Member Reviews
Irish Coffee Murder contains three wonderful tales by three amazing authors. I love all of the series which these installment novellas continue. Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone Murders is an all time favorite. When Lucy writes about the Irish Step Dancer team from Harbor Cove, she must put aside her reporter cap and use her detective skills in order find the killer of one of the Mom's from the team. Was it rivalry gone wrong or something more sinister? With Lee Hollis, Bar Harbor's newest restaurant might not make it past the grand opening. Will Hayley be able to find out who killed the comedian just after drinking their wonderful Irish coffee? Or will the restaurant be to blame? Finally Barbara Ross's Julia Snowden hosts family and friends for food and Irish coffee after the lights go out in Busman's Harbor. When each person remembers the night differently, Will they be able to solve the longest unsolved mystery in their town? Follow along as they just might surprise everyone with their discovery.
Each of these series are wonderful with mystery, intrigue and just a little bit of romance and fun. I look forward to the next installments. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.
Three short St. Patrick's Day reads by some wonderful cozy mystery authors. In book one Lucy Stone is writing an article about step dancing and is really enjoying the subject. When one of the dancers mothers is murdered Lucy is ready to dive into her own investigation. Will the killer be caught or will they get away with murder. In book two Hayley has agreed to cater the after party for Jefferson O'Keefe, a popular comedian. When he drops dead after drinking an Irish Coffee Hayley wonders who wanted him dead and why. She starts to investigate and begins to realize this won't be an easy solve. In book three Julia Snowden and family and friends are treated to a blackout. They sit around the fireplace to stay warm and soon a local ghost story is being discussed. Everyone has their version of who the killer in the story was. When the lights come back on Julia decides to see if she can solve this case.from so long ago. Will she figure it all out in the end or will it remain unsolved in the end?
This was an enjoyable collection of stories that all featured Irish coffee as a core element of them.
I did find it a little confusing to have recipes inserted in the middle of stories, especially when I was listening to the audiobook version.
But overall, the stories were well-done.
Thank you to Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, Barbara Ross, Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance review copy.
This book is a compilation of three short works. Each story is engaging, with great pacing, and developed characters. Sometimes the stories in these compilations are hit or miss. This one was a hit for me.
Irish coffee murder is a trilogy of novellas, Headlined by one of my favorites… Leslie Meier. Three short Irish/Saint Patrick's Day themed read them in one sitting stories. These stories will give you your "wee bit of Irish" in bite size (or should I say "Sip size") doses. I recommend enjoying these stories paired with a side of Irish coffee but, skip the murder appetizer 😉
Irish Coffee Murder contains three novellas by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross. Irish Coffee Murder by Leslie Stone takes us back to Tinker’s Cove where Lucy Stone is shivering because the heat went out in the newspaper office. Lucy is happy to head out to work on an article on local Irish dancers. When one of the dancer’s mothers ends up dead, Lucy learns that dancing is a cutthroat business. Irish Coffee Murder is A Lucy Stone Mystery. It can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed Lucy Stone’s latest adventure. It is an easy-to-read story with likeable characters. We get to catch up with Lucy, Zoe (Lucy’s youngest daughter, Ted (who was quick to retreat to the other newspaper office when the heat went out), and Phyllis (she has a colorful wardrobe). The mystery was straightforward, but it suited the length of the story. It was interesting learning about Irish dancing. Death of an Irish Coffee Drinker by Lee Hollis is A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you have not read any of the other books in the series. I found the story easy to read with a lively main character. It is a story that will make you laugh. Hayley finds herself in some amusing situations. Perked Up by Barbara Ross was different from the other two. It is a stormy night in Busman’s Harbor and the electric goes out. Julia Snowden and a friend join Julia’s mother and Captain George McQuaig (Julia was surprised to find him in the living room chatting with her mother) in the living room in front of the fire. They are all enjoying Irish Coffee when Captain George begins telling them about a century old mystery involving Hugh O’Hara. Soon others arrive when they see the candles in the windows. Each new arrival has a different take on the mystery. The next day, Julia decides to dig into the case and find out what really happened. Perked Up was my favorite. I thought the mystery was unique and entertaining. There are a lot of details which makes the mystery realistic and intriguing. We also get to catch up with Julia, her family, and friends. These three tales will get you in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day.
I had a blast reading these novellas by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross. Along with Maddie Day’s new book these stories have given me a good jump on St Paddy’s Day.
Each author provided a good mystery with plenty of twists and turns. I liked how each author presented a story set on the East Coast and in keeping with one of their series. These were enough to tie me over until a full novel is released.
Try them and you might find one or more series to start.
I was given an advanced copy and am not required to leave a positive review.
*Irish Coffee Murder by Leslie Meier
I really liked this story and the sassy characters but felt the ending was a little abrupt and the motive was weak.
*Death of an Irish Coffee Drinker by Lee Hollis
I enjoyed this well-written story. There were so many suspects to choose from, but I was stumped on how Jefferson was killed. I was very surprised at the reveal!
*Perked Up by Barbara Ross
I loved this clever and creative twist for solving a murder. The characters were charming and I loved how they got to connect with the history of the area while figuring out what actually happened.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Irish Coffee Murder contains three short stories. The first one, by Leslie Meier, revolves around the mothers of teenage Irish dancers. The story is nicely written and kept me wanting to know who the murderer was. Lucy Stone is a pleasant main character, and the story did not disappoint. The second story, by Lee Hollis, was also good. There was a good assortment of potential culprits, with a satisfying ending. The last story, by Barbara Ross, was a bit different. The murder had been committed in the past, and Julia tries to solve the mystery in the present. It was different, but just as fun. Irish Coffee Murder is a good collection of short stories, very enjoyable.
Fun and interesting cozy mystery anthology with new novellas set in the author's individual series, and featuring St. Patrick's Day and Irish coffee.
*Irish Coffe Murder by Leslie Meier
Reporter Lucy Stone is writing an article about four student Irish Step dancers and the dance competition they're in. Things are going well, until one of the student's moms is found dead. Now Lucy is determined to figure out whodunit before another fatality occurs.
*Death of an Irish Coffee Drinker by Lee Hollis
When Holly reluctantly agrees to host an after party for a local-turned-professional comedian, she has no idea murder will be added to the menu. Holly will have to solve this mystery quick before anything else happens.
*Perked Up by Barbra Ross
When Julia and her friends and family are stuck at her mom's house during a snowstorm and black out, it seems like the perfect time to sip Irish coffee and share a local legend/ghost story. Everyone has a different theory as to what actually happened, but when the lights come back on, Julia is determined to actually solve the decades-old mystery.
Wish I'd had my own Irish coffee to sip while enjoying these wonderful stories.
Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.
Three novellas written by three different authors with one common thread: it’s set in Maine during March and what could more enjoyable than Irish Coffee particularly with the recipes included. It’s not the first time these three have written books together with only one theme but such different themes to delight the reader. The stories include four girls who are Irish step dancing students but a murder of one of the mothers make Lucy Stone determined to find the motive behind this heinous crime; Hayley Powell offers to cater an event for a local boy who has become a mayor singing star and Julia Snowden hosts an impromptu get together of neighbors when the electricity goes out in Busman’s Harbor and around the fireplace thus begins the story of a 150-year old cold case of crime. I particularly enjoyed the Perked Up because some interesting tidbit adds to the Clam Bake series. Just don’t forget your Irish Coffee while you enjoy this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of this book; this is my honest review.
I have several cozy mystery authors that I routinely watch for new titles. I know these authors write stories that will keep me entertained and give me a mystery that will keep me guessing. Leslie Meyers is one of my Top 10 cozy mystery authors. So......
When I saw the title I automatically picked it up to read. Then I find it's actually 3 stories, which is not unusual with Leslie Meyer's holiday titles. The trio of mysteries is brought together with a recurring them of irish coffee. Each story can be read, and throughly enjoyed, in one sitting. They were great stories that I'd recommend to any of my reading circle.
