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Galway Homicide: Hays & Lyons #7
Murder at the Holiday Home
A woman is found dead in a local businessman’s holiday let. Detectives uncover some shady dealings. But did he kill her?
The charm of a West of Ireland holiday home is somewhat tarnished when a woman’s body is found in the property. There are few clues as to her identity. However, in her hand is found a small solid-gold ingot.
Galway-based DI Maureen Lyons is drawn out to the sticks to take on the case. Suspicion naturally falls on the property’s owner who runs a large discount store, lives beyond his means, and has an over-zealous interest in the ladies.
But the team find it difficult to establish a motive and it is only when the investigation follows the money that a picture begins to emerge. This is one of corruption that spreads across Europe, from Ireland, through Holland, all the way to Lithuania and beyond.
With the help of a Dutch inspector, Lyons will piece together an elaborate criminal scheme worth millions. But it will also bring her up against individuals who kill at the drop of a hat to further their aims.
This is the seventh murder mystery featuring detectives Hays and Lyons set in the Galway region of Ireland. It can be enjoyed entirely as a standalone.
The charm of a West of Ireland holiday home is somewhat tarnished when a woman’s body is found in the property. There are few clues as to her identity. However, in her hand is found a small solid-gold ingot.
Galway-based DI Maureen Lyons is drawn out to the sticks to take on the case. Suspicion naturally falls on the property’s owner who runs a large discount store, lives beyond his means, and has an over-zealous interest in the ladies.
But the team find it difficult to establish a motive and it is only when the investigation follows the money that a picture begins to emerge. This is one of corruption that spreads across Europe, from Ireland, through Holland, all the way to Lithuania and beyond.
With the help of a Dutch inspector, Lyons will piece together an elaborate criminal scheme worth millions. But it will also bring her up against individuals who kill at the drop of a hat to further their aims.
This is the seventh murder mystery featuring detectives Hays and Lyons set in the Galway region of Ireland. It can be enjoyed entirely as a standalone.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2019
719 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
David Pearson
33 books119 followersOne of Ireland's most prolific crime writers, David has a total of 24 books published to date across four separate series.
The Galway Homicides - set in and around Clifden on the Wild Atlantic Way
The Dublin Homicides - a grittier set of 6 stories set in the capital of Ireland
The Wexford Homicides - introducing DI Vikki Kirkby
The Mayo Murders - a new series set in and around Westport in County Mayo featuring DI Martin O'Shea and DS Deirdre Maguire.
The Galway Homicides - set in and around Clifden on the Wild Atlantic Way
The Dublin Homicides - a grittier set of 6 stories set in the capital of Ireland
The Wexford Homicides - introducing DI Vikki Kirkby
The Mayo Murders - a new series set in and around Westport in County Mayo featuring DI Martin O'Shea and DS Deirdre Maguire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 6, 2019
I wanted a book to pass a couple of hours and this fit the bill perfectly. I have been to Ireland once many years ago and long to revisit and it was wonderful to see that this book was set in some of the places that we enjoyed so much. I felt quite nostalgic reading of Galway and Salthill.
I realise that this is part of a very popular series and I can understand the fan following they have generated. The characters are very well drawn I thought. It's rather nice to have a team that get on well, even the main characters are in a happy relationship and though, as is a bit traditional, the head man is a bit of a pain in the butt - he's not too bad.
The plot was intriguing. I had no idea of the main thrust of the crime (don't want to put in a spoiler here) but it felt as though it had all been well researched and yet again there was evidence of vulnerable desperate people being taken advantage of.
The story was all wound up very satisfactorily - I guessed a couple of the ne'er do wells but then in the tradition of Mrs Christy that's okay. The little hints of Irish dialect put me in mind of the books by Graham Norton, not so much that it becomes hard to read but enough to place you.
Not a dark and dreadful police procedural - but a jolly good romp. Perfect for me this evening.
I realise that this is part of a very popular series and I can understand the fan following they have generated. The characters are very well drawn I thought. It's rather nice to have a team that get on well, even the main characters are in a happy relationship and though, as is a bit traditional, the head man is a bit of a pain in the butt - he's not too bad.
The plot was intriguing. I had no idea of the main thrust of the crime (don't want to put in a spoiler here) but it felt as though it had all been well researched and yet again there was evidence of vulnerable desperate people being taken advantage of.
The story was all wound up very satisfactorily - I guessed a couple of the ne'er do wells but then in the tradition of Mrs Christy that's okay. The little hints of Irish dialect put me in mind of the books by Graham Norton, not so much that it becomes hard to read but enough to place you.
Not a dark and dreadful police procedural - but a jolly good romp. Perfect for me this evening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2022
Book seven in series. I did like this one but not nearly as much as previous six. With their new roles Mick Hays and Maureen Lyon really don't work together on cases any longer. This is an important dynamic that makes this series click. Although it's an interesting who done it, It lacks that crisp flow and batty dialog that made previous books so special. It's still a must read in a must read series to be sure. Hopefully book eight with have more Hays & Lyons interaction on cases as it goes. check it out.
April 25, 2019
An easy, unchallenging read. Probably worth 3.5 stars but not 4.
Murder, smuggling, international co-operation between police forces. What's missing is engagement with the characters who border on being two-dimensional. However, people read a story for different reasons and if you are not hung up on character development then go for it.
I enjoyed the book and it is certainly worth reading but perhaps not quite as good as some of the others in this series.
Murder, smuggling, international co-operation between police forces. What's missing is engagement with the characters who border on being two-dimensional. However, people read a story for different reasons and if you are not hung up on character development then go for it.
I enjoyed the book and it is certainly worth reading but perhaps not quite as good as some of the others in this series.
March 20, 2020
4,5 star
March 5, 2023
A good easy read no complicated plot
July 30, 2019
Murder at the Holiday Home is book seven in the Maureen Lyons series by David Pearson. DI Maureen Lyons caught a case of the death of a young woman in local businessman's holiday let. At first glance, DI Maureen Lyons suspects the owner of the holiday home. However, the more DI Maureen Lyons investigates, the more complicated the case becomes. The readers of Murder at the Holiday Home will continue to follow DI Maureen Lyons to find out who killed the young woman.
Murder at the Holiday Home is another fantastic addition to this excellent series. I love the interaction between the characters throughout this book. David Pearson does a tremendous job in his portrayal of the characters and his description of the setting of this book. Murder at the Holiday Home is well written and researched by David Pearson. I also like that David Pearson has a list of characters at the end of the book, which helps me to understand more the role they play in Murder on the Old Bog Road.
The readers of Murder at the Holiday Home will learn the consequences of greed and corruption. Also, the readers of Murder at the Holiday Home will learn about how Irish and Dutch Law enforcement officers collaborated in a criminal investigation.
I recommend this book.
Murder at the Holiday Home is another fantastic addition to this excellent series. I love the interaction between the characters throughout this book. David Pearson does a tremendous job in his portrayal of the characters and his description of the setting of this book. Murder at the Holiday Home is well written and researched by David Pearson. I also like that David Pearson has a list of characters at the end of the book, which helps me to understand more the role they play in Murder on the Old Bog Road.
The readers of Murder at the Holiday Home will learn the consequences of greed and corruption. Also, the readers of Murder at the Holiday Home will learn about how Irish and Dutch Law enforcement officers collaborated in a criminal investigation.
I recommend this book.
October 2, 2025
David Pearson’s Murder at the Holiday Home is a gripping crime thriller that masterfully blends small-town charm with international intrigue. What begins as a seemingly straightforward case a woman’s body discovered in a rural Irish holiday rental quickly escalates into a complex web of greed, corruption, and danger stretching across Europe. Pearson’s ability to ground global-scale crime in the intimate, vividly drawn Galway setting makes the story both expansive and personal. DI Maureen Lyons is as sharp and determined as ever, anchoring the mystery with her keen instincts and steady moral compass. The discovery of the gold ingot as a lone, enigmatic clue not only heightens suspense but symbolizes the trail of deceit that drives the narrative. Atmospheric, methodical, and unflinching, this seventh installment in the Hays & Lyons series shows why Pearson has earned a devoted following of crime fiction readers.
November 9, 2020
Murdered at the Holiday Let
A woman is murdered in an unoccupied rental, who is she. A set of keys left at a petrol station close by, leads them to the cottage of a cleaning lady. She was use to cleaning that cottage after renters had left. When a woman asked to rent directly thru her, without owner knowing. Giving her the extra income she could use. Who is this person , the name has no leads. Other then being a person of interest with the police with gold Ingot worth millions coming in. Does this coincide with her trips to Ireland three times a year. A slow plot at the beginning that gives you the feel of what’s going on, how the team works and their ideas. Different with the names for the items
and people.
A woman is murdered in an unoccupied rental, who is she. A set of keys left at a petrol station close by, leads them to the cottage of a cleaning lady. She was use to cleaning that cottage after renters had left. When a woman asked to rent directly thru her, without owner knowing. Giving her the extra income she could use. Who is this person , the name has no leads. Other then being a person of interest with the police with gold Ingot worth millions coming in. Does this coincide with her trips to Ireland three times a year. A slow plot at the beginning that gives you the feel of what’s going on, how the team works and their ideas. Different with the names for the items
and people.
November 9, 2019
Mr. Pearson's books are fun to read. The pacing is quick and full of action. I am troubled sometimes at the sudden jumps into omniscient POV with minor characters, but it moves the plot so I shouldn't be. One other small criticism I have is that the characters will sometimes be talking and saying each other's name, or a character repeating to the other what is going on, which is distracting - while at other times there are too few dialogue attributions. Otherwise the stories are always interesting and this one about gang crime tied to Europe and gold is a good one.
April 22, 2022
This book was as dull as dirty dishwasher. Maureen who is shacked up with her superior officer is called into investigate the murder of a woman in a supposedly unoccupied rental hone. She and her team go through the motions and ultimately find a link between the death and an international conspiracy.
I did not enjoy this book. There was no suspense, it was dull and plodding. The cops are all too goody goody. Maureen is treated like a moron by her liver and the chief. Worse she seems to agree.Unibteresting.
I did not enjoy this book. There was no suspense, it was dull and plodding. The cops are all too goody goody. Maureen is treated like a moron by her liver and the chief. Worse she seems to agree.Unibteresting.
May 3, 2023
DI Maureen Lyons investigates the murder of a woman who turns out to be a foreign national. The investigation turns out to be extraordinarily complicated with international ramifications. Maureen diligently pursues the case but suffers from a lack of confidence when the team is not able to quickly solve it. In some respects, this series has gotten consistently better over the years, but the author needs to find a way to integrate Maureen’s partner, Mick Hayes, more coherently into the plot.
March 26, 2019
Another enjoyable easy read
Always an enjoyable read, these books have got me hooked the characters are very well portrayed and entertaining. The storyline in this book is a bit diverse from previous books but very well put together. Can't wait for the next one,I definitely recommend this auther
Always an enjoyable read, these books have got me hooked the characters are very well portrayed and entertaining. The storyline in this book is a bit diverse from previous books but very well put together. Can't wait for the next one,I definitely recommend this auther
September 13, 2019
Quite a complicated case
A woman found murdered in a holiday rental starts th crew looking into the murder and a gold smuggling operation . A helpful Inspector Janssen for the Netherlands gives support . Laid back writing at times, but not for the Garda. They push forward solving the mystery pretty quickly .
A woman found murdered in a holiday rental starts th crew looking into the murder and a gold smuggling operation . A helpful Inspector Janssen for the Netherlands gives support . Laid back writing at times, but not for the Garda. They push forward solving the mystery pretty quickly .
March 1, 2019
No More by This Author
This thing is very amateurishly written. The police don't act like police at all; The dialog is nonsensical. Too much back-and-forth, "He said...then she said...then he said...and so on". Tiresome to read. There's a reason these things cost only $0.99.
This thing is very amateurishly written. The police don't act like police at all; The dialog is nonsensical. Too much back-and-forth, "He said...then she said...then he said...and so on". Tiresome to read. There's a reason these things cost only $0.99.
March 18, 2019
Murder At The Holiday Home.
Another brilliant book from David. Pearson. The story holds your attention right through the book. I would advise people to read any book by this author you won't be disappointed..😊
Another brilliant book from David. Pearson. The story holds your attention right through the book. I would advise people to read any book by this author you won't be disappointed..😊
April 6, 2019
Another great story
Another great story in the series featuring Inspector Lyons and her team. These stories flow along at a great pace and make you want to read them in one sitting. More please.
Another great story in the series featuring Inspector Lyons and her team. These stories flow along at a great pace and make you want to read them in one sitting. More please.
April 21, 2019
Meh for the technical flaws
Beware the dreaded infodump. Given an indigestible lump of exposition at the beginning of the book, I was thoroughly out of sorts for reading the rest of it. I found no charm in the subsequent prose, and ditched it at about page 5.
Beware the dreaded infodump. Given an indigestible lump of exposition at the beginning of the book, I was thoroughly out of sorts for reading the rest of it. I found no charm in the subsequent prose, and ditched it at about page 5.
May 4, 2019
An entertaining evening of reading
Interesting characters, an intriguing plot Enjoyed this very much! Should have read the first books r to get familiar with all the players. Now I will start with the first books.
Interesting characters, an intriguing plot Enjoyed this very much! Should have read the first books r to get familiar with all the players. Now I will start with the first books.
July 23, 2019
Excellent!
The mix of exciting criminal activities and of course Guardi solutions, with all necessary explanations of Irish terminology created a very enjoyable read...on to another
The mix of exciting criminal activities and of course Guardi solutions, with all necessary explanations of Irish terminology created a very enjoyable read...on to another
September 3, 2019
International Fraud
A young woman is murdered in a rental home. I'm her hand she has clutched a hold bar. No name, no phone, no car. Her murder leads to finding a major crime syndicate.
A young woman is murdered in a rental home. I'm her hand she has clutched a hold bar. No name, no phone, no car. Her murder leads to finding a major crime syndicate.
October 9, 2019
Three and a half stars
I am enjoying the characters in the Hays and Lyons series, but I am struggling with the rather prescriptive plots. These all seem fairly well written, although I could do with less travelogue, but I just feel like there is something missing.
I am enjoying the characters in the Hays and Lyons series, but I am struggling with the rather prescriptive plots. These all seem fairly well written, although I could do with less travelogue, but I just feel like there is something missing.
July 30, 2021
Good read,
Recommend it to read,I gave it 4 stars, because it was a typical detective story...it took me time to read it, it title led me to read it, but when I started reading it, didn't keep my interest...
Recommend it to read,I gave it 4 stars, because it was a typical detective story...it took me time to read it, it title led me to read it, but when I started reading it, didn't keep my interest...
May 4, 2022
Rushed
The plot is interesting and unusual. Unfortunately, as with other books in this series, it feels as if the author had used his ideas and needed to bring the story to a rushed closure.
A light read that has strong female characters and an interesting setting.
The plot is interesting and unusual. Unfortunately, as with other books in this series, it feels as if the author had used his ideas and needed to bring the story to a rushed closure.
A light read that has strong female characters and an interesting setting.
September 27, 2023
Good story - but...
This series is good, in general, but sometimes the writing is quite jejune. A freshman college student could d a better job. The epilogues are silly, unnecessary, and somewhat insulting to adult readers.
This series is good, in general, but sometimes the writing is quite jejune. A freshman college student could d a better job. The epilogues are silly, unnecessary, and somewhat insulting to adult readers.
February 2, 2024
This one went over my head a bit but mostly enjoyed and the conclusion was brilliant , loving how these books all tie in with great characters and good plot I'd sometimes a little long winded in its explanations . Bring on #8
April 3, 2019
Another great story from this author great characters a really enjoyable read, can’t wait for the next book.
April 10, 2019
3.5 stars. This book is ok. It is not as complex as some mysteries.
April 29, 2019
Excellent once again
Another fantastic Irish murder/mystery with excellent characters. Couldn't really put it down. Roll on the next book. Excellent scenery description.
Another fantastic Irish murder/mystery with excellent characters. Couldn't really put it down. Roll on the next book. Excellent scenery description.
July 30, 2019
Police procedures
Good story set in Southern Ireland good character descriptions good procedures and well written and just about the right length to keep the reader engaged
Good story set in Southern Ireland good character descriptions good procedures and well written and just about the right length to keep the reader engaged
September 11, 2019
Enjoyed
The story line was gripping. I didn't want to put it down. It finished at the right time with a good outcome.
The story line was gripping. I didn't want to put it down. It finished at the right time with a good outcome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews