Death at an Irish Village

Irish Castle Mystery #3

by Ellie Brannigan

Entrepreneur Rayne McGrath’s wedding venue is open for business until a dead and unburied body is found at the cemetery in the third Irish Castle mystery.

With six months left to fulfill the provisions of Uncle Nevin’s will and save the fixer-upper castle she and her cousin inherited, Rayne McGrath and Ciara Smith’s bridal venue venture is finally bringing in money. To unite the reluctant villagers, some who’d vehemently protested their efforts to modernize the village, they agree with Father Patrick’s idea to create a group of volunteers to clean the old cemetery behind the beloved church. When a body is found by one of the historic tombstones, the cousins must work overtime to solve the newest case. 

The plot thickens and an unsolved crime from the past is unearthed when it’s discovered that the body was on top of a fake grave that has connections to Rayne’s ancestors. With two weddings scheduled at the castle and her mother on the way, Rayne fears she won’t be able to balance it all, yet she rolls up her sleeves and dives into old family journals in hopes of puzzling out not one but two mysteries. 

Perfect for fans of Carlene O’Connor and Sheila Connolly, this whimsical cozy will charm mystery readers everywhere.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Ireland, Audiobook, History

336 pages, Hardcover

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half of the time stipulated in the will was over, and Rayne McGrath & Ciara Smith only had six months left to turn the fortunes of the castle and the village of Grathton around. With the weekend coming up quickly, and a wedding to cater for - the only money coming in at the time - Rayne was finishing off the wedding dress and working with Ciara to finalise it plus the cottages that were prepared for the guests. When a working bee of volunteers headed to the old cemetery to clear the excess growth and foliage around it, and the nearby church, they worked hard, but it was the next morning when the two women returned, that a body was discovered in the cemetery.

As the Garda investigated the murder and news of Rayne's ex surfaced again, Rayne and her friends worked hard to unearth the secrets that were surrounding the castle. They were desperate to come up with ideas to save Grathton, along with the castle, as the alternative didn't bear thinking about...

Death at an Irish Village is the 3rd in the Irish Castle Mystery series by Ellie Brannigan and once again Blarney is on the cover. He's an adorable dog, loyal and intelligent. The characters are well written, with only a few to not like! (The bad guys of course!) I'm really looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this series. I loved the Irish country as the setting, the struggle to save the small village and of course a murder to solve. The reality just hasn't lived up to my hopes. Somewhere between the Irish castle and struggling village I lost the spark that attracted me to this series. The characters, and there are a lot of them in this book, didn't intrigue me, the victim was a piece of work, and no loss to humanity, and the feeling that some of the villagers couldn't care less if their quaint village is absorbed into a larger one just made me sad. What kept me reading was the mystery of Thomas McGrath who died in 1923, has a gravestone, but no record of his death.

Rayne McGrath was living her dream of designing fabulous wedding dresses from her studio on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills when her boyfriend took off with everything leaving her destitute. At the same time her uncle dies and leaves her a castle and a village and a mandate to make them successful. She also got a cousin, Ciara Smith, in the bargain. Together they are trying to drag the castle and village into the current century and are meeting some opposition from the villagers. Trying to make the castle a high-end wedding venue is a work in progress and sprucing up the village is ongoing and necessary to attract new residents.

The project this week is the cemetery and what they find is a dead body at the headstone of Thomas McGrath. More woes for Rayne and Ciara, a dead body is not a good look for their wedding venue and now they have a mystery to solve.

[Jennifer Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read, but there were so many characters I got confused as to who was who. Maybe add a list of characters in future books!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of moving parts to this one and even more characters to keep track of, but it was worth it! There is a good balance of community building and mystery, with the cousins Rayne and Ciara working to figure out how to bring the village back to life and what is going on with the graves in the cemetery. I enjoyed following along as they unravel the mystery and especially the various ways they entertain to make the village more appealing to visitors. I’m especially glad that the ongoing story with her ex has been resolved and look forward to seeing how they proceed from here.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Death at an Irish Village (Irish Castle Mystery #3)" by Ellie Brannigan has Rayne and her cousin Ciara still trying to find a way for them to keep the village they are primarily the owners of from getting sold. They have another wedding party about to check in and some projects in mind to clean up the village. Th problem is how to attract a younger crowd to fill in all the vacancies.

At one of their projects, cleaning up the cemetery, a local man gets himself into trouble. Then he's found dead on top of a suspicious headstone that shouldn't be where it is. Oh, and Rayne's crazy ex is still loose somewhere. Good thing her dog keeps insisting on sleeping by her bedroom door lately.

The reveals seemed to come hard and fast. One moment we're figuring out who they are. The next moment all the drama and showdown is over. Everyone is neatly taken care of. The problems are mostly solved. At least in the sense that the killers are caught and we wont have any more of Rayne's ex.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second mystery I have read in this series, an unusual premise involving inheritance, found families, resilience, and of course, murders when you least expect them. Maybe I was distracted, but I couldn’t keep track of all the characters and or engage with several of the story threads, big detractors for me.

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her business partner/boyfriend Landon Short stole everything she owned, and her bank account, too, it seemed fortuitous that her late Uncle Nevin in Ireland would leave her everything he owned. Especially when she discovered that Nevin had an illegitimate daughter, Ciara Smith. What's worse, she and Ciara, who were left to manage everything, need to work together to save the village of Grafton and Grafton Castle in one year, or they are to dispose of everything and split what is left, if anything remains.

At first Rayne decided to do just that, since Ciara didn't seem to like her at all. But then, Rayne chose to stay and try to make it work; first by working on Modern Lace, her business, from the castle. Then to host weddings there as a venue, and hope that it will bring in enough to save them. If not, she can always sell her designer handbags, right?

But the first wedding didn't go off as planned, nor the second. This next wedding is her last hope for salvation, and they both plan to do anything to make it work. Plus, they have to gain the trust of the village, by helping them as well. That includes cleaning the cemetery for Father Patrick. The first day all goes well, with many volunteers; most of them are seniors, but they do the job and never complain.

However, the next day when Rayne and Ciara arrive, there is a body by one of the gravestones. It is of a local, and the stone he's propped up against is one of their ancestors. They wonder why the man wasn't buried in the McGrath plot, as he should have been.

But there's more going on here -- Ciara is having doubts about her future marriage; Rayne knows that Landon has escaped from jail but not where he is; an old trunk is holding a century of secrets; a neighboring village wants to swallow them up -- and will, if they can't make this work.

Finding a killer is the main thing, but not the only one. They also are trying to keep the information from their wedding guests, because they want this to go off without a hitch. But how can it, when a killer is on the loose, and one of their friends is a prime suspect? Saving the village is important, but saving their friend even more so...

I have read the other two books in the series, and they just keep getting better. I'm becoming attached to the residents of Grafton Village, and I want the best for them. The book is full of action, surprises, and intrigue; the two women aren't the only ones who are hiding a secret, and one of them may lead to clues to find the murderer. We learn more about others who work on the grounds, and even some history of their own Irish ancestors. I love the fact that both Rayne and Ciara are growing and realize that they need each other, in their own way.

I loved how everything came together; the struggles, and the realism of the characters and the village. It makes me want to visit. That's the best compliment I can give. The book does tell a wonderful tale, and I heartily look forward to the next one. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my review.

[Bethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

|:: Death at an Irish Village
By Ellie Brannigan
Chapter 5 Page 63
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫


{ Ciara exited and parked in a multistory garage near Oasis Fabrics. They walked down the street and arrived at nine-forty, entering the fabric shop. Vibrant colours stacked on shelves beckoned Rayne, but her gaze was drawn to the manager.
Nolan Rourke was tall, thin and had gorgeous, flowing rockstar hair. He took one look at Ciara and put his hands to his heart.
“Just as beautiful as our Rayne. I love your hair,” Nolan said. Ciara had added gel, so it was shiny and curly.
“I love yours too,” Ciara said.
“How have you been, my sweets?” Nolan ushered them past the centre aisles toward his back office. 
“We could be better,” Rayne said with a hitch in her chest. }


Life for Rayne was like one of her mothers sitcom shows. Between her partner leaving, and making headlines, allowing the world to take a glimpse of her life and then there was her uncle who died and left her a castle - McGrath Castle to be precise, in his will. 
Well, it could be her castle if she can bring the magical life back to it and more custom to the quaint little town that is attached to it.


Oh, and it also came with a cousin she didn't know she had, as well as a hands-on staff, which helped to keep the uptake of the castle in their appointed roles. Including a very talented chef and handsome groundsman along with the village -Grathton Village.


