St. Patrick's Day Murder
Kindle Edition, 289 pages
Published (first published January 1st 2008)
Goodreads synopsis:
Not many people in Tinker's Cove, Maine, knew Old Dan Malone. The grizzled barkeep's social circle was limited to the rough-hewn lobstermen and other assorted toughs that frequented his bar, a derelict main street dive called, appropriately, the Bilge. But when his body is found bobbing in the town's icy harbor, Lucy Stone, ace reporter for the Pennysaver newspaper, makes getting to know more about Old Dan a priority. And apparently, there's lots to learn.
Like the fact that local musician Dave Reilly insists Old Dan conned a winning lottery ticket worth five grand from him. And that handyman Brian Donohue claims that Old Dan stiffed him for repair work he'd done at the bar. There are even whispers about some connection to the Irish Republican Army. The confusion surrounding the death is only compounded by the arrival of actor Dylan Malone, Old Dan's brother and a prominent, if fading, attraction of the Dublin stage. Dylan has come to direct the production of "Finian's Rainbow," the featured event at Our Lady of Hope's annual St. Patrick's Day extravaganza. He's also come to help his brother renovate the Bilge, turning the dingy tavern into an authentic--if decidedly upscale--Irish pub.
Was Old Dan killed by someone he'd cheated, someone he'd loved, or someone who just couldn't stand the idea of losing their favorite watering hole? While Lucy can't be sure, one thing is abundantly clear--the stage is set for a murder mystery with a killer ending
***
4 Stars
Since it was coming up on St. Patrick’s Day, I wanted to read a book along that theme on the day of the 17th. I thought it would be fun. I normally don’t pick theme books to read on that specific holiday (except Christmas or Halloween) and I wanted a change of pace. It was still a cozy mystery, so it wasn’t completely out of my wheelhouse.
Lucy Stone was out doing what Lucy Stone does… finding dead bodies. She didn’t actually find this one herself, mind you but coming upon the scene where the owner of a local bar washes up dead on the shore of Tinker’s Cove on the Maine coast is close enough. Her reporter instincts click into gear immediately.
The body can’t be identified immediately due to the fact the corpse was missing its head. But they all assumed it was Old Dave, the owner of the Bilge, since the bar had been unexpectedly closed for the prior three days, much to the patron’s dismay.
Strangely enough, on the day Old Dan’s body is discovered, his brother, Dylan showed up with his family to direct a theatre production for the local church. There are more suspects around each corner: disgruntled patrons and a man who claims Dave stole his winning lottery ticket.
It was an interesting ride. Sometimes Meier’s stories can be hit or miss but I thought this offering was a particularly good one. Great plot that kept you guessing, characters you sometimes wanted to throttle and a great writing flow.
I look forward to reading more of Meier’s work and i do have quite a few tucked away in my Kindle for a rainy day.
Definitely check this one out.
I bought this book with my own money.
No comments:
Post a Comment