Carlene O'Connor

Bestselling author Carlene O'Connor's first novel in the acclaimed Irish Village Mystery series is now available in trade paperback Siobh n O'Sullivan lives in a quaint village on the Emerald Isle that's a pure drop of heaven, until murder changes everyone's luck for the worse. "Distinctive, captivating characters match a gripping plot full of surprises. O'Connor reinforces her place among the top rank of cozy writers." -Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW for Murder at an Irish Bakery In the small village of Kilbane, County Cork, Ireland, Naomi's Bistro has always been a warm and welcoming spot to visit with neighbors, enjoy some brown bread and tea, and get the local gossip. Nowadays twenty-two-year-old Siobh n O'Sullivan runs the family bistro named for her mother, along with her five siblings, after the death of their parents in a car crash almost a year ago. It's been a rough year for the O'Sullivans, but it's about to get rougher. One morning, as they're opening the bistro, they discover a man seated at a table, dressed in a suit as if for his own funeral, a pair of hot pink barber scissors protruding from his chest. With the local garda suspecting the O'Sullivans, and their business in danger of being shunned-murder tends to spoil the appetite-it's up to feisty redheaded Siobh n to solve the crime and save her beloved brood.

With the haunting, moody prose of Tana French and the compulsive storytelling of Dervla McTiernan or Ann Cleeves, bestselling author Carlene O'Connor lures readers to a remote village on Ireland's southwest coast, where winding windswept roads open to spectacular views of rugged cliffs against immense, lonely beaches...and some fear a mysterious cult could be connected to the disappearance of a young pregnant woman. After two pregnant women in Dingle who have never met each receive a chilling email warning them that they're in grave danger, the two decide to meet each other to figure out what is going on. But when one of the mothers, Shauna, a deaf woman, arrives at their meeting place at the village Spring Festival, she fears a trap and hurries off to meet the couple who plan to adopt her baby. Meanwhile, Dimpna Wilde has her hands full with lambing season and keeping track of her father, so she's grateful for the help of a well-meaning ten-year-old boy, Dylan, at the veterinary clinic. But when the lad goes missing after going into a bog on a dare with two other boys to search for a "monster," she is desperate to help find him. After the adoptive couple are discovered tied up in their home, telling a terrifying story of a deaf pregnant woman being abducted by a man wearing a butterfly mask, Detective Inspector Cormac O'Brien and Detective Sergeant Barbara Neely fear a repeat of a disturbing case from twenty years earlier, when a charismatic leader calling himself the Shepherd, lured poor pregnant girls into his enigmatic cult. Though allegations of baby smuggling were never proven, he'd been put away on other charges. But then they learn that the Shepherd has recently been released from prison. Trapped in a cold, dark room with a frightened boy, Shauna fears for their lives as well as that of her unborn baby. If she has any chance of getting out and away from the Moth Man, as she calls her abductor, she'll have to figure out the truth behind who she really is and how that connects to the ordeal she finds herself in now. But time is running out and her baby will be born soon . . .

In late summer, the Dingle peninsula is thronged with tourists drawn to County Kerry's dark mountains and deep, lush valleys. For Irish vet Dimpna Wilde, who has returned to run her family's practice after years away, home is a beautiful but complicated place--especially when it becomes the setting for a brutal murder . . . In Dimpna Wilde's veterinary practice, an imminent meteor shower and the watch parties that are planned all over Dingle have taken over the usual gossip. But there are also matters nearer at hand to discuss--including the ragtag caravan of young people selling wares by the roadside and the shocking death of Chris Henderson, an elderly local, in a hit-and-run. Just hours before his death, Henderson had stormed into the garda station, complaining loudly about the caravan's occupants causing noise and disruption. One of their members is Brigid Sweeney, a beautiful young woman who later turns up at Dimpna's practice, splattered in blood with an injured hare tucked into her jacket, claiming that a mysterious stranger has been trying to obtain a lucky rabbit's foot. Matters worsen on the night of the meteor shower when Dimpna finds Brigid's dead body tied to a tree, a rabbit's foot tied to her severed left hand. The rabbit's foot, the severed hand, the coinciding meteor shower--the deeper Dimpna and Detective Inspector Cormac O'Brien investigate, the more ominous the signs seem to be, laced with a warning that Dimpna fears it will prove fatal to overlook.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire…Gardas Siobhán and Macdara Flannery are off to the seaside for their honeymoon, happy to finally have time off from work and relax. Their itinerary includes a visit to a struggling fish and chip shop owned by the aptly named Mrs. Chipper.But when they arrive, a crowd is waiting in front of the closed shop. A local handyman unlocks the door, only to find the proprietor lying dead at the base of a ladder, its rungs coated in slippery fat. Clearly this was no accidental tragedy.Even as the local garda take over the murder investigation, Siobhán and Macdara can’t help but put their long-delayed honeymoon on hold – at least until they can find the elusive killer. But will they catch who did it before they strike again, or will the culprit slip through their net?An addictive cosy crime murder mystery, perfect for fans of Jean G. Goodhind, Dee MacDonald and Betty Rowlands.

Fans of M.C. Beaton and Rhys Bowen, prepare for a delectable page-turner that mixes the charm of the Emerald Isle with the irresistible allure of a classic cozy whodunit. Siobh n and Macdara Flannery's plans for a romantic honeymoon by the sea crumble like battered cod when they discover a dead body in the local fish and chip shop. This charming village harbors secrets beneath its culinary delights, but even a crafty killer is no match for these cunning sleuths. Siobh n's brother Eoin's new family restaurant, The O'Sullivan Six, is so close to opening--but waiting on the necessary permits plus the heat of July in the village of Kilbane in County Cork is driving everyone a bit mad. Macdara Flannery comes to the rescue with a plan--take a holiday by the sea and stuff themselves with fish and chips to support the struggling business of the aptly named Mrs. Chipper. But when they arrive, a crowd is gathered in front of the closed shop: a local fisherman with a fresh cod delivery, a food critic, Mrs. Chipper's ex-husband who's opening a competing fish and chips shop directly across the street, and a repairman to fix the vent for the deep fryer. With Siobh n and Macdara as witnesses, a local handyman gets the locked door open, only to find the proprietor lying dead and covered in flour at the base of a ladder, its rungs coated in slippery fat. Clearly this was not an accidental tragedy . . . Even as the local garda take over the murder investigation, Siobh n and Macdara can't help themselves from placing their long-delayed honeymoon on hold--at least until they can help apprehend an elusive killer.

Hailed as "queen of the cozy police procedural" (Publishers Weekly), USA Today bestselling author Carlene O'Connor returns to County Cork in Ireland's lush countryside, where locals are simmering with excitement over the reality TV baking contest coming to town --until someone serves up a show-stopping murder that only Garda Siobhan O'Sullivan can solve. "Distinctive, captivating characters match a gripping plot full of surprises. O'Connor reinforces her place among the top rank of cozy writers." --Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW In Kilbane, opinions are plentiful and rarely in alignment. But there's one thing everyone does agree on--the bakery in the old flour mill, just outside town, is the best in County Cork, well worth the short drive and the long lines. No wonder it's about to be featured on a reality baking show. All six contestants in the show are coming to Kilbane to participate, and the town is simmering with excitement . . . Aside from munching on free samples, the locals--including Siobhan--get a chance to appear in the opening shots. As for the competitors, not all are as sweet as their confections. There are shenanigans on the first day of filming that put everyone on edge, but that's nothing compared to day two, when the top contestant is found face-down in her signature pie. The producers decide to continue filming while Siobhan and her husband, Garda Macdara Flannery, sift through the suspects. Was this a case of rivalry turned lethal, or are their other motives hidden in the mix? And can they uncover the truth before another baker is eliminated permanently . . .

In late summer, the Dingle peninsula is thronged with tourists drawn to County Kerry's dark mountains and deep, lush valleys. For Irish vet Dimpna Wilde, who has returned to run her family's practice after years away, home is a beautiful but complicated place--especially when it becomes the setting for a brutal murder . . . In Dimpna Wilde's veterinary practice, an imminent meteor shower has elevated the usual gossip to include talk of shooting stars and the watch parties that are planned all over Dingle. But there are also matters nearer at hand to discuss--including the ragtag caravan of young people selling wares by the roadside, and the shocking death of Chris Henderson, an elderly local, in a hit-and-run. Just hours before his death, Henderson had stormed into the Garda Station, complaining loudly about the caravan's occupants causing noise and disruption. One of their members is a beautiful young woman named Brigid Sweeney, and Dimpna is shocked when Brigid later turns up at her practice, her clothing splattered in blood and an injured hare tucked into her shirt. Brigid claims that a mysterious stranger has been trying to obtain a lucky rabbit's foot. Dimpna is incensed at the thought of anyone mutilating animals, but there is far worse in store. On the night of the meteor shower, Dimpna finds Brigid's body tied to a tree, her left hand severed. She has bled to death. Wrapped around her wrist is a rabbit's foot. Brigid had amassed plenty of admirers, and there were tangled relationships within the group. But perhaps there is something more complex than jealousy at play. The rabbit's foot, the severed hand, the coinciding meteor shower--the deeper Dimpna and Detective Sargeant Cormac O'Brien investigate, the more ominous the signs seem to be, laced with a warning that Dimpna fears it will prove fatal to overlook.

Set in Ireland's striking, rugged countryside, the USA Today bestselling author's unsettling, atmospheric new crime fiction novel combines the eerie mood of Tana French and Louise Penny with the compulsively taut plotting of Dervla McTiernan and Lucy Foley, as an Irish veterinarian grapples with life, death, family dynamics, and the secrets at the heart of her small community... On a rocky beach in the southwest of Ireland, the body of a wealthy racehorse owner Johnny O'Reilly has been discovered. In a town like Dingle, everyone knows a little something about everyone else. But dig a bit deeper, and there's always much more to find. And when Detective Inspector Cormac O'Brien is dispatched out of Killarney to lead the murder inquiry, he's determined to unearth every last buried secret. Dimpna Wilde hasn't been home in years. But faced with a triple bombshell--her mother is rumored to have been in a relationship with Johnny, her father's dementia is escalating, and her brother is avoiding her calls--Dimpna moves back to Dingle to clear her family of suspicion. And as she takes over the family practice, she finds herself in a race with the detective inspector to uncover the dark, twisting truth behind murder, no matter how close to home it strikes . . .

Organising a wedding can be murder...The entire O’Sullivan brood have gathered at St. Mary’s Church for the wedding of Siobhán O’Sullivan and Macdara Flannery. It’s not every day you see two garda marrying each other. Only Siobhán’s brother James is missing, and they can’t start without him.When James finally comes racing in, he’s covered in dirt and babbling he’s found a human skeleton in the old slurry pit at the farmhouse that Macdara has just purchased. Duty calls, so the engaged garda decide to put the wedding on hold to investigate.James leads them to a skeleton clothed in rags that resemble a tattered tuxedo. An elderly neighbor is convinced these must be the remains of her one true love who never showed up on their wedding day fifty years ago. The garda have a cold case on their hands, which heats up the following day when a fresh corpse appears on top of the bridegroom’s bones. With a killer at large, they need to watch their backs - or the nearly wedded couple may be parted by death before they’ve even taken their vows...A charming cosy mystery, perfect for fans of Margaret Mayhew and Betty Rowlands.

Someone has served up a show-stopping murder…In Kilbane, conflicting opinions are plentiful. There’s one thing everyone agrees on though – the nearby bakery is the best in County Cork. It’s no wonder they’re about to be featured on a reality baking show.But the competitors aren’t all are as sweet as their confections. There are shenanigans on the first day of filming that put everyone on edge. But they’re nothing compared to day two, when the first round ends and the top contestant is found face-down in her signature pie.The producers decide to continue filming while Siobhán and her husband, Garda Macdara Flannery, sift through the suspects. Was this a case of rivalry turned lethal, or are their other motives hidden in the mix? And can they uncover the truth before another baker is eliminated permanently?A fun cosy mystery for fans of Dee MacDonald and Frances Evesham.

Hailed as "queen of the cozy police procedural" (Publishers Weekly), USA Today bestselling author Carlene O'Connor returns to County Cork in Ireland's lush countryside, where locals are simmering with excitement over the reality TV baking contest coming to town --until someone serves up a show-stopping murder that only Garda Siobhan O'Sullivan can solve. In Kilbane, opinions are plentiful and rarely in alignment. But there's one thing everyone does agree on--the bakery in the old flour mill, just outside town, is the best in County Cork, well worth the short drive and the long lines. No wonder they're about to be featured on a reality baking show. All six contestants in the show are coming to Kilbane to participate, and the town is simmering with excitement. Aside from munching on free samples, the locals--including Siobhan--get a chance to appear in the opening shots. As for the competitors themselves, not all are as sweet as their confections. There are shenanigans on the first day of filming that put everyone on edge, but that's nothing compared to day two, when the first round ends and the top contestant is found face-down in her signature pie. The producers decide to continue filming while Siobhan and her husband, Garda Macdara Flannery, sift through the suspects. Was this a case of rivalry turned lethal, or are their other motives hidden in the mix? And can they uncover the truth before another baker is eliminated--permanently . . .

They're coziest of wintertime accessories...unless, of course, they become accessories to murder USA Today bestselling author Carlene O'Connor teams up with Maddie Day and Peggy Ehrhart for a holly jolly Christmas collection of seasonal stories, as their beloved series sleuths each solve cases revolving around handknit Christmas scarves. CHRISTMAS SCARF MURDER by CARLENE O'CONNORWhen grinchy thefts steal the good cheer at a local nursing home, Siobhan O'Sullivan manages to identify one missing item before Kilbane, Ireland's Christmas tractor parade--a hideous shamrock scarf wrapped around a very dead body. Now, with her holiday farmhouse bash approaching, Siobhan must dash to stop a deadly Secret Santa from gifting another unwanted surprise. SCARFED DOWN by MADDIE DAYIt's beginning to taste a lot like Christmas at Pans 'N Pancakes, as twelve days of menu specials dazzle hungry locals. But the festivities go cold the instant a diner dies while knitting a brilliant green scarf. With Aunt Adele tied into a murder investigation, it's all on Robbie Jordan to find out who's really been naughty or nice in South Lick, Indiana. DEATH BY CHRISTMAS SCARF by PEGGY EHRHARTSuspects pile up faster than New Jersey snow when frosty-tempered Carys Walnutt is found strangled by a handmade scarf auctioned at Arborville's tree-lighting ceremony. Between a winning bidder hiding behind the alias "S. Claws" and a victim who deserved coal in her stocking, can Pamela Paterson and the crafty Knit and Nibble ladies freeze a killer's merry murder plot?

The opening of a new bookstore becomes the closing chapter in an author’s life...Kilbane’s new bookshop is hosting an event featuring up-and-coming Irish writers who will be taking up residency in the town for a month. Among them is indie author Deirdre Walsh, who has been 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 charming cosy mystery, perfect for fans of Margaret Mayhew and Betty Rowlands.

Murder rearranges the Yuletide carols into unexpected eulogies...The O’Sullivans are spending Christmas in West Cork with brother James’s fiancée Elise’s family, including her grandfather, the famous orchestral conductor Enda Elliot. When they 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 ninety-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...A charming Christmas cosy mystery, perfect for fans of Margaret Mayhew and Dee Macdonald.

Eine clevere Detektivin auf den Spuren eines mysteri sen Mordes ...Der humorvolle Auftakt der Cosy Crime-Reihe im idyllischen IrlandIm kleinen verschlafenen Dorf Kilbane an der s dlichen K ste Irlands treffen sich die Dorfbewohner tagein, tagaus in Naomi's Bistro. Wenn hier nicht gerade Schwarzbrot gegessen oder Tee genossen wird, finden sich alle f r den neusten Klatsch und Trasch zusammen. Die junge Siobh n O'Sullivan f hrt das nach der verstorbenen Mutter benannte Familienbistro zusammen mit ihren f nf Geschwistern. Immer noch lastet der tragische Verlust der Eltern schwer auf ihnen, doch es kommt noch schlimmer: Eines Morgens, als sie wie gewohnt das Bistro ffnen wollen, entdecken sie einen Toten, der im Anzug gekleidet an einem Tisch sitzt - und eine pinkfarbene Friseurschere steckt in seiner Brust. Die Polizei verd chtigt nat rlich sofort die O'Sullivans. Kann die temperamentvolle Siobh n das Verbrechen aufkl ren, um ihr Bistro und ihre Familie zu retten?Erste Leser: innenstimmen"Ich liebe das idyllische Dorfsetting und freue mich auf weitere F lle f r Siobhan ""Neben der Spannung kommt auch der Humor nicht zu kurz, super ""Unterhaltsamer, kurzweiliger und charmant geschriebener Cosy Crime.""F r Irland- und Krimi-Fans einfach ein absolutes Muss "