Ok, so .. You know how you get the first book in a new series and you're not sure what expect. But you enjoy the author's other books so you give it a chance, right? That's how I was with this book. I got my snack, my comfy reading chair, my kindle and settled in to read An Irish Bookshop Murder.... And promptly fell into the story. I literally did not want to stop reading. I had to know what happened next. I loved that Mercy and her twin, Lizzie, had the courage to pick up and move to another country (Ireland is on my bucket list of places to visit), then immediately get involved in a murder investigation. And the other characters in the story, including the handsome detective, were equally as wonderful. I did not immediately guess whodunit, so that was fun. Did I think the reasoning behind the crime was a little thin? Yes, but it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this story.

I'm very ready for the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Bookouture Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Mercy is a well established mystery writer and her twin, Lizzy has a successful lavender business back in Texas. But when they find out that they inherited a bookshop in Ireland from their long lost grandfather, they hop a plane - both in need of a new challenge.

Enter a litany of quirky neighbours, a couple of deep dark secrets, dealing with the loss of an unknown grandparent, and even the hint of a possibility of a cosy little romance!

I loved the neighbours - they are all quirky, funny in their own way and some are fantastic red herrings! As the story unfolds we learn that the victim wasn't always the nicest of men and there may even be a link between his death and that of the twins' grandfather!

Cosy, twisty and funny with a heartwarming hug of a new group of friends! I'd happily return for more!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lucy Connelly for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for An Irish Bookshop Murder coming out August 22, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read this author’s Scottish series and loved it. So I was definitely excited to receive this book. I think it was a great start to a new series. I loved the Ireland setting and plot. Mercy and Lizzie have a fun and sometimes complicated sister relationship. I enjoyed the backstory. The characters were great. I really loved this book! It was a fun cozy mystery with some heart to it. I’m definitely excited to check out more books in the series!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy Irish mysteries!

"An Irish Bookshop Murder" is a captivating start to a new cozy mystery series. The novel introduces us to twin sisters, Mercy, an author, and Lizzy, a businesswoman, who inherit a property in Ireland after a series of personal tragedies. Despite their similarities, their distinct personalities make them stand out, adding depth to the story.

As the twins settle into their new surroundings, they become entangled in a complex web of local mysteries and suspicious events. The book is expertly crafted, with a gripping plot that kept me reading well into the night. The narrator's performance brings the characters to life, making the audiobook experience particularly engaging.

This series is a delightful treat for fans of cozy mysteries, whether you prefer reading or listening. With unanswered questions about the twins' family background, I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

In Ireland two sisters, Mercy and Lizzie arrive as they’ve inherited property left to them by their grandfather.

After they sorted themselves out, Mercy becomes a suspect in a murder, she writes mysteries, but she never thought she’d be involved in one.

Now, they must apply the same methods when Mercy writes mysteries to uncover who actually killed their neighbour. Will they find the culprit, or will Mercy be the one going to prison?

I can’t wait to read what comes next for them.

An Irish Bookshop Murder
Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book 1
by Lucy Connelly

Twins Mercy and Lizzie, recently arrived in Ireland, find themselves as suspects in the murder of a neighbor they’d just met.

Mercy and Lizzie are looking to build a new life in the small Irish village of Shamrock Cove. They’ve inherited a bookshop and a home from a grandfather they never knew they had, making this a great time to leave their home in Texas after several heartbreaks and start over. But they’ve barely had time to meet their new neighbors when one of them dies and the two are prime suspects in his death. Mercy, a bestselling mystery writer, decides she needs to insert herself into the investigation to clear their names. But being a mystery writer doesn’t necessarily make her a good investigator.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Bookstore? Check. Ireland? Check. Cozy mystery? Check. But the motive for the murder raised more questions than answers. The ending also left me with more questions than answers because of several loose ends.
Having said all of that, I would probably give the next book in the series a try, just to see if some of the loose ends from this book are resolved in the next.

3/5 stars

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. 2 sisters inherit a cottage and bookstore in Ireland from the grandfather they never knew. After losing their Mom and 1 of the sisters looses her finance they decide to move to Ireland. After arriving residents of the community they live in start being murdered. Since one of the sisters is a best selling mystery writer she becomes involved in the investigation. This book is filled with quirky characters and I did not figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed in the book. I will definitely read more in this series as they are released .

I really wanted to try “a cosy murder mystery” and I think this fit the criteria. Let me preface my review however by saying I’m probably not its intended audience.

In the first 20%, there were repetitive references to the MC, Mercy, being a writer.

There were a few quirky characters in the Court, where Mercy and her twin have inherited a house and bookshop, and there was a cute sense of whimsy to the setting. It did feel like some of the characters were a box ticking exercise in inclusivity.

I presumed the author was Irish so the use of American English and phrases I would associate more with Scotland were slightly jarring.

I did race through the book in two sittings and found it quite an easy read hence the 3 stars.

Thank you to Bookouture & Netgalley for the ARC.

When twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie move to the seemingly idyllic village of Shamrock Cove in coastal Ireland they are looking forward to making a fresh start. Their grandfather they never knew left them both a charming home and bookstore, and the neighbors are welcoming, except for a grumpy judge. His sudden death soon needs Mercy’s investigative skills she’s learned as a successful mystery writer to clear her name. I enjoyed the characters as Mercy and Lizzie get to know those living in the close knit court, could one of them be a killer? The description of their home, and the bookstore, as well Shamrock Cove are lovely and really brought to live, setting the tone of a picturesque seaside community where everyone knows each other, with a police force rarely needing to be called on. With the detective repeatedly calling on Mercy she’s never quite sure if she’s a suspect or not….(my one quibble with the book was Mercy and Lizzie repeatedly saying that Mercy was arrested again when she was in fact just being questioned……huge difference between the two). As Lizzie reopens the bookstore, much to everyone’s delight (there is a sweet side story of Mercy getting a book hating little boy to become a fan of reading)Mercy is on a deadline to finish her newest book, only crimes keep getting in the way. This was a fun, cozy mystery I enjoyed as a change from my normal police procedurals, I like to mix the two genres. The main characters aren’t afraid to stand up for themselves and are proactive in keeping Mercy from actually being arrrested.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance copy, I look forward to seeing what’s in store for the sisters next, particularly Mercy and the detective!

An outstanding start to a new series! I am absolutely loving the main characters! Mercy, an author and Lizzy, a businesswoman, are twins who have suffered a series of tragedies and find themselves the heirs to property in Ireland. While the twins have a lot of similarities their personalities are unique and distinct which makes them so much more realistic. The background stories of the neighbors' ties into the mystery that surrounds the twins when they arrive and many suspicious events later, they are fully wrapped into the center of the mystery. The book is so well crafted that I ended up staying up until the wee hours of the morning to finish as I just couldn't put it down. The narrator did such a magnificent job of bringing the unique personalities to life that I will definitely put this series on my must listen list!!! Now, I just want the author to hurry and write more, more, more as there are still unanswered questions about the twin's heritage and inheritance! Whether you are an audio lover or a read the book lover, this series is sure to fill your cozy mystery loving needs!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

This was a wonderful cozy mystery with a great plot and memorable characters. A very enjoyable read.

An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly is a well-written, complex mystery, with a fascinating setting that comes alive with Connelly's skillful descriptions that make the locations come alive on the page.
The main characters of twin sisters escaping to a small village in Ireland from grief and stress in the United States, courtesy of an inheritance from a grandfather they had never known, are relatable. The home and bookshop that they have inherited are a book lover's dream, with hidden rooms and nooks, as is the fact that one of the twins is a mystery novelist.
Their interactions with the other characters in the book are interesting, particularly between the sisters and the investigating police officer. However, there is some authenticity lacking, particularly in the conversations with the Irish; there isn't much of the Irish dialect that one sister mentions having difficulty understanding early on in the book. Yet the dialogue of the Irish characters shows little indication of being different from that of the Texan sisters.
I found the storyline to be slow to build, but as a first book in a series, it shows promise.
I am grateful to #NetGalley for the ARC of #AnIrishBookshopMurder.

I’m not usually a murder mystery reader but this book drew me in immediately. I couldn’t put it down as soon as I started! Lucy Connelly did a wonderful job at building this little world in Shamrock Cove. The story was gripping and I truly couldn’t guess who was responsible the entire time which was so fun. Mercy and Lizzie were a blast, even though they came from some traumatic memories back in Texas they were so quirky and witty and I loved getting to see the twins interact with each other. Mercy was such a force and I adored her interactions with the detective. I would love an entire series of them solving crimes together please! Truly a wonderful read! 5 stars!

A cozy mystery featuring a bookshop - count me in!

An Irish Bookshop Murder is the first book in Lucy Connely's new cozy mystery series. It is a great start. I immediately liked the characters though Mercy's constant hovering over her sister was annoying by the end. I understand Lizzie has gone through something traumatic but I think she is stronger than her sister is letting her be. I hope this thread gets snipped quickly.

Shamrock Cove sounds like a cute town but I worry about the closed nature of the court. I tire of series quickly when there is a murder occurring in a small town every time - it's either a resident or a visitor and it just becomes ridiculous. The court residents can't be the suspects every time. Perhaps there is more to the town than we saw in this novel as it was largely focused on introducing the core characters.

