Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corporation for a copy of "Murder in Connemara" in exchange for my honest review.

Having read all the books in Carlene O'Connor's 'Irish Village Mysteries', I was expecting 'Home to Ireland Mysteries' to be along the same lines. While the mystery started out interesting, it soon started to drag along and there were too many complex characters to follow along.

The main character is Tara Meehan who is preparing to open her shop in Galway called 'Renewals', an architectural salvage shop. She finds a flyer about a stone cottage for sale and goes to look at it. What she finds is a sweet pug named Savage and a dead body with no jewelry, no watch or mobile on her. We later learn that her name was Nancy Halligan from Dublin and she was staying on Inishbofin Island.

Once an heiress named Veronica, her butler Bartley and driver Andy appear in Tara's shop - the story gets complicated and loses a lot of the mystery appeal. The suspects - John and Sheila Murphy, Elaine Burke, Mimi Griffin, Eddie O'Farrell, Cassidy Hughes and Iona Kelly - spend most of their time arguing and trying to blame each other for killing Nancy and Veronica.

Tara gets involved, does her own investigation - when she had been warned by the Gardaí to not go snooping about. She makes many mistakes - like getting fingerprints on evidence which she later realizes that she shouldn't have done.

This was just not as neat and interesting as the 'Irish Village Mysteries'. The grammar and typing mistakes are also distracting from the storyline.

Well developed characters and a story for many, is obvious Carlene O’Connor knows their audience. This one was a winner from the first page. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This is Book 2 of the Home in Ireland series (book 1 was Murder in Galway), and the first I had read in the series. However I love and adore her Irish Village mysteries, so I knew I'd like this one! Tara is a bit of an opposite in lead characters from the author's other series- she's in Ireland with only her uncle for family, she's American, and she's a designer opening her own shop. But she has grit and determination, and an unlucky habit of finding bodies.

In this case, the initial body comes after a strange visit to an abandoned house site, that she soon finds related to a strange visit by Veronica and her staff, at her new shop, before she has even officially opened, and threatens to ruin it's opening, when the initial cast of characters starts getting picked off. Reminiscent of a good Agatha mystery, this one will have you guessing a bit, before figuring out who is the suspect, but not sure of the why. A page turner, it's perfect for dreaming of lush fields far away this Summer!

Being a fan of mystery I was very happy when I won my first Carlene O'Connor mystery from Goodreads. Fell in love with the Irish countryside and the characters in her book. Well when I was approved by NetGalley to read Ms. O'Connors new mystery I wasn't let down.. Tara Meehan is an American moving to Ireland to start a new life and a new career. Leaving behind in NYC a broken marriage and a painful death. Tara is excited to get her salvage shop open and start her life in Galway . Then a potential new client Veronica O'Farrell enters with the opes of Tara helping her with a renewal party. There are seven people she needs to make amends to and she needs Tara's help.. Lets just say a historic castle, murder, tampered with gifts and dead bodies are starting to pile up. All the while Tara is trying to get her business up and running.. Plus Tara ends up being a suspect in all of this.
Carlene O'Connor writes a mystery that makes you feel you are in Ireland helping Tara figure out this mystery. The countryside comes to life, along with all the historical buildings. Her characters are very colorful. They are lively and not boring. I was very drawn in my how she wrote them. The details she included with each one. I felt like I was there with them. There were so many twists and turns in this book it took me to the end to realize who the killer was and I was a bit surprised.
I truly enjoyed this book and since this book two of two books I am looking into book 1. Thank you Kensington Publishing for approving me. I look forward to more of Carlene O'Connors books.

I adore Carlene O'Connor's other series, but this was the first I'd read in her A Home to Ireland Mystery series. It was slow going for me at first. I feel as if I had missed out on the set-up from the first in the series. Once I got to the meat of the current mystery and murder I became more engaged. Tara is a complex and vulnerable character. It was fascinating to be exposed to the workings of setting up a business in Galway, as well as becoming familiar with the surroundings of Tara's shop. I was entirely surprised by the reveals as to the murderer, so good were the opportunities for others to have committed it. I look forward to more visits to 'Renewals' in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This book is the second of the series. I read the first one so I knew some of the characters as well as the main character., Tara. I enjoyed the new characters as they were all so different which added to this story. I did feel that the story line dragged a bit going back and forth between all the different destinations. I loved that the story took place in Ireland. The author kept the reader guessing who might be the murderer until the end. The reader could feel the suspense building from the boat ride to Inishbofin island to the end of the story. I had no inkling that Andy and Alexis were brother and sister and their motive until Tara saw the book Places to See in Ireland Before You Die and family pictures in the bedroom. All in all I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next book in the series and to see what next adventure Tara has and where the relationship between her and Danny goes.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp for this ARC,

ara Meehan moved to Galway, Ireland after her mother's death. It was her mother's homeland, and she had her reasons for coming. But now she's found an uncle, and she's part-owner in an architectural salvage business, and has decided to open a shop in town called Renewals. One day when she's preparing for her grand opening, a woman, larger than life, blows in through the door and announces she wants to hold a small party here for the guests she's invited to celebrate her sobriety. Stunned, Tara is also taken by the beautiful brooch the woman is wearing. Veronica O'Farrell turns out to be an heiress and invites Tara to wear it and take a picture. Tara posts it online, and when Veronica leaves thinks nothing of it. But when Veronica is later found murdered with that same brooch, Tara is now a suspect. Trying to clear her name might not be easy, but if she can figure out which one of the guests actually killed the woman, her worries will be over. Unfortunately, they might also be over if the killer finds her first...

This is the second book in the series and I have to say that I utterly enjoyed it as much as the first. I like all of the characters in this book, although I will admit I am a bit on the fence about Tara's maybe-boyfriend, Danny. Time will tell, I suppose. But I do like Uncle Johnny, Breanna, and Detective Gable. He treats Tara like a person, not an annoying gnat.

What I didn't care for in the book (and the loss of one star, unfortunately), was the fact that Tara would just walk up to people and start asking them questions like she was a garda herself, without even an introduction or why she was asking. It was a tad uncomfortable, and I would have told her to bugger off. Surely there are better ways to get answers than putting someone on the defensive immediately. But I did like the fact that both Danny and Johnny had her back, and that showed that they cared about her.

Other than that, the plot was very good, and there were questions throughout that get you wondering how certain things were done. Even looking for clues was a bit difficult, but it really didn't matter, as the ending was worth the wait. Speaking of that, it was definitely unexpected and came out of nowhere, but please do not peek to see who the murderer is! You will have more fun reading this book if you just wait, and it will all be revealed in time. The reason for the murder is rather sad, but who knows what goes on in the mind of the deranged? I do look forward to the next in this series. Recommended.

Another good cozy. I am becoming a huge fan of the cozy mystery genre due to books like this. You can read this as an escape from the everyday in a weekend. A really good mystery.

I had a great time reading this book.
Tara is a great character and I enjoyed the events that took place in the book.
As Tara prepares for opening her shop, Renewals, a potential customer arrives at the door, with a bizarre request. She wants to make amends to the people she wronged, but unfortunately, she never gets the chance.
I was shocked at the reveal, I had no idea that it was going to end that way.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

This book certainly did not trip my trigger. I have always enjoyed Carlen O'Connor's books, but this one just didn't. The descriptions of t he views were wonderful and and of course the usual characters were well-done, but I didn't didn't find anything particularly likeable about Veronica , (although she left the scene early) and her posse..

A mystery filled with twists, turns, and interesting characters on a wondering "virtual" trip during COVID-19 restrictions. Looking forward to more in this series.

Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for access to an early copy of Murder in Connemara by Carlene O'Connor in exchange for a fair and honest review.

In Murder in Gallway, protagonistTara returns her mother's ashes to Ireland and ends up embroiled in a murder investigation while she seeks out her missing uncle. Now, in Murder in Connemara, she is beginning to settle into life in Ireland and start a new business. Except, she ends up in the middle of another murder investigation (of course!). There are a lot of uniquely interesting suspects, a complicated and loaded trail of clues, and effective twists to keep you guessing. I started thinking there are too many charachters to keep track of who did or said what, but this allows a lot of red herrings and tension development.

Her relationship with her newly found uncle, as well as her personal losses that are explored in book one are only briefly mentioned. As a result, there was less growth in the charachter of Tara than I'd have liked given the nature of her situation. I would have preferred those elements be left out of this book than have them almost casually dropped in.

Despite this, and a couple dangling threads, the mystery was strong and interesting. As a cozy, it rates near the top in quality. I'll be looking forward to the next installment!

