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Samantha Sweet #7
Sweets, Begorra
Samantha Sweet learns that an Irish great-uncle left her an inheritance, so she and Beau change their honeymoon plans and go to the Emerald Isle. Will the gift be something lavish and wonderful, or is there no pot of gold waiting for Sam? Meanwhile, before Sam fully has the answers to her questions, a new mystery presents itself when a local charter boat is found adrift near the rocky Irish coast, its occupants missing. The family of the captain wants answers and when it looks like a group of Americans might be implicated, the Galway homicide detective in charge of the case enlists Beau’s help. With all the extra excitement, the honeymooners begin to wonder if they will ever find some romantic time alone.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2014
170 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Connie Shelton
94 books309 followersMy love of books started with weekly trips to the library as a child and from the moment I learned to read I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one book going. For the past 25 years, that list has grown to include what I'm reading and what I'm writing at any given time.
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
I began writing my Charlie Parker series when my husband and I lived on Kauai, then continued them in my home state of New Mexico. Charlie lives in Albuquerque and manages to travel to a variety of locations, wherever her investigation business and her husband's helicopter business take them. My second series featuring Samantha Sweet, the 50-ish woman who breaks into houses for a living, is set in Taos, New Mexico.
In addition to reading and writing, I've traveled quite a lot, taught writing courses, and been a speaker at a whole lot of mystery conventions and writing conferences. In my spare time I also love to paint, draw, cook and spend time at the beach.
Series:
* Charlie Parker Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 7, 2019
Ireland
Sam and Beau are in Ireland on their honeymoon and she is unhappy abut inheritance as will cause a number of problems. Police activity is occurring in the harbor near their hotel. Beau gets involved in the mystery. A niece for the missing man works at the bookshop and Sam tries to help her. There are many twists and turns that will keep wondering. One caught me completely off guard. I did not see it coming. Sam finds another wooden box similar to hers. More questions about the box challenge Sam. Will she find answer in Ireland.
Sam and Beau are in Ireland on their honeymoon and she is unhappy abut inheritance as will cause a number of problems. Police activity is occurring in the harbor near their hotel. Beau gets involved in the mystery. A niece for the missing man works at the bookshop and Sam tries to help her. There are many twists and turns that will keep wondering. One caught me completely off guard. I did not see it coming. Sam finds another wooden box similar to hers. More questions about the box challenge Sam. Will she find answer in Ireland.
August 3, 2017
Not since reading Ellery Adams 1st book in the Books By the Bay series have I had an instant like for an author and went out and bought the books. I am loving this series! I love the main character, Samantha 'Sam' Sweet. She is spunky and a hardworking woman, who has been given a box with a form of magical powers that only work for her. Look forward to each new book.
January 11, 2018
Another nice visit
This was another nice visit with Sam and Beau. This time we went to Ireland to the reading if Sam's uncle. There are twists and turns in this one like you wouldn't believe. There are even other links back to America. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
This was another nice visit with Sam and Beau. This time we went to Ireland to the reading if Sam's uncle. There are twists and turns in this one like you wouldn't believe. There are even other links back to America. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
August 22, 2013
Samantha Sweet and Beau Cardwell are in Ireland for their honeymoon when they become involved in an international diamond thief. Nothing appear right to Samantha as she stares at the book store her uncle left her. In her uncle's possession is a wooden box similar to hers. Yet, before she learn its secrets, it disappears. It's a bit slow in telling the story of the jewel thieves and her uncle's story.
March 23, 2025
sam (samantha) owns her own bakery and breaks into houses on the side (she clears them out for the banks who own them)
she just got married and found out she inherited something in ireland when her uncle, who she really didnt know, died
they go there , all expenses paid, for their honeymoon
she finds a dusty old book store that looks like it never made any business. the old man at the register doesnt like her, doesnt want to give her any help regarding learning the finances. there is a young and older woman who also work there
there is a boat that is docked by the police, everyone on board is missing. the capt is the younger girls fathers twin
sams husband is a cop in az and asks questions to the cops about the blood on deck (it is human)
the ship capt and crew were shot and killed and washed up on shore
the men on the boat had stolen diamond. they caught all but the ringleader and the diamonds are missing
she had a vision where the diamond were, found them on the beach. the ringleader showed up to get them and he was arrested
her uncle wasnt really dead, he wanted to see what people would do after he died so he knew what to leave to who. he was going to explain to her the next day about the box he had that looked like her special box only bigger
but he really did die the next day
he left the bookstore to the register man he viewed as a son and the house to her
she picked a few items for relatives and the box for herself and gave the rest to the register man
on the way back to the hotel she left the car unlocked for 10 mins and the box was stolen. she had another vision so she felt better about it
they went home
she just got married and found out she inherited something in ireland when her uncle, who she really didnt know, died
they go there , all expenses paid, for their honeymoon
she finds a dusty old book store that looks like it never made any business. the old man at the register doesnt like her, doesnt want to give her any help regarding learning the finances. there is a young and older woman who also work there
there is a boat that is docked by the police, everyone on board is missing. the capt is the younger girls fathers twin
sams husband is a cop in az and asks questions to the cops about the blood on deck (it is human)
the ship capt and crew were shot and killed and washed up on shore
the men on the boat had stolen diamond. they caught all but the ringleader and the diamonds are missing
she had a vision where the diamond were, found them on the beach. the ringleader showed up to get them and he was arrested
her uncle wasnt really dead, he wanted to see what people would do after he died so he knew what to leave to who. he was going to explain to her the next day about the box he had that looked like her special box only bigger
but he really did die the next day
he left the bookstore to the register man he viewed as a son and the house to her
she picked a few items for relatives and the box for herself and gave the rest to the register man
on the way back to the hotel she left the car unlocked for 10 mins and the box was stolen. she had another vision so she felt better about it
they went home
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2018
#7 in the Samantha Sweet mystery series and I've read all of them in order... truly a delightful binge! This one was not set in and around Taos, New Mexico, where Samantha lives and runs her bakery shop Sweet's Sweets. Sam and Beau have finally married after several delays and head over to Ireland for their honeymoon so Sam can claim a legacy from an uncle the family hasn't seen or heard from in many years. Sam learns she has inherited an old bookstore in Galway but she must agree to run it for two years before disposing of it. In the meantime Sam and Beau learn a charter boat has gone missing and the captain is an uncle of one of the bookshop employees, so of course they get involved in solving the mystery. Since Americans are involved Beau is invited to assist the Garda (police). Along the way there are many more surprises in store as Sam and Beau get more and more connected to their Irish friends.
I have recently spent time in the beautiful city of Galway seeking out pubs and "trad" (traditional Irish music) and absolutely fell in love with Ireland and the Irish people. It was such fun having Sam and Beau discover many of the same sights and sounds I remember. I wish they could spend more time there but alas by the end of the book they are flying back home to their next adventure.
I have recently spent time in the beautiful city of Galway seeking out pubs and "trad" (traditional Irish music) and absolutely fell in love with Ireland and the Irish people. It was such fun having Sam and Beau discover many of the same sights and sounds I remember. I wish they could spend more time there but alas by the end of the book they are flying back home to their next adventure.
March 28, 2025
good rainy day read
Samantha and Beau are on their way to Ireland for their honeymoon. Of course, an investigation has to become part of that trip, and they spend their entire honeymoon following leads and helping the Gardai. I cannot imagine any couple who would go on their honeymoon and spend it working. I also cannot imagine anybody going to Ireland and spending the whole time in Galway. Lovely as its outskirts are, and as interesting as the medieval section is, I just would not go to that beautiful island and stay in one place. There’s too much to see, and a honeymoon is a perfect time to see it. So anyhow, they spend most of their time in Galway and Sam has all her usual dreams and visions. This was an enjoyable story, and I surely didn’t find anything to complain about.
Samantha and Beau are on their way to Ireland for their honeymoon. Of course, an investigation has to become part of that trip, and they spend their entire honeymoon following leads and helping the Gardai. I cannot imagine any couple who would go on their honeymoon and spend it working. I also cannot imagine anybody going to Ireland and spending the whole time in Galway. Lovely as its outskirts are, and as interesting as the medieval section is, I just would not go to that beautiful island and stay in one place. There’s too much to see, and a honeymoon is a perfect time to see it. So anyhow, they spend most of their time in Galway and Sam has all her usual dreams and visions. This was an enjoyable story, and I surely didn’t find anything to complain about.
April 3, 2025
Do You Believe ...
... In leprechauns and gypsy folklore? When Samantha is bequeathed a trip to Galway from her departed uncle just in time for her honeymoon, her own beliefs are tested. Add to that an international crime spree to intrigue her lawman husband, Beau, and you have a captivating story that will leave you questioning your own.
If you love a page-turner, this one's for you.
... In leprechauns and gypsy folklore? When Samantha is bequeathed a trip to Galway from her departed uncle just in time for her honeymoon, her own beliefs are tested. Add to that an international crime spree to intrigue her lawman husband, Beau, and you have a captivating story that will leave you questioning your own.
If you love a page-turner, this one's for you.
November 5, 2018
Sam and Beau fly to Ireland for their honeymoon. Sam learns what she has inherited from her uncle, but there is something a little squirrely going on. Their first day there they also stumble on a mystery that Beau is able to get involved in.
This is a good addition to the Samantha Sweet world with a new setting and some new mysteries to solve.
This is a good addition to the Samantha Sweet world with a new setting and some new mysteries to solve.
March 23, 2022
An engaging Irish tale
Liked reconnecting with the characters, Sam Sweet and new husband, Beau. Enjoyed the setting in Ireland and the old bookstore she inherits with its renewal by Sam, against the wishes of Ambrose, her mysterious uncle's friend and manager of the store. Not as interested in the second plot about the jewel heist.
Liked reconnecting with the characters, Sam Sweet and new husband, Beau. Enjoyed the setting in Ireland and the old bookstore she inherits with its renewal by Sam, against the wishes of Ambrose, her mysterious uncle's friend and manager of the store. Not as interested in the second plot about the jewel heist.
February 15, 2023
This installment has Sam and Beau heading to Ireland, both for their honeymoon, and to find out about a mysterious inheritance that Sam has received from a great uncle she never knew. While there, they get caught up in a case the Irish police are working on, that involves stolen diamonds from the US, and murders on a boat.
April 21, 2024
Samantha Sweet and her new husband, Beau, are traveling to Ireland for their honeymoon. Samantha’s uncle has died and left Samantha a fully paid trip to Ireland to claim her inheritance. Once in Ireland, things are not quite what Samantha has expected. In addition, they get wrapped in solving a murder.
January 23, 2017
Another enjoyable read!
I really enjoy reading the Samantha Sweet mysteries! Each book is a page-turner and each book a separate mystery. I love that you can read each book in sequence or as a stand-alone story.
I really enjoy reading the Samantha Sweet mysteries! Each book is a page-turner and each book a separate mystery. I love that you can read each book in sequence or as a stand-alone story.
May 23, 2017
This is the best series I have ever read! I've been reading for 60 years and more! Connie is a skilled writer and no mistakes in gramer or details! Her stories are complete with fun, loving and mystery! Don't miss any of them!
June 17, 2018
Irish cozy
Love these cozy mysteries - the stories and characters keep growing!
A new setting was fun especially an Irish city with descriptions that make you want to plan a getaway!
Love these cozy mysteries - the stories and characters keep growing!
A new setting was fun especially an Irish city with descriptions that make you want to plan a getaway!
October 3, 2021
Irish superstition
Fairies? Leprechauns? Sam discovers her inheritance and another mystery presents itself. What to do? Read this book and find out. Connie Shelton is a masterful writer. I can't get enough of her books. Gotta go buy the next one in the series. Happy readings...
Fairies? Leprechauns? Sam discovers her inheritance and another mystery presents itself. What to do? Read this book and find out. Connie Shelton is a masterful writer. I can't get enough of her books. Gotta go buy the next one in the series. Happy readings...
November 9, 2023
I know they were on their honeymoon, but I really didn't need to know every time they made "whoopie." Why do the authors always have to marry them off? I prefer when they stay single. Husbands get too bossy or protective and start to interfere. Who needs them?
The whole international jewel thieves mystery was boring to me. The mystery surrounding her uncle was more interesting. I wish there had been more time spent on that and less time on the other.
The whole international jewel thieves mystery was boring to me. The mystery surrounding her uncle was more interesting. I wish there had been more time spent on that and less time on the other.
January 30, 2025
Quite a surprise!
The Emerald Isles provides a much-needed breath of fresh air for this series and a perfect honeymoon locale for Sam and Beau. The murder mystery is rather convoluted, but the real intrigue lies in Sam's behest. A fine diversion!
The Emerald Isles provides a much-needed breath of fresh air for this series and a perfect honeymoon locale for Sam and Beau. The murder mystery is rather convoluted, but the real intrigue lies in Sam's behest. A fine diversion!
October 24, 2018
Connie Shelton has done it again, really enjoyed this.
December 17, 2019
2.5 stars
December 19, 2019
On to the next one
February 24, 2020
Sam and Beau
So good! I have been reading the series, and this one was so good about their travels to Ireland for their Honeymoon. It was such a good read!!!
So good! I have been reading the series, and this one was so good about their travels to Ireland for their Honeymoon. It was such a good read!!!
August 13, 2021
Sad about the deaths, but happy to get a glimpse of Sam's Irish family. I loved the bookstore employees.
February 7, 2022
Sweet's sweets mystery series
I loved these books. I like how each book is a continuation of the last one.
I have read 7 books in 3 days.
Can't wait to read the next one.
I loved these books. I like how each book is a continuation of the last one.
I have read 7 books in 3 days.
Can't wait to read the next one.
March 30, 2022
Sweets, begorra
Another great one. I love that it takes place in a different country and all the things that goes with it. The secret of the boxes continue
Another great one. I love that it takes place in a different country and all the things that goes with it. The secret of the boxes continue
March 20, 2023
Absolutely love this book,.
This book could easily have been a stand alone, rather than the 7th in the series. I read this in two days, couldn't but this book down for very long.
This book could easily have been a stand alone, rather than the 7th in the series. I read this in two days, couldn't but this book down for very long.
June 3, 2024
Traveling to Ireland for her honeymoon with Beau and to pick-up an inheritance from a deceased uncle.
March 31, 2025
This was a twisty cozy mystery set in Ireland. The characters were good, but seemed rather shady until the reveal.
October 31, 2025
Sam and Beau end up in Ireland for there honeymoon....what will they get into now...I swear the stories get better and better
September 15, 2014
I love this series (which I listen to as audio books) so I was excited when I got the email from our library saying the audio book was available for downloading. I also love the woman who reads the book (Andrea Bates). She has the perfect voice for this series.
To Yanks the stereotypical Irishman wears four leaf clovers and runs around saying "begorra, begorra, top of the morn'in" while he chases leprechauns! And that is what you get in this book.
The cover of the book is a real tip off as to the "Irishess" of the book. The cover has four leaf clovers which are an American symbol of good luck. They have nothing to do with Ireland unless the Pope has added another person to the Trinity! It means the publisher didn't bother to do enough research to even get the symbol of the country correct.
Title is another give away of what you will find inside. I've never, ever heard someone from Ireland say "begorra" and lord know I been over there often enough and have enough Irish relatives and in-laws. It's a give away the author didn't go to Galway or any part of Ireland to do research. This is what she thinks the Irish sound like.
The audio was uncharacteristically bad too. OK I expected a stage Irish accent and that is what I got but Andrea could have at least learned the proper pronunciation of Irish names. For example, she said "sore-she" instead of "Saoirse".
As for the book itself, I did not get the feel that the character was in Ireland. or Galway. The dampness you can smell, the green wetness, the taste of a hot pot of tea, bread and butter, Irish sausage and rashers. The rockiness of Galway. The breeze from the ocean! The old city wall. Connemara! Galway is a large sea-side city with a very young growing population. Yet it is an ancient city. It offers many interesting storylines. She could have even based the bookstore on Kennys if she was looking for a short-cut and described the streets surrounding it. Instead the author chose a setting that could take place anywhere it was so generic. Yeah Sam went sightseeing to a tomb but Wikipedia has a better description. I guess I expected her description of her bookstore to be as good as her bakery.
Her magic box makes a brief appearance but the few mentions of the box could have been cut from the book and it would have made no difference. It was not integral to the storyline at all.
The magic present in her past books was missing too. I think this character works best when she is in her bakery. I love her descriptions of baking and Andrea Bates puts the joy Samantha Sweet feels for her work into her voice. But this book just missed the marked in so many ways.
To Yanks the stereotypical Irishman wears four leaf clovers and runs around saying "begorra, begorra, top of the morn'in" while he chases leprechauns! And that is what you get in this book.
The cover of the book is a real tip off as to the "Irishess" of the book. The cover has four leaf clovers which are an American symbol of good luck. They have nothing to do with Ireland unless the Pope has added another person to the Trinity! It means the publisher didn't bother to do enough research to even get the symbol of the country correct.
Title is another give away of what you will find inside. I've never, ever heard someone from Ireland say "begorra" and lord know I been over there often enough and have enough Irish relatives and in-laws. It's a give away the author didn't go to Galway or any part of Ireland to do research. This is what she thinks the Irish sound like.
The audio was uncharacteristically bad too. OK I expected a stage Irish accent and that is what I got but Andrea could have at least learned the proper pronunciation of Irish names. For example, she said "sore-she" instead of "Saoirse".
As for the book itself, I did not get the feel that the character was in Ireland. or Galway. The dampness you can smell, the green wetness, the taste of a hot pot of tea, bread and butter, Irish sausage and rashers. The rockiness of Galway. The breeze from the ocean! The old city wall. Connemara! Galway is a large sea-side city with a very young growing population. Yet it is an ancient city. It offers many interesting storylines. She could have even based the bookstore on Kennys if she was looking for a short-cut and described the streets surrounding it. Instead the author chose a setting that could take place anywhere it was so generic. Yeah Sam went sightseeing to a tomb but Wikipedia has a better description. I guess I expected her description of her bookstore to be as good as her bakery.
Her magic box makes a brief appearance but the few mentions of the box could have been cut from the book and it would have made no difference. It was not integral to the storyline at all.
The magic present in her past books was missing too. I think this character works best when she is in her bakery. I love her descriptions of baking and Andrea Bates puts the joy Samantha Sweet feels for her work into her voice. But this book just missed the marked in so many ways.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews