Dead in Dublin – Book Review

Book Review
Dead in Dublin (A Dublin Driver Mystery)
By Catie Murphy
Expected publication: December 31, 2019

Why I chose this book:
I really enjoy the cozy mystery genre, and I was looking for a new series. This one set in Ireland sounded right up my alley. Kensington Publishing provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review
I can't believe Dead in Dublin is done. I started it two days ago and finished it last night. I couldn't put it down. The premise is that Megan Malone, an ex-pat chauffeur, witnesses the dramatic death of one of her clients. The client is a famous food blogger, and she dies outside Megan's friend's restaurant, at the feet of the Molly Malone statue. Drawn into the investigation by both her restaurateur friend and the husband of her client, Megan uncovers more questions than answers about the blogger's death. She is more busybody than amateur sleuth, giving her actions a ring of authenticity. It is the believability of everything about this book that makes it stand out against many examples of this genre.

I love how Murphy drops you right into the midst of Megan Malone's life. There are clearly several backstories; the characters' relationships have such an ease to them. It is, in some ways, hard to believe they are fabricated. While I don't think people get caught up in murder investigations all the time, everything surrounding the murder feels so real. It is the completeness of the characters, relationships, subplots, and settings that make Dead in Dublin such a captivating and compelling read. The mystery is solved, but there are some unanswered questions and ample room for the series to continue organically.

Dead in Dublin is absolutely up my alley and a series I can't wait to read more of. Please write soon, Ms. Murphy! Everyone else, keep your eye out for this at the end of the year!