Death by Irish Whiskey by Catie Murphy

Item: Death by Irish Whiskey
Rating: 3
Author: BaronessMom

Posted February 1, 2024 by BaronessMom in Mystery, Review, Series / 0 Comments

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Death by Irish Whiskey

by Catie Murphy

Series: Dublin Driver Mysteries #5
Series Rating:

Published by Kensington Cozies on January 23, 2024
Setting: Dublin, Ireland
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 257
Format: Kindle, Paperback
Source: NetGalley
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Nook

Featuring the humor and charm of Ireland, a compelling whodunit, and two Jack Russell Terrier puppies, the latest book in the acclaimed Dublin Driver cozy mystery series is perfect for fans of Carlene O’Connor!

The competition for best whiskey in Ireland will be a publicity bonanza for the winner, and that means there are celebrities involved—like boxer Angus McConal and Megan’s friend Niamh, an up-and-coming actress who’s teamed up with Megan’s uncle, the retired Sligo harbormaster. But rivalries and revelries turn out to be a bad blend when McConal dies at a whiskey tasting. Megan promised her girlfriend she’d quit her amateur sleuthing, but with Niamh and her uncle as suspects, she’s over a barrel . . .

With her relationship on the rocks, Megan gets in even deeper when a second entrant in the competition is killed—and her investigation starts zeroing in on a suspect. Now she just needs proof . . .

Death by Irish Whiskey by Catie Murphy is a fast-paced mystery with lots of Irish Whiskey.

Will Megan Malone find the killer before another competitor dies?

This is the first book in this series I have read. It is set in Dublin, Ireland, and the author gives us an honest look at the countrymen. Her descriptions are wonderfully insightful and bring the entire setting to life.

Megan Malone, the Murder Driver

Our sleuth is Megan Malone. She is American and retired from a branch of the United States military. Megan lives with two Jack Russell terriers and her significant other. She has lived in Ireland for a while and has made some good friends who will stand by her no matter what.

I like Megan. She seems to have a good handle on her life, even if she isn’t lucky in love. Being an American, she uses it to her advantage at times.

The Mystery

At the Irish Whiskey competition, a local retired boxer and new whiskey brewer dies in a punch bowl. Megan is trying to stay out of the investigation, but her reputation as the Murder Driver keeps getting her dragged into the case. After another death and an equally dramatic personal issue, Megan is called to action, and she brings her A game.

The whole installment takes place in three days. Although the story moves fast, the clues are expertly hidden, and I didn’t get the whodunit until right as the sleuth figures it out. My favorite character is Uncle Rabbie. He is like the quintessential Irish grandpa.

Three Stars

My rating for Death by Irish Whiskey by Catie Murphy is three stars. I like the setting and the characters for the most part, yet I didn’t feel like it was calling to me. However, I would still suggest that you check it out. Stories don’t always resonate with everyone, and where this one didn’t with me, it may with you.

Dublin Driver Mysteries Series

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Death by Irish Whiskey by Catie Murphy.

Until the next time,

Baroness’ Book Trove is an Amazon, Books A Million, and Barnes and Noble affiliate, meaning that if you click on a link that takes you to one of those retailers and purchase something, this blog gets a tiny percentage back. Mainly, this helps with the cost of the website and a few giveaways.

About Catie Murphy

CE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.

She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges: