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Shayla Murphy #4
Muddy Murder: A Shayla Murphy Mystery
In the idyllic Irish village of Ballywick, Shayla Murphy is living her dream.
With her charming fiancé Seamus by her side, she's just a week away from the grand opening of the Eyerloch Castle Hotel—a high-class haven she’s been tasked with managing. Just when the finishing touches are being made, unexpected visitors in the form of the richest family in Australia descends upon the not-yet-open hotel, seeking luxurious accommodations.
But when a member of the visiting family turns up dead, the grand opening is the least of Shayla's worries. With her keen detective skills and knack for solving murders, can Shayla find the killer in time to save the hotel and her future?
Adding to the mayhem, Shayla's estranged mother arrives unannounced, stirring up old family dynamics and secrets that could crack the case wide open—or muddy the waters even further.
Dive into this cozy Irish caper, where the stakes are high, the tea is hot, and the mysteries are just waiting to be solved. Shayla Murphy's third adventure is a charming blend of whimsy, suspense, and unexpected family drama. Your room at Eyerloch Castle Hotel is ready—will you dare to check in?
With her charming fiancé Seamus by her side, she's just a week away from the grand opening of the Eyerloch Castle Hotel—a high-class haven she’s been tasked with managing. Just when the finishing touches are being made, unexpected visitors in the form of the richest family in Australia descends upon the not-yet-open hotel, seeking luxurious accommodations.
But when a member of the visiting family turns up dead, the grand opening is the least of Shayla's worries. With her keen detective skills and knack for solving murders, can Shayla find the killer in time to save the hotel and her future?
Adding to the mayhem, Shayla's estranged mother arrives unannounced, stirring up old family dynamics and secrets that could crack the case wide open—or muddy the waters even further.
Dive into this cozy Irish caper, where the stakes are high, the tea is hot, and the mysteries are just waiting to be solved. Shayla Murphy's third adventure is a charming blend of whimsy, suspense, and unexpected family drama. Your room at Eyerloch Castle Hotel is ready—will you dare to check in?
- GenresMystery
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2023
161 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Stella Bixby
58 books567 followersStella Bixby is a native Coloradan who loves to snowboard, pluck at the guitar, and play board games with her family. She was once a volunteer firefighter and a park ranger, but now spends most of her time making up stories and trying to figure out what to cook for dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 8, 2025
not bad
Lots of surprises in store for Shayla in this one including revelations about her mom’s former life/career and the identity of her father. A good mystery with family drama.
Lots of surprises in store for Shayla in this one including revelations about her mom’s former life/career and the identity of her father. A good mystery with family drama.
September 13, 2023
Shayla is doing her best to get the hotel ready for it’s grand opening. Of course, unexpected guests and an unexpected murder or two put a wrench in those plans! This one was a page turner start to finish. Muddy Murder was fun, sweet, and loaded with mystery. A few shockers for Shayla too!
September 21, 2023
Muddy Murder is the 3 book in the Shayla Murphy Mystery series. Shayla is trying to convert the castle to a B&B and during all the choas she stumbles upon a body. So, while trying to get the castle ready for opening day she will again work with Molly to help solve the murder. It was nice seeing the relationship growing between the characters of Molly, Lila, and Grainne with Shayla. We also get a surprise appearance from Shayla's Mother. But there are some bombshells dropped in this book that will be interesting in the future. I have really enjoyed the Shayla Murphy series so far and definitely look forward to future installments.
I received a copy of this ARC for my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this ARC for my honest opinion.
September 24, 2023
Wow, just Wow!
There were so many twists and turns and massive surprises that I never knew what was coming next (except about Shannon, I knew that all along).
Shayla’s life just gets crazier and crazier but she finds more people to love in each story.
I know people say this all the time (including me) but I really can’t wait to see what happens to her next!
There were so many twists and turns and massive surprises that I never knew what was coming next (except about Shannon, I knew that all along).
Shayla’s life just gets crazier and crazier but she finds more people to love in each story.
I know people say this all the time (including me) but I really can’t wait to see what happens to her next!
September 20, 2023
Muddy Murder
I enjoyed 1 & 2 but I loved this Shayla Mystery! It kept me guessing, had surprising twists and turns. This was a late night read as I couldn’t put it down! How is 4 going to top 3?
I enjoyed 1 & 2 but I loved this Shayla Mystery! It kept me guessing, had surprising twists and turns. This was a late night read as I couldn’t put it down! How is 4 going to top 3?
