LecClier K. (SierraK) -
Fourth story in the County Cork mystery series. After seven months in Ireland, American ex-pat Maura Donovan is finally settling into the small village of Leap, near Cork, Ireland, where she's inherited Sullivan's Pub. In this one, Maura gets involved in the search for a local dairy farmer who disappears on the beach while taking a walk with his young son.
I really wanted to give this book more than three stars, because I very much enjoy the setting, the main character, and the whole premise of a young American moving to a small hamlet in rural Ireland. But the subplot involving Maura's rescue plan of the missing farmer was so farfetched that it detracted from my enjoyment of this one. I hope Maura shows some more common sense in her next book!
I really wanted to give this book more than three stars, because I very much enjoy the setting, the main character, and the whole premise of a young American moving to a small hamlet in rural Ireland. But the subplot involving Maura's rescue plan of the missing farmer was so farfetched that it detracted from my enjoyment of this one. I hope Maura shows some more common sense in her next book!
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
From what was a strong start I'm sad to say that-- to me-- Sheila Connolly's County Cork series is slowly running out of steam. In this fourth book nothing of substance happens until the halfway point, and then the most exciting part of the entire book takes place offstage.
A minor plot point concerns Gillian the artist, but most of the action consists of the village hanging out at the pub while they wait for news about the missing farmer. Maura counts heads, pours endless cups of tea, bemoans the fact that no one is actually buying anything, and learns a bit about the history of the area.
As it turns out, this community in which Maura lives knows more about what's really going on than Maura does. It has done from the start. But... Maura is the only one to roll up her sleeves and start putting things in motion. That didn't quite make sense to me in a book that was sadly lackluster. Am I going to continue with the series? I don't think so.
A minor plot point concerns Gillian the artist, but most of the action consists of the village hanging out at the pub while they wait for news about the missing farmer. Maura counts heads, pours endless cups of tea, bemoans the fact that no one is actually buying anything, and learns a bit about the history of the area.
As it turns out, this community in which Maura lives knows more about what's really going on than Maura does. It has done from the start. But... Maura is the only one to roll up her sleeves and start putting things in motion. That didn't quite make sense to me in a book that was sadly lackluster. Am I going to continue with the series? I don't think so.
