A delightful cozy mystery! Twin sisters inherit a cottage and a bookstore in Ireland, and upon arrival are right away thrust into a murder investigation. Only, this search for the murder often happens over a cuppa tea (or coffee from a high end machine). The POV is from Mercy, who is a detective book writer and has some slick skills to help solve crimes. She has a sweet comforting relationship with her sister, and a combative playful one with the police detective Kieran. While I guessed the murderer early on, I don't feel like it was obvious. I found myself more interested in the feeling of being transported to Ireland via these lovely ex-pats who are learning to be social again after being isolated in the U.S. We all need a little Shamrock Cove, and its simplicity and community, in our lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

I don't really like cozy mysteries . This one set in an Irish town did appeal but it did not really live up to my expectations. Twins move from the US into their estranged grandfathers home which was left to them in his will . He also left them a bookshop. Almost as soon as they arrived, some one was found dead, presumed murdered. One of the twins is a crime writer, so tried to become involved in the investigation. The other sister had had a very traumatic period with the death of their mother and shortly after her fiance and his daughter. Mercy (the writer) is over protective but Lizzie does blossom in the bookshop.
So the twins roll up and are almost immediately welcomed with open arms by everyone in the small town. I`m afraid the descriptions of the town and the people did not hit the right note for me. It could really have been anywhere and not particularly in Ireland. I also found Mercy's meddling in the investigation irritating (and in places perhaps illegal) . The crimes were OK, the motive dubious. So this book was not for me, I didn't take to the characters nor the writing style and won't be doing cozy crime thrillers in the near future.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

It's a mixed read. It was nice but nothing more.

We have the main characters, Mercy, a famous mystery writer and her sister who both move in Ireland after inheriting a house and a bookstore from their unknown grand-father. I had loved the environnement, the descriptions of the small town, of the gardens. I felt like I was in Ireland.

I like the Court vibes where everybody thinks to know everybody but not, where everybody spies everybody and where there are a lot of secrets.

But, because there is a but...I was not convinced by the character of Mercy. Because she writes mystery novels, she believed she was capable of solving the crime committed. OK... First of all, I thought it was a good idea. But in fact, it missed something. She had the skills but she couldn't really use it.

Moreover, she didn't find the killer. He "found her". Why?... everything was here, she could found him (the killer).

She takes more care of her sister than herself, so we don't really know her. And that is the reason why I would like to read the next opus. Because I want to know more about her and about her and Kieran. What will happen between them?

This was such an easy read. The words just flowed and I actually forgot my surroundings, imagining myself in Shamrock Cove. The cottages were beautiful and the bookstore a dream.

I liked the writing style, the characters and the mystery. Though the story is from Mercy's POV, Lizzie is equally great. I also liked that the author included LGBTQ characters and characters from different ethnicities.

Definitely a great start to the series.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Love this you can never go wrong with a cozy mystery it had me hooked from the very first chapter. So happy I got to read this book.

What a delightful cozy! I've read one of Lucy Connelly's American in Scotland stories and requested an ARC of her newest series, taking place in Ireland as soon as I saw it! Connelly's stories ooze coziness and create such a vivid picture for the the reader. Mercy and her sister have inherited a small bookshop in Shamrock Cove from a grandfather they had no idea about. Needing a change, the women move from the US to Ireland, but murder finds them quickly. The mystery had lots of red herrings and twists and turns. I also loved getting to know their neighbors and the town. Highly recommend for all cozy readers and I look forward to more in this series and from Lucy!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

An Irish Bookshop Murder
Lucy Connelly
August 22, 1014

Mercy McCarthy and her twin sister, Lizzy have moved to the small town of Shamrock Cove in Ireland. After the long trip they stand in front of a lovely brick home with a large navy door. It has been a long time since either had felt secure in their home. Their mother died of cancer a year ago and then Lizzy’s husband and stepdaughter were killed in an auto accident. She became frightened and overwhelmingly distressed. Mercy is an author working out of New York City. To help her sister moved back to Lizzy’s home and had just spent 6 months helping her get to counseling and managing homelife. They received word from an attorney in Ireland that their grandfather had died. The two had never known he existed. Both felt it would be good to travel and explore their new fortune.
An Irish Bookshop Murder will be published on August 22, 2024 by Bookouture. I was able to read Lucy Connelly’s latest novel via NetGalley. It is a delightful, cozy mystery that readers will be pleased to read. It is the first in the Mercy McCarthy Mystery series. The small town was filled with people who took pleasure in knowing what was going on in their friend’s and neighbor’s lives. It was decided that Lizzy would take over her grandfather’s bookshop. Mercy would continue writing suspense novels from the lovely office she discovered in their new home. I look forward to reading more in the series. Enjoy this one!

This was the cutest cozy mystery. I am generally a thriller reader and it was a refreshing change of pace. I enjoyed the small town and the cast of characters that were found. I think the author did a great job at developing each character and their potential involvement or lack thereof in the murder. I did find the ending to feel a bit rushed after such great development in the beginning. The solving of the mystery seemed to go really quick for me. All in all I was surprised at who the murder was by the end, which is always hard to do with me.

Oooh, I love this new series! I'm a sucker for an Irish setting, first off, and this book contains a bookshop, a writer, sisters, a sort of "locked room" neighborhood, a cast of memorable characters, humor, and a heartbreaking tragic backstory (but not one that's melodramatic and overdone). Those are some of my favorite cozy elements, and the author uses them to great effect.

Mercy and Lizzie's relationship is one of the best things about this book. It feels deep and abiding and real. I also like how Mercy is introspective, but not in a long-passages-all-about-me-me-me way. But she thinks about things.

The only thing I don't love is the resolution. I'm not quite convinced by the reasoning for the second murder and how drastically the murderer becomes a totally different person. Usually that ruins a book for me, but I'm juuussst convinced enough that it doesn't, in this case. I'd give this book 4-1/2 out of 5 stars, and I'm excited to read the next one.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An Irish Bookshop Murder was the perfect cozy mystery read.

I absolutely loved Shamrock Cove - I now want to visit a seaside town in Ireland for my next holiday. Connelly paints a beautiful picture of the cottages on the court, their lovely gardens, the serene beach, and the cozy library.
I especially enjoyed the relationship between twins Mercy and Lizzie - they are best friends and fiercely protective of one another. The dialogue between them was always a fun read.
My favourite character was Lizzie, she had gone through so much but was so resilient. The relationship between Mercy and detective Kieran was also entertaining, seeing them work together but also playfully tease each other was a lot of fun. I look forward to reading the coming Mercy McCarthy mystery series.

Thank you NetGalley and Boukouture for my ARC!
PS. when can I move to Shamrock Cove?

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "An Irish Bookshop Murder" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the first book in the Mercy McCarthy Mystery series and what an exciting new series this looks to be. The first book hooked me from page one and I couldn't wait to see what happened. Mercy McCarthy and her twin sister Lizzie have moved to Shamrock Cove, Ireland from the United States. Mercy is a published author and lived in Manhattan and Lizzie ran a lavender farm in Texas. After suffering a personal tragedy Lizzie fell apart. When they learned that their grandfather (whom they had not known about) left them a house and bookshop, they decided it was time to start over in Ireland. As soon as they arrive they find a woman on the floor of their house. Mrs. Lolly O'Malley had a spell - she suffers from narcolepsy they learn and tends to fall asleep at odd times. She was a friend of their grandfather and wanted to welcome them. Their other neighbour "the judge" - Michael Pierce finds the inheritance suspicious and wants to look into it. However before he can do anything, he claims that Mercy murdered him and promptly dies.

We meet Detective Kieran O'Malley who arrests Mercy several times. They learn that he is Lolly O'Malley's grandson. Mercy feels that someone is watching her. She thinks it might be her imagination but back in Manhattan strange things happened to her. Items went missing, random photos were mailed to her, and she always felt that someone was watching her.

When there is another death in town at the wake for the judge, Lizzie tries to convince Mercy to stop sleuthing. Especially after Mercy is attacked several times, and someone breaks into their home and steals files. The culprit turns out to be someone that the reader might not even have considered and the reason why is even more surprising.

There were some loose ends left which hopefully means that there will be another book soon. I know I will be eagerly awaiting it. Five stars plus for this brilliant new series!!

grieving, depression, mental-health-issues, coping-mechanisms, twins, relocating, inheritance, adjustment, bookseller, writers, local-gossip, local-law-enforcement, small-town, small-business, neighbors, framed, fragile-personalities, new-series, first-in-series, Ireland, unpleasant-neighbors, unpleasant-police-officer, unpleasant-victims, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery*****

Mercy McCarthy went from Texas to NYC bigtime mystery writer to an inheritance in Ireland from a grandfather she never knew. Her twin sister Lizzie went from Texas to deep depression after sequential tragedies, to Ireland with her sister for the healing of change. The first shock was finding a woman on the floor of their cottage, but it was only narcolepsy and a helpful neighbor. But the man bellowing and having a heart attack in the garden was not so simple and was shown to be murder. Mercy is a due diligence sort of author so she applies much of what she's learned to investigating the crime despite the objections of the local police detective. Great addictive read!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected e-book proof from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you! Pub Date Aug 22, 2024
#MercyMcCarthyMysteriesBk1

An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly

I really enjoyed this book by Lucy Connelly. I am a big fan of her Scottish mysteries and was happy to find out she is writing a new series. In this series, twin sisters inherit a bookshop and home in Ireland from a grandfather they never met. For a variety of reasons, they move to Ireland from Texas to see if they want to live there. Of course, there is a murder and a bunch of new friends who are also suspects. I enjoyed the town and characters created for this series, they are just the kind of people I would love for new Irish neighbors. The well developed characters are very likable and I look forward to reading more about them in future books. I was surprised by the ending and had not guessed who the murderer was. I also liked that the book ended up with a promise of more mysteries and a fun addition to the neighborhood!

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I had the pleasure of reading this delightful cozy mystery in one sitting. "An Irish Bookshop Murder" is an incredibly engaging and fast-paced whodunnit that sweeps readers away to the charming village of Shamrock Cove. Lucy Connelly’s storytelling captures the beauty and quaintness of the Irish countryside, making for an immersive reading experience.

The characters are wonderfully crafted, each with their own unique flaws and charms. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between the twin sisters, Mercy and Lizzie. Their imperfections made them relatable and endearing, enhancing the overall appeal of the story. As the series progresses, I look forward to getting to know these characters even better.

The plot is reminiscent of Agatha Christie novels and the TV show Father Brown, filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. The concept of inheriting a cozy home in an Irish cul de sac and being thrust into the middle of a mystery is both intriguing and enchanting. Connelly’s vivid descriptions made me wish I could inherit a home like Mercy and Lizzie's.

I also appreciated the hints of deeper family history and secrets, which I hope will be explored further in future books in this series. The mystery of what truly happened with Mercy and Lizzie’s father and the potential discovery of even more secret entrances in their inherited home add layers of intrigue to the series.

I highly recommend "An Irish Bookshop Murder" to anyone who loves cozy mysteries that are true page-turners. I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series, hoping it will delve further into the history of Mercy and Lizzie’s family while delivering another captivating mystery!

Thank you, NetGalley, Lucy Connelly, and Bookouture for this eARC!

#AnIrishBookshopMurder #NetGalley #Bookouture #CozyMystery #Bookish

**Charming Cozy Mystery with an Irish Twist**

In this delightful debut of a cozy mystery series, twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie find themselves embarking on a new chapter of their lives in a quaint Irish village. Following a surprising inheritance of a bookshop and a cottage, the sisters—both in need of a fresh start after personal losses—hope to rebuild and heal.

Lizzie, the more emotionally delicate of the two, is both hopeful and enthusiastic about the bookstore, eager to leave behind past sorrows. Mercy, a successful mystery novelist, is looking forward to the slower pace of village life as a means to support her sister and escape the hustle of New York City.

Their new community greets them with warmth, save for one irascible old resident who, unsurprisingly, turns up dead under suspicious circumstances shortly after their arrival.

The novel shines in its portrayal of the sisters' relationship and the diverse cast of quirky neighbors. While the plot occasionally feels uneven and the ending somewhat abrupt, the story remains engaging and enjoyable.

An Irish Bookshop Murder is the first novel a new series by Lucy Connelly. This cozy mystery is a quick fun read that begins with two young women, who have inherited a home and bookshop in Shamrock Cove, a small village in Ireland. Although the twin sisters have different careers and have lived in different places in the states, with the inheritance of a home and business, Lizzy and Mercy now have an opportunity to live together as adults and more closely share their lives. This inheritance from a grandfather they never knew existed also allows the twins an opportunity to start over. Lizzy and Mercy have recently lost their mother, and Lizzy, who has also recently lost her fiancee and his young daughter, are ready to start over in a new location. Mercy is now available to help her twin deal with grief from these losses.

This new cozy mystery series provides many opportunities for readers to get to know Lizzy, who is a professional gardener, and Mercy, who is a detective mystery writer. The twins are presented with a murder almost immediately. Before the book is over, there is a second murder. These are a number of interesting characters, although none of them are quite weird enough for a small Irish village cozy mystery. Perhaps, Connelly will increase the character weirdness in subsequent novels in this series. There are also many mysteries to solve, besides the two murders in book one. Many of these mysteries will no doubt be presented and solved in forthcoming books in this series. Where is the secret door? Why are there no photos of the grandfather or his son? Where is the father and why is his loss such a mystery? This last item is briefly discussed but not really solved. Were father and grandfather estranged? Why? Why didn't the twins even know they had a grandfather? Why did the grandfather feel an heir search might provide him with heir(s)? Lots of mysteries abound.

Perhaps now that An Irish Bookshop Murder is being published, in subsequent novels, Connelly can provide fewer times for Mercy to ask Lizzy if they should move back to the states.. I know this question did not appear in every chapter, but it did happen too many times..

Thank you to author, publisher Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. An Irish Bookshop Murder was a quick easy read, which will please readers who enjoy the copy mystery genre.

Hey cozy mystery lovers! 📚 Looking for a light and captivating read to unwind after a long day? "An Irish Bookshop Murder" is the perfect choice! Join Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy as they navigate through a new adventure in Shamrock Cove, Ireland, filled with intriguing characters and unexpected twists. You won't be able to put this page-turner down!

Escape into the world of Mercy and Lizzie as they unravel the mysteries of their past and navigate the challenges of running a bookstore in a quaint Irish village. Cozy mysteries are the perfect way to relax and enjoy a quick read, and this book is no exception. Grab a cup of tea and settle in for a captivating journey with "An Irish Bookshop Murder." 🍀 #CozyMystery #BookwormLife 📖✨

An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly is the perfect cozy mystery for fans of the genre.
Mercy Mccarthy and her twin sister Lizzie move to Ireland after inheriting property from their grandfather they never knew. Soon after arriving, a local is found dead, and the mystery kicks off.
I was in a horrible reading slump, and this novel helped me to turn that around. This was enjoyable, and I'm ready for the next installment! 5 out of 5!!!

The definitive cozy mystery, An Irish Bookshop Murder was a delightful read!
Twin sisters, Mercy and Lizzie, have just moved to Shamrock Cove. They were given a cottage and village bookshop from a grandfather that died before they could meet him.
Once there, chaos ensues, as within a day there's a murder that sisters--especially murder mystery author, Mercy--need to help solve.

There are quirky villagers, handsome village detective, and new friends that just add so much charm to this story!

After reading, I can't wait to know and read more about Shamrock Cove and it's charming inhabitants!

An Irish Bookshop Murder is a fun cozy mystery. The kind of book you read after you read a very intense book. I love cozy mysteries because you can read them in one day and they are usually in a series which I enjoy.

Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy are twin sisters who have gone through some hard times in the past year. First their mother who had raised them as a single parent died. Then Lizzie's fiance and daughter die in a car accident that left her feeling guilty and devastated. Mercy who is a mystery writer living in New York had a run in with a stalker which left her scared and wanting to run back home. Then out of no where they are left a bookstore by a grandfather they never knew existed, it's in Ireland in the village of Shamrock Cove. So off they go to Shamrock Cove to find out about the grandfather they never new and this new business they were left. Upon their arrival they start meeting many of their new neighbors and start falling in love with the their new surroundings. As their day is coming to an end and they are leaving their neighbors gathering, Mercy stumbles upon one of the guests. The one guest that seemed to not be so welcoming to Mercy and Lizzie. The Judge a pillar of the community and the man who lives next door to them is at his front door lying there. As Mercy tries to help him he accuses her of murder. How can that be she just arrived that morning.

Enter the police and things go from bad to worst for the McCarthy sisters especially Mercy who is eventually arrested . Yet is this the only murder that will occur in this quaint town? According to everyone there was never any crimes committed until the McCarthy sisters arrived. Was the Judge onto something or was he hiding something. Will the sisters help the police and clear their names while they are trying to find out why they never knew of this grandfather and maybe find out who their father was.

I really enjoyed this book. I pictured being in Ireland with their beautiful beaches, quaint towns, beautiful gardens and people with secrets. Friendship and family is also a big part of this book. The new found love between the two sisters. How they overcame their troubles and came together to start new lives in a totally different country. The friendships they made with this new group of people who some just took under their wing to help the girls figure out these murders.Lolly was one of my favorites because she was the one you turned to for help and answers even though her grandson was the chief detective on the murder cases. It was a very enjoyable read which I truly loved.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoture for the ARC. To the author Lucy Connelly I truly look forward to the next adventure with the McCarthy sisters. I can see them getting into more trouble in this little village called Shamrock Cove. Can there also be a love connection between Mercy and Kiernan the detective. Cannot wait to read about it.
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