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Irish Village Mystery #5
Murder in an Irish Cottage
In a remote—and superstitious—village in County Cork, Ireland, Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan must solve a murder where the prime suspects are fairies . . .
Family is everything to Siobhán: her five siblings; her dear departed mother for whom the family business, Naomi's Bistro, is named; and now her fiancé, Macdara Flannery. So precious is her engagement that Siobhán wants to keep it just between the two of them for a little longer.
But Macdara is her family, which is why when his cousin Susan frantically calls for his help, Siobhán is at his side as the two garda rush from Kilbane to the rural village where Susan and her mother have recently moved. Unfortunately, tragedy awaits them. They find Susan, who is blind, outside the cottage, in a state. Inside, Aunt Ellen lies on her bed in a fancy red dress, no longer breathing. A pillow on the floor and a nearby teacup suggest the mode of death to their trained eyes: the woman has been poisoned and smothered. Someone wanted to make sure she was dead. But who?
Devout believers in Irish folklore, the villagers insist the cottage is cursed—built on a fairy path. It turns out Ellen Delaney was not the first to die mysteriously in this cottage. Although the townsfolk blame malevolent fairies, Siobhán and Macdara must follow the path of a murderer all too human—but just as evil . . .
Family is everything to Siobhán: her five siblings; her dear departed mother for whom the family business, Naomi's Bistro, is named; and now her fiancé, Macdara Flannery. So precious is her engagement that Siobhán wants to keep it just between the two of them for a little longer.
But Macdara is her family, which is why when his cousin Susan frantically calls for his help, Siobhán is at his side as the two garda rush from Kilbane to the rural village where Susan and her mother have recently moved. Unfortunately, tragedy awaits them. They find Susan, who is blind, outside the cottage, in a state. Inside, Aunt Ellen lies on her bed in a fancy red dress, no longer breathing. A pillow on the floor and a nearby teacup suggest the mode of death to their trained eyes: the woman has been poisoned and smothered. Someone wanted to make sure she was dead. But who?
Devout believers in Irish folklore, the villagers insist the cottage is cursed—built on a fairy path. It turns out Ellen Delaney was not the first to die mysteriously in this cottage. Although the townsfolk blame malevolent fairies, Siobhán and Macdara must follow the path of a murderer all too human—but just as evil . . .
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2020
1151 people are currently reading
6593 people want to read
About the author
Carlene O'Connor
37 books2,637 followersCarlene O’Connor is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Irish Village Mystery Series, The Home to Ireland Series and the County Kerry Mystery series. The first in the County Kerry Series, NO STRANGERS HERE received a starred review from Kirkus and was the Mystery Pick of the Month at Barnes and Noble in September of 2023. Of all the places across the pond she’s wandered, she fell most in love with a walled town in County Limerick and was inspired to create the town of Kilbane, County Cork. She currently lives in New Mexico.
https://carleneoconnor.net/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 465 reviews
February 18, 2023
Tedious
This one really dragged and I honestly started to get really annoyed with the main character in this too. The reason behind the murder didn't work for me either.
Full Review:
Not too much to say about this. Siobhan learns more about Dara's family in this one when his cousin is a potential suspect of Dara's aunt. Siobhan does her usual thing of bringing everyone together to accuse one person of being the murder. The only reason why I let this mess go with regards to Agatha Christie is because Miss Marple was an amateur and Hercule Poirot was not a police officer. Siobhan is a garda and it makes zero sense why she keeps doing this let's bring everyone together thing. How is this even legal?
I just felt myself getting vaguely annoyed by Siobhan after a while. I also don't think anything was really resolved with Siobhan and Dara's engagement. They honestly are not on the same page about a lot of things so the whole book had me annoyed with the two of them for having zero conversations about what they imagine their lives are going to be. For example, Siobhan thinks they can be engaged for several years. Dara is like a few months. Neither of these goofballs have told family or friends.
The other characters outside of Siobhan's brothers and sisters and Dara's aunt and cousin felt very muted. I still don't even understand all of the ins and outs of the murder at this point. At one point I just felt like I was missing some pieces and just let it go. I understood [redacted of redacted] but everything else was just too much and it just didn't work for me.
I probably will continue with this series, but may take a break from it for a bit.
This one really dragged and I honestly started to get really annoyed with the main character in this too. The reason behind the murder didn't work for me either.
Full Review:
Not too much to say about this. Siobhan learns more about Dara's family in this one when his cousin is a potential suspect of Dara's aunt. Siobhan does her usual thing of bringing everyone together to accuse one person of being the murder. The only reason why I let this mess go with regards to Agatha Christie is because Miss Marple was an amateur and Hercule Poirot was not a police officer. Siobhan is a garda and it makes zero sense why she keeps doing this let's bring everyone together thing. How is this even legal?
I just felt myself getting vaguely annoyed by Siobhan after a while. I also don't think anything was really resolved with Siobhan and Dara's engagement. They honestly are not on the same page about a lot of things so the whole book had me annoyed with the two of them for having zero conversations about what they imagine their lives are going to be. For example, Siobhan thinks they can be engaged for several years. Dara is like a few months. Neither of these goofballs have told family or friends.
