Ar
scath a Cheile a Mhaireann na daoine.
People live in one another's shadows.
--- IRISH PROVERB
When I heard about a new Irish “cozy”
series in the works I got excited. What’s better
than cozy mystery? A Foreign cozy mystery! As soon as
I received “Buried in a Bog” by Shelia Connolly,
I couldn’t wait to find a quiet spot. I wanted
to settle down in Ireland without hesitation. Connolly’s
“Buried in a Bog” took me to the nether
regions of Ireland, a place as real as the Blarney Stone
and as mystical as Fairies and Leprechauns.
The main character is Maura Donovan.
Maura’s grandmother dies and leaves a package
with everything needed to visit Ireland. There is no
one holding her back so Maura jumps on a plane to the
Emerald Island. Once there Maura finally meets her gran’s
friend, discovers a Pub in need of help, and a small
village in need of a stranger to liven things up. The
same day Maura arrives a body is found in a Bog. Is
it a present-day citizen or an ancient one? Maura offers
up a possible identity to the victim and finds more
than the Irish wind at her back….
The
author uses the first in series to set up the series
and introduce the main character. Readers will witness
the first step in Maura’s transition from a Boston
tough girl to a local proprietor. Readers will eventually
understand Maura’s need to find her late father’s
family. Maura does come off as abrasive sometimes but
remember one of the goals in a series is to have a main
character that evolves. I mean, seriously, would you
prefer a shallow, cream-puff to a tough Bostonian? In
Ireland of all places? In reading Maura’s story
one can’t help but hope she finds the answers
and the family she needs.
Buried
in the Bog is a grand mystery with strong characters
and plenty of Irish charm.
Reviews
of other titles in this series
Buried
in a Bog #1
Scandal
in Skibbereen #2
An
Early Wake #3
A Turn for the Bad (no review) #4
Cruel
Winter #5
Many
a Twist #6
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