Reviews

Tied Up with A Bow by Sheila Connolly

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review

3.0

Tied Up with a Bow by Sheila Connolly is A County Cork Novella (#6.5). Maura Donovan has been Leap for over a year (maybe two) now since she inherited Sullivan’s. Christmas is approaching and a mysterious holiday project is going on across the street from the pub. A raffle is started so people can guess on the secretive holiday undertaking. Considering the amount of time Maura has been in this village, she should know more about the running of the pub. The first thing Maura should have done was learn all there is to know about running the pub. Maura seems to have other priorities (does anyone know what they are). She also does not seem to know where anything is in the village (the school for instance). Maura makes contradictory statements as well (in the same book and information from previous books). I have tried to like Maura, but it seems to be a lost cause. I wonder if she has any common sense at all. I am tired of hearing that she cannot cook (or make a sandwich) plus seems oblivious on where the local market is located. There is a lack of consistency in the series which is unusual for this author. Tied Up with a Bow is not a standalone story. It is a series that is best read in order. I wish the pacing had been livelier and repetitive information had been eliminated. I also would have liked more holiday spirit. I did like young Danny. The poor kid and his mother are having a rough time. I do like that Maura is trying to help them (in her way). Tied Up with a Bow was just not the right book for me. I suggest you obtain a sample of Buried in the Bog (first book in series) to see if this story suits you. Tied Up with a Bow transports readers to Ireland for wacky wagers, a puzzling project, a dangerous due, a concerned child and Celtic Christmas customs.

morticia32's review

3.0

Novella in the County Cork series.

I didn't realize this was a novella when I requested it on NetGalley. I am still glad I did, though. It's nice to see Maura's softer side, since relationships/friendships seem to baffle her a bit.

I'm loving the group led by Seamus, as well and of course, The Thing across the road.

This was a nice, quick read.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley*

attytheresa's review

2.0

A novella set at Christmas in the tiny Irish village of Leap, part of the author's County Cork mystery series, this probably ranked more as a 2.5 star read. It really was sweet story with a good - and even funny - ending, but just not all that well written - far too many repetitions of character dialogue and thoughts, too many efforts to imitate an Irish brogue in writing, and for the longest time I thought Maura was a 50-something grouch but ultimately determined she had to be a 20-something young woman. Or maybe the fact I've not read any of the series hindered my reading?

nicolepeck's review

4.0

By the end of this novella, I really enjoyed it, but I struggled at first because the pace is a bit slow and I haven't read any of the other books in this series and it didn't give too much background right off the bat so I had to catch up to the characters and their backstory, the setting in Ireland, etc., especially how Maura is American and not Irish and how she came to end up in Ireland owning a pub. The story happens around Christmastime, but it doesn't really have a lot to do with Christmas. The mystery isn't a murder, more simple, which is fitting for the short novella style. But it intrigued me enough that I would enjoy going back to read the previous books in this series and get to know more about the characters and Leap (pronounced "Lep"), Ireland. It's a short, fast read and is probably a great addition to the series for fans who are already familiar with the characters.

***I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.***

annarella's review

5.0

I love the Country Cork series and this Christmas novella was a lovely addition.
I think it can be appreciated at best if you already read the series and know the characters and the setting.
It can be read as a standalone and you surely will appreciate it.
It's not a whodunit plot but it's lovely and you cannot help rooting for the characters.
I love the way it shows a more human side to Maura and how the cast of characters join forces for helping others.
A lovely Christmas read that will make you feel good and hope to read soon the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC

katelindsay's review

3.0

I’m not a fan of .5 books in a cozy mystery series. The plot isn’t well developed and I’d rather the author spend more time flushing out a full story. Honestly, they’re less of a real mystery, and more of a, what’s with this person’s suspicious behavior?