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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Plot: Rayne and Ciara are trying to save their ancestral castle and the village surrounding it. While trying to spruce up the castle and local spots in the village an unfortunate murder takes place. Rayne, Ciara, and the staff of McGrath Castle have to pull together to save their wedding business and the town from outsiders who want to take over the village and a potential murderer in the village itself.
Overall thoughts: I have Irish heritage, work for an Irish company, and in general love Ireland so I was very excited to read this book. It was a nice read. I did really enjoy the main characters and the writer has a knack for writing characters who are particularly annoying (they were supposed to be). I'm a fan of authors who can pull emotions from their readers. However, I did find the writing overly repetitive. If something was meant to be a clue in the mystery it was *very* obvious because it would be repeated over and over again. When characters made discoveries I felt more "thank god, finally," when in a mystery novel I want to feel "oooh! it's all coming together now!" Another small note is that I'm not sure why there was zero change in formatting for text messages. I always find that so hard to read and it not one of my favorite choices in modern novels. Overall it was a cute little cozy novel. Nothing more, nothing less.
What made my weirdo heart happy:
The sweet puppy in the novel. I love a pup that likes sparkles and a boa.
Will I read more books by this author?: Not sure.
Would I recommend this book to a friend?: If they love Ireland and mystery books, yes.
Overall thoughts: I have Irish heritage, work for an Irish company, and in general love Ireland so I was very excited to read this book. It was a nice read. I did really enjoy the main characters and the writer has a knack for writing characters who are particularly annoying (they were supposed to be). I'm a fan of authors who can pull emotions from their readers. However, I did find the writing overly repetitive. If something was meant to be a clue in the mystery it was *very* obvious because it would be repeated over and over again. When characters made discoveries I felt more "thank god, finally," when in a mystery novel I want to feel "oooh! it's all coming together now!" Another small note is that I'm not sure why there was zero change in formatting for text messages. I always find that so hard to read and it not one of my favorite choices in modern novels. Overall it was a cute little cozy novel. Nothing more, nothing less.
What made my weirdo heart happy:
The sweet puppy in the novel. I love a pup that likes sparkles and a boa.
Will I read more books by this author?: Not sure.
Would I recommend this book to a friend?: If they love Ireland and mystery books, yes.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A great second installment in this new series. A wedding potentially being sabotaged? Yes, sign me up. This had lots of twists and turns and the author kept throwing me off course on who could have done it. I'm excited to see what else is in store for these cousins and their Irish castle.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Muito divertido e o audiobook foi super bem feito. Amei a narradora!
O mistério me confundiu em todo caminho, mas pode ser porque eu quase nunca leio mistérios.
Recebi do netgalley pra fazer uma resenha sincera.
O mistério me confundiu em todo caminho, mas pode ser porque eu quase nunca leio mistérios.
Recebi do netgalley pra fazer uma resenha sincera.
Why oh why do I keep reading books I don’t like? Is this a naïve hope that at some point in the book the story will get better or the characters more agreeable?
I couldn’t really get into this one. For a start, there are too many characters in most scenes. Sure, there’s a wedding party of eight (and they all arrive together) and there is staff, each with different tasks, to assist the guest, but did all of these people need to be introduced (name and description of physical attributes and other tokens) in the same scene?
There’s a level of detail in the descriptions that distracts from the main action. While the police are securing the possible crime scene the narrative says:
Then one of the guests gets killed. And all the guests turn out to be rather unlikeable people. Jake (and his entourage) seem to be more concerned with how publicity concerning the wedding will affect his career than with the feelings of his bride. Apperently, Jake is stuck in some kind of studio system where a pregnancy could ruin his career. (He’s a man! Doing action movies. It’s not like his belly will get in the way of being kick-ass. His fan base probably does not care either.)
Rayne and Ciara want to make their ancestral home into a money maker by turning it into a wedding venue. With you on that one: castles for weddings is a romcom trope. For some reason it means the participate in all activities of the guests. Why? It’s not like the guests were impressed with having an actual Lady at their table, nor did Rayne and Ciara strike up some rapport with the guests that enabled them to snoop to solve the mystery.
For that matter, very little snooping is done. Rayne is mostly concerned with altering a wedding dress and sorting through other last minute wedding stress, and speculating about who could have killed Tiffany (and speculating about who has sexual or romantic interest in who).
The twist were the motive becomes clear was a surprise, but at the same time rather pathetic.
Except for the phones with camera and the mention of wifi, a lot of things made it seem like this story was set in the 1950s
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
I couldn’t really get into this one. For a start, there are too many characters in most scenes. Sure, there’s a wedding party of eight (and they all arrive together) and there is staff, each with different tasks, to assist the guest, but did all of these people need to be introduced (name and description of physical attributes and other tokens) in the same scene?
There’s a level of detail in the descriptions that distracts from the main action. While the police are securing the possible crime scene the narrative says:
His pale fingers had a dusting of blond hair.It was around midnight and cloudy; how could anyone have noticed this?
Then one of the guests gets killed. And all the guests turn out to be rather unlikeable people. Jake (and his entourage) seem to be more concerned with how publicity concerning the wedding will affect his career than with the feelings of his bride. Apperently, Jake is stuck in some kind of studio system where a pregnancy could ruin his career. (He’s a man! Doing action movies. It’s not like his belly will get in the way of being kick-ass. His fan base probably does not care either.)
Rayne and Ciara want to make their ancestral home into a money maker by turning it into a wedding venue. With you on that one: castles for weddings is a romcom trope. For some reason it means the participate in all activities of the guests. Why? It’s not like the guests were impressed with having an actual Lady at their table, nor did Rayne and Ciara strike up some rapport with the guests that enabled them to snoop to solve the mystery.
For that matter, very little snooping is done. Rayne is mostly concerned with altering a wedding dress and sorting through other last minute wedding stress, and speculating about who could have killed Tiffany (and speculating about who has sexual or romantic interest in who).
The twist were the motive becomes clear was a surprise, but at the same time rather pathetic.
Spoiler
“I’ve been trying to get a divorce for years from my first wife, but she refuses to grant me one.”In California you can get a divorce even if the other person doesn't want one. No need to ask the wife. All that is required is that he has lived in California for the last six months.
Except for the phones with camera and the mention of wifi, a lot of things made it seem like this story was set in the 1950s
Spoiler
(the studio system, the wife’s permission to get divorced).I read an ARC through NetGalley.
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was so happy when the author announced there was a 2nd book coming out. I really enjoyed the first book and I can only say the same about book 2.
I'm glad the cousins are getting along and working together to not only save the castle but to save the village too. When a uber wealthy hotel heiress Tori Montgomery pushes her December wedding up and it becomes an elopement to the hottest leading man in Hollywood Jake Anderson. Rayne and Ciara can hear the money pilling up in dropping in the bank account that would put them in the black and take them through till November (the next wedding) and save Rayne from selling another of her beloved luxury handbags.
Rayne designed Tori's wedding dress and things seem to be off to a great start until her bridesmaid, actress Amy Flores' assistant Tiffany Quick is killed! Now Rayne and Ciara are trying to pull off a wedding and find a killer. Who in the small wedding party had it out for Amy's assistant?
This mystery kept me guessing and it kept me on the edge of my seat especially the day of the wedding!
I'm glad the cousins are getting along and working together to not only save the castle but to save the village too. When a uber wealthy hotel heiress Tori Montgomery pushes her December wedding up and it becomes an elopement to the hottest leading man in Hollywood Jake Anderson. Rayne and Ciara can hear the money pilling up in dropping in the bank account that would put them in the black and take them through till November (the next wedding) and save Rayne from selling another of her beloved luxury handbags.
Rayne designed Tori's wedding dress and things seem to be off to a great start until her bridesmaid, actress Amy Flores' assistant Tiffany Quick is killed! Now Rayne and Ciara are trying to pull off a wedding and find a killer. Who in the small wedding party had it out for Amy's assistant?
This mystery kept me guessing and it kept me on the edge of my seat especially the day of the wedding!
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy!!
'Death at an Irish Wedding' is the second book in the 'An Irish Castle Mystery'.
I appreciate that the story focused more on the mystery rather than the plot about the castle and the cousins, not that the latter wasn't interesting!
Also, the heiress story was entertaining and involved many characters, though, it would have been better if there wasn't that much focus on the girl's plastic surgeries, for there was no point in it. Also, I didn't like the way the groom was treating his bride as, her being a spoiled heiress doesn't mean it's okay to be attacking her constantly.
In addition, there were a lot of substories and none of them were properly finished.
But, I loved that the dog was included in the mix and that the love was from the family and not a romantic kind.
'Death at an Irish Wedding' is the second book in the 'An Irish Castle Mystery'.
I appreciate that the story focused more on the mystery rather than the plot about the castle and the cousins, not that the latter wasn't interesting!
Also, the heiress story was entertaining and involved many characters, though, it would have been better if there wasn't that much focus on the girl's plastic surgeries, for there was no point in it. Also, I didn't like the way the groom was treating his bride as, her being a spoiled heiress doesn't mean it's okay to be attacking her constantly.
In addition, there were a lot of substories and none of them were properly finished.
But, I loved that the dog was included in the mix and that the love was from the family and not a romantic kind.
British Cozy Mystery about an American bridal wear designer who's Irish family castle's first time as a wedding venue turns deadly after the bride's best friend's assistant's killed.
5/5 stars: This is the second entry in Brannigan's Irish Castle Mystery series which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Ireland and features an American bridal wear designer-turned-entrepreneur who's rundown family Irish castle's first time as a wedding venue turns deadly. In order to raise funds to repair her home, she offers the castle to a bridal wear client and her actor fiance's for their wedding but the occasion's marred when the bride's best friend’s assistant is found dead. While dealing with villagers protesting the new enterprise, she'll have to unearth all of the wedding party's secrets to catch the killer. With plenty of twists and turns, Brannigan has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Brannigan's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Rayne, her cousin and business partner Ciara and the folks of McGrath Castle and Grathton village. I really like seeing the progress (and occasional setbacks) that Rayne and Ciara's making to meet the terms of the will. Oh and there's Rayne's lovely loyal dog, Blarney. Brannigan touches on some serious subjects; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, [b:Murder at an Irish Castle|61478248|Murder at an Irish Castle|Ellie Brannigan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1658013623l/61478248._SX50_.jpg|97041789].
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
5/5 stars: This is the second entry in Brannigan's Irish Castle Mystery series which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Ireland and features an American bridal wear designer-turned-entrepreneur who's rundown family Irish castle's first time as a wedding venue turns deadly. In order to raise funds to repair her home, she offers the castle to a bridal wear client and her actor fiance's for their wedding but the occasion's marred when the bride's best friend’s assistant is found dead. While dealing with villagers protesting the new enterprise, she'll have to unearth all of the wedding party's secrets to catch the killer. With plenty of twists and turns, Brannigan has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Brannigan's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Rayne, her cousin and business partner Ciara and the folks of McGrath Castle and Grathton village. I really like seeing the progress (and occasional setbacks) that Rayne and Ciara's making to meet the terms of the will. Oh and there's Rayne's lovely loyal dog, Blarney. Brannigan touches on some serious subjects; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, [b:Murder at an Irish Castle|61478248|Murder at an Irish Castle|Ellie Brannigan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1658013623l/61478248._SX50_.jpg|97041789].
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
mysterious
Adult mystery, 2nd in a series. I have been looking forward to reading more of this series so I was excited to see the second book available! I did enjoy listening to the first, but my library only had this one in ebook. Rayne and Ciara are still in their year of trying to make Grathton Castle profitable. They are hosting their first wedding, a secret wedding for an American actor and a hotel heiress. Rayne has had several fittings for the handmade wedding dress, the rooms have been modernized for guest comfort, and there have been a few additions to the staff. But soon after the wedding guests arrive, one of them is found dead. And then strange little things keep happening around the property. Is there a ghost or a saboteur? Can Rayne get the payment she desperately needs after everything that has gone on?
This book was fun to read, though a bit tricky to keep track of all of the characters in the wedding party. Having the guests be very wealthy and connected to Hollywood made for a lot of drama among them. I like the characters at the castle, not just Rayne and Ciara but Amos, Aine, and the others. I hope there will be more Grathton Castle mysteries!
This book was fun to read, though a bit tricky to keep track of all of the characters in the wedding party. Having the guests be very wealthy and connected to Hollywood made for a lot of drama among them. I like the characters at the castle, not just Rayne and Ciara but Amos, Aine, and the others. I hope there will be more Grathton Castle mysteries!
I loved this story right down to the small Irish village, the people (even if they were being rude and protesting the wedding venue), Rayne, her cousin Ciara and her puppy Blarney I really enjoyed all the family dynamics and not all family is blood.
Overall I just loved how the story made me feel and by the end I was smiling, cheering on Rayne and wondering what life had in store for her next.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advance readers copy from Crooked Lane and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall I just loved how the story made me feel and by the end I was smiling, cheering on Rayne and wondering what life had in store for her next.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advance readers copy from Crooked Lane and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.