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MURDER IN AN IRISH BOOKSHOP, by Carlene O’Connor, is the seventh book in the Irish Village Mysteries. While I haven’t had the time to keep up with the entire series, I have read several. Without a doubt, each new book keeps getting better than the last… which is hard to do since I think they’ve all been terrific reads from the very first! Protagonist, Siobhán O’Sullivan, isn’t your typical cozy mystery heroine either. Over the course of the series she’s gone from an amateur sleuth trying to run her family’s Irish restaurant (while raising her younger siblings after the untimely death of their parents), to becoming a professional garda, aka The Guardian of the Peace. It’s been a particularly satisfying character arc to watch as Siobhán, along with the supporting characters, grows both personally and professionally. I had the good fortune to visit Ireland last year and I appreciate how Ms. O’Connor captures the setting of Ireland along with the words and mannerisms of the citizens. It made me feel like I was still there, experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of this endearing country, especially as she portrays the small Irish village where Siobhán resides.
Ms. O’Connor sets up the mystery to capture the imagination of the reader and the intrigue starts from the very beginning. I was charmed by the new bookstore in town and how the owners showcase Irish writers. The author does an admirable job weaving several mentions of notable authors and their works into the plot without detracting from the pacing. When one of the visiting authors is murdered in the bookshop, surrounded by a group of people, Siobhán and her fiancé, Macdara Flannery find they have a complex mystery to solve. Ms. O’Connor’s attention to detail and the multifaceted clues that were revealed as the story progressed, had me glued to the pages from the very start of the book until I’d read the last word. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and the opportunity to be transported to the Emerald Isle for another captivating mystery!
Siobhán’s family owns Naomi’s Bistro in the village of Kilbane, Ireland. They serve up all sorts of mouthwatering dishes and treats and I was happy to see that Ms. O’Connor included a recipe at the back of her book for Eoin’s Irish Stew. While my husband thought there could’ve been a larger meat to potato ratio, I appreciated the emphasis on vegetables instead of meat. Despite his wish for more beef (he was raised in the midwest after all), we both found Eoin’s Irish Stew to be hearty and chock full of flavor. This warming bowl of stew is the perfect dinner for a chilly night or a simple reheat for a filling lunch the next day!
Amazon Synopsis
Between training the new town garda and trying to set a wedding date with her fiancé, Macdara Flannery, Siobhán O’Sullivan is feeling a bit overwhelmed. She’s looking forward to visiting the new bookshop and curling up with an exciting novel—only to discover the shelves contain nothing but Literature with a capital L. The owner not only refuses to stock romances, mysteries, and science fiction, but won’t even let customers enter his store unless they can quote James Joyce or Sean Hennessey.
Despite the owner deliberately limiting his clientele, he’s hosting a reading and autographing event featuring up and coming Irish writers who will be taking up residency in Kilbane for a month. Among them is indie author Deirdre Walsh, who spends more time complaining about the unfairness of the publishing industry and megastar bestsellers instead of her own creative works, causing a heated debate among the writers. She seems to have a particular distaste for the novels of Nessa Lamb.
Then Deirdre’s body is found the next day in the back of the store—with pages torn from Nessa’s books stuffed in her mouth. Now, Siobhán must uncover which of Kilbane’s literary guests took Deirdre’s criticisms so personally they’d engage in foul play . . .
A special thanks to Carlene O’Connor for providing a winner with a print copy of MURDER IN AN IRISH BOOKSHOP. Contest ends Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 1-1/2 pounds stewing beef - cut into chunks
- 1-1/2 ounces (1/3 cup) flour
- 1/4 cup oil (extra virgin olive or vegetable oil)
- 2 beef stock cubes dissolved in 1 pint of water
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup Guinness Extra Stout
- 1 cup heavy red wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon brown sauce (A1 Original Steak Sauce)
- 2 tablespoons Irish butter
- 3 carrots and/or parsnips, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 - 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh cut parsley
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Sprinkle salt and four on the beef pieces.
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Heat the olive oil in thick-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Cook beef in batches, browning meat on both sides.
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Add garlic and saute, then add beef stock, Guinness, wine, tomato paste, thyme, sugar, brown sauce, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
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Lower heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring a few times.
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In another pan, melt butter. Saute onions and carrots/parsnips until golden (approximately 15 minutes).
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After stew has simmered for 1 hour, add the onion/carrot/parsnip/butter mix. Add potatoes.
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Simmer for 40 minutes. Discard bay leaves and spoon off excess fat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parsley.
Pin to Pinerest:
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love this series so much!❤ I can not wait to try this recipe, it looks delicious!?
I have only been to one author event at a local bookstore. The authors were Amanda Flower and Christin Brecher. Very nice event! So awesome to meet the authors and be able to ask them questions! The stew looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it! And I LOVE the Irish Village Mystery series! Siobhan is one of my favorite cozy characters!
Not recently, of course, but I have. I found them to be fun and informative.
No I have not attended an author event. I wish we had a local bookstore that authors could come to! Thanks for the chance!
No, I haven’t. This stew recipe sounds so good.
No, I have not attended any author events at a local bookstores before.
I have never attended a book signing. We really don’t have any in my area.
Living in a small rural town, I’ve never had the opportunity to be at an author’s event at a bookstore. However, once we had planned a vacation in Amish country – Shipshewana, IN – and found out about an event with the attendance of many of the Amish author’s I enjoy reading. We were able to attend and got to meet some of the author’s and purchase some of their books.
I have attended several authors events at my local bookstore.
