An Irish Bookshop Murder

Mercy McCarthy Mystery #1

by Lucy Connelly

Heerlijke hedendaagse cosy crime in een prachtige setting

Na een onverwachte erfenis van hun grootvader reizen Mercy en haar tweelingzus Lizzie vanuit Amerika naar Ierland om daar de trotse eigenaars van een charmant antiek boekhandeltje in het kleine kustdorpje Shamrock Cove te worden. Ze worden door de andere bewoners van het hofje waar ze komen te wonen feestelijk verwelkomd. Maar vlak daarna valt een van hun buren dood neer.

Als Mercy de alom gerespecteerde rechter stervend op zijn stoep aantreft, haast ze zich om hem te helpen, maar met zijn laatste woorden beschuldigt hij haar van moord. Mercy ziet zich gedwongen haar naam te zuiveren. Bij het doorzoeken van de oude boeken van de rechter ontdekt ze brieven waaruit blijkt dat verschillende inwoners redenen hadden om hem kwaadgezind te zijn. Wie van hen is in staat tot moord? Dan ontvangt ze een dreigbriefje, getypt op papier uit haar eigen boekwinkel, en staat niet alleen haar vrijheid, maar ook haar leven op het spel.

Goodreads-lezers over de Shamrock Cove -serie

‘Super! Ik ben helemaal weg van de hoofdpersonen! Uiteindelijk ben ik tot in de kleine uurtjes opgebleven om het uit te lezen, want ik kon het gewoon niet neerleggen...’ *****

‘Zalige detective... Ik zat in een verschrikkelijke leesdip, en deze cosy crime heeft me daar weer uit geholpen... 5 sterren!’ *****

‘Uitstekend!! Een van de beste detectives die ik in 2024 heb gelezen... Kijk zeker uit naar het volgende boek!!!’ *****

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Ireland, Audiobook, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2024

Reviews

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCERPT: I stood in front of the navy front door and looked up at our new home. The spring breeze ruffled my hair, and the fresh scent of the sea assailed my senses. I rubbed the shamrock keyring in my hand, hoping for a little of its luck to rub off on me. The house had a beautifully kept, small front garden. I glanced at my twin sister and hoped we had made the right choice in moving to Ireland.

ABOUT 'AN IRISH BOOKSHOP MURDER': After receiving an unexpected inheritance from her grandfather, Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie are now the proud owners of a charming antique bookshop in the tiny Irish village of Shamrock Cove. But before they can take in the beautiful view of the sea, one of their neighbors drops dead!

Mercy finds the Judge, a well-respected man who lives next door, dying on his own doorstep. She rushes to help, but with his final words, he accuses Mercy of murder! Most of their new neighbors hear his words and, with suspicion pointing at Mercy, she decides to investigate the case to clear her name.

Searching amongst the Judge’s old books, Mercy uncovers letters proving several of the townsfolk had reason to dislike the judge—but was it the local pub landlord, the kindly cook or neighborly knitter who killed him?

Then Mercy’s chief suspect turns up dead and she receives a threatening note, typed on paper from her own bookstore… Ireland was supposed to be a fresh start for Mercy and Lizzie, but dead bodies keep turning up.

Does Mercy have what it takes to nail the culprit, or will the killer close the book on her time in this charming Irish village?

MY THOUGHTS: Set in a small Irish seaside village, Shamrock Cove, An Irish Bookshop Murder is the start of a new cosy series by Lucy Connelly.

The cottage sounds somewhat grander than anything I would call a cottage and the fact that it is in a Close and a desirable residence that people may, quite literally, kill to gain admittance to only reinforces my suspicion that it is more like a grand house, complete with secret doors and passages and a plethora of rooms. Certainly it is large enough that both sisters can live there, seemingly without tripping over one another.

The residents of The Close and the proprietors of the local businesses make up the main characters, and suspects, in this cosy murder mystery. How hard would it be to move somewhere new and then be worried that people you were counting on to be new friends may in fact be murderers?

