Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: Dead in Dublin by Catie Murphy

 

Today I'm participating in the Dead in Dublin Blog Tour.  In this post you'll find book and author information along with my review.  And be sure to enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a print copy of the book.


About the book . . .

 

Dead in Dublin (The Dublin Driver Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Kensington (December 31, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1496724186
ISBN-13: 978-1496724182
Digital ASIN: B07Q3NPNFB
 

Synopsis . . .  In Dublin’s fair city, where the girls are so pretty, murder occurs at the feet of sweet Molly Malone . . .

Ferrying tourists around Dublin for the Leprechaun Limo Service makes quite a change after years in the military. Still, Megan Malone is enjoying her life in Ireland. She likes the scenery, the easy pace, the quirky, quick-witted locals. Everything—except having one of her clients drop dead at the statue of fabled fishmonger, Molly Malone.

Most restaurant critics notch up their share of enemies. Elizabeth Darr, however, was a well-loved international star. She and her husband, Simon, had just had dinner when Elizabeth collapsed, and spoiled seafood is the first suspect. The restaurant’s owner, worried her business is doomed, begs Megan to look into it. Between her irate boss and a handsome Garda who’s both amused and annoyed by her persistence, Megan has her hands full even before she’s cajoled into taking care of two adorable Jack Russell puppies (which she is almost definitely not keeping). But if cockles and mussels aren’t to blame, can Megan find the real culprit . . .before another fishy death occurs?


My review . . . Megan Malone has been living in Dublin for the past three years after a career as an Army combat medic.  The native Texan has made a new circle of eclectic friends and thrives on early morning visits to the gym and meeting tourists whom she chauffeurs around town in style.  Megan's routine takes an unexpected turn, however, when one of her current clients dies shortly after having a meal at a new local restaurant.  The deceased client was highly-respected food critic Liz Darr, and the restaurant co-owner/chef is Megan's pal Fionn.

Megan is immediately drawn into investigating the circumstances, hoping to clear Fionn's reputation before her restaurant is ruined.  What really caused Liz's death?  Megan and Fionn are both sure it couldn't have been food poisoning.  The plot thickens when less than 48 hours later, Martin Rafferty, the restaurant's co-owner is found murdered.  Are the two deaths somehow related?

Megan's inquiries and leads take her to various points of interest in Dublin, where she crosses paths with Detective Paul Bourke of the Irish Garda, who is also investigating the deaths.  They form a collaborative relationship that ultimately leads to solving the case after various twists and turns.

Murphy has created a delightful environment and cast of characters in the new Dublin Driver series set in Ireland.  In addition to the fast-moving plot and ample number of suspects and red herrings, the story is filled with entertaining Irish witticisms, local vernacular, and an insider's view of the city.  The author has also planted the seeds for further character development and adventures sure to please cozy mystery fans and armchair travelers alike.

The next book in the series, Death on the Green, will be published in September 2020.


Giveaway . . . Click this link for a chance to win one of three print copies of Dead in Dublin.  (U.S. residents only.)



About the author . . . 

Catie Murphy, who has written numerous award-winning fantasy and sci-fi books under the pseudonym C. E. Murphy, began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her—a six-year-old kid—to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs often seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better. She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.


Author link . . .   Website


Purchase links . . .    Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Kensington

  

Tour Participants . . .
January 13 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW
January 13 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
January 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 14 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW
January 14 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
January 15 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
January 15 – Carole’s Book Corner – REVIEW
January 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 16 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
January 17 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – GUEST POST
January 18 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 18 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 18 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
January 19 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
January 20 – The Cozy Pages – REVIEW
January 20 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 21 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
January 21 – ebook addicts – REVIEW
January 21 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
January 22 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 22 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW  
January 22 – A Holland Reads – REVIEW

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of Dead in Dublin from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

This Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Sharing this original post on Twitter and/or other book-related blogs with appropriate recognition is appreciated.