The Lost Traveller: A County Cork Mystery

Connolly’s inviting seventh County Cork mystery (after 2018’s Many a Twist) finds transplanted American Maura Donovan better adjusting to life in the small Irish town of Leap. Her pub, Sullivan’s, is doing well enough to bring in a local band once a week, and she’s considering a kitchen remodel to offer food. Then, everything gets thrown off-kilter when a badly disfigured body is found near the pub. With the crime hitting so close to home, Maura determines to investigate how and why the body was dumped on her property. Could the nomadic group called the Travellers be responsible? Or the young man who suddenly appeared behind the bar to help one busy night and then disappeared just as quickly? As Maura’s questions begin to stir up fear and anger, she wonders whether the bucolic town has a seamy side and is harboring a killer. As usual, Connolly’s lively characters and lovely landscape enhance her well-wrought, thought-provoking plot. Series fans won’t be disappointed. Agent: Jessica Faust, BookEnds. (Jan.)