Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Murder at an Irish Wedding
- Author: Carlene O’Connor
- Narrator: Caroline Lennon
- Length: 09:55:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 28/02/2017
- Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Detective Stories, Cozy Mystery, International Mystery
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something magical about listening to a cozy mystery set in Ireland while sipping strong tea as rain patters against the window. That’s exactly how I first experienced Carlene O’Connor’s “Murder at an Irish Wedding”, narrated with perfect cadence by Caroline Lennon. The audiobook transported me straight to Kilbane’s quaint streets, where the scent of freshly baked soda bread from Siobhan’s bistro nearly wafted through my speakers.
As someone who’s spent months documenting food cultures from Oaxaca to Osaka, I particularly appreciated how O’Connor weaves gastronomic details into her mystery. The descriptions of wedding feast preparations – the crusty brown bread, the slow-simmered stews – brought back memories of my time in County Cork, where I once helped a local baker knead dough before dawn. Food in this story isn’t just backdrop; it’s a silent character that reveals relationships and tensions, much like the communal meals I’ve shared in travels across five continents.
Caroline Lennon’s narration is a masterclass in Irish storytelling. Her lilting cadence reminded me of those evenings in Oaxaca with the storytelling grandmother – the same careful pacing, the same knowing pauses that let tension simmer. Lennon effortlessly shifts between Siobhan’s pragmatic tones, Macdara’s warm brogue, and the posh affectations of the fashion model bride. When voicing the drunken best man (before his unfortunate demise), she perfectly captures that specific slurry bravado unique to Irish pubs at closing time.
The mystery itself unfolds like a traditional ceili dance – seemingly simple steps that gradually reveal intricate patterns. O’Connor plants clever red herrings among genuine clues, much like how my anthropologist training taught me to spot cultural signifiers within everyday interactions. The wedding-as-crime-scene framework allows for brilliant character studies; from the groom’s nervous tics to the bridesmaid’s too-perfect smile, each detail feels observed from life rather than constructed for plot.
Where the audiobook particularly shines is in its sense of place. Lennon’s pronunciation of Gaelic phrases (with just enough guidance for non-Irish listeners) and her rendering of local idioms create an immersive soundscape. I found myself mentally walking Kilbane’s lanes as clearly as I remember the cobbled streets of Valparaíso or the spice-scented alleys of Zanzibar. The robin’s morning song outside Siobhan’s bistro? I swear I heard it through my headphones.
Some listeners might find the pacing initially leisurely compared to hardboiled detective tales, but this mirrors Ireland’s own rhythm – where solving murders happens between tea breaks and gossip sessions. The gradual acceleration after the second poisoning mirrors how real investigations gain urgency, something I’ve witnessed covering crime stories in Buenos Aires and Marrakech.
For fans of international cozy mysteries, this stands alongside gems like “Bruno, Chief of Police” in its authentic local flavor. Yet it carves its own space by balancing wedding chaos with criminal investigation, much like how my own travel essays blend personal discovery with cultural documentation. The resolution – no spoilers here – satisfies both logically and emotionally, with Lennon delivering the final reveals with the perfect mix of warmth and tension.
Audiobook technical elements deserve praise too. Dreamscape Media’s production maintains consistent volume levels – crucial for listeners like me who often enjoy books while navigating noisy train stations or bustling cafes. Chapter transitions flow smoothly, and Lennon’s vocal characterizations remain distinct even during rapid-fire dialogue exchanges.
Sláinte to good stories and safe travels – may your next listen transport you as wonderfully as this one did me.
Marcus Rivera
