This series is like a comfort read for me. I’m hugely invested in the characters and their personal lives. The mysteries are layered and cunning and I love trying to figure them out. And I really appreciate how much nature plays a role in these books whether it’s the weather or the lonely terrain or gorgeous scenery, the setting is another huge pull towards this series for me.

Hopefully lots more books to come as I’ve an appetite for more.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC. Unfortunately, I had to DNF this one. I made it about 13% in after a few days and really wasn't interested in where it was going. The build up was too slow, and with a ton of books to review, I didn't want to read another book I knew I wouldn't like.

Death Writes by Andrea Carter is a cunningly plotted thriller in the continuing Ben O’Keeffe series set on the stunningly described Inishowen peninsula.

In this story, Ben is worried about her parents and curious about the lodger they have recently taken in, so she brings them to Glendara while figuring out what to do next. The Glendara literary festival is due to start at the weekend where the unexpected death of an author requires local detective and Ben’s romantic partner Molloy to investigate. So many secrets make the investigation difficult with Ben finding herself a conflicted confidante.

This is probably the best in the Ben O’Keeffe series and kept me puzzling right up to the end. I really enjoyed the legal issues presented and of course the descriptions of the stunning Donegal landscapes!

Such a good tale ... I'd love to visit Inishowen!

Ben O'Keefe is the solicitor in the small Irish town where she has settled; with a bit of a tentative relationship with Molloy, the local Sergeant. She feels her life is on an even keel and she is excited about the Glendara Book Festival which her friend, Phyllis is setting up, with the main attraction being an appearance by famous author Gavin Featherstone, nowadays a local recluse. Receiving a phone call from a neighbour of her parents who is concerned about some comings and goings at the family home, Ben and Molloy race to find out what's going on. What they find is a bit out of the ordinary, to say the least. Returning home in time for the festival, everyone is shocked when Featherstone collapses and dies on stage. Surprised that her firm holds his will, Ben finds herself slap bang in the middle of a dispute when a second will is produced. Never a dull moment!

This is exactly the kind of novel I love; there is so much going on in small towns that I find myself struggling to put the book aside when I should be getting some shut-eye. I had no idea that this was part of a series - book six, to be exact. I enjoyed it so much that I'm desperate to find out where it takes us next and, indeed, have already added the preceding five to my list. A terrific story, with lots of threads intertwined and woven into a very enjoyable read and one I'm very happy to recommend. 4.5'.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

The sixth book in the Inishowen mystery series is a good addition, full of descriptive passages, it transports you right to coastal Ireland. The characterisation is believable, I really like Benedicta, a lawyer, and look forward to reading more of the developing relationship with Molloy. When a local author is murdered, Ben is thrown right into the investigation. This is a lovely, cosy mystery which will be enjoyed by fans of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This was the firat book I've read by this author, and it won't be the late. Good pace, great plot and some very interesting characters. Didn't predict the ending. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

I chose this book as much for the setting as anything else. The idea of a mystery set in the far reaches of Donegal was intriguing and of course, the cover drew me in too. There's an old fashioned feel to the way it's written, I say this in a good way, it's lamentable that the books we all love to read are too often pushed aside for the next big thing and horror of horrors the idea that we might be more interested in a shiny hook than good writing.
Andrea Carter gives you good writing, a solid cast of characters, a reel you in sub plot and a cracking little mystery to boot.
I think, if there was a line to cover this, it would be Louise Penny comes to Donegal - there is a sense of community here that is as colorful as three pines and an authentic voice that leads you gently along so when the worst things happen, you're already in the thick of it!
More please...

Death Writes is the sixth book in Carter’s Inishowen series, and a great read for lovers of small town crime. The series has always reminded me somewhat of Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway series: not cosy crime, exactly, but quietly comforting and not super gritty like some murder mysteries. I particularly enjoyed the sub-plot in Death Writes that sees local solicitor Ben dealing with a case of coercive control that hits rather too close to home for her.

While Death Writes is part of a series, I think it would also work as a standalone, as enough backstory is given to allow a reader to come new to the characters and setting. However, for me one of the pleasures of this series is getting to know the local characters (such as bookshop owner Phyllis, whose annual literary festival is central to the plot of this novel) so I would recommend searching out the previous books if possible.

I really enjoyed this novel, from start to finish. I love the small town setting and the descriptions of walks along the shore. Ben is an empathetic main character, and it was interesting to see how relationships developed. It is a great traditional murder story. I haven’t read previous books in this series but will seek them out now. I definitely recommend this book.

A gentle mystery, certainly more in the vein of a twee Sunday night village drama than a hard hitting thriller this book is still very entertaining and I finished it by guessing only half of the twist.
Obviously well written I found this an entertaining read but not gritty enough for me I'm afraid. Sorry!

In Glendara, a small town on the Inishowen Peninsula of County Donegal, Ireland, locals are gearing up for the first book festival since before the pandemic. There is even more buzz this year because a famous but reclusive author has surprisingly agreed to attend and be interviewed about his life and his upcoming memoir. This causes some tension with some of the other attendees, one in particular. The festival does not go as planned, however, and someone doesn't make it until the end.

At the same time, Ben O'Keefe is trying to navigate a tricky situation involving her aging parents and her relationship with a local garda (police officer). After the book festival disaster, she adds an investigation to her to-do list.

I quite enjoy this series and this book was no exception. I used to live in Inishowen, which adds another ;layer of enjoyment to my reading experience. Although Glendara is a fictional town, I can recognize the real town it is loosely based on, as well as many of the other (actual) places she writes about and it's fun to be able to picture them in my mind as I read. I would love the book even if I'd never stepped foot in these places, though. The writing is excellent. I like the fact that, in addition to the central mystery, the plot also contains ongoing storylines that are about serious issues. The book is well-rounded in that way and this helps to immerse readers in the world Andrea Carter has created.

I don't think one needs to have read the previous books in the series to thoroughly enjoy this one, although they are worth a read. If you like cozy mysteries in beautiful settings with a cast of uniquely quirky characters and a dash of more serious issues, then this is a book for you! Highly recommend!

Death Writes is the latest outing for Andrea Carter’s solicitor Ben O’Keefe who is once again dragged into a murder enquiry.

The main murder storyline is good with a number of twists and red herrings and one of the two major series story arcs is completed within this book although the other, no spoiler, doesn’t really progress.

So overall a decent read.

This is the latest in Andrea Carter's Irish Inishowen series, full of charm and intrigue, and which makes great use of the beautiful, atmospheric coastal location, with the rich descriptions. It opens with Glendara solicitor Benedicta 'Ben' O'Keefe and her partner, Sergeant Tom Molloy, tensely making their way to her parents, Margaret and Des's home, after receiving a disturbing phone call from one of their concerned neighbours. For some time, they have let a stranger, Stuart Chambers, live in their home. On arrival, it is clear he has taken over their home, but when they wake up in the morning, he has cleared out, taking his belongings. Ben persuades her parents to return with her, they have never visited her, waving the carrot of GlenFest, a local literary festival being organised by bookshop owner, Phyllis Kettle, with Molloy promising to look into Chambers background.

The return journey is marred by what could have been a serious car incident, but fortunately Ben and Molloy escape without injuries. Ben has other pressing issues, her very capable office right hand woman, Leah, is pregnant, and she cannot face the prospect of having to train someone to cover her maternity leave. Phyllis is displaying contradictory behaviour, unhappy then accepting, when the festival manages to secure a headline act in the famous Booker Prize winning writer, Gavin Featherstone, a local recluse, not seen in public in the last 10 years. This snags the interest of national media, creating a real buzz around the event and there is a TV documentary being made. Featherstone is on stage when he suddenly keels over. It turns out he has been murdered, poisoned, and Ben, of course, cannot help but get involved in the investigation.

Both Ben and Molloy are workaholics, which is why their relationship works, though there are the odd bumps, as when Ben arrives at his place with a bottle, expecting and looking forward to a social evening, only to find he only has work on his mind. Carter draws attention to the vulnerabilities of the elderly, open to being taken advantage of by the unscrupulous, and who can be greedy relatives. Ben had become more distant from her parents, who plummeted into the deep despair of grief with the death of her sister, leaving them wide open to the likes of the predatory Chambers. This is a wonderful addition to this terrific crime series, I am looking forward to the next in the series, but I am wondering how Ben and Molloy's felationship will develop with him moving because of his promotion. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Death Writes - Andrea Carter

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this 6th book in the Inishowen Mysteries series.

Being brand new to the series, I wasn’t too sure what to expect but immediately hooked onto the main characters. Obviously there is a bit of a background to their relationship but it didn’t spoil me enjoying this as it stands up as a story in its own right.

As I was reading it, I couldn’t help but get feelings of a cross between several great crime / mystery players….Miss Marple meets Midsomer in Ireland!

Secrets that are unburied, families with plenty to surprise you with - I really enjoyed it and it’s certainly a series that I wouldn’t mind starting from the beginning, so yet more books to add to my ‘To Be Read’ pile…..thanks for that Andrea!

The author's love for Donegal shines through on every page and the literary festival backdrop is very entertaining. A lovely cosy mystery

First book I have read from this author. I enjoyed it but would call it more a mystery than a thriller. Good characterisation and page turner. Plenty of quirks to keep me interested. Would definitely read the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

The sixth in the excellent series based on the picturesque Inishowen Peninsula. As in previous novels, the well drawn idiosyncratic characters flow along with the vivid descriptions of the natural beauty of the coastline. A local reclusive author has agreed to appear at a local literary festival. Gavin Featherstone, youngest Booker prize winner and former raucous, drinking womanizer has not been seen for decades. Dramatically Gavin collapses on stage during the festival and dies shortly after arriving at hospital. The post op reveals poisoning. Local solicitor Benedicta “Ben” O’Keefe holds the victim’s will in her company safe. Acting for his widow, they are surprised to discover a more recent will that leaves nothing to his wife or children. Multiple motives and past sins come to light, putting at times Ben and her boyfriend, local DS Molloy representing conflicting opinions. A fine traditional crime novel that is easy to recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the advance electronic copy. I enjoyed it very much, and look forward to reading the next in the series.

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Death Writes by Andrea Carter
Death Writes (Inishowen Mysteries #6)
by Andrea Carter (Goodreads Author)
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'Death Writes' by Andrea Carter

This is the 6th novel in the Innisowwn series featuring Ben O'Keefe as a local solicitor who gets involved in various crimes and mysteries. I love the setting! Innisowen us beautifully described and feels so authentic, I also love the local dialouge and vernacular. I would put this in the 'cosy crime' category. The death of a famous writer was an intriguing plot but as usual with these types of series the main characters and characters in the town are much more interesting.

The side plot involving Ben's parents was genuinely disturbing and sinister but thankfully resolved by the end of the book. I did enjoy this and I do feel the series is getting better as it develops, Ben is a good central character and her relationship with Molloy is interesting though the various obstacles to them being a settled couple are getting a bit tedious. As with all of these small town crime novels, the problem is the outsiders are usually the criminals so it's not hard to guess the ending or to really care about it! Overall a decent read if you like this type of book. (which I do!) I will definitely continue this series!

3. 5 *

Thanks to netgalley for the Arc !