A delightful setting of a an antique book shop . Twin sisters from America inherit it. Secrets hiding in the town. Older towns person drops dead. Many suspects. Letters are found showing many had reason to kill him. First in a series

Loved this one! A cozy mystery is exactly what I needed. Author, Mercy and her twin Lizzie move to a coastal town in Ireland when they find out they’ve been left a cottage from a grandfather they never knew. The first night, one of their neighbors ends up dead and all eyes are on Mercy and Lizzie. Loved all the characters and setting. It was fun to go along with Mercy as she tried to figure out who murdered her neighbour. It was a quick and easy read with a little bit of romance at the end. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

This is the first book in the Mercy McCarthy series. Mercy and her sister, Lizzie, have moved to Ireland after they inherit a bookshop and home from their grandfather. Shortly after their arrival, a neighbor winds up dead and the police think Mercy is to blame, as the victim wasn't happy that Mercy and her sister inherited their grandfathers home. This was a great start to the series. The author sets up the characters well. I loved the mystery and it had me guessing until the end. The side characters of the neighbors were top notch and I can't wait to learn more about them. This is definitely a series I will be continuing.

An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly

(A Mercy McCarthy mystery book 1)

Thank you to #Netgalley and @bookouture for the eARC.

Mercy & her twin sister Lizzie move from America to the quiet Irish village of Shamrock Cove where they have been surprised to inherit a house & a bookshop from a grandfather that they never met & didn't know anything about until receiving notification of this inheritance.

Mercy is a successful mystery writer and Lizzie is looking forward to running the shop as although this is a cosy crime story (can murder ever really be classed as cosy? 🤔) they both have trauma in their past and are in need of a fresh start.

They've no sooner arrived and met some of the neighbours when the old Judge (a friend of their grandfather's) collapses outside of his house and despite Mercy's efforts at CPR he's soon pronounced dead but not before pointing at her and saying 'you killed me'.

Eager to clear herself from suspicion and also wanting to prove it is murder, Mercy is soon aiding/hampering the local detective as her crime book research has given her an inquisitive mind. It's a bit like an episode of Murder, She Wrote.

It's fast paced and quick to read as it's very dialogue heavy. This keeps things moving along with all the twists and turns but doesn't give much time for building atmosphere or sense of place. It's easy to forget the village is in Ireland and then a couple of Irish words are thrown in here and there as a reminder.
The sisters are great characters and although twins have their own personalities and strengths.
Tbh they could come from anywhere but the point is they're newcomers.

It's an interesting supporting cast & the plot keeps you guessing although when the murderer is revealed the sisters say 'that makes no sense' and I was with them until motivation was explained which does mean it's pointless trying to guess the ending.

It's light entertainment with likeable MC's and a good foundation to build an interesting series.

I really like the setting in An Irish Bookshop Murder with the quaint small Irish town and the unusual exclusive neighborhood limited to five homes. Twin sisters from the US discover they have a grandfather after he left them his home and bookshop, both sounding like such a fun and lovely place to explore and live. They never knew their father and were raised by their mom, who has passed away. Mercy, an author living in NYC, and Lizzie, a ranch owner in Texas, make the move to Ireland for a new start where Lizzie is managing the bookshop while Mercy is working on her next novel. The first night there they find a grumpy neighbor dying after a welcome party held at the bookshop for them. They are suspects and are determined to investigate on their own against the wishes of the local detective, grandson of one the neighborhood residents. This is a fun book to start off the series. I really enjoyed the author's Scottish Isle series and wanted to give this book a try. I did not enjoy the characters and other aspects as much but still a good start.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly

I loved reading this cozy murder story by Lucy Connelly! It started with the inheritance of the antique bookshop and then the owner was involved in the murder case. The story was fast-paced and the characters were unique and distinguishable. I enjoyed the story-setting. By reading the book, I could imagine how the bookshop looked like and how the people were like. I just kept reading one more page and the ending was a gem!

This is a great book for travelling or on the commute.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: Aug 22, 2024

Mercy McCarthy received a very unexpected inheritance gift from her grandfather--a charming antique bookshop located in a small scenic Irish village. Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie moves to Ireland to become the proud owners of the bookshop. However, their neighbor the judge turns up dead and soon Mercy becomes involved in a murder investigation.

This is a cute read. This is the first book of the Mercy McCarthy series and I actually enjoyed it. There are so many suspects in the story as the judge had known making enemies and author keeps dropping hints so us readers could figure who the real suspect can be! It was interesting, unputdownable with so many likable characters that trail along the book. Not only that--the vivid descriptions of the seaside village in Ireland makes me felt like I was actually in Ireland trying to solve the mystery.

I liked the ending and as such, I actually enjoyed reading the first book of the Mercy McCarthy series and couldn't wait to read more. Overall a great read that is worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. Thank you Bookouture for making me a part of the blog tour. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Synopsis
After the passing of their grandfather Lizzie & Mercy unexpectedly inherit his home in the quaint town of Shamrock Cove. In addition to his home, they also inherit his charming bookshop.
Lizzie & Mercy decide to leave behind their old lives and settle in Shamrock Cove, their first night they meet the members of the town & seem to be fitting in nicely, until one of their neighbors, the judge, drops dead on their door step.
Mercy runs over to try & help the judge but unfortunately she’s too late, and the Judge’s final words are him accusing Mercy of Murder.

Shamrock Cove was a quiet, peaceful town, that is until Lizzie and Mercy showed up.
Trying to prove their innocence, Lizzie & Mercy decide to get to know the members of the town to try and figure out who was responsible for the Judge’s death. In their endeavors they keep butting heads with the towns detective , who keeping brining them in for questioning .

Review (3.5/5)
This book fits its description of a cute, cozy mystery novel. The characters are likeable and I enjoyed the fact that the different members of the town had their own quirks & backstories.
I also thought concept of the town was unique, members of the town could only move in if the house was passed down to them by a family member, the only way the house could be purchased was through a lottery that was hosted if no next of kin was available.
If I am being honest I found the murder reveal and motive to be a little under whelming.

Then again to be fair, this is my first cozy mystery, I am usually use to reading things that are a bit wild and unhinged so maybe that is why I felt this way ?
If I had to compare this book to anything I would say its a cross between Irish Stars Hollow mixed cute, cozy, less spicy desperate housewives.
I think you will enjoy this book if you are looking for a simple, cozy story in between heavier reads.

The first book in the Mercy McCarthy book series, and is the perfect cozy mystery book. Connelly writes vividly without being wordy. I could picture the court, I could picture the bookshop, and the little town. There is variety in the cast of characters, inclusive of different races and sexual orientation. All of their personalities were different (which can be hard to do with so many characters), and each of the characters brings something to the storyline. This is probably the first time that I’ve read a book with many characters and didn’t struggle to remember who was who.

Mercy is probably my favorite. She is a writer that does tons of research into her books so that she can get her characters right. Due to that, she has some knowledge in a vast array of things in the world from CPR, to how detectives work, to hacking. It helps give this character so much depth.

The mystery part keeps you wondering who could be behind it all – and it really could be anyone. Everyone seemed to have a motive, but I didn’t know for sure until the reveal.

If you like cozy mysteries, then check this one out

An unexpected inheritance from the grandfather they never met
Has twin sisters, Mercy and Lizzie, making their longest move yet!
They travel from their homes in America to Ireland to start again
After grief and losses have caused both so much pain.

Shamrock Cove is where their new home will be
With a bookshop and cottage they're travelling to see.
Will this be the fresh start that they are needing now?
Both are hoping all will work out anyhow!

Welcomed by the locals and a party to greet them, too,
But when going home they find the Judge dying what should they do?
When he accuses Mercy of murder, she needs to clear her name
And her investigations show how he treated others was a shame!

Mercy is a crime writer and uses her expertise
To look into the case and she doesn't like what she sees!
There are too many possible suspects and threats appear, too,
This wasn't what Lizzie needed after all she's already been through!

There's a definite sense of community, and mystery as well
In this intriguing story that I really enjoyed - I hope you can tell.
The characters are well developed, some seem to become your friends
And there are so many twists, you're not sure how it all will end!

So glad this is the first in a series that is new
I can't wait to read more and hope you will, too!
For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I am always SO EXCITED to be in on the first of a series and this cozy mystery was such a great reading experience! Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie inherit a bookstore in Ireland and have hardly arrived in town when a local judge dies unexpectedly. And he’s just the first! One thing I loved about this book was that the characters had such rich development and complete backstories. It did not feel like the first in a series at all. I loved the bond between the sisters and, like all good cozies, I was guessing, gasping, and laughing while reading!

Thank you so much for my copy and for making me part of the tour! And — I’ve just signed up to receive the second installment when it publishes and to do the blog tour in the fall. Yay!

What a fantastic start to what promises to become a favourite series! I absolutely loved Mercy and her sister Lizzie immediately – even though they are twins, they have such distinct personalities and love and support each other’s strengths and weaknesses. And the fact that they are looking for a fresh start in their grandfather’s home and bookshop is a great beginning.

Mercy really comes into her own – as a successful mystery writer it isn’t hard to see why she would want to get involved to clear her name and protect herself and her sister, especially when the murderer seems to be too close for comfort. And Lizzie is just charming as the more laid-back, outgoing twin, albeit with a tragic trauma in her past.

Mercy and Lizzie aren’t the only characters who I fell in love with. The twins live in a cute ‘enclosed’ neighbourhood where the houses must be inherited and the new owners approved by the other inhabitants. It sounds weird, but trust me, it works here. Their neighbours are all wonderful and varied and I can’t wait to learn even more about each of them in future books.

The mystery was really well done and kept me guessing. I had a good idea who the killer was pretty early on but still continued to doubt my choice until the reveal. There were lots of fun twists and red herrings which made me want to keep reading.

Alongside the main mysteries of this book there was a bit of set up for a plot that I expect will take a bit longer to unravel – the girls know almost nothing of their grandfather and I think discovering more about him, and their father (who they also didn’t know), will be a sub-plot we’ll see again. I can’t wait and am already eagerly anticipating the next book!

I love Ireland: the myths, the lore, the timeless panorama, and the contrast between the high-tech industry and the countryside. A complex and intriguing country that has captured a piece of my heart.
I think that almost everyone dreams of inheriting a shop in a lovely postcard picture village.
So suspend your disbelief and be ready to travel to rural Ireland, meet the residents, and see how Mercy and Lizzie, true New Yorkers, are adapting to the idea of a previously unknown grandfather and a different way of living. They also have to find the culprit of a murder, as Mercy is the main suspect.
I had fun and enjoyed this immersive experience as I read and listened to the audiobook. The voices added layers and made the characters three-dimensional and relatable.
It’s the first in a series, and I’m curious about the next instalment.
The mystery is well done and never takes a backseat: there are no plot holes, and there are enough surprising twists to keep your attention alive. The solution was unexpected and satisfying.
Entertaining and compelling, recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this digital copy and audiobook, all opinions are mine.

From beginning to end I had an amazing time reading this book! The setting of the little Irish town was so cute, I fell for most of the residents of the court from the first time we met them and I was actively rooting for them not to turn out to be the killers. I loved Mercy and Lizzie and their relationship, and OMG did I love that bookstore!!!

Mercy is a writer and I really enjoyed seeing her try and put the puzzle pieces together to figure out who the killer was, and the little flirtatious romance between her and Keiran was pretty comical and adorable once some things were out of the way. This book had me laughing out loud, and my stomach grumbling... There are many mentions of delicious food and the descriptions had me wanting to start cooking. I didn't fully put together who the killer was before it was revealed, although they were on my suspects list lol.. I thought this was a great first book in a series and I can't wait to see whats going to come next for Lizzie and Mercy!

Twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie inherit a bookshop and cottage in Ireland from their grandfather. A grandfather they have never met. After deciding to move to the picture perfect little village of Shamrock Cove, they are shocked to find that crime can be found even in the most beautiful places. When one of their new neighbours dies in front of them - and accuses Mercy of murder - they feel compelled to find out the truth.

As they settle into their new bookshop, they get to know the villagers, and find that secrets lie beneath the surface. The victim was not universally liked. But did any of his neighbours kill him?

Mercy is a mystery writer and uses her acquired skills to help her investigate. Her knowledge on certain subjects puts her in the frame more than once, and the rather attractive local detective sees her as a suspect. Can she convince him of her innocence?

I liked the sisters and the beautiful Irish setting. Seeing the village from the viewpoint of these newcomers worked well, and I found myself immersed in their story. They had very different personalities and different strengths. By pooling these, they made a formidable team. I loved the community element of the story too, and can’t wait to be back in Shamrock Cove again.

An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

After receiving unexpected inheritance from her grandfather, Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie are now the proud owners of a charming antique bookshop in the tiny Irish village of Shamrock Cove. But before they can take in the beautiful view of the sea, one of their neighbors drops dead!

Mercy finds the Judge, a well-respected man who lives next door, dying on his own doorstep. She rushes to help, but with his final words, he accuses Mercy of murder! Most of their new neighbors hear his words and, with suspicion pointing at Mercy, she decides to investigate the case to clear her name.

Searching amongst the Judge’s old books, Mercy uncovers letters proving several of the townsfolk had reason to dislike the judge—but was it the local pub landlord, the kindly cook or neighborly knitter who killed him?

My Opinion

Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie have inherited a bookshop from a grandfather they have never met. Mercy is an author of mystery novels so when there are a few crimes in the area she feels able to investigate.

An Irish Bookshop Murder is the first book in a new series, and with some great characters it is definitely a series I will be reading. For me this was a nice, easy read that I was able to read over a day. If you are looking for a nice small town mystery then add this to your want to read list.

Rating 4/5

I love a book set in Ireland!! Mercy and her sister Lizzie go to Ireland when their unknown grandfather leaves them a home AND a bookshop. The sisters quickly make friends in the neighborhood but then the Judge, a grumpy man, dies in front of Mercy. Everyone thinks she had something to do with it so she has to clear her name. If you like a cozy mystery, this book is for you!
I am looking forward to more books in this series. I hope we see more of Lolly O’Malley, the nosy, but loving neighbor. Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “An Irish Bookshop Murder” by Lucy Connelly. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#AnIrishBookshopMurder #LucyConnelly #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetInIreland

Reading Between the Wines book review #80/130 for 2024:
BOOK TOUR!
Rating: 4 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Book: An Irish Bookshop Murder
Author: Lucy Connelly
Available now!! Released on Aug 22!

Sipping thoughts: I think Mercy might be my newest favorite female lead character. I love how strong she is and how she is lowkey witty. Mercy not only laughed and threw shade throughout a murder mystery, one she was a suspect in, but she also decided to investigate for herself. The quaint Irish town that Mercy and her twin Lizzie moved to have some very interesting characters. I guessed who the murderer was but only because I guessed every character <insert smirk>. I enjoyed following Mercy and the sometimes likable, sometimes unlikable sheriff on their journey to solve a mystery. I can’t wait to read and see what Mercy and Lizzie get themselves into in Death by the Book.

Cheers and thank you to @Bookouture and @Netgalley for an advanced copy and Books on Tour of @AnIrishBookshopMurder.

#AnIrishBookshopMurder #LucyConnelly #Bookouture #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

I decided to apply for the ARC of this book on NetGalley after reading the synopsis that immediately piqued my interest. It's been a while since I've read a mystery, and while this one was entertaining, a few aspects left me frustrated.
The biggest issue for me was the main character, Mercy. I can't even begin to express how irritating she was, especially with her constant reminders about being a mystery writer. If I took a drink every time she mentioned her "mystery writer's mind" or how she "wrote misteries for a living" I'd have been passed out by 30% of the book!
Her self-centered attitude was annoying.
She seemed to think she had the right to tell the town sheriff how to do his iob and was outraged when he interrogated her and her sister as murder suspects.
Did she really expect to be above suspicion just because she writes mysteries? It was hard to root for someone
SO smug.
On the bright side, the writing style was okay, and the book was fast-paced, which made it easy to read.
The mystery was good too, I didn't guess the murderer's identity until the last chapters.
However, the final reveal wasn't so shocking. Instead of a grand revelation, it felt more like an 'Oh, okay, that's the murderer' moment, and I moved on with my day.
Overall, it wasn't a bad book, it was enjoyable in parts, but the main character's annoying traits kind of ruined my experience. I found myself getting more caught up in my frustration with Mercy than in the mystery itself.

An Irish Bookshop Murder AUDIO by Lucy Connelly is the first in a new series featuring two sisters, Lizzie and Mercy. They have had a rough few months. Mercy, a successful author living in New York City, has been plagued by a stalker. Lizzie lost her fiance and his daughter in a car wreck. They both lost their mother to cancer. Then, they were notified of a grandfather they never knew existed who had left them a house and a bookshop in Ireland. Now, here they were. And there was a murder. Mercy cannot leave it alone despite Lizzie and the very attractive Kieran, the guarda detective both asking her to back off. They are settling nicely. The first half of Mercy’s new book has been sent off and they love it and Lizzie is enthralled by the bookshop, believing she’s found her happy place. But, things keep happening. It’s almost like the stalker. Then Mercy gets shoved into a tree by someone running past her in the dark of night. Things are escalating when there is a second murder.

These two lead characters are both well-rounded and inspiring. Mercy is grounded, stubborn, and focused. Lizzie is is much calmer, kinder, and more gentle. They make a good duo. They house is on a court and there are rules about who can move into a house. They were good because they inherited theirs but they still had no clue about their grandfather or their father. The other inhabitants of the court were friendly and interesting. The last remaining elder was Lolly, who turned out to be Kieran’s grandmother. There was also the judge, now dead, a gay couple, a lovely single woman, and a married couple. The mystery was a good one. Who killed the judge? Despite how crabby he was, the people who spoke at his wake had great affection and respect for him. Why was he dead then? Well written and engaging story with excellent characters. I look forward to more in this series.

The narrator was Kimberly Wetherell who did an excellent job with the characters and the accents. She brought the characters to life, especially Mercy and Lizzie and I look forward to more from her.

I was invited to listen to An Irish Bookshop Murder by Bookoutre Audio and to read by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BookoutreAudio #Bookoutre #LucyConnelly #KimberlyWetherell #AnIrishBookshopMurder