Well, I found a new cozy mystery series to love. Dead in Dublin may be a debut mystery, but Catie Murphy has written science fiction/fantasy as C.E. Murphy, so it’s quite polished. It doesn’t hurt that it’s set in Dublin with actual buildings and monuments. Murphy’s debut did send me down a rabbit hole as I looked at pictures of Dublin and listened to several versions of “Molly Malone”.

Megan Malone’s client dies at the feet of the statue of Molly Malone. Megan is an American transplant who drives tourists around for Leprechaun Limo Service. The former army medic enjoys chatting with people, asking them about their stories, so the job is perfect for her.  Elizabeth Darr, a renowned restaurant critic and food blogger has been a regular client for three months as she and her husband, Dr. Simon Darr, explore restaurants and Ireland. But, when Liz dies after eating dinner at Canan’s, owned by Megan’s friend Fiann Canan, the detective garda Paul Bourke asks Megan if her friend regularly poisons guests.

Fiann knows she’s ruined if it turns out Liz died of food poisoning. In Ireland, the chef is responsible, and that’s Fiann. But, Megan knows Simon, Liz’s husband, and she’s willing to help him get through the next couple days, helping with Liz’s website, picking up her parents at the airport. And, of course, Megan will do what she does best. She’ll ask questions, and she’ll listen. Megan and Simon are both shocked, though, when they suddenly hear Liz’ voice. It seems she had a blog ready to go live. And, in the background, she’s softly singing “Molly Malone”.

Megan has been in Dublin for three years, and she has quite a few friends, and even family members to call on for help. Megan is a loyal friend, and she won’t let Fiann or Liz’ parents down as she looks for the person who killed the restaurant critic. She’s not even willing to disappoint a mother Jack Russell terrier and her two newborn pups. Megan Malone is a sucker for needy people.

Dead in Dublin is a polished, enjoyable debut. And, it’s wonderful to read about a mature, forty-year-old amateur sleuth with life experience. However, three-quarters of the way into the book, Megan disappointed me. She took some actions, pushing her own investigation, that could have been dangerous for anyone, let alone an amateur sleuth. The world Megan Malone was investigating could be dangerous. It was risky just asking questions because she could have asked the wrong people.

It struck me after I finished that there were actually a few loose ends that weren’t tied up. Believe it or not, one has to do with the song, “Molly Malone”. However, that’s a minor point. And, I was very pleased that she has a pronunciation guide to some of the Irish names at the front of the book.

Murphy already has the next two books in the series written, and I can’t wait. I love Ireland, and this book, despite the murders, makes me ready to go back. It doesn’t hurt that I looked at pictures. Murphy takes readers to sites from the book on her site, mizkit.com/DublinDriverPhotography. Start with the statue of Molly Malone, and you’ll feel ready to read this mystery. And, you really should listen to a version or two of the song “Molly Malone”.

Catie Murphy’s website is www.mizkit.com

Dead in Dublin by Catie Murphy. Kensington Books, 2020. ISBN 9781496724182 (paperback), 292p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book (but I bought a copy after finishing it – I mean – Dublin!)