Murder in an Irish Village by Carlene O'Connor is a charming, cozy mystery set in the picturesque village of Kilbane, Ireland. The story kicks off with an intriguing and unexpected murder at Naomi’s Bistro, leading Siobhán O’Sullivan and her family into a whirlwind of mystery and danger. O'Connor does a fantastic job creating a tight-knit community, and the family dynamics between the O’Sullivans are both heartwarming and relatable.

The mystery itself is full of fun twists and turns, keeping readers engaged with plenty of suspects and secrets to uncover. Siobhán is a likable and determined protagonist, and her determination to clear her family’s name adds an emotional depth to the story.

That said, the world-building and the large number of characters can sometimes slow the pacing down. There are a lot of side characters and local details introduced, which, while adding depth to the setting, occasionally made the plot feel a bit cluttered and detracted from the main mystery. However, the twists and the eventual resolution of the crime are satisfying and keep the story on track.

Overall, Murder in an Irish Village is a delightful read for fans of cozy mysteries. While the world-building and number of characters could have been a bit more streamlined, the engaging mystery and endearing characters make it a fun and enjoyable read.

DNF'd this one for now, I tried it in audio and the narrator didn't work for me. I couldn't get into the story. I might pick up again later.

I really enjoyed this first book in this series, totally forgot to come here and talk about it. I love all things Irish so loved it!

I read a Christmas Short Story by this and enjoyed it so much I went back to read her cozy mystery series. This is the first book in the series. The Sullivan Six have had a heartbreaking year when their parents are killed in a car accident. Siobhan is now the head of the family, raising her brothers and sisters and keeping the family bistro open. When the brother of the driver of the car that killed their parents is found dead in the bistro the family falls under suspicion. To clear the family name Siobhan sets out to solve the crime. I really liked village setting and the characters. The mystery was good and the solution made sense. I look for word to reading the next book in the series. Enjoy this fun cozy

Siobhan is determined to find the real murderer in her small town, even with everyone telling her to let the Garda solve it. Started a little slow fir me, but I was thoroughly engaged by midway through the book. Looking forward to the next one.
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