The other characters outside of Siobhan's brothers and sisters and Dara's aunt and cousin felt very muted. I still don't even understand all of the ins and outs of the murder at this point. At one point I just felt like I was missing some pieces and just let it go. I understood [redacted of redacted] but everything else was just too much and it just didn't work for me.
I probably will continue with this series, but may take a break from it for a bit.
March 10, 2024
Carlene O’Connor weaves together a murder mystery and folklore in this fifth book of the Irish Village Mysteries. The characters in this series are wonderful, and it has been a delight to see the O’Sullivan siblings grow over the course of the books. Siobhán in particular, now a garda, is thoughtfully drawn, and the relationship between her and Macdara is lovely. The writing style is eloquent and descriptive, and the tale is filled with Irish charm, superstition, and red herrings. This is a quaint, engaging tale that is a clever, intelligent romp.
May 7, 2020
3.5 / 5.0 stars
Don't we all love a good fairy tale. That is until, it causes someone to wind up dead!
Our beloved protagonist, Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan, has just started her much deserved 10-day vacation. She and detective Macdara have recently become secretly engaged. Secretly! - lest the family and the entire village get hold of that information, plan the nuptials, and push them down the aisle before they're good and ready.
While they're chatting, Macdara gets a distressed call from his blind cousin Jane and would he please come to their small cottage in Ballysiogdun to help sort matters out. (So much for Siobhán's well-deserved rest.) When Macdara and Siobhán arrive at Ballysiogdun, they're affronted by a crowd demanding the bulldozing of the cottage in which his aunt and cousin reside. The cottage had been erected between two fairy rings on the edge of town. The superstitious townsfolk believe that the "Good Folk" (fairies) have shown their displeasure by causing the deaths of the cottage's residents and the townsfolk now want the building razed and the curse on their village lifted. When Siobhán and Macdara finally make it to the cottage, they find Jane unsettled, the front window smashed and a corpse in the cottage. Even though, they have no jurisdiction in this village, you can bet that they'll get to the bottom of this mystery. It does involve family, after all.
This fifth book of the Irish Village Mystery series, is a charming cozy mystery, set in and drawing upon the rich cultural folk heritage of Ireland. Author Carlene O'Connor has done her folk tale research well and carefully incorporated it into this delightful story. The writing flows well; the dialogue is at times amusing yet also endearing; and the characters are well developed -each with their own demons and virtues. The best character of them all is that of Siobhán. She's bright, intelligent, plucky, caring and highly intuitive. Nothing gets past her. There are also a fair number of red herrings planted throughout. It's a well spun yarn which all comes to a satisfying conclusion. It's definitely among the better cozies I've read.
Although this fifth book in series can stand on its own, the series is perhaps best enjoyed starting from the beginning as each book builds upon the last. If you enjoy a good cozy mystery, then this is a series which I commend to you. It's an excellent palate cleanser after heavy reading yet it still has meat on its bones and brings "edutainment" to the reader.
I am grateful to author Carlene O'Connor and her publisher Kensington Books for having provided a free e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Synopsis (from publisher's website):
In a remote—and superstitious—village in County Cork, Ireland, Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan must solve a murder where the prime suspects are fairies...
Family is everything to Siobhán: her five siblings; her dear departed mother for whom the family business, Naomi's Bistro, is named; and now her fiancé, Macdara Flannery. So precious is her engagement that Siobhán wants to keep it just between the two of them for a little longer.
But Macdara is her family, which is why when his cousin Jane frantically calls for his help, Siobhán is at his side as the two garda rush from Kilbane to the rural village where Jane and her mother have recently moved. Unfortunately, tragedy awaits them. They find Jane, who is blind, outside the cottage, in a state. Inside, Aunt Ellen lies on her bed in a fancy red dress, no longer breathing. A pillow on the floor and a nearby teacup suggest the mode of death to their trained eyes: the woman has been poisoned and smothered. Someone wanted to make sure she was dead. But who?
Devout believers in Irish folklore, the villagers insist the cottage is cursed—built on a fairy path. It turns out Ellen Delaney was not the first to die mysteriously in this cottage. Although the townsfolk blame malevolent fairies, Siobhán and Macdara must follow the path of a murderer all too human—but just as evil . . .
Don't we all love a good fairy tale. That is until, it causes someone to wind up dead!
Our beloved protagonist, Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan, has just started her much deserved 10-day vacation. She and detective Macdara have recently become secretly engaged. Secretly! - lest the family and the entire village get hold of that information, plan the nuptials, and push them down the aisle before they're good and ready.
While they're chatting, Macdara gets a distressed call from his blind cousin Jane and would he please come to their small cottage in Ballysiogdun to help sort matters out. (So much for Siobhán's well-deserved rest.) When Macdara and Siobhán arrive at Ballysiogdun, they're affronted by a crowd demanding the bulldozing of the cottage in which his aunt and cousin reside. The cottage had been erected between two fairy rings on the edge of town. The superstitious townsfolk believe that the "Good Folk" (fairies) have shown their displeasure by causing the deaths of the cottage's residents and the townsfolk now want the building razed and the curse on their village lifted. When Siobhán and Macdara finally make it to the cottage, they find Jane unsettled, the front window smashed and a corpse in the cottage. Even though, they have no jurisdiction in this village, you can bet that they'll get to the bottom of this mystery. It does involve family, after all.
