Atmospheric, Engaging…
The fifth in the Cold Case Investigation series finds Detective Lauren Riley on injury leave. Frustrated and bored she renews her private investigator license and a new case falls into her lap. An atmospheric and engaging mystery with a deftly drawn cast and an intriguing storyline. An enjoyable entry into this series.

THE PARTING GLASS by Lissa Marie Redmond
The Fifth Cold Case Homicide Mystery

Lauren Riley is not one to sit still and relax, so when the cold case homicide detective is placed on medical leave she quickly renews her private investigator’s license. Lauren’s interest is eventually piqued when a wealthy woman asks her to go to Ireland to find a painting. Remembering the headlines when the Picasso was originally stolen Lauren accepts the case, figuring it for an easy job. After all, it’s practically a vacation with her partner, Shane, along to assist. However, nothing is ever easy for Lauren. Soon the search for a missing painting turns into a murder investigation. Off duty, with no authority, and way out of their jurisdiction, Lauren and Shane leave the murder to the locals, however, the Buffalo pair find themselves embroiled in the case. Will they find the painting or a killer?

As much as I love Buffalo, I enjoyed seeing Lauren and Shane out of their element, exploring a bit of Ireland. I appreciate their witty banter and how their different styles not only complement each other, but bring out the best in one another. The vivid descriptions of this small Irish town made me feel as if I was driving down those winding roads with them, steeped in a sea of green, eager to have a pint, although I'm partial to lager, not Guinness.

THE PARTING GLASS is a unique mystery that constantly evolves, tricking readers as well as Lauren. What should be simple isn't and nothing is ever cut and dry. A variety of interesting characters inhabit the pages. Some capture the warmth of Irish hospitality, some are more distant, while others are unscrupulous and greedy blackguards. All prove to be an integral component of the story.

THE PARTING GLASS is a riveting mystery filled with emotional pitfalls. Friendships and family are tested, and not all are able to be saved.

Though The Parting Glass is the fifth in the Cold Case Investigation series, this is my first experience reading Lisa Marie Redmond. It will not be the last. Lauren Riley and Shane Reese are partners in the cold case unit in Buffalo, New York and are quite good at what they do. Occasionally Riley has ruffled feathers but for the most part, she is appreciated for her skills and success. Reese, the junior partner, works the same way.

In this outing, Riley, who was injured in a past major case, stabbed in the side with a resulting lung injury, has been told she needs medical clearance to continue working. And she doesn’t get it. A mandatory six month medical leave is forced on her to rest and further rehabilitate her body. Not one to take to a quiet hobby, Lauren renews her private investigator license. The first serious case that she will consider involves locating a small painting by Picasso stolen some 20 years ago. And, oh, it’s likely in Ireland.

This novel is well written, moves along smartly, with a complicated but not unreal plot. I enjoyed the culture “shock” of the Buffalo detectives working as PIs in rural Ireland, learning about how the Garda work and other facts of Irish life. I’m also looking forward to reading past and future episodes as I have really come to like Riley and Reese a lot after reading this one book.

A copy of this book was provided by Severn House Publishers through NetGalley in return for an honest review

Buffalo cold case detective, Lauren Riley, has been put on medical leave so that she can heal from work-related injuries. However, not one to sit idle, Lauren renews her private investigator’s license and accepts a job from the ex-wife of a wealthy local businessman. Twenty years ago, during their acrimonious divorce, a valuable painting was stolen. Since the main suspect has just died in his native Ireland, Lauren’s new client wants her to go to Ireland to track down the painting before her ex-husband does. With her colleague and friend, Shane Reese, in tow Lauren assumes it will be a low-key investigation with maybe even some sightseeing thrown in for good measure.

