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Irish Village Mystery #3
Murder in an Irish Churchyard
Bestselling author Carlene O’Connor’s third novel in the acclaimed Irish Village Mystery series is now available in trade paperback! The village of Kilbane in County Cork, Ireland, has a new garda—and her first case is a grave matter indeed.
It's official! Siobhán is now Garda O’Sullivan, and her five siblings couldn’t be prouder. While brother James runs Naomi’s Bistro, Siobhán is doing her part to keep the village safe. Of course, Kilbane is pretty quiet compared to a place like Dublin, where Macdara Flannery has gone to be a detective sergeant. Good for him, but she still misses him.
Then one night the local priest summons Siobhán to the church cemetery. There’s a dead man in the graveyard—aboveground. He’s a stranger, but the priest has heard talk of an American tourist in town, searching for his Irish ancestor. A detective sergeant is dispatched from Dublin to assist with the case, and as fate would have it, it’s Macdara. After his parting, things are awkward between them, but they have to work together. They learn the victim was from Dublin—Dublin, Ohio, that is. And when his extended family arrives from the States, the plot thickens. Siobhán begins to dig for a motive among the gnarled roots of the family tree. But as long-buried secrets are unearthed, she and Macdara will need to stay two steps ahead of the killer or end up with more than one foot in the grave.
It's official! Siobhán is now Garda O’Sullivan, and her five siblings couldn’t be prouder. While brother James runs Naomi’s Bistro, Siobhán is doing her part to keep the village safe. Of course, Kilbane is pretty quiet compared to a place like Dublin, where Macdara Flannery has gone to be a detective sergeant. Good for him, but she still misses him.
Then one night the local priest summons Siobhán to the church cemetery. There’s a dead man in the graveyard—aboveground. He’s a stranger, but the priest has heard talk of an American tourist in town, searching for his Irish ancestor. A detective sergeant is dispatched from Dublin to assist with the case, and as fate would have it, it’s Macdara. After his parting, things are awkward between them, but they have to work together. They learn the victim was from Dublin—Dublin, Ohio, that is. And when his extended family arrives from the States, the plot thickens. Siobhán begins to dig for a motive among the gnarled roots of the family tree. But as long-buried secrets are unearthed, she and Macdara will need to stay two steps ahead of the killer or end up with more than one foot in the grave.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2018
1873 people are currently reading
8720 people want to read
About the author
Carlene O'Connor
37 books2,638 followersCarlene O’Connor is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Irish Village Mystery Series, The Home to Ireland Series and the County Kerry Mystery series. The first in the County Kerry Series, NO STRANGERS HERE received a starred review from Kirkus and was the Mystery Pick of the Month at Barnes and Noble in September of 2023. Of all the places across the pond she’s wandered, she fell most in love with a walled town in County Limerick and was inspired to create the town of Kilbane, County Cork. She currently lives in New Mexico.
https://carleneoconnor.net/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 692 reviews
December 26, 2020
What a turn this series has taken! Books one and two were apolitical, fast paced mysteries with compelling characters and an interesting subplot.
This third installment is an anti-American screed cloaked in a cozy police procedural.
Now, it’s one thing to write in supporting characters with unsavory attitudes, but when the protagonist for whom we’re supposed to be rooting devolves into a fount of xenophobia, we’ve got a problem.
I’m not talking one instance, or even a dozen; I’m talking chapter after chapter of “Americans are always trying to appropriate or lay false claim to an Irish heritage,” “the only people who should be forced to deal with Americans are other Americans,” “Americans are uncultivated," “Americans are inherently rude," “Americans have little in which they should take pride," “Americans are loud and boorish," and, my personal favorite, “All Americans everywhere are easily manipulated because they think all Irish people everywhere are inherently cheerful, warm, friendly, leprechaun chasing, ruddy faced Liam or Siobhan O'Shamrocks.”
I understand the importance of distinguishing the contents of a book from its author. There are many, many rhetorical and literary reasons why an author would employ the repugnant as a plot device.
J. A. Konrath, Robert K Tanenbaum, and the ghostwriters of James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series (all favorites of mine) have churned out some extremely repugnant content. Thing is, not a single one of their hero’s or heroines gets behind these attitudes or behaviors.
This indicates, to me at least, that they understand the importance of audience awareness, even if they happen to harbor such attitudes (I’ve read nothing to suggest that this is the case) themselves.
Mark Twain penned what I’d argue to be one of the most powerful condemnations of American slavery, and the N word is woven all through the story.
In Carlene O’Connor’s case, the anti-American sentiments are clear, both in the problematic depictions of every single one of the American characters (and of course, they're all so jealous because Ireland, with its magestic castles and beautiful cemetaries, is so much prettier to look at than America) and in Siobhan’s failure to recognize and work to deal with her own xenophobia.
Maybe its just the paranoid reader/reflexive rhetorical analyst in me, but the Irish Village series (maybe it’s just this installment) doesn’t appear to have been written for an American audience.
All in all, if I do decide to give time to free (she gets not one more cent of my money) copies of the remaining books in the series, I won’t be recommending them to anyone or shelving them where they might encourage others to read them.
This third installment is an anti-American screed cloaked in a cozy police procedural.
