Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Many a Twist - Cozy Mystery Review


Rating: Very Good
Source: NetGalley

Description:
Pub owner Maura Donovan hasn’t seen her mother for over twenty years, so when she suddenly shows up in Maura’s pub, Maura’s not sure what to expect. Her mother is trying to find a life for herself back home and has taken up a position working with the new owners of the Crann Mor hotel just outside Skibbereen. Until her new boss is found dead in the gardens, dumped down the hillside behind the hotel.

Now, trying to rekindle the relationship they’ve lost, Maura must investigate in order to clear her mother’s name. It’s not so easy though, as long-time residents of County Cork, including the families of her employee Mick, and the family of the deceased hotel owner, have bottled deep dark family secrets not meant to be uncorked. And someone will kill to keep them that way.

How far would you go to protect your family? Maura tests the age-old question in Many a Twist, the charming and atmospheric sixth County Cork mystery from New York Times bestselling author Sheila Connolly.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:
  I've been a big fan of Connolly for years and I've really wanted to read more in her County Cork series.

My Impression:
  I'd read the first book in this series years ago so I was a little worried about jumping in several books later.  However, there really weren't any problems getting caught up in what Maura's been up to in the time between the books.  She owns the pub she worked in and has become much more involved in life in the little Irish town.  However, she still has a bit of an edge to her and is resistant to really letting people into her life or asking for help from those around her.  She's also not looking to change the pub and is highly resistant to working with Crann Mor, a fancy hotel that doesn't seem to have much in common with her pub.

The mystery kept me hooked.  While the victim, John Byrne, wasn't the most liked person it doesn't seem like anyone hated him either.  There is lots of gossip collecting and brain storming and I really enjoyed seeing the motive and killer become clear.

I can never resist a book with an Irish setting and I really loved the descriptions of the world that Maura inhabits.  It makes me want to go visit Cork ASAP!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?
  I definitely would!  Connolly is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors and I'm really looking forward to catching up on all her series.

Would I Recommend this Book?
  If you enjoy cozy mysteries with very well developed settings I think you'd enjoy this book.  It can be read as a stand alone but I think it'd be even better if you read the series in order.

10 comments:

  1. I've been to Cork and got lost driving in the city, lol! I also like an Irish setting but nor sure if the cozy factor would be for me. Still, a pub, in Ireland and a mystery has it's appeal.

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  2. I have heard good things about this series. Have read books in Connolly's series about the apple orchard - think that was it. Has been a while though. I'm really trying to get myself to jump right into series books - wherever they are in the series. Otherwise, there are so many that I'll likely never get to try.

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  3. I can't imagine not seeing my mother for over twenty years when she was alive. The books sounds good.

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  4. Ooh Irish setting does sound fun, and that cover is quite atmospheric. Glad this was good!

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  5. I've read the first two in this series, and I'm looking forward to this one. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I've been wanting to read her series. Her books look so good.

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  7. This sounds like a fun mystery. I haven't read this author before but this sounds like a series worth checking out.

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  8. Sounds like a good read and I like the idea of the renewal of mother/daughter relationship.

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  9. I love an Irish setting too. I haven't read this author before, but this does sound like a great series. I am glad jumping in several books later wasn't a problem. I will have to give this series a try.

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  10. Love when there's a good setting like that. Sounds like a nice read!

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