Murder at an Irish Session

Irish Village Mystery #12

by Carlene O'Connor

As pregnant Siobhán O’Sullivan awaits bringing her new life into the world, she’s bringing new life to her village of Kilbane in County Cork, Ireland, with a music and matchmaking festival. But one matchmaker is about to find out that Cupid’s arrow can be fatal in the latest Irish Village Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Carlene O’Connor.

Siobhán loves to see the joy playing trad music brings to her brother Ciaran, but his concern that he’ll never find a mate pulls at her heartstrings. So she proposes that Kilbane host a music and matchmaking festival to draw single trad musicians. While renowned matchmaker Liam Noone plays Cupid with his Lucky Book, music—and hopefully love—will fill the pubs and the autumn air.

Turning over his precious Lucky Book to Siobhán for safekeeping, Liam takes the stage to introduce matched musician couples who will kick off the festival in the town square. Suddenly all goes black. When the lights come back on, the matchmaker has met his maker, impaled through the heart with an arrow made from the sharpened bow of a bass.

Was it the fiddle player, the flute player, the drummer, the piper, the squeeze box player, or the bass player who struck a sour note? Garda Siobhán and her husband Macdara must pick up the tempo to make whoever committed this crime of passion face the music…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Ireland, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Irish Literature

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2026

About the author

Carlene O’Connor is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Irish Village Mystery Series, The Home to Ireland Series and the County Kerry Mystery series. The first in the County Kerry Series, NO STRANGERS HERE received a starred review from Kirkus and was the Mystery Pick of the Month at Barnes and Noble in September of 2023. Of all the places across the pond she’s wandered, she fell most in love with a walled town in County Limerick and was inspired to create the town of Kilbane, County Cork. She currently lives in New Mexico.

https://carleneoconnor.net/

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twelfth book in the Irish Village Mystery series

Set in a village in County Cork, Ireland, the story features Siobahn and Macdara O'Sullivan, both police officers, as they investigate a murder. I enjoyed this angle of a cosy police procedural. There was a lot of interesting information about Irish music and dance and I finished the book knowing much more than I did before.

An easy, relaxing read despite the topic being murder. I felt pretty sure who the guilty party was going to be so I just sat back and enjoyed the characters and the investigations. I will happily read more books in this series. 4 stars.

Tanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

#MurderatanIrishSession #NetGalley is the twelfth book in this cozy series.
Siobhan is pregnant with twins but that doesn't stop her from investigating a murder in her little Irish town.
Music and matchmaking is the theme of this book, and while it seems like a unique concept to match couples, things take a horrible turn when the matchmaker is found dead, with an arrow through his heart.
I enjoyed this book and it was fun to meet such interesting characters as those in #MurderatanIrishSession

[Elle Reads a Book a Day · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I enjoyed earlier installments of this series, but this was damn near unreadable. Just repeated phrases over and over. Typos galore. And if I had to hear about those twins one more time, I was gonna lose it.

[Kathleen Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read every book in this series and loved them all. This one was very different for me. Too many one-dimensional characters and no reader connection to any of them. So much of the story was "told" by a single character's narration rather than through placing the reader into the events. I also struggled with too much dry instruction on what Trad music is.

Normally these books are bursting with family moments, village moments and colored richly with interludes of coziness and strong emotion. This one was not. It was very disjointed for me and often confusing to follow.

[Sierra Soto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve missed this series 🥲 love these cozy mysteries in Kilbane, Ireland with the O’Sullivan Six. Perfect. Need 10 more, stat!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at an Irish Session by Carlene O'Connor is a great cozy mystery that is the 12th book in the Irish Village Mystery series.

I have read all of the books in this series, and it definitely pays to read up as you will enjoy each book so much more if you know the background of each within the character cast.

I love the location of the novels within the village of Kilbane in County Cork, Ireland. The O’ Sullivan family never leaves the reader with a dull moment and I have always liked Siobhán and Macdara and their relationship does not deter from the series. In fact their banter, chemistry, and the way they care about each other and their families says it all.

This murder/mystery involving a hired Matchmaker for a festival, all hands are on deck to solve this puzzling demise.

4/5 stars


Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/24/26.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Murder at an Irish Session (An Irish Village Mystery Book 12)" by Carlene O'Connor is a very mildly police procedural style cozy mystery, if you're not familiar with the series. Siobhán O’Sullivan is pregnant with twins and from how she's described I'm surprised she thinks she can still hide the pregnancy. Especially with everyone new she meets hinting at her size/physical fitness. She and her husband both work for the same department so one will have to transfer eventually since there isn't enough need for both of them in their hometown. I would have to disagree since we're on book 12 and there were two deaths in this one alone.

Siobhán has invited a famous match maker to their town to put together a matchmaking event specifically for musicians. She's trying to set up one of her brothers that was threatening to leave Ireland to find romantic partner that understands his fiddling ways. The matchmaker ends up being more of a scammer and his poor behavior catches up to him quickly.

[Janet O'dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my favorite

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life for the newly promoted Detective Sergeant Siobhán O’Sullivan, is pretty good. She's expecting twins with husband Macdara and has recently organised a music and matchmaking festival for her home village of Kilbane in Ireland. But when murder strikes a discordant note and both love and clues are in short supply, it's up to Siobhán, Macdara, and the Kilbane Gardai to find the killer before everyone leaves town and responsibility behind.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cosies, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and even though I worked out whodunit fairly early on, it was still an excellent read, and I could have been wrong! I hope Macdara's mum will appear again. Her opinions, especially about mothers to be are priceless. There are no spoilers, so this can be read as a standalone.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Another fantastic mystery to keep you guessing. It took me longer to figure this one out than most of the mysteries I read. The author always does a great job of coming up with interesting crime scenes. The twin innkeepers had an extra special role this time. I also purchased the audio version because they’re so well done. I love the narrator that does the series. It’s been so fun to see the growth and development of the family over the years since book one. Siobhan and Macdara have a lot of changes coming, and I can’t wait to see how they handle them.

[Erin O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series😊 A cozy Irish mystery is just what I needed after a few of the heavier books I’ve read this month. It absolutely makes me long for the beauty of the Emerald Isle. As long as Carlene O’Connor keeps writing these, I’ll keep reading!

[Kelsey Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book reminded me of my favorite movie, The Matchmaker with Janeane Garofalo, based on a real matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna. It’s nice to see the O’Sullivan family continue to grow and grow up through these cozy mysteries.

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Sergeant Siobhan O'Sullivan lives in the small village of Kilbane, County Cork, Ireland, with her husband and several of her siblings. She has raised them since their parents' untimely death years ago. But when her youngest brother Ciaran tells her that he is thinking of moving to Australia to find a mate, she's upset.

Since Ciaran is a fiddle player, she contacts a matchmaker that specializes in connecting musicians with one another, and he arrives soon for a weekend of events and trad sessions of music. Siobhan takes an instant dislike to Liam Noone, but decides to keep a far berth, knowing this is for Ciaran. It doesn't last long when on the first night Liam is found dead, shot through the heart with a makeshift arrow -- the bow from a double bass.

All the attendees are now suspects, including Liam's two assistants who traveled with him. When Siobhan and her husband, Detective Sergeant Macdara, start investigating, the find that Liam had made many enemies along the way, and there is more to the matches he made than meets the eye. In fact, it seems that all of them are arguing among themselves, and she discovers that secrets run deep, and lies abound.

It doesn't help that Siobhan is pregnant with twins, and feeling queasy at the most inopportune times with morning sickness. But she's determined to do her job, and get to the truth, no matter what it takes. Unfortunately, it may take more than she's at first aware of, and all she knows is that there is still a killer out there who might not be done with the game...

This is the 12th book in the series, and I have grown to love these characters. The books have evolved, and the characters are growing right along with the books. We have watched them as children now grown, with all the problems that comes with it. There is no doubt that Siobhan loves her family and would do anything for them; and loves her husband so much that she is willing to put up with his overbearing mother, who is trying to make sure that Siobhan's job doesn't harm "her grandchildren." All I can say about that is that I am glad I have the mother-in-law that I do. I am more grateful for her each day. (ha).

The mystery itself is done well and it's not easy to decipher the murderer, which is how a mystery should be. There are plenty of red herrings, and suspects are everywhere. You must sift through the issues and the lies to get to the truth; and not everyone is forthcoming about their privacy. It makes it tough going for the garda, and a most intriguing mystery.

In the end, it all comes together nicely, as the murderer is indeed a surprise. The reasons for the killing are as old as time, but we can never see into the mind of a killer, nor, I think, would many of us want to do so. It would make for a rough life. But as with the other books in this series, this one is a delight to read, and I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

[Tracy Condie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sounds of love have come to the town of Kilbane, or at least the King of Matchmakers and his latest musical matches who have come together for a festival that featured trad sessions. A third-generation professional matchmaker, Liam Noone, has at the request and payment of one Detective Sergeant Siobhán O’Sullivan Flannery. Siobhan is like a mother hen as opposed to an older sister and just wants to see her siblings, the O’Sullivan Six to be paired, happily paired. She herself has a wonderful husband, Detective Sergeant Macdara Flannery, and they are five months away from meeting not one but two bundles of joy. As a soon to be mom, she seems to be using the word "pet" when speaking to possible suspects more than she used to. One of my favorite aspects of this series is the way Macdara and Siobhán interact, with respect, love, and a very good bit of humor.

In case you are wondering what is involved in a trad session, it is a performance of traditional Irish music that is impromptu and often takes place in a pub or similar surroundings. Sounds like a grand time, right? Ah but it is also an opportunity for a little drama, a little blackmail, and a little murder in a rather cupid-like fashion paired with a musical accompaniment. It was easy to see how Liam got himself killed and with so many possible suspects it was not going to be an easy apprehension but then again, it never is.

To start the list off there is Grace Collins, harp player, personal assistant and Matchmaker super (maybe over the top) fangirl. Then there is Ron Gallagher, a double bass player and self-proclaimed protege who is ready to take possession of The Lucky Book full of Liam’s tips and tricks, notes and schemes. A small character with a big personality, the Wee Stringman, is an expert shot with a bow and took part in a dust up on the first day. In addition to all that, I am not entirely sure that the musical love birds aren’t playing musical chairs as there seems to have been some wheeling and dealing involved prior to the official matching. Liam’s dad and grandpa would be rolling over in their graves if they knew how Liam had truly monetized his “gift.”

This is a mystery that had several unique and particular aspects that kept me turning the electronic pages of my Kindle. There is the glow in the dark lipstick that shined like a beacon, to the bow that was made into an arrow from a double bass. Like all of the books that came before, this is a stand-alone story, but you really are going to want to start at the beginning and get caught up before the wee ones arrive.

[Kate Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our beloved protagonist, Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan and detective Macdara Flannery, are at it again. Siobhán has passed her Detective Sargeant exam and she and Macdara are preparing for the arrival of their active twins. Meanwhile, the town is prepping for a grand event featuring a much esteemed matchmaker and a myriad of single Irish session musicians, including Siobhan's brother, Ciarán. The goal is to match up these musicians with their sympatico mates. On opening night, suddenly the lights go out and a scream is heard. Perhaps someone didn't care for their match as the matchmaker is no more. Siobhan and Macdara are immediately on it as we all know, "the show must go on!"

Author Carlene O'Connor has done a grand job of a laying out the Irish music session protocols. In one's mind can be heard the lovely strains of "The Lilting Banshee" and "The Silver Spear" as well as a pub full of grand craic. Ms. O'Connor's writing flows well; the dialogue is at times amusing yet also endearing; and the characters are well developed - each with their own demons and virtues. The best character of them all is that of Siobhán. She's bright, intelligent, plucky, caring and highly intuitive. Nothing gets past her. There is also a fair number of red herrings planted throughout the story. It's a well spun yarn which all comes to a satisfying conclusion. It's definitely among the better cozies I've read.

Although this twelfth book in series can stand on its own, the series is perhaps best enjoyed starting from the beginning as each book builds upon the last. If you enjoy a good cozy mysteries with an Irish lilt, then this is a series which I can easily commend to you.

I am grateful to Ms. O'Connor and her publisher, Kensington Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: Kensington Cozies
Publication date: February 24, 2026
Number of Pages: 288
ISBN: 978-1496744463

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siobhan and Dara are expecting twins! All of the O'Sullivan clan is thrilled, but Nana Flannery is not just thrilled, she has moved in and is set to direct Siobhan's life through her pregnancy and maybe beyond! Makes for some interesting family dynamics! As for the rest of the O'Sullivan gang, the focus is on the youngest, Ciaran this time around. As a fiddle player looking for love, his older sister sets out to help him find just that closer to home than the Australia he is threatening. She organizes a Matchmaking Irish Traditional Music Festival. When the Matchmaker King is found murdered on the night before the festival is set to officially kick off, all of the musicians he previously matched and brought with him along with his two associates and a few locals fall under suspicion. As Siobhan, now a Detective Sergeant deals with the early stages of pregnancy and it's associated hormone issues and sensitivities, she casts about looking for clues and interviewing suspects. When another of the suspects is found dead, she and Dara kick into high gear to get this solved before all of their suspects leave town.
I completely enjoyed this outing to Kilbane, even though we interacted much less than usual with the family, there was plenty to keep the story moving along and while I had the eventual killer on my suspect list, I kept talking myself into others until I was pretty much flummoxed.
If you have enjoyed the beautiful world Ms. O'Connor creates for us in past books in this series, you will like this one as well. More, it's just a great story with a well-crafted mystery and engaging characters. Crank up the Irish music, put your feet up and read this!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the chance to read an advance copy of this one in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and music often go hand in hand, which is why Irish professional matchmaker Liam Noone believes true love can be found within the bounds of a traditional Irish music session. Buoyed by the success of a previous session-related matchmaking experience, Liam is prepared to bring success to another endeavor. But not everything is as it seems, and when Liam is publicly murdered on the night his newest festival is set to launch, bedlam ensues. With a bevy of potential suspects and a slew of unanswered questions, law enforcement has the monumental task of identifying and detaining the murderer before they strike again. This cozy murder mystery is part of the An Irish Village Mystery series, and while references to previous tales appear within the text, this novel can stand on its own. Placed in the picturesque setting of the Irish town of Kilbane, the story incorporates both Irish cultural elements and relevant musical inclusions. While not everything relating to the nature of an Irish traditional music session is accurate, efforts have been made to respectfully represent this subculture within the story. Formulaic in its approach, the narrative is as readable and enjoyable as one would expect a cozy mystery to be. Elements of romantic connection are peppered throughout the story to add a level of lightness, and the discussions of murder are brief and tasteful, as well. The plot is engaging, and readers will appreciate following the journey as it winds toward the final reveal. Filled with the magic of Irish culture, this cozy murder mystery is well suited to fans of stories that feature amplified elements of real life combined with a touch of the macabre.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER AT AN IRISH SESSION is the twelfth book in the Irish Village Mystery series by Carlene O’Connor. I’ve been a longtime fan of this delightful series and have adored watching the progression and growth of the characters, in particular protagonist Detective Sergeant Siobhán O’Sullivan. After raising her orphaned siblings, making a career for herself with the Garda, then getting married, she and her detective sergeant husband, Dara, are expecting twins! When she should be resting and taking it easy (according to her mother-in-law) a music and matchmaking festival headed by Liam, Ireland’s “King of Matchmaking,” comes to their village of Kilbane. It doesn’t take long for discord and issues to follow in his wake, with his untimely death by arrow quick shortly after his arrival.

With her strong descriptive voice, the author sets an ominous tone with conflict happening right away. She’s highly skilled at crafting scenes to weave in the charming aspects of an Irish village with memorable characters while keeping the mystery forefront. The plotting is meticulous, and the pacing is spot-on, including the bits and pieces about traditional Irish music and sessions. These only add to the authenticity of the story without slowing it down. With plenty of suspects who had secrets to hide, I was kept guessing who the culprit was, which kept me invested in the story and turning pages. If you enjoy a character driving story with precise investigation procedures and atmospheric settings, then you’ll enjoy Murder at an Irish Session!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jan Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Irish Session
Carlene O’Connor
February 24, 2026

The Matchmaking King set up a session to hold a matchmaking session combined with musical notes at Fitzgerald’s Pub. The festival was set for a week. Many of the towns were thrilled to participate as well as observe as such a jamboree had never taken place in the village. When he arrived in Kilbane, it was set for Siobhan to greet him and his entourage. Musicians came from around the country with a few from Kilbane including Siobhan’s brother, Ciaran. Being an accomplished fiddler, he had hoped to find a lady when the crowds started to arrive.
Murder at the Irish Session will be published by Kensington Publishing Corporation on February 24, 2026. I was able to read O’Connor’s latest novel via NetGalley. Being a true Irish Village Mystery fan I was thrilled to read her next in the series. In this tale Siobhan and her husband Macdara are expecting twins. She doesn’t let her pregnancy affect her job as detective with the local police force. When ‘the king’, Liam Noone arrives he spells a shifty shade to his personality. Many townsfolk and participants are either thrilled or put off by him. After he is found dead in the center of town the suspense hits a difficult search for the duo who are in charge of the homicide. Whether or not readers have read Carlene O’Connors series, each is an interesting look at the Irish police way of solving crimes. I always enjoy it!

[Cheryl- Bookish Thoughts and Writing Plots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

I always get excited when I’m approved to read an advanced copy of a book in Carlene O’Connor’s Irish Village Mystery series. I’ve fallen in love with Kilbane, County Cork, and Siobhán’s large Irish family. Now her family is getting bigger because Siobhán and her husband, Macdara O’Sullivan, are expecting twins. Siobhán wants her family close, so when her brother Ciaran threatens to leave for Australia to find love, Siobhán arranges a music and matchmaking festival, hoping he’ll find love locally and stay close to home. Things don’t go according to plan when the matchmaker is murdered during a sudden blackout just as the festival is getting underway.

As usual, O’Connor has a well-plotted out mystery novel. There are plenty of suspects.
Lots of red herrings kept me second-guessing my theories. But what has made this series one of my favorites are the characters. Siobhán’s clan is a tight-knit Irish family that thrives on love and humor. I’ve really enjoyed watching them grow and change over the series. Each book highlights one of the siblings, and Murder at an Irish Session focuses on Ciaran. He’s a trad musician, and through him readers also learn about Ireland’s trad music sub-culture. The trad music is the backdrop for a tightly written mystery that kept this reader guessing until the end of the book.

4/5 stars.

[dnsyl57 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder at an Irish Session" is book #12 in an "Irish Village Mystery" by Carlene O'Connor.

Siobhán O’Sullivan has arranged to bring a matchmaker to Kilbane to help single musicians (including her younger brother Ciaran) find a mate during a trad music festival. What she didn't expect, was for the matchmaker's three previously matched couples to all be bringing secrets that could lead to the matchmaker being murdered. Bribes, blackmail, broken instruments, lies and broken hearts all add to the mystery and confusion for the garda.

As Siobhán tries to sort out the real story and catch a killer, she is also dealing with the early months of pregnancy and Macdara's very opinionated mother Nancy!

Thanks to some cleverly added twists, I changed my mind a couple of times before figuring out who was behind the killing. Reading how it all played out was well done. As always, Ms. O'Connor enriches the stories with snippets of subplots from the lives of the O'Sullivan Six and generously sprinkles a bit of wit and humor into her writing. Oh, the dynamics of a large family and a village where everybody knows your business - or thinks they do!

This was a thoroughly entertaining Irish cozy mystery!

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Irish Village series are always pleasant to read. Escapism at its best and we can all dream we are in Ireland. The O'Sullivan children have all grown up and are branching out, with lives of their own. Siobhan, a member of the Garda and married to MacDara; they are expecting twins and excited about it. Dara's mother has moved in and is monitoring Siobhan's every move and every mouthful.

Ciaran, the youngest, plays the fiddle and is threatening to move to Australia. Siobhan decides she needs to lend a hand here and an Irish traditional music festival is organized. A musical matchmaker will be the special attraction. His specialty is matching up musician couples. Unfortunately, a real arrow finds his heart and he is killed before the festival even begins. Everyone at the festival is now a suspect, and, then, yet another murder occurs. Now, as they say, the plot thickens.

The Irish setting is picturesque, the sounds of music waft through the village and the Garda team is working overtime before anything else happens.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, in exchange for a review.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siobhan and clan return for another excellent story, this time centered around trad musicians in town for a festival centered around matchmaking within the trad community. Ciaran, the youngest, gets his coming of age story, as he settles into adulthood finding joy in playing trad music. The mystery was not as compelling to me as others in the series, but the dialogue and unique characters were top notch as usual. I wish we’d had some more time with the locals, but with so many outsiders in town who were suspects, who has time to hang around with friends? Definitely not Siobhan, who is racing against time to find a murderer while fighting off morning sickness and pregnancy exhaustion from the twins she is carrying. The meddling mother-in-law brings a bit of comic relief to us (but not to poor Siobhan!), and I look forward to Siobhan’s siblings and husbands having to find a way to keep her from causing a rift from frustrations.

Thank you to Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies and Netgalley for early access to another great entry in this series by Carlene O’Connor.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 12th book in An Irish Village Mystery series may take place a couple or more years after the last book. Siobhan is pregnant with twins. The Six are scattered with only two boys still closer to home. Siobhan wants to keep Ciaran nearby so she arranges for a musical matchmaking weekend with a famed matchmaker, Liam.
Liam isn't a very nice man and is the victim for this book. He is killed in an interesting way.
There are a number of good suspects. The author kept me wondering about who had enough motive to want the matchmaker dead.
In the end, I had wondered about the culprit but never enough to be sure.
There is a great deal of Siobhan thinking about the twins. it was sweet the way that Siobhan and Macdara approached the situation.
I think the book could standalone as there are a whole host of characters introduced specifically for this book. To understand Siobhan the best, a reader would want to have at least read some of the previous 11 books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siobhan brings a famous match maker that specializes in bringing musicians together to town. Afterall, if she wants to keep her younger brother in town, he will need to find someone to love. But what Siobhan brings is a murder and soon she and the Garda are investigating. It seems the man wasn’t what he claimed to be and someone had enough of it. But who? With a town full of visitors and a short window to investigate them all, the team will need to keep the tempo moving in order to beat the clock.

This is such a great series! I love not only the mystery in each entry, but the whole family. We’ve watch Siobhan raise her siblings and now she’s starting her own family. It’s such a fun and heart warming cast of characters that I cannot help but root for them every step of the way. With twins on the way, you know things are going to get more interesting in future installments…and I cannot wait!

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This series has become a favorite. A light-hearted but well-plotted story with great characters and a wonderful Irish setting.

We have followed Siobhan O'Sullivan through lots of changes. She is married now, to fellow DI McDara, and they are expecting twins. Their town is hosting a special matchmaking event geared toward traditional Irish musicians and there is lots of excitement and activity.

But when the organizer for the event is found murdered, they have their work cut out for them. There are lots of suspects and many motives. MacDara and O'Sullivan are entertaining and full of banter, and their shared joy in her pregnancy is fun. He is helpful and watchful of her, but doesn't smother her or try to dissuade her from doing her job (unlike his mother). And the story is quite informative about trad music and the musicians. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Carlene O'Connor. This is my favorite cozy series that takes place in Ireland. I love how the O'Sullivian family interacts and the small-town feel of West Coast Ireland. The way Carlene O'Connor describes the interactions between Macdara and Siobhan, now pregnant with their twins, is so true to life. I loved all the references and history on traditional Irish music. In reading this story, I could almost hear the music. The story was so interesting to me that I didn't want to end my reading session. You are in for a treat if you have not read this series before. I feel you could read and enjoy this book even if you are reading the series for the first time. Let me warn you, it is addictive, though.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for an ARC. This review is my own opinion.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Cozies, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of ‘Murder at an Irish Session’, by Carlene O’Connor.

In the ‘Irish Village Mystery’ series, number 12, we find Siobhán O’Sullivan, local Garda, pregnant with twins. When she helps to organize a music festival, mostly to try to help her brother find a mate, she doesn’t expect a murder investigation. When a famous matchmaker brings his staff and some previously matched couples to the festival, the drama begins, and Siobhán and her Garda husband, Macdara, must solve the case.

The characters in this story bring this Irish village story to life, and the plot presents a great background for the Irish love of music. The twists and turns in the investigation keep the reader engaged, with a few surprises at the end.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this newest installment of the O’Sullivan-Flannery family, we find that Siobhan is expecting twins! She is still working, having recently been promoted. She keeps busy, in part to avoid her overbearing mother-in-law. After reading about a matchmaker who had success pairing musicians of traditional Irish music, she persuades the man to come to Kilbane, hoping he can find a match for her youngest brother Ciaran (pronounced Kieran) who’s a fine fiddler. But on the first night of the festival, the matchmaker is murdered - struck by an arrow fashioned from the bow of a double bass. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story, first because the narrator’s lovely Irish accent takes me into the setting (and pronounces the words and names I’d never be able to guess at!) and second because I learned so much about Irish music.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to accept that all the family members are adults now with their own lives, and they aren't all living together above their restaurant. It's exciting to find out that Siobhan will be having twins and how that will affect her crime-solving. I appreciate that Macdara isn't trying to keep her wrapped in wool and deter her from her career, as often happens in cozy mysteries. I didn't know anything about trad music, so it was interesting to learn about throughout the book as characters went against the norms. Liam is definitely an unlikeable character, so it's easy to have suspects who might want him dead or get revenge on him. I wasn't sure about who the culprit was until the end as there were so many options.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.