When I read a book I usually hear the characters in my head but the dialogue didn't really give the Irish characters an Irish accent in my head. The same could be said of Lizzie Mercy. I get Mercy not having much of an accent as she has been living in New York, but I would have thought Lizzie would have sounded more Texan. It's a minor complaint but I think how the characters sound is part of the world-building and right now they could have been in any small town anywhere in the world.

The murder victim gives Mercy (and the readers) a great opportunity to get to know the other residents so this was really more of a foundational novel. But even so, it was enjoyable.

There are several subplots running through the book so I'm not sure how easy this series will be to jump in anywhere but lucky for you reading this review you can get in on the ground floor. But don't delay, book 2 comes out in November.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Friday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/08/2-more-mysteries-to-add-to-your-reading.html

This was a good start to a new series. I loved the setting but never really warmed to Mercy. The rest of the characters seemed like caricatures, the required quirky people that have to be in each town in a cozy and never really felt fleshed out. I am not a fan of breaking in to get clues so the multiple attempts to get into the same place were annoying. I will read the next in the series to see how the series develops.

After the death of their grandfather in Ireland, a grandfather that twins Mercy and Lizzie never knew, and discovering an inheritance of a beautiful old bookshop, the girls cant wait to settle into their new lives.

Unfortunately trouble seems to have disturbed the peaceful town, with a death, that may be suspicious, incriminating notes and feelings of being watched, unsettling, the otherwise peaceful town.

Mercy, as a mystery writer, takes matters into her own hands, to try and find out who or what is happening.

A great book one in this new series!

‘You aren’t following the script, Detective.’

I’m a sucker for any cozy set in Ireland or Scotland and this author is a master in both settings! There’s nothing better than settling in and being transported to a little sea side town with a cast of fun characters which this book had in spades. Here’s hoping Mercy, Lizzie and the rest are around for a long time to come!

When I say this was the coziest murder mystery I’ve ever read, I cannot lie. I love a good whodunit and this scratched the itch without stressing me out! (lol) It was just unpredictable enough and Mercy kept me invested the whole way through. I didn’t want this to end. 💔 Something that stood out to me about this book is the imagery. It was so easy for me to picture each scene in my mind and that’s truly very important to me. Would recommend to a friend! 🫶🏻💋

"An Irish Bookshop Murder (Mercy McCarthy Mystery #1)" by Lucy Connelly is the first book in a bookshop themed cozy mystery series. Well bookshop and book writer themed. Mercy McCarthy and her twin sister, Lizzie, move to Ireland after inheriting their previously unknown grandfather's cottage and a series of tragic events back in Texas. Mercy is a successful mystery writer and Lizzie ran a successful lavender ranch. Now Mercy will work from her home office in the cottage and Lizzie will run their grandfather's bookshop.

After their welcoming party they find their neighbor having a health emergency. Mercy, who is well versed in CPR, tries to save him. However, she's unsuccessful. Due to the low rate of crime before their arrival and a few other clues hinting their way, Mercy takes on investigating what happened.

I found this mystery very entertaining. I did have one person that I kept coming back to as a suspect. It also had the typical detective who gets a bit of tunnel vision. There may be a bit of a love hate troupe going on between him and Mercy.

The Plot
American twin sisters, Mercy and Lizzie find out they have inherited their estranged grandfather’s cottage and bookstore in the small Irish town of Shamrock Cove. Unfortunately for them, almost as soon as they have arrived, Mercy finds herself as the prime suspect of the Judge’s murder. Alongside her day job of writing crime novels, Mercy with the help of her sister hunts for clues to reveal the killer.
My Review
Shamrock Cove sounded like the perfect Irish holiday destination with it’s tight knit community, quaint shops and local life centred around the pub. I don’t know about you, but I love a good bookstore murder mystery, however, I was expecting that the store itself would play a greater part in the plot, rather than simply being in the background. Mercy and Lizzie were likeable characters and the story brought in some intriguing background detail of their lives. Whilst there was a lot happening in the plot, I thought that the sisters, especially Mercy, could have found more interesting clues to help solve the case. I also have to mention that instead of the sisters taking charge of the situation by independently investigating, it was more the case that information was mainly stumbled upon.
The relationship Mercy had with the detective inspector developed well alongside the plot and I warmed to him as a character. At the end of the book, I couldn’t help but think that the killer did not have a solid motive for killing one of the victims. Overall, it was a light-hearted, cozy mystery that could have had more excitement to really hook the reader into the story. However, this is only my opinion and as always, I encourage you to make up your own mind. 3.5 stars