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, Mystery, Crime, Fiction

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published 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

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Book Club by Lucy Connelly features author, Mercy McCarthy, a transplant from the US to Ireland. She and her sister, Lizzie, had come to Ireland to take over the bookstore and home left to them by a grandfather they never knew they had. Lizzie’s fiance and child had been killed and Mercy had a stalker, so both were ready for a new life. It turned out to be a great decision as they had never been happier than in this small town in Ireland. Mercy is at the end of the book tour for her latest novel and she was finishing with a signing for book club members, right there in the store. What she didn’t realize was that it had blossomed into multiple book clubs and there were more than a hundred people there. And, to cap it off, she found a body. She thought the woman was just reading, but she figured it out as she got closer. She was tired and all she wanted was to sleep.

This is a great series. Mercy is a terrific sleuth and is nourishing a possible new relationship with the local police detective, namely Kieran. He lives on their little court, as does his grandmother, Lolly, who lived next door to him. Mercy couldn’t help but “interfere,” and Kieran knew it, although he often had cause to appreciate it. Mercy and Lizzie and their neighbors are good characters, perfect for their parts in this cozy mystery. The murder was followed by another, and together, Mercy and Kieran followed leads. He let her because he knew she would do it on her own if he didn’t and he didn’t want her to get hurt. It turned out to be a good mystery, although the motive was a little weak. Meanwhile, Mercy, Lizzie, and their neighbors had a fine time.

I was invited to read A Body at the Irish Book Club by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #LucyConnelly #ABodyAtTheItishBookClub

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the series and this is such a fun, cozy mystery series to read. I love diving back into this small Irish town with all of these great characters. Mercy is technically an author, but she has an in with a certain inspector detective that allows her to “consult” on a case. She’s really good at it too! Of course, she finds herself in harms way sometimes! Mercy just has a special way of looking at the cases, looking at potential suspects, and the evidence. It always leads to her kind of figuring it out before knowing for sure that she’s figured it out. Going along the journey with her is the fun part!

The cast of characters is also one of my favorite things about this series. From Lizzie, Mercy’s sister, to Lolly, and Rob, even Kiernan, and not to forget Mr. Poe (the dog) they are all fantastic. Lizzie and Mercy have found such a sweet home in this town, with such a great found family.

If you love cozy mysteries, with a great cast of characters, then you need to pick this series up. While this can technically be read as a standalone, I highly suggest starting from the beginning so you get the whole picture.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

oh my word to be back in mercy world again with her twin sister in shamrock cove is a brilliant way to spend a sunday .... and man this story had it all

murder at the book sigining now that mercy was back from her book tour.... mercy had finished signing all the books and was taking poe their dog out when the dog did that strange thing that he has done before and thats when mercy stumbled across the dead body .....

not really what mercy and her sister wanted at the book signing and also who needed their bookshop jinxed but there was nothing they could about it now....

it wasnt till the 2nd murder happened to another member of the same family that really started mercy looking into the murders... and what connected them.... ohhh the surprises kept coming

ohhh man this book i love this series and all the characters well apart from the murderers surrounding them its a really good series to spend time with over a lazy sunday

cant wait for the next book in this brilliant series

[Linniegayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue enjoy this mystery series set in a small town in Ireland. In this entry Mercy is just returning to town after an extended publicity tour for her latest book. Everyone is happy to see her (especially little Mr. Poe, her dog). When Mercy does a booksigning for her sister Lizzie at their bookstore the first night back, things go awry when a reader is murdered. Mercy and the gang (her group of friends who live nearby) get involved in solving the murder.

I guessed who the murderer was fairly quickly, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. I especially like how close Mercy and Lizzie are getting to the townspeople. It also looks as if things are moving along on the personal front for both women.

[Marlys Temen · Rating 5 out of 5]

love Mercy McCarthy mysteries

As usual, I love this series. I think I missed some of the clues as I did not figure out the suspect until the very end. Can’t wait for the next story.

[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.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything is cozy, the pastries are warm, the book club is buzzing… and then someone dies in the middle of it—honestly, the audacity of ruining a perfectly good reading night with murder. Reviewing A Body at the Irish Book Club by Lucy Connelly. Published by Bookouture—huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.

This book feels like settling into a quiet, charming Irish village with a cup of something warm, only to realize every single person around you might be hiding something. And not in a subtle way. In a “someone just turned up dead and now I’m side-eyeing everyone” kind of way. We follow Mercy McCarthy, mystery writer turned accidental detective (again), who returns home from her book tour expecting a little peace… and instead finds herself stepping over a body in her sister’s bookstore. As you do.

What I loved is that this leans fully into the cozy chaos of small-town life. Shamrock Cove is the kind of place where everyone knows each other, everyone has opinions, and absolutely no one minds their business. Mercy fits right into that energy, which is both entertaining and slightly concerning. She’s curious to a fault, stubborn, and completely unwilling to sit back while things don’t make sense. Watching her dig into the mystery—despite Kieran’s very reasonable objections—felt equal parts fun and stressful.

And then there’s the cast. Lizzie brings that grounded, emotional balance as Mercy’s sister, while the townspeople add layers of gossip, suspicion, and just enough humor to keep things from getting too heavy. But let’s be honest for a second—Mr. Poe? Immediate favorite. No notes. Absolute icon.

“Mercy knew one thing for certain—this was no peaceful passing, and someone in Shamrock Cove had secrets worth killing for.”

That line pretty much sums up the entire vibe. Beneath all the charm and cozy atmosphere, there’s a steady thread of tension that keeps you turning the pages. It’s not dark or overwhelming, but it’s just enough to keep you guessing who’s lying, who’s hiding something, and who might snap next.

The mystery itself unfolds at a steady pace, with plenty of suspects and small twists woven through everyday conversations and casual encounters. It’s less about shocking reveals and more about slowly piecing things together, which fits the cozy style perfectly. And honestly, the real hook is the feeling of being in Shamrock Cove, watching everything unfold alongside Mercy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“This was no accident… and someone in Shamrock Cove was very good at hiding the truth.”

If you’re someone who loves small-town settings, amateur sleuths who absolutely do not know when to stop, charming side characters, and mysteries that feel like comfort reads with a little bite, this will work for you. Especially if your ideal reading night involves a warm drink, a soft chair, and just enough suspense to keep you up past your bedtime.

So tell me… if a murder happened at your local book club, would you start connecting the dots like Mercy—or pretend you saw nothing and go home with your snacks?

#ABodyattheIrishBookClub #LucyConnelly #MercyMcCarthyMystery #CozyMystery #BookReview #ARCReview #Bookstagram #CozyReads #IrishMystery #SmallTownMystery #MysteryReaders #ReadersOfInstagram

[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!

[Jenna “Meadow” | The Book of Meadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my third book of Lucy Connelley’s and I’ve read all of them in just a few weeks as I’m enjoying the lighthearted, cozy mysteries she writes as well as the characters. Connelley is also a very quick writer as she just had another book come out with a different FMC which will be a different series. You can find my review for that one here; “The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor” .

I read the first book in this series,“An Irish Bookshop Murder” focused on the female main character, Mercy McCarthy, who moves to Ireland with her sister to take over their grandfather’s house and bookshop. I then jumped to this fifth installment of the series after receiving an arc close to the publication day. I was a bit nervous that I would have missed too much from not reading three books, but I was surprised that I was only confused with one situation. Other than that, it seems the series is going to be very very slow in the plot development as well as a slow burn romance.

The timeline in Mercy’s life is only about five months or so from the first book to this fifth book. I didn’t mind that so much since I hadn’t missed anything, but I could see this being a bit frustrating to readers going through the whole series. Also, a bit crazy that a small town that never had any issues or murder suddenly has over five murders (at least one per book) in just five months!

Of course, this is definitely a very tall tale type mystery since Mercy is an amateur sleuth and not an actual detective. She writes bestselling mysteries and from her research and stories, she seems to be able to solve the crimes when the true detectives cannot. I’m always a sucker for these stories even if at times I know it is very unlikely but it’s fun to see Mercy trying to snoop in a way that doesn’t truly seem like snooping or hindering the detective’s investigation. In this book, you can see that Kieran, the detective, is definitely starting to embrace Mercy’s help more even though he still warns her to stay away for safety.

Overall, this book kept me entertained and interested and I’m curious to see what else happens with Mercy and this small town.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this book.

[boogleloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars: This is Connelly's fifth entry in the Mercy McCarthy Mystery series which is a Literary British Cozy Mystery set in Ireland. Featuring an American crime writer, who helps her twin sister run their Irish antique and new bookshop, as she finds herself turning sleuth after discovering an outspoken Autumn Festival organizer slumped lifelessly in a store armchair after a book club meeting. After noticing a suspicious mark on her neck, she knows this was no accident and with the crowd in the store, any one could be the killer. Just as she reads a suspicious-sounding entry for the festival’s fiction-writing contest, another body turns up dead. Now it’s up to her and her crime-solving canine companion to sniff out the suspects. Could it be the garden center owner who dabbles in chemistry, the first victim's ne’er-do-well grandson-in-law or maybe it's the local busybody? She'll have to work fast to solve this mystery or the killer will have the last word.

