A Man With One of Those Faces (The Dublin Trilogy Book 1)

Brilliant! I read all of the available books in this series before committing myself to writing this review. Within a few pages of this book, I began comparing Caimh McDonell with some of my favorite authors ever - Joseph Heller, Kirk Vonnegut, Jack London, Hunter S. Thompson, Diana Gabaldon, and James Wharton. These authors have a way of writing that makes me hang on every word and truly being characters to life. Caimh now has a place in my group of personal favorites. The authors differ from each other in many ways, but they stand out in my mind because they've all made me laugh 'til I cried. I highly recommend you read Caimh McDonell's books as quickly as possible, because the likes of us who use the store Unlimited or only buy $0.99 books will soon find his books are in the spendy section of the store, where customers are called Sir or Ma'am and champaign is served.

I haven't read a crime story in a long time. Then, I discovered this book on "IOD" (Immerse or Die) from Jefferson Smith where it managed to keep the tester reading for 40 minutes. Since that hasn't happened in quite a while, I downloaded the reading sample and liked it so much that I bought the whole book.
The story is a bout a nice guy getting into a bad situation because he's trying to be nice to an old man dying from cancer. Unfortunately the man has a secret and feels threatened by the guy, so he stabs him and dies. And that's just the start of the trouble. Add a nurse with mad driving skills, an alcoholic and quite violent police officer and a pregnant lawyer with a cattle rod, and you get a story that's not only fast paced but also funny. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a pleasant surprise - I believe BookBub told me about it's existence and then I saw it was available through Kindle Unlimited.

I love detective/crime stories done well, such as Michael Connelly, and I love goofy, somewhat realistic characters making their way through extraordinary situations, as provided by Douglas Adams. Carl Hiaasen has been a great intersection of the two for me, and I think Mr. McDonnell is working within that same sliver of the Venn diagram.

Before I go further let me mention that this book led me to laugh out loud several times, I'm sure to the consternation of my fellow CTA riders. Not many books can do that (I'm sure to the unappreciated satisfaction of my fellow CTA riders).

Mr. McDonnell has crafted a satisfying yet unexpected plot, but more importantly the character development drove the story. Paul and Bridget are delightful, and Bunny...well, you should read it yourself just to meet Bunny.

Great book, and I look forward to the next two in the trilogy.

I thought I should leave my review here on this first book, although by now I've read the entire trilogy as well as the prequel. Really fun reads. I suspect Caimh McDonnell gets compared a lot to Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, and rightly so. Although uniquely himself, he does capture the wacky absurdist humor of those authors. Mr McDonnell has joined the ranks of an exceedingly small group of authors whose stories can actually make me laugh out loud.

This book is just fun. I loved the characters, and I love Dublin! I opened Google Maps, and as the characters moved through Dublin, I looked up the addresses and followed along. This was great fun.

The author does a wonderful job of making his characters come alive. There are serious moments, but there are also laugh out loud moments. I recommend this book, even if you don't particularly like crime fiction. It is just a fun read.

This is a twisted story. A man volunteers visiting elderly/sick people to keep, what is supposed to be a temporary living. He also is supposed to stay out of trouble with the police.

On one of these visits he is mistaken for someone else - which happens to him a lot. This person thinks he is a threat and then there is stabbing, a death, running, crooked cops, good cops, grumpy cops, a new cop, an old mystery and a bunch of swearing.

I love a good murder mystery especially when it has great comic relief and this book doesn't disappoint...Fell in love with all the characters but Bridget is my fav. I picked this because it was listed as a trilogy and was happy to find the second book waiting for me. Now I'm wanting the 3rd book! I want more stories about them all and their crazy adventures as PIs. As a consolation prize for waiting for the 3rd book, there is a book of short stories that will wet your whistle! Great Dublin backdrop makes me want to visit it even more than before. Please keep on writing Caimh!

Paul Mulchrone is a man with one of those faces -- unremarkable, ordinary, a face you might mistake for a hundred other faces (or maybe that of your nephew, if you were getting on in years, lonely, and perhaps with a case of incipient dementia, or who knows, maybe a dying murderer with a guilty conscience). And therein lies the basis for this very entertaining, very satisfying comic novel by Caimh McDonnell, about a young, aimless slacker from Dublin. who actually has a pretty good excuse for his do-nothing ways, until a smart and (but don't tell I said this, or she'll hit me) buxom young nurse, Brigit Conroy, gets Paul involved in a deadly and dangerous adventure featuring a couple of very nasty bad guys. Oh, and I must not fail to mention Paul's nemesis and protector, the remarkable Detective Inspector Bunny McGarry, a fat, drunken copper of disgusting personal habits, and a distinctly wandering moral compass. Very hip, very up-to-date, and very funny; the first installment of the Dublin Trilogy.

