Reviews

MURDER IN AN IRISH PUB is the fourth book in the Irish Village Mysteries by Carlene O’Conner but the first I’ve gotten around to reading. I enjoyed it so much I’m determined to start at the beginning and catch up with this delightful series. Given the backstory about protagonist Siobhán O’Sullivan and the multitude of siblings she is raising on her own, I would recommend starting with the first book. Despite not fully knowing the previous stories and what happened to the O’Sullivan broods’ parents, I was still captivated by the plot revolving around the international poker tournament being held in the Irish village. Ms. O’Conner captures the authentic feeling of Ireland and the small village with detailed descriptions and colloquial sayings and words which added a layer of charm. I had a good chuckle over the visual her description brought to mind when she wrote: “He had the face of a silver fox but the body of a lazy dog.” Her characters come to life and I especially liked Siobhán (pronounced shiv + awn). Even though her family owns Naomi’s Bistro, Siobhán decided to follow her dreams and become Garda Sullivan, a policewoman. This is a bit different from other cozy amateur detectives, but she still portrays the cozy mystery spirit.

I was also greatly intrigued by the “locked room” scenario surrounding the murder. I found the author’s method impressive and quite clever to throw the investigators and the reader off from discovering the truth. I think it takes a lot of creativity to make it believable and the author pulls it together quite effectively. There are just enough clues to make the reader keep turning pages to see if Siobhán can figure it out (I certainly couldn’t but then again I was willing to go along for the ride instead of puzzling it out) and enough action to keep me turning pages faster and faster. A surprising reveal wrapped the ending up in a satisfying ending and makes me want to find out what Siobhán does next.

I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

marijaskoog's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

tab55's review

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mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

sjholmes's review against another edition

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5.0

I was enchanted from the start with the description of Kilblane, the home of Siobhan O’Sullivan. A small village in County Cork, Ireland, that still has its medieval walls, the annual festival is being set up as Siobhan steps out of her home/family-run cafe. Dressed in her Garda uniform, Siobhan heads off to her job assignment at a nearby pub where a poker tournament is being held. The excitement of having an important tournament is palpable, but too soon it becomes the site of accusations of cheating with threats of fighting. And then the next morning Garda O’Sullivan finds the body of the champion poker player in a locked room. But is it suicide or murder? Both professional poker players, accustomed to dodging telling truths, and locals are potential suspects. Siobhan, the smart Garda, not “smart girl,” seeks to find the answers.

The setting of Kilblane is charmingly presented, along with Siobhan’s family of siblings whom she now mothers in place of her late parents. This is the fourth in the series, and makes a great stand-alone book as it is part police procedural with a complicated locked room scenario. First time readers can readily embrace the characters, although their is clearly much more to their stories that leave new reader with questions as to what happened to Siobhan’s parents, and most particularly how did Siobhan come to be a Garda and start a relationship with the Detective Sergeant she reports to. I certainly want to know more about the O’Sullivans and about Kilblane village itself.

kermittuesday's review against another edition

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mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Content Warnings

ulrikedg's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Better than book 3, but I'm glad I got it for free from the library. It's a very Irish cozy mystery, just like it says on the tin.

Audiobook narrator Caroline Lennon improves the story.

jillos1's review

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funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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