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myzanm's review against another edition
3.0
Thr mystery it self was rather catching. The main character Maura, not so much. She was so negative it sort of dragged a otherwise good book down a bit. I liked the scenery and the secondary characters because they were well described.
The Irish has always fascinated me a bit and I liked the bit of history I got reading this book.
The Irish has always fascinated me a bit and I liked the bit of history I got reading this book.
ajaggers324's review against another edition
4.0
This is a delightful read. I enjoyed the bits of Ireland history, culture, and descriptions. I'm not sure I would really call this a mystery, but it was definitely an enjoyable read.
nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
Maura Donovan is an Irish American raised in Boston, MA by her grandmother. When her grandmother dies Maura travels to a small town near Cork, Ireland where her grandmother grew up. Her grandmother had only asked one thing of her before her death, and it was to visit her old village. Maura rents a room in a B and B for one week. Her first day there a body is found in the peat bog. The police believe it's been there for 50 to100 years. Meanwhile Maura seems to be attracting the wrong kind of attention. First someone deliberately forces her off a road, then confronts her in a cemetery, and finally attacks her in her bedroom. Why is this happening and is it related to the body in the bog?
This was a good book with typical Irish characters, and of course there's a pub that is an integral part of the story.
This was a good book with typical Irish characters, and of course there's a pub that is an integral part of the story.
itabar's review against another edition
DNF. Heroine didn't appeal to me so 1/6 in I bailed.
marilynsaul's review against another edition
1.0
I really wanted to like this book, but, frankly, not enough body in the bog and way too much of Maura, who absolutely either lived in a box all her life or was from another planet. I quit after she had no idea how word gets around in society ("but how did you find out that [such and such] happened? What? people TALK to one another?"). Her acerbic reaction to anything that happened, her constant analysis that everyone had ulterior motives, her lack of socialization and empathy, were all so off-putting that I wanted to throw her in the bog myself. I moved on to a much better book.
asanford's review against another edition
4.0
A good relaxing read. Sometimes you just need a book that you can read before bed that doesn’t make you think but you still look forward to reading more the next day.
msmelisa's review against another edition
3.0
I like a cozy mystery and we're planning a trip to Ireland this winter so I did enjoy this. Lots of great descriptions of the scenery and the people but I found the main character a bit of a drag. She is described as having a hard life so I'm hoping there is some character development in the next book and she gets a little less prickly.
bookhussy's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jen_baroness_mom's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. Sheila Connolly can truly spin a tale.
Maura Donovan lives in Boston where her whole world has been turned upside down by the passing of her much loved Gran. Gran’s last wish was for Maura to go to County Cork, Ireland where her Gran was married and lived before moving to Boston. Gran has even left her the address of a friend to contact, Bridget Nolan. Mrs. Nolan makes accommodations for Maura’s stay, and other such things.
Maura finds in Ireland a job, friends, family, belonging and mystery. Maura really grows emotionally, grieves for her Gran and finds a whole world her Gran didn’t tell her about. Some opinions that she formed about the Irish in Boston change as she meets the people of Ireland and learns their stories. Maura is strong, stubborn, and quirky. She says what she is thinking. The supporting characters are amusing and witty.
I found myself transported to the Townlands of County Cork. What a wonderful start to a new series. I am looking forward to the next book.
Maura Donovan lives in Boston where her whole world has been turned upside down by the passing of her much loved Gran. Gran’s last wish was for Maura to go to County Cork, Ireland where her Gran was married and lived before moving to Boston. Gran has even left her the address of a friend to contact, Bridget Nolan. Mrs. Nolan makes accommodations for Maura’s stay, and other such things.
Maura finds in Ireland a job, friends, family, belonging and mystery. Maura really grows emotionally, grieves for her Gran and finds a whole world her Gran didn’t tell her about. Some opinions that she formed about the Irish in Boston change as she meets the people of Ireland and learns their stories. Maura is strong, stubborn, and quirky. She says what she is thinking. The supporting characters are amusing and witty.
I found myself transported to the Townlands of County Cork. What a wonderful start to a new series. I am looking forward to the next book.
govmarley's review against another edition
3.0
We are off to Ireland with Maura to visit her grandmother's village to fulfill her dying wish. This book was ok despite Maura, who I found to be a huge bore and a bit rude.
She hops on a plane with little notice and even less thought and is welcomed with open arms by these lovely people. She thanks them by being surly, suspicious, and kind of dense, tbh. But you can tell exactly where this is going because it's book 1 in a series. You know she's going to stay in Ireland, you know there will be a love triangle (even though it's barely hinted at in this one, I'm kind of a cozy expert, so sorry to future spoil you, friends). The mystery ends up making sense in the end and the setting is quaint with some strong supporting characters so I'm in for book 2 at least.
3 stars and you'll probably want to book a trip to Ireland, bog bodies and all.
She hops on a plane with little notice and even less thought and is welcomed with open arms by these lovely people. She thanks them by being surly, suspicious, and kind of dense, tbh. But you can tell exactly where this is going because it's book 1 in a series. You know she's going to stay in Ireland, you know there will be a love triangle (even though it's barely hinted at in this one, I'm kind of a cozy expert, so sorry to future spoil you, friends). The mystery ends up making sense in the end and the setting is quaint with some strong supporting characters so I'm in for book 2 at least.
3 stars and you'll probably want to book a trip to Ireland, bog bodies and all.