I did enjoy this one more than the first one the series as this mystery wasn't one that was easy solved. However the series as a whole is my favorite cozy series nor is it my favorite of the authors.

Former New Yorker and interior designer Tara Meehan is eagerly anticipating the grand opening of her architectural salvage shop Renewals in her newly adopted home of Galway. Heiress Veronica O'Farrell is also celebrating one year sobriety. She invited a few people that she did wrong to a party. All was fun until Taras brooch is found on her dead body.
#MurderinConnemara #NetGalley

I enjoyed this book, although I thought it was slow in spots. The ending was something I didn't see coming. #MurderinConnemara #NetGalley

Murder in Connemara by Carlene O’Connor is an excellent cozy mystery that is the second book in the amazing Home to Ireland Mystery series. I really liked this one.

I have been a fan of Ms. O’Connor for a while now and her Irish Village Mystery series is one of my favorite series ever so I have been so excited to be able to enjoy this newer series. This one should be just as great as her first!

I loved this first book introducing us to Tara Meehan, the NYC native transplanted back into her mother’s childhood home town of Galway. The first book gave us a glimpse of the conflicted past that Tara is escaping from, and the family past that she is longing to find. This book picks up where the first left off. Tara is busy trying to open up her new shop, run the warehouse, figure out her complicated relationship with the confusing but dashing Danny, and trying to become one of the locals. Of course she ends up embroiled into a fabulous murder/mystery, and it is there where we get to see the complex, wonderful, and intriguing character that Tara truly is.

This is an amazing murder/mystery plot that involves a questionable heiress, multiple suspects, a treasure hunt of clues so to speak, plenty of twists, turns, and surprises. I was on my toes the whole time, and I honestly did not know who the culprit was until the bitter end. What a ride!

I loved the addition of Danny, Rose, Uncle Johnny, and some of the residents. There is so much material that could easily be sourced for future books.

The narrative was charming, cheeky, modern, appropriately paced, and perfect. The character cast is well-developed and excellent. I loved this book and cannot recommend it enough. This is what a cozy mystery should be. Spot on!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington for this awesome arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of MURDER IN CONNEMARA (Book 2 of the Home to Ireland Mysteries) by Carlene O’Connor in exchange for an honest review. New York ex-patriot Tara Meehan is excited about the upcoming grand opening of her architectural salvage shop, Renewals, in Galway, Ireland. During the lead up to the event, newly sober heiress Veronica O’Farrell approaches Tara with a business proposition. Ms. O’Farrell would like Tara to host a party wherein Ms. O’Farrell intends to make amends to those she harmed before her sobriety; she’d also like Tara to provide a special gift for each guest. A series of murders leaves Tara and Ms. O’Farrell’s guests prime suspects in the cases. Tara soon finds herself braving the dangers of a murder investigation.

I enjoyed this book. I haven’t read the first in the series, but I had no problems keeping the story or the characters straight. I intend to find a copy of the first book, soon. I recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder, Ireland, historic sites, heiresses, chauffeurs, personal assistants, dogs, addiction, and sobriety.

#MurderinConnemara #NetGalley

I've received this book for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

This cozy is one of the few that hit me on the edge of my seat and totally guessing till the end. With great characters and thought it was better than I even hope for.

romance, Ireland, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, aa, castles, small-business, small-town, family-dynamics, friendship, revenge, artifact, artist, atonement, threats****

This is the second in the Home to Ireland Mysteries and my first read of it (but I've read others by the author). The publisher's blurb is a good hook but skips over the fact that the first body was found by Tara and she was asked by the Garda to see the second (the heiress) where it happened (a week later). Tara can't help but investigate as she is tangled up in the whole mess. Lots of interesting characters, devious plot twists, sneaky red herrings, and romantic issues. A good read with great imagery of a wondrous country.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

What do you get if you take a new shop in Galway, add in a rather testy and rich older woman, sprinkle in seven people the woman has wronged and is trying to make amends with, and a pug? You get one great read!

I found this newer series from the author to be really engaging and a real whodunit. With travel restrictions still in place when I read this, I truly enjoyed a trip to Galway. There are a plethora of suspects and lots of red herrings. Don’t trust yourself with who you think did it until the very end. A fantastic mystery for the cozy lover!