Murder At The Blarney Bash by Darci Hannah

There’s something about Darci Hannah’s Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series that I can’t seem to put my finger on. Maybe it’s the simply charming setting, the over-the top amusing characters, the mystery plot or Darci’s writing style – I don’t have the answers. All I can say is: It works!

In her newest entry, Murder At The Blarney Bash, we find bakery owner Lindsey Bakewell getting ready for the St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities. Lindsey is a transplanted New Yorker who purchased an old lighthouse (sight unseen via the internet), to open a bakery in the small village of Beacon Harbor, Michigan.

Beacon Harbor has two new residents straight from Ireland: Finnigan O’Connor and his daughter, Colleen. They’re launching their new micro-pub and gift shop, The Blarney Stone, just in time for St. Patrick’s day. Rory Campbell is Lindsey’s romantic interest – and Finnigan just happens to be Rory’s uncle.

The St. Patrick’s Day parade is filled with tons of kids dressing up as leprechauns. Lindsey is baking shamrock sugar cookies and treats to pass out at the end of the parade. It promises to be fun for everyone, until…

Several residents have reported seeing a leprechaun peeking in windows. Not too suspicious considering the kids are dressing up as leprechaun’s for the parade. The problem is, folks are saying this isn’t a kid in costume. And while everyone knows there’s no such thing as leprechauns, Uncle Finn is spinning some mighty tall tales about a devious leprechaun following him all the way from Ireland to Beacon Harbor just to torment him!

But things go from fun Irish folklore, to downright deadly, when Rory’s Uncle Finn tells everyone he tricked a leprechaun out of his pot of gold. Shortly thereafter, an unidentifiable stranger winds up murdered. Uncle Finn becomes the number one suspect and winds up in the slammer!

It’s Lindsey, Rory and crew to the rescue! They’re putting the puzzle pieces together to ferret out a sneaky plot and a sneaky killer. You won’t be following the money in this mystery – you’ll be following a pot of gold!

Of course it’s absurd to think there are such things as leprechauns – but when you get lost in this Irish mystery, maybe the “kid side” of you will make you think again! Murder At The Blarney Bash had me smiling – a lot, and at times, even laughing out loud!

In addition to the leprechaun lunacy, readers will also enjoy the shenanigans of Wellington, Lindsey’s Newfoundland dog, and Kennedy, her quirky fashionista/influencer friend. And then there’s that whole Captain Riggs thing – a ghost quietly living on the top floor of the bakery lighthouse!

In these challenging times, I always look forward to some quiet time with a well done cozy mystery, particularly one that’s whimsical, lighthearted and just plain fun! A Happy Happy ending is a must. That’s Darci Hannah’s style and I wholeheartedly embrace it!

A copy of this book and cover photo were provided by Kensington Publishing.