I enjoyed this light mystery/women’s fiction novel by Ellie Brannigan. I didn’t want it to end. One of my favourite archetypes is the "lucky fool," and MURDER AT AN IRISH CASTLE brings Rayne McGrath – fool to be in love with a cad – to Ireland, where her luck turns. Devastated by the theft of her savings and the stock in her bridalwear store, Rayne, who grew up in Los Angeles with a TV star mother, only wants to put Modern Lace Bridal Boutique back in business. Her Uncle Nevin has passed away in Ireland, and her presence is requested at the will reading. Thinking she’ll inherit a painting or antique, Rayne accepts a plane ticket from her mom and departs.
The first shock is meeting Ciara Smith, who has a giant chip on her shoulder. Ciara turns out to be Nevin’s natural daughter, so she resents not having had a childhood with her father, and recently trained in managing the estate. Because McGrath Castle, along with the sheep and horses and Blarney the red setter, is on the table. And the will grants it to Rayne.
The strict conditions of the will require Rayne to live at the dilapidated castle and make it turn a profit, while helping the nearby Grathton Village prosper. If she can succeed in just a year, she’s free and clear, otherwise, it’s not so good. First things first, thinks this organised lady; let’s meet the locals, look around, call Mom. Oh, but there is no reliable internet. I can well imagine Rayne’s constant frustration at being unable to Google something or book something, with her boutique going down the drain.
The murder referred to in the title is a strong suspicion by Ciara that an evil deed was done to end Nevin’s life. Nobody else seems to believe this. As an outsider, the impractically dressed Rayne has the advantage of suspecting everyone, but getting the two young women to work together may prove the toughest challenge of the tale.
The characters are quite varied, but my favourite was Lauren, Rayne’s mom. Buoyed by her career, she’s too dependent on one show, which has disadvantages. She’s practical and generous, and available to give advice, but the call drops, which serves to emphasise the connection and distance between Rayne’s past life and her unexpected new one.
Fans of Hannah Dennison and Carlene O’Connor’s mysteries are in for a treat with Ellie Brannigan’s captivating debut cozy mystery, complete with a sharp and endearing protagonist.
Rodeo Drive bridalwear designer Rayne McGrath expected her thirtieth birthday to start with a power lunch and end with champagne, lobster, and a diamond engagement ring from her fiancé. Instead, flat-broke and busted, she’s on a plane to Ireland where she discovers that she’s inherited a run-down family castle. Uncle Nevin’s will contains a few caveats—for example, if Rayne doesn’t turn McGrath Castle around within a year, the entire village will be financially destroyed.
With the fate of the town in her hands, and rumors that Rayne’s uncle’s death wasn’t actually an accident, she can’t possibly go back to her old life in L.A. As the devastating truth about her uncle dawns on Rayne, it’s not just her reputation that’s on the line, it’s her life.
Featuring a sharp and endearing protagonist, a colorful and quirky locale, and replete with twists and turns befitting an old Irish village, the first in Brannigan’s mystery series transports us to a milieu as romantic as it is deadly.
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