reading this, guessing 2002

[Dervla]

Tried to like it. Pushed on reading it, got 50% in and decided life’s too short. Should have gave up sooner.