This is a first for me by Lucy Connelly and I enjoyed the heck out of it. The banter, the sisterly affection and banding together, the characters, they're all wonderful and I was instantly transported to Shamrock Cove. I could see everything clearly, as if I was actually there watching the whole thing play out.

Mercy and Lizzie are fantastic twins. They've both been through some super hard times, and it seems like a lark that a long-lost grandfather that they never knew about would leave them a house and a bookshop in Ireland. Thinking that a new fresh start would be exactly what they were needing, they move across the sea to a new town, country, and life.

Finding out about this wonderful man that was their grandfather, should have taken up the bulk of their time and running the book shop as well but as seems to be the case, tragedy strikes the day they show up and they are thrown into the midst of a murder and other mysteries to boot.

I loved all of the characters. They were so funny, so well written and so realistic that I swear I could reach out and touch them. This book is full of a lot of surprises and good ones as well. It really touches the heart and makes you feel for them and their new situation. Change is never easy, especially that far from home.

I gobbled up this book. I loved every minute of it, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Lucy Connelly for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are my own and are completely honest.

Delightful murder mystery. I loved how the author developed the emotional side to the characters. The ability to see how they do their jobs and handle the stress after different aspects of life. A lovely afternoon read.

This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by author Lucy Connelly. I was drawn to the book for a number of reasons but specifically for the setting in Ireland and the bookshop theme. The author has done a nice job of crafting a number of diverse characters that appeal to her reader. At the heart is the relationship between Mercy and her twin sister Lizzy. I enjoy stories where there is a close sibling bond, especially between sisters. There is great wit and banter between the two that often reminded me of the relationship I have with my sister. The mystery is well done and will keep the reader guessing until the very end. There are some "mysteries" that are not solved in this book, but I suspect they will run through a couple of books until it is time for their secrets to be revealed.

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, I recommend you pick up this book and give the author a try. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see what the author has in store for the sisters.

This is the first Lucy Connelly book that I have read and it certainly won't be the last!
I fell in love with twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie. What heartbreak they have both been through.
Shamrock Cove sounds like a delightful little village and the cottages are to die for, literally!
I could totally picture living there myself, and to have a bookshop of my own would be a dream come true.
I can't wait to read the next Mercy McCarthy adventure.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the digital ARC.

Excellent!!!
This is one of the best mystery novels i read in 2024. This is one of the book where till the end it was not possible to know who the culprit is!!
The story revolves around Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie who decides to move to Ireland after their mom’s death. Their grandfather who is Irish, leaves them the cottage and the bookshop he owned. The day they arrive in Ireland there will be murder of one of the residents there. And the story starts how she solves the mystery with the help of the detective.
Though there are not much details about her father, maybe it will be discovered in the next book. Definitely looking forward for the next book!!
I would also like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Twins Mercy and Lizzie move to Irelandto take ove a house and a bookshop after a grandfather that they didn’t know they had dies. After the judge is murdered and then another member of their community dies too, Mercy investigates. Fun, fast read to the very last page!

This is a great listtle cozy mystery and I greatly look forward to reading the next in the series. The banter between the sisters is relateable and believeable. Nothing felt contrived or a stretch of the imagination and I was wrong in my guess of whodunit. If you are looking for a well done mystery with characters you feel like you already know, this is what I would recommend.

If someone asked me to define "cozy mystery" then I would describe this book.

The setting: This Ireland town is magical. I can see the ocean, the rocky cliffs, the cottages, the bookstore, and the colorful main street. The setting swooped me up and dropped me right into the middle of the story.

The twins: I love that they are twins and not just sisters. First, it works with the absent father element of the story. it works with their relationship and connection. I like how they are different, also, and how that is managed in the story. When the book started, I was curious about Mercy telling the story, but it works out great to unravel this type of mystery.

Mercy and the detective: In upcoming books, they will relate better as partners rather than adversaries. Mercy does not really have a good reason not to trust him, and this becomes wearisome and, quite frankly, desperate at times. However, by the end of the book this corrects itself.

Characters: I can see this mystery series developing and uncovering more backstory.. Readers get to know the individuals living in the court. I found myself interested in the characters who we meet only through story or memory (Mercy's mom and grandmother, Mercy's father, Matt's father, etc.).

Plot: This is a classic mystery plot line, which is always fun to read. There are still missing gaps ... what about the rambling letter the grandfather left? Where is the secret door? What about their father?

This book makes me imagine a gray day with light rain, a stoked fire, a blanket, a cup of coffee (!!), and curling up to read.

Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie have moved to Ireland to take over their grandfather's bookstore. While most are welcoming, others are not, including the grumpy judge. When they find him dying and he points a finger at Mercy they are forced to help find the killer. A good start to a new cozy mystery series, and I hope there are more to come. Would recommend.

I’ve enjoyed Lucy Connelly’s Scottish Isle Mysteries so was excited to see another series set in Ireland. Twin sisters Mercy & Lizzie move to Ireland to heal from a series of tragedies and rebuild their lives together. They inherit a cottage and bookshop after the death of a Grandfather they never knew and allows them to learn about family through the residents of the town as well as old letters. The people who live in their new village are colorful and unique as well as amusing but a murder of one of them on the day they arrive causes the local police to become suspicious of Mercy. Her background as a mystery writer drives her to try to solve the mystery and keep herself from getting arrested for a crime she didn’t commit. The descriptions of the town, the cottage, and the bookstore make me want to move to this fictional town immediately.

Murder Mars Surroundings..
When an unexpected inheritance means that Mercy and twin Lizzie become the owners of a delightful antique bookshop in a small Irish seaside village, the future looks rosy. That is, until murder mars their surroundings and Mercy finds herself thrust into suspicion and needs to clear her name. A solid start to a new series of cosy mysteries with a well crafted and likeable cast of characters, a fun plot and a charming, well painted setting,

An Irish Bookshop Murder is a wonderful start and introduction to the Mercy McCarthy Mysteries. Mercy and her sister move to Ireland after inheriting a cottage and a bookstore from a grandfather they never met. This cozy mystery has a great cast of characters that we are sure to see again in the series.

The mystery was clever and fun to read. I enjoyed the relationship and banter between Mercy and the detective. I was left wondering about the missing letters and door, but expect that those questions may be answered in a future book.

The story was a little predictable, I did not mind. It was an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Let me start by saying I loved this book. I love the characters, the setting (Ireland...who doesn't love that) and a bookstore. The characters have depth and I came to care for them. I hope this will be the first installment in a series that has great promise. It definitely reminded me of an Agatha Christie classic

What's better than a new cozy series? A series that features two strong female characters who are sisters that have inherited a cozy home and bookstore in Ireland. The sisters --one a successful author and the other a woman who has suffered a horrible loss and is in recovery, are determined to be good neighbors in this closed knit community. Soon, murders are happening in their neighborhood and someone is watching their moves. Why did their grandfather, whom they never knew existed, leave them this home and who wants them to leave this ideal spot? Good beginning to a new series and looking forward to the next entry. Thanks to Net Galley for the arc.

Twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie have moved to Ireland after inheriting a charming cottage and bookshop. Mercy, a mystery writer, attempts to save a neighbor, the Judge, as he lays dying. The sisters are immediately swept up in this mystery of whether the Judge was actually murdered, as they struggle to adapt to their new home. Being a cozy mystery, there are many quirky characters, neighbors and shops. The setting and characters will draw you in as you try to solve the mystery. A nice beginning to a new series. With thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Great start to a new series. I immediately fell into Mercy and Lizzie's inherited life as they explored their unexpected new world and got to know their neighbors. Of course, being accused of being a killer by a dying man wasn't exactly helpful. Nevertheless, they persevere, Lizzie being her charming, likable, more social self while Mercy is, well, likable, but direct and frequently comes across as prickly. As we learn their backstory, much of that is understandable, however. She's a successful, even famous mystery author who dealt with a stalker in New York. You'll like the tight, I-have-your-back relationship of mutual respect that the sisters have. For them, being twins, it's probably even tighter and Mercy is particularly protective of Lizzie given how fragile past tragedies have left her. Their move to Ireland after the surprise inheritance from their unknown-until-notification grandfather gave both a chance to start over and reclaim their lives.

And what an amazing inheritance. Not only do they inherit a home in an apparently rather exclusive neighborhood of Shamrock Cove, but a bookstore owned by their late grandfather. I won't detail the delights they discover as they explore their new surroundings other than to think what fun it'd be to explore. Well, if it weren't for that nasty murder hanging over their heads. Much to Mercy's surprise, not to mention my own, based on the stereotypical mistrust between the police and amateur sleuths in most cozy mysteries, she finds the local detective, Kieran, not just friendly and open but, well, downright handsome, too. Ah, one doesn't have to be a sleuth to see a romance coming as this series progresses. That said, remember, I said she could be prickly. And protective. Keep that in mind. Grin.

As this particular episode introduces us to Mercy, Lizzie, Keiran, and Keiran's grandmother Lottie, however, I couldn't help liking the supporting cast. Lottie, in particular, adds a new twist for me. Nope, not telling, but you'll find out early on. Neighbors Rob and Scott are rather prominent this go-round, too, and were quite likable, not only being personable and friendly but apparently the likely source of some great food chats in the future. Mercy does admit to being, well, let me rephrase that. NOT being a cook, although Lizzie seems to have that ability down. Mercy even shows some real people skills in her ability to help a young, reluctant reader find just the right book to spur his interest. That friendship leads to the addition of a new character at the end. Nope, quit asking. Not telling.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoy this debut series entry. The author's writing style was smooth and although some time was spent setting the delightful scene in Shamrock Cove -- seriously, we may all want to move there -- the plot moved along. Red herrings? Yep, bunches. Also multiple suspects, which was troubling as most seemed to be new neighbors. Uh, oh. I admit to not taking the time to research but the rules of their new neighborhood as far as inheritance were intriguing, too. Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the early introduction to Mercy and Lizzie. I can't wait to revisit Shamrock Cove. And, before I forget, readers, be sure to read the author and publisher's note at the end that notes some 7% of children do not have a book in their home. Having pictures of myself toddling along with a bottle and upside-down book, I always find this astonishing and depressing. There's a link there for readers to find a list of books to share with children that should appeal, all suggested by GoodReads readers, I believe.

When you step into the pages of an #AnIrishBookshopMurder #NetGalley, you will immediately meet twin sisters, Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy, who have suffered tragic losses and are trying to make a fresh start.
When the sisters find out they've inherited a bookshop and house in Shamrock Cove, Ireland, the girls are sure it's a sign, and travel abroad, ready to start over.
Things aren't as easy as they hoped, especially when a well known resident dies their first night there.
Suspicion of the sisters is expected, but Mercy, a best selling mystery author, is determined to find the truth.

I loved this first in a new series, it has everything I love in a good cozy mystery.
I'm looking forward to reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Mercy and her twin Lizzy needed a new start. A grandfather they had never met left them a house and bookstore in a cozy Irish village. Perfect timing - that is until a murder occurs and suspicion falls on Mercy. A wonderful new series with lots of great characters, a wonderful setting and secrets still to be explored

Mercy and her twin sister have inherited a home and bookstore in Ireland from a grandfather they never met. With a terrible and tragic year behind them, the sisters are ready for a new start. They are entranced by the storybook charm of the town and their new home, but a murder on their first day mars the perfection.
I was caught up with the story from the very beginning and loved the setting and the characters. This is a fun cozy mystery with an intriguing mystery as Mercy tries to track down the killer.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

The idea of a cosy murder mystery set in a bookshop ticks all of the boxes for me. I absolutely love the sound of this story. But sadly for me, there is a gap between the idea and the execution: I can overlook the "twee" nature of the storyline, such as the name of the village being Shamrock Cove, secret garden and fairy doors, after all these elements all add to the fun of the story. However, I really struggled with the language used by the characters - it's natural for the American characters to use terms such as "cell phone", "cookies" and "cops" but not for characters based in Ireland. The terms here are far more likely to be "mobile phone", "biscuits" and either "guards" or "police" but never "cops". And when there is an aspect of a story that constantly irritates you, it is difficult to enjoy the story.
I'm sure that this story will be loved by many readers, especially cosy mystery fans, but sadly it's not one for me.