The three queens of cozy mysteries are back with another seasonal novella book. This time it’s set around St. Patrick’s Day and the common link between each story is Irish Coffee. The characters are all familiar if you read any other of the authors books, so of course I do have a favorite., plus there are recipes included. Loved …….. Perked Up by Barbara Ross. A impromptu get together over Irish Coffee with friends and neighbors during a power outage trying to solve a 150 year murder. Was such a different twist on solving a murder. Although I think there was a mistake on the timeline. The another story Irish Coffee Murder by Leslie Meier, has our favorite snoop reporter Lucy back trying to solve another murder. Death of an Irish Coffee Drinkers by Lee Holis, I listened to the audio, so that maybe why it didn’t grab me as the other 2 did. So I now plan to read it. Sometimes that does make a difference. A wonderful way to get one in the mood to celebrate St. Patty’s day ☘️. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #IrishCoffeeMurder
This is a fantastic collection! I loved all three of the stories! the three stories were filled with interesting complex and quirky characters,capturing me on the very first page.and kept me reading into the night! I could not put the book down! Lots of twists and turns, murder and mayhem making this a real page turner and a must read.
IRISH COFFEE MURDER Lucy Stone is in Tinker’s Cove trying to make her way through a cold winter. She leaves town accomplishing two goals – visiting her daughter and covering an Irish dance competition. When she returns one of the dance moms is found dead. Is it the ex-husband, a crazy dance mom, or something else. Lucy is determined to find this murderer.
DEATH OF AN IRISH COFFEE DRINKER Hayley Powell gets involved in catering a party to celebrate the return of a fellow classmate and comedian. Unfortunately, the party turns towards murder and Hayley has to find the culprit.
PERKED UP The power goes out in Busmans Harbor and the impromptu Irish coffee party turns into ghost telling. Turns out there’s a long unsolved murder in town and everyone has a different story. Julia of course follows through after that night and the story unfolds. This is a gem of a story.
This was pretty cool getting a collection of short stories for St. Paddy's Day. We usually see a collection around Halloween or Christmas, so this gave the stories a different spin. The main theme was Irish coffee having something to do with murder, but I liked how Barbara Ross differently incorporated it into her mystery. She has a little about that and some other interesting things in her acknowledgements at the. end. We even got a couple of Sergio-isms in the Hayley Powell story, so that was an added plus especially for a novella! Overall a fun way to celebrate your Irish or someone else's this coming St. Paddy's Day.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
Three stories by three great authors. First is Irish Coffee Murder by Leslie Meier. A woman is found murdered in her bathtub. Could secrets that someone wanted kept secret be the reason"
Second is Death of an Irish Coffee. Drinker. by Lee Hollis. A hometown celebrity comedian comes home for an event and to connect with old friends. But he falls dead to the floor at his party. Who had revenge in mind?
The third story is Perked Up by Barbara Ross. Friends gather when a storm knocks out the power. A local unsolved murder from the late 1700's is discussed and many questions without answers are debated. Can it be solved today?
Three of my favorite authors (actually four because Lee Hollis is a brother/sister duo) come together to share their characters in Irish coffee themed novellas. These are perfect for readers new to these series and perfect for those of us who have enjoyed each series from the beginning. Being able to have a quick satisfying who done it of each is a real treat.
Lucy Stone stars in Irish Coffee Murder by Leslie Meier and features Irish step dancing and a death.
Death of an Irish Drinker focuses on Hayley Powell and a catered party that ends with a bang. Who wanted the comic dead? To round out the trio is Perked Up by Barbara Ross featuring her Clam Baked series set in the Maine town of Busman's Harbor. Julia Snowden and her friends share ghost stories, Irish coffee and a very, very cold local crime.
Each author knows how to craft a great puzzle to keep you guessing and has characters that long time readers can see as literary friends. Reading this set of novellas is just enough to keep me happy until the next full length mysteries are in my hot little hands and I'm staying up way past my bedtime.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I'm a fan of Kensington Publishing's holiday reads collection. The last one I've read was Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O’Connor, Maddie Day, and Peggy Ehrhart. So when I heard about this book, I just had to read it!
Irish Coffee Murder is definitely a wonderful read to get into the St.Patrick's day spirit. Each author does a wonderful job with storytelling, plot, and characters. For anyone new to these series, it's a wonderful introduction. For those who are fans of these series, there's more content to read. Readers should definitely read this book!
My thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGallery for a copy of this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next collection of Kensington Publishing's holiday reads!
Three light cozy novellas set in Maine with the mention of Irish coffee from time to time with some recipes shared throughout. Though this was my first dip into all three series I didn't feel lost so don't let that keep you from sampling these authors! Ultimately, I think fans of the series will enjoy this collection the most.