Darby O'Kill

Movie Club Mysteries #6.5

by Zara Keane

Chaperoning a group seniors around Ireland, I expected a weekend filled with ceilidh music and incontinence pants. Instead, I got whiskey-swilling hard rock devotees...and a corpse.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Short Stories

35 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Zara Keane is a USA Today bestselling author of Irish cozy mysteries and romantic comedies.

Zara grew up in Dublin, Ireland, but spent her summers in a small town very similar to the fictitious Ballybeg and Smuggler's Cove.

She currently lives in Switzerland with her family. When she’s not writing, Zara loves knitting, running, unplugged gaming, and adding to her insanely large lipstick collection.

Don't miss a new story! For news, giveaways, and TWO free stories, sign up for Zara's Mailing List at https://zarakeane.com/newsletter/

Zara can also be found in her Facebook Reader Group, the Mystery Mavens.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie Doyle, Lenny and Liam were accompanying five senior citizens from the United States – the Darby O’Gill Fan Club - on a tour around Ireland, and the rattly old bus Lenny had got for them to use was making Maggie nauseous. The diesel fumes were getting in, plus the noise and whiskey fumes from the back of the bus were making Maggie wish she’d stayed back on Whisper Island. Their arrival at the site of their first tour, through a cave, couldn’t come soon enough. But when they were all disembarking, there was a sudden commotion from the rear – was someone dead?

Darby O’Kill is a fun novella which falls at #6.5 in the Movie Club Mysteries by Tara Keane and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Fast paced and with feisty, adventurous seniors involved, anything could happen – and did! I love this series and was pleased to find this little nugget of fun to read in a short time. Recommended.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Free short story for Keane's newsletter subscribers. For one, the dead body is due to NATURAL causes (phewww!!). There were quirky characters coming from the old people Maggie, Liam, and Lenny accompanied during the trip. It was pretty fun read.

[Ainee Beland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maggie's Darby O'Kill senior group touring bunch was filled with adventure and their love for the film Darby O'Gill and the Little People because the film had everything: romance, adventure, Ireland, Leprechauns, and Banshees. Maggie was on a minibus being driven by her best friend and assistant PI Lenny Logan and her boyfriend Liam Reynolds (who was the police chief back on Whisper Island) and this group of five seniors: Edna, Frank, Herb, Doris, and Big Al. Frank was found dead in his seat; as the group thought that he had been asleep during the whole time of the ride from the airport to their first destination. Frank was ninety-two years of age; was it a stroke, heart attack, or murder? And by this short story's end... what the group found was a treasure of gold coin... like that proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and that being at the end of their journey with no banshees or leprechauns.
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I must say that this e-book did not knock my socks off; I simply did not like it. I am sorry to say.

[Tricia Reuss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie, Lenny, and Liam have signed up to escort the elderly American Darby O’Gill Fan Club on their second tour of Ireland, without totally knowing what they’ve gotten into. As the youngest in the club is 75 years old, and the oldest is 92, they are all in for an interesting ride. Sadly, one of the passengers breathes their last between their pickup at the airport and their arrival at the first itinerary stop, and Maggie is left wondering if the death was truly down to natural causes.

This book is short and sweet - 55 pages exactly. It doesn’t spoil anything relating to books 1 through 7 in the series, though I would recommend reading it past book 3, as that is when Liam and Maggie begin their relationship. The book seems to emphasize the importance of celebrating life at all stages, no matter your past, and to embrace adventure. I would absolutely recommend this to fit in with the rest of the series, and I feel bittersweet now that I’ve finished the whole series. I’ve truly enjoyed reading Maggie’s adventures and seeing her grow into herself on Whisper Island!

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this short story, but I wish it was at least novella-length. Maggie, an ex-cop-turned-P.I. & fellow P.I. Lenny are tasked with taking a wild group of elderly fans of Darby O'Gill and The Little People on an excursion through Ireland. As if a bunch of seniors acting like college kids at a frat party wasn't enough, one of the guests winds up dead. Maggie, Lenny, & Maggie's cop boyfriend Liam must figure out what happened before the trip ends.

The story was funny, & I really liked the plot & characters. It was a bit different from the usual cozy, which I really liked. I just wished it had been longer, so we could get to know the seniors better (they seemed like a quirky group & I wanted more elderly shenanigans from them).

I haven't read (yet) any of the previous books in the Movie Club Mysteries series, & this worked well as a stand-alone. I really want to read more of the series, & more from Zara Keane.

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m this short novella, we meet back up with Maggie, Lenny, and Liam as they chaperone a rowdy group of seniors across Ireland in a microbus that has seen better days. The trying situation gets even worse when one of the old people winds up dead. Is this a part of Maggie’s affinity for finding victims of foul play, or is the death natural. And what are the rest of the old folks hiding from our titular characters?

This is a fun, easy read that would settle nicely anywhere after ‘Dial P for Poison’. With a group of hysterical Americans, loud music, and excessive whiskey, this raucous tale will have you laughing as you try and figure out what in blue blazes is going on. If you liked any of the Movie Club Mysteries, this story will greatly entertain you. My only complaint is that it’s far too short a time with these delightfully quirky characters.

[Chad Barrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie, her boyfriend and her assistant are taking a group of senior citizens from the states around some sites in Ireland when the eldest of the group is found dead in his seat on the bus when they stop. Was it natural causes or was it murder? When another member of the group goes missing and Maggie assists in finding him, the real reason for them being in Ireland comes out.

This is a quick read and fans of the movie club series ought to enjoy it! Those who haven’t read any of the series will get a taste of three of the main characters in the series and it may just whet your appetite to delve into this fun series and read about all the events and murders on Whisper Island that Maggie seems to always uncover!

I recommend this book as a fun cozy read I think you’ll enjoy!

[Roger]

Darby O'Kill: A Short Story (Movie Club Mysteries, #6.5), my ninth read from author Zara Keane. A fast-paced, enjoyable, well-written short mystery with well-developed primary characters, a captivating storyline, and an island whose inhabitants grow on you with every word written. Each book in this series has been better than the last. Since I own more than a dozen of her books it won't be my last! I look forward to the next book in this series. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll definitely be reading more from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story with Maggie, Lenny, and Liam escorting a rowdy senior citizens group on a tour of Ireland.

I think by making this story so short the author avoids her tendency to ramble and get somewhat repetitive. It is fun and has a mystery or two to go along with the adventure. In a way, I wish this tale was a bit longer so we could enjoy the antics of the seniors. They seem like a great group to hang out with.

[Emma. Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous addition to Keane’s Movie Club series. My first experience of Keane’s work was Dial P For Poison. This little short story addition really helps bring the character to life even more. Praise for Keane - she’s just ‘got it’ ! 10/10 mood booster.

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books by Zara Keane! Even though this was just a short story in the series it was adorable and so fun to read. This is one of those series that once you read the last book that you’ll be waiting for the next in the series, by rereading the others because they are that good.

[Michelle Kssili · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I have read of Zara Keane. What an amazing writer. I always wanted to visit Ireland, and someday I will. It seems like there is always a death when Maggie is around. The Spanish Armada and gold coins, an adventure I would be up for. I love cozy murder mysteries.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short story with a very good ending. Senior citizens come to visit Ireland calling themselves the Darby O’Gill fan club. However they are there for more that a visit. I really enjoyed this mystery and would recommend reading this book.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are hooked as soon as you start reading...Binge-worthy❣️
Very anxious to read more . . .
Next please⁉️ More and more difficult to put down . . .

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story from the Movie Club Mysteries.
Developed characters and a fun plot line with a quirky cast that may or may have a murder in it.

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun series. Lots of laughs.

[Cherry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Way too short a tale

[Ingrid Greger-Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little short story, really wish it was a long story though. The adventures could have be so much more exciting.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story.

Maggie is escorting a group of elderly film fans to local tourist sites.

There is something not quite standard about the group - and then one dies.

Fun

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Even though there was a death. Short but still fleshed out.
Old folks trying to find a treasure while on vacation in Ireland. What more do you want?

[Michelle L. Ledesma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy read.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick enjoyable novella. I liked the treasure hunt and how Maggie, Liam, and Lenny dealt with elderly tourists who are constantly in a party mood.

[Melissa Tagliaferro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an adventure. Elderly people on an adventure searching for buried treasure. I really enjoyed it but wish it was longer.

[Marseydoats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was cute! How fun for a group of seniors to actually find a treasure!

[Samantha Chu · Rating 4 out of 5]

a short & sweet story. even tho it was short, i didn't feel like it was rushed at all. was a good little mystery.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the two short stories in the Movie Club Mysteries series, as they both explore some funnier and more off beat topics than the full length novels — which while still plenty funny and quirky, do always revolve around a murder. The group of geriatric tourists were a riot in this story.