First in a new mystery series, on her 30th birthday Rayne McGrath discovers her boyfriend has absconded with all their business money and merchandise, and her uncle in Ireland has died. At the reading of his will she finds he has left her a castle, one she can’t refuse without major consequences and a new cousin who’s angry at this. A good start to a character driven series with great potential.

On her thirtieth birthday, Rodeo Drive bridal wear designer Rayne McGrath is expecting big things – a business lunch that will take her business to a new level and potentially an engagement ring from her fiancé. Instead, she discovers that her fiancé is a cad. Things start to look up when she inherits the family castle in Ireland – until she discovers that not only does she have to live in Ireland for a year, but the castle is run-down, she has a cousin she never knew about who hates her, and her uncle might have been murdered. Rayne might not be happy living in Ireland but she certainly won’t be bored!

I read a lot of cozy mysteries and I have found that the first book in new series tend to go one of two ways: either the book jumps right into the murder or the author takes his/her time developing the characters and setting and paving the way for future books in the series. “Murder at an Irish Castle” by Ellie Brannigan definitely falls into the second category. Brannigan takes her time setting up the premise of the novel, introducing us to both Rayne and her cousin Ciara, establishing Rayne’s relationship with her actress mother, describing the Irish castle and surrounding town, and developing the other characters in the novel. She does this very well – so well in fact that I have to admit that at the beginning I didn’t like either Rayne (I’m not fond of spoiled, must have designer fashions characters) or Ciara (who has a massive chip on her shoulder) but by the end of the book I found myself liking both characters and enjoying the relationship between the two. The rest of the characters and setting are equally well done – there might be a few plot holes, mostly regarding Rayne’s dealing with her bridal customers (did they never attempt to contact her or did she not attempt to contact them?) – but it is still a very enjoyable read. The mystery is as well done as the characters and setting – with plenty of suspects and twists and turns – I was completely surprised when all was revealed. Finally, I loved the ending of the book – it makes me look forward to the next book in the series.

Rayne McGrath is having every kind of a bad day. Her boyfriend who she expects a proposal from, actually runs off with all her money and stock of bridal dresses! Then she gets word that her uncle has died and it's off to Ireland to claim her inheritance - a very delapidated mansion. Rayne has only 1 year to get the mansion up and running or risk the financial ruin of the entire town. She begins to suspect her uncle didn't die of natural causes and adds that to her list of important things to figure out. I loved seeing Rayne figure things out. Loved the descriptions and the characters. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read.

Rayne McGrath thought her birthday was going to be a day that she wouldn't soon forget and it turned out it was, but not in a really good way. She thought her boyfriend and business partner and her were going to take their business and relationship to the next level. Not that while she was having drinks with a few friends would he be cleaning out his house, her business and then the bank account leaving her with nothing.

Then she gets a call that her Uncle has died and she needs to go to Ireland. When she gets there she is met with all kinds of obstacles and has to stay in Ireland for a year.

I loved this book and just could not put it down. I think you will enjoy it too and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Rayne McGrath Is a bridal wear designer on Rodeo Drive, who is devastated when her boyfriend and business partner, steals all the money from the business, along with some of the very expensive custom wedding dresses.
She is notified of her Uncle Nevin's death and his lawyer requests she come to Ireland for a reading of the will. Rayne is shocked to learn she has inherited the family castle which should rightfully go to his illegitimate daughter Ciara. His will stipulates she has to stay in Ireland and run the castle with her angry cousin for one full year, or it will be sold and everyone will lose their jobs. Rumors abound that her Uncle Nevin was murdered and Rayne sets out to discover the truth. This was a fun quick read with plenty of red herrings, likeable characters, and even an adorable dog. Good read for cozy mystery fans! Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and netgalley for allowing me to read this advance copy.

Murder at an Irish Castle, by Ellie Brannigan and Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley as an ARC. Rayne McGrath turned 30, and co-owned Modern Lace Bridal Boutique with her boyfriend, Landon Short. In Santa Monica, California, she prepared for a power lunch with a banking firm to achieve investment in her business. While Rayne was trying to locate Landon who was missing, her mom Lauren calls and says Uncle Nevin in Ireland had a tractor accident while mowing; he has passed away.

Rayne McGrath will have to leave for the reading of the will in Ireland immediately. Hesitantly, Rayne tore herself away from her busy Hollywood lifestyle and caught an airplane. She arrived at the castle and heard the reading of the will. She found out that she is the owner of the castle, Nevin McGrath had a secret daughter, Ciara Smith in the village.

Ciara Smith is Uncle Nevin’s illegitimate daughter who is assigned to manage the rundown and financially deficient castle. After a year, each will receive $100,000.00 if they are successful at keeping the castle running smoothly and out of debt in one full year. On the other hand, Landon robbed Rayne of her investment money and gowns; inconsequently skipped town, and disappeared. Rayne kept this secret from her family in Ireland. Ciara felt Nevin died from unnatural causes, not the tractor accident as previously thought.

An investigation took interesting twists and turns with everyone being questioned, as tempers flared and fingers pointed. Rayne agreed to stay in Ireland and run her bridal shop business from there for a year as her Uncle Nevin decided. Ciara was her thorn in her side, but Rayne also had sympathy for her because she had lost her father. She knew the hole it leaves in your soul; an emptiness that devours you perpetually. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to learn about a specific culture, farming, and agriculture, or about assimilating to a different environment,

Contrary cousins inherit a castle in this perfect escape to Ireland cozy. The story ticks all the cozy musts including a cute dog. It has a solid mystery and sympathetic characters. It felt modern with a nod to history. Ellie Brannigan knows what she is doing. This is sure to be a long series.

For me, this was a dnf at 24%. The MC was too out of touch and ridiculous. Yes, she’s from LA, but she could have more sense than she seems to have. I was hoping she would start coming around, but at this point, I’m not going to find out. Also, we’ve barely touched on the mystery part of the story which is what made me pick it up in the first place. Thank you Netgally for the chance to read this. It just wasn’t for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to read Ellie Brannigan's Murder at an Irish Castle. This is a fun lightweight chic lit murder mystery.
Unfortunately being from Ireland it is very obvious that it's been written by an American. I would strongly advise it is proofread by an Irish person. (In Ireland a
Circle Road is a roundabout!
You put milk and sugar in tea/coffee not cream!) I think if I paid for this book I would not have finished it due to some of the stereotyping.

Perfect read for an afternoon of relaxation. Rayne McGrath thought her life was perfect until everything is taken by her partner. When learning her uncle has passed and she has to attend the reading of the will where she learns her uncle has left her a castle in Ireland. Her cousin, Ciara is not happy about Rayne's inheritance. She also believes her father was murdered. To help Rayne decides to help solve her questions about it. Quick fun read that flows smoothly. Great characters. Awesome story setting. A delight to read.

Rodeo Drive bridalwear designer Rayne McGrath expected her thirtieth birthday to start with a power lunch and end with champagne, lobster, and a diamond engagement ring from her fiancé. Instead, flat-broke and busted, she’s on a plane to Ireland where she discovers that she’s inherited a run-down family castle. Uncle Nevin’s will contains a few caveats—for example, if Rayne doesn’t turn McGrath Castle around within a year, the entire village will be financially destroyed.
I enjoyed overall the mystery and characters.
#MurderatanIrishCastle #NetGalley

Loved this fun cozy mystery. The mystery was fun and kept me on my toes! Enjoyed the characters. Five stars from me!

Couldn't resist picking up this combination of Ireland and Castle, and wasn't disappointed. Combining upheaval with inheritance and family the author keeps it interesting. Hoping for more in the future.

Problematic Inheritance…
An inheritance comes with problems in this engaging cosy mystery set in Ireland. Rayne had been expecting diamonds and dazzlement for her thirtieth birthday but instead she is Ireland bound with no money in the bank. Discovering that she has inherited a castle doesn’t help when she learns of the caveats attached to the bequest. Rayne is soon to learn that that is the least of her problems as things take a deadly turn in this tale with a colourful and entertaining cast of characters and an intriguing plotline.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Crooked Lane Books and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Perfect cozy mystery for a night in or a weekend away. Ellie Brannigan writes a delightful story fans will enjoy.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review…thanks to the publisher for an electronic copy…quirky characters…secrets…red herrings…mystery and mayhem…family dynamics…this author is talented at crafting a cozy mystery…settle in a comfy chair, wrapped in a fuzzy blanket…sip a cup of steaming herbal tea…lose yourself in an afternoon of enjoyment…reading this book.

I received an ARC of, Murder at an Irish Castle, by Ellie Brannigan. Rayne's Uncle Nevin is murdered, and her and her cousins have to find the culprit. A beautiful setting for a murder.

Rayne McGrath seemed to have it all. A thriving bridal gown business in Hollywood, a partner/boyfriend and a possible investor to help her expand. But on her 30th birthday the partner absconds with all her savings and gowns and disappears. At the same time her mother notifies Rayne that her late father's brother in Ireland has died and she is needed there for the reading of the will. Rayne leaves everything behind and travels to the small village of Grathton and finds that she has a cousin, Ciara, but also now owns McGrath Castle, lands and is responsible for the entire villages well fair. Ciara is not only angry that she didn't inherit but she also believes that Lord Nevin was murdered and no one believes her. To call a truce Rayne agrees to see if the death was murder and why he was killed.
A quick delightful cozy mystery in a picturesque locale with a number of suspects in and around the castle.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this e-galley of "Murder at an Irish Castle".

A fun and easy cozy mystery. Hard to put this one down. Rayne inherits a castle in Ireland, so leaves Hollywood, where she runs a bridal shop, and goes to Ireland. Meeting her cousin, who hates her for taking her castle, and struggling with the aftermath of her partner and boyfriend stealing all her money and custom gowns, she is not having a good time. A good story, good cast of characters. Look forward to reading more.

3.5 out of 5
This story was very cute. I didn’t exactly have any set expectations going into this story besides “ooh Ireland”.

Our MC Rayne is interesting. At 30 years old, she came off as incredibly naive and honestly slightly annoying at the start.

The whole part about her ending up broke and dumped felt like it only existed to serve as a motivator for her to travel to Ireland.

I enjoyed the plot and honestly had no clue who the killer was until it was revealed. The end of the story left me with questions about the characters futures. Will one couple make it down the aisle? Will Rayne find love with an Irishman?

I give it a 3 because I feel like the story deserves more. There was nothing at the end to indicate a sequel and Rayne’s original drama was neatly wrapped up as soon as the murder was solved. I almost expected a little more romance within the novel with Rayne being newly single, and while she developed a crush. Nothing came of it.

I wish there was more to this book whether it’s a sequel or just getting Ellie Brannigan to answer all of my questions.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.