4/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Ellie Brannigan for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series. The main character is a bridalwear designer who gets blindsided by her now ex-boyfriend who has stolen all of the money out of their business bank account and all of the dresses she has been working on for her brides.

At the same time all of this is happening, Rayne gets a call to go to Ireland and here her uncle's will be read. She discovers she has inherited a run-down family castle; however, this comes with a few caveats - including, the fate of the entire village.

The main mystery of this book in the series is finding out if her uncle's death was actually an accident, which her cousin - the uncle's illegitimate daughter - believes was a murder.

This is such an intriguing cozy mystery. You get to follow the main character as she is trying to figure out if her uncle was murdered or not, debating on following her uncle's last wishes from his will, and hoping the police back in the US find her bride's dresses and her con man ex-boyfriend.

The book also contains a small Irish village. Village locals who are like family and always look out for each other. Family members who butt heads. And of course, murders,

I highly recommend this book/series to anyone who wants to read a cozy mystery series, especially one set in a different country - specifically Ireland.

I really enjoyed this first book in series. I enjoyed Rayne and all she was going through and thought it was different for a cozy. The only thing I really didn't like was the cousin who was so annoying. I mean I get where she was coming from but she was so rude and annoying. I am very curious to read the next book in hopes that the cousin is nicer and I am curious to see how Rayne and the gang fix up the castle, etc.

I enjoyed this story with all the characters within. The main character was Rayne McGrath.

Rayne McGrath is a bridalwear designer. On her thirtieth birthday she is to meet up with her fiance and have lunch with him. But he doesn't show up. When he doesn't show up she calls and go looking for him. What she finds out surprise her a lot. Because now she not sure what to do. She also finds out that her uncle has pasted and he has left her something. But if she wants it. She must go to Ireland.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure and suspense throughout. It had a few giggles within. It was fun trying to solve the mystery within.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

I found this book to be so boring. I didn't like the story or the characters. the only thing I liked about this book was the dog.

I can't recommend it.

Murder at an Irish Castle is the first in the Irish Castle Mystery Series by Ellie Brannigan. This book opens with protagonist, Rayne McGrath, celebrating her 30th birthday. Her birthday is filled with a couple of not so nice surprises. The first surprise comes when she discovers that her boyfriend and business partner has absconded with all of the money that was in the business bank account as well as the wedding dresses that she has designed for the business. The second is a letter informing her of the death of her uncle in Ireland and a request that she travel to Ireland for the reading of his will. Upon her arrival, she is stunned to find out that her uncle had an illegitimate daughter and that he has left his castle estate to Rayne on the condition that she remain in Ireland and manage the castle for a period of at least one year, with her cousin's help. It is also soon discovered that her uncle's death may not have been the accident that was initially presumed.

Even though this book is a first in series, the author does an excellent job of creating the history of the characters and quickly builds on that to bring forth an engaging story that thrives on the conflicts that are inherent when there are secrets and distance within a family structure. By giving the main characters in this book a conflicted relationship beginning, the author has built in an underlying tension that can further be utilized to ultimately strengthen the bonds as the characters overcome the obstacles placed in their path and force them to better work together. I found the struggles and challenges of the characters to be quite realistic and kept my interest as they found the solutions to not only the dynamics of their relationships but also their ability to work together to resolve the murder and bring the culprits to justice.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Rayne McGrath expected her 30th birthday to be wonderful and joyous. Instead it was heart-breaking and awful. Instead of the brilliant career as a wedding designer, she watches as her business collapses through no fault of her own. The she is notified that her uncle in Ireland has passed away. She is torn--she doesn't want to leave with everything in a mess, but she feels an obligation to go to her uncle's funeral. He father died when she was little, but she still has memories of visiting the family "Manor" and playing with her cousin. Now there is no one left. Her Father, aunt, uncle, and cousin are all gone. When she gets there, she is in for a surprise, there are new people ate the Manor and she has inherited the Manor. The rub is, she has to live there for a year and manage it. Then she finds out that her uncle might have been murdered.

This was a fun cozy which is staged in a small village in Ireland. The characters are quirky--some you love, others not so much. You also aren't sure who to trust. Several suspects come up as Rayne starts to ask questions.

I enjoyed this story. There were time I wanted to smack a couple of the characters, but they evolved and grew-up. Fun story and a nice escape.

This is a 3.5 review. While I enjoyed the book it was not much of a mystery. Rayne's LA business and life have fallen apart when she discovers that she has inherited part of an Irish Castle. She also discovers she has a cousin who has also inherited the other half castle. It is up to them to make the castle profitable. There was some mystery about the death of her uncle Nevin but it is secondary and it is solved quickly at the end of the book. It was very obvious who the killer was. I did not like Rayne as a character but I did like some of the secondary characters. I also liked the Irish and the Castle setting. It was a quick read

⭐⭐

Murder at an Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan is a cozy mystery novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey to Ireland. The book follows the story of Rayne McGrath, a bridal wear designer who unexpectedly inherits a run-down family castle in Ireland from her uncle. However, there’s a catch - if she doesn’t renovate and revive the castle within a year, the town will be financially destroyed. As Rayne delves deeper into her uncle’s death, she realizes that it might not have been an accident after all.

Although the setting of the book is charming and picturesque, I personally found every character to be unlikable apart from the dog. The mystery aspect of the book was weak as well and didn’t keep me hooked throughout. Overall, I love cozy mysteries set in Ireland, but this one didn’t meet my expectations. I wouldn’t recommend continuing with this series if you’re looking for a strong mystery plot and relatable characters.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

I really enjoyed this book. Rayne McGrath's thirtieth birthday turned out to be the complete opposite of what she thought it would be. Then she gets the news that she has received an inheritance from an uncle in Ireland. He has left her a run-down family castle. There are a few things that she must agree to or she will lose the castle. The whole town that belongs to the castle is counting on Rayne to restore the castle and help it make money again. Some people don't believe that her uncle's death was an accident. Will she be able to get the castle running smoothly again in time or will she lose everything once again?

Cute book, quick read. This is a good book for someone wanting something light without getting too involved. It didn't have the depth of other things I was reading at the time, but I know there is a place for a book that is complete escape. There was more fashion description than I cared about, but I know others might love this part of the story. Lovely narrator. Not terribly believable.

Ireland, and castles, and murder, oh my! What's not to like? This book contains all of the right ingredients for an engaging cozy mystery. You will love the main character, Rayne, and even come to love her persnickety cousin. The setting can't be beat and you'll easily get lost in this well planned mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Wedding dress designer Rayne McGrath was looking forward to her thirtieth birthday. She has a boutique on Rodeo Drive, a career she loves and a fiancé. Little does she expect that fiancé to disappear with her stock and her money, but that’s what happens.

Her Uncle Nevin passes away in Ireland and at the insistence of his lawyer, she journeys to Ireland for the reading of his will. That’s when she discovers she’s inherited a castle…with a few strings attached, like staying in Ireland and having to turn the castle around within a year. If she doesn’t, the local village will be ruined financially. To complicate things, she’s forced to work with her cousin Ciara, who doesn’t want her there, who believes Rayne will fail and who believes her father, Rayne’s Uncle Nevin, was the victim of foul play.

As she battles with her personal issues, Rayne takes on the responsibilities of the castle and the village. The mystery really takes the background to Rayne’s growth, her new budding relationship and the solutions to saving the castle and village. Yes, it’s solved in the end, but it’s really kind of a back burner storyline through the book. It mostly consisted of calling the local garda to see if they’d made any progress in solving the crime until just near the end.

This is the beginning of a new series.

Murder at an Irish Castle has a bit of everything, a castle, wedding gowns, fraud, and a few more things thrown in. This is the first book in a new series by Ellie Brannigan, aka Traci Hall. I loved the premise of this story; inheriting a castle is a dream for many, and I like how the author didn’t sugarcoat the problems of taking care of such an imposing property. The Irish countryside is beautiful and lush and the perfect backdrop for the castle. Bring in gorgeous wedding gowns and an LA/Hollywood designer, and you have all the makings of a good, cozy read.

The story wasn’t hard to believe, and the evidence leading to the unveiling of a killer was easy to follow. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of work to like the characters. Rayne, a wedding gown designer and daughter of a Hollywood star, was ripped off by her partner and boyfriend. Ciara, the illegitimate daughter of Rayne’s uncle, is a bad-tempered, judgemental person with few traits worthy of a starring role. I was surprised that she wasn’t the victim. The other characters all have good and bad qualities, which is okay, but it makes it hard to like any of them or get to know them very well. Most of the suspects work at the castle, with many living there their entire lives. But there is just something about the whole group that seems off. The best character in this book is the dog, Blarney.

I enjoyed aspects of the castle work as described and the commitment from the characters to make the property succeed. I also liked Rayne’s commitment to completing the wedding gowns that her clients had already purchased, even though her boyfriend/partner took everything, including the gowns, and left Rayne holding the bag. The killer’s identity will surprise most readers, but the motive doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I know this series will grow and change as all new series do; I just hope the characters get to be more likable and relatable in the next edition.

Ellie Brannigan aka Traci Hall has written a brand new cozy mystery series that I have immediately fell in love with. Her main character definitely goes through some trying times, but her character is just amazing. With her Uncle's death questionable, Rayne not only finds some much needed truth, but her growth is this book was exceptional. Getting over what happened on her birthday was no easy pill to swallow, but Rayne proves she's more sturdier than she thought. I am on pins and needles waiting for the next book .