It seems that no sooner have Mercy and Lizzie arrived - they don't even get time to move in! - than they have their first body on (or should that be in?) their hands. With their fresh sets of eyes and their lack of any preconceptions about the potential suspects, they are able to see things that perhaps the local detective can't (or won't) and that doesn't exactly endear them to him. Mercy and Lucy suspect him, and he suspects them! This leads to some sharp exchanges between these characters and several trips into the interview room of the local station.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read with an entertaining cast of characters. I certainly didn't guess the villain or the motive and it wasn't for lack of trying!

I enjoyed this author's Scottish Isle mystery series and now it seems her Mercy McCarthy series is going to be every bit as good!

I received both a digital and audio ARC and did a read/listen. I enjoyed both formats and could not choose between them. The audio is well narrated by Kimberley Wetherell.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.1

#AnIrishBookshopMurder #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Lucy loves traveling the world, but her favorite place is at home with her dogs and family. That said, she's always up for adventure and is constantly on the lookout for killer inspiration--as in who will be the next killer in her books?
She has a master's degree in humanities and enjoys learning all the things. And she's been published by many other names.

Thank you to Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for providing both a digital and audio ARC of An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is first book in a new series.

Mercy McCarthy and her twin sister Lizzie inherit a bookshop in Ireland from a grandfather they have never met. They are enjoying the house, the shop and the community until Mercy finds a neighbour dying in the garden and becomes the chief suspect. As an author of mystery novels she feels that she is well equipped to begin her own investigation.

The story is very well written with great characters, especially Mercy and Lizzie. I liked the Detective too. The mystery is excellent with a surprising culprit. Very enjoyable altogether and I look forward to reading book two.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4 stars
I really like the setting in An Irish Bookshop Murder with the quaint small Irish town and the unusual exclusive neighborhood limited to five homes. Twin sisters from the US discover they have a grandfather after he left them his home and bookshop, both sounding like such a fun and lovely place to explore and live. They never knew their father and were raised by their mom, who has passed away. Mercy, an author living in NYC, and Lizzie, a ranch owner in Texas, make the move to Ireland for a new start where Lizzie is managing the bookshop while Mercy is working on her next novel. The first night there they find a grumpy neighbor dying after a welcome party held at the bookshop for them. They are suspects and are determined to investigate on their own against the wishes of the local detective, grandson of one the neighborhood residents. This is a fun book to start off the series. I really enjoyed the author's Scottish Isle series and wanted to give this book a try. I did not enjoy the characters and other aspects as much but still a good start.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

[Emma.catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Past the deep green, rounded hobbit door at the end of the hall was one of the most beautiful home libraries I’d ever seen. Every wall of the huge room was covered in bookshelves, except for a mantel and fireplace at one end. Cushy chairs were spaced near a round reading table." 🚪📚✨

This story is both magical and mysterious, in equal measures. It is a charming and cozy murder mystery set in a small Irish town, that delivers on many fronts. There is no messing around with this story. No wasted pages. We dive straight into the deep end with a murder, that rocks Shamrock cove’s residents 😵

“Had he been murdered, as he’d claimed? And, if so, why had he accused me?"

This story was gripping from start to finish. Firstly, we are met with our 2 MFC’s- American, twin sisters, Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy. They were instantly likeable and drew my attention. They are very relatable characters for a number of reasons, but mainly because they have both been through a lot in their short lives and are looking for an escape. So after receiving unexpected inheritance from her grandfather, Mercy and Lizzie set off to Ireland as the now proud owners of a beautiful home and a charming antique bookshop 📚

Mercy is a mystery writer who needs to write a book for which she has no inspiration. This move proves to be a fantastic career move, as before they have even had a chance to look around, one of their neighbors drops dead! 😵 Perfect material for a new book 🫣 Mercy can’t help herself but get involved in the detective’s work…

And, just when they are trying to put the pieces together, another SHOCK hits the court 😳, a threatening letter, followed by a hit a run. Does Mercy have what it takes to find the culprit? Or will they catch up with her first? 🫣

This was a fun, easy to read mystery. The storyline had me gripped throughout with plenty of clues scattered evenly across the board. But I particularly liked this book because of its cozy crime vibes. I loved the setting and the characters. It was the definition of charming 🥰 Although I wasn’t overly shocked at who the murderer was, it felt like a satisfying ending to a well written story. I look forward to seeing what the McCarthy twins get up to next….(book 1 of 4) 📚

“Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Sláinte.” 🍻

3.75 🌟🌟🌟✨

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Irish Bookshop Mystery by Lucy Connelly
Mercy McCarthy mystery series #1.
With the gift of an unexpected inheritance, sisters Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy move to Shamrock Cove, Ireland where their grandfather left them a house and a bookstore. Lizzy will run the bookstore while Mercy, as a mystery writer will be able to write from her new home office.
As soon as they get to their new home, they find a woman on the floor. Fortunately she’s just sleeping but the next man down is shouting “you’re murders” and promptly dies with Mercy over him trying to save his life. As a mystery writer, Mercy feels like she has the ability to investigate. The police chief disagrees and the two have several run-ins as Mercy uncovers clues and basically gets in his way. Of corse, she doesn’t see it that way! She’s just trying to clear her name.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook performed by Kimberly Wetherell who did an absolutely phenomenal job with voice changes and variations. From a U.S. accent, to an Irish Ireland accent, woman, to an old man, you’d think it was at least two people if not more. The rhythm timing kept my interest and the emotions of anger, fear and others came through clearly.
Yes, I listened at my usual 1.5 to match my reading and talking speed, and ended up thoroughly enjoying this cozy mystery.

An Irish book lovers mystery and a series I will definitely follow. Amusing, with twists and murder and dead end clues that may just make you start the book over again as soon as you finish. I loved the narration by Kimberly Weyherell. Definitely recommend that method if you like audiobooks.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I’ve found a new favorite cozy mystery series! An Irish Bookshop Murder is the first in a new series by Lucy Connelly and I loved it. I fell in love with the characters and the locale - Connelly provides a terrific sense of place.

Mercy and her sister Lizzie have inherited a home and a bookshop in a small town in western Ireland - from a grandfather they’d never known or even heard of. They’ve both experienced tragedy recently, so they welcome a change of scenery to start over somewhere new. Mercy is a well-known mystery writer so she can work from anywhere and Lizzie’s Texas lavender farm is doing really well, enabling her to leave it in the good hands of her staff. So that’s the set-up.

Shamrock Cove (cute name) is better than they expected, filled with a diverse group of people. Their home (their grandfather’s home) is in a small secluded section of town referred to as “the court” - basically a walled-off section of the village. Of course, since this is a mystery series, someone dies early in their residency. Mercy puts on her sleuthing hat and has some run-ins with the local (handsome, of course!) detective, whose grandmother also lives in the court.

I really enjoyed the two sisters. While twins, their personalities are quite different. Lizzie is trying to recover from multiple shocks and is happy to dive into running the bookshop. She also loves to cook and bake, unlike Mercy who is terrible in the kitchen. She’s also more social than Mercy, who prefers to dress in sweats, avoid people and write all day. She easily loses track of time when she’s writing. Mercy is also much more of a risk taker than her sister.

The mystery was a good one, with the sisters making suspect lists and gradually eliminating people from the list. I did eventually guess the cuprit but I couldn’t fathom the motive, until it was revealed. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, especially since there’s information about their grandfather than they have not yet discovered.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[the_nerd_cafephile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio, and the author, for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is what I call a perfect cozy mystery. Mercy and Lizzy McCarthy are identical twins from Texas who has just moved to Shamrock Cove, a tiny Irish village from Texas after unexpectedly receiving inheritance from their paternal grandfather who they didn't even know existed. The sisters who recently went through a lot of tragedy, took this opportunity to get a change of scenery and help heal their hearts. Their inheritance includes a beautiful mansion in an exclusive gated community and a bookshop that their grandfather treasured.

Hence, Mercy who is a successful mystery/ thriller author and Lizzy a successful entrepreneur is extremely excited for their 'new' life. Little did they know that on the evening of their arrival, after their welcome party, one of their neighbours would drop dead while pointing their finger at Mercy.

I was a bit apprehensive about listening to this book as I have had to suffer through very bad Irish accents in audiobooks before. As Dubliner, who have spent a good bit of time in west of Ireland, I am happy to report that the accents were pretty well done and not too much on the nose. Ireland in itself is a very cosy place, so there was no reason for this book to be not. Another thing I was surprised was how genuinely gripped I was, in spite of the fact that I guessed the culprit pretty early on in the book. The rapport between all the characters were well built up, so was the places and settings. Overall, a solid 4 star mystery.

