Carlene O'Connor

I really enjoyed this intriguing, engaging, and very atmospheric combination of cozy and noir mystery. It's a well-written story, with complex characters, and many unexpected twists and turns! It will keep you guessing until the very end!

The characters were well-developed and portrayed in a realistic way, with their dark pasts and secrets. I especially liked Dimpna’s character – she’s intelligent, kind, curious, and brave, and that’s probably why she gets into trouble all the time. I liked the chemistry between Dimpna and Cormac, but I wish they got to spend more time together. I also loved all of the furry characters involved in the story, especially the chatty parrot Bette Davis, who seems to know much more than she’s able to say.

There’s so much happening in Kerry County — from a meteor shower, a quirky caravan group, and a chatty parrot, to an observant nature lover and fox enthusiast, and a shady figure with binoculars lurking in the shadows, as well as many other residents who are always “looking.”

This book can be read as a standalone. Although some sections involve Dimpna's family background, which may be a bit confusing, they are not crucial parts of the story.

I fell in love with Dingle and its residents, and now I need to read the first book in the series - No Strangers Here. I highly recommend this book, especially if you love murder mysteries and small-town settings! It’s a great story, and it was hard to put down!

Thank you, Goodreads, the publisher Kensington, and author Carlene O'Connor for the gifted copy! I received a free copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.… (mere)

"Murder at an Irish Chipper" by Carlene O'Connor, is another enjoyable read in the "An Irish Village Mystery" series by Carlene O'Connor. The O'Sullivan-Flannery family are involved in yet another murder mystery. The setting for this mystery takes place in the quaint seaside resort of Lahinch, Ireland. As with the previous nine books in the series, the plot is interesting and keeps the reader guessing until the end. The characters are colorful, interesting, believable, and clever. The detailed description of the setting makes me want to book a trip to Ireland! We all know that there are a variety of different types of novels out there. I'm always grateful for the authors that choose to write entertaining storylines without the need for excessive violence, profanity, and inappropriate details that add zero credence to the plot. If you are looking for an Agatha Christie(ish) type of novel, search no further, this is it!… (mere)

This collection of novellas is entertaining and quite enjoyable. In “Irish Milkshake Murder,” a joint hen and stag party is disrupted by a storm and a murder. In “Murder Most Irish,” a spiked milkshake results in an untimely death. In “Mrs. Claus and the Luckless Leprechaun,” an attack on an elf sends the happy folk of the North Pole into a tale spin. All three novellas were equally delightful and well written, but my favorite series is the Mrs. Claus series by Liz Ireland. Talking reindeer, moving snowmen, elves everywhere, and Santa himself make for great reading, whether the main holiday thrust is Christmas or some other holiday, as in this story which centers around St. Patrick’s Day.… (mere)