TBR List

I've just added this lovely to by TBR (to be read) List and can't want to read it.

So, what's the book about? Well, it's about a woman who leaves her life behind in the US, and escapes to Ireland to start over fresh. As the years go by, she's settled in nicely and has a family of her own, along with a talent for art. Unfortunately, it's her paintings that may be her own undoing - the spotlight on her artwork is leading to journalists asking questions. Yep, seems like the secrets from her past won't leave stay hidden. Yikes! Talk about drama!

Now, how intriguing does that sound? What are these secrets? Why did she have to leave her life behind? What happened? Why can't she be free from her past? I have so many questions! Plus, the story takes place in Ireland - how lovely! Such a beautiful country. I'm excited to find out who Saoirse really is and what her story is all about. 

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

Death At Inishmore Castle: A Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book 3 by Lucy Connelly

(Thank you Bookouture for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

A grand castle, a glass of Irish whiskey, a good book by the fire… and a rather mysterious murder?

Historic Inishmore Castle is opening its doors for the first time, hosting a charming weekend of whiskey tasting and soda bread baking. Sisters Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy are badly in need of a break, but their relaxing trip takes a decidedly unrestful turn when Mercy finds fellow guest Father Brennen slumped over the desk in the library… Did he have one glass too many or did someone want him dead? 

Even more curiously, Mercy swiftly learns that the priest was no priest at all. So why was he searching through dusty old journals? Can the legend of Inishmore’s lost treasure possibly be true?

Mercy’s suspicions of foul play are confirmed when another of their party is found drowned in the lake at the edge of the manor’s estate. It can’t be a coincidence! Someone in this idyllic Irish castle is up to no good and Mercy is determined to find out who’s behind it, accompanied by her reluctant fellow sleuth and beloved dog Mr. Poe.

With a host of frightened guests and worried staff, and a storm closing in, Mercy soon has more suspects than bedrooms in the castle. Could it be the unconvincing nun, the busybody birdwatcher, or are the owners hiding something sinister? When Mercy realises there are secret passages in the walls, she thinks she might have cracked the case… but will she track the killer down, or will Inishmore be her resting place forever more? 

A completely delightful Irish cozy mystery, full of warmth and wit. Fans of Agatha Christie, Carlene O’Connor and Faith Martin will love Mercy McCarthy! 

my thoughts:

Love, love, love! I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and Lucy Connelly's A Mercy McCarthy Mystery series is one of my favorites. So, you can imagine my joy when I received the third book - Death At Inishmore Castle. Hurrah! Another fantastic story to get wrapped up in - murder, mystery, Ireland, and the McCarthy sisters - what more could I want? 

This time round, Mercy and Lizzie, along with a few of their neighbors from Shamrock Cove head to nearby Inishmore Castle for a whiskey tasting weekend. The two sisters are in need of a break and have plans to relax, relax, relax. Except, that their idea of a fun getaway takes a turn when a dead body is found in the library. Yep, murder has arrived at Inishmore Castle and it looks like Mercy is on the case. Especially as another body is found in the lake. Yikes! An old castle, stormy weather, and bodies piling up - talk about a weekend gone wrong. And that's all I'll share about this captivating mystery - it's one you won't want to miss out on. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! 

I'm happy to recommend Connelly's wonderful series - A Mercy McCarthy Mystery. The stories are so much fun to read. The characters are a treat to get to know. Ireland is the perfect setting to fall in love with. And, the whodunits are such great mysteries to solve. All in all, this series is top notch and not to be missed!

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book!

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!

An Irish Bookshop Murder: A Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book 1 by Lucy Connelly

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

An utterly gripping cozy crime murder mystery

Meet Ireland’s newest daring she’s a bookstore owner, a coffee lover, and a crime writer. Now Mercy McCarthy needs a little Irish luck as she takes on her first case! 

After receiving unexpected inheritance from her grandfather, Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie are now the proud owners of a charming antique bookshop in the tiny Irish village of Shamrock Cove. But before they can take in the beautiful view of the sea, one of their neighbors drops dead! 

Mercy finds the Judge, a well-respected man who lives next door, dying on his own doorstep. She rushes to help, but with his final words, he accuses Mercy of murder! Most of their new neighbors hear his words and, with suspicion pointing at Mercy, she decides to investigate the case to clear her name.

Searching amongst the Judge’s old books, Mercy uncovers letters proving several of the townsfolk had reason to dislike the judge—but was it the local pub landlord, the kindly cook or neighborly knitter who killed him? 

Then Mercy’s chief suspect turns up dead and she receives a threatening note, typed on paper from her own bookstore… Ireland was supposed to be a fresh start for Mercy and Lizzie, but dead bodies keep turning up.

Does Mercy have what it takes to nail the culprit or will the killer close the book on her time in this charming Irish village?

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved the first book, An Irish Bookshop Murder, in the new series, A Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book by Lucy Connelly. It reminded me of a Hallmark Mystery movie, which I LOVED - those are some of my favorites! This book was a cozy mystery through and through, which is my favorite genre lately. We have twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie - Mercy writes mystery novels and Lizzie runs a lavender ranch. Both have just had their lives upended. So, upon inheriting a cottage and antique bookshop from their grandfather, the sisters find themselves eager for a fresh start. Relocating to Shamrock Cove, Ireland is just the ticket. They soon find themselves in a beautiful new place being welcomed by their grandfather's friends and neighbors. Life is looking up for both sisters until the Judge, their ornery neighbor dies on his front porch. Unfortunately, right before he dies he accuses Mercy of murder. Say what? Yep, Mercy is now involved in quite the conundrum. Being a mystery writer, she is determined to solve the Judge's murder and his suspicions of her. The only question is, will she be able to clear her name and figure out who is the murder before her and Lizzie get hurt, or worse? Yikes! And, woo hoo! This book was such a treat to read! I really enjoyed getting to know Mercy and Lizzie, along with their new neighbors and friends. Plus, trying to figure out whodunnit was such a fun puzzle. Connelly has created a terrific new series that I can't wait to read more of. 

I would happily recommend An Irish Bookshop Murder to anyone and everyone looking for a new cozy mystery to fall in love with - you are going to devour this first book with gusto! It is perfect for the upcoming fall season - snuggled up with a cuppa and this book, you won't want for anything else. Well, maybe a sweet treat. Seriously though, you are going to really enjoy Connelly's writing, characters, and mystery - they all come together to make an amazing story that you won't be able to put down until you turn that last page.  Make sure to check out An Irish Bookshop Murder ASAP! I know I can't wait to get my hands on book 2. 

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

Factory Girls: A Novel by Michelle Gallen

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

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A funny, fierce, and unforgettable read about a young woman working a summer job in a shirt factory in Northern Ireland, while tensions rise both inside and outside the factory walls.

It’s the summer of 1994, and all smart-mouthed Maeve Murray wants are good final exam results so she can earn her ticket out of the wee Northern Irish town she has grown up in during the Troubles. She hopes she will soon be in London studying journalism—away from her crowded home, the silence and sadness surrounding her sister’s death, and most of all, away from the violence of her divided community.

As a first step, Maeve’s taken a job in a shirt factory working alongside Protestants with her best friends. But getting the right exam results is only part of Maeve’s problem—she’s got to survive a tit-for-tat paramilitary campaign, iron 100 shirts an hour all day every day, and deal with the attentions of Handy Andy Strawbridge, her slick and untrustworthy English boss. Then, as the British loyalist marching season raises tensions among the Catholic and Protestant workforce, Maeve realizes something is going on behind the scenes at the factory. What seems to be a great opportunity to earn money turns out to be a crucible in which Maeve faces the test of a lifetime. Seeking justice for herself and her fellow workers may just be Maeve’s one-way ticket out of town.

Bitingly hilarious, clear-eyed, and steeped in the vernacular of its time and place, Factory Girlstackles questions of wealth and power, religion and nationalism, and how young women maintain hope for themselves and the future during divided, violent times.

my thoughts:

Whoa! What a freaking fantastic story! I just LOVED Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen to bits! 

Set in 1994 during the Troubles in Ireland, we meet Maeve Murray. She's waiting for her GSCE exam results to find out whether or not she'll be attending school in London to study journalism - something she desperately wants. Because all Maeve wants is to get out of her small town and away from all the problems and troubles that reside there. So, to bide her time, she gets a summer job at a shirt factory with her best friends. It's the first time she'll be working alongside Protestants, which turns out to be an eye-opening experience for her, being a Catholic and all. Plus, her boss is known for being too handsy and forward when it comes to his female staff. Oh, and something sketchy seems to be going on at work which may test Maeve in ways she didn't realize she needed to be tested. Talk about a DRAMA-filled summer! 

Gallen has written a smart and hilarious story chock full of unforgettable characters during an unforgettable summer that you will fall in deep with - I know that I did. I really enjoyed getting to know Maeve and her friends and their hometown of Tyrone. Getting to experience a piece of Irish history via Maeve's story was just such a treat. I would happily recommend Factory Girls to fans of Gallen's work and to anyone looking for their next great read - you won't want to miss out on this book! Make sure to check it out!

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

Murder At Greysbridge: An Inishowen Mystery by Andrea Carter

(Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Summer has arrived in Inishowen and solicitor Ben O'Keeffe is greatly tempted by a job offer she's received from a law firm in America. 

Yet before making any life-changing decisions there is her friend Leah's wedding to attend at the newly restored Greysbridge Hotel, with its private beach and beautiful pier. It's the perfect location, everyone agrees, but the festivities are brutally cut short when a young American, a visitor also staying at the hotel, drowns in full view of the wedding guests. 

And when a second death is discovered the same evening, Ben finds herself embroiled in a real country house murder mystery, where all the guests are suspects . . .

my thoughts:

Murder At Greysbridge by Andrea Carter is the fourth book in her popular Inishowen Mystery series and it is excellent. I read it as a standalone, as it was my first time reading a book by Andrea Carter, and let me just say I LOVED it. The story had mystery, suspense, thrills, murder, and the perfect atmosphere of isolation and eeriness. Definitely a must-read for fans of Carter and anyone who loves a great murder-mystery. 

So, what's the book about? Well, it's about solicitor Ben O'Keeffe. She's just received a job offer in America and is definitely considering it. However, she's got to attend her friend's wedding first. It's being held at Greysbridge Hotel - newly restored and located right on the beach. Talk about an ideal wedding location. Except, turns out that murder doesn't care about beautiful weddings. Nope, there are two deaths on the same day. Yikes! Yep, looks like Greysbridge Hotel is housing some deadly secrets. Or at least the people staying there are. And, it's up to Ben to figure out what is going on and whodunit. 

Carter has written a terrific new addition to her series with this book. It is gripping, chock full of twists and turns, and the characters are unforgettable. I loved getting caught up in the drama and the mysteries surrounding the hotel. There are so many people to keep up with, but I enjoyed that chaos. And, I loved seeing Ireland through Ben's eyes. Such a great read!

I would happily recommend Murder At Greysbridge - you are going to LOVE this book and start adding the first three in the series to your TBR lists ( I know that I did ). Make sure to check it out!

Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Making Of Her: A Novel by Bernadette Jiwa

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

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

An unforgettable debut novel about family secrets, falling apart, and coming together.

Dublin 1996. Joan Egan lives an enviable life. She and her husband, Martin, and daughter, Carmel, are thriving in Dublin at the dawn of an economic boom. But everything changes when Joan receives a letter from Emma, the daughter who she and Martin gave up for adoption thirty years before, asking for a life-or-death favor.

While Joan grapples with the guilt over giving up her baby long ago, she must confront her present as the cracks in her marriage become impossible to ignore and simmering tension with Carmel boils over. Meanwhile, Carmel and Emma must come to terms with the perceived sins of their mother, to imagine a future for their family before it is too late.

Spanning the nineties and the sixties, with Dublin as its backdrop, The Making of Her is the tender and page-turning story of marriage, motherhood, a culture that would not allow a woman to find true happiness--and her journey to finally claim it.

my thoughts:

The Making Of Her by Bernadette Jiwa is a real gem of a novel. Heartbreaking, engaging, and riveting - three words that describe this unputdownable story.  And even then, I feel like it's not enough to just describe this story - you need to read it for yourself to truly experience it. This is one book that you will savor as you read and then think about it weeks after you've put it down. All in all, it's just a damn good read. 

Jiwa has captured Dublin so beautifully, that you can smell, taste, and breathe in the city. I just loved reading all about it. And the story itself, explores motherhood, societal issues, and marriage in such an open and honest manner - it's refreshing and fascinating. The characters are relatable, unlikeable, and just raw with their personalities, choices, and lives - it's intriguing. The Making Of Her is just such a wonderful story. I couldn't help but take my time with it - I didn't want it to end! Truly an excellent reading experience!

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - check out Bernadette Jiwa's debut novel, The Making Of Her, ASAP - you will fall in deep with it!

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

The Dazzling Truth: A Novel by Helen Cullen

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

about book:

Poised to celebrate Christmas Eve on a beautifully scenic island off the coast of Ireland, the Moone family’s holiday is instead marred by tragedy. So begins Helen Cullen’s stirring family saga, THE DAZZLING TRUTH. Maeve and Murtagh Moone’s love story began in 1978, at Trinity College. As an aspiring actress and potter respectively, the two creative spirits were drawn to each other in an intense and lasting way, able to withstand almost anything, even Maeve’s bouts of crippling depression and anxiety. For a short time, anyway.

Marriage and children are the next chapters in the Moone family story, but Maeve struggles to reconcile her old life with that of the wife and mother she is supposed to be. Until one heartbreaking Christmas Eve in 2005 changes everything. Now each member of the Moone family must learn to confront the past on their own, until one dazzling truth brings them back together towards a future that none of them could have predicted. Except perhaps Maeve herself.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a story. I am smitten. I just LOVED Helen Cullen's novel, The Dazzling Truth, to bits. It was superb.

Maeve and Murtagh have four kids. They live on an isolated island just off the Irish coast. They are the embodiment of simple living.  And, they are also a family with problems just like anyone else.  The couple met at Trinity College and have been together ever since. Decades pass by and a tragedy strikes. Now the family must find a way to deal with it and confront the past and face their futures. Its a heartbreaking, fascinating, and gripping story. I fell in deep with this book. It was just sooo good. Reading about Maeve and her depression was emotional and a bit haunting. I found myself lingering over pages and thinking about Maeve's description of her 'Old Crow' - definitely tugged at my heart.

Cullen has written a terrific story about mental illness that is raw, personal, and authentic. There are moments of lightness in the story, which brings some balance to it. The characters are unforgettable and the story itself is unputdownable. This is one book that you won't want to miss.

I would happily recommend The Dazzling Truth to fans of Cullen's work and anyone looking for their next great read.

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

Seven Letters: A Novel by J.P. Monninger

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

about book: (from Goodreads)

J. P. Monninger, author of the international bestseller The Map That Leads to You, the novel Nicholas Sparks called “romantic and unforgettable", tells a poignant love story of the ways the world divides two souls—and the way that love brings them together.

Kate Moreton is in Ireland on sabbatical from her teaching position at Dartmouth College when she meets Ozzie Ferriter, a fisherman and a veteran of the American war in Afghanistan. The Ferriter family history dates back centuries on the remote Blasket Islands, and Ozzie – a dual citizen of Ireland and the United States – has retreated to the one place that might offer him peace from a war he cannot seem to leave behind.

Beside the sea, with Ireland’s beauty as a backdrop, the two fall deeply in love and attempt to live on an island of their own making, away from the pressures of the outside world. Ireland writes its own love stories, the legends claim, and the limits of Kate and Ozzie’s love and faith in each other will be tested. When his demons lead Ozzie to become reckless with his life—and Kate’s—she flees for America rather than watch the man she loves self-destruct. But soon a letter arrives informing Kate that her heroic husband has been lost at sea, and Kate must decide whether it is an act of love to follow him or an act of mercy to forget.

my thoughts:

Seven Letters by J.P. Monninger is romance at its very best. This book will make you swoon, cry, cheer, and fall madly in love with its two main characters, Kate and Ozzie.  You will find yourself settling in for the long haul with this book, because you will not be able to put it down for anything. I'm serious! My cuppa turned cold and the cookies I set on a plate remained untouched. Once I started reading, I just didn't want to stop.  Monninger's writing kept me captive with her delicious details, fascinating characters, and a love story that touched my heart.

Kate heads to Ireland and promptly falls in love with Ozzie.  He's trying to escape memories from the war, but finding it hard to do.  The two rush into marriage and Kate finds herself wondering about the man she married.  Realizing that they don't know each other or their secrets, they decide to separate.  Kate goes home to the US and begins again.  And then she hears some news about Ozzie and her world is shaken upside down. Kate must decide to continue on the new path she's created for herself or journey back to a past she was trying to move on from.  Talk about heart-wrenching!

I absolutely LOVED Seven Letters!! I fell in love with this book and the author's writing. I can't wait to read more of Monninger's works. And, I would happily recommend Seven Letters to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book to bits!

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