September 13, 2023
Shayla is back. She has her hands full trying to convert the castle to a B and B and of course she is stumbles on a body. And that is not even the most astonishing part of the story. Shayla's mom has a huge secret that is about to be revealed. A second body makes things even more complicated for Shayla, Seamus and Molly. Every story just makes me want to visit Ireland more. It takes a village to have a B&B and solve a murder.
September 17, 2023
enjoyed the book, tricky case, looking forward to reading the next...
September 14, 2023
Another great mystery
I just love that I get to keep reading about Shayla. It was nice to see her relationship with Molly and her mother progress so wonderfully. Can't wait for the next book.
I just love that I get to keep reading about Shayla. It was nice to see her relationship with Molly and her mother progress so wonderfully. Can't wait for the next book.
November 29, 2023
Another good mystery. Love this series.
September 11, 2023
Oh! i absolutely love this series, I really love how Seamus is protective but respect Shayla's independance. Really it was perfect and the twists kept me on edge so the investigation was really well written, the balance between suspense, action, humour and romance is really well done so it was a page turner and a wonderful story.
Shayla is working on the new hotel, a castle, for the family of her future husband, it's a project that she like even if it's stressing her as she wants to impress the family and show them she is worth seamus' love...however it's only herself that is putting pressure on her shoulders and when murders happen a week before the grand opening when she does not even have her staff team ready Shayla is in panic mode. Thankfully she has Seamus and friends at her back even if she forget it.
Really it was great with some secret revealing, cute scenes i just can't understand how Shayla can trust Shannon after everything.... and we get to meet Shayla 's mother. So really i could not have hoed for a better instalment and i just want more
Shayla is working on the new hotel, a castle, for the family of her future husband, it's a project that she like even if it's stressing her as she wants to impress the family and show them she is worth seamus' love...however it's only herself that is putting pressure on her shoulders and when murders happen a week before the grand opening when she does not even have her staff team ready Shayla is in panic mode. Thankfully she has Seamus and friends at her back even if she forget it.
Really it was great with some secret revealing, cute scenes i just can't understand how Shayla can trust Shannon after everything.... and we get to meet Shayla 's mother. So really i could not have hoed for a better instalment and i just want more
October 30, 2024
Well. Color me surprised by Shayla’s mom’s admission of what her job was prior to being on the police force!! Never in a million years did I see that coming!
I’m glad that Shayla and Molly are becoming friends. After the bomb dropping about Seamus being Lily’s father, I wasn’t really sure how the next books would handle this new relationship but the author has done a very nice job of blending the families together.
I also appreciated Seamus’s mother giving it to Shayla straight at the end of the book. I think Shayla has been so warped from the way her mother treated her growing up that she needs a good dose of tough love to make her understand that she is appreciated and wanted in the family.
As for Shayla’s mother and Jonas - I guess we’ll see what happens there! I did wish that Riley had been more present in this book. Even if it was more text messaging or face timing or something. It almost felt like Riley was replaced my Molly and I know part of that is the physical distance but I hope they keep the emotional connection of the best friends alive.
I’m glad that Shayla and Molly are becoming friends. After the bomb dropping about Seamus being Lily’s father, I wasn’t really sure how the next books would handle this new relationship but the author has done a very nice job of blending the families together.
I also appreciated Seamus’s mother giving it to Shayla straight at the end of the book. I think Shayla has been so warped from the way her mother treated her growing up that she needs a good dose of tough love to make her understand that she is appreciated and wanted in the family.
As for Shayla’s mother and Jonas - I guess we’ll see what happens there! I did wish that Riley had been more present in this book. Even if it was more text messaging or face timing or something. It almost felt like Riley was replaced my Molly and I know part of that is the physical distance but I hope they keep the emotional connection of the best friends alive.
September 9, 2023
Muddy Murder is the 3 book in the Shayla Murphy Mystery series.
There are developed characters, a bit of intrigue, and a bit of humor.
Sit back and enjoy the roller coster ride you are about to start.
Shayla is watching the clock as she is counting down to the grand opening of the hotel that she remodeled after the family castle was torched.
A wealthy man from Australia is in Ireland and the hotel he was supposed to stay at was suffering an unexpected shutdown, so being friends with Gráinn, she ask Sayla to let them stay in the castle hotel.
One of his staff is murdered and Shayla needs the murder cleared quickly so as not to interfere with the Hotel's opening.
Shayla's mom pulls a surprise visit, and that's just the start of the surprises in store for Shayla.
There are developed characters, a bit of intrigue, and a bit of humor.
Sit back and enjoy the roller coster ride you are about to start.
Shayla is watching the clock as she is counting down to the grand opening of the hotel that she remodeled after the family castle was torched.
A wealthy man from Australia is in Ireland and the hotel he was supposed to stay at was suffering an unexpected shutdown, so being friends with Gráinn, she ask Sayla to let them stay in the castle hotel.
One of his staff is murdered and Shayla needs the murder cleared quickly so as not to interfere with the Hotel's opening.
Shayla's mom pulls a surprise visit, and that's just the start of the surprises in store for Shayla.
March 8, 2024
Parties and murders
Shayla has overseen the renovation of the castle that was badly damaged by fire in an earlier book in this series, and is planning a gala opening of it as a luxury hotel. Unexpected early-arriving guests come to stay, and one gets murdered. There are more deaths before the grand opening, but all crimes are solved and all plans are brilliantly completed by book’s end. This entry seemed a bit rushed to me, and the fairy-tale aspects of Shayla’s soon to be family were less believable than in earlier books, but this is pretty interesting if one can suspend disbelief.
Shayla has overseen the renovation of the castle that was badly damaged by fire in an earlier book in this series, and is planning a gala opening of it as a luxury hotel. Unexpected early-arriving guests come to stay, and one gets murdered. There are more deaths before the grand opening, but all crimes are solved and all plans are brilliantly completed by book’s end. This entry seemed a bit rushed to me, and the fairy-tale aspects of Shayla’s soon to be family were less believable than in earlier books, but this is pretty interesting if one can suspend disbelief.
January 23, 2024
Love This Series!
This book is a wonderful addition to the Shayla Murphy Mysteries series. As Shayla works hard to fit into her new life in Ireland, she is super busy renovating the castle, solving two murders and learning a shocking secret. I love this series! I think you will too if you love unique characters, baffling mysteries and the taste of Ireland.
This book is a wonderful addition to the Shayla Murphy Mysteries series. As Shayla works hard to fit into her new life in Ireland, she is super busy renovating the castle, solving two murders and learning a shocking secret. I love this series! I think you will too if you love unique characters, baffling mysteries and the taste of Ireland.
September 23, 2023
There were so many potential murderers that solving the mystery was a real challenge. The characters were varied and mostly likable. It’s was a fun read and I would highly recommend giving it a try.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
October 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this latest cozy mystery featuring Shayla and Seamus! Stella Bixby's Muddy Murder features fun twists and turns and a great setting with an Irish castle as the backdrop. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
November 9, 2023
Muddy
I love the writing style of this author. Her characters are flawed yet loveable. Her mysteries flow on multiple levels to keep my mind engaged. I highly recommend this series and TBE Riley Cooper Series. Enjoy!!
I love the writing style of this author. Her characters are flawed yet loveable. Her mysteries flow on multiple levels to keep my mind engaged. I highly recommend this series and TBE Riley Cooper Series. Enjoy!!
September 18, 2023
Who killed Rita and Fergus and why??? Pictures and blackmail??? Thank goodness for that roof!!!! i enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
September 29, 2023
Great fun getting back with Shayla and friends as she gets the castle b&b ready for its grand opening. With surprise guests and murder things get very interesting. Really enjoyed this book
December 30, 2023
loved reading this book
liked the relationship with Molly, Lila and Seamus
Great she got to know both her parents and her new family
liked the relationship with Molly, Lila and Seamus
Great she got to know both her parents and her new family
December 30, 2023
This series gets better and better
Lots of twists and turns in this one. A lot of suspects. Several storylines that all come together beautifully at the end. Well worth the read!
Lots of twists and turns in this one. A lot of suspects. Several storylines that all come together beautifully at the end. Well worth the read!
January 26, 2024
Fun Series
This fourth installment in the Shayla Murphy series is as entertaining as books one through four. The characters so well rounded they seem like people you actually know.
This fourth installment in the Shayla Murphy series is as entertaining as books one through four. The characters so well rounded they seem like people you actually know.
May 10, 2024
This is a new author to me and I have read her books out of order, but I will remedy that. I thought this was a great book, even not knowing all the back stories. The characters were believable, and the mystery had some interesting twists and turns. Recommend reading this book.
5/09/24 Finished reading the whole series over, catching up the couple of books I haven't read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one.
5/09/24 Finished reading the whole series over, catching up the couple of books I haven't read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews