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A Blooming Murder Mystery #1
A Plot to Die For
The first in a mystery series from the much-loved Irish actor, writer and comedian, for readers who enjoy the warmth of Graham Norton and the mystery of
Death in Paradise
, all wrapped up in one small Irish town.
When beloved celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary returns to his hometown of Abbeyford in Ireland to care for his aging mother, he is naturally roped into the Tidy Towns committee.
The Tidy Towns is a competition fanatically fought over by every town and village in the land. And for his best friend’s sister, Aoife, it’s a competition she’s determined to win. With everyone’s favourite gardener on board, she is sure that this year Abbeyford will take home the prize.
But Finn’s only been back a week when an alto-baritone at his mother’s choir practice drops dead during a rendition of ‘What the World Needs Now’.
With more at stake than just winning Tidy Towns, Finn soon finds himself trying to solve a murder – or two. For one of his many qualities is that people tend to confide in him…
With his mother, her Nigerian carer and Aoife in tow, Finn sets out to discover just who has brought murder to Abbeyford.
And so it begins.
When beloved celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary returns to his hometown of Abbeyford in Ireland to care for his aging mother, he is naturally roped into the Tidy Towns committee.
The Tidy Towns is a competition fanatically fought over by every town and village in the land. And for his best friend’s sister, Aoife, it’s a competition she’s determined to win. With everyone’s favourite gardener on board, she is sure that this year Abbeyford will take home the prize.
But Finn’s only been back a week when an alto-baritone at his mother’s choir practice drops dead during a rendition of ‘What the World Needs Now’.
With more at stake than just winning Tidy Towns, Finn soon finds himself trying to solve a murder – or two. For one of his many qualities is that people tend to confide in him…
With his mother, her Nigerian carer and Aoife in tow, Finn sets out to discover just who has brought murder to Abbeyford.
And so it begins.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2026
About the author
Ardal O'Hanlon
8 books45 followersArdal O'Hanlon is an Irish comedian, actor, and author. He played Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted (1995–1998), George Sunday/Thermoman in My Hero (2000–2006), and DI Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise (2017–2020). His novel, The Talk of the Town (renamed Knick Knack Paddy Whack in the USA) was published in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
June 19, 2026
I can't read on. Its so Dougal. I can see him sitting at a desk gleefully writing, reading the paragraphs aloud to Fr Ted and Mrs Doyle.....This cosy crime book is so ridiculous its not funny! I may try to revisit it in the future but for now its shelved, a rarity for me.......One star for attempt.
June 19, 2026
A fun, easy read. Could have done with a bit more editing - it was a bit longer than it needed to be. But overall enjoyable.
July 2, 2026
All these years later and there's O'Hanlon still channeling the Dougal vibe. Now did I really just find myself reading Finn's narrative in that voice...?
It was such an enjoyable book and I'm hoping we don't have to wait too long for our next visit to Abbeyford.
The characters were charming, full of the craic and easily investible.
Plotwise it flows at a moderate pace, has a handful of sneaky red herrings and twists to steer you off kilter, and it'll make you laugh!
Feel-good fun.
It was such an enjoyable book and I'm hoping we don't have to wait too long for our next visit to Abbeyford.
The characters were charming, full of the craic and easily investible.
Plotwise it flows at a moderate pace, has a handful of sneaky red herrings and twists to steer you off kilter, and it'll make you laugh!
Feel-good fun.
June 2, 2026
A nice and entertaining read, helped along by the voice of Ardal O'Hanlon in my head as I read it. The physical book itself is also beautiful!
July 19, 2026
Enjoyed it but felt it went on and on a bit dragged in parts. Good mystery as didn’t know until the end who did it.
May 8, 2026
If you enjoy The Thursday Murder Club series, definitely give this book a go.
This is Thursday Murder Club if the main characters were a celebrity Gardener and members of the local town committee.
The story centres on Finn O'Leary, celebrity gardener who returns to his home town following his mother's health taking a decline only to find himself roped in to helping solve a string of murders alongside the local secondary school teacher, his mother and her carer, Happiness (who is described as anything but at almost every opportunity to mention her name).
The story was enjoyable enough, and I did find myself intrigued to find out who the murderer was - however when I got there the end was just... underwhelming.
There were also far too many characters that it just made it feel a little messy and too many side stories going on that took away from the main narrative. At times I found myself caring more for the Tidy Towns competition than solving the crimes.
I think this story tried to be too many things at once, such that none of it could wrap up completely satisfyingly. That said, I did enjoy it enough to reach the end.
Thank you to The Likely Suspects and Simon and Schuster publisher for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is Thursday Murder Club if the main characters were a celebrity Gardener and members of the local town committee.
The story centres on Finn O'Leary, celebrity gardener who returns to his home town following his mother's health taking a decline only to find himself roped in to helping solve a string of murders alongside the local secondary school teacher, his mother and her carer, Happiness (who is described as anything but at almost every opportunity to mention her name).
The story was enjoyable enough, and I did find myself intrigued to find out who the murderer was - however when I got there the end was just... underwhelming.
There were also far too many characters that it just made it feel a little messy and too many side stories going on that took away from the main narrative. At times I found myself caring more for the Tidy Towns competition than solving the crimes.
I think this story tried to be too many things at once, such that none of it could wrap up completely satisfyingly. That said, I did enjoy it enough to reach the end.
Thank you to The Likely Suspects and Simon and Schuster publisher for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2026
Audiobook review
Trying to be Graham Norton or Richard Osman but this is a turd
Ardal sounds bored, probably regretting his choices
Avoid
Trying to be Graham Norton or Richard Osman but this is a turd
Ardal sounds bored, probably regretting his choices
Avoid
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2026
This madcap mystery was not to my taste, but it certainly might appeal to others.
July 10, 2026
I thought it was very good through out, exactly what you wanted for the genre. I was disappointed by the end/ ‘solving of the case’ at the end. Didn’t think it tied up well
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I saw Ardal O'Hanlon as a guest on the Late Late show on April 24th 2026 and I then ordered the paperback edition online from Easons ISBN:978-1-3985-3958-7 of A Plot to Die For: Small town Ireland. Big town murder. and it was delivered a few days later. (I haven't been able to locate this paperback edition here on Goodreads and other editions say "not published until May 7th 2026")
The story centers on a small town in Ireland where two murders happen within a short time of each other. There is a sub plot of preparations for a tidy town's competition with sabotage from a neighboring town. The story is told in the style of Aedal's character "Dougal" in Fr Ted, so it is witty, without any sense of foreboding despite the crimes.
It is an enjoyable read which maintained my interest throughout the story but the plot is a bit unrealistic. The main character Finn, who was a celebrated gardener on TV, had recently returned from England. He joins a small group of amateur sleuths, including his mother, to investigate the murders. They put their lives at risk looking for clues in suspects houses and offices despite the possibility of being discovered by the murderer. One of the local gardai who is Finn's old friend, does nothing to deter these self appointed investigators but on occasion shares classified information with them. It has a big cast of characters and has several twists involving a number of suspects.
In one scene Finn is knocked unconscious with a blow to the back of the head. That leads to what is, in my opinion a farcical situation where the diminutive Ana finds Finn still unconscious hours later. Instead of calling a doctor or ambulance she manages to take him upstairs to his flat, where he regains consciousness and despite his concussion and a bleeding wound to the back of his head, he continues to investigate the crimes.
It is a good read and will be enjoyed by many readers but I think the plot could have been made more believable if Finn had perhaps been a private investigator or a retired detective in England.
The story centers on a small town in Ireland where two murders happen within a short time of each other. There is a sub plot of preparations for a tidy town's competition with sabotage from a neighboring town. The story is told in the style of Aedal's character "Dougal" in Fr Ted, so it is witty, without any sense of foreboding despite the crimes.
It is an enjoyable read which maintained my interest throughout the story but the plot is a bit unrealistic. The main character Finn, who was a celebrated gardener on TV, had recently returned from England. He joins a small group of amateur sleuths, including his mother, to investigate the murders. They put their lives at risk looking for clues in suspects houses and offices despite the possibility of being discovered by the murderer. One of the local gardai who is Finn's old friend, does nothing to deter these self appointed investigators but on occasion shares classified information with them. It has a big cast of characters and has several twists involving a number of suspects.
In one scene Finn is knocked unconscious with a blow to the back of the head. That leads to what is, in my opinion a farcical situation where the diminutive Ana finds Finn still unconscious hours later. Instead of calling a doctor or ambulance she manages to take him upstairs to his flat, where he regains consciousness and despite his concussion and a bleeding wound to the back of his head, he continues to investigate the crimes.
It is a good read and will be enjoyed by many readers but I think the plot could have been made more believable if Finn had perhaps been a private investigator or a retired detective in England.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a fun and easy to read cosy crime murder mystery. I have to say I had Ardal O'Hanlon's voice in my head when I was reading this, like him recounting a good yarn of a story to me, which was entertaining and fun. It was a fun read. Not too serious.
A Plot to Die For is the first in a new mystery series. The book takes place in a small Irish town gearing up for the Tidy Towns competition. I did have a chuckle at this as you can really imagine how competitive these competitions are, with lots of eccentic characters and residents from different towns doing anything to make their towns stand out.
Celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary has returned to Abbeyford to look after his ageing mother
But a sudden death at his mother’s choir practice throws everything into chaos. Finn soon find himself roped into some amateur sleuthing with Aoife, who is part of the Tidy Towns Committee.
I really enjoyed the book overall. There are a lot of characters to get to grips with. It took a bit of time getting used to who everyone was. But the characters are so quirky and well written that I felt myself getting swept along by it all. We did have quite bit of background information too, which was quite detailed, maybe a bit too much but this is book 1 in the series.
My favourite chracters were Finn's mother and Happiness who is a no nonsense nurse who has been employed to look after his mother. Some of the scenes and conversations involving these two were really funny. Finn's mother might be ageing but she doesn't miss a trick!
The plot moves along at a good pace, as we dig into the murder mystery as well as keeping an eye on the Tidy Towns Campaign. There are plenty of red herrings and misdirection to keep you guessing. There was a real warmth to the way the story was written. I was chuckling along at some of the eccentric and chaotic parts.
All in all, it’s a cosy, charming small town mystery full of humour and atmosphere. A really easy, enjoyable read with a solid plot and a cast you'll enjoy spending time with.
Thank you so much to the publisher for the advanced copy of the book. My opinions are my own.
A Plot to Die For is the first in a new mystery series. The book takes place in a small Irish town gearing up for the Tidy Towns competition. I did have a chuckle at this as you can really imagine how competitive these competitions are, with lots of eccentic characters and residents from different towns doing anything to make their towns stand out.
Celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary has returned to Abbeyford to look after his ageing mother
But a sudden death at his mother’s choir practice throws everything into chaos. Finn soon find himself roped into some amateur sleuthing with Aoife, who is part of the Tidy Towns Committee.
I really enjoyed the book overall. There are a lot of characters to get to grips with. It took a bit of time getting used to who everyone was. But the characters are so quirky and well written that I felt myself getting swept along by it all. We did have quite bit of background information too, which was quite detailed, maybe a bit too much but this is book 1 in the series.
My favourite chracters were Finn's mother and Happiness who is a no nonsense nurse who has been employed to look after his mother. Some of the scenes and conversations involving these two were really funny. Finn's mother might be ageing but she doesn't miss a trick!
The plot moves along at a good pace, as we dig into the murder mystery as well as keeping an eye on the Tidy Towns Campaign. There are plenty of red herrings and misdirection to keep you guessing. There was a real warmth to the way the story was written. I was chuckling along at some of the eccentric and chaotic parts.
All in all, it’s a cosy, charming small town mystery full of humour and atmosphere. A really easy, enjoyable read with a solid plot and a cast you'll enjoy spending time with.
Thank you so much to the publisher for the advanced copy of the book. My opinions are my own.
May 12, 2026
A feel-good murder mystery sounds like a contradiction, but somehow Ardal O’Hanlon has managed exactly that.
This book is humorous, immersive, and full of familiar Irish texture. From mentions of ‘the good sitting room’ to ‘the scent of Lenor’, the whole story feels rooted in the kind of rural Ireland that is instantly familiar.
Fiction, but made believable because every character seems like someone you might know from your own town. And even if you do not know them, you somehow feel like you do.
At first, I thought there were so many characters that I would never keep up, but in a very typically Irish way, the book gives you background and context for everyone; just like your parents would when they are telling you about someone local and cannot possibly get to the point without explaining their entire family tree first. But what is lovely, is that every character earns their place. No one feels like unnecessary babble. They all become purposeful in the story.
The writing itself has very witty descriptive prose, and the book is a real celebration of storytelling. Every little detail or venture slightly off track feels like a story in itself. It has a Russian doll feeling of ‘stories within stories’ which I made note of about halfway through and then to my absolute delight, Ardal himself used the Russian doll analogy in chapter 47. I laughed away to myself in the middle of the medical assessment unit, the others probably thought I was in need of a different type of assessment.
I also could not help but read all of Finn’s dialogue in Ardal O’Hanlon’s own voice in my head, which only added to the charm. There were moments where I found myself smiling away at a murder mystery, which is not exactly what you expect from the genre. But that is part of the magic of it.
At one point, I nearly Googled ‘sticky willies’ to see what kind of plant they were. Thankfully, I later decided better of it.
May have to google are there otters in Ireland, unsure if fact or fiction.
I came for the murder and stayed for the parish lore.
This book is humorous, immersive, and full of familiar Irish texture. From mentions of ‘the good sitting room’ to ‘the scent of Lenor’, the whole story feels rooted in the kind of rural Ireland that is instantly familiar.
Fiction, but made believable because every character seems like someone you might know from your own town. And even if you do not know them, you somehow feel like you do.
At first, I thought there were so many characters that I would never keep up, but in a very typically Irish way, the book gives you background and context for everyone; just like your parents would when they are telling you about someone local and cannot possibly get to the point without explaining their entire family tree first. But what is lovely, is that every character earns their place. No one feels like unnecessary babble. They all become purposeful in the story.
The writing itself has very witty descriptive prose, and the book is a real celebration of storytelling. Every little detail or venture slightly off track feels like a story in itself. It has a Russian doll feeling of ‘stories within stories’ which I made note of about halfway through and then to my absolute delight, Ardal himself used the Russian doll analogy in chapter 47. I laughed away to myself in the middle of the medical assessment unit, the others probably thought I was in need of a different type of assessment.
I also could not help but read all of Finn’s dialogue in Ardal O’Hanlon’s own voice in my head, which only added to the charm. There were moments where I found myself smiling away at a murder mystery, which is not exactly what you expect from the genre. But that is part of the magic of it.
At one point, I nearly Googled ‘sticky willies’ to see what kind of plant they were. Thankfully, I later decided better of it.
May have to google are there otters in Ireland, unsure if fact or fiction.
I came for the murder and stayed for the parish lore.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Plot to Die For is the first book by Ardal O'Hanlon. Celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary is taking a sabbatical from his career to return home to Abbeyford in Ireland to look after his mother while she is recovering from an accident. Any hopes of a quiet time are soon dashed when one of the members of the choir his mother is in dies during a meeting and he starts to investigate what happened.
The book has a slow start whilst you get to know some of the main characters which means that it is a little while before anything really happens. This is not a bad thing as it gives you chance to get to know the main players and their connections so that you can become invested in their story. There are times that I think Finn is happy to be away from his career and all that comes with it, but he also feels like a bit of a spare part under the watchful glare of Happiness his mother’s carer. If ever there was a person who was inappropriately named, then she is that person. His friend best friend’s sister, Aoife has a bit of a crush on Finn, and she is determined to get him involved in the Tidy Towns competition and also wants to know what happened to her friend Michael. I loved Finn’s mother Maura; at times she got confused due to the injury she suffered but those moments just added to the depth of the character.
There are quite a few suspects which leads to several twists and turns as each one comes under scrutiny as to their motive and opportunity. As with all small towns everyone knows everyone, and this also means that the slightest grievance could put the spotlight on any resident, but this doesn’t deter the amateur detectives from their goal if that be solving a murder or working out who is trying to sabotage their Tidy Town entry.
This has been billed as the first in a series so it will be interesting to see what happens next for Finn. I am also intrigued to see how Ardal O’Hanlon develops as a writer and if he brings more of himself and his character to the page as its clear that he has drawn on his experiences in TV to the page in this book.
The book has a slow start whilst you get to know some of the main characters which means that it is a little while before anything really happens. This is not a bad thing as it gives you chance to get to know the main players and their connections so that you can become invested in their story. There are times that I think Finn is happy to be away from his career and all that comes with it, but he also feels like a bit of a spare part under the watchful glare of Happiness his mother’s carer. If ever there was a person who was inappropriately named, then she is that person. His friend best friend’s sister, Aoife has a bit of a crush on Finn, and she is determined to get him involved in the Tidy Towns competition and also wants to know what happened to her friend Michael. I loved Finn’s mother Maura; at times she got confused due to the injury she suffered but those moments just added to the depth of the character.
There are quite a few suspects which leads to several twists and turns as each one comes under scrutiny as to their motive and opportunity. As with all small towns everyone knows everyone, and this also means that the slightest grievance could put the spotlight on any resident, but this doesn’t deter the amateur detectives from their goal if that be solving a murder or working out who is trying to sabotage their Tidy Town entry.
This has been billed as the first in a series so it will be interesting to see what happens next for Finn. I am also intrigued to see how Ardal O’Hanlon develops as a writer and if he brings more of himself and his character to the page as its clear that he has drawn on his experiences in TV to the page in this book.
Review of advance copy
As with a lot of series openers, there's quite a lot of setting up - location and characters - to be found herein. At times, I almost forgot there was a death being investigated as there was so much going on elsewhere, featuring so many characters! But we did get there eventually - after going all round the houses, and it was mostly worth the journey, and its many detours!
So... Finn is a celebrity gardener but he has had to put his career on hold to go back home to his Irish hometown of Abbeyford to look after his aging mother. But he has only been back a week when, during the choir practice he is attending with his mum Maura, one of the men drops down dead... Finn then channels his inner Marple and inveigles himself into the investigation, as well as also being an important asset to teacher Aoife's attempt to finally win Tidy Towns. Completing our main cast is Maura's carer Happiness, but I'm going to leave you to meet her larger than life character for yourself!
As already mentioned, there is a lot going on, most of which is outwith the main whodunit. We have the Tidy Towns competition and all the rivalry shenanigans, and sabotage that goes with that! And then there's an old historic unsolved mystery to boot.
There are also quite a few comedy gold moments, which you would expect given the background of the author. But, with all that is going on, as well as meeting a whole cast of characters, it's all a bit busy, convoluted and interconnected and, occasionally a bit hard work to keep on top of what is happening, so it does feel a tad disjointed at times. That said, it does all come together nicely at the end, so it is well worth continuing the journey...
All in all, a mostly solid series opener which did tick most of my boxes and left me wondering what the author will serve up for next time... My thanks go to the Publisher for the chance to read this book.
So... Finn is a celebrity gardener but he has had to put his career on hold to go back home to his Irish hometown of Abbeyford to look after his aging mother. But he has only been back a week when, during the choir practice he is attending with his mum Maura, one of the men drops down dead... Finn then channels his inner Marple and inveigles himself into the investigation, as well as also being an important asset to teacher Aoife's attempt to finally win Tidy Towns. Completing our main cast is Maura's carer Happiness, but I'm going to leave you to meet her larger than life character for yourself!
As already mentioned, there is a lot going on, most of which is outwith the main whodunit. We have the Tidy Towns competition and all the rivalry shenanigans, and sabotage that goes with that! And then there's an old historic unsolved mystery to boot.
There are also quite a few comedy gold moments, which you would expect given the background of the author. But, with all that is going on, as well as meeting a whole cast of characters, it's all a bit busy, convoluted and interconnected and, occasionally a bit hard work to keep on top of what is happening, so it does feel a tad disjointed at times. That said, it does all come together nicely at the end, so it is well worth continuing the journey...
All in all, a mostly solid series opener which did tick most of my boxes and left me wondering what the author will serve up for next time... My thanks go to the Publisher for the chance to read this book.
June 7, 2026
Thank you @thelikelysuspectsteam and @simonschuzter for gifting me this on in reutrn for my honest review.
Release date: 07.05.26
This is the first book in a new Irish mystery series. It was a cozy crime palate cleanser for me and one I easily sank into.
The writing was engaging, fun, and easy to follow. It has a lighthearted tone with a well-rounded entertainment factor.
The wide cast of colorful characters brought this tale to life; they are vibrant, quirky, likable, and came with a cracking sense of humor. I haven't read many Irish-based books, so this one was quite refreshing. I was captivated by the Irish slang and phrases, giving the book a spirited style.
