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Tipperary Carriage Company #1
A Fatal New Year
This is book 1 in the Tipperary Carriage Company Mystery series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author J A Whiting and Nell McCarthy.
Mae Monahan owns a horse-drawn carriage service and on New Year’s Eve, she’s out for her very first night of business. Everything is going smoothly until the end of the night when she finds a dead man on the floor of her carriage.
Who could have done this? Was it his friends, drunk and rowdy as Mae drove them back to their hotel? Or could it have been the sorority girl who seemed to be expecting the man at one of the carriage stops?
With the help of her friend, Ross, the stable owner and retired lawman from Texas, and her big grey horse called Steel, Mae is determined to find out who is responsible for the death, but she soon learns that some people are equally determined to make sure she never does.
Mae Monahan owns a horse-drawn carriage service and on New Year’s Eve, she’s out for her very first night of business. Everything is going smoothly until the end of the night when she finds a dead man on the floor of her carriage.
Who could have done this? Was it his friends, drunk and rowdy as Mae drove them back to their hotel? Or could it have been the sorority girl who seemed to be expecting the man at one of the carriage stops?
With the help of her friend, Ross, the stable owner and retired lawman from Texas, and her big grey horse called Steel, Mae is determined to find out who is responsible for the death, but she soon learns that some people are equally determined to make sure she never does.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2020
411 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Whiting
174 books322 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author and Amazon All Star, J A Whiting is the author of over 100 cozy mysteries. She lives with her family in Massachusetts. Whiting loves spending time with family, reading, traveling, cycling, following New England sports teams, exercising, and being outdoors.
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
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For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 5, 2022
Very horsey, not very mysterious. The whole middle section was the protagonist taking care of her horse and new business, calling the police periodically to see if they'd made any progress on the murder. All the investigation appears off the page, and is re-told either by other characters or in flashback. This is a short story's worth of mystery folded into a horse story, except the horse story has no plot. All the conflict is external, the protagonist and her horse are hardly involved at all until the very end.
Meh. I love a horse story as much as the next girl, but I need a little more depth of character or active plot. Or both! Won't be carrying on with this series.
Meh. I love a horse story as much as the next girl, but I need a little more depth of character or active plot. Or both! Won't be carrying on with this series.
January 1, 2025
This started off as a cute New Year's story and sounded perfect to bring in 2025 with. It became a bit farfetched (which i'm fine with, to a point, in cozies) when the police kept giving out So much info to the main character, Constantly wanting to make sure she was updated on all the things lol
The plot then went legit Off the charts. Im sorry but it was Way OTT for me.
The plot then went legit Off the charts. Im sorry but it was Way OTT for me.
December 11, 2021
Siobhan Maeve O'Neill Monahan had always wanted to have a horse carriage business. Her husband, Kevin had died in a car accident and her two sons were now in college so it was a perfect time. The year before her Grandfather had passed and knowing her dream, he left her enough to start a business. She named it Tipperary Carriage and imported four extra-warm wool lap robes from Ireland with the company name on them. She lucked out to find a Percheron that had been a carriage horse in New York City until the company closed down. Her very first job was transporting visitors between the Columbus Convention Center to and from the Santa Maria Hotel.
On the first trip were five businessmen and they were well pleased with their half-hour ride to the convention Center and gave her a nice tip. Next were seven sorority women from Alpha Gran at Ohio State. They were feeling no pain and wanted to know how Mae got into this business. Especially a woman named Suzie, asked if she could take some of the business cards. The following month the Sorority was having a charity event and she knew they would love to ride in the carriage with Steel pulling them. Mae chatted with the women until she dropped them off at the hotel.
Ross Goodnight owned a small stable where he housed horse trailers and boarded the horses had driven the truck with the horse trailer containing the carriage to the convention center with Mae. But, he stayed at the hotel to assist Mae with her customers and assist with food and water for the horse. He informed her there was a large party that had called and was waiting for her at the Convention center. They cleaned out the carriage and Ross informed her Troika was the party's name.
