Mercy and her sister Lizzie moved from the states to a small Irish village when they inherited a cottage and a bookshop. Now there is a 10-day literary event with many authors visiting. The primary author was raised in the village, but it’s the first year he’s agreed to attend the festival. He turns out to be impossible to deal with and rude to everyone, as is his agent. When Mercy and Lizzie find his body in his cottage, crushed by a bookcase, Mercy immediately suspects its murder and discovers a long list of suspects and motives. The mystery kept me guessing until the end.
I love the village and Mercy’s friends and neighbors. Their small dog, Mr. Poe, is a true hero in this book, despite his diminutive size.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mercy is a famous author and her twin Lizzie runs a bookshop. When an unpleasant author is murdered, Mercy can't help but get involved.

It's a cosy murder mystery set in a quaint Irish village.

There weren't any big twists for me but I still enjoyed it. Mercy is personable and you follow her around as she signs books along with trying to find out who dunnit.

This talented author has written a page turner. Secrets and red herrings…family and friends…twists and turns…guessing…this is a good series. Even the title is intriguing. Mystery…thanks Netgalley.

3.75 - Small cozy town in Ireland, a book festival and a murder.. what else does you need?

In "Death by the Book," Lucy Conelly masterfully blends cozy mystery elements with an engaging plot set in the enchanting village of Shamrock Cove, Ireland. Did I google if Shamrock Cove actually exists, because I want to go and visit? Maybe..

The story follows Mercy McCarthy, a mystery writer, and her sister Lizzie as they settle into their new home, only to find themselves embroiled in a real-life murder investigation during a local literary festival. While the local detective dismisses Mercy’s hunch about foul play, her suspicions intensify when a second body is discovered—this time, in their own bookstore, uncovered by their loyal dog, Mr. Poe.

Conelly does an excellent job of weaving humor and charm into a story filled with twists. Mercy is a relatable protagonist, driven to clear her name as the townsfolk begin to suspect her. Determined to prove her innocence and convinced the police are missing key clues, Mercy dives into the investigation. With a meddlesome mayor, a cheerful chef, and a shy botanist among her suspects, her breakthrough comes when she finds an old photograph in the library archives that could lead her to the killer. The author’s vivid descriptions of Shamrock Cove transport you right into the heart of this idyllic yet dangerous setting.

Even though it is the second book in a series, you can perfectly read this as a stand alone. The author refers to things that happened in the previous book in such a subtle way, that you know enough to keep on reading but it doesn't spoilt the entire plot of the first book.

Death by the Book is a fast-paced and delightful read that will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie. With its captivating characters, clever plotting, and a perfect mix of suspense and humor, this cozy mystery will keep you turning pages until the very end. Conelly has crafted a tale that is as engaging as it is entertaining, making it a must-read for mystery lovers!

Death by the book is the 2nd book in the Marcy McCarthy Mystery series. It takes place in the town of Shamrock Cove, Ireland. Mercy McCarthy is the main character. She is a well known author, She and her twin sister, Lizzie moved from the U.S. to Ireland as they found out they inherited a cottage and a book store, Book and Antiques from their grandfather on their father's side whom they had never met. She and Lizzie have been through alot over the year with the death of their mother and Lizzie's fiance and his daughter's death in an automobile accident. They decided to move to Ireland for a new start. The cottage, No. 3, is in a special court that the only way in is by a hidden door, Lizzie has a dog named Mr. Poe who is devoted to her. Their neighbor Scott and his partner, Robb live next door.

Lolly O'Mallery is one of their neighbors has asked Lizzie to head the Shamrock Cove Literary Festival. She has authors lined up to do readings of their books. James Brant is going to be the main speaker. He had been born in Shamrock Cove and grew up there until he went to college. Lolly had been trying to get him to participate in the festival and was excited that he had accepted. Sebrena Walker is his agent. When James an didn't show up for his main event at the store Sebrena asked Mercy and Lizzie to go to the cottage he was staying in to get him. They knock on the door but no answer. They find the door unlocked so they go in. They find him dead under a fallen bookcase. They call the police. While waiting Mercy checks out the room. On the table she sees 2 manuscripts. One is his and the other is an old one with no title page. She is very curious about it. Kiernan is the local detective inspector. He is also Lolly's grandson. He arrives with his 2nd in command, Sheila. He can't believe that Mercy is the person who found a body again.

Mercy can't get the old manuscript out of her mind so when she goes to the police station to speak to him about if he will let her see the manuscript but he is not there. She says she wants to leave a message so goes to this office and sees the box with the manuscript in it. She takes pictures of some of the pages before she leaves. Kiernan is at the church to supervise a group that has gathered to celebrate James. Mercy wants to talk to Sebrena about yesterday. She asks her about bookplates to put in the books that they had for sale at the bookstore, She say she has some and will get her office to send them some to the bookstore.

Mercy asks Lolly about James. She tells him that James had had a fallout with his dad. Didn't know what it was but James had been in trouble when he was a teenager. Something about bullying a girl. His parents threatened to sue the school so it was dropped.

Lizzie got a call from the chef that he was having problems with Sebrena about the dessert. Lizzie asked Mercy to go and straighten it out. When she got there she found them arguing. She also found out that Sebrena and the chef, Patrick, had been married for 3 years and he had been one of James best friends. She had left him for James.

At the Awards Banquet the attendees were able to sit at a table with the author. Sebrena was holding court as James table. Thomas Gilfoy, mayor of the town spoke about James saying that he had grown up with James and said positive things about him but Mercy got the feeling there was bad blood between them. James had won the award for thrillers. Sebrena accepted the award for him and made a speech. Mercy noticed the Mayor in the back of the room giving her a death stare. Kiernan met Mercy outside and asked her why she wanted him to do a tox screen. She told her that they did and found a toxin in his system but not sure what it is yet. Whatever it is stopped his heart.

At the book store Lizzie told Mercy that Sebrena was acting weird. She was acting as if James books were hers. She was taking ownership of his books. Mr. Poe kept looking at the cupboard where there was a secret room behind it. They went to investigate and found another body. It was Sebrena dead. What was she doing there. Kiernan arrived. Lizzie told him that she had been acting weird and had come to the store a couple of times. There was a man she saw arguing with her.

This is where the story takes off with so much drama there is too much to put on paper. I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the exciting end.

I enjoyed this book. The author keeps the reader guessing who killed James and Sebrena and why. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookcouture for this ARC.