If you've ever seen O'Hanlon on TV, you may just hear his voice reading to you for this one, as I know I did.
Finn O'Leary, a gardening celebrity, has returned to his home in Abbeyford, Ireland to take care of his aging mother. His well-known status lures the town's attention, and before he knows it, he's roped into the Tidy Town committee. This is a competition between all the towns, and one that his best friend's sister, Aoife, is determined that Abbeyford will win. But with small towns come big secrets, and no one expects a murder or two.
The narrations between the characters were authentic and quite comical. Although Finn appeared to be a grumpy, stuck-up celeb at first, he did warm to the return to Abbeyford and the role of caring for his mother. Maura, his mother, was very funny and such a treat combined with her care assitant Happiness.
There was quite a lot of scene-setting, which is necessary at the start of a series, although at times I found it dulled some of the plot.
The murder mystery was very clever, and the twists along the way were unpredictable, with one showstopper at the end which took me by surprise and polished everything up to a very satisfying end.
Release date: 07.05.26
This is the first book in a new Irish mystery series. It was a cozy crime palate cleanser for me and one I easily sank into.
The writing was engaging, fun, and easy to follow. It has a lighthearted tone with a well-rounded entertainment factor.
The wide cast of colorful characters brought this tale to life; they are vibrant, quirky, likable, and came with a cracking sense of humor. I haven't read many Irish-based books, so this one was quite refreshing. I was captivated by the Irish slang and phrases, giving the book a spirited style.
If you've ever seen O'Hanlon on TV, you may just hear his voice reading to you for this one, as I know I did.
Finn O'Leary, a gardening celebrity, has returned to his home in Abbeyford, Ireland to take care of his aging mother. His well-known status lures the town's attention, and before he knows it, he's roped into the Tidy Town committee. This is a competition between all the towns, and one that his best friend's sister, Aoife, is determined that Abbeyford will win. But with small towns come big secrets, and no one expects a murder or two.
The narrations between the characters were authentic and quite comical. Although Finn appeared to be a grumpy, stuck-up celeb at first, he did warm to the return to Abbeyford and the role of caring for his mother. Maura, his mother, was very funny and such a treat combined with her care assitant Happiness.
There was quite a lot of scene-setting, which is necessary at the start of a series, although at times I found it dulled some of the plot.
The murder mystery was very clever, and the twists along the way were unpredictable, with one showstopper at the end which took me by surprise and polished everything up to a very satisfying end.
June 7, 2026
Thank you @thelikelysuspectsteam and @simonschuzter for gifting me this on in reutrn for my honest review.
Release date: 07.05.26
This is the first book in a new Irish mystery series. It was a cozy crime palate cleanser for me and one I easily sank into.
The writing was engaging, fun, and easy to follow. It has a lighthearted tone with a well-rounded entertainment factor.
The wide cast of colorful characters brought this tale to life; they are vibrant, quirky, likable, and came with a cracking sense of humor. I haven't read many Irish-based books, so this one was quite refreshing. I was captivated by the Irish slang and phrases, giving the book a spirited style.
If you've ever seen O'Hanlon on TV, you may just hear his voice reading to you for this one, as I know I did.
Finn O'Leary, a gardening celebrity, has returned to his home in Abbeyford, Ireland to take care of his aging mother. His well-known status lures the town's attention, and before he knows it, he's roped into the Tidy Town committee. This is a competition between all the towns, and one that his best friend's sister, Aoife, is determined that Abbeyford will win. But with small towns come big secrets, and no one expects a murder or two.
The narrations between the characters were authentic and quite comical. Although Finn appeared to be a grumpy, stuck-up celeb at first, he did warm to the return to Abbeyford and the role of caring for his mother. Maura, his mother, was very funny and such a treat combined with her care assitant Happiness.
There was quite a lot of scene-setting, which is necessary at the start of a series, although at times I found it dulled some of the plot.
The murder mystery was very clever, and the twists along the way were unpredictable, with one showstopper at the end which took me by surprise and polished everything up to a very satisfying end.
Release date: 07.05.26
This is the first book in a new Irish mystery series. It was a cozy crime palate cleanser for me and one I easily sank into.
The writing was engaging, fun, and easy to follow. It has a lighthearted tone with a well-rounded entertainment factor.
The wide cast of colorful characters brought this tale to life; they are vibrant, quirky, likable, and came with a cracking sense of humor. I haven't read many Irish-based books, so this one was quite refreshing. I was captivated by the Irish slang and phrases, giving the book a spirited style.
If you've ever seen O'Hanlon on TV, you may just hear his voice reading to you for this one, as I know I did.
Finn O'Leary, a gardening celebrity, has returned to his home in Abbeyford, Ireland to take care of his aging mother. His well-known status lures the town's attention, and before he knows it, he's roped into the Tidy Town committee. This is a competition between all the towns, and one that his best friend's sister, Aoife, is determined that Abbeyford will win. But with small towns come big secrets, and no one expects a murder or two.
The narrations between the characters were authentic and quite comical. Although Finn appeared to be a grumpy, stuck-up celeb at first, he did warm to the return to Abbeyford and the role of caring for his mother. Maura, his mother, was very funny and such a treat combined with her care assitant Happiness.
There was quite a lot of scene-setting, which is necessary at the start of a series, although at times I found it dulled some of the plot.
The murder mystery was very clever, and the twists along the way were unpredictable, with one showstopper at the end which took me by surprise and polished everything up to a very satisfying end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The home-coming of TV Gardening celebrity Finn O'Leary to help look after his mum Maura begins an amusing and very cosy murder mystery which revolves around Irelands Tidy Towns competition.
Finn is frequently upstaged by his 'mammy', Maura and her carer, the delightfully named Happiness, who is always miserable. Aoifa completes our investigative foursome, the sister of Finns childhood bestfriend, a local school teacher and keen campaigner for the Tidy Towns competion.
The four are in attendance at the towns well attended choir practice when one of the chorus collapses, killed by a poisoned cup of herbal tea. They can't help investigating, with Finns celebrity helping open a few doors, along with his old friend Xavier now being a local police officer.
I found the story fascinating and the cast of characters endearing, with the main focus not really being on the murder but on relationships of the townsfolk and the Tidy Towns competition. The story truly shines in its 'slice-of-life' tale and the interactions in the local pub,and their attempts at tidying up the town with a saboteur in their midst.
I do think the book is a bit on the long side, coming in at 480 pages. Whilst this does give the characters chance to breath, I felt there are a couple of scenes that were solely there for possible sub-plots that weren't then fleshed out. The conclusion is ok but I was probably more invested in who would win the competition than who the murderer was.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK Publishers for the chance to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
A Plot to Die for is due to be released on 7th May 2026.
Finn is frequently upstaged by his 'mammy', Maura and her carer, the delightfully named Happiness, who is always miserable. Aoifa completes our investigative foursome, the sister of Finns childhood bestfriend, a local school teacher and keen campaigner for the Tidy Towns competion.
