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whatkreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
catmom21's review against another edition
4.0
The second book in the series was definitely the best so far. I enjoyed this one well enough though I tired of the music story after a while and felt the romance was somewhat forced and out of left field. Nevertheless it was very enjoyable and I'm excited to listen to the next one!
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
I love this author and this series. This book is the best yet. A mystery, an investigation...yes. But it's about the characters for the most part. Maura has been in the village and running the pub she inherited for six months. She's making friends and has found that her inheritance has an intriguing past of being a musical center of County Cork. And this is what I especially loved about this book. I could feel the music and the excitement of the crowd, the happiness of the musicians. Irish music is wonderful.
I also liked how the word spread about the music being at the pub. Maura is bemused by it and her friends enjoy helping her learn.
Maura has two possible beaus and I like how she is handling it. A little rough around the edges and it's not all squishy romance. She blurts things out, I can identify with that.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
I also liked how the word spread about the music being at the pub. Maura is bemused by it and her friends enjoy helping her learn.
Maura has two possible beaus and I like how she is handling it. A little rough around the edges and it's not all squishy romance. She blurts things out, I can identify with that.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
ria_bee_3c's review
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
peggyemi's review against another edition
3.0
It's been awhile since I had a chance to catch up on this series so when I was looking for my next book I decided to return to Ireland and Maura Donovan. I love the setting for this series and think the author has created terrific characters that are full of charm. The addition of some local dialect and customs certainly adds to the enjoyment of the stories. Maura is still finding her footing in running Sullivan's Pub. The regular secondary cast is back and each has a part to play when Maura finds a dead body in the pub following a night of music.
I found that I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as I had the first two books in the series. For me, I can see the author setting up a potential love triangle or a protracted decision on a romantic interest for Maura and I just don't enjoys those story lines. In addition, I thought the mystery was a bit light in this book. It was about 1/3 of the way into the story before the body of the musician was discovered. For me that made the books seem longer than perhaps it was. I am one of those readers that likes the mystery to happen within the first few chapters of the book, especially when you are the third book into a series.
That said, I do enjoy the series and have the fourth book in my TBR pile. I will certainly be back to see what happens in that story and if there is any resolution in the romance department.
I found that I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as I had the first two books in the series. For me, I can see the author setting up a potential love triangle or a protracted decision on a romantic interest for Maura and I just don't enjoys those story lines. In addition, I thought the mystery was a bit light in this book. It was about 1/3 of the way into the story before the body of the musician was discovered. For me that made the books seem longer than perhaps it was. I am one of those readers that likes the mystery to happen within the first few chapters of the book, especially when you are the third book into a series.
That said, I do enjoy the series and have the fourth book in my TBR pile. I will certainly be back to see what happens in that story and if there is any resolution in the romance department.
asanford's review against another edition
3.0
Another quick and enjoyable listen. It was a slight bit slower than the first two but worth continuing the series.
jen_baroness_mom's review against another edition
5.0
An Early Wake by Sheila Connolly brings music back to Sullivan's by way of Irish magic. At least, that's how it feels.
Will Maura figure out what happened to Aidan before she worries Sullivan's out of business?
In this third installment, we find Maura settling into County Cork more than she thought she would. A uni student shows up to discuss the music that was at Sullivan's in the 1990s. Yes, to those younger, it's ancient history, but to the patrons of Sullivan's, it's nice to reminisce about it.
Maura isn't much for music, but if it's good for the pub, then she's on board. Especially when some of the musicians from Old Mick's time show up to do an impromptu jam session, word travels like wildfire, and the next thing they know, the place is packed.
We have to add some mystery here so one of the musicians dies in the backroom, and the uni student has another reason for coming here. Throw in some drugs, beatdowns, a blossoming romance, and you have an excellent story.
Maura Donovan
Our sleuth, Maura, is a worry wart. Seriously, this woman picks at everything. But Maura gets up each day and heads to the pub no matter what thoughts kept her up all night.
I like Maura, and I know she's had tremendous character growth, but she needs to get out of her head and live a little. I am glad that she has found her place in the world. She's lucky to have the friends that she does. Also, Maura needs to figure out her heart before she hurts either of the men in her life.
Five Stars
My rating for An Early Wake by Sheila Connolly is five stars. The mystery, setting, and characters are fantastic, but my favorite part is the music, especially when Maura hears the magical sounds for the first time.
I highly recommend this series. Sheila Connolly was a magnificent author, and we all miss her.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of An Early Wake by Sheila Connolly.
Until the next time,
~Jen
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.
a_ab's review against another edition
1.0
I am reading this series in order and so far this is the weakest book of the lot. It should have been at least 100 pages shorter - there are endless pointless repetitions and summaries of what happened a chapter or two ago.
And that is not counting the ridiculous never ending painstakingly spelled out internal monologue of irrelevant worries and doubts of the main character - she goes on and on with what-ifs and what-am-I-doings like a stuck record. And none of it is even remotely relevant to the plot or what actually ends up happening!
I am guessing the writer is being paid by the word count - there is no other possible explanation for this! And it's not even something profound - the stupid girl spends the whole book procrastinating over her book keeping and constantly worrying about breaking even and paying taxes. Yet the book ends with her still not having looked at the figures!!! Not once! Not even at rough figures - just worry, complain, worry, talk about it, worry, think about it, worry, get distracted, worry some more. Yes, it does get as boring and repetitive as that, worse even!
The series is also hinting at a romantic plotline(s) in the future and I am not sure the writer has the skill to pull it off. From what we've seen so far, it's going to be endless self doubt, worrying, indecision and navel gazing by the main character over whom she likes or doesn't like and how much exactly and what to do about it and what-will-I-say and what-should-I-wear and what-will-the-people-think. We are already seeing a preview of all of that by this point in the series and she hasn't even started dating anyone!
The doubts and endless worries were OK in the beginning because of the fish-out-of-water setting of the first book - new country, trauma of losing the only relative she knew, being adrift in the world of strangers. It was less awful in the second book - that book was too focused on being appalled at the pushy New Yorker's obnoxious behavior. But in this book the worries and doubts are back in full, if not stronger, force and none of them
are relevant or justifiable anymore.
Sad. I had high hopes for the series.
And that is not counting the ridiculous never ending painstakingly spelled out internal monologue of irrelevant worries and doubts of the main character - she goes on and on with what-ifs and what-am-I-doings like a stuck record. And none of it is even remotely relevant to the plot or what actually ends up happening!
I am guessing the writer is being paid by the word count - there is no other possible explanation for this! And it's not even something profound - the stupid girl spends the whole book procrastinating over her book keeping and constantly worrying about breaking even and paying taxes. Yet the book ends with her still not having looked at the figures!!! Not once! Not even at rough figures - just worry, complain, worry, talk about it, worry, think about it, worry, get distracted, worry some more. Yes, it does get as boring and repetitive as that, worse even!
The series is also hinting at a romantic plotline(s) in the future and I am not sure the writer has the skill to pull it off. From what we've seen so far, it's going to be endless self doubt, worrying, indecision and navel gazing by the main character over whom she likes or doesn't like and how much exactly and what to do about it and what-will-I-say and what-should-I-wear and what-will-the-people-think. We are already seeing a preview of all of that by this point in the series and she hasn't even started dating anyone!
The doubts and endless worries were OK in the beginning because of the fish-out-of-water setting of the first book - new country, trauma of losing the only relative she knew, being adrift in the world of strangers. It was less awful in the second book - that book was too focused on being appalled at the pushy New Yorker's obnoxious behavior. But in this book the worries and doubts are back in full, if not stronger, force and none of them
are relevant or justifiable anymore.
Sad. I had high hopes for the series.
diannel_04's review against another edition
3.0
In this third installment of the County Cork series Maura find's out that the pub was once the centre for Irish music in the county. Before she even realizes what's happening the musicians again descend on the place and all her worries about not having enough money to keep the pub open disappear. Then a body is found in the back room.
The mystery wasn't really great but the books are fun and I really enjoy the series so I will keep reading.
The mystery wasn't really great but the books are fun and I really enjoy the series so I will keep reading.
carebear102106's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series, I can't wait for the next one.