Death By The Book: A Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book 2 by Lucy Connelly

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Irish scones, shamrock shortbread, a local literary festival… and a rather dead author? Join Mercy McCarthy on her next case! 

Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy are settling in to the charming seaside village of Shamrock Cove on the west coast of Ireland. Lizzie throws herself into organizing a book festival and mystery writer Mercy even agrees to come out of her bookish hidey-hole to get involved. But then the star author for the event is found dead. James Brandt was killed by a falling bookshelf in his own cottage… 

The local detective is not convinced by Mercy’s suspicion of murder but when someone else turns up dead, the police cannot ignore it. There’s just one problem: Mercy and Lizzie’s beloved dog Mr. Poe sniffs out the second body in the storeroom of their own bookstore. And now all of the gossips seem determined to pin the murder on Mercy!

Convinced the police are focusing on a red herring in this real-life case, Mercy needs to act fast to clear her name. A meddling mayor, a cheerful chef and a bashful botanist make her suspect list, but it’s not until Mercy discovers a tatty old photograph in the local library archive that she is onto the killer’s trail.

With the police keen to shut her out of the murder investigation, can Mercy play this case by the book, or will she be the next to fall off the shelf…? 

A totally gripping and twisty cozy crime novel, perfect for readers who love Agatha Christie, Carlene O’Connor or Faith Martin! This incredibly fast-paced and fun murder mystery will whisk you off to Ireland and won’t let you go until the final page! 

my thoughts:

I am LOVING the Mercy McCarthy Mystery series to bits! Written by Lucy Connelly, Death By The Book, is the second book in her popular cozy mystery series and it is FANTASTIC! The writing is top notch, the characters are familiar and unforgettable, and the story itself is unputdownable. I am hooked on these stories and can't wait for the next book in the series. They are just so much fun to read. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP - you are going to fall in deep with this story and the series. 

Set in Ireland, we get to armchair travel to the beautiful seaside village of Shamrock Cove. Mercy and her twin sister, Lizzie, are adjusting to village life and settling in to their new surroundings. The town's annual literary festival is in full planning mode and Lizzie has thrown herself her and her bookshop into it all. Plus, Mercy, has decided to join in as a panelist and one of the authors - she's a famous mystery writer with a looming deadline. Of course, nothing goes as planned when the headlining author is found dead in his cottage thanks to a falling bookshelf. Whoa! Talk about a bookish nightmare. Except, Mercy is convinced the author was killed and that it wasn't an accident. The police don't agree with Mercy until another her body is found. The only problem is that all eyes are on Mercy as the culprit - Yikes! So, what's a mystery writer to do...sleuth it up and solve the murders FAST! 

Connelly has created something special with, A Mercy McCarthy Mystery series, and I am here for it. I am really enjoying getting to know Mercy and Lizzie (even more), along with the townsfolk of Shamrock Cove. And, Ireland is just so gorgeous, that getting to read about it makes for a fun time. Plus, the mystery itself is always full of shocking twists and turns, which makes the story thrilling and exciting. I love getting caught up in the drama and sleuthing - makes me eager to finger out whodunit before the big reveal. This series is truly a treat to read. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Monday Musings...

Long time no musings. I've been wanting to post, but hadn't felt all that great mentally, so I took a little break. I also decided to get help and found a therapist. It's been slow-going, but I do notice a difference and that is a good thing. I'm still having anxiety attacks, but I am able to tackle them quicker and harder - hurrah! I feel like I am on a good track mentally :)

So, what else do I want to chat about?

Books. So many great ones. I keep adding to my TBR list. And yet, I can't seem to finish a book. In fact, I can't even read one lately. I find myself unable to fall in deep with a story. It's like I've fallen out of love with reading and that is freaking me out. I've been a reader since I was little. I was the one at a party with a book in hand. I always carry a book with me. Except for now. Instead, I pick up a book, start to read it, and then put it down. And, I am sad about it. I don't know what to do. Normally, I would reread a favorite to snap me out of this reading rut, but that didn't work this time. I also read magazines to jumpstart my reading, but that is not working either - especially since I don't even want to read a magazine. Ack! What is happening? I'm supposed to be reading Norwegian Literature for my friend Meredith's Norway in November reading challenge and that is not happening. I feel lost without my books. I'd appreciate any tips or advice you might have about how to get out of a reading rut. 

Tracker. OMG! I am LOVING this season. I just watched the latest episode and it was soooo good! Colter was hired to find a teenage healer. He almost died in this episode - it was crazy! Of course, we knew he wouldn't die, because it's his show - and yet, it was intense. I loved it! I can't wait to watch the next episode. I'm hoping he visits his sister and asks about their father's box. I want to see more Russell. I just want more of all it. 

Planners. I've started my general planner for 2025. Today is the first day for it. Such a weird date for a planner to start on, but I'm enjoying starting a fresh planner. I'm excited to set it up a bit more and get the rest of my planner ready for the new year. How crazy - a new year is ramping up already. Wow!

Alright, well that is enough catching up for now. Wishing you all a lovely week. Happy reading!

It's time for the Norway in November reading challenge!

It's time for Norway in November and I'm ready to read some Norwegian literature this month. I've decided to pick up a book or two by Maja Lunde.  I'm thinking The History of Bees or The End of the Ocean...maybe both? Either way, I'm excited. It should make for a fun reading month. 

So, what exactly is Norway in November? Well, it's a reading challenge hosted by my dear friend, Meredith. All you have to do is read a book that has been translated from Norwegian to English. Pretty simple, eh? If you want the full details head on over to Meredith's awesome blog, Dolce Bellezza. And, let me know if you decide to join in on the fun. 

Happy reading!

A Christmas Ghost Story: A Chilling Tale for Dark Days and Long Nights by Kim Newman

(Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

I just received this novella, A Christmas Ghost Story by Kim Newman, and I'm eager to read it. I love the title and I love the cover. It's the perfect story for this Halloween season. So, what is the story about? Well, according to the blurb I read:

From the acclaimed author of Anno Dracula, the perfect gift for those who love the dark fantastic imaginations of Neil Gaiman and T. Kingfisher, this is a nightmarish tale of a haunted Christmas set deep in the British countryside not too long ago. Cosy traditions are made twisted and terrifying as a mother and son grapple with their painful past.

Lynda and her teenage son Rust prepare for Christmas, hanging fairy lights and making decorations. The first door of the advent calendar is opened, but the chocolate inside tastes off. Rust receives his first Christmas card, it's unsigned and the message is aggressive rather than festive.

The cards keep coming, one each day and each more sinister than the last, and a frightened Lynda recalls a seasonal TV show from her childhood that featured similar happenings, and while she remembers it vividly, there is no evidence that it was ever broadcast…

As their Christmas cheer is gradually poisoned, with real dead robins replacing plastic ones, the turkey rotting in the freezer and Rust becoming increasingly unwell, Lynda begins to wonder if her childhood Christmases were in fact as joy filled as she remembers…

A terrifying tale of seasonal dread from a master of horror.

Whoa! How creepy does that sound? How is a TV show only Lynda remembers coming true? Who is sending those cards? Why is her son getting sick? Who is determined to scare them to death? What is happening? Yikes! Okay, this sounds like a fun one. And, I can't wait to read it! I'm going to need a cuppa,  a cozy reading spot, and my copy of A Christmas Ghost Story this weekend. Talk about perfect reading plans. 

And now, I'm off to tackle some more books on my TBR list. Hope you are all having a wonderful week. Happy reading!

Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

Death Comes At Christmas edited by Marie O'Regan and Paul Kane

(Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

I love anthologies. They are always such fun to read. Eighteen authors all writing about the same topic, but in such different ways - who wouldn't love that? Am I right? So, of course I was excited to get my hands on a copy of this lovely, Death Comes At Christmas edited by Marie O'Regan and Paul Kane. I mean, c'mon, it has Christmas in the title and the theme is murder-mysteries. How could I resist? My favorite holiday and my new favorite genre - Hurrah!  So, I grabbed a huge cuppa and settled in for a long night with my new favorite book. And let me just say, what a treat it was! 

I really enjoyed reading stories by some of my favorites (C. L. Taylor, Claire McGowan, J. T. Ellison) and reading stories by new-to-me writers (Belinda Bauer, Angela Clarke, Tina Baker) - talk about a fun a festive mix. There were locked-room mysteries, cozy mysteries, and some dark and twisty stories - all of which made for an exciting and thrilling reading experience. I would happily recommend Death Comes At Christmas to fans of murder mysteries and anyone looking for their next great read - you are going to LOVE this book to bits! Make sure to grab a copy ASAP. Or gift a copy to your favorite bibliophile. Either way, make sure to check this book out. 

Thank you to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!