Carlene O'Connor

I feel that I should point out that the books in this series are not cosies, but quite noir police procedurals. They are built around the town of Dingle and involve a veterinarian Dimpna Wilde, recently returned from Dublin to take over her father's practice, and Detective Sergeant Cormac O’Brien. They are an unlikely couple, in their middle years.

Both the books that I have read so far in this series have been well plotted, and I would advise starting with the first in the series NO STRANGERS HERE to make sure you pick up on character development and other plot lines.

There were plenty of clues in this one about who the murderer was, but also plenty of enticing red herrings. The next in the series, due to be published later this year is YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR.… (more)

An engaging cozy, focussing on Siobhán O’Sullivan's first case as a Garda.

The local priest wakes her after he hears a gunshot in his local churchyard. He follows that by finding the body of an American tourist. This case is really above Siobhán's pay grade and a garda from Dublin is brought in to work with her.

Set in the small village of Kilbane, the case is an interesting mix of current police procedural and historical investigation. The American is the head of a successful food chain who has come to Ireland to search his past. He has brought with him his current (3rd) wife, his brother, a nurse, and his two adult children, and a documentary maker who will film their journey.

In addition Siobhán O’Sullivan has a restaurant to run and personal problems to resolve.

I have already begun another series by this author (see below)… (more)

This a cracking good yarn. Plenty of mystery. Plenty of secrets.

Dimpna Wilde left Dingle 27 years ago. After she was raped and after the racehorse in her care was killed in a traffic accident.

She has established a career as a renowned vet despite her diminutive size. But her husband committed suicide a year ago and really she has nowhere to go but Dingle where she has family.

She arrives in time to hear of the murder Johnny O'Reilly, wealthy race horse owner, and to witness the arrival of Cormac O'Brien, Detective. Cormac will be challenged as he tries to crack the secrets of the town.

There is a lot for the reader to get up to speed on, and Dimpna becomes our eyes and ears, as we delve into the past and the present.

I'm impressed enough by this book to be looking for the next in the series SOME OF US ARE LOOKING.… (more)