A Body at the Irish Book Club

Mercy McCarthy Mystery #5

by Lucy Connelly

The Shamrock Cove Autumn Festival is filling the town with the delicious aroma of cinnamon-filled pastries, the cheerful sight of jaunty jack o’lanterns and… a body at the local book club

Mercy McCarthy is delighted to see old neighbors and new friends come to the bookstore to support her sister’s autumn book club. But as Mercy closes the chapter on the evening, she stumbles across local grandmother Eva, lifelessly slumped in a squashy armchair at the back of the store.

She recognizes Eva as one of the festival’s main organizers and though she looks to be at peace, the plot thickens when Mercy notices a suspicious mark on her neck. She knows this was no accident. With so many people in the store that night, any one of them could be the killer.

Just as Mercy reads a suspicious-sounding entry for the festival’s fiction-writing contest, another body turns up on the beach. Is someone in Shamrock Cove dying for a bestseller?

It’s up to Mercy and her crime-solving canine companion Mr. Poe to sniff out the suspects before another victim is taken. Could the murderer be the garden center owner who dabbles in chemistry? Eva’s ne’er-do-well grandson-in-law? Or the local busybody who has an opinion about everybody?

Mercy has to hit the books—and the streets of Shamrock Cove—to solve the mystery before the killer has the last word.

An utterly addictive Irish cozy mystery in a small town full of quirky neighbors, charming festivals and one unstoppable amateur detective. Fans of Agatha Christie, Carlene O’Connor and Faith Martin will love meeting Mercy McCarthy!

See what readers are saying about the Mercy McCarthy

“Outstanding! I am absolutely loving the main characters!… I ended up staying up until the wee hours of the morning to finish as I just couldn’t put it down… this series is sure to fill your cozy mystery loving needs!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I absolutely love this series… a delight… I couldn’t put it down, I really really loved it”. Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Excellent!!!… one of the best mystery novels I've read… Definitely looking forward to the next book!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Wonderful… I really LOVED THIS!… I couldn’t put it down… I absolutely loved it.” Broadbeansbooks, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I had an amazing time!… OMG did I love that bookstore!!!… had me laughing out loud… I can’t wait to see what’s going to come next for Lizzie and Mercy!” Daniereads87, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Perfect cozy mystery… I was in a horrible reading slump, and this novel helped me to turn that around… 5 out of 5!!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Magical… The setting swooped me up and dropped me right into the middle of the story&hell

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Crime, Mystery

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 21, 2026

Reviews

[Alisa Chapple · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. I was a little worried because I was reading the fifth book in a series I hadn't read before, but I didn't feel like I was missing too much which is a great thing. The only time I was a little confused was when Mercy and her friends were together because I had no clue who they were, but again that's also a me problem for jumping into this midway through a series.

What actually quite my attention the most wasn't the murder itself... but the slow burning romance between Mercy and the local cop. I loved Kieran. He is such a good man, and honestly how cool that he lets Mercy in on the local crimes. She can say it's for research for her books as much as she wants but we know the real reason!

I found at times that the writing felt a little lazy. But again, this is completely a preference thing and for me, in this particular moment I didn't mind it because I was looking for a bit of a pallet cleanser read. And this was perfect for that.

I also found that the murder itself I wasn't particularly interested in. Nor do I think was it resolved well. The ending felt a little rushed and suddenly everything was solved and all was well. It was very simple. I would have loved for it to be dragged out a little bit longer, and without such an easy resolution. However Kieran and Mercy at the end were so so cute I was giggling as I finished the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercy McCarthy is finally back from her whirlwind book tour, but there’s no rest for the weary! Her sister has organized a bustling book signing at their local bookstore for the area's book clubs, but the event ends on a chilling note. After the last book is signed, Mercy discovers the body of a local grandmother, marked by a very suspicious wound on her neck. When the police begin their investigation, Mercy’s natural curiosity kicks in, and she decides to do some sleuthing of her own.

