Murder at an Irish Christmas

By: Carlene O'Connor

Narrated by: Caroline Lennon

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

This December in Kilbane, if you’re planning to warm up with a cuppa tea at Naomi’s Bistro, you may have a bit of a wait - the entire O’Sullivan brood has gone off to West Cork to spend the holidays with brother James’s fiancée Elise’s family, including her grandfather, the famous orchestral conductor Enda Elliot. Siobhán is so happy for James and Elise, but she’s also quietly disappointed that she must put her own wedding to fellow garda Macdara Flannery on hold. Mac will have to join them later, so he can spend part of the holidays with his mam. 

When the O’Sullivans learn everyone will choose a name from a hat to buy a music-related Christmas gift for someone else at the gathering, it seems like their greatest concern - until the cantankerous conductor is discovered crushed under a 90-pound harp in a local concert hall. 

With the extended family - including Enda’s much-younger new wife Leah, a virtuoso violinist - suspected in his murder, it's up to Siobhán to ensure the guilty party faces the music. But as a snowstorm strands both families in a lavish farmhouse on a cliff, Siobhán had better pick up the tempo before the killer orchestrates another untimely demise...

©2020 Carlene O'Connor (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Amazing Series

I came across the first book in the series at the library and thought it sounded interesting so I gave it a try. I was hooked from the beginning. I'm probably not the typical demographic for these books (47 year old married man with four kids) but I have loved every book in the series.

The narration couldn't be any more fitting and well done - from the accent to the humorous pauses to the excited inflections. The books just would not be the same without Caroline narrating them.

At the beginning of the story I got a little lost at the introduction of so many characters all at once. I couldn't keep track of who was who but it didn't take long to get that sorted out in my mind as the story began to play out. Some very likable character and others not so much. I love how the relationship of Flannery and Schioban has gone and that they joke with each other all the time now without either taking offense.

The story line is excellent as usual in Carlene's books. Plenty of clues here and there to lead you along or throw you off. I had a different killer in my mind the whole book and only started to grasp who it most likely was near the ending. Well done!

Wonderful to travel to Ireland for Christmas!

Since I cannot travel right now, the book transported me to Ireland for Christmas and introduced me to some colorful Irish characters. I have loved the whole series of murder mysteries and the O'Sullivan tribe and all the people around them. The Irish Christmas was about a murder that happened when Siobhan is on holiday with all her siblings to spend time with her brother James' fiancé's musical family. But prior to the big Christmas concert, a murder happens and lots of suspects emerge. Despite the fact that the village was not in her jurisdiction, Siobhan soon finds herself up to her neck in mystery. The book has the usual fun and snappy dialog, and the usual complicated people-driven plot. The narrator was perfect for the story too!

Irish series

This was the first of the series I "read" so I struggled to figure out characters, especially in the beginning. If I had started with the first book, the rating would be higher. I did enjoy the Irish!

favorite cozy mystery

really enjoying the Irish Village series. keep them coming. Siobhan O'Sullivan and Macdara Flannery make a great team.

Love the series!

This book was a little slower to get going than the others but it kept me guessing for most of the way! Love the Irish setting and the narrator is AMAZING.

Love this series

Loved the part about teacher trying to correct children's language. Confused as to what accent the prime suspect "Terry"? was supposed to be sounded NZ or Australian, but thought it called him English somewhere in story.

cozy easy listen

I have so enjoyed all the books from this series. Keep writing Carlene and keep reading Caroline!

Love this series!

I've listened to all the books in this series and they've all been wonderful! I constantly check to see when the next book is released and I love listening to Caroline narrate with her Irish accent. this book is especially good because it gives the recipe to the brown bread yummm!

Love her books

This one a little slow to start but once it got going. It really got going.

Can't stop listening....

Another amazing book in this series. I could not put it down. I love the female main character, her boisterous brood of siblings, and the sweetheart of a policeman that has stolen her heart. I highly recommend this well thought out mystery that will keep you smiling and wondering from start to finish.

light with clever social details

I've been listening to many in this series and the characters populate my 'home from home'. I think many of our souls have been a tad ravaged by world events of recent years .The presiding , down to earth morality and the light banter in this Irish murder tale is a balm to the soul .
a talented and engaging narrator!

I adore this book series!

Another fantastic story from Carlene O'Connor, she is my new favourite author. Caroline Lennon is amazing as the narrator she brings the characters to life and I can picture them in my head. I have binged these books. This one is wonderful I really like the story, I would of liked a bit more in the end, with the family, but that's just a small complaint. The family are so likable and fun I could listen to their banter for ages. The story was interesting and fun, I was wrong with who I thought the murderer was.