The Lost Traveller
by Sheila Connolly
I was delighted to have an opportunity to get my first taste of Sheila Connolly’s mysteries as she has a number of books and series to her credit. I don’t usually start a series this far in (#7), but Connolly does a good job of introducing her characters. She starts The Lost Traveller off with a nervous American family, first time travelers abroad, visiting Sullivan’s Pub, giving the author a natural opportunity to explore the setting with the reader and present Maura, the American owner of the pub. The pace continues briskly as Maura, on lunch break, spots what appears to be a trash bag down a ravine on her property. It isn’t trash caught by a bridge pier, however, but something more ominous. Next we are introduced to the local gardaí (police). The plot pace moderates as Maura struggles with various types of issues—relationship, crime, business, and legal. It picks up again at the end with the resolution of some of those problems.
I enjoyed the Irish brogue and sprinkling of Irish words and names throughout. I learned more about Ireland and the Travellers, a sort of Irish version of gypsies, but they are not Romani. More information about the Travellers would have been welcome along with some character development of Peter, the father of the Traveller family that Maura meets. In fact, character development is a weak link in the book. For example, there are a group of men who frequent the pub and try to help Maura discover the identity of the victim and who murdered him. This group stands as a Greek chorus, with little revealed about any of them. They serve to reflect Maura’s progress involving the murder mystery. Although I am not thoroughly taken by the book, I enjoyed the intricacies of the plot well enough to try another book in the series.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: #7 in the County Cork Mysteries, but works as a standalone.
Publication: January 8, 2019—Crooked Lane Books
Memorable Lines:
Was she getting soft? She’d always been independent, mostly out of necessity. She hated to ask people for help, much less emotional support. Now she had someone in her life who offered both, although cautiously.
This was ridiculous: she was being bossed around by a child. Well, one who could definitely cook, and who knew more about computers than she did.
What had Ireland done to her? She’d gone soft. And, she realized, she kind of liked it.
education pathways 
I would have like more about the Travelers. This book is not one of her best in the series. The author seems struck on this series as the last few books she has toying with rather to start servIng food. I recommend the museum series as one of her best.
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Another blogger expressed similar sentiments about this book’s characters. I think she gave it 3 or less stars. 🤔
Great review, Linda. I’m not sure if it’s my cup of tea, but sounds somewhat interesting nonetheless. 🤷🏽♀️
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It sounds like from Betty’s comment that this one is not Connolly’s best. It was interesting; it just wasn’t “enough.”
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Hmm. This sounds interesting, but I can understand some of the reservations I’m seeing about this one. But the cover is deliciously atmospheric. Wonderful review!
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Yes, the cover is beautiful!
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NIce review Linda. I just finished the book before this one and think her books are more about living in a small Irish Village than the mystery. I have this one to read so will test my hypothesis. I also read a very low review recently stating that there was just nothing happening. I guess I shall see.
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Interesting hypothesis and I can’t confirm or deny based on one book. I’ll look forward to your review on this.
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I shall see if I continue to think this way when I finish this one.
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Nice review! I have this one, and it will be my first time reading her as well (though I think I have the first in this series around somewhere, also unread). Who knows when I’ll get to it, but I’m still looking forward to it.
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Great! Sooner, later. I know how it goes especially when you have little ones. I’ll be interested to read your opinion.
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I’ve heard so much about this author, but I haven’t ready her work yet. Sounds like I need to make it happen in 2019!
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Me too. I want to give her another try.
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