This was a great cozy mystery, with a great cast of characters! The mystery was interesting and the story was entertaining! I would recommend this book to everyone!

This was a twisty mystery and I love that you know immediately who will die because they seem so sketchy. The killer makes complete sense and I was sad when they explained the why, but I was not able to guess the killer in advance of the reveal.

I love the ending and I look forward to reading the next book in the series when it has been written and published.

This is a great series!

Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy receive an unexpected inheritance from a grandfather they had never met. He left the twins a home and bookshop in the seaside village of Shamrock Cove on the west coast of Ireland. Mercy is ready to leave her New York life and Lizzie is recovering from the tragic loss of her fiance and his daughter. So they move to Ireland.

In this third book of the series, Mercy, Lizzy and their neighbors are invited to visit Historic Inishmore Castle. The castle owners are preparing to open their home to the public by hosting a charming weekend of whiskey tasting and soda bread baking.

Even with a map of the castle, it's easy to become lost. Mercy and Lizzie take a wrong turn and enter the library only to find that one of the guests had been murdered. One murder leads to another. Mercy is trying to figure why and who with the help of her sister and friends.

This was a great read with many good suspects. No need to employ suspension of disbelief as this story is full of logical decisions and conclusions.

Book Review: Death at Inishmore Castle by Lucy Connelly

Rating: 4 Stars

I just finished Death at Inishmore Castle by Lucy Connelly, and it’s a really charming cozy mystery that kept me hooked throughout. The story takes place in a grand historic castle in Ireland, where sisters Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy are hoping to unwind with some whiskey tasting and soda bread baking. But of course, things don’t stay peaceful for long — when Mercy discovers a guest who appears to be a priest slumped over in the library, it quickly becomes clear that not everything is as it seems.

What starts as a possible case of one too many drinks soon spirals into something far more sinister. Mercy finds out that this “priest” isn’t actually a priest at all, and he was digging through some old journals tied to the castle’s mysterious past — including rumors about a lost treasure. When another guest is found drowned in the nearby lake, Mercy knows there’s foul play afoot. Alongside her reluctant sleuthing partner Lizzie and their clever dog Mr. Poe, she sets out to uncover who among the guests and staff might be hiding dangerous secrets.

The book really nails the classic locked-room mystery vibe. A storm traps everyone inside the castle, the wooden bridge leading to the property is flooded, and suspicion runs high among the frightened visitors. The atmosphere is fantastic — you can almost feel the chill of the Irish weather and hear the creaks of the old manor. The characters are wonderfully drawn, from an unconvincing nun to a nosy birdwatcher, each adding depth and intrigue to the story. Plus, the discovery of secret passages inside the castle walls adds just the right touch of old-world mystery.

One thing I particularly loved was the cover — it’s absolutely delightful and really draws you in before even opening the book. This series is such a joy to read, combining warmth, wit, and clever plotting. The pacing was spot on, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end without feeling rushed or confusing.

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with a bit of an Irish twist, or enjoy authors like Agatha Christie or Faith Martin, Death at Inishmore Castle is definitely worth picking up. It’s a fantastic addition to the genre and I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Twins Mercy and Lizzie head to a nearby castle with friends. The castle is trying out craft weekends and opening a whisky tasting room to entice visitors to come. It turns into a locked castle mystery when a big storm washes out the road and they are left with a body and murderer. I liked the castle idea--the layout, garden, and whisky making were all well described as a place I'd like to visit.

I really enjoyed this book. Even though murder mysteries in a castle seems to be a common theme in the UK, the plot was intriguing. I do wish that the gang from the court were a little more involved. And I have an idea on who that is in the end. We’ll see, hopefully in the next book. #DeathatIrishmoreCastle #NetGalley

Mercy McCarthy and her sister are back for a third book full of mystery and excitement. They are invited with their fellow townspeople to stay at a spooky castle outside their small Irish town. The weather turns giving the overall feel a atmospheric chill to the castle and guests. Trapped inside the guests are under suspicion as a gruesome murder occurs. Mercy takes control with the help of her favorite detective they are soon uncovering mysterious facts about the victim and guests.
This was reminiscent of Agatha Christie and a fun read as the sleuth came together. I loved this next in series.
Thank you to the author, the publishers and Net Galley. My review opinion is my own.

The third Mercy McCarthy mystery finds her and her sister Lizzie at a castle for a whiskey and soda bread weekend. Things take a turn though when a fellow guest winds up murdered. With storms cutting them off from the roads, they realize they might be trapped with a killer.

Another good entry in this series! I liked the setting a lot here, and it was fun to see Mercy and Lizzie in a different setting. I thought the mystery was good and we got a little more development with the romance building between Mercy and Kieran. Can't wait for the next!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series! We once again are following mystery writer Mercy McCarthy and her sister as they settle into their new life in small town Ireland. The third book in this series is set at Inishmore Castle where the women have been invited along with their neighbours for a weekend away to test out a new hotel. The ancient castle has been refurbished into a guesthouse and events space, with a whiskey business and other various activities.
Unfortunately, someone is killed and when the only bridge of the grounds is flooded in a storm the party is trapped with no way out. Can Mercy and DI Kieran crack the case before someone else is hurt? Who is the murderer among them?

Lots of great character moments, twists and turns and the perfect spooky setting to keep you reading!
A fantastic edition to the series!

Cozy crime, Ireland, castles, whiskey... What's not to like?! I loved Mercy's character and the banter/flirt with the cute police from the village was a good promise of the slow burn to come.

When mystery writer Mercy McCarthy heads to Inishmore Castle for a peaceful weekend of soda bread baking and whiskey tasting, murder isn’t on the itinerary. But when a man is found stabbed in the library—and turns out to be an imposter priest—Mercy is once again drawn into a real-life whodunnit.

With a storm flooding the bridge to the mainland, the castle becomes the perfect setting for a classic locked-room mystery. Hidden passageways, family secrets, and a rumored treasure all add to the suspense, and Mercy must work quickly to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again. What really stood out to me was the atmospheric setting—the storm-trapped castle adds a perfect dose of tension without ever feeling too heavy. It's classic cozy mystery vibes, but with a fresh, engaging tone.

Mercy continues to be such a likable and grounded protagonist. I really enjoy how her instincts and writing background shape her sleuthing, and her banter with DI Kieran adds just enough romantic tension to keep things interesting. The supporting cast is quirky without being over-the-top, and the little details—like Mercy’s struggle with cooking—make her feel real.

The mystery unfolds at a steady pace with some genuinely clever clues, and the reveal was satisfying without being too obvious. If you’re a fan of character-driven cozy mysteries with a bit of heart and humor, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

This is a fun, atmospheric cozy with an eccentric cast and plenty of twists. If you enjoy small-town sleuthing with a touch of Irish charm, this one’s for you!

“Death at Inishmore Castle” is the nicely done third book in Lucy Connelly’s Mercy McCarthy Cozy Mystery series. I have been hooked on this series from the very first book – the characters (Mercy, her sister Lizzie, their dog Mr. Poe, and their neighbors), the Irish setting, the village they live in, and the bookstore they inherit from the grandfather they never knew. This book does take them away from the village and to an Irish Castle but I also loved that setting. The change of setting allows for new characters, a nice atmosphere, and an intriguing murder mystery. Some aspects of the mystery were easy to figure out – Connolly writes in such a way that readers feel like they are solving the mystery alongside Mercy – but other aspects of the mystery were not as easy to figure out. In addition to the main mystery (which was nicely plotted), there are a few smaller mysteries and the book ends on a tiny cliffhanger that already has me looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I love it when an author transports me away to the setting in their books. In this one, I was at a castle in Ireland where it wouldn't stop storming! I love storms and this set the mood for all the adventures Mercy, Lizzie and Mr. Poe get up to. They end up stuck there in the castle with a murderer! It was such a fun read, I was sad when I got to the end. I look forward to reading many more in this series.

I’m a big fan of the author’s Scottish Isle Mystery Series and never realized she had this second series. I discovered it thanks to NetGalley. I had not read the previous books in the series and a little more background from the author would have been helpful but did not distract from the story. I’ll be looking forward to more in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for review.

This was the first book I've read in this series and I was glued to my kindle from page one! I stayed up late into the night to finish as I absolutely could not sleep until I found out whodunnit! This book had everything I love in a cozy. A twisty plot, wonderful main characters, lots of suspense, a spooky setting, lots of red herrings, and a smart dog named Mr. Poe. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Five stars!!!

Death at Inishmore Castle is book 3 in the Mercy McCarthy cozy mystery series. This is another fun installment about twins Mercy and Lizzie who visit an Irish castle with their neighbor friends and are quickly immersed in a murder mystery (like always). Mercy has a hard time keeping out of the mystery of the "Priest" even though the handsome Detective Inspector Kieran would love for her to let him handle everything. Theirs is a slow-going romance but I still love it! The creepy secret passages through the castle made it so much fun too!

I read/listened to the audio of this book and loved it so much! Kimberly M. Wetherell did a wonderful job narrating.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 10 April 2025

After a murder happens on their trip to an Irish Castle, Mercy and her sister Lizzie are forced to investigate. I really enjoyed the journey to a new location, and the storm that cuts the castle off from the outside world was very Agatha Christie “And Then There Were None”.

This could definitely be read as. Stand alone mystery, but I love the characters and how they’ve developed over the series. I wish some of the usual characters such as Rob and Scott had been more present in the storyline, but it was a fun read overall. The descriptions really brought the castle to life, and it had everything from hidden passageways, false identities, and Irish whiskey.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I must say I am such a fan of this author and her series and this one yet again didn't disappoint. What's not to like about 'A grand castle, a glass of Irish whiskey, a good book by the fire… and a rather mysterious murder?'.

I devoured this book in a matter of 24 hours as once I got started I just couldn't stop reading. Love Mercy and her antics, love the cosy feel of the book and the story and the mystery kept me intrigued and guessing throughout. This is a delightful, wonderful cosy read and not just a book but a series I highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read adn review this book.

Death at Inishmore Castle is an absolute delight from start to finish. Lucy Connelly delivers a brilliantly written cozy mystery filled with charm, suspense, and just the right touch of Irish flair. Mercy McCarthy shines once again—clever, courageous, and impossible not to root for. The setting is rich and atmospheric, the mystery is tightly plotted, and the pacing keeps you turning pages late into the night. A thoroughly enjoyable and completely addictive read! (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own .)

Inishmore Castle will open its doors for guests. For a test run the local tourism committee of Shamrock Cove is invited together with other guests to check the overnight stay as well as the cooking and craft classes, whiskey tasting, learning more about the gardening, ...
So Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie McCarthy as well as their dog Mr. Poe arrive there looking forward for a fun time with their neighbours. All this is shattered when the first dead body is discovered.
Who is killing a priest? Ok he was not the friendliest person and Mercy is not so sure that he really is a priest but what or more important who murdered the man? As if a dead body would not be the worst the weather is getting worth and worth causing power outings and making it difficult to cross the bridge to go to the castle. Till the police can arrive Mercy is taking over the responsibility to try to find the murder under their roof.


What a cute cosy crime series!
This is my first book of the series so there is no need to be aware of the former ones. We get to know the characters very well and I really like the Shamrock Cove group a lot. There are quite some nice people and so different but what matters most they help each other so wonderfully.
I must say for me the highlight is really the dog Mr. Poe. I fell in love with him.

I like the setting that Mercy is a crime writer and is ending up finding dead bodies and that she can´t stop to investigate. What I like about this series is that Kieran, the Detective, has no issue with her snooping around. Instead he is working together with her. I think this is a nice change to some other series. Also the relationship he has with the twins is nice.

So who loves cosy crime novels and is looking for a new series please check out this one. I really enjoyed the book and was flying through it.