A Body at the Irish Book Club

I have a confession: I don’t like cozy mysteries. Too many pastel sweaters, too little edge. That’s why Lucy Connelly’s *A Body at the Irish Book Club* hooked me from the first chapter. It’s got the cozy setting—a bookstore, a book club, tea that never stops flowing—but it’s not afraid to get its hands dirty. Mercy McCarthy isn’t your typical amateur sleuth; she’s sharp, a little cynical, and refreshingly uninterested in playing the role of the lovable detective. Instead, she’s just a woman who finds a dead body and can’t resist poking around, even when everyone else wants her to stop. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with red herrings that actually feel like red herrings, not just lazy distractions. The real star, though, is the setting. The bookstore isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character, with its creaky floors, musty bookshelves, and the faint scent of Earl Grey clinging to everything. It’s the kind of place you want to visit (preferably without a corpse). Kimberly M. Wetherell’s narration elevates this audiobook to something truly special. She’s got the full range—from Mercy’s dry, sarcastic wit to the blustery Irish charm of her brother, Seamus, who delivers lines like *“I didn’t kill her, but I’m not sorry she’s dead”* with the perfect mix of exasperation and dark humor. The only misstep? The pacing dips ever so slightly in the middle, when the investigation hits a lull, but it’s not enough to derail the story. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie-style puzzles with a modern, bookish twist—or if you just love a good laugh with a side of murder—this is the audiobook for you. I listened to the last three hours in one sitting and didn’t regret a second of it.