Murder at an Irish Castle
Rodeo Drive wedding gown designer Rayne McGrath expected her thirtieth birthday to start with a power lunch and end with champagne, lobster, and a diamond engagement ring from her fiancé. Instead, flat-broke and busted, she’s on a plane to Ireland, where she discovers that she’s inherited a run-down family castle. Uncle Nevin’s will contains a few caveats; for example, if Rayne doesn’t turn McGrath Castle around within a year, the entire village will be financially destroyed.
With the fate of the town in her hands and rumors that Rayne’s uncle’s death wasn’t actually an accident, she can’t possibly go back to her old life in L.A. As the devastating truth about her uncle dawns on Rayne, it’s not just her reputation that’s on the line; it’s her life.
The Details
Series: Irish Castle Mystery – Book #1
Author: Ellie Brannigan
Genre/Category: Cozy – Exotic Location/Wedding
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
ISBN: 1639102582
Page Count: 320
Rating: 
The Review
Murder at an Irish Castle has a bit of everything, a castle, wedding gowns, fraud, and a few more things thrown in. This is the first book in a new series by Ellie Brannigan, aka Traci Hall. I loved the premise of this story; inheriting a castle is a dream for many, and I like how the author didn’t sugarcoat the problems of taking care of such an imposing property. The Irish countryside is beautiful and lush and the perfect backdrop for the castle. Bring in gorgeous wedding gowns and an LA/Hollywood designer, and you have all the makings of a good, cozy read.
The story wasn’t hard to believe, and the evidence leading to the unveiling of a killer was easy to follow. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of work to like the characters. Rayne, a wedding gown designer and daughter of a Hollywood star, was ripped off by her partner and boyfriend. Ciara, the illegitimate daughter of Rayne’s uncle, is a bad-tempered, judgemental person with few traits worthy of a starring role. I was surprised that she wasn’t the victim. The other characters all have good and bad qualities, which is okay, but it makes it hard to like any of them or get to know them very well. Most of the suspects work at the castle, with many living there their entire lives. But there is just something about the whole group that seems off. The best character in this book is the dog, Blarney.
I enjoyed aspects of the castle work as described and the commitment from the characters to make the property succeed. I also liked Rayne’s commitment to completing the wedding gowns that her clients had already purchased, even though her boyfriend/partner took everything, including the gowns, and left Rayne holding the bag. The killer’s identity will surprise most readers, but the motive doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I know this series will grow and change as all new series do; I just hope the characters get to be more likable and relatable in the next edition.
The Author
Ellie Brannigan, who also writes as Traci Hall, has lived in South Florida for the last twenty years. She loves the ocean and any food dish with shrimp. When she’s not creating new fictional worlds, she reads, travels…and eats. Reach her on social media or through her website. https://www.tracihall.com/
Other books by this author that readers will enjoy are Mrs. Morris and the Pot of Gold from the Salam B&B Mysteries or from the “Scottish Shir Mystery” series Murder At A Scottish Social.
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