Rayne McGrath here, on a plane to Ireland, head spinning as I grapple with my new reality. I fly first class as a birthday gift from my mother, a famous sitcom actress in LA. She’s terrified of flying so can’t accompany me to the Emerald Isle to hear what beloved Uncle Nevin bequeathed me. I can’t believe he’s gone. I can’t believe a lot in the last forty-eight hours. Mercury retrograde? Heck, planetary retrograde? The entire universe feels upside down.
All I know is that I’m a hot mess. I one hundred percent believed that Landon Short loved me. I thought we’d get married and take the bridalwear scene in LA to the next level. I’m humiliated to find myself the victim, ugh, hate that word, of a crime that I should have been smart enough to see coming. I could be a plot in one of my mother’s dramatic episodes.
I look so pathetic that the nice guy next to me offers to buy me a drink to cheer me up when I confess it was my birthday. It’s not a drink I want, it’s my dad. I miss him so much it hurts all over again. He was always the one to understand my wild Celtic nature, as I’d inherited it from him.
He’s gone, Uncle Nevin’s gone. My bank account is gone. Even worse, my bridal inventory is gone, stolen, and those brides count on me to make their day the most special it can be. I toss back my drink. It warms me and chases the chill of failure. I will fix this. I won’t let those women down, not if I have to sew everything all over again. I’d built a relationship with each bride. They told me things that they hadn’t told their best friends. I digress. I don’t take that trust lightly.
I make an internal list of everything that I need for my July, August, and September brides. My bank account is zero. I’d listened to Landon when he told me that it would look better to have a high balance joint bank account for the business. I feel so stupid.
When I arrive in Ireland, a woman my height, five eight is tall for a female, with bleached blonde short curls that look as soft as a cotton puff seems to be looking for me. She has nice features, and wears sunglasses, though there is not a hint of sunshine anywhere. When she calls my name, I love the lilt of her voice, as it reminds me of my father. Of my uncle. This had been their home. And from then on? Ciara and I interact like I’m something she’d rather scrape off the bottom of her work boot. She takes me to the “solicitor’s” office, i.e.,: lawyer, where I learn that this abrasive woman is my cousin I never knew about.
Not only that, Uncle Nevin has left me the whole darn castle, and given me a year to turn it around, or it’s history, along with the villagers. Mr. Owen Hughes gives me until the next day to decide. Take it or leave it. In order to give the scowling woman next to me a home, I have to say yes. Nothing is going my way.
Worse? Uncle Nevin was murdered. Is Ciara guilty? Am I next? Read Murder at an Irish Castle to find out…
Murder at an Irish Castle, An Irish Castle Mystery Book #1
Genre: Cozy
Release: February 2023
Format: Print, Digital, and Audio
Purchase Link
Fans of Hannah Dennison and Carlene O’Connor’s mysteries are in for a treat with Ellie Brannigan’s captivating debut cozy mystery, complete with a sharp and endearing protagonist.
Rodeo Drive bridalwear designer Rayne McGrath expected her thirtieth birthday to start with a power lunch and end with champagne, lobster, and a diamond engagement ring from her fiancé. Instead, flat-broke and busted, she’s on a plane to Ireland where she discovers that she’s inherited a run-down family castle. Uncle Nevin’s will contains a few caveats—for example, if Rayne doesn’t turn McGrath Castle around within a year, the entire village will be financially destroyed.
With the fate of the town in her hands, and rumors that Rayne’s uncle’s death wasn’t actually an accident, she can’t possibly go back to her old life in L.A. As the devastating truth about her uncle dawns on Rayne, it’s not just her reputation that’s on the line, it’s her life.
Featuring a sharp and endearing protagonist, a colorful and quirky locale, and replete with twists and turns befitting an old Irish village, the first in Brannigan’s mystery series transports us to a milieu as romantic as it is deadly.
About the author
Ellie Brannigan, who also writes as Traci Hall, has lived in South Florida for the last twenty years. She loves the ocean and any food dish with shrimp. When she’s not creating new fictional worlds, she reads, and travels…and eats. You can reach her at elliebranniganauthor@gmail.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Ellie has generously offered to give away two print copies of Murder at an Irish Castle. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends February 12, 2023. Good luck everyone!
Sounds like an intriguing setting for a mystery!
It was a lot of fun to write!
I had fun writing it!
I concur! Love the dog on the cover too!
It sounds like a really interesting book, very intriguing. Thank you for sharing.
I think I’d enjoy the book. I like the sheep on the cover. It would be great to visit an Irish castle.
I think it would be too–I hope to visit in 2024!
It is my pleasure to be here!
Would to read this book.
Good morning! I hope so, lol…twists and turns are so much fun to put on the page!
Sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. I like the Irish castle setting.
I love the beautiful cover of this book 📕 and the cute dog! This sounds like such an exciting and thrilling cozy, and I can’t wait to read it! Thank you so much dear Dru Ann and Ellie for the chance to win! Fingers crossed 🤞! 📚📕😊
Good luck!! Thank you for being here this morning 🙂
This sounds like a very interesting new series. I’d love to read this!
Thank you so much! Good luck!!
This sounds so good…I can’t wait to read it!
Hey there, Christi! Thank you very much!
I love books set in Ireland! Can’t wait to read!
I do too! Good luck!
I’d love to visit an Irish castle. I can’t imagine inheriting one!
Sounds great. I love the cover.
Hi Rita! Crooked Lane did a beautiful job
Congratulations on another book! It sounds so good.
Thank you very much!
Sounds like a fun read with a wonderful setting!
Thank you! Good luck!
Poor Rayne! Could things get any worse? She has an awful lot of things to juggle.
Right? I feel kind of bad for her too lol
A captivating mystery with a wonderful setting.
Thank you so much!
This cozy would be enjoyed. Love the locale.
I do too–so pretty!
Visiting Ireland is on my bucket list; my father-in-law had Irish roots. I had an Irish Setter 50 years ago, and love the fact that a setter is depicted on the cover. I’m anxious to read the first of what sounds like a new and intriguing series!
Ah, thank you so much–good luck to you!
Looks like a fun read. I’d love to win!
Good luck to you!!
I’m on my library’s wait list for the book – congratulations on your book release!
Mary, that is terrific! Thank you!
Sounds like a great story. I love the setting! I don’t envy her having to turn things around.
Thank you very much–but she will do it, lol, I know she will lolol
I love books set in Ireland! I hope to visit one day. This book sounds like it is right up my alley.
I love them too–good luck to you!
You had me at “Ireland”.
LOL–good luck, Libby!
Boy, Rayne has a lot to deal with, doesn’t she? I mean, there’s the whole “save the castle or the village faces financial ruin” situation. What about the brides needing their gowns? Rayne suddenly being broke? Revelations about her beloved Uncle Nevin’s death? I’m intrigued to read this book and see what happens. Congratulations on your new release!
I’m truly looking forward to reading this new book. I even have a hold on it at my local library… But really, I’d rather have my own copy to add to my HUGE home library.
Good luck to you!! I am so happy for your home library–books, books, and more books!
Definitely adding this to my list of books to read! Ireland is one of my favorite settings for a book! The story sounds interesting for sure.
Your book sounds so fun I would love to visit Ireland and to inherit a castle that would be amazing. Thank you for the chance to win this great book.
Good luck to you!!
This sounds great. I like your other books. Thanks for the chance.
Thank you so much! Good luck!
The plot of this book sounds good. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thank you very much–good luck to you!
One of my bookclubs is actually reading this book this month. I’d love to win a copy.
Wow, Carla! That is so cool!! Good luck to you
I loved visiting Ireland and enjoy reading all mysteries and books set there–turning a castle into a success sounds like quite a challenge
It is on the list for 2024!! Ireland, not saving a castle, lol–good luck!
Sounds like a fun read.
Thank you!!
Rayne sounds like a sweet, down on her luck character. It will be fun to see how she copes with life’s challenges. She has some big ones, but I have a suspicion she will triumph over them! Congratulations on the book! I would love to win a copy!
Thank you so much!!
New author and series for me, sounds good!
**** WINNERS ****
Murder at an Irish Castle are Christie King, Beverly Guy
Congratulations!