This fifth book of the Irish Village Mystery series, is a charming cozy mystery, set in and drawing upon the rich cultural folk heritage of Ireland. Author Carlene O'Connor has done her folk tale research well and carefully incorporated it into this delightful story. The writing flows well; the dialogue is at times amusing yet also endearing; and the characters are well developed -each with their own demons and virtues. The best character of them all is that of Siobhán. She's bright, intelligent, plucky, caring and highly intuitive. Nothing gets past her. There are also a fair number of red herrings planted throughout. It's a well spun yarn which all comes to a satisfying conclusion. It's definitely among the better cozies I've read.
Although this fifth book in series can stand on its own, the series is perhaps best enjoyed starting from the beginning as each book builds upon the last. If you enjoy a good cozy mystery, then this is a series which I commend to you. It's an excellent palate cleanser after heavy reading yet it still has meat on its bones and brings "edutainment" to the reader.
I am grateful to author Carlene O'Connor and her publisher Kensington Books for having provided a free e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Synopsis (from publisher's website):
In a remote—and superstitious—village in County Cork, Ireland, Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan must solve a murder where the prime suspects are fairies...
Family is everything to Siobhán: her five siblings; her dear departed mother for whom the family business, Naomi's Bistro, is named; and now her fiancé, Macdara Flannery. So precious is her engagement that Siobhán wants to keep it just between the two of them for a little longer.
But Macdara is her family, which is why when his cousin Jane frantically calls for his help, Siobhán is at his side as the two garda rush from Kilbane to the rural village where Jane and her mother have recently moved. Unfortunately, tragedy awaits them. They find Jane, who is blind, outside the cottage, in a state. Inside, Aunt Ellen lies on her bed in a fancy red dress, no longer breathing. A pillow on the floor and a nearby teacup suggest the mode of death to their trained eyes: the woman has been poisoned and smothered. Someone wanted to make sure she was dead. But who?
Devout believers in Irish folklore, the villagers insist the cottage is cursed—built on a fairy path. It turns out Ellen Delaney was not the first to die mysteriously in this cottage. Although the townsfolk blame malevolent fairies, Siobhán and Macdara must follow the path of a murderer all too human—but just as evil . . .
February 11, 2020
Series: Irish Village Mystery #5
Publication Date: 2/25/2020
Number of Pages: 304
** 4.5 Stars Rounded Up **
I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent addition to the Irish Village Mystery series. In this series, we have watched Siobhan (shi-vawn) O’Sullivan grow from a harried caregiver for her five siblings after they were orphaned to a confident garda (police). She’s now engaged to fellow garda Macdara Flannery and the O’Sullivan Six, as they are known in their village of Kilbane, are finally settling and coming into their own. This book is well-written, well-paced and the mystery will keep you guessing right until the last.
Siobahn is on her summer leave and is looking forward to spending time with her siblings when her fiancée arrives at her bistro, Naomi’s, and asks her to accompany him to Ballysiogdun. He received a frantic call from his cousin, Jane, who wouldn’t tell him what was wrong – she only said he had to get there. When they arrive, it is to discover Macdara’s aunt dead in her cottage and Jane, who is blind, standing stoically in the front. Macdara and Siobhan quickly determine that it is murder. Since they probably won’t be able to officially work the case, they quickly take pictures of the scene and the inside of the cottage.
It seems that almost everyone in the village should be a suspect because neither Macdara’s aunt Ellen nor her daughter Jane is liked at all. You can’t find anyone who has a good word to say about them and several had a true dislike for them. Where can they begin when the case has been assigned to a sergeant from Cork and he doesn’t want their involvement?
In a village that is very insular, where most are holding secrets, and all believe in the Good People (fairies) it is almost impossible to get anyone to tell what they know. Working around the official garda investigation and managing to ferret out the information they need to solve the case is almost impossible. Siobhan is like a dog with a bone and just won’t let it go. She’s determined to find the real murderer and not let an innocent person be blamed just because they are an easy solution.
This was a great mystery with infidelity, fairies, greed, and malice aplenty. I’m not sure there was a good person in that entire village. The villain will surprise you and you’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire time you are reading.
You’ll love your visit to lush, green, beautiful Ireland and all of their lore. It is a fun read and a delight to watch Macdara and Siobhan progress in their relationship. I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 2/25/2020
Number of Pages: 304
** 4.5 Stars Rounded Up **
I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent addition to the Irish Village Mystery series. In this series, we have watched Siobhan (shi-vawn) O’Sullivan grow from a harried caregiver for her five siblings after they were orphaned to a confident garda (police). She’s now engaged to fellow garda Macdara Flannery and the O’Sullivan Six, as they are known in their village of Kilbane, are finally settling and coming into their own. This book is well-written, well-paced and the mystery will keep you guessing right until the last.
Siobahn is on her summer leave and is looking forward to spending time with her siblings when her fiancée arrives at her bistro, Naomi’s, and asks her to accompany him to Ballysiogdun. He received a frantic call from his cousin, Jane, who wouldn’t tell him what was wrong – she only said he had to get there. When they arrive, it is to discover Macdara’s aunt dead in her cottage and Jane, who is blind, standing stoically in the front. Macdara and Siobhan quickly determine that it is murder. Since they probably won’t be able to officially work the case, they quickly take pictures of the scene and the inside of the cottage.
It seems that almost everyone in the village should be a suspect because neither Macdara’s aunt Ellen nor her daughter Jane is liked at all. You can’t find anyone who has a good word to say about them and several had a true dislike for them. Where can they begin when the case has been assigned to a sergeant from Cork and he doesn’t want their involvement?
In a village that is very insular, where most are holding secrets, and all believe in the Good People (fairies) it is almost impossible to get anyone to tell what they know. Working around the official garda investigation and managing to ferret out the information they need to solve the case is almost impossible. Siobhan is like a dog with a bone and just won’t let it go. She’s determined to find the real murderer and not let an innocent person be blamed just because they are an easy solution.
This was a great mystery with infidelity, fairies, greed, and malice aplenty. I’m not sure there was a good person in that entire village. The villain will surprise you and you’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire time you are reading.
You’ll love your visit to lush, green, beautiful Ireland and all of their lore. It is a fun read and a delight to watch Macdara and Siobhan progress in their relationship. I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 31, 2020
I absolutely adore this cozy mystery series and once again I was thoroughly delighted by this book! Siobhan is character that you can really get behind and cheer for. She took her amateur sleuth status and moved it to professional by going to school and becoming a garda (police officer) so she could solve the mysteries that she discovers. This one hits a bit close to home as her beau's cousin looks like she might just be guilty of murdering her mom so Siobhan and her inquisitive crew of siblings stick their noses into the case! Excellent characters, fantastic plot and great interpersonal relationships to really make this an delightfully entertaining read or listen if you desire as it is also available in audio.
March 11, 2021
Found a Great New Mystery Series
I won this book on Goodreads. So I started with this book instead of book one of the series and it was no problem so you can read them as stand alone books if you want. I plan to read the rest in order so I can follow the great characters a bit better. And they are interesting characters! I love that this mystery was set in Ireland making it fun for me as I would like to visit there someday.
I won this book on Goodreads. So I started with this book instead of book one of the series and it was no problem so you can read them as stand alone books if you want. I plan to read the rest in order so I can follow the great characters a bit better. And they are interesting characters! I love that this mystery was set in Ireland making it fun for me as I would like to visit there someday.
March 28, 2025
My favorite in the series so far!
March 8, 2020
Murder in an Irish Cottage is the 5th instalment in the Irish Village Mysteries by Carlene O'Connor.
In a remote—and superstitious—village in County Cork, Ireland, Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan must solve a murder where the prime suspects are fairies . . .
Family is everything to Siobhán: her five siblings; her dear departed mother for whom the family business, Naomi's Bistro, is named; and now her fiancé, Macdara Flannery. So precious is her engagement that Siobhán wants to keep it just between the two of them for a little longer.
But Macdara is her family, which is why when his cousin Jane frantically calls for his help, Siobhán is at his side as the two garda rush from Kilbane to the rural village where Jane and her mother have recently moved. Unfortunately, tragedy awaits them. They find Jane, who is blind, outside the cottage, in a state. Inside, Aunt Ellen lies on her bed in a fancy red dress, no longer breathing. A pillow on the floor and a nearby teacup suggest the mode of death to their trained eyes: the woman has been poisoned and smothered. Someone wanted to make sure she was dead. But who?
Devout believers in Irish folklore, the villagers insist the cottage is cursed—built on a fairy path. It turns out Ellen Delaney was not the first to die mysteriously in this cottage. Although the townsfolk blame malevolent fairies, Siobhán and Macdara must follow the path of a murderer all too human—but just as evil . . .
I really enjoy books set in Ireland and this doesn’t disappoint with the setting and descriptions drawing you in (making you want to fly off to the Emerald Isle). The story was well written and I really liked the main character, Siobhán. She's smart, easy to relate to, and I enjoyed getting to know her and her siblings along with Dara and his family.
The mystery was entertaining with all the fairy lore and full of twists, turns and red herrings galore that I found I couldn’t put it down.
I highly recommend this series to all my friends who love cozies set in Ireland.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In a remote—and superstitious—village in County Cork, Ireland, Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan must solve a murder where the prime suspects are fairies . . .
Family is everything to Siobhán: her five siblings; her dear departed mother for whom the family business, Naomi's Bistro, is named; and now her fiancé, Macdara Flannery. So precious is her engagement that Siobhán wants to keep it just between the two of them for a little longer.
But Macdara is her family, which is why when his cousin Jane frantically calls for his help, Siobhán is at his side as the two garda rush from Kilbane to the rural village where Jane and her mother have recently moved. Unfortunately, tragedy awaits them. They find Jane, who is blind, outside the cottage, in a state. Inside, Aunt Ellen lies on her bed in a fancy red dress, no longer breathing. A pillow on the floor and a nearby teacup suggest the mode of death to their trained eyes: the woman has been poisoned and smothered. Someone wanted to make sure she was dead. But who?
Devout believers in Irish folklore, the villagers insist the cottage is cursed—built on a fairy path. It turns out Ellen Delaney was not the first to die mysteriously in this cottage. Although the townsfolk blame malevolent fairies, Siobhán and Macdara must follow the path of a murderer all too human—but just as evil . . .
I really enjoy books set in Ireland and this doesn’t disappoint with the setting and descriptions drawing you in (making you want to fly off to the Emerald Isle). The story was well written and I really liked the main character, Siobhán. She's smart, easy to relate to, and I enjoyed getting to know her and her siblings along with Dara and his family.
The mystery was entertaining with all the fairy lore and full of twists, turns and red herrings galore that I found I couldn’t put it down.
I highly recommend this series to all my friends who love cozies set in Ireland.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 14, 2020
This is the fifth book in the Irish Village Mystery series and I can say that I have enjoyed each one of them. Ms. O'Connor has done a wonderful job of creating the O'Sullivan siblings, led by Siobhan, who as readers will recall is now Garda O'Sullivan. This is a family of siblings that are well crafted, diverse and characters that readers can come to care about. Siobhan and Dara's romance is progressing, albeit slowly, but for me that is okay. I don't particularly want the romance in a cozy to overshadow the mystery. In this installment, Dara is called by his cousin in a panic and when he and Siobhan arrive at her home they discover his aunt has been murdered. While the murder occurs outside their jurisdiction, fans of this series know that that will not stop Siobhan.
I enjoyed the mystery. It is woven together with Irish folklore and legends about fairies and their ways. It was also interesting because as the story unfolded, Dara's aunt Ellen becomes less of a sympathetic victim. However, by that point, I was hooked and wanted to unravel the riddles and follow the clues to uncover the identity of the victim. O'Connor does a nice job of distracting readers with irrelevant clues and tidbits and succeeded in misdirecting this reader. That said, I always love it when I can't figure out the killer's identity, or at least if I do not until the end.
This is a fun series for me. It has a cast of extremely likable characters in the O'Sullivan siblings and it is set in a quaint Irish village. The mysteries are engaging and make me think in a good way. I will definitely be back for more of this series.
I read a digital ARC of this book which was provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley. This book is scheduled for release at the end of February.
I enjoyed the mystery. It is woven together with Irish folklore and legends about fairies and their ways. It was also interesting because as the story unfolded, Dara's aunt Ellen becomes less of a sympathetic victim. However, by that point, I was hooked and wanted to unravel the riddles and follow the clues to uncover the identity of the victim. O'Connor does a nice job of distracting readers with irrelevant clues and tidbits and succeeded in misdirecting this reader. That said, I always love it when I can't figure out the killer's identity, or at least if I do not until the end.
This is a fun series for me. It has a cast of extremely likable characters in the O'Sullivan siblings and it is set in a quaint Irish village. The mysteries are engaging and make me think in a good way. I will definitely be back for more of this series.
I read a digital ARC of this book which was provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley. This book is scheduled for release at the end of February.
July 28, 2022
4 stelle e mezza
Questa serie mi piace, ma questo libro mi ha convinto meno dei precedenti. Non so se è successo perché nessuno dei personaggi coinvolti nel mistero ha attirato le mie simpatie o perché la storia mi ha preso meno del solito. Per quanto riguarda il colpevole fino a un certo punto non sapevo che pesci prendere, ma quando la protagonista ha visto dei quadri ho capito chi fosse l'assassino, sebbene restassero delle cose da chiarire.
Questa serie mi piace, ma questo libro mi ha convinto meno dei precedenti. Non so se è successo perché nessuno dei personaggi coinvolti nel mistero ha attirato le mie simpatie o perché la storia mi ha preso meno del solito. Per quanto riguarda il colpevole fino a un certo punto non sapevo che pesci prendere, ma quando la protagonista ha visto dei quadri ho capito chi fosse l'assassino, sebbene restassero delle cose da chiarire.
March 24, 2024
I loved this one. What a strange little town full of strange people. This series is great for a somewhat cozy mystery, it has a little more to it than a typical cozy though. A fun break from my normal reads.
November 23, 2021
This was my first O'Connor mystery and my first Irish Village Mystery. I wasn't lost, and was able to jump right into the story and the characters, and pick up and enjoy the mystery right away. This novel was supposed to heavily feature the involvement of fairy folk, and it really didn't. There were rumors and fairy rings and a few myths, but that was the extent of it. I don't really feel like the setting was very well described, and it really could have taken place anywhere. This has more of a small-town mystery feel, where everyone knows everyone else's business and there are very few secrets. The mystery itself was sufficiently convoluted to the point where as an outsider, it would be very hard to guess who the killer was- but if you were a part of the community and knew all the secrets and who was seeing who, you'd probably figure it out in at least half the time. What really got me here was I didn't like any of the characters. Jane was nasty and combative. Nancy was condescending. MacDara was a submissive wimp, and Siobhan a judgmental control freak. Siobhan's family was beyond needy and they were a big part of the reason she wasn't ready to announce her engagement to MacDara or get married anytime soon- which also rubbed me the wrong way. I don't believe I'll be continuing with this series. It was fine, the mystery was ok, but the characters made it not enjoyable for me.
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May 20, 2022I actually mistook this series for another Irish one written by another author (Carola Dunn) and though I liked the story of the main characters in this one, I’m not interested enough to want to continue with the series.
I didn’t appreciate the fairy aspect to this story, nor the nasty ex-teacher who was murdered.
The romance between the two main characters does not overshadow the story and the author keeps the bedroom door shut. Siobhán as the oldest sibling stepped up to become the surrogate parent for her siblings, and is doing a good job – there is a deep sense of maintaining a close knit family in this book, I love that.
I didn’t appreciate the fairy aspect to this story, nor the nasty ex-teacher who was murdered.
The romance between the two main characters does not overshadow the story and the author keeps the bedroom door shut. Siobhán as the oldest sibling stepped up to become the surrogate parent for her siblings, and is doing a good job – there is a deep sense of maintaining a close knit family in this book, I love that.
May 20, 2021
I have really enjoyed this series. I love the mystery, the humor, the characters, and the descriptions of Ireland. And I especially appreciate hearing it read to me by Caroline Lennon. Hearing the Irish words and phrases in the Irish brogue makes it so much more enjoyable. I always "read" the audio version of this series.
March 7, 2020
Book 5 has the reader thoroughly enthralled with all things fairies--the little people themselves, fairy rings, fairy trees, and all the lore, fables, tales, and ballyhoo that goes with those unique legends in the Emerald Isle.
Siobhan O'Sullivan is now Garda O'Sullivan, engaged to fellow Garda Macdara Flannery (Dara). Siobhan (shi-vawn) has been part of the O'Sullivan Six managing Naomi's Bistro since the death of their parents. Looking forward to some private time with Dara, however, is interrupted when he informs her plans have changed as he got an urgent call from his cousin Jane in Ballysiogdun regarding his aunt. Jane, although blind, discovered her mother deceased, obviously not a natural death.
Having no shortages of people who actively disliked his aunt Ellen, it appears the local garda wants to zero in on Jane being the most obvious as she won't produce evidence of her whereabouts. In this tiny but quaint, quintessential Irish village, the superstitions run rampant. It's not the first time this cottage has been the location of mysterious deaths--all attributed to it's being in a fairy path between two fairy rings. So much shared folklore here, fascinating history dating centuries, and attributable supernatural events.
The author has a beautiful writing style invoking unusual descriptions with an easy swing into the clue that naturally leads to the next revelation. There is enough here to delight most cozy readers: a great mystery, a touch of romance, family relationships, intelligent dialogue. The well-plotted storyline slips into a conclusion that neatly satisfies the loose threads. While I suspected the perp (and was correct), there was more to the ending and, in the meantime, provided a delightful literary romp.
I received this digital ebook download from the publisher through NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. A series I look forward to giving me the Irish experience albeit vicariously. Looking forward to Book 6. Totally recommended.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...
Siobhan O'Sullivan is now Garda O'Sullivan, engaged to fellow Garda Macdara Flannery (Dara). Siobhan (shi-vawn) has been part of the O'Sullivan Six managing Naomi's Bistro since the death of their parents. Looking forward to some private time with Dara, however, is interrupted when he informs her plans have changed as he got an urgent call from his cousin Jane in Ballysiogdun regarding his aunt. Jane, although blind, discovered her mother deceased, obviously not a natural death.
Having no shortages of people who actively disliked his aunt Ellen, it appears the local garda wants to zero in on Jane being the most obvious as she won't produce evidence of her whereabouts. In this tiny but quaint, quintessential Irish village, the superstitions run rampant. It's not the first time this cottage has been the location of mysterious deaths--all attributed to it's being in a fairy path between two fairy rings. So much shared folklore here, fascinating history dating centuries, and attributable supernatural events.
The author has a beautiful writing style invoking unusual descriptions with an easy swing into the clue that naturally leads to the next revelation. There is enough here to delight most cozy readers: a great mystery, a touch of romance, family relationships, intelligent dialogue. The well-plotted storyline slips into a conclusion that neatly satisfies the loose threads. While I suspected the perp (and was correct), there was more to the ending and, in the meantime, provided a delightful literary romp.
I received this digital ebook download from the publisher through NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. A series I look forward to giving me the Irish experience albeit vicariously. Looking forward to Book 6. Totally recommended.
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...
March 22, 2020
This is the 5th in one of my favorite series. Here, Siobhan's fiance Macdara has received a frantic phone call from his cousin Jane, because she has found her mother dead.
Jane and her mother lived in a cottage that has been built on a fairy path between two fairy trees, each circled by a fairy ring. The last 5 inhabitants of the cottage have died, and the local villagers believe it is cursed and want it bulldozed.
I enjoyed reading about the Irish folklore, and visiting again with the O'Sullivan's.
Even though Siobhan and Macdara are members of the local Garda (police), they do not have jurisdiction in this case, but it is a family member, even though they weren't close, so of course they do their own investigating.
A couple of things puzzled me, such as discoveries that should have been made sooner than they were, but it was a good mystery. I caught some of the clues, but I didn't guess the killer.
I wouldn't recommend starting the series with this book. This series is probably best read in order, starting with Murder in an Irish Village.
Jane and her mother lived in a cottage that has been built on a fairy path between two fairy trees, each circled by a fairy ring. The last 5 inhabitants of the cottage have died, and the local villagers believe it is cursed and want it bulldozed.
I enjoyed reading about the Irish folklore, and visiting again with the O'Sullivan's.
Even though Siobhan and Macdara are members of the local Garda (police), they do not have jurisdiction in this case, but it is a family member, even though they weren't close, so of course they do their own investigating.
A couple of things puzzled me, such as discoveries that should have been made sooner than they were, but it was a good mystery. I caught some of the clues, but I didn't guess the killer.
I wouldn't recommend starting the series with this book. This series is probably best read in order, starting with Murder in an Irish Village.
June 24, 2020
So far I've read all of the books published in this series. I've loved every single one of them. They are a great cozy murder mystery series. I have fallen in love with the characters and the story line and I feel like I know everyone in the story on a deeper level.
Carlene has a way with words and descriptions that just make you fall in love with Ireland. Even though these books deal with murder in Ireland I still want to visit thanks to her very detailed descriptions.
I will definitely read more books in this series when they are published and I will be checking out some more of Carlene O'Connor's work.
Carlene has a way with words and descriptions that just make you fall in love with Ireland. Even though these books deal with murder in Ireland I still want to visit thanks to her very detailed descriptions.
I will definitely read more books in this series when they are published and I will be checking out some more of Carlene O'Connor's work.
April 24, 2020
I loved returning to Ireland with Siobhan, Dara, and the O'Sullivan Six. This one was full of the legends and folklore of Ireland and plenty of twists and turns. This is one of the better "cozy" mystery series out there. It feels like so much more. It always makes me so happy to be back in this world!
July 10, 2023
still hate jane though
April 3, 2021
This is truly a very enjoyable cozy series with this mystery being book #5 in the series. This story invokes Irish folklore concerning fairies and fairy rings with a treasure hunt for a pot of gold to add to the intrigue along with a whole village of deception and secrets. My thanks to Goodreads for winning this book in their Giveaway.
January 31, 2026
This one felt a bit darker and creepier than the others in the series, because of the fairies aspect at the beginning. (It had me spooked anyway! 😂🤷🏻♀️)
This cozy mystery series is really well-written! The characters feel like real people and the stories flow organically. I honestly have been left guessing who the culprit is and how the plot will unfold until the very end!
This cozy mystery series is really well-written! The characters feel like real people and the stories flow organically. I honestly have been left guessing who the culprit is and how the plot will unfold until the very end!
January 13, 2023
Another lovely cozy mystery
What a great read, especially if you are tired of the Romance formula, but don't want the violent police procedural. Ms. O'Connor leaves enough bread crumbs throughout the story to lead to the logical conclusion but inserts enough red herrings to keep the reader in doubt. A fun and enjoyable book.
What a great read, especially if you are tired of the Romance formula, but don't want the violent police procedural. Ms. O'Connor leaves enough bread crumbs throughout the story to lead to the logical conclusion but inserts enough red herrings to keep the reader in doubt. A fun and enjoyable book.
July 7, 2025
Comfortable and consistent murder-mystery. A perfect book 5.
July 30, 2019
I read an advance copy of Irish Cottage. Get this. There's this remote Irish village inhabited by these weird folks who believe in fairies, and not the harmless Disney kind, but the kind that get really upset when you cross their fairy path or build your house on one. By the end, O'Connor even had me believing in them too. Maybe I was a little creeped out, checking over my shoulder, overly concerned about my own property line and whether fairies travel internationally. I won't say. Who knew about fairy paths? The O'Sullivan clan returns, the Macdara and Siobhan love match progresses (not fast enough to suit me, but that's a personal thing), and devilish clues abound confounding everyone, except our eagle-eyed protagonist Siobhan O'Sullivan. I love the books. I love the O'Sullivans. I'm waiting anxiously for the next installment. Just hoping there are no leprechauns in that one. Those guys really scare the bejeesuz out of me.
February 25, 2020
Murder in an Irish Cottage earns 5/5 Fairy Paths...Engaging Cozy!
The fairies did it! Charlene O’Connor once again has penned a marvelous, entertaining cozy mystery set on the Emerald Isle. Siobhán O’Sullivan is looking forward to a break from her garda duties, but obligations with family and the family’s bistro won’t make it much of a vacation. However, her fiancé Macdara Flannery has received a frantic call from his cousin. The two rush to the remote village of Ballysiogdun only to find his aunt murdered and his cousin, who is blind, standing nearby. They’re out of jurisdiction, but that doesn’t stop them from taking crime scene photos, gathering clues, and unofficially asking questions, but answers don’t come easy. The victim had her own issues, there seemed no love lost between the victim and the villagers, and sergeant in charge does not want their assistance. But of course, it doesn’t stop Siobhán. Greed. Infidelity. Malice. Murder. Fairies. Brilliant!
O’Connor’s writing style is entertaining, and I’m an eager fan of this Irish Village Mystery series. This fifth book may be my favorite. Using a third-person narrative to create the marvelous lush setting and likable, solemn, and suspicious characters with descriptive language and varies personalities and tone through expressive dialogue kept me entertained and totally engaged. Incorporating fascinating Irish folklore and legends about the fairies was unique and sent me exploring outside sources for more information. Lots of misdirection, twists, and dead ends challenged my ability to figure out the mystery, but the reveal, murderer, and motive made a satisfying conclusion. Siobhán and Dara continue their romance, slowly, but they do work well as a team. I loved it! No bonuses included in this cozy. No recipes sharing Irish cuisine or additional information on the folklore used in the mystery. However, it didn’t effect my total enjoyment!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
The fairies did it! Charlene O’Connor once again has penned a marvelous, entertaining cozy mystery set on the Emerald Isle. Siobhán O’Sullivan is looking forward to a break from her garda duties, but obligations with family and the family’s bistro won’t make it much of a vacation. However, her fiancé Macdara Flannery has received a frantic call from his cousin. The two rush to the remote village of Ballysiogdun only to find his aunt murdered and his cousin, who is blind, standing nearby. They’re out of jurisdiction, but that doesn’t stop them from taking crime scene photos, gathering clues, and unofficially asking questions, but answers don’t come easy. The victim had her own issues, there seemed no love lost between the victim and the villagers, and sergeant in charge does not want their assistance. But of course, it doesn’t stop Siobhán. Greed. Infidelity. Malice. Murder. Fairies. Brilliant!
O’Connor’s writing style is entertaining, and I’m an eager fan of this Irish Village Mystery series. This fifth book may be my favorite. Using a third-person narrative to create the marvelous lush setting and likable, solemn, and suspicious characters with descriptive language and varies personalities and tone through expressive dialogue kept me entertained and totally engaged. Incorporating fascinating Irish folklore and legends about the fairies was unique and sent me exploring outside sources for more information. Lots of misdirection, twists, and dead ends challenged my ability to figure out the mystery, but the reveal, murderer, and motive made a satisfying conclusion. Siobhán and Dara continue their romance, slowly, but they do work well as a team. I loved it! No bonuses included in this cozy. No recipes sharing Irish cuisine or additional information on the folklore used in the mystery. However, it didn’t effect my total enjoyment!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
March 31, 2023
This book is about 100 or so pages too long. I only stuck with it because it is a mystery and there might be a big pay off in the end…there was not. I wasted 9 plus hours on this book. Do not make the same mistake that I did!
March 29, 2022
Again far too many suspects and twists and turns,makes this a tiresome chore to read! This is the last in this series,that I will waste my time with.
May 16, 2022
This mystery was not what I expected. I didn’t like it. By the end, I didn’t even care who the killer was or wasn’t.
March 11, 2021
Murder in an Irish Cottage is the 5th book in the Irish Village Mystery and I am still enjoying this series. Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan is the oldest of 6 siblings and took over raising them when their parents were killed. There is a lot that has happened since the first book, so I do recommend that you read them in order, but if you want to start with this one, the mystery is self-contained. Siobhán has just started her much deserved 10-day vacation. Siobhán and her secret fiance, Macdara Flannery (Dara) also a Garda, end up in a small village where his aunt and cousin live. She calls with an emergency, so they all, including Siobhán's siblings, head off. When they arrive they find that Dara's aunt is dead and his cousin is the prime suspect, that is if you ignore the locals who are adamant that it is the fairies.
With this series set in Ireland, I was not surprised to find a book that is full of superstition and the belief that the cottage is cursed and that the fairies are angry. Of course Siobhán and Macdara follow the clues to prove that it was a human that was responsible, and it wasn't Susan. There are many suspects, clues and red herrings to sort out and even some misdirection. The mystery is well-written and drives the story. I really enjoy Siobhán's character and how much she has grown since the first book. She is one smart cookie and is able to put things together. Her skills of deduction would make Sherlock Holmes proud. Of course they are not the official investigators, but are able to ferret out information and assist the local Garda in sorting this one out. I did not know who the culprit was, nor the motivation until just before the reveal, but it was a good ending and fit the story well. If you are looking for a light story set in the beautiful countryside of Ireland with some Irish lore included, then this mystery is for you.
With this series set in Ireland, I was not surprised to find a book that is full of superstition and the belief that the cottage is cursed and that the fairies are angry. Of course Siobhán and Macdara follow the clues to prove that it was a human that was responsible, and it wasn't Susan. There are many suspects, clues and red herrings to sort out and even some misdirection. The mystery is well-written and drives the story. I really enjoy Siobhán's character and how much she has grown since the first book. She is one smart cookie and is able to put things together. Her skills of deduction would make Sherlock Holmes proud. Of course they are not the official investigators, but are able to ferret out information and assist the local Garda in sorting this one out. I did not know who the culprit was, nor the motivation until just before the reveal, but it was a good ending and fit the story well. If you are looking for a light story set in the beautiful countryside of Ireland with some Irish lore included, then this mystery is for you.
May 14, 2022
I am not usually a fan of cozy mysteries but I do like this series with the lively O'Sullivan brood and Siobhan O'Sullivan who is now in the garda and busy solving murders. You have to overlook some details, like the fact that she usually oversteps the bounds of her position and in this case, has no jurisdiction. But she is a force of nature and can't be stopped when she is following clues. I especially love the Audible versions because the narrator gives the story the Irish authenticity. Like most British cozies, the book is rich with lots of colorful characters who all seem to have a motive for murder. I was a little lost in the first chapters because it mentions lots of people who have not been introduced yet and it was confusing. But after the first bit the story settles in to one of Ms. O'Connor's delightful and complicated plots. This book was especially fun because it involved fairies, fairy circles, fairy trees and buried treasure and a blind woman. All fun. And since it involves relatives of Siobhan's fiancé, he has to reluctantly take a back seat. There is even jealousy and more progress on the upcoming nuptials (well not much progress).
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