The villagers themselves were trying to get used to her American ways, just like her cousin. Her uncle, who had died (her cousin Ciara suspected foul play) had left a weird set of instructions with his will. Luckily, Ciara quickly thawed to Rayne, and they became firm friends, the villagers eventually followed, which is how we meet the two girls. Searching for a needle in a haystack in an attempt to win over the loyalty of the locals, Rayne signed up to help clean the cemetery that is part of the church in Grathon Village.. and that is where it all starts to go wrong..


I found Rayne to be headstrong, smart, and interesting, but Ciara was my favourite with her quick temper and funny remarks. I have to admit I was confused when the book ended because we didn't find out what happened to the rest of the characters. Is everyone ok? Does Freda still want to rule the world? 

I really liked Beetle, and Cormac was another favourite of mine. The way her family rallied her around her was heartwarming. Landon.. I was shocked when I found out what he had been up to. It was a unique idea, and that's why I liked it so much. But it did make me laugh a little!

I saw such a lovely spark between Rayne and Amos, I want to see more between them, maybe a flirty night together! 

Please write a second book. I need to know what happens next, especially about Rayne's quest researching the Cavalier Clovers, Ciara and who she chooses, and what reviews the wedding guests provide??? I need more McGrath, please 😍😍😍😍

A huge thank you to Ellie Brannigan, Crooked Lane Books, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback. ::|

[Tracy Condie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Irish Castle Mystery series, and it does a great job of furthering the overall story arc as Irish revolutionary history overlaps with Rayne and Ciara’s family history at a forgotten grave site in the overgrown cemetery. Perfect place for a body drop, right?

As a reader you don’t have to know the history of the series because there is plenty of backstory. Rayne McGrath, couture wedding dress maker to the likes of the rich and Rodeo Drive famous, and her salt of the earth Irish cousin Ciara Smith have one year to bring the finances of McGrath Castle and the surrounding lands into the black or sell. Wills can be tricky things, it seems as though Nevin McGrath’s written will was to unite his illegitimate daughter Ciara and her brash American cousin Rayne, into a partnership to save them all following his demise (see the series starter, Murder at an Irish Castle). A pink Hermes bag, one of Rayne’s treasured items, may need to be sacrificed for the sake of the estate if the wedding venue venture does not get off the ground in conjunction with an increase in next year’s lambing.

There are so many struggles between renovating the village to bring it into this century while not losing the cozy historic village look. I was intrigued by the way Rayne and Ciara were brainstorming to come up with a list of potential jobs to be filled by a slightly younger group of people. You can’t help but to feel empathy for the cousins as they seem to take two steps forward and one and a half steps back, but at least they are in lockstep. Well except for when it comes to romance. The cousin’s romantic lives are see-sawing. While one cousin seems to be going up with butterflies in her stomach, the other cousin is going down with a feeling of dread. Oh, and then there is Landon, the crazy ex business partner/boyfriend. The last thing needed is a dead body in the newly cleared cemetery, that wasn’t there before the clearing. With a wedding scheduled, Rayne knows that she needs to do what she can to help Garda Williams get to the bottom of this unfortunate and reputation-ruining mystery.

The plot of this story has sprinkles of Irish history, cozy town characters (many of which are over 60 and fit as proverbial fiddles), a loyal castle staff that is more like family than anything else, a handsome Viking, and more than enough suspects. With all these suspects, it is easy to be taken in by the red herrings. I knew who the killer wasn’t, but I did not figure out who was responsible. I cannot wait to see what will happen next in this highly entertaining cozy series.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third Irish Castle mystery has Rayne McGrath and Ciara Smith searching for ways to fulfill the terms of Rayne's uncle's will. They have a year to make the village and castle solvent. Things would go smoother if murders didn't keep happening.

This time, with a wedding to take place at the castle, Rayne and Ciara discover a body leaning against a tombstone during a clean-up of the graveyard. As Rayne and Ciara look into Aiden Dennehy's death, they soon learn that he had a number of people who might prefer him to be dead. The garda are convinced that the bartender who punched him the previous night because Aiden was messing around with his sister is at the top of the list.

Rayne and Ciara don't believe that Beetle the publican killed Aiden but don't have a stronger possibility. They are busy getting ready for the weekend wedding which will provide funds for the winter which is only one thing on their massive to-do list. High on the list are finding a lawyer to help answer some of their pressing questions, dealing with the property management firm to discover just what they own, and finding a way to draw younger people to the town to bolster the population and the economy.

A trunk found in the attic filled with photo albums from the 1920s raises more questions than it answers and doesn't help identify the Thomas McGrath supposedly buried in the main cemetery instead of the McGrath plot.

Adding even more complications is Freda Bevan who wants to annex the village Rayne and Ciara are trying to save and an elderly and wealthy lady from Dublin who is demanding the Rayne and Ciara look into the death of her 90-year-old brother who lived in the village.

Throw if a few romantic relationships and Rayne's sociopathic ex who has escaped from prison and may or may not be hiding out in Mexico and you have a plot filled to overflowing.

The story is filled with a large cast of characters between people working at the castle and the people living in the town. It was hard to keep track of them all. Also, the story could likely have been 20% shorter if the constant repetition of plot points was eliminated. It was like the author wrote each chapter months apart and felt that the reader needed the reminders.

Fans following the series will want to read this one despite its flaws and clear lack of resolution of the plot concerning whether or not Rayne and Ciara will be able to save the town and the castle. Various other plots introduced in this episode are solved or partly solved.

[boogleloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars: This is the third entry in Brannigan's Irish Castle Mystery series which is a British Cozy Mystery that takes place in Ireland and features an American bridal wear designer and her Irish cousin as they find themselves turning sleuths after a body's discovered in the old historic cemetery and it's soon discovered to be connected to an unsolved crime from the past. With a wedding scheduled at the castle, dresses to design and create and a village to save, she fears she and her cousin won’t be able to balance it all, the two will l have to roll up their sleeves and dive into old family journals to puzzle out both mysteries. With plenty of twists and turns, Brannigan has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Brannigan's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded, uniquely voiced and complex while remaining likable. It's great to catch up with Rayne, her cousin and business partner Ciara, their friends and the McGrath Castle employees and the eclectic folk of Grathton village. I love seeing Rayne finally making a romantic connection with Amos, the castle's grounds manager. And for the dog lovers there's Rayne's lovely and thief of a dog, Blarney. Additionally, I really like seeing all the progress (and even the occasional setback) Rayne and Ciara continue to make to meet the terms of the will and see the village and castle succeed. Brannigan touches on some serious subjects; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Murder at an Irish Castle.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Chhavi Gandhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Rating: 4/5
📖 Genre: Cozy Mystery
📅 Publication Date: August 26, 2025

🌟 Summary: In the third installment of the Irish Castle Mystery series, entrepreneur Rayne McGrath and her cousin Ciara Smith are finally seeing success with their bridal venue at the fixer-upper castle they inherited. To foster community spirit, they collaborate with Father Patrick to organize a volunteer group to clean the old cemetery behind the church. However, their plans take a grim turn when an unburied body is discovered, plunging Rayne into a new mystery that threatens the harmony they've worked hard to build.

🖋️ My Thoughts:

✔ Engaging Protagonist: Rayne McGrath continues to be a relatable and resourceful heroine. Her determination to solve the mystery while managing her business adds depth to her character.

✔ Authentic Setting: The depiction of the Irish village and its community is vivid and charming, immersing readers in the locale's culture and ambiance.

✔ Intriguing Plot: The discovery of the body in the cemetery introduces a compelling mystery with well-placed clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the end.

🔸 A Few Drawbacks:

▫ Pacing Issues: Some sections of the narrative feel slower, which may affect the overall momentum of the story.

▫ Character Development: While the main characters are well-developed, some secondary characters could benefit from more depth to enhance their roles in the plot.

✨ Final Verdict: Death at an Irish Village is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre, offering a captivating plot, a charming setting, and a tenacious heroine. Despite minor pacing issues, the novel delivers an enjoyable reading experience that will appeal to fans of the series and newcomers alike.

📌 Recommended For: Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with strong female leads, picturesque settings, and intricate plots.

[Tina Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot: Rayne and Ciara are trying to save their ancestral castle and the village surrounding it. While trying to spruce up the castle and local spots in the village an unfortunate murder takes place. Rayne, Ciara, and the staff of McGrath Castle have to pull together to save their wedding business and the town from outsiders who want to take over the village and a potential murderer in the village itself.

Overall thoughts: I have Irish heritage, work for an Irish company, and in general love Ireland so I was very excited to read this book. It was a nice read. I did really enjoy the main characters and the writer has a knack for writing characters who are particularly annoying (they were supposed to be). I'm a fan of authors who can pull emotions from their readers. However, I did find the writing overly repetitive. If something was meant to be a clue in the mystery it was *very* obvious because it would be repeated over and over again. When characters made discoveries I felt more "thank god, finally," when in a mystery novel I want to feel "oooh! it's all coming together now!" Another small note is that I'm not sure why there was zero change in formatting for text messages. I always find that so hard to read and it not one of my favorite choices in modern novels. Overall it was a cute little cozy novel. Nothing more, nothing less.

What made my weirdo heart happy:
The sweet puppy in the novel. I love a pup that likes sparkles and a boa.

Will I read more books by this author?: Not sure.

Would I recommend this book to a friend?: If they love Ireland and mystery books, yes.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of excitement in Grafton Village to keep the McGrath cousins hopping! During a community clean-up of the cemetery, the body of a local lothario is found by the grave of an unknown McGrath ancestor. Why is he (Thomas) not buried with the rest of the clan? That's just one question plaguing Rayne and Ciara. As they learn more, they just have more questions, starting with who was he, what direction are they going to guide the village, how can they encourage more people to move to Grafton? As they prepare to welcome a new wedding party, Rayne finds herself targeted by Freda Bevans, councilor for their larger neighbor who is trying to absorb all of the smaller villages in the area. They find a trunk in the attic filled with old family pictures and documents that just deepen the mystery of Thomas McGrath. Balancing their commitments to the wedding party, their need to solve this mystery and the death and the upcoming visit of Rayne's mother keeps the story moving and the pages turning. A most satisfying ending with so many possibilities for what challenges Rayne and Ciara face next.
I so enjoy this series and look forward to the next book in the series. The characters make me smile, the images painted in my mind of Grafton Village, the castle, and the countryside have me longing for a trip to Ireland. If you haven't read or listened to this series, give yourself a smile and start!

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ellie Brannigan for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death at an Irish Village coming out August 26, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

With six months left to fulfill the provisions of Uncle Nevin’s will and save the fixer-upper castle she and her cousin inherited, Rayne McGrath and Ciara Smith’s bridal venue venture is finally bringing in money. To unite the reluctant villagers, some who’d vehemently protested their efforts to modernize the village, they agree with Father Patrick’s idea to create a group of volunteers to clean the old cemetery behind the beloved church. When a body is found by one of the historic tombstones, the cousins must work overtime to solve the newest case. 

The plot thickens and an unsolved crime from the past is unearthed when it’s discovered that the body was on top of a fake grave that has connections to Rayne’s ancestors. With two weddings scheduled at the castle and her mother on the way, Rayne fears she won’t be able to balance it all, yet she rolls up her sleeves and dives into old family journals in hopes of puzzling out not one but two mysteries. 

I really love this series! The Irish setting is perfect. The characters really come together and help each other. I love the backstories and the histories. I will definitely check out more books in the series.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death at an Irish Village is the third book in Ellie Brannigan's Irish Castle mystery series. The wedding venue is finally open at McGrath Castle. Rayne and Ciara are eager to win over members of the community that are not excited about the new business. They volunteer to assist with a church cleanup project. Unfortunately a dead body is discovered on a fake tombstone that appears to be connected to the McGrath family. Now Rayne and Ciara must team up to solve the mystery while also dealing with two upcoming weddings and the arrival of Rayne's mother.

I'm really enjoying this series. Rayne is a great main character. I love the wedding business, it is perfect for a cozy mystery series. I also adore how much Rayne and Ciara's relationship has grown. They went from antagonists to true family. The setting is great and the village is full of interesting characters. The mystery was interesting and had multiple layers and twists. I don't want to go too far into it but there is also some resolution to the series long mystery dealing with Rayne's ex. I look forward to continuing with this series and will likely do an audio reread once the book is released.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd installment in the Irish Castle mystery series. Rayne and her cousin Ciara are working out the terms of the will and working to turn everything around in one year. They find some interesting pictures in the attic regarding the fight for Irish independence. Rayne and Ciara agree to help the village and church clean up the cemetery when they discover the grave of Thomas McGrath who is not buried with the rest of the McGrath family. Rayne and Ciara want to get to the bottom of that as well as prepare for their next wedding. They need this wedding to go well as there was a murder at the first one. However, things do not go as planned when a local is found murdered at the grave of Thomas McGrath. Rayne and Ciara are wondering if the death has something to do with their ancestor Thomas McGrath and why he wasn’t buried in the family plot. Also Rayne is still worried about her ex Landon Short who is supposedly been spotted in Ireland and is out for revenge. This story had a lot of mysteries going on and get me engaged the entire time. Very dramatic ending and looking forward to the next installment. Highly recommend.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series is based on cousins Rayne (from the US) and Ciara (completely local) who must spend a year restoring and improving the family "castle" in Ireland while bringing it into profit according to the inheritance. There is a small but expensive destination wedding happening shortly, a mischievous setter who chews and hides things, costume gems found in the family cemetery, irate neighbors, a murder or two, and a mysterious letter found in an old trunk. There's a lot more to add to the suspense and surprising interactions between the regulars and some of the more interesting adversaries. Excellent read!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected e-galley from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Pub Date Aug 26, 2025
#DeathAtAnIrishVillage by Ellie Brannigan @tracihallauthor @crookedlanebooks
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#inheritance #magnificenttwists #NetGalley @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble ***** Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk @kobo @Waterstones

[April Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rayne McGrath and Ciara Smith have only recently discovered they are cousins and have been left equally Grafton Village and Grafton Castle. They were given a year to make it solvent, or it will be sold out from under them. They are halfway through that time and still struggling. They are hoping this wedding that is coming up and the dresses Rayne is designing will finally get them on their way. They also need to win the community over so they volunteer to clean up the old cemetery. A body is found, and it seems tied somehow to the McGrath family. Rayne and Ciara need to get this solved quickly to focus on the wedding and try and keep the good will of the village.

This is the third book of this series and has great characters. I like how Rayne and Ciara have built their relationship and are working together and of course who doesn't love a cute dog? Blarney steals hearts.

If you are looking for an entertaining read, here you go!

Thanks, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the chance to read this ARC and give my opinion.

[Micky Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so want to go visit this castle and these characters! I love the cousins who own the castle and are the primary sleuths with a cast of friends, employees and police officers to assist them when they get a bit too close to the truth and the villain turns on them! The author has created compelling characters that draw you in and have you living through the moments with them! This addition to the series is action packed from start to finish with a storyline that was introduced in the first book and carried through the second and completed in this third book in the series! That isn't even the main mystery so to say the plot is layered with several storylines to make it more well-rounded story. I do recommend that you start with book one to get to know the characters better and enjoy the series more fully. I can't wait to see where the next book goes as several personal storylines had major changes so I can't wait to see where those go as well as more fantastic mysteries!

[Lisa Malmquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in the series. Rayne McGrath has inherited an Irish castle from her uncle and has 6 more months to save the castle and the village that comes with it before she loses everything.
The idea to use the castle as a bridal venue is starting to pay off but there is a ways to go before they can be in good shape financially.
Some villagers want to unite the village with a neighboring ultra modern village and some want to keep the quaint village somewhat the same but add some modern touches like cell phones and Wifi.
Rayne is trying to sort out what to do.
Meanwhile a wedding party is coming soon. She has to finish the dress. But someone has been killed in the local cemetary. And this has a connection to an ancestor and the Irish fight for independence in the past. Plus there might be some stolen jewels involved. And another mystery with that.
So much going on to keep the interest!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Irish Castle Mysteries. I am always rooting for Rayne and her cousin, Ciara, to figure out a way to make their inherited castle profitable and get the townspeople on board. It is clear that the cousins have built a strong relationship, which is a far cry from where they started. I struggled to follow everything happening in this book as the pacing was so fast and almost felt like a stream of consciousness. There were also a lot of families and characters introduced in the beginning that were hard to keep track of. I do like where Ciara’s storyline seems to be going, as she navigates what she really wants for her future. Having Rayne’s mother and friend join for Christmas will certainly be interesting.

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

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death at an Irish Village is book 3 in Ellie Brannigan’s Irish Castle Mystery series.

Set in a small Irish village, cousins Rayne and Ciara are struggling to make their inheritance profitable, despite people who are trying to make them fail. When one of the locals is found dead on the grave of an ancestor, the cousins are drawn into the mystery.

I will be honest, I could have enjoyed this book if the author had done their research before basing part of their mystery on an item that didn’t exist at the time it was supposed to have been created. That glaring mistake just ruined the whole story for me every time the item was mentioned.

The characters were interesting, the mystery itself was good. Some of the story was predictable, but still would have been enjoyable, if not for that failure to do some research at the beginning.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adult mystery. Rayne McGrath and her cousin Ciara are still trying to make McGrath Village a profitable endeavor. They have a small wedding booked, are working on cleaning up community spaces, and making a plan to attract a younger demographic. But then a body is found on top of a McGrath family gravestone in the cemetery. Now the cousins have to deal with the wedding, the murder investigation, and a deep dive into family history to discover why this ancestor was not buried with the others.

This series offers a blending of family traditions (Rayne was raised in the US, Ciara in London, and now both re living in Ireland), a small tight-knit community, and a bit of a love interest for Rayne. The combination of mystery, history, interpersonal drama kept me reading. I have enjoyed this series set at an Irish Castle in a small village and I hope that this book is not the last!

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rayne and Ciana have six months to save the run-down castle they have inherited and the village that goes with it. Their wedding destination business is finally up and running and they are ready to make some money. But a murder may put a damper on their plans...

This was a solid mystery with charming characters who are not so sweet they will rot your teeth. Ciara and Rayne who have a lot of baggage between them are trying to make it work while many in the village don't agree with how they are doing it but they are still engaging people. The only problem is that there are a lot of them to keep straight if you have never read any of the series before (like I haven't). I look forward to seeing if Rayne and Ciana manage to save the castle and village in future books.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I enjoyed this book. Book three is my favorite in this series so far. Well, maybe a tie for book one. Rayne and Ciana are still trying to meet the will requirements and bring the population of the little village and some much-needed businesses to the village.. Once again they have a wedding at the castle and Rayne has a wedding dress to complete but the focus of this book is much more on the village and the needs there. I think my favorite part of the book is how Ellie Brannigan ends the book with a look to the future for the village and for Rayne and Cianna. I can't wait to read book four.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC. Thank you to Ellie Brannigan for this fun and different Irish cozy mystery series. This review is all my own opinion.

[M Steinbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death at an Irish Village is the latest Irish Castle mystery by Ellie Brannigan. I have enjoyed the previous books in this series and other books written by Ellie Brannigan/Traci Hall, but I didn’t feel like this book was as good. I think there was just too much going on in this book. There were so many storylines, so many characters and so much happening that it felt rushed and underdeveloped. I would have rather had one good storyline than so many many storylines that did not get enough time and attention. I hope that since several storylines wrapped up in this book that the next one will get on track and be as enjoyable as previous books.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rayne and Ciera inherited a castle, but have one year to make it turn a profit. In the process, they’re also working to save their small village (which they also own). To show the village that they are part of the community, they join volunteers to clean up the old graveyard where they find a murder victim. Rayne’s and Ciera’s lives are busy and complicated. They are hosting the third wedding at the castle, Rayne’s ex (who scammed her) has escaped jail and is out for revenge, and there is a mystery about an unknown ancestor in the graveyard.
The tale is fast-paced, in a wonderful small Irish village, and filled with warm, charming people (and a few baddies). I enjoy this series and I am already anxiously awaiting the next book!
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rayne and Ciara are on their last attempt at saving Grafton Castle. The town believes in them, and so they volunteer to help them clean up the cemetery in order to attract more people to their town. But things are never that simple, so the next day, a body is found on top of a gravestone that belongs to one of their ancestors. Rayne also has a bad ex, and he seems to have escaped jail, and no one knows where he is. So, while a murderer needs to be found, a wedding needs to go on without a hitch, and there are other secrets that need to be uncovered. It was a fun, fast-paced read that I really enjoyed too much. I will be going back to read the other books in this series.
Thank you, Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books, for this eArc. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death at an Irish Village is book #3 in the An Irish Castle Mystery series by Ellie Brannigan.

Rayne McGrath & Ciara Smith are 6 months in to meeting the terms of the will. They are trying to make a go of the wedding business to save the castle, but bad luck keeps finding them. The village cemetery behind the village church is being cleaned. They weren’t expecting to find an unburied body. Can they solve the murder, manage the weddings and Rayne’s mother’s arrival, as well as other personal drama? I really like how Rayne and Ciara’s relationship has developed throughout the series. And I love Blarney!

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.