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The Holly Homicide : The Old Bat Chronicles Book 2
A heartwarming, authentic, magical Irish Mystery!
Eve Caulton is looking forward to a peaceful Christmas in Kimberly Cottage but the Marrinans have moved into Holly Cottage, with plans that could destroy Bramble Lane. They’ve also brought trouble with them from the United States, not least the unpleasant Dolores McIntyre.
Young Boyd Marrinan is torn between loyalty to his parents and his new Irish friends, especially the strange and gentle Ashleigh - a girl with secrets of her own.
There’s a strange creature wandering the area, the locals are up in arms against the newcomers and holiday spirit is hard to find.
When murder strikes, and Boyd is accused, it’s the last straw. Eve joins forces once again with the Old Bat herself, Dymphna Moriarty and the unique senior ladies of the area. Together they must save the innocent, bring the guilty to justice and restore holiday spirit to Bramble Lane. It’ll take the entire community, but the Wise Women won’t let Christmas be ruined.
An authentic Irish cost filled with Ireland’s rich heritage of folk magic and traditions. The perfect Holiday read!
Return to Bramble Lane and the feisty senior ladies with very unique skills.
Eve Caulton is looking forward to a peaceful Christmas in Kimberly Cottage but the Marrinans have moved into Holly Cottage, with plans that could destroy Bramble Lane. They’ve also brought trouble with them from the United States, not least the unpleasant Dolores McIntyre.
Young Boyd Marrinan is torn between loyalty to his parents and his new Irish friends, especially the strange and gentle Ashleigh - a girl with secrets of her own.
There’s a strange creature wandering the area, the locals are up in arms against the newcomers and holiday spirit is hard to find.
When murder strikes, and Boyd is accused, it’s the last straw. Eve joins forces once again with the Old Bat herself, Dymphna Moriarty and the unique senior ladies of the area. Together they must save the innocent, bring the guilty to justice and restore holiday spirit to Bramble Lane. It’ll take the entire community, but the Wise Women won’t let Christmas be ruined.
An authentic Irish cost filled with Ireland’s rich heritage of folk magic and traditions. The perfect Holiday read!
Return to Bramble Lane and the feisty senior ladies with very unique skills.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2023
3 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 15, 2023
What a great pleasure this book is to read! I was looking forward to the second installment in the Old Bat Chronicles, and it turned out to be set at the exact time of year I was reading it (pre-Xmas), so that was fun.
The mystery (a cosy) works well for me, as does the good will and camaraderie present in the book. I love the picture it paints of today’s Dublin with its deep roots in folk tradition and relationship to the land. But I think what I like most are the characters. I want to see more of them as their lives unfold. It was great to get to know some of the young people in the neighbourhood this time, and I hope they reappear in later books.
A lovely read at a somewhat stressful moment. Thanks, Nina Hayes!
Fiction, Irish Women Writers, Irish Folklore, Irish Folkways, Murder Mystery, Cosy Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Old Women, Romance,
The mystery (a cosy) works well for me, as does the good will and camaraderie present in the book. I love the picture it paints of today’s Dublin with its deep roots in folk tradition and relationship to the land. But I think what I like most are the characters. I want to see more of them as their lives unfold. It was great to get to know some of the young people in the neighbourhood this time, and I hope they reappear in later books.
A lovely read at a somewhat stressful moment. Thanks, Nina Hayes!
Fiction, Irish Women Writers, Irish Folklore, Irish Folkways, Murder Mystery, Cosy Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Old Women, Romance,
September 24, 2024
The Holly Homicide, the second installment in Nina Hayes’ enchanting Old Bat Chronicles, is holiday magic wrapped in a twisty, heartwarming mystery. Hayes masterfully weaves together a charming Dublin setting, lovable characters, and just the right dash of Irish folklore to create a perfect cozy mystery for the holiday season.
In this book, Eve Caulton and her spirited crew of "Old Bats" are back, once again proving why they’re some of the most delightful amateur sleuths around. This time, the stakes feel even higher as the close-knit Bramble Lane community rallies to clear a young man wrongly accused of murder, all while battling greedy developers and, of course, trying to save Christmas. The layers of the plot are brilliantly unravelled, with a few surprising twists and turns, keeping readers hooked until the last page.
What makes The Holly Homicide truly special is how Hayes effortlessly balances modern Irish life with the mysticism of ancient folklore. Much like in the Kimberly Killing, Hayes weaves concepts like aislings and plámás into the plot. Concepts such as Bri and Bua, and the indigenous Irish concepts of inter-connectivity with the land itself, are a central theme of the book. The sprinkling of Irish traditions and supernatural elements adds a unique charm to the tale without ever overwhelming the cozy feel of the mystery. The result is a story that feels both grounded and magical at the same time.
As always, the Old Bats shine. Their wit, wisdom, and camaraderie bring warmth to every page, and watching them solve crimes and meddle in matchmaking is nothing short of delightful. And with Eve at the heart of it all, navigating her growing paranormal abilities, there’s never a dull moment.
In the hands of an expert storyteller like Hayes, The Holly Homicide is a joy to read—a feel-good mystery full of heart, holiday spirit, and just enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages. A perfect escape for anyone looking for a cozy, festive, and thoroughly satisfying read this holiday season. I can’t wait to see what mysteries await Eve and the Old Bats next!
In this book, Eve Caulton and her spirited crew of "Old Bats" are back, once again proving why they’re some of the most delightful amateur sleuths around. This time, the stakes feel even higher as the close-knit Bramble Lane community rallies to clear a young man wrongly accused of murder, all while battling greedy developers and, of course, trying to save Christmas. The layers of the plot are brilliantly unravelled, with a few surprising twists and turns, keeping readers hooked until the last page.
What makes The Holly Homicide truly special is how Hayes effortlessly balances modern Irish life with the mysticism of ancient folklore. Much like in the Kimberly Killing, Hayes weaves concepts like aislings and plámás into the plot. Concepts such as Bri and Bua, and the indigenous Irish concepts of inter-connectivity with the land itself, are a central theme of the book. The sprinkling of Irish traditions and supernatural elements adds a unique charm to the tale without ever overwhelming the cozy feel of the mystery. The result is a story that feels both grounded and magical at the same time.
As always, the Old Bats shine. Their wit, wisdom, and camaraderie bring warmth to every page, and watching them solve crimes and meddle in matchmaking is nothing short of delightful. And with Eve at the heart of it all, navigating her growing paranormal abilities, there’s never a dull moment.
In the hands of an expert storyteller like Hayes, The Holly Homicide is a joy to read—a feel-good mystery full of heart, holiday spirit, and just enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages. A perfect escape for anyone looking for a cozy, festive, and thoroughly satisfying read this holiday season. I can’t wait to see what mysteries await Eve and the Old Bats next!
November 17, 2023
Holiday Magic in every sense of the word! Nina Hayes has crafted a twisty mystery with a diverse and lovable cast, a wonderfully warm setting, and a sprinkle of genuine Irish folklore.
THE HOLLY HOMICIDE is the very definition of the classic cozy: appealing characters in an interesting setting who work together in hopes of not only solving a crime, but making sure everything comes out all right. In this, the second installment in the Old Bat Chronicles, the title matriarchs, and the rest of their close-knit Dublin neighborhood have to clear a young man unjustly accused of murder, protect green space from development, match up two courting couples…and oh, yes, save Christmas. Not to mention sort out some unusual happenings. It’s a wonderful ride, with generous helpings of modern Irish life and ancient folklore, all coming together in a (no spoilers!) deeply satisfying resolution. In the hands of amazing Irish storyteller Nina Hayes, this is great fun with a lot of heart – the perfect cure for the holiday blues! The author sent me an early copy in return for an honest review.
THE HOLLY HOMICIDE is the very definition of the classic cozy: appealing characters in an interesting setting who work together in hopes of not only solving a crime, but making sure everything comes out all right. In this, the second installment in the Old Bat Chronicles, the title matriarchs, and the rest of their close-knit Dublin neighborhood have to clear a young man unjustly accused of murder, protect green space from development, match up two courting couples…and oh, yes, save Christmas. Not to mention sort out some unusual happenings. It’s a wonderful ride, with generous helpings of modern Irish life and ancient folklore, all coming together in a (no spoilers!) deeply satisfying resolution. In the hands of amazing Irish storyteller Nina Hayes, this is great fun with a lot of heart – the perfect cure for the holiday blues! The author sent me an early copy in return for an honest review.
November 19, 2023
I absolutely totally 100% loved it!
What a great book! It had been a while since book 1, but everything was explained so well I had no trouble getting into it. The sense of community on Bramble Lane is heartwarming. The setting and Irish folklore are such a bonus. The folk magic is strong in this book and I found it all so charming! The characters are warm and kind. Immediately upon diving into this book I felt that warm, cozy feel. There’s a natural flow to the words, drawing me in completely. Hard to put down, this book, really hard! The mystery is a complicated puzzle that I was happily puzzling along with - just what I love best!
What a great book! It had been a while since book 1, but everything was explained so well I had no trouble getting into it. The sense of community on Bramble Lane is heartwarming. The setting and Irish folklore are such a bonus. The folk magic is strong in this book and I found it all so charming! The characters are warm and kind. Immediately upon diving into this book I felt that warm, cozy feel. There’s a natural flow to the words, drawing me in completely. Hard to put down, this book, really hard! The mystery is a complicated puzzle that I was happily puzzling along with - just what I love best!
December 20, 2023
Cosy crime, set in Ireland, with a cast of wonderful characters, especially women of 'a certain age', red herrings, and plot twists. What could be better than that? Well, how about a sprinkling of folk law and traditional beliefs? And to cap it all, The Holly Homicide takes place in the days leading up to Christmas. This is the second of The Old Bat Chronicles by Nina Hayes. I've not read Book 1, and it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this one, but I'm going to have to go back and find out what happened. So, my advice would be to start with Book 1, then keep reading. A wonderful mix of cosy crime and magical realism; highly recommended.
November 24, 2023
Holly Homicide is the second in the Old Bat Chronicles, a charming Irish cozy mystery series that hits all the marks of a classic cozy. It has Eve, our heroine, spending her frist Christmas in her new home in the Bramble lane, a small neighborhood division in the Dublin area. Along with the neighborhood matriarch (the Old Bats) and other neighbors. A couple moves in the area and country from the US, andon top of thar there is a murder and Eve and friends try to solve. There is some elements of Irish folklore in this. Which all combines for a great story. It was fun.
December 2, 2023
Another lovely afternoon read. Eve and the other residents of Bramble Lane must come together again to solve a murder in order to save a young boy from taking the fall. With a few well-placed twists and a touch of magic, the book kept me "spell bound" as I turned the pages. I have grown to enjoy spending time with "the old bats" and look forward to the next one in the series.
November 23, 2023
Perfect for fans of mystery, mystical magic, and Ireland!
This book was inhaled in one sitting - it’s just that enjoyable! The characters are relatable and endearing, the setting perfect. I’ve actually picked up the series out of order, but had no problem settling right into this second book of the Old Bat Chronicles, and will be snagging Book 1 as soon as possible. This series will definitely go on my To Be Read list each time one is released!
This book was inhaled in one sitting - it’s just that enjoyable! The characters are relatable and endearing, the setting perfect. I’ve actually picked up the series out of order, but had no problem settling right into this second book of the Old Bat Chronicles, and will be snagging Book 1 as soon as possible. This series will definitely go on my To Be Read list each time one is released!
December 13, 2023
Really enjoyable cozy mystery. Love the little bits of magic sprinkled throughout
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews