Lucy Stone has long been this reader's favorite cozy heroine, and in Irish Parade Murder, the 27th book in the series, author Leslie Meier does another admirable job of combining mystery with family, community, and current events. From the death of her father-in-law and the possible existence of a heretofore unknown relative, to a new hotshot reporter in town, Lucy's kept on her toes all while trying to figure out if there's any connection to the death of a local corrections officer in a fiery automobile accident, her new office rival, and the local St. Patrick's Day parade. Lots of fun in this suspenseful cozy! A+++

I love all the characters I've come to know in the Lucy Stone series, but lately the books are getting too filled with issues and politics that are the very reason I escape into cozy mysteries. I honestly don't like reading about things like that in my cozies. I know Lucy has always been involved in some type of campaign to help others which is totally fine, but I just want more cozy and less corruption and stuff like that.

I did really enjoy the side story of Bill's mom and the woman claiming to be part of their family and how it all played out. I won't spoil any of that or what she was claiming, but that was the main thing I was interested and of course, getting Lucy's new co-worker (annoying as he was lol) cleared of murder charges. It was interesting about Ted's new venture, so I'll definitely keep following the series. I just wish the politics and issues could be toned down and get back to the basics of a small town murder mystery.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

I wanted to love this, I usually do. That being said, a couple of times during the first half of the book I was tempted to DNF, but the second half made me glad I finished it.

This is almost a tale of 3 books, well, okay 2 books and 2 parts. I honestly felt like the author couldn’t decide what story they wanted to tell, so they combined several into one and hoped it came out okay, which usually isn’t the case. Usually I love Leslie Meier’s mysteries, but the first half I honestly couldn’t figure out where she was going, and about 4 times I put my book down and said I’m done. Each time I said I would give it a couple more minutes. Finally around 60% the story caught and I finished it.

Irish Parade Murder (Lucy Stone #27) by Leslie Meier
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: January 26, 2021

Irish Parade Murder is the twenty-seventh book in the Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier. I have only read two other books in this series, but was able to jump right into this book. It can definitely be read as a standalone book.

This was a cute cozy mystery with likeable characters and a good storyline. The mystery was well developed and kept me guessing!

I'm so grateful to Leslie Meier, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Another great addition to the Lucy Stone series. In this one, her whole life is in turmoil after her father-in-law dies and a new reporter is hired at the paper where she works. So she has to deal with big changes in both her personal life and work life and things get even more complicated when the new reporter gets charged with murder. She is sure that he is innocent, so she uses her investigative skills to try and find the real murderer. A great mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat!

I always enjoy the books in this series and ‘visiting’ Lucy and her family in Maine. This book is a bit political, which takes away from some of the coziness, but it’s still an enjoyable read. The best part is the mystery surrounding a woman claiming to be Lucy’s long lost sister in law.

I am not sure if Leslie Meier's writing is for me. This was a fun cozy, but I didn't completely buy into the story. I thought the mystery was good, but it wasn't spectacular. I'm not sure if I will continue with the series.

Irish Parade Murder by Leslie Meier is the 27th Lucy Stone Mystery.

I have only read two other Lucy Stone Mysteries but I do enjoy Leslie Meier’s conversational writing style which makes her stories a pleasure to read. Lucy has gone from working as a customer service rep many years ago while taking care of her four children to a reporter at the Pennysaver. She has solved many mysteries, and in this tale of mayhem and murder, Lucy has returned home from her father-in-law's funeral just in time to meet Rob Callahan, the man her boss has employed as another reporter at the Pennysaver. The young, brash Rob has stacks of new ideas and is looking to make some changes in his favour so Lucy knows she has to up her game. When Rob finds himself in trouble after being charged with the death of a corrections officer, Lucy sets out to help him even though he isn't on her list of favourite people.

Set in the coastal Maine town of Tinker's Cove, the story moved along at a steady pace. The focus of this book is St. Patrick’s Day and some of the stories the newspaper is covering and the drama in the book revolve around the town’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations and traditions. Lucy’s interviews with parade participants work well to show the differing opinions of the town's residents. Corruption, lies and deceit all feature making Irish Parade Murder very compelling and I enjoyed the side stories as well. Rich with current issues such as racism, political corruption and misconduct it covers so much whilst not being overwhelming. I highly recommend reading this engrossing cosy mystery with the discerning and intrepid Lucy Stone.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This is the 27thbook in the Lucy Stone series. Lucy is a reporter for the local paper, The Pennysaver. The paper merges with another local paper and a big shot reporter, Rob, joins the team. But when he has an altercation with a corrections officer and the CO ends up dying in a car accident under suspicious circumstances, Rob is arrested. This forces Lucy to do some digging into the sheriff's department. I liked this more than the last few books in the series. It felt more like the older books that made me fall in love with the Stone family. The side story of Bill's father dying and a possible new relative was okay. I didn't really see how it fit with the rest of the story and I would have been fine without it. I liked having Bill's mother visit. This was a nice addition in the series. I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Irish Parade Murder by Leslie Meier is the 27th book in the Lucy Stone mystery series, and another terrific addition. I have been reading Lucy Stone books for years, and the books are like visiting old friends, I love this series. Lucy and her family have just returned home to Tinker's Cove after attending her father in laws funeral in Florida. Out of the blue Lucy's husband receives a letter, stating he has a half sister. On top of that something is going on with the newspaper Lucy works for, is she about to lose her job? I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. There are a lot of fun twists and turns. I enjoy the way Ms. Meier relates to everyday life and people. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, as always. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book and the whole series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Lucy Stone doesn’t know what to think about her job. First she thinks she’s about to lose her job as part-time reporter for the local newspaper in Tinker’s Cove, Maine. Then, she learns her boss is actually expanding the paper, which would be a good thing except he has also hired a young, know-it-all reporter who is being given all the top assignments. Even though Lucy doesn’t care much for Rob’s journalistic talent or his people skills, when the brash reporter is accused of murder, Lucy has doubts. She uses her own investigative skills to get to the truth of the murder case.

Many of the books in the Lucy Stone series are tied to a specific holiday and the focus of this book is St. Patrick’s Day. Many of the stories the newspaper is covering and the drama in the book revolve around the town’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and traditions which aren’t always inclusive to all the local residents. Lucy’s interviews with parade participants work well to show the contrast in opinions of the town. When Rob is accused of murder, I like that Lucy is able to put her personal feelings about him aside to objectively investigate the crime. Rob is so obnoxious, I found it hard to feel sorry for him even when it looked more and more like he was innocent of the murder, but lucky for him, Lucy was a bigger person and kept searching for the truth!

In addition to the obstacles Lucy is facing at work, she also has a personal issue to deal with. When her husband Bill’s father dies, a woman comes forward claiming to be Bill’s half sister. Lucy and Bill are afraid the woman is a fraudster trying to make a claim on Bill Senior’s estate. This mystery as well as the murder investigation are both interesting. I was surprised the author tackles such a heavy topic as police corruption in a cozy mystery, but it does fit in well with the plot. The story is dramatic and entertaining even if the way things work a little too easily at the end. Overall, this is a solid installment in this well-written series.

~ Christine

I grew up reading Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes mysteries - bur that is about as close I got to cozy mysteries until the early 1990s when I discovered the series of Lucy Stone mysteries written by Leslie Meier. I read as many Lucy Stone books as I could for the next seven or eight years; but, because life goes on, I moved to other authors and genres. However, over the past year I have again stumbled upon this imaginative and fun cozy mystery writer. It was eleven months ago I found myself reading British Murder, a compilation of two earlier Lucy Stone books. This past week I found myself reading the newest book in the series, Irish Parade Murder (2021) and I was not disappointed.

Lucy Stone, a reporter for the local small town weekly newspaper, finds herself uncovering the details of a murder for which her main, newly hired, competition at the paper is charged. In the process she finds that she will nearly become the killer’s next victim.

I was up late for two or three nights in a row, not being able to put the book down while my eyes wanted me to put my head down on the pillow. This is a cozy mystery lover’s cozy mystery. I easily give it five stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

This is apparently the 27th book in the Lucy Stone cozy mystery series. I had not ready any prior to this one. I found it quite entertaining and I liked Lucy’s character and her family. Deals with issues of fake DNA claims and murder.

I really enjoyed this Cozy Mystery! This is book #27 in the Lucy Stone series (which I didn't know until I started reading) but I was able to jump right in and get immersed in Lucy's world. Lucy is a part-time reporter for a small-town paper in an adorable Maine community. After returning from her father-in-law's funeral, Lucy discovers changes are coming to her small-town newspaper, including a big-city reporter, Rob, who threatens to shake up her way of life. When Rob is accused of murder, Lucy can't believe he's guilty and continues to dig to try to find the real killer. Distracting her from this quest is a family secret that threatens to further imbalance Lucy's newly widowed Mother-in-Law. Will all this drama be wrapped up before St. Patrick's Day?

Leslie's writing in this one makes me want to drop everything, move to a small town and become a small-town paper reporter, just like Lucy. This one has a little bit of everything, some family drama, work-place conflicts, questionable local politicians and of course, murder. I also enjoyed that the story featured a movement within the small Maine county to "get with the times" and have their Irish Parade become more inclusive; it was a nice touch and nod to the outside world that could have easily been left out, but really added to the story. My only complaint about this one is that the solving seemed to wrap-up a bit abruptly; I was leaning towards the resolution that occurred, but I was surprised that it was so absolute at the point that it was. This often happens to me though, so it may be a me problem! Overall I really enjoyed it and would give it 3.5 Stars!

Oh no! Ted has hired some city-slicker reporter and he is trying to sabotage Lucy! Just the beginning. Pick this book up today for another Lucy Stone and friends adventure. Meier keeps chugging away with this series but some of the books just don't have the pizzazz they used to and Toby and his family have kind of been dropped off the earth. Still enjoyable but........

I received an ebook ARC from NetGalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Leslie Meier never disappoints! I loved the book, just as much as I have loved all of the others. I enjoyed the mystery and was on the edge of my seat when we found out who the murderer was. My only complaint is that I have to wait to get more of Lucy and her family!

Back home after attending her father-in-laws funeral Lucy is met with some changes at the paper. The paper has hired a young new reporter, Rob Callahan, who has tons of new ideas and wants to change things to suit him. When assignments are given out and Lucy is only given the story that the new star has passed on she knows she herself needs to turn the tides to her favor and away from Rob. Rob soon finds himself in trouble when he is charged with the death of a corrections officer. Lucy may not like the young man but she is positive he doesn't have it in him to kill another person. Lucy must travel down a dark path to figure out just who the killer is and why they committed such a crime. As more and more things come to light Lucy begins to wonder what all she'll find and how what she does find will affect her and her family not to let her job.

Irish Parade Murder by Leslie Meier is a small-town America cozy mystery. Ted Stillings, the publisher of the Pennysaver and Lucy Stone's employer, was behaving oddly. Several days later they figured it out. He had gotten involved with the Truth Project, a philanthropy group, which believed that the demise of the small town newspaper was hurting the country, leaving people ignorant of what was happening locally in their government. They had helped him purchase a neighboring newspaper as well as hire a hotshot, city report to help him run it. Lucy was not happy but had too much going on to worry too much about it. Bill's father had died and left his mother alone. A woman had popped up who had a DNA report claiming Bill, Sr. as her father and they all wondered what she was up to. Rob, the new guy, wasn't interested in school board meetings. He wanted dirt. Lucy now had more to cover and she noticed some things that upset her with the Sheriff's office, but she was moving slowly. There was a lot going on. Rob, the reporter as arrested for murder. When she tried to get in to see him she was denied. When she saw the sheriff, there was a veiled threat, the second she had received. Then came the night she was stopped, tackled to the ground, handcuffed, and threatened by the sheriff. She was rescued, thank goodness.

This was a little edgier book than the earlier ones I have read. Lucy Stone is a great character. So much like any middle-aged woman one might meet in a small town. She has the same problems real people have. She is not glamorous. She has a nice husband and decent children, who have friends into all kinds of things, but so far they have been fine. It is what a cozy is meant to be. This one was a terrific read, with the infighting so common to small towns, and the corruptions. People who are power hungry can be power hungry in a small town. They don't have to be in congress. It was an exciting read, although a little frightening. I enjoyed it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Irish Parade Murder by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #irishparademurder

I am enjoying this series. This story line has lots of Irish in it along with some crooked problems that need taking care of. Join Lucy, Bill, Phyllis, and Ted has they handle the situations they are drawn into. Who will come out the winner? I love these characters and can’t wait to make another trip to Maine to see what they are up to. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Lucy and the Tinkers Cove Gang never disappoint! I enjoy the fact that the murder mystery in this series are almost always tied to a worthy cause. Here it is the fact that as a society we need to be more inclusive. It also highlights the plight that many local newspapers are facing. They are struggling to survive and be relevant in a digital world. The Pennysaver that Lucy works at is being combined with another local paper due to a buy out. Lucy soon learns how corrupt the Sheriff in that other town is when she tries to do her job as a reporter. Of course she will find a way to expose him and make everyone's lives better.