The Mystery of Mercy Close

By: Marian Keyes

Narrated by: Caroline Lennon

Length: 15 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

As the youngest of the five Walsh girls, Helen has had a tough time finding her way in the world. At 33, her job as a private investigator has proven less than fruitful and after losing her apartment, she’s moved back in with Mammy Walsh. In desperation, Helen takes on a case to locate the missing member of a once wildly popular boy band. The only hitch is that she has to work with her ex-boyfriend.

Marian Keyes’s newest novel is a charming, bittersweet story about a woman trying to work her way back from the depths of despair.

©2013 Marian Keyes (P)2013 Recorded Books

Just meh

Some classic funny moments but the story was too drawn out. Marian always touches on the realities of depression so it was no surprise that it featured so prominently however the secondary story of the disappearance was wanting. I really did not care about Wayne, where he was etc. Artie on the other hand was worth exploring.

Hysterical Break from the norm

Would you listen to The Mystery of Mercy Close again? Why?

Yes, I like the book because M. Keyes has the gift of telling funny stories that resonate with real family life in only that absurd way that family life actually is when nobody is watching.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Mystery of Mercy Close?

All the best moments of the always seem to revolve around her parents. And a couple with the Laddz.

What does Caroline Lennon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Caroline brings great timing with the quips in the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Moved me to hold my belly from laughing - too many to count.

Any additional comments?

I want more Walsh family drama!!!

Keeps you on the edge of your seat

Love this character and cheered her on all the way through. Looking forward to reading other books about the Walsh clan.

I wouldn't want to know the characters

I'm usually a big fan of Marian Keyes. Her stories are entertaining, have interesting characters who have interesting relationships. I was really disappointed in "The Mystery of Mercy Close". I went through half of the book and still didn't care about any of the characters. More than that, I didn't like them at all. If a character wasn't a jerk, they were just flat. I'm not off Marian Keyes altogether, but I don't recommend this one at all.

I love this book.

I rarely re-listen to books, and yet I've listened to this one 3 times in 3 years, and I really wish there were more Helen Walsh mystery books.

This book is my favorite Walsh family book, and I love them all. But this one-- Helen is a flawed character, for sure, and yet I forgive her all her quirky brutality for her unexpected kindnesses and appreciation of other people's better selves, like her respect for Wayne's family's protectiveness of him, and her concern for the people in the small town of Docker's house. Even her concern for the broken window and open gate at Docker's house. She's a good person, even if she wouldn't want that information to get out.

Anyway. Love this book. I'll miss it, and will probably listen to it again next year.

I love Marian Keyes

I cannot say enough good things about Marian Keyes. I love her character development; her insight into depression and anxiety. Reading her books is comforting and laugh out loud funny all at the same time. I only wish she wrote more books, as I have read every single one.

Marian Keyes is my favorite author!

All Marian Keyes books get an automatic five star rating from me, since she is my favorite author. She creates characters that I want to revisit again and again. I wish that audible would carry all of her unabridged titles. Especially the Walsh sister series. I have read them all, and I find myself feeling like the characters that she creates are my dear friends. This particular Walsh sister title is not my favorite, but it is still a good book. The characters are great, as always, but the private detective mystery portion of the story could be a little slow at times. But I did love the main character, and her relationship with her boyfriend. As well as the subject matter that covers depression. Marian Keyes always manages to make serious subjects interesting and funny. I was crying by the last half hour.

My new favorite book!

Can’t say enough about this book, author amazing! Narrator amazing-er!!
I laughed, I cried, I laughed again, and again, and again!!
Saving it for a definite re-listen.

If only I could give more stars

Protagonist is absurd

Narrator is excellent
Mammy Walsh is a delight
This Walsh daughter is extremely repellent and the story boron. Stopped listening so many times.

Another wonderful book in this series

I absolutely love this series. The books actually seem to get better. Marian Keyes deals with serious issues with nuance, heart and respect while making her characters memorable. The narrator is pitch perfect!