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Movie Club Mysteries #4
The 39 Cupcakes
An Irish cozy mystery.
Ex-cop-turned-P.I. Maggie Doyle is stuck chaperoning a group of bratty summer camp kids to an archaeological dig on Whisper Island. After a day of fart jokes, fidget spinners, and fist fights, Maggie's regretting volunteering—and then one of her feral charges discovers a skeleton.
At first it looks like a cold case, but the situation takes a sinister turn when a member of the excavation team winds up dead. Maggie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery before more bodies stack up. With her police officer boyfriend on vacation, his nitwitted fellow officer is what passes for law and order on the island. Now if only she can dodge the bumbling Sergeant O’Shea…
Ex-cop-turned-P.I. Maggie Doyle is stuck chaperoning a group of bratty summer camp kids to an archaeological dig on Whisper Island. After a day of fart jokes, fidget spinners, and fist fights, Maggie's regretting volunteering—and then one of her feral charges discovers a skeleton.
At first it looks like a cold case, but the situation takes a sinister turn when a member of the excavation team winds up dead. Maggie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery before more bodies stack up. With her police officer boyfriend on vacation, his nitwitted fellow officer is what passes for law and order on the island. Now if only she can dodge the bumbling Sergeant O’Shea…
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2017
392 people are currently reading
579 people want to read
About the author
Zara Keane
42 books987 followersZara 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
July 1, 2022
Maggie Doyle - ex cop from the US, and now Private Investigator - was supervising some kids at an archaeological dig on Whisper Island when the worst of the bunch, Tommy Greer, was seen in the distance frantically digging. As Maggie raced toward him, he let out a shrill scream - the skeleton in front of him was old. Had Maggie attracted a body from ancient times, or was this another murder victim?
With boyfriend and local cop, Liam Reynolds, on holidays with his eight year old daughter Hannah, the case was handed to Sergeant O'Shea - a lazy, 'take-the-easy-way-out' cop - Maggie despaired they'd get results any time soon. So she and her best friend and helper, Lenny, were investigating the case, with Liam's approval. But when another body was found, Maggie knew things were getting dire. Could they find the identity of the skeleton, and the killer of the second person, before a third appeared?
The 39 Cupcakes is the 4th in the Movie Club Mysteries by Zara Keane and it was laugh-out-loud funny at times. Entertaining, fast paced, Maggie had her work cut out, with both the case/s and Hannah. Could she manage to get her boyfriend's daughter onside? I always enjoy these episodes in this series and am hoping for more sometime soon. Highly recommended.
With boyfriend and local cop, Liam Reynolds, on holidays with his eight year old daughter Hannah, the case was handed to Sergeant O'Shea - a lazy, 'take-the-easy-way-out' cop - Maggie despaired they'd get results any time soon. So she and her best friend and helper, Lenny, were investigating the case, with Liam's approval. But when another body was found, Maggie knew things were getting dire. Could they find the identity of the skeleton, and the killer of the second person, before a third appeared?
The 39 Cupcakes is the 4th in the Movie Club Mysteries by Zara Keane and it was laugh-out-loud funny at times. Entertaining, fast paced, Maggie had her work cut out, with both the case/s and Hannah. Could she manage to get her boyfriend's daughter onside? I always enjoy these episodes in this series and am hoping for more sometime soon. Highly recommended.
October 1, 2020
This is fourth in a mystery series that carries some character arc developments over time. So I recommend reading them in order.
So I won't go into the plot because by now you know about what to expect. I'll just say that this one felt lighter on coincidence, though not without it entirely. It's probably the strongest mystery plot so far and I really liked the twists in it.
And I liked the character developments. Liam's daughter, Hannah, shows up and I appreciated how Keane developed that dynamic (both with Liam and with Maggie). The developments with Lenny being much more of a contributor to the outfit was awesome, too. The only sour note is the continuing aggravation of Sergeant O'Shea. I'm so tired of that guy and his over-the-top obliviousness. I really hope Sile becomes more of a feature and that we can retire that buffoon.
The plot and character developments, along with the really strong mystery, have this at 4½ stars with the missing half-star pretty much down to O'Shea. I'm rounding up though, because, again, O'Shea is the only downside I felt strongly about.
A note about Chaste: Maggie and Liam are officially a couple, though it's unclear if sex is happening. Hannah's presence prevents any intimacy between them, and that's all good. So like previous entries in the series, this is very chaste.
So I won't go into the plot because by now you know about what to expect. I'll just say that this one felt lighter on coincidence, though not without it entirely. It's probably the strongest mystery plot so far and I really liked the twists in it.
And I liked the character developments. Liam's daughter, Hannah, shows up and I appreciated how Keane developed that dynamic (both with Liam and with Maggie). The developments with Lenny being much more of a contributor to the outfit was awesome, too. The only sour note is the continuing aggravation of Sergeant O'Shea. I'm so tired of that guy and his over-the-top obliviousness. I really hope Sile becomes more of a feature and that we can retire that buffoon.
The plot and character developments, along with the really strong mystery, have this at 4½ stars with the missing half-star pretty much down to O'Shea. I'm rounding up though, because, again, O'Shea is the only downside I felt strongly about.
A note about Chaste: Maggie and Liam are officially a couple, though it's unclear if sex is happening. Hannah's presence prevents any intimacy between them, and that's all good. So like previous entries in the series, this is very chaste.
September 8, 2017
Since the last book, Maggie has become more settled and at home on Whisper Island. Liam is officially her boyfriend, at least she thinks he is. And her friend Lenny is interested in going for his PI license so he can officially help her out with her new business, Movie Reel Investigations. As usual though, during a perfectly normal activity (chaperoning kids at an archeological dig) Lenny and Maggie run into another dead body. Now they have a cold case to work on, which of course is eventually followed by another murder. Can they secretly figure out what's going on? Also another side story is Liam's 8 year old daughter is in town visiting for 3 threes. Can Maggie win her over?
I just never tire of these characters and this setting! The books just keep getting even better (if that was even possible!) I really enjoy the other side stories that take place along with the murder. Some may or may not even be related to the murder, such as Liam's daughter visiting. I thought it was really cute how Maggie got her together with another little girl in town and together they decided they wanted to be forensics workers and investigators when they grow up. Another fun side story was a new cupcake cafe opening right across from Noreen's movie cafe which of course had her livid at times. It's fun how all the side stories have at least one thing that ties in with the case, maybe not directly but in a small way. Maggie and Lenny have another Movie Reels Investigation job to do which turns out kind of cute.
The new police officer or Garda in town is a familiar face to Lenny and a breath of fresh air compared to stale old Sgt. O'Shea. The good sergeant actually gets a very funny scene towards the end, you'll be laughing out loud reading! But Garda Sile (pronounced Sheila) Conlan is young, can be fun, tough and knows her job. I'm interested to see if maybe she and Lenny hit it off in later books. It would be a pretty good match! Lenny, by the way, is one of my favorite characters. A known pothead, he is actually very intelligent when it comes to internet and in person sleuthing. He may not totally get the whole idea of "don't wear a neon bandanna, you'll be seen" thing about sleuthing but he is very interested in getting his PI license once Maggie can afford to send him to PI school.
While I hated to leave my journey to Whisper Island and come back to reality, I take comfort knowing the title of the next book coming out, appropriately in December! I won't give the title away, that's the author's prerogative when she wants to reveal it.
