These three novellas will certainly put readers in a mood for Irish coffee! In the first tale, Lucy gets a look behind the scenes at what goes on in Irish step dancing competitions. It’s not a pretty sight, and it culminates in a murder. In the second novella, a local comedian on the rise to the big time comes home for a performance. His show is a hit, but it doesn’t end well for him. In the last tale, a power outage leads the habitants of the neighborhood to gather together for food and drink. Soon, some of the old timers are regaling the gathering with their versions of a ghost story and a murder. Yes, it will take some sleuthing to finally lay that ghost to rest. These stories are all well written and quite intriguing. Regular readers of these series will especially like seeing the characters they have come to enjoy and will appreciate this fine addition to the series. ( )

Irish Coffee Murder contains three novellas by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross. Irish Coffee Murder by Leslie Stone takes us back to Tinker’s Cove where Lucy Stone is shivering because the heat went out in the newspaper office. Lucy is happy to head out to work on an article on local Irish dancers. When one of the dancer’s mothers ends up dead, Lucy learns that dancing is a cutthroat business. Irish Coffee Murder is A Lucy Stone Mystery. It can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed Lucy Stone’s latest adventure. It is an easy-to-read story with likeable characters. We get to catch up with Lucy, Zoe (Lucy’s youngest daughter, Ted (who was quick to retreat to the other newspaper office when the heat went out), and Phyllis (she has a colorful wardrobe). The mystery was straightforward, but it suited the length of the story. It was interesting learning about Irish dancing. Death of an Irish Coffee Drinker by Lee Hollis is A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you have not read any of the other books in the series. I found the story easy to read with a lively main character. It is a story that will make you laugh. Hayley finds herself in some amusing situations. Perked Up by Barbara Ross was different from the other two. It is a stormy night in Busman’s Harbor and the electric goes out. Julia Snowden and a friend join Julia’s mother and Captain George McQuaig (Julia was surprised to find him in the living room chatting with her mother) in the living room in front of the fire. They are all enjoying Irish Coffee when Captain George begins telling them about a century old mystery involving Hugh O’Hara. Soon others arrive when they see the candles in the windows. Each new arrival has a different take on the mystery. The next day, Julia decides to dig into the case and find out what really happened. Perked Up was my favorite. I thought the mystery was unique and entertaining. There are a lot of details which makes the mystery realistic and intriguing. We also get to catch up with Julia, her family, and friends. These three tales will get you in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day. ( )

Three cozy mystery novellas with a St. Patrick's Day theme, and Irish coffees playing a prominent part in each. Two of the three break what I always thought was an unwritten rule of cozies -- that the murder victim is not a good person -- so the tone of the stories was a little heavier than I expected. Each self-contained novella was a good story on its own, but probably better enjoyed if you are already familiar with the characters in each author's series, which may be why I liked the Lucy Stone story by Leslie Meier the best.
Excellent narration by Callie Beaulieu! ( )

This is an enjoyable trio of novellas centering on St. Patrick's Day and, as the title would suggest, Irish coffee.

My favorite, by one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, Leslie Meier, is the first novella, which centers on Tinker Cove, Maine reporter, Lucy Stone, and her efforts to unravel a death among the Irish step dance community. Every mystery I read by Leslie Meier, even a novella, is a real treat for me.

The second one, by author Lee Hollis, involves a local boy who did well and is back in town to perform a show. This is part of the Hayley Powell Food and Mysteries series. I liked it so much that I just went out and purchased the first book in the series, Death of a Kitchen Diva, and I am very eager to read it.

The third one, featuring a 100+ year old mystery which current day townsfolk stuck together during a power outage try to solve, was decent, but a bit disappointing after the other two standout novellas. While interesting, the story jumped around more than I would like but I would certainly consider reading another book in the Maine Clambake mystery series by Barbara Ross because I enjoyed the characters, which saved the day on this one.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.) ( )

The book is actually three novellas.
IRISH COFFEE MURDER by is written by Leslie Meier of the Lucy Stone Mysteries and has a bit too many contentious characters for my winter tastes. ***
DEATH OF AN IRISH COFFEE DRINKER by Lee Hollis of the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mysteries is
a little odd and has a lot more of the author's signature humor. ****
and PERKED UP by Barbara Ross of the Maine Clambake Mysteries is a complex mystery that includes a power outage today and an unsolved murder over a hundred years ago. This one is my personal favorite. *****
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )