* Twins are an interesting angle to a standard trope
* Audio is good
* Writer about writing is always a solid approach
* Intriguing community
* Great character development for a first book in a series
* I don’t buy the way the MC gets some of her info
* The craft shop seems a bit off. Usually the shops are yarn or fabric, not both, in my experience.
* “Do you want to go home” becomes repetitive
* Audio is quite good

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of An Irish Bookshop Murder (Mercy McCarthy Mysteries) #1) by Lucy Connelly from NetGalley and Bookouture in order to read and give an honest review.

… A well written, fun whodunit with a twisty mystery, quirky characters, a blossoming romance, a few chilling moments and plenty of red herrings which will keep the reader guessing to the end…

The first entry of the new series from one of my favourite authors Lucy Connelly, An Irish Bookshop Mystery (Mercy McCarthy Mysteries) does not disappoint.

When Twin sisters Mercy McCarthy and Lizzie McCarthy both recovering from deeply traumatic experiences, Mystery author, Mercy is stalked by a deranged fan, and entrepreneur, Lizzie loses everything she loves to the point her grief takes an almost dangerous turn. With the recent death of their mother and never knowing much about their father, they are shocked when their paternal grandfather a man they knew nothing about dies leaving them a little cottage and a bookshop in the peculiar little village of Shamrock Cove, Ireland it is just what the sisters needed. Both women looking for a fresh start jump when the opportunity to start over in Ireland presents itself and they decide to leave Texas to head across the pond to Shamrock Cove

Once there, they fall in love with their cottage as well as the bookstore and seem to be fitting in with their new little neighbourhood. They are warmly welcomed by their quirky neighbours except for the grumpy old judge who seems to have a beef with everyone but in particular the two sisters. All is going well until at a neighbourhood party Mercy stumbles across the judge in distress, she goes as far as trying to administer first aid, but when the dying man points to them before taking his last breath, they become prime suspects in what they soon learn is his murder. Mercy a mystery novelist, seems to know a little too much for Kieran, the lead detective who does not approve of her questions. With her experience with consulting law enforcement for her books she figures it is up to her to find proof of her and her sister’s innocence. After a few strange occurrences come to light that suggest that the killer must be one of their neighbours the race is on to get to the truth and catch the murderer before they turn their sights on the sisters.

A well written, fun whodunit with a twisty mystery, quirky characters, a blossoming romance, a few chilling moments and plenty of red herrings which will keep the reader guessing to the end. I appreciated how the author wrote each of the twin sisters as individuals, each with their own unique personalities yet with an unspeakable bond. I love protagonists who are intelligent, strong, down to earth, yet empathetic and vulnerable. I was also impressed by her supporting characters, the friendships they formed felt genuine. My only issue was with the narrative (accents in particular) which at times felt a tad unbelievable. I thoroughly enjoyed this new series and I really look forward to reading more about Mercy and Lizzie as they make their life in Shamrock Cove. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun cozy mystery.

OMGoodness! What a delightful new cozy series to curl up with! This is my first read by this author, but it will not be the last! Loved all the characters, the mystery and the twins!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Once again, another interesting read from this author. I like the characters and the setting. It was great visiting an area of Ireland. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to author, publisher, and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderful new series to get yourself lost in - I feel like I say this all the time but I really LOVED THIS BOOK! I was having a little bit of a reading lull and as I was on the blog tour for this book, I thought I would try the first chapter and see how it took me......... and I couldn't put it down. I read it over a few days and felt rejuvinated with my reading.

We are introduced the twin sisters Mercy and Lizzy who discover they have inherited a bookshop and house in a small Irish village from a Grandfather they didn’t know existed and both decide this will be the perfect fresh start for them. Lizzy, is recovering from a devastating personal tragedy and Mercy feels this will be a good move for her own career as an award winning mystery writer, whilst also getting away from her mysterious stalker plus also learning more about their grandfather and his life that they know next to nothing about.

Shamrock Cove is a small cosy village that doesn't usually welcome newcomers. They are a closely knit community but Mercy and Lizzy are welcomed to the village because of their much loved grandfather with a welcome party at the store and immediately feel right at home and know that they have made the correct decision in moving to the other side of the world. However, things take a slightly sinister turn when one of the guests is murdered on his doorstep. As they are new to the village, suspicion does fall on them, especially as Mercy was the first person to come across the body. Due to this Mercy decides to become a character from her own books and investigate a la Jessica Fletcher style (who I also love).

I absolutely loved this book and all the characters who we learn a great deal about. Everyone is under suspicion and I suspected them all as is my usual modus operandis! I was pleasantly surprised when all was revealed as I felt I probably missed some clue on the way.

The author has successfully crafted and put together a wonderful cosy mystery that kept me turning the pages. The characters and their backgrounds are welcome additions that add a lot of depth to the story and I began to hope that some weren’t involved as I had grown attached to them!

I really liked that there were some loose ends that will hopefully follow into the next book where we will hopefully find out more about Mercy and Lizzy’s family. I will be staying tuned as I have already signed up to read book 2!

The first in a new cozy series about Mercy, a writer, who inherits a house and bookshop in Ireland with her twin Lizzie. They are in dire need for a change of scenery so jump at the opportunity. However, on their first day there, a notorious grump is murdered and points at Mercy as the culprit with his dying words. She must investigate to clear her name.

Overall, I liked this one! I think it started out a little slow, but once Mercy got really into the investigating, it definitely picked up. I am curious a little about Mercy as a character, especially in terms of age. She seems around 40? Because she references being with her book agent for 20 years, so at youngest maybe 38? But then there were other things that made her seem younger. Maybe I just missed it! I also liked the crew on the court, and the reveal was surprising - Connelly did a good job of hiding the culprit. I look forward to Mercy's next mystery!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

The first book in a new series is always sort of a set up no matter what genre you are reading an that is true of cozies. You are getting to know all the characters and getting a feel for the setting.

Mercy and Lizzie are twin sisters who have had misfortunes and are in need a new beginning. They are American's and didn't know about their Irish side until they find out that a grandfather they didn't know has left them his cottage and bookshop in Ireland. So they decide to move there. The place is call Shamrock Cove and it's kind of like a gated community but called The Court. It has a different sort of way of handing down the property.

They hadn't been there long when they are invited to a party to welcome them when they meet a grumpy judge who not long after ends up dead and they are the ones that find him. He even calls out and points at Mercy saying she murdered him. They don't even know him so that was a strange thing and nobody really thinks they did it but they are new to the court.

Mercy is a fairly famous mystery writer and she is suppose to be working on her new book while her sister Lizzie takes care of the bookstore, but the fact that this old man accused her of murder makes her curious about things so she wants to try and figure out the mystery. She drags her sister along at times.

What I liked about this story:

I liked the close bond between the twin sisters. Even though they are twins they are very different, but those differences makes them a great team. I love that it's set in Ireland as that is a place I would like to travel to one day. I liked most of the characters on the court, Lolly probably being my favorite. I found the mystery to be decently hard to solve, the author gives you plenty of suspects. I did figure it out though and at times wondered why the mystery writer was getting dupped. Still it was a decent mystery.

What I didn't like:

The things I didn't like are my personal preference when it comes to reading stories. I don't need social commentaries or buzz words or phrases or things like that in my stories. I read to be entertained and I am not a critical thinker when it comes to reading. I often felt like the author was ticking off some boxes with things that were said. This would make me roll my eyes and take me out of the story. So while I enjoyed certain parts of this story I wasn't as big of a fan of it as I wanted to be. Which is a bummer as I really like her Scottish Isle series which so far doesn't throw in all the things I didn't like in this one. So that being said it was my personal preference that caused me not to enjoy this as much as I wanted too and I think others will be just fine with it and probably enjoy those things I didn't like. I may try book two to see how I get on with it.

So I would recommend this to those who enjoy cozy mysteries.

Overall, I think it is fair to say I liked this book well enough. It was a quick read and I was interested to learn who the killer was. The author created an appealing village and likable characters.

Areas for improvement, in my opinion:
- There was a lot of repetition of details. It felt as though I, as a reader, could not be trusted to remember things.
- The characters, though likeable, were not particularly well flushed out.
- I could do without the subtle anti-fatness.
- The mystery solving felt anticlimactic. If I as the reader was meant to solve the murder, I don't know as it was written to allow me to do that. If that wasn't the intention, I still felt underwhelmed by the resolution.

I think there is a place for this book, and it fits well in the cozy murder mystery genre.

2.75/5 stars - It was somewhere between "it was okay" and "I liked it" for me.

An Irish Bookshop Murder is the first in a new cozy mystery from Lucy Connelly. Mercy McCarthy and twin sister Lizzie are starting a new chapter in their lives by moving to Ireland where a grandfather has left them a home and bookstore when he passed. The description of the inheritance and the town along with the people was simply marvelous. It was like being in Ireland.

The death was a bit of a shock in this lovely town but then all must not be so very lovely there. Mystery writer Mercy begins to investigate on her own as she has been accused of murder. From there more deaths, more clues and more investigating until it is solved. A fun read with wonderful characters. Can’t wait for the next book to see what Mercy and Lizzie get up to in Ireland.

Thank you to Bookouture for an ARC copy of this novel that comes out August 22, 2024.

I have alwaysss wanted to try a cozy mystery story. This was my first one! The "cozy" part in this novel meant it took place in a quaint Irish village, Shamrock Cove. I loved the setting and the premise of this book. Firstly, the setting is beautiful green Ireland, on the sea. Their new home is in a small little village where everyone knows each other. Also, THEY NOW OWN A BOOK STORE (more on that below)! As for the premise, two American sisters get the opportunity to move to Ireland when their grandfather passes away and leaves his cottage in their name (YES PLZ!). Along with inheriting his home, they also inherit his business: a two-story book shop! When they arrive to their new home, a surly old man in the village dies unexpectedly. One of the sisters is a mystery writer and sees this as the perfect opportunity to play detective, while the other sister is hoping for a drama-free fresh start in Ireland. Everyone is a suspect.

I really did like this book, but the ending killed it for me. There was a ton of buildup and a rushed ending that I felt was anti-climactic and didn't make a ton of sense. It says this is the first in the series, so I would give the second book a try, whenever that comes out. I hope it explores the ending of the first book and the romance I was hoping to get in the first.

A truly fascinating mystery read. I really enjoyed this one!
 
I will say it was kind of slow, but I’d say it was worth it. I adore the characters a whole lot, especially Lizzie and Mercy. There was a great aspect of sisterhood in this story, and I loved that!
 
Sadly, the plot twist was kind of meh in my personal opinion. It did keep me guessing a lot though, which is always a plus in a good mystery read. But overall, this was worth the read, and I will be waiting patiently for the next book in the series!
 
I really hope we get to see more of Mercy and Kieran together!
 
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy!

Things are not going very well for Mercy and Lizzie. When they get the unexpected Inheritance of a bookshop in Ireland from a grandfather they never knew about…..they decide to move to Ireland. They need a change and this may just be what they need.
They hope this is a start over they need. Will things go well for them? Or, will it be a complete disaster?
Once they arrive, the neighbors seem very nice. The little town seems lovely. Their new home has many secrets….including a hidden entrance.
Then one of the neighbors is found dead.
This is when the mystery draws Mercy and Lizzie in.
Perfect cozy mystery to enjoy with a nice cuppa.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is first book in a new series.

Mercy McCarthy and her twin sister Lizzie inherit a bookshop in Ireland from a grandfather they have never met. They are enjoying the house, the shop and the community until Mercy finds a neighbour dying in the garden and becomes the chief suspect. As an author of mystery novels she feels that she is well equipped to begin her own investigation.

The story is very well written with great characters, especially Mercy and Lizzie. I liked the Detective too. The mystery is excellent with a surprising culprit. Very enjoyable altogether and I look forward to reading book two.

The last line of the book description says that this book will sweep you away to Ireland, and it couldn’t be more true! I was immediately transported to a quaint seaside village in picturesque Ireland as soon as the book opened, and I really didn’t want to leave. Sometimes you just need a good cozy book to curl up with, and this book will certainly do the trick!

Mercy and Lizzie, the sisters at the center of the book were extremely likable and I am so excited to see more of them in the future and learn more about their family (you’ll see what I mean when you read the book). They were both sweet and sensible, but not overly sugar-coated, if you know what I mean. There’s definitely a bit of a sassy bite underneath the exterior.

The mystery itself was good as well! There’s plenty of suspects as you’ll see. Basically the whole town, since the first victim (!) was basically hated by everyone. That makes the book pretty exciting. It wasn’t until the end, when the author starts heavily dropping hints, really wanting you to uncover the truth, that I had my suspicions, and then when it’s time, the confession comes along with the motive. I really enjoyed that. It didn’t spoil things for me and kept me really turning pages yo see how it was going to end.

Overall, I’m going to be all over this series in the future. It’s the perfect cozy for a night in!