It claims to have acerbic Irish wit, and it does. I loved the dry humor and sarcasm with which the characters spoke, and the observations they make about their situations. There were scenes that the author deliberately milked for humor, but it was never overdone. Great characters that we get to know and we'll hopefully continue to see throughout the series. And the silly moments are well balanced with serious truths as observed by those characters. I'm off to download book two.

I downloaded this book on a whim just before a trans pacific flight, oh I am so glad I did! It has been quite a while since I laughed out loud while reading a book but this one illicited a few. I enjoyed the book from the characters to the story which were well written.

Paul Muchrone is a loner who spends his days in voluntary work as a ‘granny whisperer’, talking to the elderly whom no one else has time for. When Nurse Brigit Conroy, nightmare driver and consumer of all things crime-related, asks Paul to visit one last patient, Paul’s life takes the most alarming turn.
Before long Paul and Brigit are on the run, and trying to stay one step ahead of whoever is attempting to kill them.
Humour is often used in crime novels or thrillers to ease the tension before diving back into whatever crisis the protagonists find themselves. This is done to change the pace or used as a page turning device, because the reader knows the temporary lull in action is merely the eye of the storm.
A Man With One of Those Faces is a masterclass in how to extend humour so it becomes an integral part of a novel, while putting the characters in constant jeopardy. A feat which requires the skills of someone who understands how to work an audience. As a stand-up comedian, Caimh McDonnell is certainly well qualified in this department.
His observations pick up on all the minutiae of human nature, blow them up out of all proportion, then really make them work hard for their living. The prose and narrative is spot on. The characters inhabiting this hilarious, yet gripping story are just wonderful. It is hard to pick a favourite from Paul and Brigit, the two main protagonists, Bunny, the maverick police detective sergeant, Nora Stokes, Paul’s heavily pregnant solicitor and Dorothy, Paul’s dotty elderly friend. In many ways it’s like reading a Tom Sharpe novel, without the bawdiness, and for a modern audience. Which is why A Man With One of Those Faces is just crying out to be televised or even made into a film.
This is a book that just gets better and better the deeper you dive into the story. It is most certainly a book to be kept and read on blue days when nothing is going right and you need the equivalent of a stiff drink or a box of chocolate for comfort. Time to chain Mr McDonnell to his laptop until he’s written the next one, because I suspect whatever he produces will not lie on my bookshelf long enough to get dusty.
A Man With One of Those Faces was courtesy of McFori Ink

"A Man with One of Those Faces" was a very very enjoyable mystery. The writer writes very well, with humor and pace to keep one turning the page. One does not guess the ending so it was a real surprise and not a let down. And the characters themselves are likable and even believable. The reader really wants the protagonists to win which also keeps one reading and engaged. I would and have recommended this book to anyone who likes a good "who done it and why." I look forward to reading more books by this very talented author.

As anyone who has even attempted it, writing a book is a real skill. Granted that may sound like stating the obvious, but as someone who has still not managed to get past stitching together 1,000 words on anything I can really appreciate what it takes to put together enough sentences to make an entire novel.
Now imagine effectively trying to write two books - only not in words, but in tone, in style, in genre.
This is the trick Caimh McDonnell has pulled off with more aplomb than a man has a right to when producing his debut work.
A stand-up by trade, Caimh (it's pronounced exactly as it sounds) has created something of a health and safety risk as A Man With One Of Those Faces will have you on the edge of your seat until you fall off it laughing.
The story is a simple one.
Paul spends his time helping other people by pretending to be someone he's not, only for him to be mistaken for someone he didn't even know he was being.
This leads to a police investigation, being hunted by people who thinks he knows stuff that he doesn't, going on the run with a nurse he barely knows and trying to solve the whole mystery before he's killed for being someone he wasn't and knowing things he didn't know before he started having to find out.
Got that?
Good.
In turn hilarious and gripping, Caimh takes you on a rollercoaster ride that is pure entertainment.
I laughed out loud as much as I ever have at peak-time Pratchett - to the point I was banned from reading in bed after my girlfriend had fallen asleep as I kept waking her up - and I was gripped as I've been by any Jack Reacher outing.
We're talking late for things/resenting interruptions levels of being grabbed.
Did I mention it's the talented bastard's debut novel?
It is said everyone has a book inside them. Caimh, I suspect, has several and I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Ordinarily one would not associate a crime novel with hilarity and side splitting humor but this book defies that logic. McDonnell captivated me from the get go and did not let up. The protagonist is a many splendored component of flaws; weakness, complacency and yes even good intentions. The book is brilliant in its seemingly simple plot but manages to weave quite a tale with some very human dynamics.

