When the troublemaking brother of the man in prison for a drunken crash that killed their parents is found stabbed to death in their restaurant, everyone in the small Irish village of Kilbane assumes it was one of the O’Sullivan clan who did him in. The blame falls squarely on oldest brother James, a hot-tempered young man who fell off the wagon hard the night it happened–so hard he can’t even say himself that he didn’t do it. But his oldest sister Siobhan, forced to be the matriarch and guardian of the family, is convinced of his innocence. And so, when James is arrested by the local police, she has no choice but to set out on her own investigation.

Thus begins Murder in an Irish Village, the first in a series of cozy murder mysteries by Carlene O’Connor. And a good beginning it is. Starring Siobhan O’Sullivan, a young woman with a sharp wit and equally quick temper, the story goes on a wild ride through the entire village, with our heroine suspecting literally everyone she knows, including Macdera Flannery, the disconcertingly handsome police officer who is leading the investigation. Just like most good classic mysteries, the clues are there to lead you to the culprit, but they’re well hidden and mixed with copious red herrings, so only the most adroit reader won’t be surprised when the killer is finally revealed.

Though the first act is a bit slow, by the end, I was in love with the village of Kilbane and definitely rooting for Siobhan and her motley gang of siblings, as they work together to prove their eldest brother innocent. O’Connor’s prose is lyrical, with a poetic quality that’s endemic to many Irish writers, and the characters feel real, including the village itself. One of the things I’ve always loved about Irish writing is how the sense of place is so pronounced. The village, indeed the entire country, isn’t just the place they live, but is a deep part of who they are. I think you’ll love this book too, especially if, like me, you’re a Hibernophile. You should read it even if you love a good mystery. Or a good story in general. Because this is indeed a good one, complete with suspense, heartbreak, action, romance, laughs, and plenty of twists to keep you turning the page. Once you do read it, I’d love to hear what you think. Number two in the series, Murder at an Irish Wedding, is definitely high on my to-be-read list.