[Sarah Ellen (only have the emotional capacity for cozy murders right now) but less curmudgeon and more holly jolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot: Twin American sisters inherit a successful book store AND an absolutely gorgeous house situated between a castle and the sea from a grandfather they never knew that they had. Both women have recently undergone tragedy and decide to move to the house sight unseen. The night they first arrive a murder happens right in front of them. A neighbor that nobody liked!
What I thought: By now everyone knows that following my reading slump and some IRL tragedies of my own I only have the emotional and intellectual capacity to read cozy mysteries. Most cozy mysteries are not literary masterpieces (as wonderful as they are). I sound like a snob, don’t I? Okay. Sometimes I am! While this book was far from perfect it was engaging in a wish fulfillment three star way.
My issues with the book:
* there were a decent amount weak writing moments (ie using the same word twice in two pages, weak descriptions, things being way too stereotypical, multiple uses of the phrase,”I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding”)
* the solution to the murders was weak and did not wrap up the clues we had been given ~ very unsatisfactory
Good things:
*The characters were pretty good and there was a time in the middle of the book where the author seemed to hit her stride and really had something going
* wish fulfillment works both ways ~ it can be cloying but when you need it it is very comforting (who doesn’t want to inherit a gorgeous house and bookstore in Ireland from a grandfather they never met?).

[Deborah Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I really enjoy Ms Connelly's Scottish Isle Mystery series, so I was delighted to see that she has started another series, this one set in Ireland. We meet Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy, twin sisters, as they are arriving in Shamrock Cove after they have had their lives upended. As they were each dealing with personal tragedies, they discovered that a grandfather they never knew, they never knew their dad, had left them a cottage and bookstore in Ireland. Looking for a fresh start, the sisters take a leap of faith and move to Ireland. Greeted by a wonderful group of their grandfather's neighbors and friends and hoping to learn more about him, they attend a party welcoming them to town. Everyone is friendly and welcoming except for an elderly judge who was a friend and neighbor to their grandfather he doesn't believe they belong in this neighborhood. When the sisters find him calling for help on his doorstep,on their way home from the party, Mercy tries to administer first aid, but the judge passes. When it is found that the judge was murdered much craziness ensues. Are the sisters safe here? Was it someone in the neighborhood who murdered the judge? Who can be trusted? This is a wonderful tale, almost impossible to put down, with an amazing setting, colorful characters, and a very interesting mystery. I am so looking forward to visiting Shamrock Cove again soon!! Thanks to #Netgally, #Bookouture, and the author for the opportunity to read!! #AnIrishBookshopMurder #LucyConnelly #TheMercyMcCarghyMysteries #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy publication day 🥳🎉

A really cute cozy murder mystery story. Meet the McCarthy twins, Mercy and Lizzie, after a rough time, they relocate from America to Ireland where they’ve inherited their grandfathers cottage and bookshop.
Now would be a good time to tell you I’m literally manifesting the same fate for myself, without the murders please and thank you.

Did you ever love Murder She Wrote? Cabbot Cove. I did, and this gave me those same vibes. Mercy is also a writer, a mystery writer and is now in Shamrock Cove!!

I loved the sisters, I really enjoyed the story and the other characters. I’ll look forward to the next in the series.

The narration, I’m trying so hard to be polite here, I kind of wish the narrator had just stuck to narrating everyone in her own American accent, instead she’s had a mad gallop all throughout Ireland and I think she made a wee stop off in parts of Scotland to narrate the Irish characters, and the accents became so bad they were hilarious and added entirely to the fun of the book.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio via NetGalley for this ELC.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“An Irish Bookshop Murder ” by Lucy Connelly the 1st instalment in the " A Mercy McCarthy Mystery" series. I enjoyed this book and think it’s a great start to a new series. I’ve enjoyed Lucy Connelly’s Scottish Isle Mysteries so was excited to see another series by her but set in Ireland. Meet Ireland’s newest daring detective: she’s a bookstore owner, a coffee lover, and a crime writer. Now Mercy McCarthy needs a little Irish luck as she takes on her first case!