Even though this is the fifth installment in the series, it was my first time meeting Mercy—and I was immediately hooked! I’m already a big fan of this author’s other cozy mystery series, so I was thrilled to dive into this world. Following the clues alongside Mercy was such a treat, and the 'whodunnit' kept me guessing until the very end. I’m so excited to go back and read the first four books to see where Mercy’s journey began!

[Isabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes

Just another day in Shamrock Cove… until there’s a body.

A bookshop 📚, a body 💀, and a town full of secrets 🤫 | 📚 5th installment in a series | 🌍 Shamrock Cove, Ireland

I have really grown to love the McCarty Mystery series over the past one and a half years, and at this point it has become an auto-read series for me. The moment I got approved for this installment, I dropped everything to dive back in. Even though it’s been months since book four, returning to Shamrock Cove felt like coming home. I slipped right back into the story like no time had passed at all.

In this fifth installment, we follow Mercy once again. Fresh off her latest book tour, she is immediately pulled into another mystery. What starts as an ordinary book signing at the twins’ inherited bookshop quickly takes a dark turn when a local grandmother is found dead at the bookshop with a suspicious wound. Naturally, Mercy can’t resist getting involved. Despite warnings from handsome Detective Kieran, she teams up with her sister and their close-knit community to uncover the truth. Alongside the regular cast, the author introduces us to a couple of new faces, which I enjoyed.

One of my favorite things about this series is how incredibly fun and addictive it is. It’s the kind of book you fly through — I finished it in just two sittings. The mystery itself is full of twists, with multiple suspects, and plenty of red herrings that kept me guessing. I loved piecing everything together alongside Mercy and her friends.

When it comes to characters, this is where the series truly shines. Mercy and Lizzie and especially Mr. Poe are a joy to follow, and I love seeing Lizzie grow in confidence with each book. The whole ensemble feels like a perfectly mismatched puzzle that somehow fits together beautifully. Their friendships and relationships with each other add so much warmth to the story. I would love nothing more than to sit with them at one of Rob’s dinner evenings when he has cooked one of his fabulous meals.

The mystery was engaging because it wasn’t obvious from the start. The motives and suspects weren’t handed to you on a plate, which made the unravelling all the more satisfying. And Kieran’s attempts (and failures) to keep Mercy out of trouble will never not be entertaining.

I finished this book with the biggest smile on my face — finally!! (No spoilers, but long time readers will understand 👀)

I am torn between loving the characters, setting, the case and feeling frustrated. There are still a few things that bother me from book 4 onwards: repetitive writing, a compressed timeline (five books taken place within roughly a year) can be a bit hard to believe. More importantly, there are plot threads—like the stalker and the twins father—that have been teased since earlier books but still haven’t been fully explored since book 3. I’m really hoping future installments dive deeper into those.

Overall, I’m still completely invested in this series. I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters just yet, and I’m especially hoping for some long-awaited answers in the next books.

I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Bookouture.

[Kayla Haynes · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Book Club
Review without spoilers
2.5⭐

I got the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Lucy Connelly, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

In this story, we follow Mercy as she comes back from her book tour, to her small town Shamrock Cove to be with her sister Lizzie. She finds herself in the middle of two murders, and she solves them alongside with the cop Kieran (the MMC, and the male main romantic interest) and some of her friends.

Since this is not the first book of the series (and I haven’t read the previous books) I was a bit worried that the small town, and the characters won’t feel as cozy. Well, it didn’t totally feel cozy but I think it’s mainly because of the writing. I don’t think there are enough descriptions to create a cozy atmosphere in a small town. It unfortunately felt like a place where everyone gossips and drinks coffee afterwards. The writing felt really rushed. There were some repetitive parts and sometimes the dialogues didn’t feel genuine. It felt like the second draft of a book. The murders were resolved pretty quickly. There were some unnecessary parts too. The father issues didn’t affect the story whatsoever. Why was it added then?

