Author: Ellie Brannigan
Genre: Mystery
Library Binding; Digital Book (Audiobook Available)
ISBN #: 9798885788823
Crooked Lane Books (Thorndyke Large Print)
320 Pages
February 7, 2023
$31.99; $13.99 Amazon
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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.
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After a night of celebrating, famous bridalwear designer Rayne McGrath wakes up on her thirtieth birthday hoping it will be the best of her life. She's counting on her business partner and boyfriend Landon to help her business go global -- and maybe with an engagement ring in the process. Instead, she discovers that isn't going to happen.
Now, she's broke and angry and wondering how she could have let this happen. Then she receives a message that her Uncle Nevin has passed away, and she's required at the reading of the will. In Ireland. With no other choice, she reluctantly arrives in the Emerald Isle, and is greeted by a sullen young woman named Ciara. What she also finds out is that she now owns the castle, and Ciara and she together must manage the place for one year and make it profitable -- or the castle goes up for sale and everyone on the grounds and in the town will be bankrupt.
Struggling with her choices -- although there isn't really one -- she agrees. But with Ciara resenting her, and others wanting her gone, Rayne has her own ideas, which aren't heartily welcomed. One other problem: Ciara believes that Nevin was murdered, and so does Rayne. But proving it is another matter, as no one wants to believe someone on the farm could have killed him. But if not them, then who?
This is the first book in a new series and I found it entirely enchanting. I love the premise of the book, and most of the characters. I will say that Amos wouldn't have attracted me because I dislike men with long hair (my own opinion), but I did like him as a character -- intelligent, open, witty. Ciara took a lot longer, as she bristled far too much; but in the end all the characters won me as a friend; they are loyal, friendly, sharp. I also loved Blarney the dog.
Rayne also struggles with the fact that she needs to keep her bridal gown business going or she will lose her customers, but how to do that in another country? Especially when there is no reliable internet? Her problems aren't the same as the Irish, and Ciara doesn't care as long as the farm keeps running. But there doesn't seem to be enough money, and their problem is where to find it.
Watching Rayne -- who is obviously intelligent, sharp-witted, business-minded, and lovely to boot, try to figure things out and solve her uncle's death, is worth reading the book. While it starts out a bit slow, and there are many descriptions of the grounds of the manor house, these are central to setting the theme and show us exactly what Rayne is up against. It's a tough decision I'm not sure I could have made.
But when Rayne discovers the truth, there is a climax that no one could have seen coming, and even something to give us a taste of the next book. The reason for the murder is one of the three true ones, and is done nicely. Now I just have to be patient enough to wait for the next one. Highly recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Ellie Brannigan's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ellie-brannigan/
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