I did receive an advanced e-copy of this book to read and review but I voluntarily read and review these. I've been enjoying Ms. Keane's books a lot so it's always a pleasure to work with her.
I just never tire of these characters and this setting! The books just keep getting even better (if that was even possible!) I really enjoy the other side stories that take place along with the murder. Some may or may not even be related to the murder, such as Liam's daughter visiting. I thought it was really cute how Maggie got her together with another little girl in town and together they decided they wanted to be forensics workers and investigators when they grow up. Another fun side story was a new cupcake cafe opening right across from Noreen's movie cafe which of course had her livid at times. It's fun how all the side stories have at least one thing that ties in with the case, maybe not directly but in a small way. Maggie and Lenny have another Movie Reels Investigation job to do which turns out kind of cute.
The new police officer or Garda in town is a familiar face to Lenny and a breath of fresh air compared to stale old Sgt. O'Shea. The good sergeant actually gets a very funny scene towards the end, you'll be laughing out loud reading! But Garda Sile (pronounced Sheila) Conlan is young, can be fun, tough and knows her job. I'm interested to see if maybe she and Lenny hit it off in later books. It would be a pretty good match! Lenny, by the way, is one of my favorite characters. A known pothead, he is actually very intelligent when it comes to internet and in person sleuthing. He may not totally get the whole idea of "don't wear a neon bandanna, you'll be seen" thing about sleuthing but he is very interested in getting his PI license once Maggie can afford to send him to PI school.
While I hated to leave my journey to Whisper Island and come back to reality, I take comfort knowing the title of the next book coming out, appropriately in December! I won't give the title away, that's the author's prerogative when she wants to reveal it.
I did receive an advanced e-copy of this book to read and review but I voluntarily read and review these. I've been enjoying Ms. Keane's books a lot so it's always a pleasure to work with her.
December 4, 2017
This was another delightful, sassy and plot twisty mystery by Author Zara Keane. I like Maggie, our amateur sleuth and her boyfriend, the new police officer on Whisper Island. And of course, many of Maggie's zany friends and family. This one gives us more insight into her love-hate relationship with the owner of the local fancy hotel through meeting the lady's children. I liked how Maggie was sensitive to her boyfriend's little girl who came for a visit. Maggie has a loving and caring heart and a natural insatiable curiosity that again could have gotten her killed!
November 25, 2017
Maggie gets to chaperone a bunch of bratty camp kids. Excitement begins when one of them finds a skeleton. Now the mystery begins. So wonderful and enjoyable.
September 23, 2017
“The 39 Cupcakes” earns 5/5 Aunt Noreen’s…Scones!
I am new to Zara Keane’s Movie Club Mystery series, so starting with the fourth book in the series might be problematic for a newbie. There were some character connections that I didn’t completely understand, totally my bad for not starting at the beginning, but I caught on and ended up very much entertained. Chaperoning a bunch of kids to an archaeological site? Well, as a former teacher, I saw the inherent problems, questionable humor of the eight-year-old notwithstanding, and that one ‘uncooperative kid’ that makes the trip more memorable than ever imagined by finding a skeleton. No, not a centuries old Viking as the archeologists were hoping, the dental work and bullet wound rules that out, but evidence of a curious cold case. Zara has penned an exciting ‘page-turner,’ that heats up with a wife wanting her cheating husband followed, a competing business opening up across the street, Maggie and Liam navigating through a budding relationship with his reluctant daughter in tow, a new officer joining the investigations, and another more recently deceased body is found.
I love Maggie Doyle, an ex-cop turned private investigator whose office is located in the former projection room upstairs from her aunt’s Movie Theater Café. Kudos to the clever name for Maggie’s business—Movie Reel Investigations. I enjoyed her cleverness and her knowledge of police work, very professional; she didn’t just fall into the evidence, she has a real talent for it. And although her patience when confronted with her boyfriend’s disgruntled daughter is tested, I had experience with that, I liked how she handled it. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Maggie’s two aunts, typical sisters, I think, and Lenny really catching on to this detective work, the new police officer settling in, and the various Irish references. This was a great book, and I am definitely intrigued to go back and read the rest of the series.
"Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. However, all of the above opinions are my own.”
I am new to Zara Keane’s Movie Club Mystery series, so starting with the fourth book in the series might be problematic for a newbie. There were some character connections that I didn’t completely understand, totally my bad for not starting at the beginning, but I caught on and ended up very much entertained. Chaperoning a bunch of kids to an archaeological site? Well, as a former teacher, I saw the inherent problems, questionable humor of the eight-year-old notwithstanding, and that one ‘uncooperative kid’ that makes the trip more memorable than ever imagined by finding a skeleton. No, not a centuries old Viking as the archeologists were hoping, the dental work and bullet wound rules that out, but evidence of a curious cold case. Zara has penned an exciting ‘page-turner,’ that heats up with a wife wanting her cheating husband followed, a competing business opening up across the street, Maggie and Liam navigating through a budding relationship with his reluctant daughter in tow, a new officer joining the investigations, and another more recently deceased body is found.
I love Maggie Doyle, an ex-cop turned private investigator whose office is located in the former projection room upstairs from her aunt’s Movie Theater Café. Kudos to the clever name for Maggie’s business—Movie Reel Investigations. I enjoyed her cleverness and her knowledge of police work, very professional; she didn’t just fall into the evidence, she has a real talent for it. And although her patience when confronted with her boyfriend’s disgruntled daughter is tested, I had experience with that, I liked how she handled it. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Maggie’s two aunts, typical sisters, I think, and Lenny really catching on to this detective work, the new police officer settling in, and the various Irish references. This was a great book, and I am definitely intrigued to go back and read the rest of the series.
"Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. However, all of the above opinions are my own.”
September 7, 2017
Wow, what a great read! I haven't read any of the other books in this series yet, but the characters are developed so well you don't feel like you're missing out on anything.
The mystery in this book is so complex but it doesn't leave you confused, which is awesome. I was completely stumped about who the murderer was so it was a surprise when that was revealed. I love not being able to figure out who was behind the murder. It keeps you engaged in the book, trying to guess who did it.
I loved the characters and the community of Whisper Island. I'm looking forward to going back and reading the previous books in this series.
The mystery in this book is so complex but it doesn't leave you confused, which is awesome. I was completely stumped about who the murderer was so it was a surprise when that was revealed. I love not being able to figure out who was behind the murder. It keeps you engaged in the book, trying to guess who did it.
I loved the characters and the community of Whisper Island. I'm looking forward to going back and reading the previous books in this series.
September 23, 2020
The 39 Cupcakes
, the fourth book in Zara Keane's Movie Club Mysteries offer a more complicated murder mystery cases as well as updates on Maggie's romantic relationship with Liam Reynolds -- as well as updates on several other people of the Whisper Island community.
The murder mystery first involved a found skeleton on an archeological dig -- and no, Maggie didn't find this one, though she was ON the premise 😆. But then a member of the excavation team ended up dead -- and Maggie cannot help to think that the two cases might be linked. It does indeed.. with quite a twist and connection to other Whisper Island citizens that I didn't really see coming. GOOD TIMES!
Now when it comes to the personal things... Maggie finally meets Reynold's daughter. Noreen, her aunt is facing a competitor in form of cupcake shop, which is owned by Noreen's sister's sister-in-law (get it? *laugh*). Jennifer, the solicitor, is facing a romantic problem. Lenny seems to be on the right trajectory to become Maggie's formal assistant. And well, Maggie's cousin Julie and her boyfriend Günter is steadying on.
I still have book #5 with me and I will stick with it for the time being before moving to other titles. Can't say goodbye to these people just yet
The murder mystery first involved a found skeleton on an archeological dig -- and no, Maggie didn't find this one, though she was ON the premise 😆. But then a member of the excavation team ended up dead -- and Maggie cannot help to think that the two cases might be linked. It does indeed.. with quite a twist and connection to other Whisper Island citizens that I didn't really see coming. GOOD TIMES!
Now when it comes to the personal things... Maggie finally meets Reynold's daughter. Noreen, her aunt is facing a competitor in form of cupcake shop, which is owned by Noreen's sister's sister-in-law (get it? *laugh*). Jennifer, the solicitor, is facing a romantic problem. Lenny seems to be on the right trajectory to become Maggie's formal assistant. And well, Maggie's cousin Julie and her boyfriend Günter is steadying on.
I still have book #5 with me and I will stick with it for the time being before moving to other titles. Can't say goodbye to these people just yet
January 24, 2025
I love cozy murder mystery books they just suck you in and you can’t put them down. I will admit at the beginning of this book I had a hard time getting into it but I persisted and kept on going. It did get better and the last two days I haven’t stopped reading this book. Maggie of course is a magnet to finding dead bodies and this definitely happened not once but twice. I loved all the characters in this book, from Maggie’s best friend Lenny and his crazy shenanigans, to her boyfriend reynolds who is also a police officer, to her aunt who she works for and her cousin Julie. Ahh this book just sucks you in.
September 29, 2017
Maggie Doyle is back in a new adventure in Zara Keane's The 39 Cupcakes. She's settling into her new life as a private investigator on Whisper Island, and into her growing relationship with Garda Sergeant Liam Reynolds (at least until his outspoken eight-year-old daughter comes to visit). The Movie Theater Cafe is hanging (with a showing of Hitchcock's The 39 Steps) despite the opening of The Cupcake Cafe right across the road. And Maggie's cousin Julie has recruited her to help chaperone thirty summer camp kids on a tour of an archaeological excavation.
People may call Maggie a Corpse Magnet, but it's actually one of the kids who discovers the first body. Bones do turn up in archeological sites, but not with modern dental work. With Reynolds technically on vacation, Maggie and Lenny are off and running on the investigation.
The 39 Cupcakes brings back many of the characters from Maggie's previous cases and adds a few new ones. The cast and the setting of these books is so much fun, and Maggie works her way through the mayhem around her with great humor, seeing her father's country with American eyes, struggling to pronounce Irish names, and waiting for those official divorce papers.
Fortunately we won't have to wait too long for Maggie's next case: Rebel Without a Claus will be out in December.
People may call Maggie a Corpse Magnet, but it's actually one of the kids who discovers the first body. Bones do turn up in archeological sites, but not with modern dental work. With Reynolds technically on vacation, Maggie and Lenny are off and running on the investigation.
The 39 Cupcakes brings back many of the characters from Maggie's previous cases and adds a few new ones. The cast and the setting of these books is so much fun, and Maggie works her way through the mayhem around her with great humor, seeing her father's country with American eyes, struggling to pronounce Irish names, and waiting for those official divorce papers.
Fortunately we won't have to wait too long for Maggie's next case: Rebel Without a Claus will be out in December.
July 4, 2022
3 to 3.5 stars. Solid mystery but not very exciting.
August 14, 2021
3.5 stars
Maggie is really regretting agreeing to help her cousin Julie chaperone some bratty summer camp kids at an archeological excavation. It comes as no surprise that Paul and Melanie Greer's kid is worst of the bunch. When he wanders off on his own and starts digging, Tommy discovers a human skill with a musket ball hole through the forehead. Maggie knows enough to know that neither Vikings nor early monks used muskets and neither did they have orthodonture work as this skull has. Oh dear! Reynolds is supposed to be taking vacation time to spend with his daughter Hannah who is coming to Whisper Island for the first time. Reynolds can't let O'Shea take over right away. He wants to get as much done as possible before his break and when he's done, he wants Maggie to keep an eye on things and help solve the mystery before O'Shea botches the investigation too badly. Maggie is hoping to meet Hannah and have the girl get to know her but Reynolds is reluctant and Hannah doesn't seem too impressed with Maggie to begin with. When they do finally get to spend time together, Maggie does something she never thought she'd do, cozy up to Melanie Greer and borrow her daughter so Hannah has a playmate her own age and Maggie can spend time with Reynolds. While the girls hit it off, the getting to know you trip takes a wrong turn when Maggie spies a corpse on a yacht. The victim is connected to the archeological excavation and was their number one suspect for burying the skeleton in the first place. He's found with a box of 39 cupcakes from a new bakery that's just opened across from Aunt Noreen's cafe. Why 39 and not 40? What is the significance of 39 cupcakes? Another niggling problem is what happened to Tommy's camera? Did someone steal it because he accidentally photographed something he shouldn't have seen? How can Maggie and Lenny solve this case alone and keep Hannah's mom from finding out she wants to get involved?
This is another fun, light mystery in the Movie Club series. This series kind of reminds me of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series but dialed down a lot. There's plenty of humor and quirky characters. I guessed one small part of the mystery but not the whole thing. The clues had to be discovered before that can happen. The introduction of two ten-year-old girls added more humor to the story and there's one ZANY screwball scene when Maggie tries to catch a killer. Hint: it involves Lenny's brownies.
Maggie is who she is and I'm used to her but I still think she's a bit rude. She doesn't stand for bullying, especially men who bully women and stands up for other women not just herself. Maggie is really great with annoying kids though and she does a great job with the Greer kids. Even though Maggie doesn't like bullies, she does a lot of fat shaming in her head. Describing an 8 year old girl as "pudgy" is sooo all kinds of wrong and damaging to the child's mental health. At least Maggie doesn't say it to her face and Melanie doesn't seem like that kind of mom, fortunately. Reynolds is a nice guy and devoted dad and fortunately not as blind to his daughter's faults as Maggie fears. He tries to teach her correct behavior but I suspect he lets a lot slide. Hannah is smart. She's very precocious for 8. There's no way she's 8. I guessed 10-12. She sounds like a tween and acts older than 8. At 8 she wouldn't even remember when her parents were married, especially since her dad worked all the time. By 8 she would be used to her new normal. 10 would be better because she would be old enough to remember and understand more. Also girls get snarky around 9-10 (U.S. 4th grade) and worse as they get older. In my head, Hannah is 10. Lenny is a hoot. I adore him. He doesn't do any difficult research Maggie couldn't do on his own. He's not a hacker although I suspect he could if he wanted to be. His sleuthing skills need MAJOR work but it's impossible not to love him.
There are several suspects connected to the archeological excavation. Ellen Taylor, the team's assistant leader, seems to know her stuff and is enthusiastic about sharing her work with annoying school kids. She also knows forensics and can identify the skull as belonging to a modern person and not a medieval monk. However, Ellen keeps sneaking off and Maggie suspects Ellen is meeting a man. Ellen's boss, Professor Dean Frobisher, is grouchy and unfriendly. He cares only about his dig, the budget mainly, and keeping to their time table. He's insensitive and snippy with Reynolds when the site needs to be shut down after the skull is found. Ellen's assistant, the soon-to-be Dr. Susie O'Malley, seems nice enough but she allows herself to be bullied by a man and Maggie does NOT like it. Alan Doherty is the bully. He's young and intense. They have a history and he can't let go. He needs to stop and leave her alone before he gets slapped with a lawsuit. When Alan comes to Maggie for help, she thinks he's lying but I think he's mostly telling the truth.
Tommy Greer is an annoying, obnoxious, bratty little kid. Maggie is going to need a cocktail after camp! He seems more 10 than 8. 8 year old boys can still be sweet, crazy but sweet. 10 is not so great and 11 is when they get horrid and don't pay attention to anything on field trips. At least the kids I know would never dream of saying their field trip was boring out loud in front of their teachers and chaperones. Tommy's sister, the impossible to pronounce Caoimhe, is also bratty in a different way. She has a chip on her shoulder and is competitive with her twin. The girl doesn't get along with other girls her age but Maggie has the perfect solution. Like Hannah, Caoimhe is precocious and sounds older than she is. I'm sticking with 10. She's funny and curious though and I think she'll make a great policewoman or PI if she can escape her family. I like the way Maggie wins her over.
Maggie's neighbor, Richard Carstairs, is a middle-aged player. I can tell by his flirtatious charm. He's sleazy and Maggie does not like him. Ben, a hipster archeologist, is young and arrogant. He may not be who he says he is or he's just used to the desert and not boggy Ireland but has all the airs of someone who is used to being in charge. I don't think he's a problem though. He seems innocent enough.
Maggie's official case is for Mrs. Dineen. She wants to know what her husband is up to and suspects he's having an affair. An elderly, unattractive man, it seems unlikely 20-something Bethany would be interested in him. It's up to Maggie and Lenny to find out and this is one of the funniest moments in the book. Oh Lenny! Mrs. Dineen is a sweet old lady and I hope she's wrong. I think I can guess what's going on. Bethany Conroy seems young and ditzy. She's a gold digger and was horribly rude to sweet Mack.
New in town is Dolly O'Brien, Philomena's sister-in-law. A Dolly Parton clone, she opens a new cupcake shop right across from the Movie Theater Cafe! Noreen is livid! Dolly seems nice enough in spite of her over-the-top looks. I don't think she meant to put Noreen out of business. You can't compare the two at all. If I were a tourist I'd rather have scones with jam and clotted cream than a fancy cupcake I can get at home. Also new in town is Garda Sile Conla. She dresses like a Goth, has a chip on her shoulder and isn't very likable but she's a good cop and willing to work to see justice done. She seems to be able to hold her own with O'Shea but he outranks her so we'll see.
Jennifer Pearce is finally reaching out to Maggie in friendship. I sense she needs a gal pal to talk to and Maggie is the best person for the job. She's actually pretty nice once you get to know her. Her fiance Nick Sweetman sounds like a major douche. He's rude and anti-social and she should dump him ASAP. Any guy who won't commit to a wedding date isn't worth it. Robyn Reynolds is Liam's ex-wife and Hannah's mother. She does come across as type A and micromanaging from the perspective of Maggie and even Hannah but I am in TOTAL sympathy with her. She has every right to be freaked out and want to keep her daughter safe! I would behave mostly the same way but it isn't cool to fight in front of your kids. That's not good for them and they learn from their parents. If Hannah were older she would know how to tell her mom what she wants to hear and lie about what she's really up to.
I plan to keep going binge reading this series. They're good, light and fluffy fun.
Maggie is really regretting agreeing to help her cousin Julie chaperone some bratty summer camp kids at an archeological excavation. It comes as no surprise that Paul and Melanie Greer's kid is worst of the bunch. When he wanders off on his own and starts digging, Tommy discovers a human skill with a musket ball hole through the forehead. Maggie knows enough to know that neither Vikings nor early monks used muskets and neither did they have orthodonture work as this skull has. Oh dear! Reynolds is supposed to be taking vacation time to spend with his daughter Hannah who is coming to Whisper Island for the first time. Reynolds can't let O'Shea take over right away. He wants to get as much done as possible before his break and when he's done, he wants Maggie to keep an eye on things and help solve the mystery before O'Shea botches the investigation too badly. Maggie is hoping to meet Hannah and have the girl get to know her but Reynolds is reluctant and Hannah doesn't seem too impressed with Maggie to begin with. When they do finally get to spend time together, Maggie does something she never thought she'd do, cozy up to Melanie Greer and borrow her daughter so Hannah has a playmate her own age and Maggie can spend time with Reynolds. While the girls hit it off, the getting to know you trip takes a wrong turn when Maggie spies a corpse on a yacht. The victim is connected to the archeological excavation and was their number one suspect for burying the skeleton in the first place. He's found with a box of 39 cupcakes from a new bakery that's just opened across from Aunt Noreen's cafe. Why 39 and not 40? What is the significance of 39 cupcakes? Another niggling problem is what happened to Tommy's camera? Did someone steal it because he accidentally photographed something he shouldn't have seen? How can Maggie and Lenny solve this case alone and keep Hannah's mom from finding out she wants to get involved?
This is another fun, light mystery in the Movie Club series. This series kind of reminds me of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series but dialed down a lot. There's plenty of humor and quirky characters. I guessed one small part of the mystery but not the whole thing. The clues had to be discovered before that can happen. The introduction of two ten-year-old girls added more humor to the story and there's one ZANY screwball scene when Maggie tries to catch a killer. Hint: it involves Lenny's brownies.
Maggie is who she is and I'm used to her but I still think she's a bit rude. She doesn't stand for bullying, especially men who bully women and stands up for other women not just herself. Maggie is really great with annoying kids though and she does a great job with the Greer kids. Even though Maggie doesn't like bullies, she does a lot of fat shaming in her head. Describing an 8 year old girl as "pudgy" is sooo all kinds of wrong and damaging to the child's mental health. At least Maggie doesn't say it to her face and Melanie doesn't seem like that kind of mom, fortunately. Reynolds is a nice guy and devoted dad and fortunately not as blind to his daughter's faults as Maggie fears. He tries to teach her correct behavior but I suspect he lets a lot slide. Hannah is smart. She's very precocious for 8. There's no way she's 8. I guessed 10-12. She sounds like a tween and acts older than 8. At 8 she wouldn't even remember when her parents were married, especially since her dad worked all the time. By 8 she would be used to her new normal. 10 would be better because she would be old enough to remember and understand more. Also girls get snarky around 9-10 (U.S. 4th grade) and worse as they get older. In my head, Hannah is 10. Lenny is a hoot. I adore him. He doesn't do any difficult research Maggie couldn't do on his own. He's not a hacker although I suspect he could if he wanted to be. His sleuthing skills need MAJOR work but it's impossible not to love him.
There are several suspects connected to the archeological excavation. Ellen Taylor, the team's assistant leader, seems to know her stuff and is enthusiastic about sharing her work with annoying school kids. She also knows forensics and can identify the skull as belonging to a modern person and not a medieval monk. However, Ellen keeps sneaking off and Maggie suspects Ellen is meeting a man. Ellen's boss, Professor Dean Frobisher, is grouchy and unfriendly. He cares only about his dig, the budget mainly, and keeping to their time table. He's insensitive and snippy with Reynolds when the site needs to be shut down after the skull is found. Ellen's assistant, the soon-to-be Dr. Susie O'Malley, seems nice enough but she allows herself to be bullied by a man and Maggie does NOT like it. Alan Doherty is the bully. He's young and intense. They have a history and he can't let go. He needs to stop and leave her alone before he gets slapped with a lawsuit. When Alan comes to Maggie for help, she thinks he's lying but I think he's mostly telling the truth.
Tommy Greer is an annoying, obnoxious, bratty little kid. Maggie is going to need a cocktail after camp! He seems more 10 than 8. 8 year old boys can still be sweet, crazy but sweet. 10 is not so great and 11 is when they get horrid and don't pay attention to anything on field trips. At least the kids I know would never dream of saying their field trip was boring out loud in front of their teachers and chaperones. Tommy's sister, the impossible to pronounce Caoimhe, is also bratty in a different way. She has a chip on her shoulder and is competitive with her twin. The girl doesn't get along with other girls her age but Maggie has the perfect solution. Like Hannah, Caoimhe is precocious and sounds older than she is. I'm sticking with 10. She's funny and curious though and I think she'll make a great policewoman or PI if she can escape her family. I like the way Maggie wins her over.
Maggie's neighbor, Richard Carstairs, is a middle-aged player. I can tell by his flirtatious charm. He's sleazy and Maggie does not like him. Ben, a hipster archeologist, is young and arrogant. He may not be who he says he is or he's just used to the desert and not boggy Ireland but has all the airs of someone who is used to being in charge. I don't think he's a problem though. He seems innocent enough.
Maggie's official case is for Mrs. Dineen. She wants to know what her husband is up to and suspects he's having an affair. An elderly, unattractive man, it seems unlikely 20-something Bethany would be interested in him. It's up to Maggie and Lenny to find out and this is one of the funniest moments in the book. Oh Lenny! Mrs. Dineen is a sweet old lady and I hope she's wrong. I think I can guess what's going on. Bethany Conroy seems young and ditzy. She's a gold digger and was horribly rude to sweet Mack.
New in town is Dolly O'Brien, Philomena's sister-in-law. A Dolly Parton clone, she opens a new cupcake shop right across from the Movie Theater Cafe! Noreen is livid! Dolly seems nice enough in spite of her over-the-top looks. I don't think she meant to put Noreen out of business. You can't compare the two at all. If I were a tourist I'd rather have scones with jam and clotted cream than a fancy cupcake I can get at home. Also new in town is Garda Sile Conla. She dresses like a Goth, has a chip on her shoulder and isn't very likable but she's a good cop and willing to work to see justice done. She seems to be able to hold her own with O'Shea but he outranks her so we'll see.
Jennifer Pearce is finally reaching out to Maggie in friendship. I sense she needs a gal pal to talk to and Maggie is the best person for the job. She's actually pretty nice once you get to know her. Her fiance Nick Sweetman sounds like a major douche. He's rude and anti-social and she should dump him ASAP. Any guy who won't commit to a wedding date isn't worth it. Robyn Reynolds is Liam's ex-wife and Hannah's mother. She does come across as type A and micromanaging from the perspective of Maggie and even Hannah but I am in TOTAL sympathy with her. She has every right to be freaked out and want to keep her daughter safe! I would behave mostly the same way but it isn't cool to fight in front of your kids. That's not good for them and they learn from their parents. If Hannah were older she would know how to tell her mom what she wants to hear and lie about what she's really up to.
I plan to keep going binge reading this series. They're good, light and fluffy fun.
May 25, 2018
Who doesn’t love Zara’s cozy mystery books. With Maggie being a dead body magnet live is never boring on Whisper Island. In this book we are watching Maggie and Liam’s relationship blossom then comes along Liam’ daughter Hannah and wow has that kid got some attitude towards Maggie but thankfully Maggie finds a common interest for her in that of a female friend the same age. We still have Lenny and is weird ideas and yes he’s still making those delicious brownies that creates an amazing scene at the end of the book. Sergeant O’Shea is still as lazy as all and I love one of his last’s scenes that had me laughing so hard I was crying. And of course this book is related to an old movie theme like all the rest. Another amazing story by Zara.
September 8, 2017
I have really enjoyed this series. Zara has a way of writing that adds humor and romance to mysteries making them downright fun to read. There are twists and turns, characters you love, and characters you love to hate, those who are misunderstood that you grow to like (or at least dislike less). With each of the stories in this series, once I start reading I don't want to put the book down because I want to see what happens next. She is proving to be one of those authors who I automatically know I will enjoy the book. While each story can be read stand-alone, there is a core group of characters who appear and you will get more out of the stories if you read them in order.
September 7, 2017
In book four of the Movie Club Mysteries, Maggie Doyle agrees to help her cousin, Julie, take 30 eight-year-olds on a field trip to an archaeological dig on Whisper Island. The kids are divided into groups and, you guessed it, Maggie's group is the least well behaved. During a talk by a member of the archaeological team, Tommy Greer, the bored son of an ex-boyfriend of Maggie's, decides to explore on his own. While digging in a trench, Tommy finds a human skull. Further examination indicates that, rather than being an archaeological find, the skull has actually been there about 20 years.
Since Maggie's boyfriend, Detective Liam Reynolds, is on vacation for three weeks with his daughter, Hannah, the investigation falls to Maggie's nemesis, the inept Sargent O'Shea. To keep O'Shea from bumbling the investigation, Liam hires newly licensed PI Maggie Doyle, who along with her "unofficial" assistant Lenny, to look into the case.
On a weekend trip to Dolphin Island with Liam and his daughter, Maggie and Liam find another body. Could this murder be connected to the recently discovered skull? Maggie, with Lenny's help, must solve this case before more bodies start stacking up.
I absolutely love this series and book four is a great addition. Zara Keane's Movie Club Mysteries are well written with likeable, well defined characters and well thought out plots. They also contain a good bit of humor and allow the reader to experience life in a small Irish village. If you like cozy mysteries, you'll love this series. Check it out...you won't be sorry you did.
I would like to thank the author for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Since Maggie's boyfriend, Detective Liam Reynolds, is on vacation for three weeks with his daughter, Hannah, the investigation falls to Maggie's nemesis, the inept Sargent O'Shea. To keep O'Shea from bumbling the investigation, Liam hires newly licensed PI Maggie Doyle, who along with her "unofficial" assistant Lenny, to look into the case.
On a weekend trip to Dolphin Island with Liam and his daughter, Maggie and Liam find another body. Could this murder be connected to the recently discovered skull? Maggie, with Lenny's help, must solve this case before more bodies start stacking up.
I absolutely love this series and book four is a great addition. Zara Keane's Movie Club Mysteries are well written with likeable, well defined characters and well thought out plots. They also contain a good bit of humor and allow the reader to experience life in a small Irish village. If you like cozy mysteries, you'll love this series. Check it out...you won't be sorry you did.
I would like to thank the author for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2017
Oh my… I never thought that a continuous series like this one could better and better with each book. I mean, series focused on cosy mysteries with sweet, clean, and slow-burn romance just as the background. I’ve read some series like this, and usually it got old in the 3rd book, but not with this one. Movie Club Mysteries series definitely still hold my interest firmly.
The mystery in this one, just like in previous books, was complicated, intriguing, yet easy to follow and make sense. I really curious on what was actually happening, and I couldn’t guess earlier than Maggie. I so love it! Who would have thought that an island as small as Whisper Island hold many secrets. When you thought you know everyone business, turned out everyone had secrets, and big secrets for some.
The budding romance of Maggie and Liam was tested this time, in form of Liam’s daughter. I loved to see the interaction between them, as well as how Liam and Maggie tried to wade through this. I loved to see their easy yet strong relationship, and I definitely loved to see the next step of their relationship.
One of this series’ strengths is the Whisper Island community stories that woven as background, and became essential part of the book that gave the book depth. I felt like I’m part of the community.
The down side? Now I’m book hangover, and I don’t know what else to read that could compete with this one.
I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.
The mystery in this one, just like in previous books, was complicated, intriguing, yet easy to follow and make sense. I really curious on what was actually happening, and I couldn’t guess earlier than Maggie. I so love it! Who would have thought that an island as small as Whisper Island hold many secrets. When you thought you know everyone business, turned out everyone had secrets, and big secrets for some.
The budding romance of Maggie and Liam was tested this time, in form of Liam’s daughter. I loved to see the interaction between them, as well as how Liam and Maggie tried to wade through this. I loved to see their easy yet strong relationship, and I definitely loved to see the next step of their relationship.
One of this series’ strengths is the Whisper Island community stories that woven as background, and became essential part of the book that gave the book depth. I felt like I’m part of the community.
The down side? Now I’m book hangover, and I don’t know what else to read that could compete with this one.
I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.
September 26, 2022
In this latest in the series Maggie is stuck chaperoning a bunch of unruly kids and one
of them (actually two) is the son of her nemesis
and her ex high school boyfriend. He unearths a skull which leads to Maggie getting a case to solve-actually two as another body turns up while she is working to solve the mystery of the dead guy!
Maggie also is struggling to have Liam’s daughter
like her but until she suggests she be friends with a girl on the island who seems to have no friends things weren’t going well. Then the second body is discovered while all four of them are together and both girls get involved in solving and help Maggie out immensely in the end even though neither her or Liam want them to become involved!
This series is wonderfully written and is a joy to read!
Maggie is kinda klutzy but through it all perseveres and always gets her man or woman as the case may be. I had a good time reading her adventures and heartily recommend it to everyone who loves cozy mysteries! In fact, I recommend it to those of you who may never have read a cozy mystery before. I think you’ll enjoy it so much you’ll probably want to check out the other books in this series and get to know all these wonderful characters who may just remind you of people you know!
With all the doom and gloom we witness daily, this is a welcome refreshing escape from reality for a while. Let your mind settle in as you read of Maggie’s exploits and enjoy the fun and excitement as Maggie, Lenny and the two unwanted but very needed girls solve these two murders so many years apart.
of them (actually two) is the son of her nemesis
and her ex high school boyfriend. He unearths a skull which leads to Maggie getting a case to solve-actually two as another body turns up while she is working to solve the mystery of the dead guy!
Maggie also is struggling to have Liam’s daughter
like her but until she suggests she be friends with a girl on the island who seems to have no friends things weren’t going well. Then the second body is discovered while all four of them are together and both girls get involved in solving and help Maggie out immensely in the end even though neither her or Liam want them to become involved!
This series is wonderfully written and is a joy to read!
Maggie is kinda klutzy but through it all perseveres and always gets her man or woman as the case may be. I had a good time reading her adventures and heartily recommend it to everyone who loves cozy mysteries! In fact, I recommend it to those of you who may never have read a cozy mystery before. I think you’ll enjoy it so much you’ll probably want to check out the other books in this series and get to know all these wonderful characters who may just remind you of people you know!
With all the doom and gloom we witness daily, this is a welcome refreshing escape from reality for a while. Let your mind settle in as you read of Maggie’s exploits and enjoy the fun and excitement as Maggie, Lenny and the two unwanted but very needed girls solve these two murders so many years apart.
September 24, 2017
In this fourth book in the Movie Club Mysteries series from Zara Keane, Maggie Doyle once again finds a dead body that propels her into a mystery worthy of the quirky inhabitants of Whisper Island.
Maggie is helping with a field trip when a skeleton is discovered, complete with bullet hole in the head and an intriguing mystery of identity and motive. Maggie and Lenny are really building the private investigation venture with this mystery, as Sargeant Liam Reynolds asks them to check into a few things.
I love the relationship that is slowly building between Maggie and Liam. It's so unrushed and sweet and the touch of romance that their relationship provides is a nice little jewel in this series.
I think the mysteries in this series are well crafted, and The 39 Cupcakes is no exception. I didn't see any of the twists and turns coming and it kept me engaged throughout. And there's plenty of humor throughout that makes the pages fly by.
I love this series. Zara Keane does a great job with Maggie -- she's likable and very competent in her role as PI. I've started calling this the Maggie Doyle Mystery series in my head, because they really are all about her and the lovely and strange community in Whisper Falls.
Recommended if you like a good mystery with some very nice romantic elements. This can be read standalone, but I think it's best to read them in order to get the full flavor of the setting and people.
An ARC was provided for review.
Maggie is helping with a field trip when a skeleton is discovered, complete with bullet hole in the head and an intriguing mystery of identity and motive. Maggie and Lenny are really building the private investigation venture with this mystery, as Sargeant Liam Reynolds asks them to check into a few things.
I love the relationship that is slowly building between Maggie and Liam. It's so unrushed and sweet and the touch of romance that their relationship provides is a nice little jewel in this series.
I think the mysteries in this series are well crafted, and The 39 Cupcakes is no exception. I didn't see any of the twists and turns coming and it kept me engaged throughout. And there's plenty of humor throughout that makes the pages fly by.
I love this series. Zara Keane does a great job with Maggie -- she's likable and very competent in her role as PI. I've started calling this the Maggie Doyle Mystery series in my head, because they really are all about her and the lovely and strange community in Whisper Falls.
Recommended if you like a good mystery with some very nice romantic elements. This can be read standalone, but I think it's best to read them in order to get the full flavor of the setting and people.
An ARC was provided for review.
February 11, 2024
I enjoyed this book. The only reason it got a four star is because with all the alias and name changing I got confused with who everybody was. Otherwise it was good, I especially liked the two little girls helping with the investigation, they were a delight and added humour as they tried eavesdropping on the adults and getting involved in the case. The mystery as I said was a little bit confusing with a skeleton to identify and then the discovery of a more recent murder but I did get it straightened in the end. There was a number of suspects for both murders to keep you guessing and the case was nicely and funnily wrapped up. Its a fun series that I look forward to joining again.
Maggie and her friends help her cousin out by agreeing to chaperone a group of children in a day trip. A group of archaeological are on a dig and looking for buried treasure. Instead of old pottery one of the children discovers a skeleton and Maggie finds herself involved in another murder investigation. With her boyfriend sergeant Reynolds on holiday looking after his daughter he hires Maggie to investigate rather than leave it to the incompetent officer Sergeant O’Shea. Maggie hopes to wrap the case up quickly so she can try to get to know Reynolds daughter but things don't go to plan and the three of the discover a body. A body connected to the dig site and the archaeologists. Can Maggie dig up her own connection between the two and find a killer?
Maggie and her friends help her cousin out by agreeing to chaperone a group of children in a day trip. A group of archaeological are on a dig and looking for buried treasure. Instead of old pottery one of the children discovers a skeleton and Maggie finds herself involved in another murder investigation. With her boyfriend sergeant Reynolds on holiday looking after his daughter he hires Maggie to investigate rather than leave it to the incompetent officer Sergeant O’Shea. Maggie hopes to wrap the case up quickly so she can try to get to know Reynolds daughter but things don't go to plan and the three of the discover a body. A body connected to the dig site and the archaeologists. Can Maggie dig up her own connection between the two and find a killer?
September 7, 2017
I have read several of the Ballybeg series, but this was my first Movie Club book. Although this is book 4 of a series with the same main character, there is enough background information provided that i had no problems following this story. I love a good mystery, one that is both engaging and keeps me guessing to the end with a couple of “I didn’t see that coming” reactions, and this book did not disappoint. It had the charm of mysteries featuring an amateur sleuth, but Maggie. a PI and former member of the San Francisco PD, has serious investigation skills. Throw in Lenny the quirky sidekick, a sweet romantic interest in Liam Reynolds, a couple of precocious eight-year-olds, a lazy police sergeant with a weakness for brownies (a very funny scene), a whole cast of fleshed out secondary characters in the small town on Whisper Island, and we have a well developed plot with substance. This is not just a good mystery; I also loved Zara Keane’s positive treatment of the characters who struggled or did not fit in their environments. From Lenny to Liam’s resentful daughter, Hannah, to young Caoimhe (I did struggle with some of the Irish names!) who did not fit in with her peers, to Sile, the goth police officer, Maggie’s sensitive nature helps us understand these characters. A very enjoyable read.
September 29, 2021
How many books does it take to figure out that an author is super talented? I knew after the first book that Zara was a good author, but the consistency in her now four books that I have read proves that she is a GREAT writer. This book again like the others gets 5 out of 5 stars! The pepper rating is still a Bell Pepper, but with a couple sweet moments that could warm the blood a little.
This book adds another layer to the three previous books in the series, in the first three you learn a lot about the characters and their back stories. In this book Zara introduces the children in the community, this adds a layer to this already amazing community that makes you want to visit the tiny village in Ireland. All this plus two mysteries in this book, it has a few twists and turns. With moments that have your heart racing a little, and starts to warm your heart two little girls that have curious streaks.
I recommend this book to those that love well written mysteries, with humor and that will keep you turning pages and guessing "Who Done it?"
I am waiting some what impatientaly for the next three books in this series to be delivered. I have the first four on Kindle and even had to get this one in both digital and paperback because I love her writting to much!
I hope this has helped you find your next Tantalizing Tome!
This book adds another layer to the three previous books in the series, in the first three you learn a lot about the characters and their back stories. In this book Zara introduces the children in the community, this adds a layer to this already amazing community that makes you want to visit the tiny village in Ireland. All this plus two mysteries in this book, it has a few twists and turns. With moments that have your heart racing a little, and starts to warm your heart two little girls that have curious streaks.
I recommend this book to those that love well written mysteries, with humor and that will keep you turning pages and guessing "Who Done it?"
I am waiting some what impatientaly for the next three books in this series to be delivered. I have the first four on Kindle and even had to get this one in both digital and paperback because I love her writting to much!
I hope this has helped you find your next Tantalizing Tome!
May 13, 2022
Somehow, Maggie Doyle has found another body on Whisper Island. At least this time it’s a skeleton, which means he’s been dead for a while. But the archaeologists that are busy excavating a historic site on the island aren’t thrilled to find a modern skeleton in their midst. And things are made even more complicated because it falls on the competent Sergeant Reynolds’s three-week vacation with his daughter Hannah, who doesn’t exactly know that her father and Maggie are dating.
With an infidelity case to investigate, and a new investigation into the skeleton that was found, Maggie has a lot on her plate. Sergeant O’Shea is at the helm of the skeleton investigation, and he and Maggie don’t really get along. Throw in Hannah’s determination to despise Maggie, Reynolds’s insistence that they cool it while she’s there, and nothing could make this situation worse. Except maybe another body…
The new characters are delightful, and the old characters are just as good as ever. With another riveting mystery to investigate, Maggie becomes even more of a favorite. More hijinks ensue, once again thanks to Lenny’s infamous brownies, and the climax of this book is sure to shock and thrill you. If you enjoyed the previous books, this book is for you. Maybe not the best place to start, but a great place to end up four books in!
With an infidelity case to investigate, and a new investigation into the skeleton that was found, Maggie has a lot on her plate. Sergeant O’Shea is at the helm of the skeleton investigation, and he and Maggie don’t really get along. Throw in Hannah’s determination to despise Maggie, Reynolds’s insistence that they cool it while she’s there, and nothing could make this situation worse. Except maybe another body…
The new characters are delightful, and the old characters are just as good as ever. With another riveting mystery to investigate, Maggie becomes even more of a favorite. More hijinks ensue, once again thanks to Lenny’s infamous brownies, and the climax of this book is sure to shock and thrill you. If you enjoyed the previous books, this book is for you. Maybe not the best place to start, but a great place to end up four books in!
September 7, 2017
This is book 4 in the series and you really do need to read the first 3 before reading this story.
I just absolutely love Zara's writing, and especially this series.
Maggie, with her reputation as a 'dead body magnet', is back in the 4th book of the Movie Club Mysteries, and just when we think romance is blooming well and easy with the handsome Liam Reynolds, Maggie is at the centre of another murder and his daughter Hannah arrives in town. With a new case in hand and following a lead, Maggie and Lenny stumble into another mystery and for Lenny it's a painful experience. Hannah and Maggie's first meeting does not go well when she tells Maggie her plan for her father, and it does not include Maggie. With the story evolving Maggie can't believe the events that unfold, a new police officer with attitude, Liam's combative daughter, Melanie's obnoxious son and lonely daughter, another body, an ex wife with attitude, witnessing a tryst, delivering bad news, divorce, Lenny's brownies and kids with access to YouTube videos make for one highly entertaining story you won't be able to put down.
I received an ARC of The 39 Cupcakes and freely chose to read and review it. My review is honest and fair and in no way incentivised.
I just absolutely love Zara's writing, and especially this series.
Maggie, with her reputation as a 'dead body magnet', is back in the 4th book of the Movie Club Mysteries, and just when we think romance is blooming well and easy with the handsome Liam Reynolds, Maggie is at the centre of another murder and his daughter Hannah arrives in town. With a new case in hand and following a lead, Maggie and Lenny stumble into another mystery and for Lenny it's a painful experience. Hannah and Maggie's first meeting does not go well when she tells Maggie her plan for her father, and it does not include Maggie. With the story evolving Maggie can't believe the events that unfold, a new police officer with attitude, Liam's combative daughter, Melanie's obnoxious son and lonely daughter, another body, an ex wife with attitude, witnessing a tryst, delivering bad news, divorce, Lenny's brownies and kids with access to YouTube videos make for one highly entertaining story you won't be able to put down.
I received an ARC of The 39 Cupcakes and freely chose to read and review it. My review is honest and fair and in no way incentivised.
March 11, 2023
3.5
I've been enjoying this Irish series -- American ex-cop Maggie Doyle has moved to the west of Ireland to help out her aunt with her Movie Theatre Cafe. Only now, she also has her PI license so she's actively investigating some cases as well. So, the cozy aspect has shifted from the movie theatre cafe to her PI antics which I find a bit disappointing. I loved all the cafe details (it's actually in an old movie theatre) and there are all kinds of interesting clubs and groups that meet there. And it's the hub of the village so provides lots of opportunity to visit with the quirky townsfolk.
I've enjoy the Keane's deft hand with dry humour in the past three books, but there were times the comedic side let me down in this fourth one. It read like a middle grade story in places and that kind of humour is just not my thing. The mystery was really good -- lots of convoluted complications that kept me on my toes. Not sure if I'll continue with the series now. Maybe if my library has the next book, I'll give it a try before making a final decision.
I've been enjoying this Irish series -- American ex-cop Maggie Doyle has moved to the west of Ireland to help out her aunt with her Movie Theatre Cafe. Only now, she also has her PI license so she's actively investigating some cases as well. So, the cozy aspect has shifted from the movie theatre cafe to her PI antics which I find a bit disappointing. I loved all the cafe details (it's actually in an old movie theatre) and there are all kinds of interesting clubs and groups that meet there. And it's the hub of the village so provides lots of opportunity to visit with the quirky townsfolk.
I've enjoy the Keane's deft hand with dry humour in the past three books, but there were times the comedic side let me down in this fourth one. It read like a middle grade story in places and that kind of humour is just not my thing. The mystery was really good -- lots of convoluted complications that kept me on my toes. Not sure if I'll continue with the series now. Maybe if my library has the next book, I'll give it a try before making a final decision.
September 7, 2017
This is a great book; this is the fourth book in the Movie Club Mystery series and is written by Zara Keane. Ex-cop-turned-P.I. Maggie Doyle is stuck chaperoning a group of bratty summer camp kids to an archaeological dig on Whisper Island. After a day of fart jokes, fidget spinners, and fist fights, Maggie's regretting volunteering—and then one of her feral charges discovers a skeleton. At first it looks like a cold case, but the situation takes a sinister turn when a member of the excavation team winds up dead. Maggie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery before more bodies stack up. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
January 31, 2019
More entertaining shenanigans
So I am binge reading this whole series in two days. That right there ought to be enough of a review! This books are very entertaining and a great example of what a cozy mystery should be...more light hearted versions based on the master Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries. We have a dead body, hijinks, multiple suspects, lots of related and unrelated secrets, red herrings and a plucky heroine with helpful supporting characters.
There’s lots of humor in this book. Not as much Liam which is a bummer but Lenny really comes in to his own here! Several pieces of the puzzle come out of left field but several others the reader will be able to piece together.
As a bonus we also get slightly more progress in the romance between Liam and Maggie. I just downloaded book five to begin immediately and man ami going to be bummed when I’m at the end of the line (for now I hope) when I finish it!
So I am binge reading this whole series in two days. That right there ought to be enough of a review! This books are very entertaining and a great example of what a cozy mystery should be...more light hearted versions based on the master Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries. We have a dead body, hijinks, multiple suspects, lots of related and unrelated secrets, red herrings and a plucky heroine with helpful supporting characters.
There’s lots of humor in this book. Not as much Liam which is a bummer but Lenny really comes in to his own here! Several pieces of the puzzle come out of left field but several others the reader will be able to piece together.
As a bonus we also get slightly more progress in the romance between Liam and Maggie. I just downloaded book five to begin immediately and man ami going to be bummed when I’m at the end of the line (for now I hope) when I finish it!
September 3, 2022
What a fun and crazy read! Book 4 in the Movie Club Mysteries is a fascinating look at the going’s on at an archeological dig. PI Maggie has been badgered into helping chaperone the Smugglers Cove Bandits, a summer camp group, by her cousin Julie. Of course, Maggie seems to have the most rowdy and misbehaving group of the 6 chaperones! When they visit the dig, Tommy, one of her campers leaves the group to do some digging on his own and manages to uncover a scull. Sergeant Liam Reynolds (who also happens to be Maggie’s boyfriend) arrives on the scene, unsurprised that Maggie is once again involved with a dead body, or rather skeleton! He calls Maggie a murder magnet! But he winds up asking for her help investigating as he starts vacation the next day and doesn’t trust Sergeant O’Shea to do an adequate job. And what a convoluted investigation it turns out to be! I received a free copy of this book from the Cozy Mystery Book Club. Enjoy!
September 5, 2017
ARC - I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
Once again, Maggie stumbles upon a corpse.
It is like they follow her everywhere.
The strange part is that the victim was murders w/ a weapon from another century.
Maggie is entrusted w/ another mystery to solve.
With her man candy Liam officially on vacation, it is up to Maggie to make sure that the police do not mess up.
As the evidence pile up, a bunch of suspects are coming out of the woodwork.
However, who is the real murder ?
Don't worry!
With Maggie on the case, the murder will not escape justice.
On a side note, Liam's daughter has come to visit.
He is trying to find an easy way to introduce his daughter to Maggie.
The first meeting was hilarious. Thanks to Lenny.
I can't wait for the next book.
Once again, Maggie stumbles upon a corpse.
It is like they follow her everywhere.
The strange part is that the victim was murders w/ a weapon from another century.
Maggie is entrusted w/ another mystery to solve.
With her man candy Liam officially on vacation, it is up to Maggie to make sure that the police do not mess up.
As the evidence pile up, a bunch of suspects are coming out of the woodwork.
However, who is the real murder ?
Don't worry!
With Maggie on the case, the murder will not escape justice.
On a side note, Liam's daughter has come to visit.
He is trying to find an easy way to introduce his daughter to Maggie.
The first meeting was hilarious. Thanks to Lenny.
I can't wait for the next book.
September 7, 2017
I love these cozy mysteries. So much fun to read. Maggie is a hoot who can't help but get herself into trouble. Her reputation for unearthing dead bodies has spread all over Whisper Island, Ireland. Sgt. O'Shea is as usual, more interested in his golf games the solving any murders. Thank goodness for Maggie the PI or no crimes would be solved on the island.
Maggie is great at getting herself into mostly hilarious but sometimes scary trouble. She is also good at getting out of it. Reynolds, her love intereste and neighbour is more than a little preoccupied having his daughter visit for 3 weeks before school starts. I love the development of this character and her relationship with her dad and Maggie. Well done. Kids, especially Tweens, aren't easy to write but the author does an amazing job, Suspenseful and funny, this is a wonderful read.
Maggie is great at getting herself into mostly hilarious but sometimes scary trouble. She is also good at getting out of it. Reynolds, her love intereste and neighbour is more than a little preoccupied having his daughter visit for 3 weeks before school starts. I love the development of this character and her relationship with her dad and Maggie. Well done. Kids, especially Tweens, aren't easy to write but the author does an amazing job, Suspenseful and funny, this is a wonderful read.
September 14, 2017
Before reading this book, I highly recommend reading the prior books starting off with Dial P for Poison. It will give you a better sense of Maggie, Lenny, Liam and Maggie’s family.
Overall, this is a fun mystery story involving 2 dead bodies. There are many twists and turns but not all is revealed until the end of the story. It is a very complicated plot that brings up many past issues and their effects. If you do not mind not figuring out the mystery (or at least I could not) and just enjoying the ride, this book is for you.
There is no real romance in this story but definitely a budding relationship in the works. The story has many good character interactions that make you smile. In the end, I would give it 3 bubbles/stars for a good story and look forward to continuing the series.
https://bubblesunlimited.wordpress.co...
Overall, this is a fun mystery story involving 2 dead bodies. There are many twists and turns but not all is revealed until the end of the story. It is a very complicated plot that brings up many past issues and their effects. If you do not mind not figuring out the mystery (or at least I could not) and just enjoying the ride, this book is for you.
There is no real romance in this story but definitely a budding relationship in the works. The story has many good character interactions that make you smile. In the end, I would give it 3 bubbles/stars for a good story and look forward to continuing the series.
https://bubblesunlimited.wordpress.co...
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