Coming to the characters, Mr.Poe takes the first place. Easily. He’s cute, he’s a dog. I love dogs. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to say the same thing about our FMC. If I was a cop, and an author who loves crime stories involved herself in my case, interrogated people, snooped through their house, put herself in trouble, told me how to do my job, and solved the case before me, I’d go crazy. She didn’t respect people at all. She snooped through someone’s house while the whole family was mourning. I found herself to be quite selfish. Don’t get me wrong, an author solving a crime IS interesting. However, there are some boundaries, at least don’t cross the ethical ones.

Mercy and Lizzie had a cute relationship. However, their relationship could’ve been written better. I think, overall, everything was a bit rushed. I also didn’t feel any chemistry between her and Kieran. The story is really interesting, but I just don’t think the writing was right for my taste. I didn’t have time to reflect upon any relationship.

I also think there could’ve been more Irish things. There were some pronunciation differences, but other than that the only thing I learned about Ireland is that the men are typically jealous. And that’s because there was a quote saying that Irish men are jealous.

I think this is a book you can binge-read to escape reality for some moment. But it did kind of put me in a reading slump. I wish the story was more compact and structured; and the writing more smooth and descriptive.

The description, the title, the cover, MR.POE!! I wanted to love this book so much, but this is how I truly feel.

Thank you again for the ARC!

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: A Body at the Irish Book Club
Series; Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book # 5
Author: Lucy Connelly
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: April 21, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 rounded up
Pages: 290

Shamrock Cove Autumn Festival is filling the town with the delicious aroma of cinnamon-filled pastries, the cheerful sight of jaunty jack lanterns and… a body at the local book club

Story starts with Mercy McCarthy who is a bookstore owner, a coffee lover, and a crime writer; she and her dog Mr. Poe arexcited to be welcoming her twin sister Lizzie back from the book tour.
Now Mercy has a great idea for the Shamrock Cove Autumn Festival and that is to have book signing at their bookstore for the area's book clubs. It was very successful and Mercy was delighted to see so many neighbors, friends, as well as new friends at the signing.

Later when it is time to end the evening, and Mercy is closing she finds Eva Welsh one of the Autumn Festival’s main organizers slumped in an armchair at the back of the store. Although she looks like she might be sleeping Mercy notices a suspicious mark on her neck.
She knows Eva didn’t die in her sleep as this wasn’t an accident.
Soon there is another very suspicious killing -Jeremy Lynch who just happened to be Eva’s son-in-law. Needless to say Mercy is going to get involved as to whodunit!


I have only read one other Mercy Mystery and LOVED it. Although I am a big mystery thriller fan a little sweet romance mixed with a cozy mystery is always nice. In this case, it seems that Mercy’s romance with the local detective inspector Kieran is progressing! Additionally Lizzie and her love interest seem to be mobbing along as well

I enjoyed this and oh ya I am looking forward to Book #6!

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for granting me this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 21, 2026.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Book Club is exactly the kind of comforting, small‑town mystery that makes you want to curl up with a blanket, a cup of tea, and maybe a cinnamon‑dusted pastry of your own. Lucy Connelly brings Shamrock Cove to life with such warmth and charm that even a murder at a book club feels like an invitation to spend more time with these characters.

Mercy McCarthy continues to be a delightful lead—curious, kind, and just nosy enough to get herself into trouble. Her return to the bookstore for her sister’s autumn book club sets the stage beautifully: pumpkins glowing, pastries everywhere, neighbors chatting… and then, of course, a body in a cozy armchair. Connelly balances the whimsy of the festival with the tension of the mystery in a way that feels effortless.

The suspects are fun and varied, from the chemistry‑savvy garden center owner to the prickly local busybody, and the clues unfold at a satisfying pace. Mercy’s partnership with her loyal canine companion, Mr. Poe, adds a lovely touch of heart and humor—he’s as much a part of the investigation as she is.

The addition of a second body raises the stakes without losing the cozy feel, and the writing contest subplot adds a clever twist that ties everything together. Shamrock Cove remains a place full of personality, warmth, and just enough mischief to keep things interesting.

A charming, atmospheric cozy mystery with lovable characters, a festive Irish setting, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. Fans of small‑town whodunits will feel right at home.

My thanks to Lucy Connelly, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Ashley Gillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first: I’m a big fan of the Mercy McCarthy series, so I’m reviewing this book from that viewpoint.

Another thing: Being the fifth book in the series, and while there are some references to past events, this book can be read as a standalone, and it does not spoil the others in the series.

OK, on to the story!

This was such a fun trip back to Shanrock’s Cove to meet up with our favorite detective and her friends, the ragtag group Mercy and Lucy have found a home with on the Emerald Isle. The mystery was really interesting, because things were not immediately obvious in terms of suspects, motive, etc. This kept things really interesting and made for plenty of red herrings to me on my toes. I liked that - if a story’s to predictable, that’s no good.

The ending reveal was great, and I didn’t see it coming! I don’t want to say too much, but there’s some nice twists in there that I enjoyed. Like I said, the author uses some misdirection in this one ….. dun dun dun!

The subplots and side characters that I always enjoy in this series were on point in this installment! As always, the residents of the Cove really shine and the budding relationship between Kieran and Mercy continues to dazzle (but they need to hurry up already!, lol). And Mr. Poe, of course, stole the show.

Overall, this was a great addition to the series, which I’m hoping continues well into the future! I certainly haven’t had enough yet of Mercy and her entourage!

[Sarah Woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope that this book series continues on for a good long time to come. Mercy and Lizzie are such a joy to read about and follow along with on their adventures. I just love the whole set of friends. Everyone unique but fits perfectly together kind of like a human puzzle. It's a strange assortment of heartwarming but also tragic too with the number of murders thrown in to all of the stories.

Even when I am having the worst kind of day, these books make me feel better. Just being able to be in Shamrock Cove again makes everything else go away for a while. This mystery was really interesting. I had figured out who the murderer was pretty much right away. However, the fun was in trying to figure out, along with Mercy and the gang, how she was going to prove it.

I honestly didn't see the ending coming. I LOVED seeing Lizzie finally be able to find more of her inner strength and exhibit a bit of that towards the killer.

One of my most favorite characters in this has got to be Lolly. She makes you ache for someone like that in your life. She is hilarious but also very empathetic and caring. She is someone you wish you could just hug and make everything better.

As always, I recommend this and any of the books of this series. You absolutely cannot go wrong with any of them.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and Lucy Connelly for the ability to read and review this book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th installment in the Mercy McCarthy mystery series. Mercy has just returned from a book tour and is glad to be back home in Shamrock Cove Ireland. Mercy and her sister Lizzie moved her almost a year ago and are running their deceased Grandfather’s bookstore. Lizzie has set up a book signing at their bookstore for all the local book clubs and after this signing, Mercy and Mr. Poe (their cute dog) finds the deceased body of Eva Welsh. Mercy is immediately suspicious however, since she found the body she feels responsible to get to the bottom of this. Mercy shares her concern with detective Kieran and of course she is warned off investigating but everyone in town automatically assumes Mercy is investigating. When Eva’s son-in-law Jeremy is found dead once again by Mercy and Mr. Poe, then there are two murders in town just as they are preparing for the annual fall festival. I really enjoy this series. I do think Mercy takes some risks investigating and curious if we are ever going to find out who is stalking Mercy and Lizzie and glad to see Lizzie has a potential love interest and that Mercy and Kiera’s relationship are moving in the right direction. Love the group of characters that are supportive of Mercy and her sister and looking forward to the next installment in this series.

[K.J. Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the places you might think that you're unlikely to be murdered, I would think that a book club, in a book shop, would have to be up there. Of course, if it's the book shop that Mercy McCarthy and her sister run, then you might think differently, as she seems to have a habit of stumbling across the recently deceased. Fortunately, she also seems to have made a habit of solving the crimes and getting to the bottom of who might be behind the murders.
I think my solving rate is pretty hit and miss in this series. I had no clue this time, although I'm sure I've had better success in the past. There were plenty of clues and hints here, but I didn't manage to pick all of them up.
I really enjoy this series; there is a nice cast of supporting characters, and as Mercy starts to get even closer to local law enforcement and her sister even shows signs of having her broken heart mended, I'm enjoying the way that these stories develop. I'm sure it won't be long before we're back for another murder, and I, for one, am looking forward to reading all about it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#ABodyattheIrishBookClub #NetGalley is the latest addition to this much loved series.
Sisters Mercy and Lizzie are adjusting to life in Shamrock Cove, in a beautiful cottage left to them by their estranged grandfather.
When Mercy returns from a month long book tour, she is exhausted, but knows her sister is expecting her to make an appearance at theirbookstore, a special event for the book club.
At the question and answer portion of the evening, a local asks Mercy a personal question, which was quickly deflected.
The local, Eva, was known for having no filter, and for starting rumors in their tiny village.
After everyone is gone, Mercy is getting ready to leave until her dog pulls her to the young adult section. There she finds Eva, sitting in a chair with a book on her lap, but she wasn't reading, she was dead.
Mercy can't resist a mystery, so she begins asking questions, and before long another local is dead, and it's a relative of Eva's.
Things heat up and before long the investigation comes to a head, someone killed them, but who had the best motive to do it?

Loved this book, the story was very good and I think all the characters are wonderful.

[M Steinbrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Bookclub is the 5th in the Mercy McCarthy mystery series. I have really been enjoying this series. The setting in rural Ireland is just charming and in spite of the murder rate there are lots of wonderful people there that would make me want to move right in. Mercy arrives back from a book tour and gets sucked right into solving a murder. It was a twisting and turning mystery with lots of suspects and it was enjoyable to figure out who committed the crime. There were also some personal developments in this book that I really enjoyed and make me really look forward to the next book in the series! My only note about this book would be to please have someone who is super familiar with the murder weapon review how to use it. As someone who is very familiar with that “weapon”, I did notice an error. Most people would never know it was a problem and it does not affect the enjoyment of the book at all. I hope Mercy keeps solving mysteries for a long time to come!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy is just back home from a book tour through Europe to promote her latest book and now must do one last book reading at their own book store. Everything goes well, but at QA time, one lady’s question is personal and rude! Mercy learns that the lady (Ava) is always that way and doesn’t think much about it until she finds the woman dead in their YA section! Not wanting the death to harm the store’s reputation (and to satisfy her own curious nature), Mercy must investigate.
Mercy and her twin sister, Lizzie, have only recently moved to Ireland after inheriting the book store and a home from their unknown grandfather. The girls had gone through tragedies and were ready for a new start. In this small Irish town, they find good friends and maybe a romance. The characters and setting are wonderful…warm, caring, and very cozy. The mystery provides lots of red herrings and is a fun read that kept me involved and ready for the next in the series!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy my trips to Shamrock Cove in Ireland. We begin with Mercy returning from a one month overseas book tour. Lizzie has her set up to do a small signing with one of the bookstore's book clubs until the other groups found out and turned it into a big event. Unfortunately, when the event was over, the body of an older outspoken woman was found in a corner of the bookstore. A friend of Lolly's everyone is shocked when Eva turned out to have been murdered rather than dying from one of her many health issues. Who would want the elderly lady gone? Were embarrassing questions enough to enrage someone to the point of murder? When her son-in-law is also murdered can anyone connect all the dots? Come along for another adventure with Mercy, Lizzie, Mr. Poe and Kieran as they work to make their village peaceful again. Thanks to #Netgally, #Bookoutour, and the author for an opportunity to read! #ABodyattheIrishBookClub #Mercy McCarthyMysteries #LucyConnelly #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Jan Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Book Club
Lucy Connelly
April 21, 2026

Mercy McCarthy is home from the book tour of her latest novel. Just as she thought she could settle at home with her dog, Mr. Poe. Her sister, Lizzy, reminded her that the book club at Lizzy’s book store was that evening. A nice crowd came and were enthused about Mercy’s latest novel. The group relaxed with snacks while the evening wore down. As the girls cleaned up after most left to go home, Mercy found Eva sitting back in the stacks. She thought the elderly woman was asleep. Unfortunately she discovered that Eva had passed away.
A Body at the Irish Book Club will be published by Bookouture on April 21, 2026. I was able to read Connelly’s latest novel via NetGalley. This is #5 in her Mercy McCarthey series. As always, her stories are delightful and entertaining to read. In this adventure we find Mercy looking for clues and trying to help Kieran lead his detectives in finding the murderer. This is excellent - do enjoy!

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

An above average cozy series set at a bookshop in Ireland, and run by two sisters. One is recovering from personal heartache and the other is a successful mystery author.

Lizzie and Mercy are good characters, twins and very close, and they are fitting into their little town after moving from the States. Mercy, the author, and her dog Poe keep stumbling over dead bodies and they find another two in this story. A local sharp-tongued resident in her late seventies is found dead at a bookshop event, and soon after, her philandering son in law is also killed. What is the link?

Mercy is incredibly nosy, plus she and the handsome Detective Inspector have been spending some time together. He tried to set some boundaries for her, but she is persistent, plus she has a talent for uncovering information.

Fun reads with a great supporting cast. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of ‘A Body at the Irish Book Club’, by Lucy Connelly.

In this Mercy McCarthy Mystery #5 we find mystery book writer, Mercy, returning from her latest book tour and discovering that her sister, Lizzie, has a book signing lined up with the local book clubs at their book store. With little rest she prepares herself for the 100 participants and a long night of signing books. Unfortunately, at the end their dog, Mr Poe, finds an elderly lady slumped in a chair, an obvious victim of a suspicious crime. Even though Mercy’s almost boyfriend and police detective, Kieran, warns her about getting involved, Mercy, her sister, and a cast of neighbors start looking for a killer.

This was a fun, cozy mystery with interesting characters, an intriguing investigation, a wonderful Irish village setting, some mild romantic adventure, and a nail-biting ending.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy has only just returned from a book tour when she stumbles upon a woman’s dead body. Being a crime author, she simply can’t help herself and begins investigating. This is already the fifth installment in the Shamrock Cove cozy mystery series, and it continues to deliver everything I love about these books: an engaging plot, a familiar setting, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. Once I started reading, I found it nearly impossible to put the book down. The story flows effortlessly and kept me guessing right up to the end. I truly hope this isn’t the last we see of Mercy, because I’d happily read many more murder mysteries set in Shamrock Cove.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Bookouture and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Book Club is the fifth installment in the Mercy McCarthy Mystery series by Lucy Connelly. What initially appears to be a peaceful death quickly turns into a murder investigation when Mercy notices a suspicious mark on the dead woman’s neck.

I continue to enjoy this series. While Mercy’s romance with the local detective is progressing nicely, the overarching series mystery did not move forward very much in this installment. I must admit, I find myself more invested in the broader ongoing mystery than what’s happening in Mercy’s romantic life.

I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and seeing how both the investigative storyline develops.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 5th book in the Mercy McCarthy series was enjoyable and a quick read. Mercy and her sister have settled into their lives well and have a close group of friends. It's nice to see a glimmer of future happiness for her sister after the losses she suffered. There are several potential suspects to confuse the crimes and keep the reader wondering who the murderer could be. I am ready for the stalker backstory to move along and get some real answers, and hopefully that will happen in the next book. Maybe Mr. Poe will solve it!

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

[Vikki ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for allowing me access to read this story before date of release.

