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A Plot to Die For: Small town Ireland. Big town murder.
READ BY ARDAL O'HANLON.
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.
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.
- GenresMystery
Audible Audio
Published May 7, 2026
49 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Ardal O'Hanlon
15 books33 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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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.
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.
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 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 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
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.
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 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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review in exchange for ARC
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love Ardal O’Hanlon as an actor, he’s funny but also serious at the same time so when I saw that he’d written a crime novel I knew I wanted to read it!
It had all the potential to be fantastic, but unfortunately what lets this book down is the exposition whenever a new character comes into play- whether that be through flashbacks or background. In some places it actually diverted from the case at hand- and all I wanted to know was who did it!
I liked the little nod to Death in Paradise then.
We follow TV Gardener, Finn O’Leary, as he returns home to see his ailing elderly mother and help with her care, before he finds himself in the middle of not one, but two murders!
(One of these was very graphic and also mental! Not something I’d read before)
With the help of school teacher Aoife, his mother, and her carer, can they follow the clues and solve who has committed these crimes?
I must admit I was glad when the killer was finally revealed because it felt like it was being dragged out for ages!!
It felt very anticlimactic at the end.
Regardless though I did enjoy it and I’ll be interested to see what he brings out next.
3/5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love Ardal O’Hanlon as an actor, he’s funny but also serious at the same time so when I saw that he’d written a crime novel I knew I wanted to read it!
It had all the potential to be fantastic, but unfortunately what lets this book down is the exposition whenever a new character comes into play- whether that be through flashbacks or background. In some places it actually diverted from the case at hand- and all I wanted to know was who did it!
I liked the little nod to Death in Paradise then.
We follow TV Gardener, Finn O’Leary, as he returns home to see his ailing elderly mother and help with her care, before he finds himself in the middle of not one, but two murders!
(One of these was very graphic and also mental! Not something I’d read before)
With the help of school teacher Aoife, his mother, and her carer, can they follow the clues and solve who has committed these crimes?
I must admit I was glad when the killer was finally revealed because it felt like it was being dragged out for ages!!
It felt very anticlimactic at the end.
Regardless though I did enjoy it and I’ll be interested to see what he brings out next.
3/5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finn is your everyday, next door, celebrity gardener. When he's worrying about his TV tenure, he realises his mum really could be doing with a hand and he returns home to small town Eire while he ruminates about his future. Before he can't find his feet he's been plunged into the cut-throat politics of small town Ireland competitions, one upmanship against their neighbouring villages and learning that when you're back in your home town all that celebrity status means bubkis! Just disengage that rational and reasonable part of your brain and go with the shenanigans!
Finn, Mammy, Aoife, Happiness and co are a hoot. I love a small town mystery as it really is the world in miniature: Eccentric personalities; rivalries; politics and family dysfunction. It was great seeing Finn unravel all that celebrity and become a bit more humble. I really enjoyed careering around Abbeyford and trying to solve all the clues and ignore the red herrings. The laughs were plentiful, and yes it maybe was a wee bit funnier because I could hear Ardal himself in my head narrating the story!
I loved the wee nod and a wink to Death in Paradise! And did I learn a new insult. Yes, yes I did (I even verified it with my Nigerian brother in law who confirmed it!)
I'll happily come on another Adventure with Finn and co!
Finn, Mammy, Aoife, Happiness and co are a hoot. I love a small town mystery as it really is the world in miniature: Eccentric personalities; rivalries; politics and family dysfunction. It was great seeing Finn unravel all that celebrity and become a bit more humble. I really enjoyed careering around Abbeyford and trying to solve all the clues and ignore the red herrings. The laughs were plentiful, and yes it maybe was a wee bit funnier because I could hear Ardal himself in my head narrating the story!
I loved the wee nod and a wink to Death in Paradise! And did I learn a new insult. Yes, yes I did (I even verified it with my Nigerian brother in law who confirmed it!)
I'll happily come on another Adventure with Finn and co!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Finn is taking a break from his TV gardening career in order to help care for his mother Maura, following a brain injury.
However, he quickly finds himself being reeled in to some amateur sleuthing, with a determined partner Aoife. The pair are desperate to find out the truth about Michael's untimely death, but they can't deny that they get a thrill from leading their own investigations.
I loved the wittiness, and the ridiculous side plots in this as much as the main storyline. 2 rival towns battling for Tidy Towns winning title, pettiness and sabotage are not off the cards here. The characters all have their own unique personalities and they are portrayed so well. As much as I loved Finn and Aofie, I feel that Happiness and Maura are the pair that I can't wait to hear more about in future as well.
This is a very steady paced story, with the scenic setting of Abbeyford and the abundant gardening references making it a perfect cosy murder mystery for spring time.
Thank you to Likely Suspects, Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy for review.
However, he quickly finds himself being reeled in to some amateur sleuthing, with a determined partner Aoife. The pair are desperate to find out the truth about Michael's untimely death, but they can't deny that they get a thrill from leading their own investigations.
I loved the wittiness, and the ridiculous side plots in this as much as the main storyline. 2 rival towns battling for Tidy Towns winning title, pettiness and sabotage are not off the cards here. The characters all have their own unique personalities and they are portrayed so well. As much as I loved Finn and Aofie, I feel that Happiness and Maura are the pair that I can't wait to hear more about in future as well.
This is a very steady paced story, with the scenic setting of Abbeyford and the abundant gardening references making it a perfect cosy murder mystery for spring time.
Thank you to Likely Suspects, Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy for review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Arc Review / Adpr
A plot to die for by @ardalohanlon
Thanks you to @simonschusteruk for the proof read, for an honest review
Such good banter/ witt and flirty feeling between Finn and Aoife.
I loved the relationship reconnecting with his mammy ( Maura ) and his mother's carer Happiness that they also had a huge helping in investigating in the case Finn and Aoife was solving.
There was alot going on and you would flow through your mind of all the twists and turns. It literally did flip me 180 and had me feeling like, I was watching a Agatha Christie Poirot and Marple Maple solving all the crimes and plotting going on.
So many secrets and deep hidden stories to unlock.
with the whole town in the sling of whodunnit. At the end it left me re thinking everything in my mind and how I usually figure it out but even I was like really that was one person I was not expecting. It's enthralling and my mind went crossed wired.
Releases 7th May, 2026
A plot to die for by @ardalohanlon
Thanks you to @simonschusteruk for the proof read, for an honest review
Such good banter/ witt and flirty feeling between Finn and Aoife.
I loved the relationship reconnecting with his mammy ( Maura ) and his mother's carer Happiness that they also had a huge helping in investigating in the case Finn and Aoife was solving.
There was alot going on and you would flow through your mind of all the twists and turns. It literally did flip me 180 and had me feeling like, I was watching a Agatha Christie Poirot and Marple Maple solving all the crimes and plotting going on.
So many secrets and deep hidden stories to unlock.
with the whole town in the sling of whodunnit. At the end it left me re thinking everything in my mind and how I usually figure it out but even I was like really that was one person I was not expecting. It's enthralling and my mind went crossed wired.
Releases 7th May, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - ARC review. I was very kindly sent a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fun, easy read with a very distinct voice - if you’re familiar with O’Hanlon’s comedic style, you’ll recognize it instantly. The humor is dry, a bit rambling at times, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. That said, the pacing can feel uneven, and the plot sometimes takes a backseat to the narration’s quirky tangents.
The mystery itself is entertaining but not especially gripping; it’s more about the journey than the destination. Some characters feel more like comedic sketches than fully fleshed-out people, which works in places but falls flat in others.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable, slightly oddball read - perfect if you’re in the mood for something humorous and unconventional, but maybe not the best pick if you’re after a tightly plotted thriller.
This was a fun, easy read with a very distinct voice - if you’re familiar with O’Hanlon’s comedic style, you’ll recognize it instantly. The humor is dry, a bit rambling at times, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. That said, the pacing can feel uneven, and the plot sometimes takes a backseat to the narration’s quirky tangents.
The mystery itself is entertaining but not especially gripping; it’s more about the journey than the destination. Some characters feel more like comedic sketches than fully fleshed-out people, which works in places but falls flat in others.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable, slightly oddball read - perfect if you’re in the mood for something humorous and unconventional, but maybe not the best pick if you’re after a tightly plotted thriller.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
From being well aware of Ardal O'Hanlon as a comic actor and standup, I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. It's clear he has a lot to say, as this is a lengthy book and packed with detail about everything, which is a bit of a hindrance to the overall storytelling. It all felt too dense and descriptive, making it a bit of an endurance trial than a more standard cosy comedy romp. There's some decent ideas and characterisation in it, and a well structured storyline, but I would have preferred it to be less busy and maybe have the odd sub-plot or situation reduced. At times you forget that there's murder at the heart of the story, which is a bit of a shame. I'll look out for Ardal's next book to see if he makes any changes to his writing style, as there's some good stuff in this one!
May 7, 2026
A starting point for a new series of cosy mysteries with much promise - Finn O'Leary takes a break from his role as TV/Celebrity gardener to come back to Ireland after his mother has been struggling with health issues. Initially the younger sister of an old friend, Aoife, plans to get him involved in a Tidy Towns campaign that has been fraught with sabotage then two murders in quick succession lead to a new role - helping to solve the crimes.
