I really wanted to like this book but just could not get into it.Perhaps if I had read her previous books in the series,I might have found it more interesting.I gave it 2 stars.

Murder on an Irish Farm is book 8 in the Irish Village mystery series. Featuring a slice of life in rural Ireland along with a compelling mystery to solve. If you love the Midsomer Murders TV show you will love these books. Featuring Siobhán and her love interest, soon to be husband, Macdara, the two invest crime in their area of rural Ireland.

When a body is discovered on their wedding day, the two garda must take a time out from the festivities to investigate. It seems the body belongs to a man who disappeared 50 years ago on his own wedding day. Is this a bad omen? When a new body turns up they know a murderer is willing to keep on killing to keep what happened years ago a secret.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

Murder on an Irish Farm is the 8th book in the Irish Village Mystery series and the best one yet in my opinion. Although the mystery is self-contained in this book, reading the full series will give you a full understanding of the characters and their development over the last 7 books. The relationship between Siobhán and Macdara is an overall story arc. This book begins with Siobhán's and Macdara's wedding getting started, but her brother James, who is walking her down the aisle is not there. One of her other brothers walks her down, but before their vows are complete, James shows up and lets them know that he has found a dead body. With the wedding coming to a stop, they are off to investigate. It turns out that the skeleton that is from a missing person case from 50 years earlier is found in the slurry at the farmhouse that Macdara has purchased as a wedding surprise for Siobhán. As evidence is found, the old case investigated and questions are answered, the case unfolds, but the suspect it begins to point to was too young at the time to have killed anyone. The second body that shows up in the slurry, heats the case up quickly.

I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and was thinking it was winding down, but this book ramped up my interest quickly. This was a very interesting case with few suspects (50 years ago), but a lot of questions. There is some missing money and note but are those red herrings or do they point to the killer. I enjoyed seeing new Garda Aretta Dabiri play a larger role in this story, including having a personal connection to the family. The more they investigate, the more questions they have. I really love seeing the process and how both Siobhán's and Aretta's minds work. This was a twisty mystery, having to tie both murders together and determine what really happened 50 years ago. I didn't figure this one out, but has some suspicions. When the reveal came, I was able to think back and see all the clues as they were sprinkled throughout the story. I really enjoy seeing Siobhán's family grow and change along the way, and with the addition of a new husband (maybe), Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan seems to be headed into a new life. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, then this series is a good one to read or listen to.

Another hit in the series. I did like this one, and liked the wedding book ending the story. A bit creepy though, and usually prefer not getting into the head of the killer as much. Still though, a good mystery, and would recommend.

Loved this unique cozy mystery. It was really neat to have the sleuth be professional, as opposed to an amateur sleuth. And a Garda too, in Ireland… very cool. That gave us a lot of insight into how an investigator views people and interprets their actions, even the subtle ones. I really liked that aspect of the book.

The characters were great - complicated, silly, funny, messy. Family dynamics are always wild, and the ones featured here were no different. I thought I knew whodunnit, and I was wrong! But I thought I had it for the first time! (Long-time followers here will remember that I never figure out whodunnit!) ;)

There is some sadness in the book. No spoilers, but as the reader, I certainly felt the weight of sad things that happened. This gave more depth to the characters than the average cozy mystery, so character development was definitely part of this book.

The book takes the reader on a journey too, a journey of lovers, marriage, family, the ones who got away, sacrifices. So definitely more in-depth and done really well.

Note: This book can standalone, if you are new to the series. But of course, if you like to start at the beginning, you know what to do!

People who are cozy mystery fans will enjoy this, as will straight-up mystery fans and fiction fans.

Thanks Netgalley and Kensington Books, for the chance to read and review this book.

This is book 8 in the Irish Village series and I've read some of the previous books. The cast of characters stays the same and are all present for the wedding of Siobhán O’Sullivan and Macdaras Flannery. But just as they are about to start the service, James arrives covered in dirt after finding a skeleton nearby. With the wedding halted the entire village helps in identifying the body and discovering who the killer was. This is an enjoyable mystery and it's great re-visiting the quaint Irish village. The mystery keeps you interest and has the ending you hope for with the wedding actually taking place. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay, but....

Book 8 in the series.

This series has been rather hit or miss for me. This one was good, but right off the bat I had a major issue. You're standing at the altar, all fancied up and ready to say your wedding vows, having spent a load of money, and you suddenly decide to postpone everything to go to a crime scene?! Because that body that has been there for years was going somewhere, so you couldn't take a few minutes to say your vows? I call BS. That's some serious devotion to your job!

After I got past that, I mostly enjoyed the book, but honestly, I am still annoyed about that bit, and it's been months since I read it. I put the book down for weeks before I finally went back to finish, and almost didn't go back at all.

I'm glad they finally got hitched, (there's been so much drama in their relationship!), but really the way the author went about it nearly spoiled the whole series for me, and I am not sure if I will continue to read her books, I'm still that salty about it.

Spending time with the O'Sullivans is always enjoyable, and book 8 in the Irish Village Mystery series does not disappoint. The moment series addicts have been waiting for has arrived - the wedding of Dara and Siobhan. What could go wrong? Unfortunately, James, Siobhan's brother is late getting to the church, but the wedding must go on...until James appears very dirty and not in his wedding clothes after having discovered a skeleton in the slurry pit at the farm Dara has purchased. It is a bit unbelievable that they would stop the wedding to investigate, but that is what happens and you are immediately drawn into the story to see how quickly they can solve the crime to get back to the wedding!

This book has something for everyone -- a good story, unique setting for the murder, many twists and turns, relatable and likeable main characters, and the Irish countryside for a setting. The Irish culture is well-depicted, the relationship between Siobhan and her siblings is close and warm, and there is more than a splattering of humor throughout. There is a snooker room, stolen money, a bride left at the altar, falconry, a potterer, unusual circumstances for inheriting a family farm, complex family relationships, the family pub, a humorous hen night and so much more! All of this mixed in with a very well-written mystery that keeps you trying to solve the murder along with Siobhan, Dara and Garda Aretta.

I highly recommend Murder on an Irish Farm and will look forward to more adventures with the O'Sullivan-Macdaras!

Murder on an Irish Farm by Carlene O'Connor is book eight of the An Irish Village Mystery.
When Siobhan's wedding is stopped in the middle of the ceremony for a murder, she makes a vow to find the guilty party before being pronounce married. With all the suspects and a second murder, that may take longer than she was hoping for.
There is also a problem the family must deal with that brings a possible end to the family legacy.
.I was given an ARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

I have read all the books in this series and I have enjoyed all of them. This one was no exception. I love escaping to Ireland while we follow these characters solve the latest mystery.

Siobhan and Macdara are finally getting married. Unfortunately, their wedding gets interrupted by the news of murder on their new farm. Can Siobhan and Macdara find out what happened so that they can get back to their wedding and life after?

I love this series so much. I love Siobhan and Macdara as a couple. I get all giddy about them together. I was definitely guessing throughout this whole book and I loved it. I love that Carlene O'Connor is able to keep me guessing the whole time. I am so excited to see what happens next!

*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

This eighth installment in the mystery series is my favorite so far. The interplay between Siobhan and Macdara was well done and entertaining. On their wedding day, instead of walking down the aisle and getting married, Siobhan’s brother shows up in the church announcing he found a skeleton in the diary barn on the property Macdara bought for them. With many suspects, the search for a killer begins as a second murder occurs. Secrets and twists abound. Highly recommended and thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

MURDER ON AN IRISH FARM is the eighth book in the Irish Village Mysteries by Carlene O’Connor. This newest addition to a delightful series can easily be read as a standalone, however, it’s been a huge pleasure watching the characters develop over the years from the very first book. The protagonist, Siobhán O’Sullivan, isn’t your usual amateur sleuth. Instead, she’s an Irish garda and has the necessary skills to investigate crimes in their village. Despite her occupation, she has a deep caring side for those in need, especially when it comes to her orphaned siblings, whom she’s mothered over the years after the unexpected death of their parents. I greatly enjoy seeing their interaction and while there might be a lot of teasing and sometimes annoyance, you can feel their genuine love for each other. Siobhán garda partner and soon-to-be husband, Macdaras Flannery, fits into her and her siblings’ life perfectly. I appreciate that he doesn’t try to minimize Siobhán’s commitment to her siblings but instead, embraces it and pitches in where needed. Ms. O’Connor flavors the book with Irish colloquialisms and her descriptive voice brings the village and surrounding countryside to life. It made me yearn to revisit Ireland and experience the delightful people and country in person again.