Yes, I have attended author events. One way three authors together. One was familiar to me and it was very enjoyable. My closest bookstore is an hour away so I don’t get to experience as many as I would like to.
Not at book stores but we have events at our local library.
There are no bookstores near me. I’ve never attended an author event in a bookstore, but this year I’ve attended a huge number of virtual events. It’s been a lot of fun, and the virtual option has made the events far more accessible. I hope the virtual events continue once everyone returns in live events.
I have not attended an author event at a book store, but would certainly like to. I have attended several virtual events which I have really enjoyed ~
I have, but it has been many years. I don’t think there are as many live ones scheduled as 10 or so years ago.
I have been to one author event
Thanks.
I have never attended an author event at a bookstore there aren’t but a few bookstores here in eastern Iowa. Then the one that there is they have just used books and no author evens except local authors but they don’t write books that I like to read.
No, we don’t have too many here. Thanks for the contest.
I love Irish stories. Makes me want to visit every time. The Irish stew looks great and an easy recipe to follow. Thanks for that.
yes years ago.
I have attended a couple of author events and enjoyed meeting the author and getting a signed book. I am looking forward to attending some again. This Irish Stew recipe looks and sounds yummy.
I have never been to an author event. Now that I am retired and have the time everything is shut down! Hopefully soon we can get to something more normal.
I’ve only been to two small author events. Living in the middle of nowhere we don’t get those kinds of events, but there’s a little used bookstore about a 30 minute drive away that has had a few local authors.
yes but held at a boutique not a book store
No I never have, I don’t have any book stores close by.
I attended an event put on by a library in a nearby city with Joanne Fluke. It was fun hearing about her opinion of some of the changes made to her stories in the Hallmark series Murder She Baked
I was suppose to attend one last year in Chicago with Brenda Novak, but it got cancelled.
Just the picture has my mouth watering.
When we lived in New York we regularly went to author readings/signings at Books Of Wonder.
We even met JK Rowling when she was pretty much unknown in the US!
Sadly I have never meet a Author or been to a event I would love to
Penney
No, I’ve never had the privilege of attending an author event in a bookstore. I’d like to sometime though.
I’ve been to a number of author events at local bookstores.
I have gone to a few and I absolutely loved them!!! Laura Bradford even came to my home town library. That is a very special time I will cherish and never forget!!!!
I love meeting authors!!!
Yes, I have been to author events, both at bookstores and at Girlfriend Getaways in Amish Country
No, I have not. The few times I had one near me something always came up to prevent me from going. This book sounds great! Love the cover too! The stew recipe looks yummy too!
I have! It’s one thing I’ve missed a lot this past year.
I have just started this series! Love the recipe for Irish stew.
I just started this series
Our daughter was obsessed with the Twilight books, so I took her to the midnight party at B&N when the 2nd book released.Everyone had such a good time.
No I haven’t. I’d love to, if for no other reason than the experience. That stew looks dang good! A yummy looking giveaway. Thank you for the chance!
I have not. Thanks for the chance.
No, I haven’t. I’m in assisted living now so probably won’t get a chance. 🙁
I have attended author events, but not at a bookstore.
I have not but I live in the country and I doubt any authors are coming to my mountains anytime soon! We are a one stop light town.
I have never been to an author event. That stew looks delicious! Thanks for the chance to win!
yes one time. and I loved the opportunity to listen to them read from their book.
Thanks for the chance!
I have never been fortunate enough to go to any author’s event in person, but I hope to?
I have not been to an author event at a bookstore.
No I have never had the opportunity.
No I have not attended any author events at local bookstores before.
I did once but, it was years ago.
No I never attended any author events. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of Murder In An Irish Bookshop.
I’ve never been to an author event at a bookstore, but I went to an author talk at the civic center and there was a book signing. I got to meet the author, a well-known female former FBI profiler.
I e been to many author events including one in RI for Allyssa Maxwell! And others —- fun events!
Yes, I’ve been to a Sherrilyn Kenyon author event!
I used to coordinate author events at local bookstores! Thanks for the giveaway!
I haven’t been to one in years. I’d love to go again but they rarely come here!
I haven’t been to an author signing in years. Hopefully after things settle down, I’ll go to one if anyone comes here, I’m not in an area where author like to come to.
This is a great book and a great recipe, I learned that brown sauce is known as good ole A1 Steak sauce here in the States! Thank you for the giveaway!
No, I’ve never been to an event at a bookstore.
At the library authors have come with new books. I haven’t at a bookstore.
This stew looks delicious. I’m so anxious to read this series.
I have attended book signings. The author event I attended was at a library.
yes i have been able to attend a couple
Yes, I have attended local author events.
The book sounds like one I need to put on my list. Recipe sounds good.
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I’ve attended author talks before, but never one in a bookstore.
There aren’t any in the city I live in but I would travel to a larger city for an author that I would really like to meet.
I have attended an author event with some of my favorite mystery authors. I actually found a new favorite author who presented her book series. My small town has Nora Roberts’s bookstore where she hosts book signings.
I attended an author talk years ago.
I haven’t as of yet, but would like to sometime!
I’ve not attended any events but I would certainly like to. That stew recipe looks delicious. Thanks for providing it.
That recipe reads and looks amazing can’t wait to make it!
I was scheduled to go see Lucy Burdette over a year ago here in Florida but ended up being too sick to go. I was so bummed. Maybe she will come back some time. I ended up buying a signed book afterwards.
I used to work in a bookstore, so I attended lots of author events that we hosted. They were always lots of fun!
Yes, I have.
I made this stew today and it was soooo good. Served it with an artisan bread and even the picky son ate it.
Thank you for sharing your recipe!