The four are in attendance at the towns well attended choir practice when one of the chorus collapses, killed by a poisoned cup of herbal tea. They can't help investigating, with Finns celebrity helping open a few doors, along with his old friend Xavier now being a local police officer.
I found the story fascinating and the cast of characters endearing, with the main focus not really being on the murder but on relationships of the townsfolk and the Tidy Towns competition. The story truly shines in its 'slice-of-life' tale and the interactions in the local pub,and their attempts at tidying up the town with a saboteur in their midst.
I do think the book is a bit on the long side, coming in at 480 pages. Whilst this does give the characters chance to breath, I felt there are a couple of scenes that were solely there for possible sub-plots that weren't then fleshed out. The conclusion is ok but I was probably more invested in who would win the competition than who the murderer was.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK Publishers for the chance to review this novel. All opinions are my own.
A Plot to Die for is due to be released on 7th May 2026.
Review of advance copy
Wayward though it may be at times, this cosy crime debut at least arrives with a distinctive premise. Set against the backdrop of Ireland’s tidy town awards, the story follows celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary as he returns home to help care for his mother, only to find himself caught up in a murder investigation alongside fellow resident, Aoife.
There is an undeniable charm to both the setting and the characters, and throughout the novel I could almost hear Ardal O’Hanlon’s voice coming through the pages. The small-town atmosphere is well realised, and there are flashes of warmth and humour that make the book an easy enough read.
Unfortunately, the mystery itself is less compelling. While the premise is appealing, the investigation lacks the sharpness and intrigue needed to fully sustain interest. The middle section in particular feels repetitive, with the narrative often treading water rather than building momentum. As a result, the story loses much of the energy established in its opening chapters.
Comparisons with O’Hanlon’s work on Death in Paradise and Father Ted are perhaps unavoidable, but this novel falls some way short of capturing the clever mystery plotting of the former or the wit of the latter. The ingredients for a successful cosy crime series are certainly present, but they have yet to come together in a satisfying way.
That said, there is enough promise in the central concept and lead characters to suggest future instalments could improve significantly. As a series opener, this is a pleasant but uneven read that entertains in places without ever quite fulfilling its potential.
There is an undeniable charm to both the setting and the characters, and throughout the novel I could almost hear Ardal O’Hanlon’s voice coming through the pages. The small-town atmosphere is well realised, and there are flashes of warmth and humour that make the book an easy enough read.
Unfortunately, the mystery itself is less compelling. While the premise is appealing, the investigation lacks the sharpness and intrigue needed to fully sustain interest. The middle section in particular feels repetitive, with the narrative often treading water rather than building momentum. As a result, the story loses much of the energy established in its opening chapters.
Comparisons with O’Hanlon’s work on Death in Paradise and Father Ted are perhaps unavoidable, but this novel falls some way short of capturing the clever mystery plotting of the former or the wit of the latter. The ingredients for a successful cosy crime series are certainly present, but they have yet to come together in a satisfying way.
That said, there is enough promise in the central concept and lead characters to suggest future instalments could improve significantly. As a series opener, this is a pleasant but uneven read that entertains in places without ever quite fulfilling its potential.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a wonderfully character driven slice of cosy crime, there is a certain charm and warmth to the story.
As you may expect the narrartive is sprinkled throughout with humor, but it is the protagonists within which really shine, so well written and well rounded you get a strong sense of who each are. Finn O’Leary is the sort of celebrity who you want to root for, not overwhelmed by fame, there is almost a reluctance to his character, but a determination with his friends a determination to find a killer.
One of the reasons for me why the book worked so well was that sense of community only found in small towns, you get a terrific feel for the people and a real sense of place and location, Abbeyford is wonderfully brought to life on the page. There are plenty of rumours flying around with gossip in abundance.
It’s quite a busy read with plenty being packed in and a whole host of characters to get to know, that said it is done in a way that you don’t lose yourself, in someways the early parts of the book are there to set the scene for what will follow, which is an intriguing murder mystery.
The plotting of the book, is thoughtful and well constructed, a layered and nuanced plot which builds up and leaves many a suspect. The pacing is quite gentle but then that fits for the storyline.
But for all its warmth and charm it works as a murder mystery, there are plenty of twists and turns and suspense throughout. Underneath the Murder though you have the quest to win the annual Tidy town competition.
For me this was an engaging read which drew me into this small town world and then held me in suspense until the reveal, one i’m pleased to say I hadn’t seen coming.
When reading celebrity written crime, i’m usually a little cautious as to what to expect, however, I have to say I throughly enjoyed the reading experience, this was a highly enteratining read and I will certainly look forward to reading more.
One to watch out for
As you may expect the narrartive is sprinkled throughout with humor, but it is the protagonists within which really shine, so well written and well rounded you get a strong sense of who each are. Finn O’Leary is the sort of celebrity who you want to root for, not overwhelmed by fame, there is almost a reluctance to his character, but a determination with his friends a determination to find a killer.
One of the reasons for me why the book worked so well was that sense of community only found in small towns, you get a terrific feel for the people and a real sense of place and location, Abbeyford is wonderfully brought to life on the page. There are plenty of rumours flying around with gossip in abundance.
It’s quite a busy read with plenty being packed in and a whole host of characters to get to know, that said it is done in a way that you don’t lose yourself, in someways the early parts of the book are there to set the scene for what will follow, which is an intriguing murder mystery.
The plotting of the book, is thoughtful and well constructed, a layered and nuanced plot which builds up and leaves many a suspect. The pacing is quite gentle but then that fits for the storyline.
But for all its warmth and charm it works as a murder mystery, there are plenty of twists and turns and suspense throughout. Underneath the Murder though you have the quest to win the annual Tidy town competition.
For me this was an engaging read which drew me into this small town world and then held me in suspense until the reveal, one i’m pleased to say I hadn’t seen coming.
When reading celebrity written crime, i’m usually a little cautious as to what to expect, however, I have to say I throughly enjoyed the reading experience, this was a highly enteratining read and I will certainly look forward to reading more.
One to watch out for
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A Plot To Die For follows beloved celebrity gardener Finn O'Leary, who returns to his hometown to care for his aging mother. But he's not been back long when someone at his mother's choir practice drops dead. With his mother, her carer Happiness, and his best friend’s sister Aoife in tow, Finn sets out to discover just who has brought murder to Abbeyford…
A Plot To Die For is a charming, slightly eccentric cosy crime. It’s an easy, fun story with warmth and wit running throughout, and an engaging start to a new series.
The characters are all very well written and well established, each bringing their own quirks and personality to the story. I especially enjoyed the dynamics between Finn, Maura, Happiness, and Aoife - and the way their amateur sleuthing brings Abbeyford to life.
The mystery itself is well constructed, with enough red herrings and suspects to keep you guessing alongside the characters. However, at almost 500 pages, it is quite a big book, and there were times when I found myself wanting a little more pace surrounding the mystery. That said, I can completely appreciate that as the first book, a lot of the time taken for character development and establishing the setting will undoubtedly pay off in future instalments.
