The Irish Manor House Murder

Torrey Tunet #2

by Dicey Deere

American Torrey Tunet finds a new mystery in the Irish village of Ballynagh when the granddaughter of a wealthy man becomes the suspect in a murderous attack on the old man on the grounds of his estate. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Irish Literature, Ireland, Fiction, Cozy

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2000

About the author

Dicey Deere (1916-2015) was the nom de plume of Harriet (Adler) La Barre.

Reviews

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised that the introduction to Dicey Deere’s series pertained to sexual fetishism, unbefitting categorization as ‘a cozy’. Picturesque titles, quaint covers cause them to be labelled thusly but I’m not complaining about adult books bringing out in the open, serious subjects. What caused difficulty were grating whistling habits of the author, which regrettably she continues in this book and her technique of having every Tom, Dick, and Harry narrate a chapter disconnected me from the protagonist. It was no help at all that I don’t really like the advertised protagonist. It’s a shame because I’m a user of multi languages and would have appreciated feeling that in common.

It usually works out to be a good thing that I pre-purchase volumes long before beginning a series. I wasn’t going to let the second, “The Irish Manor House Murder” go to waste. Whether it’s because I anticipated vistas from inconsequential personages and accept that the heroine has scant appeal for me; I’m happy to find this novel better. Some of the narrators were familiar, new townspeople were a great deal more appealing than the lead character, and overall the spotlight turned to her much more quickly. Likable or not, a protagonist is supposed to drive the story and the sooner we get on the main storyline, all the easier to develop interest in the whole.

This time a new best friend is seen flaring up at her Grandfather, nearly killing him on horseback. The point is to figure out what he did, in the past or present and to whom, to anger his favourite relative to that degree. Many times I think ‘Torrey’s’ involvement is uncalled for but understand wanting to keep her friend out of jail. The girl’s Mom, ‘Caroline’ and the needle shop owner are my favourites.

[Melissa Hartwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this first, not realizing it was a part of a series. For that, it is getting an extra star, because the author did a great job of getting you caught up with all the characters, without it feeling like an obvious "In the last episode of the Irish Murders..." style review. I also really, really enjoyed the chapter pacing...though the super short chapters did lead to a lot of "well, I'll only read one note chapter, then go to bed..."

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just don’t know about these books. The main character is not, really, an honorable person. She lies and, well, a few other things. It somehow I just keep reading. They are not particularly savory books, incest, trying to get a baby to abort itself, controlling fathers and grandfathers, and yet in the end it all works out. One more in the series.

[Lisa K · Rating 2 out of 5]

The sort of mystery where you do not have all the information, do not have the clues to perhaps solve along. Dated depictions of gypsies. Also, not a cozy.

Well-respected Irish doctor appears to have been killed by his granddaughter, Rowena. For some reason the granddaughter's friend, an American living in the village, thinks its up to her to exonerate Rowena.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dicey Deere writes a good mystery, with a multitude of characters and intricate plodding. I think she is exceptional in weaving in the various story lines into a compelling narrative. She does not cheat the reader but does a good job of camouflaging the clues. She is fun to read.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery with an Irish flavor. I wish I had read the first book to this series, I still liked it. I like how you had a feel of the place. And I also like how I didn't have any idea who the guilty party was. A keeper.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is pretty thin but Torrey and Jasper are the stars of course.

Tense sections of the plot are punched up by thunder storms. The clothes of everyone are detailed thoroughly - too much emphasis on the turquoise scarf with the peacocks that Torrey wears everywhere.

[L Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed complicated mystery!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Staccato. Brief chapters. One word sentences. Breezy in a way but enjoyable

[The Hobbit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Second title in the Torrey Tunet mystery series, set in Ireland. I did not read the first book, and so had no idea of who Torry Tunet was. Consequently, she remained a two-dimensional character, always in the background. Other characters were more fleshed out, although not necessarily likable. Plot threads were introduced throughout the book, some rather late in the telling. However, the book remained suspenseful and the ending was satisfying.

Rowena Keegan tries to rundown her grandfather, Dr Ashenden, with her horse. She always was his darling. What made Torrey's friend do such a bizarre thing? Rowena grandfather survives, but is found dead shortly after, supposedly thrown by his horse. But when Torrey discovers the horse has been shot by the pointed end of a knitting needle, the death becomes a murder. The police are convinced Rowena is the killer, but Torrey knows her friend did not do it. But if not Rowena, who? Dr Ashenden was not well-liked, even by his own family and his so-called friends. Torrey has lots of suspects with motives. She has to convince the police to believe her and extend their investigations beyond Rowena Keegan.

Read the Irish Cottage Murder first.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked character "McIntyre" who has worldly knowledge and small village charm. I liked the way that the story is told with short jumpy thoughts that scatter from one angle of thought/observation to the other. Towards the end of this book I started to see spelling errors which was annoying including the Heroines' own name! I will move onto the next book though because I do enjoy a moden small Irish village murder mystery. Interestingly, I looked at who else has this book on their list on goodreads and every single one of them is female. Hmmm.

[Leni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the way that Deere manages to go from person to person without losing me. Also there is no attempt to speak in a local dialect so I can read this easily. I do suggest that you read this book in order because there are a number of mentions of people from the previous book and it makes more sense that way. Read it in one gulp and was pleased by how twisty the ending was and how most ends were tied up. There is a clear impression that there is a book to follow and as I like the heroine (almost a protagonist) most of the time I plan to read the next one. Enjoy:-)

[Bonnie McHenry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Torrey Tunet mystery. Had me guessing up until the end. And I love all of the characters. I will continue to read this series. It is easy to read and if you have to stop in the middle it is easy to pick up and start again. Can't wait to read the next.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I actually hated putting it down. Now I'm on the third book of the series and loving it. I love books based in Ireland and Denmark. Especially mysteries because in America we dont have as many mysteries as Ireland and England and Egypt.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Convoluted' best describes this novel for me. There is a lot going on -- too much -- and yet, not everything is addressed at the end, so it wasn't especially satisfying.

I was wavering between two and three stars, so I rounded up.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book got very dark and twisted but thankfully not super graphic. There was a big build up as to what the main character stole and that was a bit of a let down. Easy summer read or one for a plane ride.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

terrible.

[ShareStories · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is interesting and intricate with a poetic writing style.

[Kathy Sheridan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fluff.

[LDuchess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read, entertaining. Needed a book in Richmond, down with a cold.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.M.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it the whole way through just to get to the ending.

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11819038

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one...love the twists at the end of her books...can't wait to find another one. Unfortunately there are not too many of her Irish stories.

[Martina Kopel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good.

[Minerva King · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a complicated murder mystery where you didn't know what really happened until the very end. I did not like the characters very much either. I won't be reading the others in the series.

[Regan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a favorite series.

[Jency · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad; so-so for a cozy. Or maybe I wasnt in the mood.

[Ann York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled across this book at a library book sale & loved it! What seemed obvious clearly isn't the answer to this well written mystery. Am going to be on the hunt for the other books in this series and hope to find them all as good as this was. Dicey Deere is going on my fav authors list.