Another great book by MS. Connolly ( )

Tied Up with a Bow by Sheila Connolly is A County Cork Mystery Novella (#6.5). Maura Donovan has been Leap for over a year (maybe two) now since she inherited Sullivan’s. Christmas is approaching and a mysterious holiday project is going on across the street from the pub. A raffle is started so people can guess on the secretive holiday undertaking. Considering the amount of time Maura has been in this village, she should know more about the running of the pub. The first thing Maura should have done was learn all there is to know about running the pub. Maura seems to have other priorities (does anyone know what they are). She also does not seem to know where anything is in the village (the school for instance). Maura makes contradictory statements as well (in the same book and information from previous books). I have tried to like Maura, but it seems to be a lost cause. I wonder if she has any common sense at all. I am tired of hearing that she cannot cook (or make a sandwich) plus seems oblivious on where the local market is located. There is a lack of consistency in the series which is unusual for this author. Tied Up with a Bow is not a standalone story. It is a series that is best read in order. I wish the pacing had been livelier and repetitive information had been eliminated. I also would have liked more holiday spirit. I did like young Danny. The poor kid and his mother are having a rough time. I do like that Maura is trying to help them (in her way). Tied Up with a Bow was just not the right book for me. I suggest you obtain a sample of Buried in the Bog (first book in series) to see if this story suits you. Tied Up with a Bow transports readers to Ireland for wacky wagers, a puzzling project, a dangerous due, a concerned child and Celtic Christmas customs. ( )

A great short in the series. ( )

Tied Up With A Bow is the first novella for the A County Cork Mystery series.

Christmas is just around the corner and a construction crew is busy working on a project across the street from Sullivan’s Pub and Maura is very curious as to what is being built. Only County Cork seems to know what is being built. Maura has asked Mick, Rose, Billy, Seamus, and most customer of the pub. Everyone is in the dark, as is Maura.

A second mystery facing Maura is the young boy, Danny, who she finds sitting on a bench outside of Sullivan’s when she goes out to check on the progress of “The Thing” as she refers to construction going on. Danny tells Maura that he and his mam have recently moved to Leep and she is working Sheehan’s, an inn across the street. When Danny’s mam comes to pick him up, Maura tries to get information out of her but is unwilling to share much about her past. Maura hopes to find out more about Danny and his mam, hoping that their lives are not in danger.

This is a wonderful heartwarming holiday story. Maura is still vacillating between expanding the pub to include the serving of food. Rose feels confident that the pub will be even more successful with this addition. Of course, Seamus seems the need to have a lottery for what “The Thing” will turn out to be. And as always Billy will be sitting near the fireplace enjoying his pint and instilling more talk of the delightful little town of Leep.

A wonderful quick read. ( )

mystery, Ireland, family, kindness

A lovely holiday tale about the good folks of the village, fun in the local pub, a small family with more than just money trouble, and The Thing.
Loved it! Will be looking for more in the series.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )