Maura comes to Ireland from Boston, to take over a Pub she inherited from her Grandmother's friend! Wouldn't we all love to have Grandmothers like that! Maura is worried about business being slow, doesn't eat, trying to figure out how to get a restaurant going in her Pub, why? She doesn't ever eat! Oh well, lucky for her, one of her workers is going to cooking school, that will take care of that, she sleeps with Mick, who works in her Pub, he takes his Grand to Church, Maura knows that much about him, not much else; unless she spotted a mole somewhere! Now, her truly dire problem, according to her, a dead body is found in a berm on her property! Is that why Customers are not coming? Maybe she needs to wear cute clothes, do her hair, wear something feminine to the Pub, with just a Spritz of Chanel N 5! The other suggestion I have, we know she lived in Boston! She says it to herself at least fifty times in the first 2 Chapters! Maybe that is why she cannot make a go of her Pub! The speed needs to be picked up, as well as the conversation between these characters.
I recommend! Thanks!
carolintallahassee.com

Dollycas’s Thoughts

After less than a year in Ireland Maura has been involved in solving several murders. This time the body is found in the ravine behind the pub and the man is unrecognizable due to his face being beaten to a pulp. It is hard to find a killer when you can’t identify the victim but that doesn’t keep Maura from trying.

I love this series, but this installment had a couple of issues for me. First, Maura is a smart woman, she was brave enough to travel to Ireland and take over the pub she inherited, but in this story, she surprised me. Things she should have known like where her employees live and where Indiana is located within the U.S. were just two examples. Leap is not that big of a town to know where people reside, especially a man she is romantically involved with, and the majority of high school graduates should be able to visualize a map of the country they grew up in. She also seemed muddled about where she wanted to take her business, whether to add a kitchen or not, even though her employee, Rose, is in training to be a cook for the pub.

I love Rose, seventeen and going places. She is filled with ideas, confident, willing to learn, and such a hard worker. I think she has grown so much over this series while Maura seems to be going backward.

I really enjoyed learning about The Travellers and the way they are different from gypsies. A very interesting life, I wish we would have met more Travellers and learned their stories.

The mystery was hard to solve even after the man was identified, virtually no suspects. Maura’s theory kind of came out of blue along with the theme the ran throughout the book. She kept talking about it to everyone, so at times it got a little repetitious, but she didn’t give up and soon all the matters fell into place for a very unusual ending that I really appreciated. The theme is a current hot topic in the states and it was interesting to learn about it with an Irish twist.

My issues with Maura’s character development aside, this was an entertaining story that kept my attention. It was unique in several ways and I enjoyed that.

This one fell short of the mark for me. Maura was a bit like a hamster running in a wheel. Asking herself, and others, the same questions over and over. It got a little old. Plus after 7 books and a relationship with Mick, she still doesn’t know where he lives? Come on Maura... quit being so daft. I did like learning about the Travelers though and I will still continue on with the series. This one just bummed me out.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

Maura's life is going well, and, of course, all good things will absolutely always end. A body, murder victim, is found on her property, and her happiness is in jeopardy. Who is the dead guy? Why was he found on her property? It's a mystery to solve. The Lost Traveler is one book in a series. I haven't read the others, but I was able to understand this one easily. The story is engaging and entertaining with loveable characters. It's a good read overall.

This isnt the first in the set and from what I hear it isn't as good as heard the other books were better, which is probably good because this wasn't great. It does has nice vivid descriptions of the countrysides of Ireland. However, the plot was bearly held there by a strand of hair.

“The Lost Traveller” earns 4/5 Pints at the Pub…Clever and Entertaining!

Off to County Cork on my first trip, and I'm here to stay! Sheila Connolly has penned a delightful seventh story about ex-pat Maura Donovan. She’s making a great success of the pub, adjusting to small town life, garnering friends, enjoying a bit of romance, and…finding the odd dead body! This time she discovers a dead body behind the pub, but the difficult is trying to identify the victim. This leads Maura into quite the complex mystery uncovering secrets behind the quaint village personae. As a newbie, I knew previous events and characters would be well established, but enough of the backstory and connections were revisited to get my up to speed. Along with a decent mystery plot, the story expanded to include issues running the pub, finding employees, and learning about Travellers, gangs, and…illegal immigration? I am more partial to the first-person narrative and missed a Maura’s “I” perspective, but Sheila Connolly did well laying out the plot and engaging me with vivid descriptions and entertaining banter written in a way I could almost hear the Irish brogue emitting off the pages. The book is a long one at over 300 pages, and I would have liked less of the side issues and more mystery, more investigating, but I enjoyed my time in Leap, and hope to return.

"Disclosure: I received a NetGalley ARC. My review is voluntary with honest comments and insights."

This promised to be a great read but is the seventh in the series, so I hoped there was protagonist development in the previous six. In this one, not so much, and my first of the series. It may, however, function as a standalone. Protagonist Maura Donovan inherited a cottage along with old, established Sullivan's pub in the little village of Leap, Ireland (West Cork). She is from Boston and young, and neither knows how to cook, peruse the internet, or stage an attractive setting.

The first portion of the narrative appeared to be making good on the implied promise. She discovers a body, the mystery begins. We get to learn somewhat of the attractive, bucolic area and the main characters, Rose, a student, and Mick, resident bar-keep. The support characters, some old time bar patrons such as Billy, or friends Bridget and Gillian add interest, and there is Garda Sean Murphy who sounds far more appealing than Mick. Dialogue is stilted, meant to convey an Irish accent.

But Maura, poor Maura, descends into a muddled, befuddled American mess. She is actually a little embarrassing. She wants Rose (17 going on 34) to do the work; manage, wait, clean, and strategize improvements (cook?). Maura needs to figure out who was the victim, why he was dumped on her property, and where oh where can she find more employees to help with all that beautiful June summer tourist traffic. And should she construct a kitchen and let Rose cook?

The Travellers play a very small part in the overall plot. Maura is busy jumping from one theory to another regarding the murder. The scenario is recited over and over. The conclusion comes in as confirmation of her theories, quietly and rather as an anticlimax and not all ends are tied.

I received this ebook download from the publisher and NetGalley and appreciate the opportunity to read and review. I did enjoy somewhat, but would also suggest obtaining a better editor. Would also entertain reading another to see how she solved her kitchen and employee problems.

The Lost Traveller

by Sheila Connolly

I was delighted to have an opportunity to get my first taste of Sheila Connolly’s mysteries as she has a number of books and series to her credit. I don’t usually start a series this far in (#7), but Connolly does a good job of introducing her characters. She starts The Lost Traveller off with a nervous American family, first time travelers abroad, visiting Sullivan’s Pub, giving the author a natural opportunity to explore the setting with the reader and present Maura, the American owner of the pub. The pace continues briskly as Maura, on lunch break, spots what appears to be a trash bag down a ravine on her property. It isn’t trash caught by a bridge pier, however, but something more ominous. Next we are introduced to the local gardaí (police). The plot pace moderates as Maura struggles with various types of issues—relationship, crime, business, and legal. It picks up again at the end with the resolution of some of those problems.

I enjoyed the Irish brogue and sprinkling of Irish words and names throughout. I learned more about Ireland and the Travellers, a sort of Irish version of gypsies, but they are not Romani. More information about the Travellers would have been welcome along with some character development of Peter, the father of the Traveller family that Maura meets. In fact, character development is a weak link in the book. For example, there are a group of men who frequent the pub and try to help Maura discover the identity of the victim and who murdered him. This group stands as a Greek chorus, with little revealed about any of them. They serve to reflect Maura’s progress involving the murder mystery. Although I am not thoroughly taken by the book, I enjoyed the intricacies of the plot well enough to try another book in the series.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #7 in the County Cork Mysteries, but works as a standalone.

Publication: January 8, 2019—Crooked Lane Books

Memorable Lines:

Was she getting soft? She’d always been independent, mostly out of necessity. She hated to ask people for help, much less emotional support. Now she had someone in her life who offered both, although cautiously.

This was ridiculous: she was being bossed around by a child. Well, one who could definitely cook, and who knew more about computers than she did.

What had Ireland done to her? She’d gone soft. And, she realized, she kind of liked it.

Things are going well in Ireland for pub owner Maura Donovan and she couldn't be happier. She has settled into her new life and all seems to be right with her world. The pub is doing well, she is dating, and making new friends have all become a part of her new life. When a body is found on Maura's property it looks like her happy streak has come to an end. The victims face was bashed in so finding out who the dead person is becomes the police's first priority. There seems to be more questions than answers when it comes to the and Maura hopes that she can come up with some of those answers. Who is the dead man? When the police come up with a name it still doesn't help answer many questions. Follow along as Maura tries to figure out who the killer is, why the body was left behind her business, and what secrets are beneath the surface of this horrible act. Will she be able to name a suspect and bring this mystery to a close or has her new happy life come to an end.

The Lost Traveller is a well written novel with an interesting story line. The main characters are all likable, get along with each other and support one another. There seems to be none of the petty rivalry often portrayed in stories about small country towns or villages. An easy, pleasant read. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

EXCERPT: " You have a picture?" Maura slid his coffee across the bar.

Sean slumped. "And there’s the next problem: when the man fell, he landed on his face, on the rocks below. Or the bridge footings. Or for all we know, someone worked hard to bash his face in before dropping him in. His own mother wouldn't know him in his current state."

"Ew. " Maura grimaced. "So it was the fall that killed him?"

"Uh, no. A couple of bloody great gashes in his chest did the job."

"So it was murder?"

Sean nodded. "Unless he stabbed himself and then flung himself over the six-foot fence, I'd say so. "

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Danger comes to Cork in the seventh County Cork mystery from New York Times bestselling author Sheila Connolly, and it’s up to Maura Donovan to find a way to protect all she’s worked for.

Pub owner Maura Donovan is settling into a charmed life in Ireland—until a mutilated body on her property ends her lucky streak.

Boston expat Maura Donovan came to Ireland to honor her grandmother’s last wish, but she never expected to stay in provincial County Cork—much less to inherit a house and a pub, Sullivan’s, in the small village of Leap. After a year-long struggle to stay in the black, Sullivan’s is finally thriving, and Maura has even brought back traditional Irish music to the pub. With a crop of new friends and a budding relationship with handsome Mick Nolan, Maura’s life seems rosier than ever—but even in Ireland, you can’t always trust your luck.

It begins with Maura’s discovery of a body in the ravine behind the pub. And then, the Irish gardaí reveal that the victim’s face has been battered beyond recognition. Who is the faceless victim? Who wanted him dead? And why was his body dumped in the backyard of Sullivan’s Pub? Even after the dead man is finally given a name, nobody admits to knowing him. In the tight-knit world of Leap, no one is talking—and now it’s up to Maura to uncover the dark secrets that lurk beneath the seemingly quiet town.

MY THOUGHTS: I really quite enjoyed the early parts of this book, getting to know the characters, and learning how Maura came to have moved from Boston to County Cork, Ireland. But then it started getting repetitive. The same information was chewed over, and rehashed, and nothing much happened other than Maura blithering on about lack of staff, and should she be doing food, which meant installing a kitchen, and what about the rooms..... over, and over, and over.

In the end, she did my head in. And what had originally felt like a 4-star read, slid down to a tenuous 2.5 stars.

Although this is the seventh book in the series, it is easily read as a stand-alone as there is plenty of background information provided. This is a quick and undemanding read, but didn’t really hold my interest past the halfway point.

😕😕.5

THE AUTHOR: Sheila Connolly has taught art history, structured and marketed municipal bonds for major cities, worked as a staff member on two statewide political campaigns, and served as a fundraiser for several non-profit organizations. She also managed her own consulting company providing genealogical research services. Now a full-time writer, she thinks writing mysteries is a lot more fun than any of her previous occupations.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime-New England (president 2011), the national Sisters in Crime, and the fabulous on-line SinC chapter, the Guppies. She also belongs to Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America.

Sheila is Regent of her local DAR chapter, and a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. She's also the grandchild of Irish immigrants (in case you're worried that she's a snob). In addition to genealogy, Sheila loves restoring old houses, visiting cemeteries, and traveling. She is married, and has one daughter and two cats.

She blogs with Poe's Deadly Daughters and Mystery Lovers' Kitchen on Fridays, and Killer Characters the 25th of each month.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Lost Traveller by Sheila Connolly for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

This is the 7th book in the County Cork mystery series. I'm not sure how to start this review, I was disappointed in this book although I really like the series in general. Maura, the bar owner, and lead character seems to be lost and unhappy in Ireland now instead of making it the adventure it was in previous books.

There's a murder of a stranger to the area but it seems almost peripheral. Lost Travellers make an appearance but they had very little to do with the plot. I hope this book was just a low point in the series, and that the next one will be better.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly I found myself not enjoying reading this book. Neither the story nor the characters appealed to me. It wasn't hard to get to know the characters. Their past story etc. However, I found them very bland and uninteresting for instance Maura's struggle with the pub and her friend's need for a babysitter etc just dragged on an on. DNF 37%.

