Former New Yorker and interior designer Tara Meehan is eagerly anticipating the grand opening of her architectural salvage shop Renewals in her newly adopted home of Galway. She’s in the midst of preparations when heiress Veronica O’Farrell bursts in to announce she’s ready for some renewal of her own. To celebrate one year of sobriety, she’s invited seven people she wronged in her drinking days to historic Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in neighboring Connemara to make amends in style.
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But perhaps one among them is not so eager to pardon her past misdeeds. Veronica is found lying in the ruins of manor house Clifden Castle with an antique Tara Brooch buried in her heart—the same brooch Tara Meehan admired in her shop the day before, posting a photo with the caption: #Killerbrooch. Now she’s a prime suspect, along with Veronica’s guests, all of whom had motives to stab the heiress. It’s up to Tara to pin down the guilty party . . .
Release Date:Â Jul 27, 2021
Series: Home to Ireland
Book:Â 2
Publisher:Â KensingtonÂ
Price: $6.99
Tara Meehan has relocated from New York City to Galway, Ireland. She is eager for the grand opening of the salvage shop she will be running with her uncle. While preparing for the big day, heiress Veronica O’Farrell hires Tara to host an event for her at her new shop in which the newly sober Veronica can make amends to people she hurt when she was drinking. Tara is also to choose a gift for each of these seven people as part of Veronica’s apology. However, things turn deadly when Veronica is murdered. Tara and the other guests become the main suspects, and Tara must do some sleuthing of her own to clear her name and find the real killer.
This book is the second in the series, and although I was a little worried since I hadn’t read the initial book, I was able to quickly catch up. I really enjoyed the Irish setting and the details the author includes about the area, especially the castles, to create a realistic atmosphere for the story. I think the setting and the way the author makes it come alive, is my favorite part of the book. The characters are interesting as well. Tara is a likeable, but sometimes pushy, main character. She is a clever, but not perfect, amateur sleuth. This is sometimes frustrating, but makes Tara seem more realistic than if she was a flawless detective.
There are plenty of people with motives for the murder which makes the investigation more interesting. I thought I knew who the killer was, but I was wrong and was surprised when everything was revealed at the end. There is a potential love interest for Tara, but I’m glad the author is taking that part of the story slowly because I’m not sure Danny is the right guy for her. Time will tell what happens next for this potential couple.
I’ve read a few books in the author’s Irish Village series and think fans of that series will also like this one. Overall, it is an evenly-paced, enjoyable mystery with an interesting take on the transplant to a new city/country theme that many cozies share.The touch of humor throughout the story adds to the enjoyment. Readers who are unfamiliar with this author, but like Sheila Connolly’s County Cork series, will want to give O’Connor’s Home to Ireland series a try.
~ Christine
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