#AudioBook #Review: The Shamrock Case by Linda Weaver Clarke - 4 Wine Glasses

Title: THE SHAMROCK CASE
Series: Amelia Moore Detective Series Book 2
Author: Linda Weaver Clarke
Narrator: Diane Lehman
Format: Unabridged Audiobook, 4 hours and 27 minutes
Published: Red Mountain Shadows Publishing, November 13, 2015
ISBN: ASIN:B017WMAK7Q
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Audible
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Gifted by Author
Rating: 4 out of 5 Wine Glasses

A COZY MYSTERY: Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. With the help of Rick Bonito, her new partner, her business is flourishing. When Amelia is hired to search for her client's grandparents, the case takes them to Ireland. Kate must learn about her heritage. Who are her grandparents and could they still be alive after all these years? Why did her parents leave Ireland suddenly and move to America? Is there more to this case than meets the eye? 

Linda's Thoughts:
"This is what we call a shamrock. It has three leaves. Do you know what it represents?"
"Luck? Amelia answered.
Lee smiled. "That's what everyone says."
Rick shrugged. "Well, I know it's Ireland's emblem."
Lee shook his head and said earnestly, "It's much more than that. It represents our religion... who we are. When St. Patrick was trying to teach Christianity here in Ireland, he used this shamrock as an example." Lee pointed to each leaf and said, "This is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost...."
Rick still held the clover in his hand. He looked at it and twirled it between his fingers as he said, "I'm calling this the Shamrock Case from now on. I love what it represents."

THE SHAMROCK CASE by Linda Weaver Clarke is a fun, sweet cozy mystery. This is the second book in the author's Amelia Moore Detective Series, but it can be easily enjoyed as a standalone if that is your preference. Just be aware that there are two primary characters who feature prominently across all the books in the series. The author fills in any needed information from the previous book as the story progresses, but, if it is read as a standalone, the reader will miss the progression of the couple's romance.

This particular installment is set almost entirely in Ireland and, as in the previous book which was mostly set in Bali, the locale plays a large part in the story. After listening to the first two books in this series, each has made me feel that I'm on tour in the region where each tale occurred.  I have always wanted to visit Ireland and the author's writing vividly paints each scene so I feel as if I'm really there.

As the story opens, our heroine, Ms. Amelia Moore, meets with a young lady who wants to find her grandparents and to learn more about her Irish heritage. Amelia's prospective client has recently learned she was adopted and that her birth parents both died shortly after she was born. Amelia accepts the case and enlists the services of Rick Bonito, to accompany her to Ireland and assist. Amelia and Rick are good friends but each is strongly attracted to the other, so it's exciting to watch their friendship evolve as they work on each assignment together. Please know that their romance isn't on the heat scale - there's no hanky panky - only some dreamy kisses. But, it fits perfectly with the characters and the story and is quite endearing.

Of course, in Ireland, when Amelia and Rick aren't working on the case, they indulge in sightseeing and knocking off more of each of their bucket lists. For instance, this time around, I learned things about the Blarney Stone that I didn't know and felt like I was the one kissing it! AND so much more!!!! Their dining choices had my stomach growling. I enjoy romance and fairy tales so I delighted in the author's added references to fairy tales in this book. Rick fits the mold of a gallant knight hook, line and sinker. Secondary characters were a colorful lot that added to both the sense of being in Ireland and also to the light mystery.

Following please find a few of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from this listen:

"By the way, I do enjoy fairytale endings, in case you misunderstood me." He glanced at her and smiled. "I like it when good wins over evil... when the knight defeats the dragon and saves the fair maiden... and when the woodsman saves Little Red Riding Hood. I like it when they say, 'And they lived happily ever after'...
Just because I'm a man doesn't mean that I don't have a romantic bone in my body." Rick gave a curt nod. "Men can be romantic, too."
---

Rick tenderly lifted her chin upwards and said, "I have an assignment for the Moore Detective Agency. Actually, for the boss. It's of great importance."
"And what's that?" asked Amelia as she gazed into his eyes.
"I've lost my heart and I need you to find it for me. Is that at all possible?"
When he pulled her into his arms, Amelia swallowed. "Well... where did you last see it?"
"I loaned it to a beautiful woman."
"Oh? Maybe she doesn't know she's got it."
---

"One cannot think well, love well, or sleep well, if one has not dined well."

The  narrator, Diane Lehman, excelled again. She also narrated the first book. Her voice was clear and her Irish brogue sounded genuine. Her male and female voices were differentiated and I loved her singing voice as she sang Irish ballads. I would not hesitate to pick up another book that she has performed.

If you enjoy clean, entertaining romances with a bit of a mystery that won't leave you biting you nails and with a strong travel guide feel, you really need to check out this series. I can't wait to see how Amelia's and Rick's relationship develops in the next book! THE MISSING HEIR will be taking readers to Mexico! Hola Amigos!


Suggested Reading Order: Amelia Moore Series
THE BALI MYSTERY (Book #1)
THE SHAMROCK CASE (Book #2)
THE MISSING HEIR (Book #3)
THE MYSTERIOUS DOLL (Book #4)
HER LOST LOVE (Book #5)
MYSTERY ON THE BAYOU (Book #6)