The fifth book of the murder mystery series “Mercy McCarthy” based in Ireland about the two lives of twins recently moved to shamrock grove from Texas USA. Having lost their mum they reside in their late grandparents house. Mercy, an author along with her twin Lizzie who runs their grandfathers book shop are always in the mix of recent events.
I am so surprised Mercy doesn’t mess the investigations up with her nosy digging and letting people know it is in-fact a murder they are investigating

[Jess Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the town gossip is found murdered in her sister’s bookstore, Mercy can’t help but investigate with the help of friends and family (and, of course, the local detective inspector).

Mercy continues to be a fun main character to follow. Full of energy, inquisitive, and clever, there’s never a dull moment. I really enjoyed this storyline as there were so many twists and turns. A fun and quick read. Great for readers who also like Carlene O’Connor.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for this ARC

[Alicia Kozak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an author I've been wanting to read and even though I'm starting here with book five, I didn't have much trouble catching up with what's going on.
The characters are intelligent and Mercy doesn't go out of her way to take unnecessary risks. Mr. Poe is adorable. The mystery was good though slowed a bit when old clues were repeated and no new information added. But this is an author and series I'd read more of. There's some ongoing series arcs alluded to here that I'm curious to learn more about.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next Mercy McCarthy mystery finds her investigating when a dead body is found after her book reading. It seems like someone has finally tired of the town busybody. Things take a twist when the victim's son-in-law is murdered in a similar way.

Another good entry in this series! This books are so easy to read and good mysteries. We got some good character development for both Mercy and Lizzie too. Can't wait for the next one!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Janene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Book Club was a really enjoyable cosy mystery.

I really liked Mercy as a main character. She’s warm and engaging, and I found myself quickly drawn into her story. Even though this is book five in the series, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone and felt fully immersed from the beginning.

The small-town Irish setting and autumn festival atmosphere add a lovely cosy feel, and the mystery itself is entertaining with plenty of suspects to keep things interesting.

I’ll definitely be going back to start from book one and work my way through the series.

[Iz Miranda (Iswid Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this amazing ARC called A body at the Irish Book Club!

I enjoyed this cozy mystery in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time. I particularly loved that the author avoids many of the usual clichés of the genre. And that they have a dog named Mr. Poe!
The narrative style and wording are an absolute delight.

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[Katie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Lucy Connelly book, and now I want to go back and read the ones that came before it. I really liked the cast of characters and the overall vibe of the story. It was pretty easy to figure out who the murderer was, and it dragged a little in spots, but I still enjoyed it. I’d recommend it to fans of Carlene O’Connor and anyone who likes cozy mysteries with interesting characters.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 in the charming Mercy McCarthy mystery series. I have read 4 of the 5 books and loved them all. This book was the salve I needed as the world seems in turmoil right now, and this book was a great fun escape. I love it when reading a book can just take you away. Like the old Calgon Take Me Away commercial. So thank you to Lucy Connelly for writing a book that is a blessing to enjoy.
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture, and Lucy Connelly for this ARC.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a favorite series of mine and it just keeps getting better with each book. Mercy's relationship with Kieran is finally progressing! Mercy helps him investigate when not one but two people are murdered in Shamrock Cove. I just wish the stalker storyline would either wrap up or get way more interesting.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ A Body at the Irish Book Club” by Lucy Connelly the 5th instalment in the " A Mercy McCarthy Mystery" series The Shamrock Cove Autumn Festival is filling the town with the delicious aroma of cinnamon-filled pastries, the cheerful sight of jaunty jack o’lanterns and… a body at the local book club Mercy has to hit the books—and the streets of Shamrock Cove—to solve the mystery before the killer has the last word.

I really enjoyed visiting Shamrock Cove, Ireland again. I enjoy the relationship between Mercy and Lizzie, and the other residents in the court. I also love how the tension between detective inspector Kieran and Mercy slowly keeps building throughout each book. I’m hoping they become an item in next book.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Mercy did.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 6 to come out!

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Bookouture and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.