Scan barcode
diannel_04's review against another edition
3.0
Maura has settled into life in the tiny village of Leap in County Cork when a stereotypical New Yorker bursts into her pub and turns thins upside down. Althea Melville is an art historian looking for a lost Van Dyke painting that she believes must be in a manor house in the area. Mayhem ensues when Althea does what New Yorkers are wont to do and barges ahead like a bull in a china shop.
All works out in the end and this was a fun little cozy. I am enjoying this series and looing forward to reading the next book.
All works out in the end and this was a fun little cozy. I am enjoying this series and looing forward to reading the next book.
gotoboston's review against another edition
3.0
More like a 3 1/2 star read, but ratings system here is unfortunately not capable of doing half stars and it's not quite good enough for 4 full stars.
The cast of characters is still great, though I think the writing got a touch repetitive in places and there is a ton of long winded explanations and dialogue. There really isn't any need for the characters to constantly rehash discoveries repeatedly.
But, that said, this was an interesting mystery. The treasure hunt for an old painting was a nice twist and I do love all the Irish history elements. There are moments where conversations veer off into the land of the weird. Sometimes the main character gets off in odd tangents that seem unrelated to the story but do bring up interesting issues in perspective between American and the Irish.
I'll definitely still check out future books on my Nook, though I'm not in any rush.
The cast of characters is still great, though I think the writing got a touch repetitive in places and there is a ton of long winded explanations and dialogue. There really isn't any need for the characters to constantly rehash discoveries repeatedly.
But, that said, this was an interesting mystery. The treasure hunt for an old painting was a nice twist and I do love all the Irish history elements. There are moments where conversations veer off into the land of the weird. Sometimes the main character gets off in odd tangents that seem unrelated to the story but do bring up interesting issues in perspective between American and the Irish.
I'll definitely still check out future books on my Nook, though I'm not in any rush.
morelikeaflower's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely fantastic. Any gripe I had about the first book (Maura’s bad attitude, information dumps, etc.) definitely doesn’t apply to this one. The plot of this book was compelling, complex, and rich with even more fascinating family/community connections spanning multiple continents. This is definitely no sophomore slump. My only complaint is that there wasn’t enough Gráinne and Ellen!
sigo's review against another edition
4.0
A big improvement in the main character from the first book, although, I felt like the mystery aspect of the book dragged on.
felecia's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful cozy in the Irish countryside. Interesting art mystery woven in. The characters are enjoyable, and the Irish way is a character unto itself.
nutti72's review against another edition
3.0
Cute cozy set in Ireland, but told from an American perspective. Will read more in the series.
angrygreycatreads's review against another edition
4.0
I was happy to get Scandal in Skibbereen by Sheila Connolly because I really enjoyed Buried in a Bog, book 1 in the County Cork series. This second outing did not disappoint. The mystery was full of twists and turns. You get hints of what might be the answer but it doesn’t come all out until the reveal. The crime is connected to events in the past, a very Downton Abbey feel for that part of it. This book, like the first in the series, has a great sense of place. I really enjoy books that develop the setting well. Besides the theme, involving life as an Irish Pub owner, there are also elements of Irish history and Art history explored. Really makes for an interesting read.
The sleuth, Maura, is also coming more into her own. She has a personality that is more than just two dimensional. You get to see her flaws, as well as what she is capable of achieving. She comes across as intelligent, friendly and just a little cynical at times. The recurring characters are developing and there were some new “tourist” characters in this book, just enough to give you a variety of suspects and informants. In this book, there is the introduction of a romantic element, but I don’t want to say more and give anything away.
Great cozy mystery read. Definitely looking forward to more in this series!
The sleuth, Maura, is also coming more into her own. She has a personality that is more than just two dimensional. You get to see her flaws, as well as what she is capable of achieving. She comes across as intelligent, friendly and just a little cynical at times. The recurring characters are developing and there were some new “tourist” characters in this book, just enough to give you a variety of suspects and informants. In this book, there is the introduction of a romantic element, but I don’t want to say more and give anything away.
Great cozy mystery read. Definitely looking forward to more in this series!
mystereity's review against another edition
3.0
Scandal In Skibbereen This is the second book in the series, and this book was even better than the first. I identify in a lot of ways with Maura and her thought processes, so I find her to be a believable and likeable character. I loved the date with Sean, I could put myself in the same situation easily.
The plot with this one was a little convoluted; a gardener at an estate is murdered at the same time a brash New Yorker shows up looking for a valuable painting that could be at the estate. I got the feeling that the plot was stretched out a little too much (it could've been solved in half the amount of time) but I enjoy the setting and the characters so much, I didn't really mind.
Seriously, though, if Maura doesn't punch Jimmy in the mouth soon, I'll go over there and do it for her.
The plot with this one was a little convoluted; a gardener at an estate is murdered at the same time a brash New Yorker shows up looking for a valuable painting that could be at the estate. I got the feeling that the plot was stretched out a little too much (it could've been solved in half the amount of time) but I enjoy the setting and the characters so much, I didn't really mind.
Seriously, though, if Maura doesn't punch Jimmy in the mouth soon, I'll go over there and do it for her.
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
In this second installment of the County Cork Mysteries Bostonian Maura is beginning to feel settled in her new Irish home and as owner of an Irish Pub. She is anxious to see what kind of business she will have a the summer tourist season begins.
Althea Melville arrives from the U.S. but she is not on a pleasure trip. She is on a mission to find a rare painting and she believes she may find it in County Cork, not far away from Maura’s pub. Althea is not use to Irish traditions and comes across as “a bull in a China shop” as she tries to get Maura and others to help her find the painting. When a gardener is found dead outside of a local manor house Maura starts to question Althea’s motives and thinks there is much more to her story than just local for a piece of art.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Finding out I have a bit of Irish heritage myself makes me love these mysteries.
Connolly has created some wonderful characters. Maura is still finding her way in her new surroundings but she has something every barkeep needs, the gift of gab. She is friendly and outgoing and really strives to get to know the people around her. Her relationship with Billy reminds me of myself so much. When my parents owned a tavern there was always a group of elders there each day to play cards and share old stories and new. I could sit and listen to them for hours and they taught me how to win at cards too.
I also love the recurring characters and the way Maura’s relationships with all of them are evolving. Especially the relationship she has with Garda Officer Sean Murphy.
The new character that captured my heart was Eveline Townsend, the owner of Mycroft House. This is a woman that is aging gracefully living in a Manor House with only 2 other people and a nephew that helps to pay the bills and visits on a rare occasion, like when one of the employees has been murdered. This woman is much more alert and has a better memory than anyone thought and she knew many secrets that gave this story a few twists and turns.
The mystery of the lost painting and the murder were very well plotted. The location was sublime. I have been told Spring and Summer are the best times to visit Ireland. You can tell the author loves her setting and has researched it thoroughly. Her love for the Irish countryside just glows throughout the story.
Althea Melville arrives from the U.S. but she is not on a pleasure trip. She is on a mission to find a rare painting and she believes she may find it in County Cork, not far away from Maura’s pub. Althea is not use to Irish traditions and comes across as “a bull in a China shop” as she tries to get Maura and others to help her find the painting. When a gardener is found dead outside of a local manor house Maura starts to question Althea’s motives and thinks there is much more to her story than just local for a piece of art.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Finding out I have a bit of Irish heritage myself makes me love these mysteries.
Connolly has created some wonderful characters. Maura is still finding her way in her new surroundings but she has something every barkeep needs, the gift of gab. She is friendly and outgoing and really strives to get to know the people around her. Her relationship with Billy reminds me of myself so much. When my parents owned a tavern there was always a group of elders there each day to play cards and share old stories and new. I could sit and listen to them for hours and they taught me how to win at cards too.
I also love the recurring characters and the way Maura’s relationships with all of them are evolving. Especially the relationship she has with Garda Officer Sean Murphy.
The new character that captured my heart was Eveline Townsend, the owner of Mycroft House. This is a woman that is aging gracefully living in a Manor House with only 2 other people and a nephew that helps to pay the bills and visits on a rare occasion, like when one of the employees has been murdered. This woman is much more alert and has a better memory than anyone thought and she knew many secrets that gave this story a few twists and turns.
The mystery of the lost painting and the murder were very well plotted. The location was sublime. I have been told Spring and Summer are the best times to visit Ireland. You can tell the author loves her setting and has researched it thoroughly. Her love for the Irish countryside just glows throughout the story.
bridgetrose89's review against another edition
4.0
A good book with a compelling mystery - Connolly keeps the plot moving. I had a hard time though rooting for Althea, the snobby, impatient American supporting character, even if she does soften up in the end. I loved the setting in Ireland, and would move to that quaint little town in a heartbeat if I could.