Mae returned to the convention center to find the group of men waiting for her. They quickly climbed in and shut the carriage door. Mae tried to start a conservation with them but they too were feeling no pain. They were standing up, waving their arms, singing in what sounded like Russian and rough housing around. The only person she was able to talk to was a lad by the name of Ivan who told her yes, they were from Russia. Their parents had sent them to Ohio University to get an education and to help them mature away from home and family. When she pulled up to the hotel the men quickly exited the carriage after passing money to her. This is when she noticed the sorority girl Suzie asking Ivan where Peter was. He informed her Peter had left the party with a girl. Suzie was stricken, she said she had his coat and he told her he would meet her at the hotel Ivan hurried her into the hotel explaining they would call Peter from there. Mae told Ross this had been the last fare of the night, to climb up and they would both ride to the convention center where the horse trailer was stored. Ross went into the carriage and stood looking down. He told Mae one of her customers had not left, he was laying behind the driver's seat dead, to call the police.
The police proceeded to seal off the area and impounded the carriage. Questioned both Ross and her and then allowed them to return to the trailer with Steel. The next day Mae had to appear at police headquarters to make a report and she was told they had sent the body to the morgue for an autopsy.
It was discovered Peter had been in a fight at the center and he and the group of men had been removed into the parking lot and banned from returning. The autopsy revealed Peter had a large quantity of liquor, several minor internal injuries and a concussion but he died of hypothermia.
Suzie met Mae at the stable the following day and returned the lap robe Ivan had removed from her carriage with his blood on it. They both went to the police and Suzie explained Peter and his family were trying to separate from the Russian Mafia and Ivan was always observing Peter closely. Suzie stated they had been seeing each other but secretly so no one would know and Peter could keep her safe from Ivan's gang. The police informed them Ivans' group was nowhere to be found. They appeared to have left the country.
Mae had another sorority event to attend the following weekend and everything went fine and everyone had a great time. But, after three hours of back and forth trips Mae and Steel were more than ready to return to the trailer and the stables. The sorority matron requested if Mae could take one more trip along the river with a couple for a romantic drive. Things had gone so well she agreed. The couple got into the carriage and Mae proceeded to the lake route. As she turned to introduce herself to the couple and looked back into the carriage she had the shattering thought "It was awful when a nightmare suddenly became all too real, right in the middle of a bright sunny winter day? Ivan had Suzie squeezed against his body, not allowing her to move with a revolver against her side compressed against the carriage seat.
On the first trip were five businessmen and they were well pleased with their half-hour ride to the convention Center and gave her a nice tip. Next were seven sorority women from Alpha Gran at Ohio State. They were feeling no pain and wanted to know how Mae got into this business. Especially a woman named Suzie, asked if she could take some of the business cards. The following month the Sorority was having a charity event and she knew they would love to ride in the carriage with Steel pulling them. Mae chatted with the women until she dropped them off at the hotel.
Ross Goodnight owned a small stable where he housed horse trailers and boarded the horses had driven the truck with the horse trailer containing the carriage to the convention center with Mae. But, he stayed at the hotel to assist Mae with her customers and assist with food and water for the horse. He informed her there was a large party that had called and was waiting for her at the Convention center. They cleaned out the carriage and Ross informed her Troika was the party's name.
Mae returned to the convention center to find the group of men waiting for her. They quickly climbed in and shut the carriage door. Mae tried to start a conservation with them but they too were feeling no pain. They were standing up, waving their arms, singing in what sounded like Russian and rough housing around. The only person she was able to talk to was a lad by the name of Ivan who told her yes, they were from Russia. Their parents had sent them to Ohio University to get an education and to help them mature away from home and family. When she pulled up to the hotel the men quickly exited the carriage after passing money to her. This is when she noticed the sorority girl Suzie asking Ivan where Peter was. He informed her Peter had left the party with a girl. Suzie was stricken, she said she had his coat and he told her he would meet her at the hotel Ivan hurried her into the hotel explaining they would call Peter from there. Mae told Ross this had been the last fare of the night, to climb up and they would both ride to the convention center where the horse trailer was stored. Ross went into the carriage and stood looking down. He told Mae one of her customers had not left, he was laying behind the driver's seat dead, to call the police.
