Buried in a Bog

County Cork Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Sheila Connolly

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Honoring the wish of her late grandmother, Maura Donovan visits the small Irish village where her Gran was born - though she never expected to get bogged down in a murder mystery. Nor had she planned to take a job in one of the local pubs, but she finds herself excited to get to know the people who knew her Gran. In the pub, she's swamped with drink orders as everyone in town gathers to talk about the recent discovery of a nearly 100-year-old body in a nearby bog. When Maura realizes she may know something about the dead man - and that the body's connected to another, more recent, death - she fears she's about to become mired in a homicide investigation. After she discovers the death is connected to another from almost a century earlier, Maura has a sinking feeling she may really be getting in over her head...

©2013 Sheila Connolly (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Connolly's latest is a captivating tale - sweet, nostalgic, and full of Irish charm, but also tightly plotted and full of twists, turns, and shocking reveals...Connolly's County Cork Mysteries have a ton of promise." (The Maine Suspect)

Small frustrations

I have to say, I'm really not a fan of Amy Rubinate's breathy style. Had I realized she narrated this book, I would not have bought it. And now I have a new reason to dislike her narration - her attempt at a Boston accent is atrocious. At first I didn't know what was going on, as it didn't sound like anything I recognized as a lifelong New Englander. As time went on, I realized what she was trying - but failing - to do. Her Boston accent sounded more like Brooklyn and I found it painful to listen to.

As for the book itself, the plot was decent but the writing was only OK. It felt forced, like she was trying to meet a word count so she'd reiterate things that didn't need to be restated. It just felt clunky.

I'm pretty forgiving and can enjoy even the fluffiest of books, but these two issues really made this one tough to listen to.

Good Story...Bad Narrator

The story was good but... yikes!! the narration..I nearly turned it off twice because the narrator never really had a specific accent. Maura was supposed to be from Boston but she only had a slight Northeast accent at times. Then no accent at all. The narrator's attempt at an Irish accent was abysmal.

21st Century Ireland outside the City.

Bought this book and narration hoping to learn something of current Irish life. It did not disappoint. Assuming the author is knowledgeable, I found an enjoyable walk through “everyday Irish” attitudes and concerns and phrasings and terms and .... The characters “brogues’” in the narration seemed authentic, and the “plot” was well constructed to fit the “real people, realistic life” approach. Very enjoyable!

Great Story!

I really loved this book set in Ireland! It's nice to feel like you step into another country while enjoying a great audible book!

Slow but Interesting first book in a series

I purchase this book when Audible had it’s first in a series sale. Initially it was slow, and I almost decided not to finish it. The narrator took a bit getting used to because I found her Boston accent a little harsh. It would have been foolish to return it because I hadn’t payed much for it in the first place, so I decided to soldered on. I’m glad I did. I enjoyed getting to know these people in Country Cork and the ending was better than expected. I have since put the second book in the series in my wish list.

Prying open an old door

This story reveals a family in a distant world to a young woman who had no hope in her life. The new family brought her what all families bring, stories of good and bad. Secrets revealed and wounds that only time could heal. Lovely read and so different from the others I’ve read recently by Sheila Connolly.

Worth hanging in for

I bought this title because I really like Amy Rubinate. She’s pretty good in this one but I had to get used to her Boston accent.
The story was a little slow at first, but really picked up by the end. I knew pretty quickly who the protagonists were, but there was an additional twist at the end.
I’m going to try the next book in the series and see how the story and characters develop.
Overall, after things started picking up, it was a nice cozy....

A Boston Girl goes Home to Ireland

When Maura Donovan lands in County Cork, the home of her Gran, in a tiny village in Ireland, she is leary of almost everything and everyone she meets. But determined to follow her Gran's last wishes, to go to Ireland, Maura visits the friends who knew her Gran and begins to learn about the simple ways of the Irish. Surprised that everyone knew not only her Gran, but knew about her, Maura is humbled at how different life in a small country village in Ireland is than in the U.S. One thing is the same though, working in a pub . . . and Maura is quickly pushed into service when the locals all show up out of curiosity to gossip about a 100-year old corpse found in the bog nearby. And stranger and stranger they get, as Maura begins to be stalked and threatened by an unknown assailant. Maura realizes the body in the bog and another recent death are somehow related, and after finding a letter in the pub, goes to the local police. Its very interesting to listen as things unfold, in an oh-such-a polite manner . . . an Irish thing . . . none of the slap-the-cuffs on stuff, like we do here in America . . . I think I'm gonna like this series . . . great resolution and unexpected twists and turns make this one I won't forget soon!

Excellent

The tale being set in the Southern of Ireland and the interesting web of local characters and customs make me know I will be back for more. Maura Donovan mysteries have to hooked!

GREAT BEGINNING TO A SERIES!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story introducing readers to Maura Donovan and her discovery of her Irish heritage. Having spent my 25th anniversary in Ireland and visiting it twice a year since, my husband and I bought an Irish home 4 years ago, and stories along these lines will always find a place in my heart. As I am also from New England, a heroine like Maura especially pleased me. I think anyone would enjoy the mind of this brave, fresh-thinking young lady and enjoy her adventures! As for your narrator, what a great job she did presenting all of Sheila's colorful characters. Can't wait to listen to the following books in this promising series!