With its quirky cast, warm humour, and strong sense of place, this debut lays solid groundwork for the series and has a lot to love for fans of cosy crime.
Thank you so much to Likely Suspects for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.
A Plot To Die For is a charming, slightly eccentric cosy crime. It’s an easy, fun story with warmth and wit running throughout, and an engaging start to a new series.
The characters are all very well written and well established, each bringing their own quirks and personality to the story. I especially enjoyed the dynamics between Finn, Maura, Happiness, and Aoife - and the way their amateur sleuthing brings Abbeyford to life.
The mystery itself is well constructed, with enough red herrings and suspects to keep you guessing alongside the characters. However, at almost 500 pages, it is quite a big book, and there were times when I found myself wanting a little more pace surrounding the mystery. That said, I can completely appreciate that as the first book, a lot of the time taken for character development and establishing the setting will undoubtedly pay off in future instalments.
With its quirky cast, warm humour, and strong sense of place, this debut lays solid groundwork for the series and has a lot to love for fans of cosy crime.
Thank you so much to Likely Suspects for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There was a lot about this book that I enjoyed. The setting was charming, the characters were endearingly eccentric, and I the underlying trials of the “Tidy Town” campaign were amusing.
The mystery itself was also well done, with some interesting twists and turns along the way.
For me, however, there were a few slight issues that made this read an ‘ok’ one rather than a good or a great one.
There was a lot of front loading of description’s, of the place, of the people and of the general background. And a lot of it was infodumped in quite an awkward way, rather than introduced more organically and over a larger chunk of the book.
There was also a lot of tell, not show when it came to how our characters were feeling and how they were reacting to events. I would have preferred more space to work those things out from nonverbal and body language cues rather than having it spoonfed to me.
And I could’ve made a drinking game out of how often various characters ‘teared up’ or just openly ‘wept’. I can understand a little bit of emotion after a couple of murders, but it got to the point where I was rolling my eyes every time another tear got squeezed out!
Overall, though, I did enjoy this book and it think it shows a lot of potential for the series going forward which I would still be happy to pick up and give a read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this gifted eARC.
The mystery itself was also well done, with some interesting twists and turns along the way.
For me, however, there were a few slight issues that made this read an ‘ok’ one rather than a good or a great one.
There was a lot of front loading of description’s, of the place, of the people and of the general background. And a lot of it was infodumped in quite an awkward way, rather than introduced more organically and over a larger chunk of the book.
There was also a lot of tell, not show when it came to how our characters were feeling and how they were reacting to events. I would have preferred more space to work those things out from nonverbal and body language cues rather than having it spoonfed to me.
And I could’ve made a drinking game out of how often various characters ‘teared up’ or just openly ‘wept’. I can understand a little bit of emotion after a couple of murders, but it got to the point where I was rolling my eyes every time another tear got squeezed out!
Overall, though, I did enjoy this book and it think it shows a lot of potential for the series going forward which I would still be happy to pick up and give a read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this gifted eARC.
May 7, 2026
#bookreview
Happy to be posting my non spoiler review for A Plot to Die For by @ardalohanlon @likely_suspects @simonschusteruk today, on publication day. I received a proof copy two weeks ago and found myself quickly delving deep into the story to take my mind off my upcoming flight anxiety.
As regular readers of my reviews know, I’m partial to a cosy crime story and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I also found myself hearing Ardal’s voice as I read the book.
The book has all the elements needed for a good cosy crime story - interesting characters (especially Finn’s mum Maura and her carer, Happiness ), local towns competing against each other in a gardening competition, vandalism, and some local murders too.
I’m pleased to see that this will be a series of books because I’m keen to know what will happen next to Finn and the residents of Abbeyford. Happy to recommend.
Synopsis: The first in a mystery series from the much-loved Irish actor, writer and comedian, for readers who enjoy the warmth of Graham Norton and the mystery of Death in Paradise, all wrapped up in one small Irish town.
When beloved celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary returns to his hometown of Abbeyford in Ireland to care for his aging mother, he is naturally roped into the Tidy Towns committee.
The Tidy Towns is a competition fanatically fought over by every town and village in the land. And for his best friend’s sister, Aoife, it’s a competition she’s determined to win. With everyone’s favourite gardener on board, she is sure that this year Abbeyford will take home the prize. But Finn’s not been back long when an alto-baritone at his mother’s choir practice drops dead during a rendition of ‘What the World Needs Now’.
With more at stake than just winning Tidy Towns, Finn soon finds himself trying to solve a murder – or two. For one of his many qualities is that people tend to confide in him…
With his mother, her carer and Aoife in tow, Finn sets out to discover just who has brought murder to Abbeyford.
And so it begins.
#ardalohanlon #thelikelysuspects #bookstagram #aplottodiefor
Happy to be posting my non spoiler review for A Plot to Die For by @ardalohanlon @likely_suspects @simonschusteruk today, on publication day. I received a proof copy two weeks ago and found myself quickly delving deep into the story to take my mind off my upcoming flight anxiety.
As regular readers of my reviews know, I’m partial to a cosy crime story and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I also found myself hearing Ardal’s voice as I read the book.
The book has all the elements needed for a good cosy crime story - interesting characters (especially Finn’s mum Maura and her carer, Happiness ), local towns competing against each other in a gardening competition, vandalism, and some local murders too.
I’m pleased to see that this will be a series of books because I’m keen to know what will happen next to Finn and the residents of Abbeyford. Happy to recommend.
Synopsis: The first in a mystery series from the much-loved Irish actor, writer and comedian, for readers who enjoy the warmth of Graham Norton and the mystery of Death in Paradise, all wrapped up in one small Irish town.
When beloved celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary returns to his hometown of Abbeyford in Ireland to care for his aging mother, he is naturally roped into the Tidy Towns committee.
The Tidy Towns is a competition fanatically fought over by every town and village in the land. And for his best friend’s sister, Aoife, it’s a competition she’s determined to win. With everyone’s favourite gardener on board, she is sure that this year Abbeyford will take home the prize. But Finn’s not been back long when an alto-baritone at his mother’s choir practice drops dead during a rendition of ‘What the World Needs Now’.
With more at stake than just winning Tidy Towns, Finn soon finds himself trying to solve a murder – or two. For one of his many qualities is that people tend to confide in him…
With his mother, her carer and Aoife in tow, Finn sets out to discover just who has brought murder to Abbeyford.
And so it begins.
#ardalohanlon #thelikelysuspects #bookstagram #aplottodiefor
Review of advance copy
Warm, witty, and utterly charming, A Plot to Die For marks a delightful debut to Ardal O’Hanlon’s new Abbeyford mystery series — and it is every bit as clever and entertaining as fans of his acting and comedy would hope.
Finn O’Leary, well‑known TV gardener, returns home to Abbeyford, a quiet Irish town, to care for his ageing, sharp‑tongued mother, Maura. Almost immediately, he is dragged into the town’s all‑consuming obsession: winning the national Tidy Towns competition, led by his determined friend Aoife. Peaceful small‑town life is shattered when Michael Dunlop, a popular newcomer, collapses dead mid‑choir practice — and it quickly becomes clear this was no accident.
Finn makes a perfect reluctant sleuth: kind, observant, and unassuming, with a gift for making people open up to him. He is no hard‑boiled detective; he stumbles into clues, asks the right questions, and relies on empathy rather than deduction. The supporting cast is a joy — from the wonderfully difficult Maura to her warm‑hearted carer Happiness, and a whole village full of gossips, rivals, and secrets — every character feels real, distinct, and full of life.
O’Hanlon’s voice shines through on every page: dry, gentle, and laugh‑out‑loud funny. The humour grows naturally from the characters and situations — committee squabbles, village politics, and the absurdities of small‑town life — balancing perfectly with the mystery.
Finn O’Leary, well‑known TV gardener, returns home to Abbeyford, a quiet Irish town, to care for his ageing, sharp‑tongued mother, Maura. Almost immediately, he is dragged into the town’s all‑consuming obsession: winning the national Tidy Towns competition, led by his determined friend Aoife. Peaceful small‑town life is shattered when Michael Dunlop, a popular newcomer, collapses dead mid‑choir practice — and it quickly becomes clear this was no accident.
Finn makes a perfect reluctant sleuth: kind, observant, and unassuming, with a gift for making people open up to him. He is no hard‑boiled detective; he stumbles into clues, asks the right questions, and relies on empathy rather than deduction. The supporting cast is a joy — from the wonderfully difficult Maura to her warm‑hearted carer Happiness, and a whole village full of gossips, rivals, and secrets — every character feels real, distinct, and full of life.
O’Hanlon’s voice shines through on every page: dry, gentle, and laugh‑out‑loud funny. The humour grows naturally from the characters and situations — committee squabbles, village politics, and the absurdities of small‑town life — balancing perfectly with the mystery.
March 8, 2026
4.5 rounded up to 5
Finn is taking a sabbatical from his career in TV and radio, moving from London to his Irish hometown, Abbeyford, to look after his mammy. She’s recovering from an accident and his sister made clear it was his turn. The residents are gearing up for Tidy Town, and school teacher Aoife ropes the famous gardener into helping make the town look its best. Tragedy strikes the community and Finn and Aoife (with occasional support from his mother and her carer) find themselves investigating a murder.
Finn and the cast of characters are well written, I felt like I was part of the cosy community. I liked the budding relationship between Finn and Aoife (I’m definitely shipping them). As well as the slightly more complicated one with Happiness. The small town setting was good, and the descriptions of the planting for the Tidy Town competition brought it to life. I wanted to visit the old bowling alley and Huguenot cemetery. There were red herrings thrown in before the reveal.
It feels like the first of a series, and it’s one I’ll definitely look out for. I’d like to visit Abbeyford again and see how all the characters are faring.
If you are a fan of cozy crime books, like Osman’s popular Thursday Murder club books, this is a must read.
There’s a nice little Easter egg early on, with mention of “Death in Paradise”, the shoe O’Hanlon starred in!
Finn is taking a sabbatical from his career in TV and radio, moving from London to his Irish hometown, Abbeyford, to look after his mammy. She’s recovering from an accident and his sister made clear it was his turn. The residents are gearing up for Tidy Town, and school teacher Aoife ropes the famous gardener into helping make the town look its best. Tragedy strikes the community and Finn and Aoife (with occasional support from his mother and her carer) find themselves investigating a murder.
Finn and the cast of characters are well written, I felt like I was part of the cosy community. I liked the budding relationship between Finn and Aoife (I’m definitely shipping them). As well as the slightly more complicated one with Happiness. The small town setting was good, and the descriptions of the planting for the Tidy Town competition brought it to life. I wanted to visit the old bowling alley and Huguenot cemetery. There were red herrings thrown in before the reveal.
It feels like the first of a series, and it’s one I’ll definitely look out for. I’d like to visit Abbeyford again and see how all the characters are faring.
If you are a fan of cozy crime books, like Osman’s popular Thursday Murder club books, this is a must read.
There’s a nice little Easter egg early on, with mention of “Death in Paradise”, the shoe O’Hanlon starred in!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Like most people, I know Ardal O'Hanlon as an Irish comedian, from his roles in Father Ted and his stint as DI Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise, which I love.
I was really excited about this book, largely because I knew it would be witty and quite clever, and it is.
The story is that a well-known BBC TV gardener, Finn, is heading back home to Abbeyford in Waterford to help care for his ailing mother, having seemingly forgotten what it is actually like to live in a small town where everybody knows your business.
Quite quickly, he renews his friendship with Aoife, a teacher who also looks after the 'Tidy Towns' submission - it's a big deal in Ireland, and she is convinced that with his expertise, they can really be in with a shout this year.
However, when her bestie, Michael, collapses and dies at choir practice, he soon finds himself trying to solve his murder, not least because initially the local police don't actually believe it is a murder...
A Plot to Die For is a really fun read with brilliantly thought-out, well-rounded characters who are all incredibly realistic and relatable. The humour is there, the mystery is there, and overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read A Plot to Die For by Ardal O'Hanlon in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was really excited about this book, largely because I knew it would be witty and quite clever, and it is.
The story is that a well-known BBC TV gardener, Finn, is heading back home to Abbeyford in Waterford to help care for his ailing mother, having seemingly forgotten what it is actually like to live in a small town where everybody knows your business.
Quite quickly, he renews his friendship with Aoife, a teacher who also looks after the 'Tidy Towns' submission - it's a big deal in Ireland, and she is convinced that with his expertise, they can really be in with a shout this year.
However, when her bestie, Michael, collapses and dies at choir practice, he soon finds himself trying to solve his murder, not least because initially the local police don't actually believe it is a murder...
A Plot to Die For is a really fun read with brilliantly thought-out, well-rounded characters who are all incredibly realistic and relatable. The humour is there, the mystery is there, and overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read A Plot to Die For by Ardal O'Hanlon in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 20, 2026
With thanks to the author Ardal O'Hanlon, publishers Simon & Schuster UK, and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A Plot to Die For is a reflection of the author himself: warm, witty, and unmistakably Irish (like myself ... well the Irish bit at least)! The novel is full of quirky characters that anyone living in a small Irish village will certainly relate to, while the parochial competitiveness of the Tidy Towns backdrop is a great story angle and gives the the novel plenty of personality. Finn’s interactions with the various supporting cast, in particular his mother, her carer Happiness and of course Aoife, were very entertaining.
The plot itself was very interesting too, with the murders and Tidy Towns storylines developing side by side throughout. I would say though that at nearly 500 pages it felt like the novel could have benefited from a bit of a pruning (ahem). The pacing drifts a little in places too, although there were enough twists to keep things ticking over. However, the final reveal didn't quite have the impact I would have hoped for.
Overall, this is a pleasant, cosy mystery with plenty of Irish charm and enough laughs to keep things entertaining, even if it doesn't quite bloom into something truly memorable.
A Plot to Die For is a reflection of the author himself: warm, witty, and unmistakably Irish (like myself ... well the Irish bit at least)! The novel is full of quirky characters that anyone living in a small Irish village will certainly relate to, while the parochial competitiveness of the Tidy Towns backdrop is a great story angle and gives the the novel plenty of personality. Finn’s interactions with the various supporting cast, in particular his mother, her carer Happiness and of course Aoife, were very entertaining.
The plot itself was very interesting too, with the murders and Tidy Towns storylines developing side by side throughout. I would say though that at nearly 500 pages it felt like the novel could have benefited from a bit of a pruning (ahem). The pacing drifts a little in places too, although there were enough twists to keep things ticking over. However, the final reveal didn't quite have the impact I would have hoped for.
Overall, this is a pleasant, cosy mystery with plenty of Irish charm and enough laughs to keep things entertaining, even if it doesn't quite bloom into something truly memorable.
August 6, 2026
My SO only showed me Father Ted for the first time recently, and I quickly fell in love with that roller-blading addict, that closeted Blur fan, that sometimes milkman, that unintentional soothsayer masquerading as a mad eejit, Father Dougal McGuire. Imagine how pleased I was to see that not only has his portrayer, Ardal O'Hanlon, written a couple of novels over the last 30 years, but that his latest, a cozy mystery, had a 2026 release. Fair play to him!
As Dougal himself says, "Well, Ted, I'm very cynical as you know." That's true for me in a literal way, not in a Dougal way. This summer has been awful. This year has been awful. So spending time in Abbeyford, amongst its quirky denizens and their quest to win the Tidy Towns competition (which is a real thing in Ireland almost seventy years running, I guess?) was of great comfort.
I hate to do what The Onion calls "the reinforcin' o' the stereotypes", but the storytelling has a feel that pop culture has told me is quintessentially “Irish.” That is, meandering, witty, and warm. O'Hanlon does his own narration, and you can hear that he knows every inch of Abbeyford and all its inhabitants.
In our post-listening debrief, SO and I decided that one side-plot felt a bit forced in. The climax felt a little rushed, but with the stop-and-start nature of our listening, sometimes details fell into the gap. But overall, this was such a god damn delight that I'm not bothered. He set up for a sequel and I cannot wait to listen to it.
As Dougal himself says, "Well, Ted, I'm very cynical as you know." That's true for me in a literal way, not in a Dougal way. This summer has been awful. This year has been awful. So spending time in Abbeyford, amongst its quirky denizens and their quest to win the Tidy Towns competition (which is a real thing in Ireland almost seventy years running, I guess?) was of great comfort.
I hate to do what The Onion calls "the reinforcin' o' the stereotypes", but the storytelling has a feel that pop culture has told me is quintessentially “Irish.” That is, meandering, witty, and warm. O'Hanlon does his own narration, and you can hear that he knows every inch of Abbeyford and all its inhabitants.
In our post-listening debrief, SO and I decided that one side-plot felt a bit forced in. The climax felt a little rushed, but with the stop-and-start nature of our listening, sometimes details fell into the gap. But overall, this was such a god damn delight that I'm not bothered. He set up for a sequel and I cannot wait to listen to it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a huge Ardal O’Hanlon fan since first seeing him in Father Ted and, most recently, on his stand up tour. He is funny and smart - and I remember being really impressed with his first novel The Talk of the Town.
A Plot to Die For sits in the cosy crime area, Finn O’Leary, a celebrity gardener, returns to his hometown of Abbeyford to help look after his mother who has had an accident. He gets involved in the national campaign to win the Tidy Towns trophy, roped in by secondary school teacher Aoife Prendergast. The relationship between the two of them holds the novel together - I felt that some of the other characters were somewhat superfluous.
There is a host of characters in the book, many of whom have a comedic element. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between his mother Maura and her carer, Happiness. When Finn and Alice come across a dead body they set out to uncover the murderer, cue many red herrings and suspects.
The tone of the book is light and entertaining and I think it will be popular with readers who enjoy the Thursday Murder Club/Marlowe Murder club mysteries. It is, perhaps, not quite as humorous as I had expected it to be, but it’s an engaging read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
A Plot to Die For sits in the cosy crime area, Finn O’Leary, a celebrity gardener, returns to his hometown of Abbeyford to help look after his mother who has had an accident. He gets involved in the national campaign to win the Tidy Towns trophy, roped in by secondary school teacher Aoife Prendergast. The relationship between the two of them holds the novel together - I felt that some of the other characters were somewhat superfluous.
There is a host of characters in the book, many of whom have a comedic element. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between his mother Maura and her carer, Happiness. When Finn and Alice come across a dead body they set out to uncover the murderer, cue many red herrings and suspects.
The tone of the book is light and entertaining and I think it will be popular with readers who enjoy the Thursday Murder Club/Marlowe Murder club mysteries. It is, perhaps, not quite as humorous as I had expected it to be, but it’s an engaging read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 31, 2026
Just the cover on this one makes me smile. Peppy, colourful, and bright colours no less.
I was anticipating a good time... And that is what I got!🤗
Finn O'Leary takes time off his television series to take care of his mum.
🔹️
"There he goes again. Always acting the maggott."
🔹️
It is a funny thing, returning to a small place, I doubt there is anyone in my mum's small place, that is not even about town, that does not know that Jim's or Jack's sister/June's daughter lives in such a big city. There are even rumours that I am coming back this winter!😂
My apologies, I digress.
For Finn, there seem to be two polars in the reactions, those who love that he is back, or big fans... and those who would rather have him leaving and never come back.
The town is busy, and the Tidy Towns Competition is coming up. Of course, they want to win!
🔹️
"I'll wager nobody, not one person, has ever dined at that table."
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The characters, oh, the characters. I feel like our author has put a great deal of thought into them. The whole town, and no one feels flat. I adore that. I feel like I know them all.😊
It is the small things, I think, like Finn can not sing.
Redmond's relationship with his son.
The fearlessly Aiofe.
And Happiness, I am loving the name.
I was anticipating a good time... And that is what I got!🤗
Finn O'Leary takes time off his television series to take care of his mum.
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"There he goes again. Always acting the maggott."
🔹️
It is a funny thing, returning to a small place, I doubt there is anyone in my mum's small place, that is not even about town, that does not know that Jim's or Jack's sister/June's daughter lives in such a big city. There are even rumours that I am coming back this winter!😂
My apologies, I digress.
For Finn, there seem to be two polars in the reactions, those who love that he is back, or big fans... and those who would rather have him leaving and never come back.
The town is busy, and the Tidy Towns Competition is coming up. Of course, they want to win!
🔹️
"I'll wager nobody, not one person, has ever dined at that table."
🔹️
The characters, oh, the characters. I feel like our author has put a great deal of thought into them. The whole town, and no one feels flat. I adore that. I feel like I know them all.😊
It is the small things, I think, like Finn can not sing.
Redmond's relationship with his son.
The fearlessly Aiofe.
And Happiness, I am loving the name.
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