With plenty of twists and turns, Connelly has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Additionally, there's a multi-book over-arching plot that's engaging. Heartfelt and humorous, Connelly's writing and character work are brilliant; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that's well crafted and uniquely voiced.

• For Animal Lovers: MC has an adorably intuitive and personable dog.
• Features a lovely Irish village filled with quirky characters.

Connelly touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check out the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, An Irish Bookshop Murder.

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

[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.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75 stars)
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of A Body At The Irish Book Club by Lucy Connelly. All opinions are my own.

It’s always fun to return to a series where you’ve gotten to know and love the recurring characters. Such is the case for A Body At The Irish Book Club. It’s the fifth book in the Mercy McCarthy cozy mystery series. Once again, the story is set in Shamrock Cove, a small Irish town on the Atlantic Ocean.

Mercy has just returned from a long book tour in Europe and is happy to be home. But before she can get back to her usual routine, her sister Lizzie has arranged a book signing at her bookstore in town, for all the area book clubs. And it seems the whole town has turned out to welcome Mercy back to Shamrock Cove. Unfortunately, at the title suggests, someone dies that night in the store. It's unclear at first whether it’s from natural causes or murder, but Mercy has her suspicions. She tries to help the local detective, Kieran, with whom she has a budding romance, but sometimes I felt she went a bit too far this time around, both putting herself and their family dog in danger and possibly stymying Kieran’s investigation!

The case had some good twists and turns, including a second death. Lizzie and Mercy’s dog, Mr. Poe, once again proves valuable in addition to being cute. And I was happy to see a possible romance for Lizzie, who lost her fiancé not that long before they moved to Ireland from Texas to take over their grandfather’s house and bookstore.

I think you would be fine reading this as a standalone, but you’d miss the fun of meeting and getting to know all the series regulars in the earlier books.

There’s a continuing thread about a possible stalker and also a continuing mystery about their father that has not yet been explored in depth, so I’m hoping to get more on those in an upcoming book.

[Stephanie Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mercy and Lizzie are America twin sisters who inherited their grandfather’s house and book shop in Shamrock Cove in Ireland. Lizzie runs the shop and Mercy is the writer in the family. The day Mercy returns from a book signing tour of her latest book, her sister held a signing at the shop. As the customers were paying for their books at the register, Mercy’s and Mr. Poe-their dog-discovers one of the ladies at the shop has died. Then the mystery begins on what happen to the victim.

A Body at the Irish Book Club is the first book I’ve read by Lucy Connelly. As usual-but not by design-I started this series with the fifth book. The beginning of the story had me asking a lot of questions about the backstory but a few of them were resolved and I was happy about that. By the time I finished the story, I decided to add this series to my to-read list. I am curious about the books before this one!

I found the side characters to be great supporting characters that helped the story take shape. Mercy tended to get on my nerves at times. When she is on to something, she was like a dog with a bone, but isn’t that the point? She reminds me a little of Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote and Danny Reagan in Blue Bloods. Mercy’s unwavering persistence makes for great crime solving and a writer!

My heart went out to Mercy’s sister, Lizzie. What a loving and supportive sister she is to Mercy. I am looking forward to reading more of their stories in these crime solving cases.

An intriguing story that had me racing to the end to discover the killer. I could not put this story down.

I love a good Irish cozy mystery!

Stephanie

You can see more of my reviews and other posts at www.layeredpages.com

Thank you to the publishers for ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

[Marian. · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐4.5

Volver al mundo de las hermanas McCarthy siempre es un placer y este libro no es la diferencia. Desde el inicio te atrapa, cuando sucede el asesinato no sospechas de nadie hasta más entrada la historia y déjenme decirles que volví a confirmar que soy mala tratando de resolver crímenes porque no tenía ni idea de quien podría ser.

Este fue de esos libros que te mantienen leyendo y eso fue lo que hice, la historia de las hermanas McCarthy es completamente buena y me gusto ver a Lizzie teniendo un poco más de confianza en sí misma y también viendo a nuestra escritora estrella Mercy haciendo de las suyas.

El desenlace es bueno y por lo que pude deducir, habrá más libros ya que no nos han resuelto la intriga de hace dos libros (con respecto a su padre) así que aquí me tendrán leyendo cada libro de esta serie y autora.

********

Returning to the world of the McCarthy sisters is always a pleasure, and this book is no exception. It hooks you right from the start, when the murder happens, you don't suspect anyone until well into the story, and let me tell you, I confirmed once again that I'm terrible at solving crimes because I had no idea who it could be.

This was one of those books that keeps you reading, and that's exactly what I did. The McCarthy sisters story is absolutely great and I loved seeing Lizzie gain a little more self-confidence and watching our star writer Mercy, up to her usual antics.

The ending is good and from what I could gather, there will be more books since they haven't resolved the mystery from two books ago (regarding her father), so you'll have me reading every book in this series by this author.

📌 I received an e-arc through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

[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

[Melisa Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Book Club is the latest in the Mercy McCarthy mystery series and is still managing to be as fresh as the first book!

Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie are American and moved to Ireland following the death of their grandfather that they hadn’t met and didn’t know a lot about apart from the fact that he lived in a small Irish town called Shamrock Cove. They discovered he had left them his house and bookshop and in effort to find out more about him, they moved to Shamrock Cove and haven’t looked back since.

Mercy being a successful crime writer, has just arrived back from a book tour and before she even manages to unpack, she is packed off to the bookshop for a book signing organised by Lizzie. Things unfortunately take a turn for the worse when on the customers Eva is found dead, sat in a chair. She has been struggling with her health for some time so it is believed to be natural causes, however Mercy’s writer (and amateur detective) instinct, tells her something isn’t right, especially when notices a small mark on Eva’s neck, insinuating foul play.

Mercy can’t help but want to investigate and with her slowly developing relationship with Police Chief Kieran, we are back in the investigation as though we had never left! This is genuinely one of my favourite cosy crime series. The wonderful village of Shamrock Cove (despite the dead bodies!) sounds like an absolute dream along with the close knit community feel that Mercy and Lizzie are a big part of, despite not actually being born there and only recently moving there. Their neighbours and friends are involved in all the books and it is no different in this one, where they all play a part in solving the crime and help Mercy and Keiran realise they might be more than just good friends.
As with all of these books, Lucy Connelly is so good at planting a lot of red herrings that you end up with a suspect list as long as your arm and I must admit, the ending did surprise me as I was a little bit off with my guessing!

Another brilliant addition to the series, I have loved my recent trip to Shamrock Cove and can’t wait to go back for more.

[Stacy Runyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful read!

My heart felt thanks to this amazing author. She brings all of my dreams to life of moving from America to Ireland and finding relatives that have long been gone or still there. And if I happen to inherit a bookshop and a small cottage, it would be my absolute dream. It'd be nice to find a gentleman as well. Only Ireland would make it easier for us to return to our Ancestry land. This story gives just a laugh buzz and tingle to keep you up reading but not to make you jumping timid or panicky in fact it releases my anxiety. My favourite character of course is Mercy. She has been brought to life on paper as though she has a living and breathing person that you could interact with. I rarely say this and it makes me feel slightly nuts. But the truth is I dissolve in Cove as if it was my own home. The courtyard of the neighbours that have become family are my dream wish so it elevate my heart to read their stories. I wish I had a lolly as a grandmother to look after me what a delightful woman. Thank you to the author for helping and an agoraphobic homebound disabled aging woman escape to a fantasy world. I only wish you knew how much you truly contribute. I have so many stories of my own I could be turned into brilliant series and I wish I could work with this author to create them of my travels around the world and my many previous adventures. Please keep writing and bringing these adventures into our lives with much gratitude. I think you again for your cozy comfy literary escape.

[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.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The homicide rate in Shamrock Cove is quite alarming, LOL!

Mercy has been on a book tour and just wants to return to small town life once more. People may know that she's a famous author but they really just like her as Mercy, new town resident, part owner of a bookshop...and occasional amateur sleuth!

A small book signing at the bookshop has grown and Mercy is signing book after book. A Q & Q session leavers her a bit embarrassed but when she later finds the reader dead in the YA section, Mercy can't believe there's another murder to be solved. And then there's Kieran. Dishy Detective Inspector, neighbour, friend and potential boyfriend - if they ever get around to having another date!

Small town life really is a microcosm for the world in general. Gossip fuels this town and there are feuds, illicit gambling and more to deal with. The Scooby Gang are in fine form and they live for these mysteries as much as Mercy does. I'm really enjoying watching Lizzie come out of her shell and dealing with grief whilst still looking for happiness.