Now, it’s one thing to write in supporting characters with unsavory attitudes, but when the protagonist for whom we’re supposed to be rooting devolves into a fount of xenophobia, we’ve got a problem.
I’m not talking one instance, or even a dozen; I’m talking chapter after chapter of “Americans are always trying to appropriate or lay false claim to an Irish heritage,” “the only people who should be forced to deal with Americans are other Americans,” “Americans are uncultivated," “Americans are inherently rude," “Americans have little in which they should take pride," “Americans are loud and boorish," and, my personal favorite, “All Americans everywhere are easily manipulated because they think all Irish people everywhere are inherently cheerful, warm, friendly, leprechaun chasing, ruddy faced Liam or Siobhan O'Shamrocks.”
I understand the importance of distinguishing the contents of a book from its author. There are many, many rhetorical and literary reasons why an author would employ the repugnant as a plot device.
J. A. Konrath, Robert K Tanenbaum, and the ghostwriters of James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series (all favorites of mine) have churned out some extremely repugnant content. Thing is, not a single one of their hero’s or heroines gets behind these attitudes or behaviors.
This indicates, to me at least, that they understand the importance of audience awareness, even if they happen to harbor such attitudes (I’ve read nothing to suggest that this is the case) themselves.
Mark Twain penned what I’d argue to be one of the most powerful condemnations of American slavery, and the N word is woven all through the story.
In Carlene O’Connor’s case, the anti-American sentiments are clear, both in the problematic depictions of every single one of the American characters (and of course, they're all so jealous because Ireland, with its magestic castles and beautiful cemetaries, is so much prettier to look at than America) and in Siobhan’s failure to recognize and work to deal with her own xenophobia.
Maybe its just the paranoid reader/reflexive rhetorical analyst in me, but the Irish Village series (maybe it’s just this installment) doesn’t appear to have been written for an American audience.
All in all, if I do decide to give time to free (she gets not one more cent of my money) copies of the remaining books in the series, I won’t be recommending them to anyone or shelving them where they might encourage others to read them.
March 26, 2019
I want to start by saying that I listened to this book and absolutely loved the narration. Hearing this story with an Irish lilt gave it a realistic feel, especially with the Irish sayings and slang. The narrator, Caroline Lennon, did a great job with expression, voices and the telling of the story. I would recommend that you try to listen to this one if you can get your hands on an audiobook.
Siobhán is now Garda O'Sullivan and is getting ready for her first day. When she is summoned in the wee hours of the morning by the local priest, Father Kearney, she heads off to the cemetery in the Churchyard to investigate a dead body above ground. With it being a murder, Sergeant Macdara Flannery, Siobhán's ex-boyfriend, is summoned from Dublin to head the case. The victim is an American in Ireland to make a documentary about his Irish roots and ancestors. As Siobhán and Macdara investigate the family and documentary makers, it seems there is more than one suspect, as well as an old lady that has been seen skulking around.
I really enjoy the character of Siobhán, a smart woman who uses her intuition and gut feelings to her advantage. She is a family woman, who takes care of her siblings and still makes the bread for the family bistro. She is hurting about the loss of her relationship of Macdara and I was happy to see that perhaps they might get back together. Technically, she is no longer an amateur sleuth, but I still consider this a cozy mystery. Her immediate supervisor, Garda O'Reilly, is not a very likeable character at all. He is constantly trying to get her in trouble and write her up, personally I think he is jealous of her success solving previous murders. The plot was well done with red herrings, clues sprinkled sporadically, some likeable characters, some not and a well paced storyline. I really enjoyed this story and figured out some things, but was still pleasantly surprised when the culprit and the motive were revealed in the story. I will definitely continue to read or listen to this wonderful series from Carlene O'Connor and recommend it to cozy mystery lovers or those who enjoy a nice visit to the countryside of Ireland.
Siobhán is now Garda O'Sullivan and is getting ready for her first day. When she is summoned in the wee hours of the morning by the local priest, Father Kearney, she heads off to the cemetery in the Churchyard to investigate a dead body above ground. With it being a murder, Sergeant Macdara Flannery, Siobhán's ex-boyfriend, is summoned from Dublin to head the case. The victim is an American in Ireland to make a documentary about his Irish roots and ancestors. As Siobhán and Macdara investigate the family and documentary makers, it seems there is more than one suspect, as well as an old lady that has been seen skulking around.
I really enjoy the character of Siobhán, a smart woman who uses her intuition and gut feelings to her advantage. She is a family woman, who takes care of her siblings and still makes the bread for the family bistro. She is hurting about the loss of her relationship of Macdara and I was happy to see that perhaps they might get back together. Technically, she is no longer an amateur sleuth, but I still consider this a cozy mystery. Her immediate supervisor, Garda O'Reilly, is not a very likeable character at all. He is constantly trying to get her in trouble and write her up, personally I think he is jealous of her success solving previous murders. The plot was well done with red herrings, clues sprinkled sporadically, some likeable characters, some not and a well paced storyline. I really enjoyed this story and figured out some things, but was still pleasantly surprised when the culprit and the motive were revealed in the story. I will definitely continue to read or listen to this wonderful series from Carlene O'Connor and recommend it to cozy mystery lovers or those who enjoy a nice visit to the countryside of Ireland.
January 28, 2018
"In Ireland the inevitable never happens
and the unexpected constantly occurs" -Sir John Pentland Mahaffy
I have to say this quote struck me as almost perfect for describing the cozy mystery of Murder in an Irish Churchyard. I loved everything about this book, title, cover, and every word in the book. The lovely lilt of the Irish accent, sprinkled throughout the dialog enchants you as it dances in your mind and makes you wish it came out of your own mouth. A murder mystery about family, community, history, friendship, and the strength of integrity. Start to finish a very fine mystery indeed! This one is out in February 27th and is the third book in the series by Charlene O'Connor
and the unexpected constantly occurs" -Sir John Pentland Mahaffy
I have to say this quote struck me as almost perfect for describing the cozy mystery of Murder in an Irish Churchyard. I loved everything about this book, title, cover, and every word in the book. The lovely lilt of the Irish accent, sprinkled throughout the dialog enchants you as it dances in your mind and makes you wish it came out of your own mouth. A murder mystery about family, community, history, friendship, and the strength of integrity. Start to finish a very fine mystery indeed! This one is out in February 27th and is the third book in the series by Charlene O'Connor
March 19, 2018
I love this series, and I love the characters, but this one was ..... well..... let's just say it's not smart of an author who wants to make it to insult and criticize a huge population. The way Americans were portrayed was unacceptable. Since I'm not easily offended, I will move on from this and read the next installment.
January 16, 2023
Solid mystery
Well now that it has turned itself into an actual mystery series this is really good. I enjoyed it and I can't read to read the next book in the series. Only reason for four stars is the book dragged a bit.
Full review:
Taking two years after the events in the last book, Murder in an Irish Churchyard now has Siobhan as a garda. Her and Macdara Flannery are no more since they broke up when she announced she wanted to join the garda. Awake waiting for her first day on the job, she's alerted to a dead body in a churchyard by the local priest. Not recognizing the man, she realizes it has to be a tourist. She quickly gets in trouble for not following protocol, but then is allowed to assist when Macdara Flannery is called into help from Dublin. Macdara is now a detective sergeant, and he wants to be all business with Siobhan.
So this was really good. O'Connor fleshes out Siobhan a lot more in the mystery side of the series. With Siobhan no longer an amateur sleuth, she can interrogate people and chase down leads. She's just trying to gain her footing to follow her training and try to get past being so close to Macdara. Also since it's two years later, one of her sisters is now living in America as a waitress (how she can afford to live where she does on a waitress salary is a question for the ages). Her brother James in a relationship, and she's trying to push her younger brothers and sisters into higher education. They all still support her, which was great to see.
I was surprised though to hear about two characters we never heard about in the other two books, supposed best friends of Siobhan. I see why they got introduced, but it felt like they came out of nowhere.
The solution to the murder was interesting, and I wonder how things are going to progress in the series.
Well now that it has turned itself into an actual mystery series this is really good. I enjoyed it and I can't read to read the next book in the series. Only reason for four stars is the book dragged a bit.
Full review:
Taking two years after the events in the last book, Murder in an Irish Churchyard now has Siobhan as a garda. Her and Macdara Flannery are no more since they broke up when she announced she wanted to join the garda. Awake waiting for her first day on the job, she's alerted to a dead body in a churchyard by the local priest. Not recognizing the man, she realizes it has to be a tourist. She quickly gets in trouble for not following protocol, but then is allowed to assist when Macdara Flannery is called into help from Dublin. Macdara is now a detective sergeant, and he wants to be all business with Siobhan.
So this was really good. O'Connor fleshes out Siobhan a lot more in the mystery side of the series. With Siobhan no longer an amateur sleuth, she can interrogate people and chase down leads. She's just trying to gain her footing to follow her training and try to get past being so close to Macdara. Also since it's two years later, one of her sisters is now living in America as a waitress (how she can afford to live where she does on a waitress salary is a question for the ages). Her brother James in a relationship, and she's trying to push her younger brothers and sisters into higher education. They all still support her, which was great to see.
I was surprised though to hear about two characters we never heard about in the other two books, supposed best friends of Siobhan. I see why they got introduced, but it felt like they came out of nowhere.
The solution to the murder was interesting, and I wonder how things are going to progress in the series.
February 1, 2025
3.25 stars
February 17, 2018
Murder in an Irish Churchyard by Carlene O'Connor is the third book in this series.
Siobhan is now a garda! I was so happy to see her grow and become a police officer.
It's the night before her first official work day, and we start off by experiencing some of her nervousness.
Just because she was able to solve some earlier investigations, she still questions her abilities.
A knock at her door in the early morning hours leaves Siobhan running through the cemetery, dodging the heavy snowflakes that will surely destroy any evidence of wrong doing.
Her discovery sets off an investigation so bizarre and also brings Macdara back into Siobhan's life.
The cast of characters in this story are over the top. They all have secrets and they all have motives.
Will Siobhan be able to suss out the truth?
Find out February 27th!
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
Siobhan is now a garda! I was so happy to see her grow and become a police officer.
It's the night before her first official work day, and we start off by experiencing some of her nervousness.
Just because she was able to solve some earlier investigations, she still questions her abilities.
A knock at her door in the early morning hours leaves Siobhan running through the cemetery, dodging the heavy snowflakes that will surely destroy any evidence of wrong doing.
Her discovery sets off an investigation so bizarre and also brings Macdara back into Siobhan's life.
The cast of characters in this story are over the top. They all have secrets and they all have motives.
Will Siobhan be able to suss out the truth?
Find out February 27th!
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
March 11, 2023
#3 in the "Irish Village Mysteries" finds Siobhán a brand-new garda, w/ her on-again, off-again boyfriend, McDara, assigned to Dublin as a Detective Seargeant. It has been two years, and Siobhán is eager to start her first day in her new role. However, the night before, she can't sleep and on a stroll, is accosted by the local priest stammering and begging her to come: there is a dead body in the churchyard ... ABOVE the ground! Siobhán finds the man pointing at an old gravestone. Interesting, the dead man is an American, in Kilbane to film a documentary about his family's reason for moving to America in the 19th century -- the Great Famine.
Did the man die over a case of mistaken identity -- in the present or the past? Who killed the American? His very-young wife? His nurse? One of his two children along for the documentary? His brother? His documentarian? I honestly could not figure the identity of the murderer, which is the reason I gave this Irish-flavored cozy mystery 5 stars.
Did the man die over a case of mistaken identity -- in the present or the past? Who killed the American? His very-young wife? His nurse? One of his two children along for the documentary? His brother? His documentarian? I honestly could not figure the identity of the murderer, which is the reason I gave this Irish-flavored cozy mystery 5 stars.
July 20, 2023
From a headstone in Ireland:
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal"
This is a wonderful and clean mystery that I truly enjoyed!! Thank you very much, Carlene O'Connor for being one of the few authors who knows how to write a really good book without using swearing!! 👏👏👏
It takes place in Kilbane ( a fictional small town of the authors imagination) in County Cork, Ireland. Siobhan O'Sullivan is the main character. She's a brand new Garda ( detective) and is excited about her first case which takes place in, of all places, a church graveyard!! The local priest hears a gun shot & goes to investigate when he finds a dead man on the ground who is an American tourist that came to America to make a documentary of his Irish great great grandfather, John Mallon. Peter, the dead man, is extremely wealthy and he along with his family came to Ireland for the Titanic Expedition and to finish his Irish family ancestry.
One of the first things about this murder that is fishy is that there's no guns in Kilbane, even the Garda only carry batons. There are many suspects who all had the means, motivate and opportunity to kill Peter. They range from an unfaithful wife, disgruntled children, a nurse and a film maker for the documentary to some of the locals. This was a hard first case for Siobhan!
I had a great time trying to solve this case. So many twists and turns which kept me turning the pages that everytime I thought I was right, I wasn't!!
This is a new author for me and I look forward to reading more of her books. I should mention that it's a series, but each one can be read as a stand alone.
Very highly recommend this book.
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨💚🍀
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal"
This is a wonderful and clean mystery that I truly enjoyed!! Thank you very much, Carlene O'Connor for being one of the few authors who knows how to write a really good book without using swearing!! 👏👏👏
It takes place in Kilbane ( a fictional small town of the authors imagination) in County Cork, Ireland. Siobhan O'Sullivan is the main character. She's a brand new Garda ( detective) and is excited about her first case which takes place in, of all places, a church graveyard!! The local priest hears a gun shot & goes to investigate when he finds a dead man on the ground who is an American tourist that came to America to make a documentary of his Irish great great grandfather, John Mallon. Peter, the dead man, is extremely wealthy and he along with his family came to Ireland for the Titanic Expedition and to finish his Irish family ancestry.
One of the first things about this murder that is fishy is that there's no guns in Kilbane, even the Garda only carry batons. There are many suspects who all had the means, motivate and opportunity to kill Peter. They range from an unfaithful wife, disgruntled children, a nurse and a film maker for the documentary to some of the locals. This was a hard first case for Siobhan!
I had a great time trying to solve this case. So many twists and turns which kept me turning the pages that everytime I thought I was right, I wasn't!!
This is a new author for me and I look forward to reading more of her books. I should mention that it's a series, but each one can be read as a stand alone.
Very highly recommend this book.
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨💚🍀
June 18, 2022
Around the World of Crime and Mystery
Cast - 2 stars: Stereotypes mostly. Lead Sioban O'Sullivan feels childish....intentionally?
Atmosphere - 3: Everything you'd expect (pubs, church burial ground, crypt, monastery ruins, etc.) but curried chips? Plus a comic book store with rooms to rent holds rather rotten American tourists. Bakeries everywhere! Lots of brown bread.
Crime -3: A man is shot in the burial grounds. His hand is pointing at...something! A grave, a priest, just a red herring?
Investigation - 1: Below Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy standards.
Resolution - 2: A decent trap is laid but still it all seemed a bit silly.
Summary - 2.2 stars. This just felt on the childish side to me.
Cast - 2 stars: Stereotypes mostly. Lead Sioban O'Sullivan feels childish....intentionally?
Atmosphere - 3: Everything you'd expect (pubs, church burial ground, crypt, monastery ruins, etc.) but curried chips? Plus a comic book store with rooms to rent holds rather rotten American tourists. Bakeries everywhere! Lots of brown bread.
Crime -3: A man is shot in the burial grounds. His hand is pointing at...something! A grave, a priest, just a red herring?
Investigation - 1: Below Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy standards.
Resolution - 2: A decent trap is laid but still it all seemed a bit silly.
Summary - 2.2 stars. This just felt on the childish side to me.
June 13, 2023
Excellent entry in the Irish Village series. On the first day of her new job Garda Siobhan O'Sullivan is called by a Kilbane priest to the local cemetery where he's discovered a dead body-above ground and recently shot. It turns out to be an American tourist who was investigating his Irish roots. The dead man's family is also in town, as well as a filmmaker, who is making a documentary about the history of the family. There are plenty of suspects, including the victim's children, brother, wife and caretaker. The mystery is good and involves ancestry as well as some immigration history. There's a bit of advancement regarding Siobhan's personal life also, but this can still be read as a stand alone. On to the next one!
October 15, 2020
Siobhan is now a garda, aka police officer, after two years of schooling. The night before her first official day of work there is a knock on the door early in the morning. The village priest leads her to the cemetery, where she makes a gruesome discovery. Her former boyfriend, Detective Sergeant Macdara Flannery, is called in from Dublin, and together they investigate an American family researching their family's roots, as well as an overblown filmmaker who is documenting said research, plus a couple of villagers.
It was an enjoyable read with a very good mystery, though it felt a little busy at times. Let me tell you, though, the constant jabs at Americans became extremely tiresome. Because, you know, we're not all that bad. A disparaging remark here and there in keeping with the plot would have been more than enough.
It was an enjoyable read with a very good mystery, though it felt a little busy at times. Let me tell you, though, the constant jabs at Americans became extremely tiresome. Because, you know, we're not all that bad. A disparaging remark here and there in keeping with the plot would have been more than enough.
September 19, 2020
This third book in the series is quite possibly my favourite!
The Irish village and its inhabitants are a pleasure to read about.
The whodunit was well written and kept me guessing right until the reveal.
The relationship between Siobhan and her siblings and their personalities ring true to life for me.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
The Irish village and its inhabitants are a pleasure to read about.
The whodunit was well written and kept me guessing right until the reveal.
The relationship between Siobhan and her siblings and their personalities ring true to life for me.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
July 15, 2021
Another Great Irish Village Murder Mystery
This is my favorite so far off this series. I actually had an idea of who the murderer was this time. Great characters with great story lines and mysteries!
This is my favorite so far off this series. I actually had an idea of who the murderer was this time. Great characters with great story lines and mysteries!
March 5, 2018
Lovely scenic details of Ireland provide the background for a cozy murder mystery set in the country village of Kilbane.
Siobhan O'Sullivan has completed 2 years at Garda College and it's her first day on the job when Father Kearney convinces her to come with him to the cemetery instead of phoning in the body he has found. It's been a year since Macdara Flannery became an Detective Sergeant and moved to Dublin, the pain of loss love still lingers in Siobhan.
The dead man is American, Peter Mallon, here to document his family history on film. Peter's dysfunctional family, the filmmaker and local Kilbanites all come together to provide plot complications, and plot twists for Siobhan & Macdara to figure out, drawing their personal history into the present working investigation.
This third installment in the Irish Village mystery series is not a 'light' as the previous novels but was equally enjoyable.
Siobhan O'Sullivan has completed 2 years at Garda College and it's her first day on the job when Father Kearney convinces her to come with him to the cemetery instead of phoning in the body he has found. It's been a year since Macdara Flannery became an Detective Sergeant and moved to Dublin, the pain of loss love still lingers in Siobhan.
The dead man is American, Peter Mallon, here to document his family history on film. Peter's dysfunctional family, the filmmaker and local Kilbanites all come together to provide plot complications, and plot twists for Siobhan & Macdara to figure out, drawing their personal history into the present working investigation.
This third installment in the Irish Village mystery series is not a 'light' as the previous novels but was equally enjoyable.
March 30, 2018
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18
Ahh, whoever said the Irish aren't proud, really do not know them well. You really can't fault them on that count as there's much of which to be proud. This holds true in the case of a wealthy American of Irish descent visiting the Green Isle while digging into his family history. That is until he winds up dead - above ground - in the local churchyard among those who went before.
Newly made Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan, is first official on scene at the local churchyard after being rousted by Father Kearney. She knows she should have called it in first, being that she's so new to the force. But Father Kearney is just a tad too insistent and who could argue with the good Father. Plus with the snow just starting and evidence soon to be obscured, time was of the essence.
This third book in series was my first foray into Carlene O'Connor's Irish Village Mystery series and what a delightful cozy mystery it turned out to be. Loved it enough to request from the local library the first two books of the series. Sláinte!
Ahh, whoever said the Irish aren't proud, really do not know them well. You really can't fault them on that count as there's much of which to be proud. This holds true in the case of a wealthy American of Irish descent visiting the Green Isle while digging into his family history. That is until he winds up dead - above ground - in the local churchyard among those who went before.
Newly made Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan, is first official on scene at the local churchyard after being rousted by Father Kearney. She knows she should have called it in first, being that she's so new to the force. But Father Kearney is just a tad too insistent and who could argue with the good Father. Plus with the snow just starting and evidence soon to be obscured, time was of the essence.
This third book in series was my first foray into Carlene O'Connor's Irish Village Mystery series and what a delightful cozy mystery it turned out to be. Loved it enough to request from the local library the first two books of the series. Sláinte!
April 4, 2019
In this “Irish Village Mystery” young Siobhan O’Sullivan is on her first day as a guard in the small village and she already has a murder on her hands! This enchanting story is set in a charming Irish village with a cast of interesting characters. The author does a great job of capturing (and keeping) our attention from the first few pages where Father Kearney leads Siobhan through wintery snow inside the medieval stones gates of the local cemetery to where the mysterious body lay pointing to a tombstone. Together with her erstwhile boyfriend Detective Sergeant Macdara Flannery , Siobhan sifts through some puzzling clues and assorted suspects (a wealthy American family researching family roots, a filmmaker shooting a documentary about their genealogical search, and assorted local villagers including Siobhan’s large clan of siblings). A page turner!
May 12, 2020
I enjoyed this installment in the series. My favorite part was seeing Siobhan working as a garda. At the same time, I felt almost like I had skipped a book. I felt a little lost with the time that had passed since the last book and the fact that MacDara had transferred and Siobhan hadn't seen him in a long period of time.
When she decided to become a garda, MacDara pretty well just dropped her. I was disappointed in him for that. I enjoyed catching up with Siobhan and all of her siblings. It was interesting to be amongst them again.
I liked the mystery storyline and the usual background of village and bistro.
When she decided to become a garda, MacDara pretty well just dropped her. I was disappointed in him for that. I enjoyed catching up with Siobhan and all of her siblings. It was interesting to be amongst them again.
I liked the mystery storyline and the usual background of village and bistro.
February 21, 2019
These books just keep getting better and better. This one was well plotted with many potential villains in the same family that keeps everyone on their toes and fingers being pointed in every which direction. The characters are well developed and enhance the story very well. Even better this book also was available on audio so you can read on the go!
June 27, 2022
This had a delightful plot that kept me going as I wanted to know the ending. Listened to this on audiobook and I do have to say that by the 7 hr. mark I thought that the book was almost over, however there were a little over two hours left. I felt like everything could have been wrapped up a little sooner. Regardless, a pleasant book!
August 3, 2024
3.75 stars
This was a good storyline about the murder of an American in Ireland. The man was having his family history documented and was very interested in genealogy.
Siobhan has just become a Garda on the police force in her hometown. The night before she is to start her new career she is pulled into a murder case. As Siobhan tries to get thru her first case things get a little complicated for her personally. Macdara Flannery is being called in from Dublin as the Detective handling the case. Macdara is Siobhán's ex-boyfriend whom she has not had contact with in the past 2 years while she was studying to become a Garda. To say that things are a tad awkward would be an understatement. Together they must put their feelings aside in order to solve the case.
I liked the story development, and the story kept me guessing till the end.
This was a good storyline about the murder of an American in Ireland. The man was having his family history documented and was very interested in genealogy.
Siobhan has just become a Garda on the police force in her hometown. The night before she is to start her new career she is pulled into a murder case. As Siobhan tries to get thru her first case things get a little complicated for her personally. Macdara Flannery is being called in from Dublin as the Detective handling the case. Macdara is Siobhán's ex-boyfriend whom she has not had contact with in the past 2 years while she was studying to become a Garda. To say that things are a tad awkward would be an understatement. Together they must put their feelings aside in order to solve the case.
I liked the story development, and the story kept me guessing till the end.
November 23, 2025
I enjoyed this entry in the series. The case was really interesting and I enjoyed seeing all the pieces come together.
February 6, 2019
The third book in Carlene O'Connor's Irish Village series jumps ahead 2 years from the end of the previous book.
Following the decision Siobhan O'Sullivan made at the end of Book 2, she's about to start her first day as a local Garda in her home village of Kilbane. It's been a hard two years that have seen a lot of changes and upheaval in her life.
Her younger siblings are growing up, with one just home for a visit now that she's living in New York City. Her older brother is running the family bistro and has a new girlfriend who has seemingly alienated everyone except the boyfriend. And one of Siobhan's best friends has moved back home after time at school.
More telling, her relationship with Macdara Flannery has ended. Her decision to join the Garda changed their relationship and he moved off to Dublin and a promotion.
But many things are about to change when the night before her first shift, the local priest shows up on Siobhan's doorstep claiming there is a dead body in the local cemetery. And this one is above ground.
While it makes no sense that the priest didn't report it to the actual cops on duty, Siobhan heads off to the cemetery to check out the story. Sure enough, there's a dead body and she calls it in.
Displeased that she didn't immediately call in the crime, Siobhan's superiors dress her down but soon she is immersed in the case. The past is prologue seems to a running theme in this book because the murder victim was an American on the hunt for his Irish roots. His family and a filmmaker making a documentary of the man's search are on hand and their constant backbiting and bickering lead them all to be considered suspects.
But it isn't just the past of the victim that comes calling. Who's sent to be in charge of the murder inquiry? None other than Macdara. While she ends up tasked to help him with the case, their shared recent past makes for an uncomfortable working relationship.
When circumstances conspire to reveal one new clue after another, the two put aside their differences in order to bring a killer to justice. But when Siobhan learns details of Macdara's new life in Dublin, she is inexplicably upset and more than a little jealous.
Of course, the whys and wherefores of finding out why the American victim was killed takes precedence and in that, the two make and excellent team. Siobhan's rookie enthusiasm tends to find her making mistakes with procedure but the duo invariably start to piece things together.
The one note about what I didn't think all that highly of was the seeming disdain that a number of the Irish characters held for the Americans. While those Americans were indeed rather odious to have to deal with, it didn't seem that the dislike was aimed solely towards them. One minor character went so far as to say that he just doesn't like any Americans. Is that true of the actual Irish people?
The mystery of the story spun out into a number of false leads but always kept me intrigued. I wanted to see where they were going with each clue that came to light. Given that my mother was also into genealogy, I could at least appreciate what the search was all about.
I also liked the way the subplots featuring the O'Sullivan children showed them growing up and not nearly as dependent on Siobhan as they once were. While Siobhan missed that connection somewhat, I also appreciated how she knew she had to let go and let her brothers and sisters find their own way.
I've been waiting a long time for this book to come out in paperback after its hardcover release last year and it was a story that was well worth the wait. With the fourth book due out in a few months, I can only say that Carlene O'Connor has me waiting with breathless anticipation for where she's going to take Siobhan and company next.
Following the decision Siobhan O'Sullivan made at the end of Book 2, she's about to start her first day as a local Garda in her home village of Kilbane. It's been a hard two years that have seen a lot of changes and upheaval in her life.
Her younger siblings are growing up, with one just home for a visit now that she's living in New York City. Her older brother is running the family bistro and has a new girlfriend who has seemingly alienated everyone except the boyfriend. And one of Siobhan's best friends has moved back home after time at school.
More telling, her relationship with Macdara Flannery has ended. Her decision to join the Garda changed their relationship and he moved off to Dublin and a promotion.
But many things are about to change when the night before her first shift, the local priest shows up on Siobhan's doorstep claiming there is a dead body in the local cemetery. And this one is above ground.
While it makes no sense that the priest didn't report it to the actual cops on duty, Siobhan heads off to the cemetery to check out the story. Sure enough, there's a dead body and she calls it in.
Displeased that she didn't immediately call in the crime, Siobhan's superiors dress her down but soon she is immersed in the case. The past is prologue seems to a running theme in this book because the murder victim was an American on the hunt for his Irish roots. His family and a filmmaker making a documentary of the man's search are on hand and their constant backbiting and bickering lead them all to be considered suspects.
But it isn't just the past of the victim that comes calling. Who's sent to be in charge of the murder inquiry? None other than Macdara. While she ends up tasked to help him with the case, their shared recent past makes for an uncomfortable working relationship.
When circumstances conspire to reveal one new clue after another, the two put aside their differences in order to bring a killer to justice. But when Siobhan learns details of Macdara's new life in Dublin, she is inexplicably upset and more than a little jealous.
Of course, the whys and wherefores of finding out why the American victim was killed takes precedence and in that, the two make and excellent team. Siobhan's rookie enthusiasm tends to find her making mistakes with procedure but the duo invariably start to piece things together.
The one note about what I didn't think all that highly of was the seeming disdain that a number of the Irish characters held for the Americans. While those Americans were indeed rather odious to have to deal with, it didn't seem that the dislike was aimed solely towards them. One minor character went so far as to say that he just doesn't like any Americans. Is that true of the actual Irish people?
The mystery of the story spun out into a number of false leads but always kept me intrigued. I wanted to see where they were going with each clue that came to light. Given that my mother was also into genealogy, I could at least appreciate what the search was all about.
I also liked the way the subplots featuring the O'Sullivan children showed them growing up and not nearly as dependent on Siobhan as they once were. While Siobhan missed that connection somewhat, I also appreciated how she knew she had to let go and let her brothers and sisters find their own way.
I've been waiting a long time for this book to come out in paperback after its hardcover release last year and it was a story that was well worth the wait. With the fourth book due out in a few months, I can only say that Carlene O'Connor has me waiting with breathless anticipation for where she's going to take Siobhan and company next.
April 21, 2024
I really enjoyed the book and the murderer was an interesting surprise at the end. This is the third book in a series and the MC's love interest comes back to town to head the investigation for the local law enforcement. An American is in Ireland, looking into his heritage when he is killed in a churchyard. The MC is frustrated by her local superiors and her love interest, so she has a lot of mixed emotions and a ton of frustration in her search for the murderer.
August 13, 2021
In the Irish village of Kilbane, Siobhán O’Sullivan
is getting ready to start her first day as a Garda
after two years of schooling.
Father Kearney comes banging on her door. He has
found a body in the church yard. A dead body lying
above ground.
Off Siobhán goes into the St Mary’s churchyard to
where the body lies. It is an American and he is
pointing his finger at the headstone of his ancestor,
JOHN MALLON 1828–1903
Detective Sergeant Macdara Flannery who is
stationed in Dublin is sent down to lead
the investigation.
Lots of puzzling clues, an American family
researching their roots, each member with a
reason to do away with the deceased, a filmmaker
shooting documentary about their search and
findings, a nurse who turns out to be a fraud
plus the local villagers and Siobhán’s large
family running their own business keeps the
reader involved from the beginning right up
to the end.
So come take a quick trip to Kilbane, Ireland.
The author’s vivid, colorful and detailed description
will have you traveling from your chair to the
lush land of Ireland.
This is book # 3 in the Irish Village Mysteries series.
It presents the past with the present effortlessly.
is getting ready to start her first day as a Garda
after two years of schooling.
Father Kearney comes banging on her door. He has
found a body in the church yard. A dead body lying
above ground.
Off Siobhán goes into the St Mary’s churchyard to
where the body lies. It is an American and he is
pointing his finger at the headstone of his ancestor,
JOHN MALLON 1828–1903
Detective Sergeant Macdara Flannery who is
stationed in Dublin is sent down to lead
the investigation.
Lots of puzzling clues, an American family
researching their roots, each member with a
reason to do away with the deceased, a filmmaker
shooting documentary about their search and
findings, a nurse who turns out to be a fraud
plus the local villagers and Siobhán’s large
family running their own business keeps the
reader involved from the beginning right up
to the end.
So come take a quick trip to Kilbane, Ireland.
The author’s vivid, colorful and detailed description
will have you traveling from your chair to the
lush land of Ireland.
This is book # 3 in the Irish Village Mysteries series.
It presents the past with the present effortlessly.
January 22, 2018
This third installment in the Irish Village Mystery series was a really enjoyable read. For me, I love the Irish setting and the way the author has weaved authentic dialect into the story. The characters are well written and I enjoy the growth we see in all the O'Sullivan siblings with each new book. There have been a lot of changes for the siblings, but most notable is that Siobhan is now part of the garda (Irish Police). This has also brought about changes in her relationship with Macdara Flannery. One of the things I enjoy is how the siblings tend to play a part in each mystery, even if a small one.
This third book had a stead plot that kept this reader turning pages. There are two mysteries inter-woven in this story - a historical mystery that has a bearing on the present day murder mystery. As Macdara and Siobhan work together while trying to keep their personal life separate, there are plenty of suspect, clues, twists and forks in the road while trying to uncover the true story and catch a killer.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.
This third book had a stead plot that kept this reader turning pages. There are two mysteries inter-woven in this story - a historical mystery that has a bearing on the present day murder mystery. As Macdara and Siobhan work together while trying to keep their personal life separate, there are plenty of suspect, clues, twists and forks in the road while trying to uncover the true story and catch a killer.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.
March 31, 2019
4.5 stars
This was my favorite of the series so far! I often find myself in the mood for cozy mysteries but then struggle once I start because of the light, jokey nature of it or the suspension disbelief required. But what I love about this series is the way Siobhan's career takes all the natural steps. Rather than just being some local always happening on a murder she is the only one smart enough to solve. Instead, she grows and devlops and learns and follows a career path. And I love it. It's what I loved most about this book. Including the ways in which it has complicated her relationship with Macdara.
Also the O'Sullivan Six, particularly Ciarán, are just an utter delight adding to all the reasons I love this series.
This was my favorite of the series so far! I often find myself in the mood for cozy mysteries but then struggle once I start because of the light, jokey nature of it or the suspension disbelief required. But what I love about this series is the way Siobhan's career takes all the natural steps. Rather than just being some local always happening on a murder she is the only one smart enough to solve. Instead, she grows and devlops and learns and follows a career path. And I love it. It's what I loved most about this book. Including the ways in which it has complicated her relationship with Macdara.
Also the O'Sullivan Six, particularly Ciarán, are just an utter delight adding to all the reasons I love this series.
December 14, 2019
My bookgroup is reading this author this month. I started with #3 in this series Murder in an Irish Churchyard and loved it for all its Irishness. This is the most authentic voice I have read in Irish mysteries. The expressions and descriptions of food and people and weather all made me smile.
The mystery is quite good and is discovered through a genealogy search; the original mystery happened two generations back and the modern day murder is to both harm the benefitting heir and keep the secret from being exposed. There were lots of credible suspects and I really enjoyed the romantic tension between McDara and Siobhan. There was even an Aisling in book 3 so that was fun. A great series I will definitely continue!
The mystery is quite good and is discovered through a genealogy search; the original mystery happened two generations back and the modern day murder is to both harm the benefitting heir and keep the secret from being exposed. There were lots of credible suspects and I really enjoyed the romantic tension between McDara and Siobhan. There was even an Aisling in book 3 so that was fun. A great series I will definitely continue!
February 5, 2021
I absolutely love this series and particularly enjoy listening to the audible editions (the ones without the infernal music drowning out the narration!) I love that amateur sleuth Siobhan is now a Garda and can legally solve crimes. Though she still has a hard time working by the book which continues to get her into all sorts of trouble and makes this cozy mystery all the cozier because of it. :-) An intriguing murder mystery paired with a complicated non-romance romance and this heroine's fierce love and loyalty to her family kept me rabid-listening right to the very end. Now I'm off to download #4.
March 4, 2021
I’ve read the first two books by this author, Carlene O’Conner. I must say that the characterization of Americans in this book was offensive to me, an American, whose ancestors sailed the Atlantic Ocean, in search of political, religious, and economic freedom. It is just this type of depiction that makes me never want to read another book by this author. It was unnecessary to characterizes those Americans with Irish roots as fakes — you have no idea what our ancestors went through to survive and then thrive in a new country. Shame on you.
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