'The Lost Traveller' was absolutely engaging. I am transported to Ireland in each book of the series and involved in the lives of those around Maura's pub. The mystery in this book was so tense and sharply created, I didn't know how it could be resolved. It was resolved, surprisingly and satisfyingly! I highly recommend the entire series. It is brilliant!

The Lost Traveller
A County Cork Mystery
by Sheila Connolly
Crooked Lane Books
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 08 Jan 2019


I am reviewing a copy of The Lost Traveller through Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley:


Maura Donovan is a pub owner in Ireland who is settling into a charmed life there until a multilated body is found ending her lucky streak.


Maura Donovan came to Ireland from Boston, honoring her Grandmother’s last wish. She had never imagined staying in Provincial County Cork let alone that she would inherit a house and a pub in the small village of Leap. After a year in the black Sullivan’s is finally thriving, and Maura even brought back traditional Irish Music to the pub. She has made new friends and even started a relationship with Mick Nolan but even in Ireland you can’t always trust your luck.


It all starts when Maura discovers a body in a ravine behind the pub. When the Irish authorities discover the victims face was beaten beyond recognition. Who is this faceless victim? Who wanted him dead? Why was his body dumped behind Sullivan‘s pub? Even after they discover the man’s name, no one will claim that they know him. It is now up to Maura to find the dark secrets that dark in the close knit town of Leap.


I give The Lost Traveller five out of five star!


Happy Reading!

The seventh in The County Mystery series. Maura Donovan discovers an unidentifiable body in the ravine behind the pub. This episode’s writing is not up to the standards set in the previous books. I find it hard to believe that in a town the size of Leap, she would not know where her employees lived after being there for over a year. Most employers have an address on file for their workers.

She’s been in Leap for over a year and I don’t expect her to know everything but come on- how long can we play the dumb American card? I don’t think Maura is dumb but she sure doesn’t make sound or timely decisions.
I didn’t care for the redundancy in the book. Therefore, I can only give it a passing rating.

This is my least favorite of all of Ms. Connolly’s series. Therefore, I can only give it a passing rating.

Sheila Connolly gives us #7 in the County Cork series. This one is set a year after Maura Donovan's arrival in Leap, Ireland. She has inherited Sullivan's Pub from a friend of her grandmother. It was in business for 50 years before she tries to make a go of it by putting her touch on the tavern. She hails from Boston and much has changed in her life since beginning a life in Ireland; friends, habits, business. The pub is run with the help of Maura's boyfriend Mick Nolan and an ex-employee's daughter, Rose who is much better at the job than her father, Jimmy had been. They are working on setting up selling food and making the place more hospitable to the folks in the area and the tourists who visit in the summer; This is the first of the series that I have read and I plan to go back to #1, Buried in a Bog to find out more about Sullivan's Pub, Maura, and Leap. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The mystery comes into play when Maura discovers a body near a bridge on her property. Of course it is rough on business, but solving the crime isn't easy for the gardia or for Maura. I enjoy Irish novels, especially ones that keep the local language. It takes awhile to get into the flow but makes the read so very interesting. It feels like the reader is Ireland. Before reading this book I had not heard of Sheila Connolly, Such a talented writer, I will be looking forward to more of her novels. I thank Crooked Lane Books of Quick Brown Fox for allowing me to read this novel; such a pleasure.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I somehow have missed reading a couple of books in this series, but I didn't notice that I was missing information that was important to the story line. The one thing I did notice was that Maura kept reminding me of Meg from the Orchard series. Although I did find that a little distracting, I still enjoyed the series and will continue to read it.

Now I remember why I have skipped reading books 2-6 in this series. For someone who has lived in Boston, Maura Donovan is naive and disorganized. She doesn't know how to use a computer and knows nothing about business finances. I'm tired of twenty-somethings who do not now how to cook, but think they can operate a bar and restaurant. The "solution" to the murder leaves out a key element of the crime, but nothing was said about it. I am finished with this series, for real this time

I love this series but this one was the weakest instalment.
It was repetitive, characters seemed to be confused and the mystery was a bit weak and inexistent.
On the negative side there were some discussions about foreigner that were not really nice as it seems that the writer doesn't know how it works in the European Community, any EU citizen does not need any permit for working and living in a EU country, and where the immigrant question is a sore one.
On a general it was nice to be back at Donovan's but it could have been a better reading experience.
I hope the next instalment will be better.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for this ARC