Murder in an Irish Village

Siobhán O’Sullivan, the feisty 22-year-old heroine of O’Connor’s lively debut set in Kilbane, County Cork, Ireland, has been running the family bistro while taking care of her five siblings, who range in age from 10 to 24, since their parents died in a car crash. As the first anniversary of the fatal accident approaches, the family suffers another shock with the discovery of a dead man in their dining room, a pair of scissors jutting from his chest. James, the eldest brother, turns up later, battered and bloody, with no recollection of the previous night’s events. When James becomes the prime suspect, Siobhán determines to clear his name, but she must stay one step ahead of a murderer who also calls Kilbane home. The cheeky and close-knit repartee among the O’Sullivans goes on too long at times, but their antics are sure to appeal to cozy fans, who will also appreciate the warmth and spirit of the people of Kilbane. Agent: Evan Marshall, Evan Marshall Agency. (Mar.)