4 Wine Glass #Audio #Review of St. Patrick's Day Murder by Leslie Meier

Title: St. Patrick’s Day MURDER
Series: Lucy Stone, Book #14
Author: Leslie Meier
Narrator: Karen White
Format: Unabridged Audiobook, 7 hours and 8 mins
Published: Feb 21, 2017 (Dreamscape Media, LLC)
ISBN-10: 1520065760
ISBN-13: 978-1520065762
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Audible
Reviewer: Linda
Source: AudioBookJukeBox.com
Rating: 4 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Not many people in Tinker's Cove, Maine, knew Old Dan Malone. The grizzled barkeep's social circle was limited to the rough-hewn lobstermen and other assorted toughs that frequented his bar, a derelict main street dive called, appropriately, the Bilge. But when his body is found bobbing in the town's icy harbor, Lucy Stone, ace reporter for the Pennysaver newspaper, makes getting to know more about Old Dan a priority. And apparently, there's lots to learn.

Like the fact that local musician Dave Reilly insists Old Dan conned a winning lottery ticket worth five grand from him. And that handyman Brian Donohue claims that Old Dan stiffed him for repair work he'd done at the bar. There are even whispers about some connection to the Irish Republican Army. The confusion surrounding the death is only compounded by the arrival of actor Dylan Malone, Old Dan's brother and a prominent, if fading, attraction of the Dublin stage. Dylan has come to direct the production of "Finian's Rainbow," the featured event at Our Lady of Hope's annual St. Patrick's Day extravaganza. He's also come to help his brother renovate the Bilge, turning the dingy tavern into an authentic--if decidedly upscale--Irish pub.

Was Old Dan killed by someone he'd cheated, someone he'd loved, or someone who just couldn't stand the idea of losing their favorite watering hole? While Lucy can't be sure, one thing is abundantly clear--the stage is set for a murder mystery with a killer ending!

Linda's Thoughts:
“The dead don’t give up anything, but the living do.”

St. Patrick’s Day Murder by Leslie Meier is another intriguing installment in the author’s Lucy Stone cozy mystery series set in a small coastal town in Maine. Lucy is a reporter for the Pennysaver, the town’s newspaper. As the story opens, there’s a spooky murder…

“And what do you think you’re doing?” he demanded, feeling a large hollowness growing inside him.
“You know quite well, don’t you?” replied the crow, hopping up onto the bar with a neat flap of his wings. The bird cocked his head and looked him in the eye. “Don’t tell me an Irishman like you, born and bred in the old country, has forgotten the tale of Cú Chulainn?”
“’Tisn’t the sort of thing you can forget,” he told the crow. “Especially that statue in the Dublin General Post Office. A handsome piece of work that is, illustrating how Cú Chulainn knew death was near and tied himself to a post so he could die standing upright, like the hero he was.”
“Cú Chulainn was a hero indeed,” admitted the crow. “And his enemies couldn’t kill him until the Morrighan lit on his shoulder, stealing his strength, weakening him…”
“Right you are. The Morrighan,” he said. The very thought of that fearsome warrior goddess, with her crimson cloak and chariot, set his heart to pounding in his bony old chest.
“And what form did the Morrighan take, might I ask?” inquired the bird.
“A crow,” he said, feeling a great trembling overtake him. “So is that it? Are you the Morrighan come for me?”
“What do you think Daniel Malone?”

When the body is found days later, it’s headless…  This story is set against a backdrop of an out-of-control church play with the Irish director and his wife, both claiming to be related to Old Dan, providing a myriad of theatrical moments. Will Lucy be able to solve the mystery of who murdered Old Dan before the murderer claims another victim?

The books in this series can be fully enjoyed as stand alone reads if that is your preference. St. Patrick’s Day Murder is only the second book I’ve listened to in this series. The first was Father’s Day Murder which I have previously reviewed. Father’s Day Murder was such a solid read that I didn’t hesitate to pick up this one when I saw it available. I’d like to catch up with the series at some point. The series already consists of over twenty episodes so it will take me a bit. 

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from St. Patrick’s Day Murder:

“You know what I think? I think you need some chocolate,” said Lucy. “I know I could sure use some. “It’s not every day that a headless body turns up and I have to cover it.”
--- 

“I’ve never been to a real Irish wake,” said Lucy. “Just visiting hours at the funeral home.”
“You think this’ll be different?”
“I’m no expert, but from what I’ve heard, they’re pretty lively affairs. Sometimes they even sit the dead person’s body up and put a drink in its hand.”
“That’d be a problem for Old Dan,” said Brian, thoughtfully. “I mean, he could hold the drink, but you sort of need a head to complete the image. Not that he could actually drink it, of course, being dead and all, but you know what I mean.”
Lucy did. How could you have a wake with a body that had no head?
--- 

“I’m a mother. You name it, I’ve seen it and probably had to mop it up,” said Lucy.

LOL! One of the interesting dialogues herein which I’ve continued to think about involved a conversation regarding beheadings and what those who behead do with the heads. It was obviously a well-researched piece. Not that I see very many, but I’ll never look at another body-less head the same.

Karen White returns as the narrator of St. Patrick’s Day Murder and nails it. As with every title I’ve listened to that she’s narrated, each character is performed uniquely and distinctly, allowing listeners to easily distinguish who is speaking at any one time. Her voice is pleasant, clear and easy-to-follow. Her pace and timing are en pointe. The end product is polished and professional. When I listen to one of Karen’s performances, I don’t think about her narration; her delivery is so natural that it never fails to let me just escape into the story. Karen White is one of my favorite narrators for all the reasons above.

St. Patrick’s Day Murder is a pure cozy mystery. There’s no romantic element so, if you are looking for a romance, look elsewhere. I like the way that the author always tastefully addresses various social issues working them into the story. If you enjoy captivating, light cozy mysteries with a colorful array of characters, suspense, guffaws-galore and eerie entertainment, you should add St. Patrick’s Day Murder to your to-be- enjoyed-soon list!



Suggested Reading Order: 
Lucy Stone Mystery series