Once again Lissa Marie Redmond has written an entertaining novel with great characters, a good plot, and enough suspense to make it a good read. I enjoyed The Parting Glass and recommend the series to anyone who likes a well-written police procedural/investigation.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

An atmospheric, gripping and well written mystery that kept me turning pages.
This is the second i read in this series and want to read the others.
Great characters, solid mystery, a vivid and fascinating setting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is the fifth book in the Cold Case Investigation series. I loved A Full Cold Moon, the book that comes right before this one, but I didn't read the ones before that. This book starts with Lauren Riley, a cold case detective in Buffalo, New York, failing her department physical because of an on-the-job injury. She decides to renew her private investigator’s license and is quickly hired by a wealthy woman who wants a Picasso painting back that she is sure was taken by her equally wealthy ex-husband. Lauren convinces her colleague and good friend Shane Reese to travel to Ireland with her to do some digging, but the case becomes more dangerous than either imagined - physically and emotionally!

I enjoyed the book, especially the working relationship and growing friendship between Lauren and Shane. The case itself starts out very intriguing as Lauren and Shane try to figure out who can be trusted in the small Irish town where they are staying. When the investigation starts going in circles, the pace of the book really slows. It gets on track again for me towards the end and I like the way the case is resolved, with the exception of an ominous conversation Lauren has with one of the parties involved in the case at the end. On the personal side, I had high hopes for a different outcome for Lauren. I don’t want to give anything away, but I am interested to see what happens for Lauren in both her career and her personal life.

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Severn House. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

The fifth instalment in the Cold Case Investigations series is a cleverly woven and deeply compulsive addition to the series with an enthralling mystery at its heart and is resplendent with wicked twists and turns, a well executed plot, a strongly developed cast of characters, both recurring and not, and the glorious setting and always stunning scenery of the Emerald Isle - Ireland, with its down to earth inhabitants who are always up for the craic. A richly described, atmospheric and absorbing historical mystery. Highly recommended.

This is book five of the Cold Case series featuring Laure Riley and, as always, it's best to start from book one and read in order. That said, the main story is self-contained so, at a push, it can be read as stand alone but it does refer back to incidents in previous books so be aware of that. There's also the development of the two lead characters and their relationship to follow.
Lauren is ordered to attend her medical and is horrified to find herself suspended on Injured on Duty status. Told to rest and then, hopefully, eventually, she can return to duty in six months. Told to rest - yeah right, as if she's going to do that. Not with a PI license that only needs renewing. She's not one to stand idle and she has no interest in gardening or needlework! And then, just as she has refreshed her professional website, she gets a call with a summons to meet a prospective client. Her interest piqued so she accepts, and the case is a right doozy. 20 years ago, a Picasso painting was stolen from a warring couple in the middle of a bitter divorce. It has never been recovered. It seems likely that it was taken by an employee who returned home soon after the event and it is his death that has sparked renewed interest. It's the ex-wife that is the client and the "home" the employee returned to is a small town in rural Ireland. Lauren takes the case, does a bit of due diligence and, with trust sidekick, Shane Reese, who has found himself at a loose end by her side, ups sticks and planes it over to the Emerald Isle.
But it'd be a short boring book if it was as plain sailing as Lauren initially thinks. It'd also be completely out of character if there was no danger to be faced but I am going to leave all that to you to discover as the author intends. No spoilers here. Suffice to say that what follows is exciting, thrilling and rather well plotted & executed. Starring a wonderful, eclectic mix of colourful characters, the extras all as well drawn as the leads. Lauren and Shane have the added disadvantage of not being there on official police business, rather just as private citizens and so certain things are not available to them. Instead they have to rely on other methods to get what they need. I loved this element of things.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already impressive, well established series. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A failed medical exam and complications from an old wound forces Buffalo Cold Case Detective Lauren Riley onto Injured on Duty leave status for 6 months. Lauren renews her PI license and is soon contacted by Sharon Whitney, the ex-wife of Howard Whitney. During their bitter divorce twenty years ago, a Picasso painting was stolen from their home and never found. After learning that the main suspect in the theft, Jimmy Breen, dies in Ireland, Sharon hires Lauren to find the Picasso. Enlisting the help of her Cold Case partner Reese, the duo expect to enjoy their time at a idyllic B&B in rural Ireland. But they quickly learn that Jimmy may have been murdered and that his shabby junk-filled shack has been ransacked. It also becomes clear that others are in search of the Picasso and are watching Lauren and Reese's every move. When the local barkeep is found tortured and beaten to death in his pub, it becomes clear that the multi-million dollar painting is worth killing for.