Rayne McGrath owns a wedding dress boutique in California on Rodeo Drive. It's her birthday and she plans to meet her business partner, Landon at the shop. When she gets there, she finds a screwdriver shoved in the lock. She tries calling Landon but it goes straight to voicemail. She drives to his home and finds it empty. She calls the police and Lauren, her mother. She finds out her business account is also empty. Her mother lets her know that her Uncle Nevin died. Rayne needs to go to Ireland to meet with the solicitor. She meets her cousin, Ciara at the airport and they go to the meeting. Ciara is kind of mean and annoying. Rayne inherits the castle and has to stay in Ireland for one year. Ciara is convinced her Da was killed. The police start to investigate.

I enjoyed this book and the main characters redeemed themselves in the end. I'm excited that this is a new series and I'm excited to see what happens next.

An excellent, engaging start to a new cozy mystery series. I loved the main character and of course the Irish castle setting!

I don't really know how to rate this. I expected a cozy mystery set at an Irish castle set within a traditional cozy framework. This is more like women's fiction, not a cozy. The "murder" mystery was very much in the background of the main plot of two cousins who butt heads over an inherited farm and must learn to work together to make it work. Rayne was a very irritating protagonist. She is very stereotypical Los Angeles, and she comes across as out of touch, oblivious, and a bit vain. I enjoyed watching Rayne and Kira's relationship develop as they get to know each other. The setting only felt Irish when the characters were talking while I was listening to the audiobook. The writing was great, and I did enjoy the descriptions. I just feel like this was advertised to the wrong market. I will definitely try more books by this author.

A cozy mystery introducing Rayne McGrath, a wedding dress designer. When Rayne realizes she has been the victim of a major theft, she flies to Ireland when her Uncle’s lawyer calls her for the reading of the will. Inheriting a castle, meeting a cousin she didn’t know she had, and discovering how her Uncle died from the basis of the story. I really enjoyed this one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Murder at an Irish Castle Earns 5/5 Furry Buddies…Engaging & Clever Gem!

Worst birthday ever! And to compound the horrors of her thirtieth birthday, her mother reveals her father’s older brother, Uncle Nevin, died in a tragic tractor accident. The lawyer, Owen Hughes, stressed how important it is for Rayne to be present at the reading of the will, but with her local mess, no funds, wedding gowns stolen, and clients wanting their dresses, how can she travel to Ireland? How could she not?

Arriving in Dublin after a long, long flight, a kind stranger and a rum & coke easing her apprehension, she’s met by Ciara Smith, a prickly young woman who tells Rayne their first stop has to be with the solicitor in Grathton, the small village where her father’s childhood home is located. She remembers some of the manor from her visits with her father years ago, and for an eleven year old, McGrath Castle was a monstrous place, grounds as big as any park, and from her father’s stories, very magical, but now, it’s hers … all hers … a personal dilemma the codicil of ownership makes worse. Rayne has twenty-four hours to accept or decline her inheritance. The illegitimate daughter of her Uncle Nevin, and her previously unknown cousin, Ciara, is understandably unhappy with her limited mention in the will, but the conundrum is real. Accept and leave behind her business, her life, her passion? Decline and destroy people’s livelihoods, destroy a village, destroy a family’s three-century legacy? And what would happen to Blarney, the Irish Setter puppy, that’s taken a shine to her and her to him? But, the greater question, and one Rayne finds compelling: was her uncle’s death really suspicious?

Ellie Brannigan has penned a delightful cozy mystery starring a young woman who learns she’s stronger and more capable to survive hardships than she thought. Rayne is confronted with an engaging dilemma about family, obligation, and consequences of one’s actions, and ultimately her decision could create irreparable harm. Of course, with her cousin taking every opportunity to criticize, condemn, and express contempt, the drama has a compelling dynamic to follow. The question about whether or not the uncle was murdered and suspicions about alibis of some close to the uncle ramp up the complexity of the story. The fraud and theft situation with Landon is peripheral, and yet important, it’s outside the case at hand. The details, though, provide insights into Rayne’s common ground she finds with others, explains her cautious attitude with a “single” heartthrob, and adds one more layer to her personality. Of course, the build up and the final arrest was truly a shocking surprise!

Ellie Brannigan’s writing style used a traditional cozy formula, but the investigation plays out differently. Rayne does not forsake her responsibilities to her friends and family, her business, or the mandates set out in the will to go off and investigate her uncle’s death. She, often not alone, goes about her daily work stumbling on clues or curious pieces of evidence that she then shares with the local garda; not to say she doesn’t take the opportunity to snoop, interrogate, and run afoul of the police. It is engaging as she finds ways to fulfill her business contracts and employ help from those near her along with learning the inner workings, profitability, and viable income streams for the manor and those who rely on it. Romance? There’s a hint, if Amos Lowell, the epitome of a Viking hero, is any indication. My one complaint, well, not really a complaint, more like a “who wouldn’t” observation, is … who wouldn’t relish wanting to be called “milady” or “Lady McGrath”? I sure would! Isn’t it every girl’s dream to be the Lady of the Manor wielding control over upstairs/downstairs? I know it’s mine.

I liked the mystery and it kept me guessing. I liked the ending.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.