I hate reading "comic" novels because usually the humor feels forced, like the author wants you to understand what a hoot he or she is.

Not this one. The funny stuff comes effortlessly with the flow of the story and it doesn't slow the pace of what ends up being a frenetic thriller. A less-talented writer would have turned this book into a pile of hash browns, but not Mr. McDonell; he kept me riveted until the end.

I ended up reading A MAN WITH ONE OF THOSE FACES serendipitiously via an the store recommendation. Heaven grant me more happy accidents like this.

This is a really funny book, even if, like me, you don't understand all the Irish. I think I got the gist of many of the unusual words and plan to take some time during the next 3 books to learn more Irish! Paul, Nurse Conroy and Bunny are well developed characters with still so much to be learned about them. Even the plot of the story is great with a surprise ending.

In a word. Fun. Laugh out loud, wonderfully written fun.The character's come to life on every glorious page. A trio of bumbling hero's, dirty cops, nasty villains and wait for it....a hurling stick. Want one of the funniest reads you can have?? Grab it with both hands, sit back and be totally, utterly entertained. The man's a master!!!

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't just a thriller, there was an element of comedy which really made the book come together. At first, I wasn't a big fan of the main character Paul. He came across lazy and ungrateful. However, as the story progressed I became fond of him and I think nurse Bridgit helped this!

The plot was very well structured and well told. All the characters were also well thought out. Definitely recommend. I look forward to reading the second in the series.

This book popped up as an ad on Kindle and it was free. So I thought I'll try 25 pages and if it's as bad as I think a free book will be, then that's it. OMG! What a great plot! What relatable characters! What a page turning mystery! What laugh out loud writing but not too much humor that would interfere with the excellent pacing! Since I've never heard of this author, I googled him. This guy is funny, creative and clever. I mean there are four (count 'em) books in the "trilogy". Now that's funny! I've read all 4 (actually paid for the other three) and the two free short story collections. The grammar errors and typos in the books are minimal and above average for online material. The short stories definitely need edits, but the creativity is still there. Bravo Mr. McDonnell. Ya done good!

I loved this, a crime book with lots of humour thrown in.

Paul Muchrone spends his time volunteering at a hospital visiting elderly patients, one of those patients tries to kill him but ends up dying himself. Paul ends up on the run from the police aided by Bridget, the nurse who felt partly responsible for his predicament.

I couldn't put this book down and have since found out it's part of a trilogy, I am off to buy the second one now!

I enjoyed the original plot, the fully developed, likable characters, and the virtually unending suspense. I chuckled or laughed out loud
throughout the book. The author's wit and mastery of the English language reminded me of P.G. Wodehouse. By the way, I read the other trilogy books and they are just as good.

I don't usually read crime books, but the title and first paragraph captured my attention. I tried to read slowly so that the story would last longer, but that's like trying to slowly fall down a well. Gravity just takes over and too soon you're at the end.

What a treat!. I started this hoping for a mystery/thriller with humor. What a great find. While it stretches the imagination a bit (just make a leap of faith) I really really enjoyed it. So glad I have the trilogy to look forward too. Love the characters, loved the dialogue interplay and just the relentless pushing forward of Bunny.

Uncommonly, unsually excellent. A decent mystery but also well written, intriguing and fun characters, and visuals that beg for adaptation. It reminded me of an Irish Carl Hiaasen. The only thing I can criticize is how often all the characters use the word "fair."*

*Fair enough, 9 times. Fair point, 7 times. To be fair, 7 times. Fair bit, 5 times. Fair play, 3 times. Fair is fair, fair enough, plus various fairlies, another 10+. Fair to say I wouldn't have counted if it weren't for the excellent search feature on Kindle.

Good stuff! Got this book as a Christmas present, and just came around to reading it. Started it at 1:30 in the morning as something to read to make me tired, and it's now 6:47 am and I've finished it off!

Funny, lots of smarmy, sarcastic dialogue, pretty good twists, and good characters to root for. Neato setting, certainly the first book I've read set in Ireland. There's some violence, but it's not gratuitous or anything.

Anyway, just following orders and writing my review. I await a call to play a part in the upcoming film when the Colin Farrell talks eventually break down!

I enjoyed this book tremendously. Well written, funny, engaging characters and even a good story. All with an Irish sense of humor! I downloaded book 2 of the trilogy and enjoyed it as much as this first one. Thanks Caimh for making me laugh. Keep them coming, please.

I think this series rates five stars. The author has a keen grip on story telling. Paul is so likeable, Briget is also. My favorite character may be Bunny. There is more violence than this reader prefers, but this is a funny book.

The characters are sufficiently interesting to make the book worth reading for that alone. The mystery, and the search to uncover it, drive the narrative in a "staying up all night reading while promising oneself 'just this one more chapter, then I'll go to bed'" sort of way. And the humor not only makes palatable the grimmer aspects of the unfolding tale, it does so in a way that feels natural, adding to the story's essence, rather than standing apart and distracting from it.

This is one of those stories that has everything you need for an afternoon of easy reading. The 'granny whisperer' is having the worst time of his life, but it is interspersed with humor that keeps you giggling, if not outright laughing. There is a lot of action, romance, mystery and twists here. Really good book. Recommended.

Fantastic characters and a good plot. I would read books with Bunny in them all day! The most colorful character I've read in a long time! Reminiscent of Carl Hiaasen. I've also finished the 2nd in the series and it's just as good.

Great novel. Well-crafted characters, compelling plot, very snappy dialogue. McDonnell is unfailingly funny but also knows how to write a fine crime novel. Looking forward to Book II of the trilogy.

I am still in shock at how well written this book is! The plot, pacing, character development, dialogue--everything is first rate! And I lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud while reading. It's hard to believe this was a first novel!

Hilariously funny, if at times confusing, this is a great detective, or rather, would-be detective story. It keeps you laughing and keeps you guessing. Much enjoyed, and I've already started the sequel.

Read all the books and some short stories and loved them all. Great stories and characters. Enough suspense and turns in the story to keep you reading into the night. Books also have laugh out loud parts and situations particularly if you have a bit of a twisted sense of humor. Can’t wait for third book in Dublin trilogy but also highly recommend the other books.

This is indeed black comedy. After I got past Paul's (the main character) whimpering and constant weakness and started paying attention to the other two main characters, things skipped along nicely. It's fun in a non-American humor way. Stick with it.

Loved this book. I laughed out loud a few times, and now I hear chuckles from my husband, who is reading it on my recommendation. Lovely and lovable characters, delightful plot.. thank you, Caimh McDonnell, for a happy reading experience! Magdi Ferguson

not quite a 5 star but really not far off. this book provided laugh out loud moments, very likeable characters, an intriguing story and a little romance.will look forward to reading another by this author

These books are pure fun! I even called some friends ,of similar tastes, and read paragraphs to them as I couldn’t stand chuckling all by myself. I then bought a book for them. Just finished “the sisters” and surely hope to see more of them.......and yes, they do resemble the A team boys!!! Thank you and bring on some more quickly, please!! All the others, even Elmore , seem a tad slow now !

Hilarious romp through Ireland! Laugh out loud funny, fantastic characters,can’t wait to read the next book in the trilogy. Caiman McDonnell is a real talent and I look forward to more of his wild and crazy humor!

Laugh-out-loud humor.
Good, ultimately very likeable characters. (Not to say there isn't a touch of real evil to contend with!) Dublin itself is one of the main characters, perhaps the most vivid of all. Well told, involving story. A book to read and then to press on all your friends.

I really enjoyed this book. It is refreshing to read a book that is well written, interesting and compelling. I had trouble putting it down. Comedy in a crime novel is difficult to pull off with grace and I must say Caimh McDonnell does it with style and intelligence. Really a fun read.

I was drawn into the story from the very beginning. I had to force myself to put the book down every couple of chapters in order to enjoy and ponder what I'd read, or else I would have raced through and finished in one sitting -- which is not always a good thing. I've purchased the second in the trilogy sight unseen. Looking forward to another fantastic story.

Clever and funny mystery novel. Unsurprisingly it is very Irish and McDonnell precisely captures the Irish tone and attitude in the dialog. It's easy reading and flows well. I look forward to reading the next next two books in the trilogy. This author is a new welcome resource to the genre of humorous/mystery reading.

This book was recommended by a friend. I had no expectations or idea what it was about. It is hilarious! Laugh out loud funny. The characters are charming and the story moves along swiftly, never lets you down. I couldn’t wait to read the rest of the series

Hilarious romp through Ireland! Laugh out loud funny, fantastic characters,can’t wait to read the next book in the trilogy. Caiman McDonnell is a real talent and I look forward to more of his wild and crazy humor!

Laugh-out-loud humor.
Good, ultimately very likeable characters. (Not to say there isn't a touch of real evil to contend with!) Dublin itself is one of the main characters, perhaps the most vivid of all. Well told, involving story. A book to read and then to press on all your friends.

I really enjoyed this book. It is refreshing to read a book that is well written, interesting and compelling. I had trouble putting it down. Comedy in a crime novel is difficult to pull off with grace and I must say Caimh McDonnell does it with style and intelligence. Really a fun read.

I was drawn into the story from the very beginning. I had to force myself to put the book down every couple of chapters in order to enjoy and ponder what I'd read, or else I would have raced through and finished in one sitting -- which is not always a good thing. I've purchased the second in the trilogy sight unseen. Looking forward to another fantastic story.

Clever and funny mystery novel. Unsurprisingly it is very Irish and McDonnell precisely captures the Irish tone and attitude in the dialog. It's easy reading and flows well. I look forward to reading the next next two books in the trilogy. This author is a new welcome resource to the genre of humorous/mystery reading.

This book was recommended by a friend. I had no expectations or idea what it was about. It is hilarious! Laugh out loud funny. The characters are charming and the story moves along swiftly, never lets you down. I couldn’t wait to read the rest of the series

I could only ever dream of writing something this witty, absurd, and fantastic as this novel. Caimh is wonderful as he creates a world you're instantly not only interested in but want to be a part of. I was thrilled to realize this was a part of a trilogy and can't wait for the third book to come out.

The first two books in the Dublin Trilogy are laugh out loud funny. The humor compliments the plot and does not interfere with it. I highly recommend these books for an enjoyable read. I can't wait for the third..

I would highly recommend this book. I'm not a fast reader but I read it in about 3 days I literally could not put it down. Its has a great unpredictable story line, engaging characters and an excellent sense of humor to it all.

An outstanding gem! I don't usually review books, personal tastes vary so much I hate to give a book a bad review just because I didn't enjoy it. But A Man With One of Those Faces is too good for me not to whole heartedly recomend it. A delightful experience. So good I bought the next in the series immediately.

great character development. be patient, once you get in about 10% of the book you are hooked. really really liked it. plot twists & interesting characters. would make a great movie. one of the best reads I've had over the past several months.

It's the first thriller/mystery that's made me laugh several times. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series as I'm already attached to the characters and want to know what they'll get into next.

I could only ever dream of writing something this witty, absurd, and fantastic as this novel. Caimh is wonderful as he creates a world you're instantly not only interested in but want to be a part of. I was thrilled to realize this was a part of a trilogy and can't wait for the third book to come out.

The first two books in the Dublin Trilogy are laugh out loud funny. The humor compliments the plot and does not interfere with it. I highly recommend these books for an enjoyable read. I can't wait for the third..

This McDonnell fella is hilarious. He will have laughing out loud in the most inappropriate times and places. (NB. Do not read this book while you are in your favourite coffee place and you have a vanilla slice in your mouth.)

As well, I was born in Eire (County Mayo) but the family immigrated to Australia when I was 9yo - 50 years ago. Now, all my friends are looking at me strangely, because I've started to talk in/with Irish slang again, that I haven't been using (I think?) since me Ma & Pa died.

Caimh, what happened to Epilogue % at the end of the book. I suppose now I'll have to buy your next book to find out what happened to Paul, Brigit and Bunny.

Beware. This McDonnell is dangerous.