Plenty of misdirects and twists to keep you interested and the obligatory big reveal. I felt the mystery was resolved well, if a wee bit rushed and there was plenty of interaction with my favourite townsfolk. We even get close this story with a ***secret***

Can't wait for the next adventure in Shamrock Cove.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Book Club is #5 in the Mercy McCarthy Mystery series.

Lucy Connelly is fast becoming my favorite cozy mystery writer with this series and her Scottish series. She has also begun one set in Wales but I haven't read that.

Here we have Mercy back from a successful book tour for her latest mystery book. Quite delicious, she is quite a popular author and her sister Lizzie has organised a book signing for the local book clubs at her bookstore. All goes well until that Mr Poe discovers a body. He is a very smart dog who seems to smell out strange goings on.

And so the mystery unfolds slowly but in a very turn the page way. We have Mercy stepping in to add her tuppence to Kieran the local policeman and perhaps a future beau for Mercy. She likes to ask questions and generally start to add things up.

All the usual characters are there helping out where they can. Also Lizzie seems to be developing a new relationship which looks new but promising.

The mystery is good - I suspected the murderer but then... I wasn't totally sure. Like Mercy I was trying to find the motive. But eventually all is revealed.

I enjoyed my visit to Shamrock Cove and a new murder mystery. I am already anticipating the next book, there is a interesting envelope that appears in the post, I am sure that is going somewhere!

[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.

[Emerald Maple · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series but this was not my favourite of the Mercy McCarthy books. Fresh off her book tour, Mercy comes home to her final stop, a book signing at her sister's bookstore. Only a local woman is found dead as they are guiding people out at the end of the night (not before asking if Mercy and Kieran are finally together which we all want to know). But why was she killed? Someone else worried she will spill their secrets? For money since her family moved in with her after accumulating debts?

Mercy spends a good bit of this one poking into the lives of the family of the victim and putting herself in harms way as usual. But even after promising her sister that she wouldn't and admitting that Shamrock Cove feels more like home and she wants to get to know others, she keeps doing it which gets a little frustrating.

The ending seemed a little rushed and kind of a stupid reason for killing people, but killers don't always make sense. I wish we got more of their stalker and father's story in this one. Five books in and we are still just touching on them each time but happy to see both sisters get a little love interest now and lots of Mr Poe in this one.

Thanks to Bookouture for the advance copy of this book through Netgalley.

[dnsyl57 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Body at the Irish Book Club" is book #5 of the "Mercy McCarthy Mystery" series by Lucy Connelly.

An opinionated and gossipy grandmother is found dead after a reading and signing of Mercy McCarthy's latest book. Of course Mercy notices something a bit off and suspects murder. Around the same time, Mercy has been reading entries for a local writing contest. One of the entries, seems to be almost a blueprint for two murders. Not long after, a second body is discovered on the beach. It has to be related - but how?

Several suspects for both murders but narrowing down the means, motives and alibis is a bit more challenging. Luckily, her friends are happy to be part of what they refer to as the "Scooby Gang" to help gather clues. For me, there were only a couple of real suspects but I did change my mind at least once before settling on the killer. Even so, the full details of the reveal were well done.

I do enjoy this series. An idyllic setting with core characters that you can't help but cheer for and want to get to know better. The banter and relationships feel realistic. There were some interesting developments among some relationships and hints of what may be to come in future books.

Overall, an entertaining cozy mystery.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Body at the Irish Book Club finds Mercy McCarthy happily returning to Shamrock Cove after completing a book tour. Her sister’s bookstore and book club are thriving, and Mercy is just finishing up a signing and reading of her latest novel. However, the cozy atmosphere is shattered when Mercy and her dog, Mr. Poe, discover a dead body among the bookstore shelves. The victim, grandmother Eva Walsh, was clearly murdered, and Mercy once again finds herself drawn into a dangerous investigation.

Although Mercy is a mystery writer by trade, she has also proven herself to be a remarkably skilled amateur detective. Using her persistence, intuition, and knack for asking the right questions, Mercy begins digging into Eva’s life to uncover who may have wanted her dead.

Unfortunately, Eva is not the only victim. Another body soon turns up under suspicious circumstances, raising the stakes and deepening the mystery. The investigation becomes even more intriguing as secrets begin to surface within the close-knit community.

Lucy Connelly delivers another fun and engaging entry in this cozy mystery series. The story feels fresh, the mystery is entertaining, and the charming small-town setting continues to make this series such an enjoyable read. I am already looking forward to book six, A Body at the Bakery, which is set for release in November.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[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.