The police proceeded to seal off the area and impounded the carriage. Questioned both Ross and her and then allowed them to return to the trailer with Steel. The next day Mae had to appear at police headquarters to make a report and she was told they had sent the body to the morgue for an autopsy.
It was discovered Peter had been in a fight at the center and he and the group of men had been removed into the parking lot and banned from returning. The autopsy revealed Peter had a large quantity of liquor, several minor internal injuries and a concussion but he died of hypothermia.
Suzie met Mae at the stable the following day and returned the lap robe Ivan had removed from her carriage with his blood on it. They both went to the police and Suzie explained Peter and his family were trying to separate from the Russian Mafia and Ivan was always observing Peter closely. Suzie stated they had been seeing each other but secretly so no one would know and Peter could keep her safe from Ivan's gang. The police informed them Ivans' group was nowhere to be found. They appeared to have left the country.
Mae had another sorority event to attend the following weekend and everything went fine and everyone had a great time. But, after three hours of back and forth trips Mae and Steel were more than ready to return to the trailer and the stables. The sorority matron requested if Mae could take one more trip along the river with a couple for a romantic drive. Things had gone so well she agreed. The couple got into the carriage and Mae proceeded to the lake route. As she turned to introduce herself to the couple and looked back into the carriage she had the shattering thought "It was awful when a nightmare suddenly became all too real, right in the middle of a bright sunny winter day? Ivan had Suzie squeezed against his body, not allowing her to move with a revolver against her side compressed against the carriage seat.
December 10, 2021
Interesting story line, mostly a fun read, editing is a problem!
I do like this author and enjoy her works. Would not hesitate to recommend this book or any of her works, but would have to warn about lack of appropriate editing.
I do not understand how an author can release a book with editing errors, especially ones that should have been easily caught. I try to put it off to being indoctrinated instead of educated. However, there is no excuse for not educating one's self in the tools of the trade they are pursuing. Such as sentence structure. Some simple elements like knowing nouns from pronouns, verbs from adverbs, what is a dangling participle, what constitutes proper sentence structure.
That in writing the first sentence should describe what the paragraph is about and the first paragraph should describe what the chapter is about and the first chapter should describe what the book is about.
I will say that Whiting is not nearly as bad as many other self publishing authors are, but, there should not be editing errors to distract the reader.
I will repeat that the story line was interesting and this was a fun read. Expand the characters and premise, get a trained editor and this could possibly be a great read. Currently a good afternoon's escape and light read.
I do like this author and enjoy her works. Would not hesitate to recommend this book or any of her works, but would have to warn about lack of appropriate editing.
I do not understand how an author can release a book with editing errors, especially ones that should have been easily caught. I try to put it off to being indoctrinated instead of educated. However, there is no excuse for not educating one's self in the tools of the trade they are pursuing. Such as sentence structure. Some simple elements like knowing nouns from pronouns, verbs from adverbs, what is a dangling participle, what constitutes proper sentence structure.
That in writing the first sentence should describe what the paragraph is about and the first paragraph should describe what the chapter is about and the first chapter should describe what the book is about.
I will say that Whiting is not nearly as bad as many other self publishing authors are, but, there should not be editing errors to distract the reader.
I will repeat that the story line was interesting and this was a fun read. Expand the characters and premise, get a trained editor and this could possibly be a great read. Currently a good afternoon's escape and light read.
February 7, 2023
It's New Year's Eve in Columbus, OH, and Mae is embarking on her new career as a carriage driver. She and her faithful Percheron, Steel, are busily providing rides to revelers between the convention center and a local hotel. Her last fare of the night is a group of rowdy, foreign college guys. Mae is pleased with how her evening went, until her friend Ross discovers a dead body on the floor of her landau. Eager to put such unpleasantness behind her, Mae provides all the assistance she can to the police. She can't quit thinking about that night, however, wondering if the victim's friends left him there or if the sorority girl who was waiting for him had something to do with his death. Mae thinks the girl knows more than she told the police, and Mae is determined to find out the truth.
I liked this story a lot. It had some drawbacks. I wish it had been longer. Characters weren't fleshed out well; I never did learn much about Mae, other than that she's widowed, has two grown sons, and inherited the money to launch her dream business from her grandfather. She was engaging, however, and I was invested enough in the plot to read this in one day.
In spite of its shortcomings, this one earns four stars from me.
I liked this story a lot. It had some drawbacks. I wish it had been longer. Characters weren't fleshed out well; I never did learn much about Mae, other than that she's widowed, has two grown sons, and inherited the money to launch her dream business from her grandfather. She was engaging, however, and I was invested enough in the plot to read this in one day.
In spite of its shortcomings, this one earns four stars from me.
August 20, 2020
by Barbara Kelley
A Fatal New Year is Book #1 in the Tipperary Carriage Company mystery series by J. A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy.
Siobhan (pronounced Chiffon) Maeve O'Neill Monahan, known as Mae in this series, has a brand new business: driver of a horse and carriage in modern-day Columbus, Ohio. She financed this business with an inheritance left to her by her grandfather who knew she loved horses. Mae's husband, Kevin Monahan, was killed three years prior to this book, when he was run over by a car. She has two college-aged sons, Brandon (20 years old), as well as a second son whose name and age were not mentioned in this first book. Mae remembers how New Year's Even was always her and her husband's favorite day of the year, and these memories are "bittersweet."
The mystery begins when a dead body is found on her carriage floor, and one of the four lap robe blankets that Mae had bought from Tipperary, Ireland, was missing from the carriage. The dead man is one of the Russians who entered the carriage from the last trip of the night, and his body was found later that night when Mae's friend, Ross, found him.
This book was well-written and tightly edited because I didn't find many, if any, typographical errors.
I like the main characters, but particularly like Chloe's role. She is a sorority sister at Ohio State. I hope she will be in future episodes of this series, maybe as a love interest for one of Hope's sons.
I especially liked this book because of Mae's career choice. I've never read a cozy mystery where the main character was a carriage driver. I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favorite new series to read.
A Fatal New Year is Book #1 in the Tipperary Carriage Company mystery series by J. A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy.
Siobhan (pronounced Chiffon) Maeve O'Neill Monahan, known as Mae in this series, has a brand new business: driver of a horse and carriage in modern-day Columbus, Ohio. She financed this business with an inheritance left to her by her grandfather who knew she loved horses. Mae's husband, Kevin Monahan, was killed three years prior to this book, when he was run over by a car. She has two college-aged sons, Brandon (20 years old), as well as a second son whose name and age were not mentioned in this first book. Mae remembers how New Year's Even was always her and her husband's favorite day of the year, and these memories are "bittersweet."
The mystery begins when a dead body is found on her carriage floor, and one of the four lap robe blankets that Mae had bought from Tipperary, Ireland, was missing from the carriage. The dead man is one of the Russians who entered the carriage from the last trip of the night, and his body was found later that night when Mae's friend, Ross, found him.
This book was well-written and tightly edited because I didn't find many, if any, typographical errors.
I like the main characters, but particularly like Chloe's role. She is a sorority sister at Ohio State. I hope she will be in future episodes of this series, maybe as a love interest for one of Hope's sons.
I especially liked this book because of Mae's career choice. I've never read a cozy mystery where the main character was a carriage driver. I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favorite new series to read.
September 19, 2022
As a commercial carriage driver for the past 27 years, I was extremely excited to discover a series set within the carriage industry. The writing was very basic, the plot extremely straightforward (its a mystery, so if you're expecting plot twists, you'll find it lacking), and unfortunately the carriage industry wasn't particularly accurately portrayed (particularly since it's set in Columbus, Ohio which happens to be where my commercial driving career began back in the mid 1990s). I really wish the author would have done more research on the industry and maybe consulted with actual drivers and company owners...it would've made for a more believable character. I can only hope that the series improves.
October 24, 2023
A new series by J. A. Whiting! I am literally starting all her series one after the other, and really enjoying my time with these books. I found this one quite interesting, the whole concept of the carriage company is one I never read before and it’s fun. Maybe there was too much talk on all the things they do for the tools and the leather for my liking, but I feel that in the next book the part about horse care will be more balanced.
The mystery was really intriguing, and I liked how there were parts from other characters’ point of view. I guess the investigation was maybe too short to make space for the flashbacks, but again it was still a fun read, and I will continue this series.
The mystery was really intriguing, and I liked how there were parts from other characters’ point of view. I guess the investigation was maybe too short to make space for the flashbacks, but again it was still a fun read, and I will continue this series.
May 29, 2020
Great Book
I really enjoyed this new book by J A Whiting. Mae is a smart heroine and very brave. She is loyal and smart. I loved the parts with the sorority sisters giving Steel treats. I thought Chloe was a great character , and hope that she will be in future stories. This was the first series without having paranormal activities by the main character. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Never been disappointed with anything by this author. The ending had me on the edge of my seat.
I really enjoyed this new book by J A Whiting. Mae is a smart heroine and very brave. She is loyal and smart. I loved the parts with the sorority sisters giving Steel treats. I thought Chloe was a great character , and hope that she will be in future stories. This was the first series without having paranormal activities by the main character. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Never been disappointed with anything by this author. The ending had me on the edge of my seat.
March 31, 2022
I have to say that one of the things I liked most about this story is that the main character is close to my age, and also the horse and carriage idea. I like that she is starting a new adventure in her life though sadly it is because her husband has passed away and her sons are in college. This is an easy to read cozy mystery. I would have preferred more depth to some of the storyline and the characters and hope that there is progression in future books.
August 18, 2020
This was definitely a new occupation for a cozy main character, and I thought it was so cool that it took place right here in Ohio in familiar territory. Ross was a great supporting character, and I loved how Mae and her horse Steel worked together. Steel got a nice part in the showdown! It wasn't really a whodunit so much as figuring how it was done. The use of flashbacks was a nice touch. I'm definitely borrowing the next book in KU!
October 13, 2020
Really like this book!
Already looking forward to reading the next one. I would classify this a “cozy”, well developed characters and plot line, very likable main characters, no graphic violence, no sex, evil doers doing evil deeds, smart independent women, and beautiful smart horse...what more could you ask for? I recommend it! I’m getting the next one right now.
Already looking forward to reading the next one. I would classify this a “cozy”, well developed characters and plot line, very likable main characters, no graphic violence, no sex, evil doers doing evil deeds, smart independent women, and beautiful smart horse...what more could you ask for? I recommend it! I’m getting the next one right now.
January 1, 2022
Steel
Mae was left money by her grandfather and she decided to buy a horse and carriage with the money. Steel is a beautiful draft horse instead gray. Her first gig is New Year's Eve. They're a hit everyone likes the ride. All goes well until she and Ross find a dead young man under one of the seats. Mae feels she needs to help find out what happened and who did it.
Mae was left money by her grandfather and she decided to buy a horse and carriage with the money. Steel is a beautiful draft horse instead gray. Her first gig is New Year's Eve. They're a hit everyone likes the ride. All goes well until she and Ross find a dead young man under one of the seats. Mae feels she needs to help find out what happened and who did it.
February 6, 2024
This was my 3rd time trying to get into this story. This time I finished it. It was okay, but I like this author so much that I will read the next book in the series to see if the plot line improves. Maybe it is because there are two authors, The story line started out okay, but then it became REALLY????
June 11, 2020
New beginnings
Starting a new business is never easy, but Mae Monahan is determined to make hers work. I have enjoyed reading and learning about carriages and the big horses that pull them.
Starting a new business is never easy, but Mae Monahan is determined to make hers work. I have enjoyed reading and learning about carriages and the big horses that pull them.
June 27, 2020
OUTSTANDING
This is a great new J A Whiting series. I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the August release of the 2nd book. I have read many Whiting series and the never disappoint. All of her books are highly recommended.
This is a great new J A Whiting series. I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the August release of the 2nd book. I have read many Whiting series and the never disappoint. All of her books are highly recommended.
July 14, 2020
A great cozy
Ok I love J.A. Whiting so I don't know why I'm surprised that I love this new series and can't wait for the next book if you're like me and love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this is a must read.
Ok I love J.A. Whiting so I don't know why I'm surprised that I love this new series and can't wait for the next book if you're like me and love a great cozy with characters you will love and a story that keeps you turning the page then this is a must read.
October 17, 2020
Very good
Very good mystery interesting puzzle, little gore. I liked the cast and loved the horse. Explanations we’re well doe part of the story. The book was well writen and with good grammar ( poor grammar really bugs me) I will certainly buy more in the series
Very good mystery interesting puzzle, little gore. I liked the cast and loved the horse. Explanations we’re well doe part of the story. The book was well writen and with good grammar ( poor grammar really bugs me) I will certainly buy more in the series
December 1, 2020
Review
Very good story. I enjoyed reading about Silver and his accomplishments and I can't wait to read about Copper's. I was also impressed with Chloe. I cannot wait to read more about her.
Very good story. I enjoyed reading about Silver and his accomplishments and I can't wait to read about Copper's. I was also impressed with Chloe. I cannot wait to read more about her.
March 24, 2021
This is a Tipperary Carriage Company Mystery and it was just delightful. This was the first book I had read by this author I was so glad that I picked this book. It kept my attention the entire time and I read it in a night. J.A. and Nell hit the ball out of the park with this!
May 17, 2020
This is a good book by JA Whiting and Nell McCarthy. I don't usually read books set in a larger city but thought I would give this a try since I love JA Whiting's books. I'm glad I did!
May 19, 2020
I absolutely adore this new series! Love the premise for the series and this book was awesome! Can’t wait for number 2!
May 24, 2020
Great book!
June 24, 2020
Fun to read!
What great story!! A great cast of characters, a good mystery, a marvelous horse, and carriage rides. I can’t wait to read the next book!
What great story!! A great cast of characters, a good mystery, a marvelous horse, and carriage rides. I can’t wait to read the next book!
December 21, 2020
I found this to be an entertaining and delightful read. Strong characters and a very well told story keeps you turning the pages Great Reading Everyone!
May 3, 2021
Binge-worthy❣️
Very anxious to read more . . .
Next please⁉️ More and more difficult to put down . . .
Very anxious to read more . . .
Next please⁉️ More and more difficult to put down . . .
July 17, 2021
Surprising plot
I was enjoying this sweet story until it took a very surprising and dark turn. It was well enough done tho.
I was enjoying this sweet story until it took a very surprising and dark turn. It was well enough done tho.
December 13, 2022
Great read
Well written and good characters. Also an interesting plot and a rousing ending. Glad I found this series and will go on to the next.
Well written and good characters. Also an interesting plot and a rousing ending. Glad I found this series and will go on to the next.
January 14, 2023
First book in the series and I enjoyed all of it...the story, the characters, including the horses.
Looking forward to the next one!
Looking forward to the next one!
July 30, 2023
Enjoyable cozy mystery!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews