by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase the book from Amazon.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day in Beacon Harbor, and Beacon Bakeshop owner Lindsey Bakewell is baking up a storm of green-tinted Guinness and Baileys infused treats. She’s also thrilled that her boyfriend Rory O’Connor’s uncle and cousin are arriving from Ireland to open their Blarney Stone Irish gift shop and will even be leading the town’s annual Leprechaun Parade. Despite all of the St. Paddy’s Day celebrations going on, Lindsey was not prepared to literally run into a leprechaun with her Jeep or learn that the same leprechaun is seen attacking village hall clerk Fred Landry with a shillelagh and leaving him in a coma. Lindsey doesn’t believe in Irish fairies of course, but she can’t deny now being covered in green glitter or that the sprite she saw running was dressed in vintage clothing and was observably not a child. It only gets weirder when the leprechaun himself is later found murdered with the same walking stick, after being stalked by Finn who was on the trail of a Pot O’Gold.

Even though he’s the primary suspect Finn is not held by the police for long, allowing Lindsey to focus on the other dramas occurring in the town just off Lake Michigan. After a traumatic recent event Lindsey’s best friend Kennedy Kapoor has returned, bringing along all of her usual over-the-top antics and self-involved behavior. Having broken the heart of police officer Tuck McAllister, Kennedy has arrived in Beacon Harbor with a souvenir from London in the form of her new boyfriend, Niall Fitzhugh. He seems rather amused with the Americans, especially with rumors of a pot of gold circling and Finn adamant that he had found just one of many hidden treasures. Lindsey and Rory are less than enthusiastic about Finn’s determination to track down the wee folk, as there is not only a real live murderer on the loose, a simmering love square threatens to disrupt their family and group of friends.

Nothing will get readers in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day like the shamrock-themed decorations and Baileys-filled treats that abound in this fifth of the series. A delicious recipe for Baileys and Guinness cheesecake is included in the end, as is one for an Irish Guinness Stew. Cozy lovers will also appreciate the presence of Lindsey’s ginormous Newfoundland pup Wellington, whose encounter with a skunk starts off the novel. The self-centered Kennedy has had her confidence knocked a bit down since earlier installments, which allows her to be (slightly) more sympathetic and definitely more tolerable. While her jealousy at seeing Tuck move on with Rory’s cousin makes Kennedy more human, it also has Lindsey questioning whether her best friend is ready for a relationship at all.

The writing is at its most entertaining when it focuses on the charming and very entertaining characters who reside in Beacon Harbor, and Lindsey and Rory are the perfect couple. The Beacon Lighthouse Lindsey calls home, as well as the new boathouse she and Rory renovated, allow for a unique setting and place for them to gather and celebrate. Clever writing, a finale that will surprise all, and a very satisfying conclusion leaves readers wanting more, exactly what mystery readers want in their favorite mystery reads.

To enter to win a copy of Murder at the Blarney Bash, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “blarney bash” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 16, 2024. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.