This episode of Cozy Ink Podcast features an interview with cozy mystery author Martha Geaney. We discuss her Star O’Brien cozy mystery series.
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Martha’s books are available through:
About the Books:
Death at Ashford Castle (Book #2: A Star O’Brien Mystery)
Successful American information broker and amateur sleuth Star O’Brien is back in Ireland, hot on the trail of new clues to her mother’s long-ago disappearance. Who is Evelyn Cosgrove, a mysterious woman who may or may not have information about Star’s mother, who went missing when Star was only six years old?
This time Star’s splitting her time between the market town of Castlebar, and the island village of Cong, County Mayo, home to the medieval castle turned luxury hotel, Ashford Castle. But Star never expected a quiet walk in Cong Woods would lead to the discovery of a dead woman. The death was no accident. Why would anyone have wanted to murder her?
Star has a healthy skepticism of the local police—after all, the police tried to convince her that her mother abandoned her—but in spite of that, Star is determined to talk to them about what she witnessed the night of the murder. Complications deepen as Star works to untangle tales of ghost sightings, a rash of mysterious break-ins, and creepy encounters. When yet another body is discovered, Star is more determined than ever to find the truth. But when the murderer’s sights turn to Star, will she survive a confrontation with a killer?
Series Description:
The Star O’Brien Mysteries are Irish-set cozy mysteries featuring the fiercely independent, inquisitive, hates-to-be-disconnected-from-her-cellphone, Star O’Brien. An American information broker turned amateur sleuth, Star is determined to discover the truth about her mother’s mysterious disappearance when Star was only six years old. She’s more accustomed to the un-dangerous pursuit of digging through databases, not chasing down killers. But Star’s journey to the truth is littered with dead bodies and mysteries to solve, all set in the wild, rugged, and beautiful landscape of Ireland.
About the Author:
From Martha’s Desk:
I am the author of the Star O’Brien amateur sleuth mystery series which is set in County Mayo,
Ireland. My father was from Cork; my mother is from Mayo. I kissed the Blarney Stone when I
was four years old and again when I was sixteen. Then, my parents sent me to St. Joseph’s
Convent of Mercy boarding school in Castlebar, Mayo for two years. I couldn’t help myself. I
fell in love with the people, especially all the cousins, my aunts and uncles, the lush and moody
landscape, and the culture. In the early 1980’s, my parents bought a cottage from a family
member in the Castlebar area. Since then, I’ve visited my Irish cousins and friends more times
than I can count.
So, I just knew I had to set this series about Star O’Brien, an American amateur sleuth, in
Ireland. Sta is an independent, feisty, strong female lead. She’s had a few losses in her life.
That’s made her more independent than most; and it’s also made her a strong advocate for the
lost, the missing, and the dead.
Before turning to indie writing, I was a teacher, management consultant, university professor,
and the dean of a business college. It was my leadership experience as a management consultant
and research for my doctorate that prompted me to write the highly-praised women’s leadership
book Bring Your Spirit to Work: One Woman at a Time. As a result, I had the pleasure of
presenting several women’s entrepreneurship workshops in the Castlebar, Mayo area several
years ago.
I was born in New York City but lived in New Jersey beginning at the age of eight. In 2017, my
partner, Bill, and I moved to Florida where I enjoy cooking, reading, swimming, and our
Schipperke puppy, named Turlough.
I graduated with honors from William Paterson University (WPU) with a degree in English and
certification as an English teacher. I was granted a fellowship from WPU during which time I
earned my M.A. in English. In 2004, I earned a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the The
Union Institute and University.
I am a member of Sisters in Crime and the Alliance of Independent Authors. I’m currently
working on my third Star O’Brien mystery.
Readers who want to know more about Star O’Brien can sign up to my subscriber list and
receive a free short story: https://www.subscribepage.com/marthageaney
Connect with Martha on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.