I really enjoyed visiting Shamrock Cove, Ireland from the colourful high street, the sea at their door step, and cottages on the court, and a bookstore. Another thing I enjoyed was the relationship between Mercy and Lizzie, the banter between the twins was funny and you knew they had each other’s back. I also loved the characters of Lolly and Keiran. It's great how the people of Shamrock Cove take care of their own and opened their arms to adopt Mercy and Lizzie into their “Court” family.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Mercy did.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Bookouture and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

[Lindsay Nixon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I requested this by accident, thinking it was part of a similarly named series with similar book cover art.

It didn’t take long for me to realize I goofed but since I usually like cozy mysteries I thought I’d settle in.

I simply can’t read this. The writing makes me itch with all its cliches + cardboard and cartoony characters and soapy dialogue.

Thanks netgalley for my ALC.

DNF

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars! This was my first cozy mystery read! So I honestly had no idea what to expect, but I’ve been wanting to try cozy mysteries for a while and when I saw the ALC for this on NetGalley…well, I jumped in! I’m a sucker for an Ireland setting and the “I just inherited a home/business” trope!

This did catch my attention right from the start. We are following American twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie, they end up both needing a fresh start and move to Ireland after an estranged grandfather they never knew left them his house and bookshop! The story starts immediately with a murder on their first day in town and kinda goes from there!

I will say I was expecting more cutesy, small town and I don’t think this super delivered on the “cutesy”, but again this was my first cozy mystery so I have no idea if my expectations are accurate. 😅 The small town vibes were there and we get a good cast of characters in the town with them in Ireland. This did have a heavier, darker theme to it, with both women losing people in their lives. Their mother recently passed, and Lizzie lost her fiancé and fiancé’s daughter. I did like the buildup of the mystery but it felt anticlimactic sadly once things are revealed, and like didn’t make the most sense either. But it’s a quick, first in a new series, gorgeous Irish setting, cozy mystery! And I do want to try more in this genre!

I received an audio ALC from NetGalley, all thoughts in this review are my own.

[sri · Rating 1 out of 5]

"An Irish Bookshop Murder" had the makings of an engaging cozy mystery but unfortunately fell flat on numerous fronts. The book promised a charming murder mystery set in an Irish bookshop, yet it failed to deliver on its potential, leaving much to be desired.

The initial setup seemed promising, but the execution of the murder was lackluster. The characters felt contrived and did not evoke the warmth or intrigue typically associated with cozy mysteries. The protagonist, in particular, was grating and seemed to be more of a distraction than a compelling lead. Her constant internal monologues about her stalker and obsession with wearing black clothes became repetitive and tiresome, overshadowing any sense of genuine engagement with the story.

The protagonist’s frequent tangents, including an odd detour about why she doesn’t run, felt out of place and irrelevant to the narrative. Additionally, her sudden expertise in lockpicking and hacking, following a brief lesson from a locksmith, was far-fetched and lacked any real context.

The recurring references to her “mystery writer brain” only served to highlight the disconnect between the character and the reader. The actual sleuthing in the book was minimal, relying instead on the protagonist’s unfounded assumptions about who could or couldn’t be the murderer based on their niceness. The ending, which should have tied together the story’s threads, felt disjointed and the motive came off as forced

Ultimately, "An Irish Bookshop Murder" did not resonate with me. The lack of engaging characters, a coherent plot, and genuine mystery elements rendered it an unsatisfactory read. This book fell short of its cozy mystery aspirations, leaving much to be desired.

[Micky Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding start to a new series! I am absolutely loving the main characters! Mercy, an author and Lizzy, a businesswoman, are twins who have suffered a series of tragedies and find themselves the heirs to property in Ireland. While the twins have a lot of similarities their personalities are unique and distinct which makes them so much more realistic. The background stories of the neighbors' ties into the mystery that surrounds the twins when they arrive and many suspicious events later, they are fully wrapped into the center of the mystery. The book is so well crafted that I ended up staying up until the wee hours of the morning to finish as I just couldn't put it down. The narrator did such a magnificent job of bringing the unique personalities to life that I will definitely put this series on my must listen list!!! Now, I just want the author to hurry and write more, more, more as there are still unanswered questions about the twin's heritage and inheritance! Whether you are an audio lover or a read the book lover, this series is sure to fill your cozy mystery loving needs!

[MillennialMomReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy Connelly’s first entry into the Mercy McArthur Mystery Series is cozy in the way that a Hallmark movie warms your soul after a long day.. While the story was a tad predictable, it managed to be so in a charming way that was perfect for a quick, easy read on a fall day. At points the plot dragged a bit due to repetitive turns of phrase or rehashed minor plot points, but this did not greatly detract from my enjoyment of the book. Listening to this on audio, I did find it at times difficult to keep track of all the characters but overall due to the familiar but interesting plot it was manageable. Readers who need a brain break from heavier materials/thrillers might appreciate delving deeper into Shamrock Cove’s quirky community. I’m grateful I had the chance to listen to this book and think that fall readers will appreciate curling up by the fire with a nice “cuppa” and this book.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of cozy mysteries…A. Lot. And I have some fave tropes and settings but I go hyper crazy for two. Ireland and bookstores and, eeeeepppp, this first Mercy McCarthy novel features both! Plus, Mercy is a mystery author too! I’m gobsmacked and silly-giddy and super excited because this series is off to a great start!

There’s a wee bit of an edge to this cozy mystery, with the sisters’ backstories adding a somber note through layers of grief and overcoming. The author still delivers all the beloved elements of a cozy mystery though. The quaint Irish village, quirky neighbours and just the right amount of captivating descriptions so that I could picture myself right there with Mercy and Lizzie.

There’s the classic cozy mystery murder along with a host of potential suspects to keep things interesting and it’s complicated enough to give my sleuthing armchair a fair workout. Mercy is an avid investigator, though clumsy at times. What she lacks in finesse, she makes up for in determination and grit. Much to the chagrin of a certain detective (I’m experiencing heart palpitations at the potential romance vibes.) In fact, I might be a tad obsessed with these characters now. Hoping we won’t have long to wait for the second ‘Mercy McCarthy Mystery‘ to release! Love when I get invested in a story like I did with this one!

I listened to the brilliant audio edition of ‘An Irish Bookshop Murder’ narrated by Kimberly Wetherell who did such a wonderful job with the Irish accents and had me thinking in lilts the whole time I was listening to this book. Loved it soooo much and would highly recommend the audio.

My thanks to Bookouture Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Bookouture for an ARC copy of this novel that comes out tomorrow, August 22, 2024.

I have alwaysss wanted to try a cozy mystery story. This was my first one! The "cozy" part in this novel meant it took place in a quaint Irish village, Shamrock Cove. I loved the setting and the premise of this book. Firstly, the setting is beautiful green Ireland, on the sea. Their new home is in a small little village where everyone knows each other. Also, THEY NOW OWN A BOOK STORE (more on that below)! As for the premise, two American sisters get the opportunity to move to Ireland when their grandfather passes away and leaves his cottage in their name (YES PLZ!). Along with inheriting his home, they also inherit his business: a two-story book shop! When they arrive to their new home, a surly old man in the village dies unexpectedly. One of the sisters is a mystery writer and sees this as the perfect opportunity to play detective, while the other sister is hoping for a drama-free fresh start in Ireland. Everyone is a suspect.

Heavyyy on the "play detective" because girl... WHY were you all up in their business like that!? I really did like this book, but the ending killed it for me. There was a ton of buildup and a rushed ending that I felt was anti-climactic and didn't make a ton of sense. It says this is the first in the series, so I would give the second book a try, whenever that comes out. I hope it explores the ending of the first book and the romance I was hoping to get in the first.

[Ashley W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for the vibes.