Once Lauren figures out Jimmy's secret, and the Whitney's secrets, it's a race against time to return to Jimmy's house to get the Picasso. A bombshell phone call from Buffalo changes Reese's future and the fate of their burgeoning romantic relationship.

This was another thrilling read in the Cold Case investigations series.
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Severn House with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Some of Lissa's best work yet. 5 books in to the Cold Case series, and I never want them to end. Her first three books made me home sick for Buffalo, and now Lauren Riley's adventures make me want to travel.

Lauren might not be working as a police detective but she's up for private investigation. A request by Sharon Whitney to travel to Ireland to retrieve a Picasso stolen 20 years ago turns up more than either Lauren or Sharon expected. Jimmy, the handyman who was suspected of the theft, is dead but there's some big dark secrets no one is willing to spill. At the same time, Sharon's ex, a crime boss, has hired people to keep an eye on Lauren and her partner Shane. I liked that this took Lauren out of the US and into new territory- it freshened the series, which is, btw, well worth reading, although this will be fine as a standalone. I like that Lauren is more mature than similar characters (she has a big backstory with kids, an ex and so on). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good dialogue and twisty situations make this a good read.

I’ve been a huge fan of of Lissa Marie Redmond since the first time I read one of her books. This is one of her best yet! Her ability to realistically portray characters while keeping them interesting and nuanced from book to book is impressive. I especially enjoyed seeing both Riley and Reese in Ireland instead of Buffalo as they solved the case as a team. The ending of each book makes me wish for the next one. Thanks to Severn House for providing access to the eARC.

Despite allusions to Buffalo Police Detective Lauren Riley’s Icelandic adventures in A Full Cold Moon, there’s no reason a newcomer to the series can’t pick up The Parting Glass. I admit that it’s more interesting if you’re already familiar with Lauren’s tendency to go rogue, and her work partner’s attempts to keep her in line, but she’s not working for the police department in this latest book. So, head to Ireland with Lauren Riley and Shane Reese in the search for an invaluable painting.

At one time or another Lauren and Shane have both been on work-related injury lists. When one of them is out, the other partner on Buffalo’s Cold Case Squad keeps them in the loop. This time, though, Lauren’s doctor won’t approve her return to work until she recuperates and does rehab for six months. Her lungs are too damaged as a result of being stabbed in the side. Who can expect her to sit around for six months? Instead, she renews her private investigator license, and turns down the ordinary PI cases of following spouses and looking for people cheating on workers’ comp.

When Sharon Whitney calls, Lauren is intrigued by her case. When Sharon and her husband, Howard, were divorcing twenty years earlier, they fought over a small painting by Picasso. One night, Howard was brutally attacked, and the painting disappeared. The police suspected James Breen, an employee. When he was cleared, he returned to his hometown in Ireland. No one has seen the painting in the last twenty years. Sharon hires Lauren to travel to Keelnamara on Ireland’s west coast, and find the painting. Jimmy Breen has died, and Sharon bought his cottage so her PI can search the cottage. With Sharon Whitney paying all the expenses, including the cost of a B&B, Lauren hires her partner, Shane, asking him to take vacation and work with her. It’s only the search for a missing painting, right?

Nothing is simple when it comes to Lauren Riley’s cold cases. Everyone in the small town of Keelnamara knows about the Picasso. When the Garda reveal that Jimmy Breen was killed, the cold case robbery becomes an active homicide investigation. And, everyone in Keelnamara is suspect, even the local Garda.

The relationship between Lauren and Shane is always an issue. Shane is younger than Lauren, but when she needed help, he took care of her. When he was injured in the line of duty, he moved in with her. There has always been an attraction, but neither of them have ever acted on it. Neither wants to ruin their friendship. And, there’s an unexpected turn in this book that keeps the reader unsure about the future. Time and again, they’ve saved each other from physical harm. What about emotional?

I’ve always been a fan of cold cases. Lissa Marie Redmond was a cold case homicide detective, so the books feel authentic. In The Parting Glass, Lauren and Shane are on unfamiliar territory, in a community where they know no one. When their cold case robbery becomes an active homicide investigation, they find themselves closed off from part of their case. In this small community, Lauren and Shane view even the local Garda as a suspect. It’s a strong person who can ignore a painting now worth twenty million dollars. Redmond combines an investigation and the beauty of Ireland in an intriguing mystery with several surprises.

Even On Injured Duty Status Can Stop Det. Riley

Buffalo Police Cold Case detective Lauren Riley and her partner, Shane Reese, are celebrating the sentencing of their latest cold case conviction. The next day, her Captain orders her to see the departmental doctor. She tries to blow him off, but her Captain tells her that she has an appointment for 1 pm that day. A year and a half ago, Lauren was stabbed and almost died. She really hasn’t taken it easy since, and her physical therapy was very infrequent. The doctor stated her options were six months Injured on Duty or Unfit for Duty and being pensioned out. The doctor told Lauren to take a vacation, take up gardening, or painting. It is not a spoiler that this was not going to happen! Lauren renews her private investigator license. A wealthy woman contacts her to recover a Picasso stolen 20 years ago. The prime suspect just died in Ireland, and she wants to seize the painting before her ex-husband does. All expenses paid trip to Ireland looks good. Lauren convinces Shane to accompany her. The novel takes off from here.

The main storyline is quite unique for this author. Lauren and Shane are in a foreign country as private citizens. When Lauren was in Iceland in the last novel, she was there officially with the cooperation of the local authorities. That is not the case now. The main storyline becomes quite complex as all the locals know about the missing Picasso, and there are local and agents for the ex-husband trying the find the picture. Some locals are quite hostile. Some locals are friendly and helpful, but do they have their own agenda? Then, the prime suspects accidental death now appears to be a murder. There are plenty twists, turns and what I call literary grenades that forces Lauren, Shane and the reader to reconsider what is happening. My interest was quickly captured and maintain all the way to the end. What I particularly liked was that even though this is the fifth novel in this series, the main storyline is still quite fresh and intriguing.

The B-storyline also is quite interesting. There are two major threads here. The first is the ongoing maturing of Lauren’s and Shane’s relationship. If you have read the previous novels in this series, this could be viewed as a C-storyline in seeing how their relationship is changing. This enriched my enjoyment in reading this novel. The second major thread is how Lauren and Shane worked without any official authority and persuaded local cooperation, civilians and the authorities. Shane really excels at this. Again, this aspect was a reading enjoyment enhancer for me.

I believe even a very sensitive reader to language and intimate scenes will not find much unacceptable with this novel. I rate this novel almost a pure green in these aspects. Most of the violence is described in the less edgy after the fact. Since most of the action occurs in rural Ireland, some local words are used. While in some cases, I had to use the Internet to determine the exact meaning. For me, it made the novel more authentic for me. Lastly, this novel is the fifth novel in the series. While reading the previously novels help the reader to see a forming C-storyline, I did not find any references in this novel that were not adequately backfilled so this can be the first read of this series.

I really did not find any aspects of this novel that bothered me. Of entire series, this was the quickest read for me. Part of the reason was the quick capturing of my interest. I wanted and did read late into the evenings. At the end of this novel, there were not any loose ends. I really liked on bit of local color; when you read it, look up Shark Girl Buffalo. For all of these reasons, I rate this novel with five stars. I really enjoyed reading this novel, and if you have read my review to this point, I believe that you will also enjoy reading it.

I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Severn House with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Severn House for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Cold Cases involve heavy lifting.

Light on evidence, but abundant in weightiness in accumulated dead ends.

Homicide Detective Lauren Riley and her partner, Shane Reese, have been sifting through case files together for over six years. They've ratcheted up quite the reputation in the Homicide Department of the Buffalo, New York police department. Both detectives are easily recognized on the nightly news.

But when Riley is forced into a follow-up medical evaluation, things are going to take a drastic turn. Riley had been stabbed over a year ago during an ambush. The doctor refuses to give her the green light as her lung has not healed properly. Captain Carey puts her on administrative leave. Personal anger can heat up a room in seconds.

With no other recourse, Riley renews her private detective license. Perhaps a little surveillance work will keep her engaged while the lung heals. Bed rest is out of the question, so Riley sets up a website with all her information. It's not long before she's contacted by Sharon Whitney, a well-to-do art collector, formerly of Long Island. She's heard of Riley's reputation and hires her on the spot.

It turns out that Mrs. Whitney had an original Picasso stolen from her some time ago. The painting was a wedding gift from her ex husband, grain baron Howard Whitney. Back then, it was worth $3 million. Now it's worth a staggering $20 million. Small sidebar: Both individuals accuse each other of a set-up robbery. Sharon believes that it was taken by the grounds keeper who absconded with the small 14x9 inch painting. He was living in County Kerry in Ireland. After word was received of his death, Sharon bought up his small cottage there.

Next destination: Ireland on the evening flight. Additional side bar: Riley cons Reese into taking two weeks vacation to accompany her on this case. After they arrive, they find that James Patrick Breen's death was no accident. There aren't 1,000 Irish welcomes awaiting them. Someone is acting as a trip-wire to divert them from solving this case as the body count rises.

The Parting Glass is a well-written and creative investigation. Riley and Reese are quite the dynamic duo with their playful dialogue and sharp-ended banter. Reese's good looks turn every lady's head, but Riley keeps it on a professional basis. I wasn't aware that this is the fifth edition in this series, since Lissa Marie Redmond fills in any gaps and we're off and running. To kick it up a notch, Redmond herself is a former cold case detective. She knows her stuff and turns out a solid mystery that entertains and intrigues. Keep an eye out for this one. Bravo, Ms. Redmond, just bravo.

I received a copy of The Parting Glass through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Severn House and to Lissa Marie Redmond for the opportunity.

A worthy addition to the Cold case investigations, the parting glass is a very entertaining and cleverly plotted whodunit involving the theft of a much valued Picasso over 20 years ago and the acrimonious fight between a rich & divorced American couple to find the painting today and their individual & fiendish determination to claim its ownership at all cost...
Forced to take a leave of absence after being seriously wounded during her last case investigation for the Buffalo Police Department, inspector Laura Riley and her partner Shane Reese will decide to fly as private investigators to a desolate area of contemporary Ireland and take the reader into a dangerous and murderous treasure hunt as they painstakingly and brilliantly untangle all the twisty paths leading to the purloined masterpiece.
A solid and captivating novel full of unforgettable Irish characters and a refreshing dive into the windswept beauties of coastal Ireland. A delicious & memorable murder mystery to be enjoyed without moderation!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Canongate/Severn House for this terrific ARC

Thank you Netgalley and Severn House/Canongate Books for the eARC.
Cold Case Detective Lauren Riley is put on Injured On Duty status, much to her dismay, so she decides to reinstate her PI status. There's no way she can while away 6 months ... she would go nuts! She gets a job that sounds simple: go to a cottage in Ireland and find a painting. For that she will get an enormous paycheck! She talks her partner into coming with her and instead of the easy job they expected, end up with two murders to solve as well as find the painting.
I loved Lauren and the relationship she has with her partner. I also liked reading about Buffalo, never having been there, and Ireland, where I have family.
A good, solid read with a very personable protagonist, The little dog was a nice addition too. Definitely recommended!

I love that part of this book is set in Ireland and that the descriptions of the Irish countryside makes you feel like you are actually there. This is wonderful mystery with plenty of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book