I'm not sure I can say enough good things about this book. If you like some action, some mystery, humor, grit, irony, and use of the word "banjax", this could be for you. It is set in Ireland, and some bits may be blurry if you are not "into" Ireland or history, but they are mainly aside remarks and use of the word "football" for soccer, for example.
This book hits the ground running and never drags.
Characters are strong and clear.
For some reason, Joe Lansdale's Hap and Leonard come to mind, although an ocean and many miles away. Dialog is snappy. One is pleased when one "gets" pop culture references. One of those reader's reader books.
I'll be reading more of these books!
Material here to start a whole TV series....and I would tune in.

Quirky characters you have to love, quirky, interesting plot, quirky laugh-out-loud humor. What's not to love!?! And McDonnell just tells the story--doesn't muck about with extraneous bs that doesn't get you anywhere you really, really want to go--which is to see how it ends and if everybody who should come out of it alive actually does do so. This isn't your typical mystery, but never mind. It's even better than some of the typical police procedurals, murder or spy mysteries. Give this book a read. If you're not hooked, I'll be very interested to know why.

Would highly recommend, funny and gripping right to the end, after writing this review my next task is to download the next book. Thank you Caimh McDonnell will be looking out for more of your work and possible tour dates

As anyone who has even attempted it, writing a book is a real skill. Granted that may sound like stating the obvious, but as someone who has still not managed to get past stitching together 1,000 words on anything I can really appreciate what it takes to put together enough sentences to make an entire novel.
Now imagine effectively trying to write two books - only not in words, but in tone, in style, in genre.
This is the trick Caimh McDonnell has pulled off with more aplomb than a man has a right to when producing his debut work.
A stand-up by trade, Caimh (it's pronounced exactly as it sounds) has created something of a health and safety risk as A Man With One Of Those Faces will have you on the edge of your seat until you fall off it laughing.
The story is a simple one.
Paul spends his time helping other people by pretending to be someone he's not, only for him to be mistaken for someone he didn't even know he was being.
This leads to a police investigation, being hunted by people who thinks he knows stuff that he doesn't, going on the run with a nurse he barely knows and trying to solve the whole mystery before he's killed for being someone he wasn't and knowing things he didn't know before he started having to find out.
Got that?
Good.
In turn hilarious and gripping, Caimh takes you on a rollercoaster ride that is pure entertainment.
I laughed out loud as much as I ever have at peak-time Pratchett - to the point I was banned from reading in bed after my girlfriend had fallen asleep as I kept waking her up - and I was gripped as I've been by any Jack Reacher outing.
We're talking late for things/resenting interruptions levels of being grabbed.
Did I mention it's the talented bastard's debut novel?
It is said everyone has a book inside them. Caimh, I suspect, has several and I can't wait to find out what happens next.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't just a thriller, there was an element of comedy which really made the book come together. At first, I wasn't a big fan of the main character Paul. He came across lazy and ungrateful. However, as the story progressed I became fond of him and I think nurse Bridgit helped this!

The plot was very well structured and well told. All the characters were also well thought out. Definitely recommend. I look forward to reading the second in the series.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. I laughed and giggled my way through the book, both times that I have read it. The characters are great, from the main to the bit. Even the bad guys garner some sympathy. The plot is involved and complex but that is part of the fun. Mr. McDonnell has a great way with words, from his descriptive bits to the amazing asides he seems to toss in on every page. Heartily recommended!

How can a serious Irish crime novel make me laugh so hard that I almost needed a change of britches? Don't rightly know except to say that Caimh McDonnell's mastery of language and witty verbiage kept me reading all night. And I want disappointed. Thanks for such an amazing combination of genres in one, well-told novel.

I loved this book! From the first sentence to the last words it held my interest and sometimes I embarrassed myself by laughing out loud in public while reading on the airplane. I am constantly on the lookout for great fun reads while traveling and this author is the best! The characters are unusual and lovable, the plots twists are suspenseful, and the ending is satisfying. I quickly read the other book in the series and am eagerly awaiting the release of the third.

What a great cast of characters! While I knew part of the final answer, the complete outcome of what happened to the princess was an unexpected twist. I really enjoyed the final tidbits of what the characters did after the completion of the mystery.

All four books in the trilogy (one is a prequel) are great! Well written, excellent plot lines, developed characters, and some laugh out loud humor. I also recommend the first book in the follow up series, "Disaster, Inc.", with another coming in 2019. Can't wait!

Great stuff, well written. Very well indeed. Warning: Irish. So there were a couple slang terms that threw me. But a ton of American references and slang to make up for it. Great story telling all round. Brilliant. Mystery, Adventure, Humor, and a few Full Irish. Plus Bunny and a Hurley Stick. I'm a great fan of Bunny. Each book of the series gets greater and better. Thanks Caimh! ( Mr McDonnel? - Don't get all stuffy, I'm giving you a good plug here. ).

Brilliantly funny, characters leap out at you, and the dialogue is crisp and kinda Irish! I ‘m halfway through “Disaster Inc.” and loved every one of the books along the way. This is fresh, funny writing that flows from plot twist to twist. Unlike many Kindle Unlimited books this series will grab you and not let go. Caimh’s writing is fresh and his characters believable.

I thought the premise sounded good, or at least different...a crime story written by a comedian. However, it was like reading a crime story written by one of those old, annoying comedians, like Henny Youngman...where every utterance is a one-liner, every line trying to be funny over and over. Enough. i had to force myself to finish the book, all the while hoping the comedy would ease up, but it didn't. Then, when the crime is solved, you get a few "chapters", basically a few paragraphs each, that tell you what happened to each character and then, as if you haven't had enough, a "free" sample of one of the other books in the trilogy +1. There wasn't enough character development to allow the reader to care about any of them, and the plot seemed forced. if you're looking for an Irish detective novel, try any of Tana French's murder squad books, for for an English version, try any of Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway" books, or Dick Francis' crime books. Go with the good stuff.

I haven't words to express how much I enjoyed this book. The author has a way of capturing your attention in the first paragraph. The title in itself plus the book cover was interesting because it was so different than any books I've read and I'm an avid reader. If you are looking for a great read this is the book. It was excellent story line with great characters, hilarious and very entertaining and enlightening to a reader that knew nothing about Ireland. It piqued my interest enough to make me want to go there! I can't wait to get started on the third trilogy.

This is a great series, now having read all the books. Be sure to start with this one as each successive novels builds on the preceding one. The plotting is superb, and I especially liked the various literary devices used to pace or break up the story. Character development and dialogue are great, all the books are very well written, and very entertaining. In spite of the fact that these books are written to be entertaining as opposed to gritty, everything in terms of procedures, events, and the plots are completely realistic and credible. Best novels I have read in a long while, I only hope there are more in the series.

I found this book somehow aimlessly wandering around in the store. It was available in the lending library and people said it was funny and I really needed to read something funny.

It's like Christopher Moore and Cark Hiaasen had their book DNA put in a blender and then the contents were poured out in Dublin and baked and out came this novel. I cannot remember the last time I experienced explosive laughter. Probably nearly 50 years ago when Monty Python's Flying Circus first hit American theaters. Or maybe it was Faulty Towers or What We Do in the Shadows. Dunno. Doesn't happen a lot, at least to me.

Not only was it funny, the characters were vivid and it was a pretty darn good mystery. A delight. Finished it and bought three more.

I read the three primary books in this trilogy, skipping the "prequel" (which made no difference to the flow, I found).

McDonnell has a very humorous writing style and a voice that's just a little shy of cheeky, but never quite there. The pacing is excellent, the dialog is hilarious, and the action is mostly believable. One of the main characters is a detective and his feats are occasionally a bit much to swallow but they contribute to the story. Throw in a few misadventures in a love-story thread and you don't need anything more.

Overall, all three books in the series are well worth your time if you're looking for entertaining reading.

I'll be honest and say I only bought this book because I liked it's cover and the title is fantastic. Kudos to whoever did that work. However, unlike movies that are all trailer and nothing else, this book more than delivered on the promise that the artwork and title made.
Looked at critically, the plot is ridiculous. It's a ridiculous premise, based on a ridiculous case of mistaken identity, which then follows a ridiculous route to an entirely ridiculous conclusion.
But holding this ridiculous plot together is an absolutely delicious cast of characters. From Paul, the aforementioned "Man with One of Those Faces", to Brigit, who emphasises the "women are bad drivers" stereotype, to the extremely disturbing Bunny, Caimh McDonnell, brings together an exciting group of people who have nothing in common apart from varying degrees of slow burning anger.
All these against the most unromantic depiction of Dublin, that somehow still makes the reader want to be in Dublin...? I don't know how he's done it, but I'm not regretting buying a four book "trilogy" based on liking the cover art of the first novel any more. Looking forward to meeting the characters again in book 2.