Super cozy little, Irish village where I would love to live myself. The idea of a snug court with neighbors everyone knows, who mostly get along is so comforting. Also, I will read just about anything set in Ireland.
The mystery itself was pretty standard. The judge definitely had some haters, but I enjoyed learning more about his kindness as well. That really served to diffuse some of the suspicion against a few of the characters.
I loved most of the characters. They were all a bit quirky with unique voices.
The only characters I didn't care for were the FMC and her sister. Mercy was truly insufferable to me. She did everything to make herself suspicious, even beyond the crime occurring RIGHT AFTER she moves in next door. She sneaks into the judges back yard, lied about it, the note with the special paper (I'm not sure that was ever explained come to think of it 🤔). So much was pointing at her. Which is fine. But then she insults the detective for following up on the most obvious suspects because she and her sister know they didn't do it. Like he's just supposed to take their word for it. They were more than a little annoying with that.
But since all that is resolved, I anticipate liking future books more.
The author's self-inserting was insanely obvious. The way the FMC had to mention that she was a mystery writer every third page (not an exaggeration). Then defend how hard the job was for absolutely no reason. Okay, Lucy, we get it. Someone out there said writing mysteries was easy.
Hopefully, that subsides too because it got old.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Mercy McCarthy book series, and is the perfect cozy mystery book. Connelly writes vividly without being wordy. I could picture the court, I could picture the bookshop, and the little town. There is variety in the cast of characters, inclusive of different races and sexual orientation. All of their personalities were different (which can be hard to do with so many characters), and each of the characters brings something to the storyline. This is probably the first time that I’ve read a book with many characters and didn’t struggle to remember who was who.

Mercy is probably my favorite. She is a writer that does tons of research into her books so that she can get her characters right. Due to that, she has some knowledge in a vast array of things in the world from CPR, to how detectives work, to hacking. It helps give this character so much depth.

The mystery part keeps you wondering who could be behind it all – and it really could be anyone. Everyone seemed to have a motive, but I didn’t know for sure until the reveal.

If you like cozy mysteries, then check this one out

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"An Irish Bookshop Murder (Mercy McCarthy Mystery #1)" by Lucy Connelly is the first book in a bookshop themed cozy mystery series. Well bookshop and book writer themed. Mercy McCarthy and her twin sister, Lizzie, move to Ireland after inheriting their previously unknown grandfather's cottage and a series of tragic events back in Texas. Mercy is a successful mystery writer and Lizzie runs a successful lavender ranch. Now Mercy will work from her home office in the cottage and Lizzie will run their grandfather's bookshop.

After their welcoming party they find their neighbor having a health emergency. Mercy, who is well versed in CPR, tries to save him. However, she's unsuccessful. Due to the low rate of crime before their arrival and a few other clues hinting their way, Mercy takes on investigating what happened.

I found this mystery very entertaining. I did have one person that I kept coming back to as a suspect. It also had the typical detective who gets a bit of tunnel vision. There may be a bit of a love hate troupe going on between him and Mercy.

The narrator of the audiobook version did a great job with the various characters. Each one was unique. Since this is a book set in Ireland they also had to do an Irish accent. That was well done as well.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent new series! Twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy are starting over in Ireland after an unexpected inheritance from their recently deceased grandfather, whom they never met. With an absolutely enchanting village, cast of endearing characters, and well-plotted mystery, I didn't want this story to end! Luckily, book two has already arrived, and book three will be available in early 2025. Highly recommend for those who enjoy cozy mysteries and armchair travel.

"Shamrock Cove is everything we didn't know we needed." ☘️

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

**An Irish Bookshop Murder**

**Rating:** ⭐️⭐️⭐️
**Format:** Audiobook
**Speed:** 1.25x

Our story begins with twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie. Both women have just moved to Ireland for a fresh start. Their estranged grandfather left them his house and bookstore. Lizzie had a lilac farm in Texas, and Mercy is a famous mystery author. The move was prompted by the decline and death of their mother, as well as Lizzie’s fiancé and his daughter. No sooner had the women settled in on their first day than a local resident is murdered. Readers are taken on a murder mystery adventure with a touch of romance and a frantic rush to solve the case before someone else in this quaint town ends up dead.

**Highlights:**
⭐️ **Lizzie & Mercy:** Their sister dynamic brings a breath of fresh air to the story.
⭐️ **Character Background:** I was genuinely surprised by the “darkness” in Lizzie and Mercy’s past. Both women lost their mother, Lizzie lost her fiancé and his daughter, and Mercy mentions having a stalker in NY. When I think of cozy mysteries, I imagine a Hallmark or Lifetime happy-go-lucky scenario where the protagonist stumbles upon a case; I certainly wasn’t expecting their reasons for moving to be so serious.
⭐️ **Little Spark of Romance:** 😉
⭐️ **Story Location:** A bookstore in a cute, quaint little town by the shore in Ireland? Yes, please.