I enjoyed reading An Irish Bookshop Murder by Lucy Connelly which is the debut of A Mercy McCarthy Mystery series. I liked Mercy McCarthy who is a mystery writer. Mercy is protective of her twin sister, Lizzie. Lizzie is delighted with the bookshop (I do not blame her!) that the ladies inherited and that she will be running. I enjoyed the banter between the sisters and their close relationship. Shamrock Cove, Ireland sounded delightful with its colorful buildings. I especially loved the color of the bookshop. I thought it was unique that there was a hidden entrance to Hidden Way Court where Mercy and Lizzy McCarthy were residing in the home they inherited from their grandfather. The twins’ grandfather had a penchant for puzzles, and I have a feeling there are more surprises awaiting the ladies. The residents of the court welcomed the twins with open arms except for the judge who does not have a kind word for anyone. The move to Ireland is a fresh start for the twins. Unfortunately, the murder of the disagreeable judge puts a crimp in their plans. Mercy does not like that the sisters are under a cloud of suspicion. She dives into the whodunit to clear their names. The suspect list is lengthy since the judge was not well liked. Mercy manages to butt heads with Kiernan, the local detective, along the way. I had fun solving the puzzle. There is a good cast of secondary characters with my favorites being Lolly and Kiernan. I am looking forward to the next A Mercy McCarthy Mystery. An Irish Bookshop Murder is a craic cozy mystery with a gan choinne inheritance, a gnóthach bookstore, cairdiúil neighbors, a dúnmharaíodh judge, and a fresh start for Cúpla sisters.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

An Bookshop in a quaint small town on the seashore in Ireland, count me in! Lucy Connelly brings us a new story about twin Lizzie and Mercy McCarthy who inherit a bookshop and a home in Shamrock Cove Ireland from a grandfather they never knew.
Lizzie has a good business sense and will run the bookshop. Mercy is a mystery author and plans to use their new home as her base of operations for writing her next book.
Soon after their arrival, a retired judge dies, and it's murder. The police detective on the case looks closely at Mercy and Lizzie.
This is a delightful series opener. I listened to the audiobook and love the narrator. I also had access to an early copy of the ebook. I really enjoyed An Irish Bookshop Murder and look forward to visiting Ireland again soon.
Thanks to Negalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to enjoy this book.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

its always nice to find an author that grabs you from the first page and keeps you reading right to the end captivated by all the characters and wondering who the murderer is.. and thats what this author did

i fell in love with the two sisters who came from texas to try and calm their lives down after what they had been through and to be left their new house by someone they hadnt known but were related to is indeed a mystery i hope can be unravelled in later books

but its the murder of the judge in their little cove that has everyone being investigated and none more so than the two sisters... because as he was dying he accused mercy of killing him....

as mercy gets use to being taken down to the station to answer questions its a fun time for all as they begin to realise that the killer is somone a lot closer than they think and seems to be targeting people who live in the cove

a brilliant first book and i cant wait for the second one to come out...will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors works... shes a keeper

Another cozy mystery for me, shocking :). This cozy mystery is set in a small Irish village, and I absolutely loved the setting of Shamrock Cove. The tight-knit community really added to the story, making it feel warm and inviting, despite the murder mystery at its core and the backstabbing neighbors.

One of the things that stood out to me was the characters, especially the neighbors. They quickly became my favorites, with their quirks and close connections adding a lot of personality to the story. It’s the kind of place where you’d want to live!

I also found it really unique that the main characters were twins. I don’t think I’ve read any cozy mysteries that feature twins before, so that was a nice first. Mercy, the writer, and her sister, who’s eager to manage the bookstore they inherited from their late grandfather, were a great duo. It was a good grounding point remembering why the duo came over and that Mercy was being her sister's support through hard times.

An Irish Bookshop Murder was a delightful read. If you’re into cozy mysteries with a bit of Irish charm, give it a shot!.

I love starting a new mystery series, so I was quite excited about starting An Irish Bookshop Murder. Although it's book one in the Mercy McCarthy Mystery series, Mercy is actually a twin, and her sister Lizzy plays quite a role in helping solve the murders.
Mercy and her sister have had quite a hard time recently, so when they discover that not only do they have a grandfather in Ireland, but that he's also left them a pretty cottage and bookshop (who wouldn't love that) they make the decision to move from the US and start afresh. Unfortunately, this new life isn't a completely relaxing one and it's not long before things start to happen and Mercy finds herself in the middle of a real-life murder investigation.
This book has all of the elements that you'd expect from a good cozy mystery; dead bodies, secrets to uncover, a cast of locals, a potential love interest and by the end of the book an animal companion to join Mercy and Lizzy. The town of Shamrock Cove (no really) and the 'court' in which the cottages are set is very Disney Ireland, but that somehow fits better with the cozy murder genre than the real country ever would.
This was a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to joining Mercy, her sister Lizzy and the rest of the locals from Shamrock Cove in the near future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.