A very interesting set of characters, lots of humour and a great creation of setting make this a fun read. There are enough strands and storylines to provide a level of intrigue & puzzling to satisfy lovers of the genre. I will definitely look our for more in the series as it blossoms!!
A very interesting set of characters, lots of humour and a great creation of setting make this a fun read. There are enough strands and storylines to provide a level of intrigue & puzzling to satisfy lovers of the genre. I will definitely look our for more in the series as it blossoms!!
April 12, 2026
This has potential, and if you like cosy mysteries and Ireland then this will probably be up your street… it just felt a little disjointed to me, and a little hard to follow the dialogue sections at times (I gave up trying to work out which character was saying what, and just went with the flow). I did read an ARC of this, so it’s possible the writing might be smoothed out before publication.
Overall it was an OK read, but felt overlong at 480 pages - you could probably prune out about 1/3 of that and have a tighter read.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Overall it was an OK read, but felt overlong at 480 pages - you could probably prune out about 1/3 of that and have a tighter read.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
May 5, 2026
Set in Ireland in a little town called Abbeyford, celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary has returned from England to look after his ailing mother. What he didn’t count on is a couple of murders. Plus there is a saboteur on the rampage determined to create havoc before the Tidy Towns competition. And then there is the mystery of the missing eagle’s egg and local man from years ago. Who, where, what…. that’s what we will discover between the covers of this book!
I enjoyed this cosy mystery. There are some laugh out loud moments. I did find I had to be on my toes to keep up with who’s who and what’s what. It has three separate but interconnecting stories to it which are not always easy to keep up with. I liked the characters, though, and enjoyed being in their world. I could easily envisage them, some of whom are larger than life. I just loved Happiness! She particularly made me smile. An entertaining, engaging and fun read. I hope there is a second instalment
I enjoyed this cosy mystery. There are some laugh out loud moments. I did find I had to be on my toes to keep up with who’s who and what’s what. It has three separate but interconnecting stories to it which are not always easy to keep up with. I liked the characters, though, and enjoyed being in their world. I could easily envisage them, some of whom are larger than life. I just loved Happiness! She particularly made me smile. An entertaining, engaging and fun read. I hope there is a second instalment
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a delightful book. A fun, cosy crime murder mystery that is the first in a brand new series.
Set in a small Irish town full of charm and quirky characters.
There is a lot of plot building in the first part of this book but I think that’s essentially because this is the first in a series. I didn’t mind it at all and I loved the character development and how they interacted with each other.
Brilliantly written with overall good pacing. I enjoyed the little twists and the ending did not disappoint.
If you enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club you will love this.
It gave me Sunday sat in front of the telly as a kid vibes. Very nostalgic.
Set in a small Irish town full of charm and quirky characters.
There is a lot of plot building in the first part of this book but I think that’s essentially because this is the first in a series. I didn’t mind it at all and I loved the character development and how they interacted with each other.
Brilliantly written with overall good pacing. I enjoyed the little twists and the ending did not disappoint.
If you enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club you will love this.
It gave me Sunday sat in front of the telly as a kid vibes. Very nostalgic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finn is taking a sabbatical from his BBC gardening programme, he is going home to Abbeyford in Ireland to look after his invalid mother. His mother is ably looked after by her carer Happiness, who seems to be perpetually grumpy.
Abbeyford is entering the Tidy Towns competition and Finn finds himself roped into this by Aoife, the sister of his best friend, whilst attending choir practice with his mother. When one of the choir collapses, Finn soon finds himself investigating murder as well as helping with the competition.
An enjoyable book although a bit long winded in places.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc
Abbeyford is entering the Tidy Towns competition and Finn finds himself roped into this by Aoife, the sister of his best friend, whilst attending choir practice with his mother. When one of the choir collapses, Finn soon finds himself investigating murder as well as helping with the competition.
An enjoyable book although a bit long winded in places.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc
May 10, 2026
This book is full of charm, comedy and small town cosy vibes, which makes it a book you keep coming back to, but for me personally it was a book I was picking up for fun easy read vibes, not the plot. I felt that this would have made a fun sitcom, think midsomer murders meets father Ted, but there’s a lot of characters, lots of extra details and too many story lines to really follow it properly. I couldn’t quite recall who was murdered and really didn’t care why because the plot hadn’t resonated, so the whodunnit was a bit of an anticlimax. However it was a fun cosy crime book if you’re looking for something non serious and warm to read.
Thank you to the likely suspects for my copy.
Thank you to the likely suspects for my copy.
Review of advance copy
This was a perfectly entertaining, easily readable, genuinely cosy crime, that held what it promised - a small village, quirky characters, a couple of murders and a dose of Irish craig.
I think it might be even better as an audio read by the author himself in his lovely Irish accent to add to the atmosphere but I had a review copy, so the audio wasn’t yet available.
It has all the markings for a solid, safely delivered series with many further installments to cuddle up with on a rainy day or read stretched out on a sun lounger.
Wishing it every success and looking forward to the next one!
I think it might be even better as an audio read by the author himself in his lovely Irish accent to add to the atmosphere but I had a review copy, so the audio wasn’t yet available.
It has all the markings for a solid, safely delivered series with many further installments to cuddle up with on a rainy day or read stretched out on a sun lounger.
Wishing it every success and looking forward to the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
When celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary returns to Ireland to care for his mother, he doesn't realise what he is about to get roped into. He hasn"t been back long when someone ends up poisoned but was the victim the intended victim?. This then turns into a murder mystery that Finn helps to solve. At the sametime he is roped into helping the town try to win the coverted award for best village. This isn't straightforward either due to another village wanting to win. It has everything a whodunnit should have excellent characters and not knowing who has done what and why. Loved it.
Review of advance copy
What an absolute treat - Mr Ardal O’Hanlon can really write, plot and entertain. I really enjoyed ‘A Plot To Die For’ and would recommend it unreservedly. I loved all the characters and was genuinely sorry when the book came to an end. Quirky, funny, clever and very, very readable, it’s the very best ‘cosy crime’ novel I’ve read for a long time.
Five stars from me - I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to read and review an advance copy and many thanks to all concerned. I can’t wait to read Ardal’s next book, so I’m downloading his previous works in the meantime.
Five stars from me - I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to read and review an advance copy and many thanks to all concerned. I can’t wait to read Ardal’s next book, so I’m downloading his previous works in the meantime.
Review of advance copy
This is the first in the series so a lot of information about the characters which took me a while to get to know. I adored the main character Finn and his mum’s nurse Happiness was an incredible character.
I loved the premise of the story and the town of Abbeyford came to life in my mind as I read it. The whole Tidy Towns competition gave this story a fabulous backdrop and with a murder thrown in too. A good read, perfect for a holiday. Good fun and lots of red herrings for the armchair detective in us all to sift through.
I loved the premise of the story and the town of Abbeyford came to life in my mind as I read it. The whole Tidy Towns competition gave this story a fabulous backdrop and with a murder thrown in too. A good read, perfect for a holiday. Good fun and lots of red herrings for the armchair detective in us all to sift through.
Review of advance copy
I’d give this 3.5 stars though rounded up to 4.
Overall I liked this book and I feel that I’d like to read more by the author. I liked the main character, Finn and found the plot easy to follow.
I felt like there was a lot crammed in. I don’t feel that the historic murder of Ram added anything to the story and found the confession by Hector a bit out of the blue.
There were some unanswered questions, so wonder if the author is planning a follow up - which I’d like to read if so.
Overall I liked this book and I feel that I’d like to read more by the author. I liked the main character, Finn and found the plot easy to follow.
I felt like there was a lot crammed in. I don’t feel that the historic murder of Ram added anything to the story and found the confession by Hector a bit out of the blue.
There were some unanswered questions, so wonder if the author is planning a follow up - which I’d like to read if so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Set in the town of Abbeyford this is a cosy murder mystery story. With Finn and Aoife being the main characters and the book being the first in a series, I'm now intrigued to see what the next book brings.
It is written in a very descriptive way which helped me to understand the individual personalities of the many characters in the book, at all times there was lots happening and I found myself keen to keep reading to find out 'what's next'.
Overall an enjoyable read, written with a sense of humour and definitely one I would recommend.
It is written in a very descriptive way which helped me to understand the individual personalities of the many characters in the book, at all times there was lots happening and I found myself keen to keep reading to find out 'what's next'.
Overall an enjoyable read, written with a sense of humour and definitely one I would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I enjoyed this small town cosy crime mystery.
Celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary finds himself back in his hometown of Abbeyford in Ireland. Before long he’s roped into investigations for a murder, but is it a murder?
There were quite a few characters to get to grips with and different storylines too. I particularly liked the Tidy Towns competition storyline. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times.
Celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary finds himself back in his hometown of Abbeyford in Ireland. Before long he’s roped into investigations for a murder, but is it a murder?
There were quite a few characters to get to grips with and different storylines too. I particularly liked the Tidy Towns competition storyline. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times.
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