**Pitfalls:**
❌ **The Twist Was Meh:** I was surprised by the reveal, but to be honest, I didn’t fully understand it. I didn’t think the motive or intention behind the murder made much sense.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the early ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Dawn Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cozy mysteries is one of my favorite genres. Add in an Irish setting and I am all in. I enjoyed meeting all the charaters, many of whom were a bit quirky but likeable. There seemed to be a little romantic interest brewing between Mercy and the detective that I would like to see grow throughout future books. One of my favorite moments was seeing Lizzie stand up for herself. She'd been dealing with grief from the loss of her mom, fiance and future bonus daughter and lost herself a bit to PTSD. Then it was as if she said no more and got the strength to face off with the detective and tell Mercy to stop coddling her,

There were only a few of things that didn't work for me:
1) Mercy asking for a spoon to put in someone's mouth when they appeared to be having a seizure. The first thing you learn in a first aid class is never try to stick anything in a person's mouth when they are having a seizure. You turn them on their side if possible and support their head. A simple internet search or even a first aid class would have made a difference here.
2) The big reveal just didn't make sense and fell flat. The reason behind the killer's actions felt like the author didn't really think that part through. It was rushed and just thrown together.
3) This was a little longer than it needed to be. The story was stretched out far longer than necessary.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to visiting the characters and Shamrock Cove again. Oh and the narration was perfect. Please stick with the same narrator for the rest of the series.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you step into the pages of an #AnIrishBookshopMurder #NetGalley, you will immediately meet twin sisters, Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy, who have suffered tragic losses and are trying to make a fresh start.
When the sisters find out they've inherited a bookshop and house in Shamrock Cove, Ireland, the girls are sure it's a sign, and travel abroad, ready to start over.
Things aren't as easy as they hoped, especially when a well known resident dies their first night there.
Suspicion of the sisters is expected, but Mercy, a best selling mystery author, is determined to find the truth.

I loved this first in a new series, it has everything I love in a good cozy mystery.
I'm looking forward to reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Linniegayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this first in a new mystery series set in a small town in Ireland. Twins Mercy and Lizzie have gone through a horrible past year, with the death of their mother followed shortly by the death of Lizzie's fiancee and his daughter. When they learn they have inherited a cottage and bookstore in Ireland from a grandfather they never knew, they decide to take a chance, get a new start, and move to Ireland. Shortly after arriving, a murder occurs in their small neighborhood, and the local police detective seems to decide Mercy is guilty. As Mercy tries to clear her name and find the actual killer, more crimes occur.

I liked the setting of the mysterious court where Mercy and Lizzie now live, as well as most of their neighbors. There were a lot of potential villains, and while I suspected who may have been the killer partway through, I still enjoyed the unfolding of the crime. I definitely look forward to reading the next in the series!

[CrinM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know murder mysteries shouldn’t be delightful but come on, inheriting a cottage AND bookstore IN IRELAND from some lost grandpa for setup. Yes. Picturesque fake town sounds like a dream. I want to live there and be besties with Mercy and Lizzie. Also the solving of who did it was fun to unravel with the sisters.

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a cozy mystery, this book is 5 stars. With its easy-to-read, Agatha Christie premise, the plot keeps the reader engrossed. The characters are lovable, especially the twins, Mercy and Lizzie.

The setting makes the book! The village is a work of fiction, and it’s magical. The cottages on the court! The bookstore! I want all of it.

With themes of family connection, community, and friendship, this cozy mystery is a winner! Shout out to #NetGalley for the ARC!

[Christina's Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute cozy mystery. I dont usually read cozy mysteries (unless theres a cat) but this one checks a few boxes for me. Its set in a gorgeous Ireland setting, in a quaint little town AND the main characters are TWINS! Very engaging for a cozy.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I finished reading this mystery (which was a book club selection), I did a bit of research to learn more about the author. It was surprising to discover her vast career as an author of many books in several genres. She writes under other names also. Now I think I expect more from her. I didn’t change my rating but I am probably less inclined to read the other books in this series or any of her other works.