When an old skeleton is found on the farm Macdaras purchased for Siobhán as a wedding present, the couple postpone their vows and try to determine who the victim was and who might have wanted to kill him. When a new victim shows up in the same location, the stakes turn even higher. I enjoyed the way the author effectively ties in the old murder with the new one. As the clues unfolded, the story turned in directions I hadn’t anticipated and kept me glued to the pages. She also includes clues involving falconry and a slurry pit. It’s quite obvious that a lot of research was done on both subjects and I appreciated the realistic details woven into the story. Those details never slowed down the fast-paced plot and only added to the enjoyment of the book.

Carline O'Connor gives us another Irish village mystery when Murder on an Irish Farm interrupts the marriage of Garda O'Sullivan and Macdara Flannery. A bridegroom missing fifty years is found in a pit in the farm which was to be a wedding gift for Siobhan O'Sullivan. Another body joins it the next day. No wedding until the murders are found. The family of suspects have a complicated marital background and history of disputes. Excellent cozy.

Siobhan O'Sullivan's wedding is interrupted by her brother James finding a skeleton on the farm Macdara bought as a surprise for the bride. There was another wedding 50 years prior that didn't happen, and the skeleton might be that of the groom.
The premise of the mystery was great and the ending was very good. The middle bogged down, and it seemed to take forever to go through the process of investigation.
I have really wanted to like this series since I love the setting in Ireland. Each one I have managed to finish seemed to have the same problem of taking a long time to get to the point. I'm not sure if it is a deliberate device to convey that things move more slowly in Ireland, but it puts this series lower on my list in the cozy mystery genre of books to make sure I pick up to read.
There's a happy ending with Siobhan and Macdara tying the knot at the end. There are a number of other happenings in the O'Sullivan siblings' lives to catch up with. These relationships are one of the main things I look forward to with cozy mysteries. The Irish Village Mysteries have the relationships but I've come to dread the slow middle.

Another great book in the Irish Village Mystery series. I love Siobhan and Macdara together as a couple and as Garda/Detective Sergeant. The way they bounce ideas off of each other is always fun to read, it is like reading a tennis match. There were a lot of misdirection's in this book and I didn't guess who the killer(s) was until shortly before the reveal.

Looking forward to reading future books in the series.

Murder on an Irish Farm is the 8th Irish Village cozy mystery by Carlene O'Connor. Released 22nd Feb 2022 by Kensington, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is such a well written and engaging mystery, set in Ireland. Despite being the 8th book in the series, I had no trouble at all following the story or keeping the characters straight. It works very well as a standalone and it's written well enough that I'm inclined to seek out the earlier books whilst waiting for the next installment.

The book opens dramatically enough with one of the MC's brothers, who should be the best man in her wedding bursting into the church, already late for the actual nuptials, exclaiming that he's found a (long dead) body in a slurry pit on a dairy farm. The MC and her fiance are both law enforcement, detective sergeant (him) and garda officer (her). The plot revolves around the unraveling of the cold case disappearance/murder from 50 years ago, alongside the modern crimes which occur as fallout.

A strong subplot element has to do with falconry and birds of prey and I found those aspects really fascinating. The author is either involved with rehab/birds of prey or has really good research resources. Either way, it's fascinating to read and added a lot of atmosphere.

Although the author is apparently American, the dialogue, spelling, and vernacular are Irish standard (torch, lorry, crisps, chipper (note, not chippy)). It shouldn't present any problems in context for readers outside the UK/Ireland.

Four and a half stars. Entertaining and well written. A diverting read for fans of the genre.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is a great addition to O'Connor's cozy series. I love the characters, the setting, and the tone of these books. This one does not disappoint! It is nice and twisty, but also has a lot of joy.

I do love this series, but some titles are better than others. I was disappointed in this one but if you are a fan of the series, you kind of have to read this one in terms of overall story progression. Will continue the series as overall it is rather charming.