The first in a mystery series from the much-loved Irish actor, writer and comedian, for readers who enjoy the warmth of Graham Norton and the mystery of Death in Paradise, all wrapped up in one small Irish town. With thanks to Keighley_Reads for a fabulous review!
I must confess, I read this entire book in my head using Ardal’s voice! His tone is so distinctive that I could easily imagine the story being told directly by him, as though he were recounting everything to the reader.
This is the first book I’ve read by Ardal (though not his first), and I really enjoyed it. The plot was engaging, who doesn’t love a good murder mystery? And the characters were memorable. I especially loved how Finn’s thoughts were portrayed; it genuinely felt like the story was being read aloud. His relationships with the other main characters were handled nicely, particularly the way he dealt with Happiness and her connection to his mother.
The pacing felt just right. There were several suspects, but they were easy to keep track of, and I enjoyed following Finn and Aoife’s reasoning throughout (even though I managed to guess the culprit!).
Overall, this is a cosy crime novel set in a charming Irish small-town setting, full of the language, humour, and atmosphere you’d expect. It’s an easy, enjoyable read with an intriguing plot. Small town murder stories really are the best.
About the Book
When beloved celebrity gardener Finn O’Leary returns to his hometown of Abbeyford in Ireland to care for his aging mother, he is naturally roped into the Tidy Towns committee.
The Tidy Towns is a competition fanatically fought over by every town and village in the land. And for his best friend’s sister, Aoife, it’s a competition she’s determined to win. With everyone’s favourite gardener on board, she is sure that this year Abbeyford will take home the prize. But Finn’s not been back long when an alto-baritone at his mother’s choir practice drops dead during a rendition of ‘What the World Needs Now’.
With more at stake than just winning Tidy Towns, Finn soon finds himself trying to solve a murder – or two. For one of his many qualities is that people tend to confide in him…
With his mother, her carer and Aoife in tow, Finn sets out to discover just who has brought murder to Abbeyford.
And so it begins.
About The Author
Ardal O’Hanlon is one of Ireland’s best-loved actors and stand-up comedians, as well as a writer of novels and documentaries. Ardal’s acting credits include leading roles in Father Ted (C4), for which he won a British Comedy Award and Bafta nominations, Death in Paradise (BBC), My Hero (BBC), Derry Girls (C4), Big Bad World (ITV), Blessed (BBC) and the RTE sitcom Val Falvey TD. Among the shows he’s presented he also did a half-hour special for Comedy Central (USA), the first overseas act to do so. Ardal has written the acclaimed bestselling novel The Talk of the Town (1999), which was included in the book 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, and Brouhaha (2022).
Purchase the Book
This book can be purchased in our store either on its own or in a cosy Book Box.
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