Suspense, mystery, action, a little romance and lots of laughs.
Out-of-work actress Derry O’Donnell is talented, professional, just a little psychic… and broke. Spurred on by an ultimatum from her awesomely high-achieving mother, Derry embarks on a part-time career as Madame Tulip, fortune teller to the rich and famous. But at her first fortune-telling gig – a celebrity charity weekend in a luxurious castle – a famous rap artist mysteriously dies.As Derry is drawn deeper into a seedy world of fashion, millionaires, horses and cocaine, she must race to save her best friend from jail and a supermodel from being murdered. Her efforts threaten to destroy her friends, her ex-lover, her father and herself.
Fans of humorous mystery writers Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen will love Madam Tulip.
Madame Tulip is the first in a series of thrilling and hilarious Tulip adventures in which Derry O’Donnell, celebrity fortune-teller and reluctant amateur detective, plays the most exciting and perilous roles of her acting life, drinks borage tea, and fails to understand her parents.
This is exactly the kind of shenanigans that goes on in Ireland! Also- I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, you’re all probably wondering what does a frog have to do with anything? Let me assure you, in this book, we won’t be dealing with a frog-to-prince scenario. That little bugger is indirectly connected to the story! I also think it was a really cool idea by David Ahern.
I have a strange relationship with mysteries. I do.. I love ’em, I hate ’em… I want to read them, I don’t… Fussy! So fussy!
But here’s what I thought about Madam Tulip:
Do you believe in fortune-tellers and the ability to see someone’s future as predicted by cards or a crystal ball? If yes, you will enjoy this quirky mysytery. If not, you will still enjoy this book, but close the door to Mr Logic and Miss Reality.
Derry O’Donnell, an aspiring actress is the daughter of a seventh son of a seventh son giving Derry the psychic abilities. She does card readings for her BFF Bella and it is actually Bella that comes up with the brilliant plan for Derry to create Madam Tulip. Why not make money on one’s abilities? I don’t know why Derry didn’t think of the business idea herself… Actually, I do… Derry is, how to put it… shy and in denial of her abilities? Yeah, I think that’s the case.
As a result of helping out her artsy father at a horserace, she ends up mingling with the rich and famous. Marlene O’Mara and Peter Doyle. Rich and not maybe as happily married as they seem. Marlene takes to Derry’s abilities straight away and invites her to a charity event to do readings for the guests. Marlene also asks for a private reading… She has a life changing plan and she wants to know how it will turn out. Dun-dun-duuun!
The charity event, however, turns sour when Mojo, a musician, meets a very unfortunate fate (not a spoiler, it’s in the blurb!) and Derry gets swept into a mystery which involves Bella getting arrested, and Derry receiving advice on how to act when you’re getting raided by the police. At first glance the mystery seems quite straight forward but then some ‘big guns’ are introduced and the whole thing gets more dangerous. I guess the ‘ and the plot thickens’ would be a good phrase to use here.
Did I like the book? Sure. It was an interesting read with some quirky characters. Derry herself being one of them. The ‘big revelation’ of what’s actually going on made me smirk because I have heard so many stories involving the … ahem… ‘criminal activity’ in Ireland… I know, I’m being vague, but no spoilers, right? When cocaine is involved, be prepared to mingle with dealers, users and crime bosses.
It’s hard to write this review… I’m sure the regular mystery fans will enjoy this read. I’m somewhere in between with this book. I’m an addict for the extreme and this story was quite safe in my terms. It didn’t make my blood boil or my heart thump however it will appeal to the cozy mystery fans who can’t deal with graphic and brutal scenes.
Having said that- Yes, the ending was explosive, quite literally, and there was some decent action. Yes, there’s this certain Irish pixie dust sparkling back from the story and the relationship dynamics. Yes, there are many characters who David Ahern has managed to effortlessly introduce to the story and yes, the progression of the plot was well done but when I think back to this book in years to come what or who will still be in my memory?
It will be Bruce. Ex Navy SEAL, honourably discharged for being gay, moved to Ireland to be an actor and ended up working as security. Towards the end, I started hoping for a major plot twist because the blurb mentions ‘a little romance’. I was hoping, with all my fingers crossed that Bruce wasn’t gay after all. That he was undercover and eventually ends up with Derry… no such luck though. Sigh. I liked Bruce. I really did. Instead of Bruce, the little bit of romance was around someone else… I didn’t really like him – Fitz- because he didn’t come across as the most ‘approachable’ when needed… but I’ll just have to trust that Derry has good taste.
So, my rating will be 3 stars. It was enjoyable, entertaining and I recognized a certain charm about the whole setting. The pace was good and everyone out there that loves a little thrill and mystery will enjoy this book. There’s nothing graphic and will easily offer some good downtime with a book.
*whispers* I hate to tell you this, but your blog has dandruff. I love that cover! I don”t play well with Mysteries, so I don’t even try to read them. I won’t read the JKR Galbraith books either. I did enjoy reading your review though. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahahaha… now that’s an entrance if there ever was any… dandruff… bloody Head&Shoulders doesn’t work as advertised! 😀
Thanks for stopping by… I know how hard it must be to come up with a comment at times, Tater Tots 😀 😀 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have this book too and reading your review, I think I’ll share your thoughts. I’m also someone who thinks she likes a mystery but then in the end just loves her thrilling reads and is quite addicted to them ;-). This sort of mystery could easily insert some romance, too bad that wasn’t really the case here either. Thanks for you review !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I do look forward to hearing your thoughts on this book… I was stewing on writing this review for about 2 days? I just didn’t know what to say… It was a good entertaining read but in a way, thanks to the poor book, I am finally realizing that mystery just isn’t my thing…
LikeLike
This sounds like a nice, easy read for when you just need something a bit more simple and enjoyable! Lovely review 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊 yea, that’s exactly what this book is… thank you, I had a hard time reviewing this…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The review came across beautifully. If you struggled writing it, it did not reflect in your review 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
phew! 😁 sometimes it just feels off… ever been to or would consider visiting a fortune teller? I was just thinking about it- too scary for me to undertake I think…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had my cards read once, I didn’t know it at the time, but she was scarily accurate about the changes I was about to undergo. I will never go back. I don’t want to know that much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
holy crap…that is eerie… I don’t deal well with too much knowledge either.. better take things as they come without panicking ahead of time…
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha I’m certainly capable of closing the door to mr logic and mr reality! Sounds fun!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊 sometimes it’s great to shut logic and reality out! I’d still never dare to visit a fortune teller though… scary, that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha yes! Definitely- I’ve actually had my cards done for fun (they were really really bad- they uncovered the first few cards and I told them they were wrong- but even then they carried on getting everything mixed up) and my palm read (they were great- possibly cos we had a nice chat beforehand and they picked up on my personality)
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow… I have two friends who have had the cards done and such… and both of them swear that what was said has come true… interesting anyway, I don’t think I’ll ever go through with it 😀 scaredy-cat, me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha well for the person that did my cards, they got my past wrong, and for the future but the opposite happened! They also weren’t right about the present 😉 but the palm refer was spot on! I would definitely f do it again if the opportunity arose! Haha i understand!
LikeLike
Lovely review Liz 😃💕sounds like a good thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously, great for Summer reads. Will you be continuing with this series? 😬
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 😊 yeah, it’s a rather light read and I know there are plenty people out there who love exactly books like that! ☺
If I didnt have a massive tbr pile, I probably would read the next in the series… maybe in the future I will have a go… 😊 thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! I’m always adding to my spring/summer tbr, books that are a bit lighter since I tend to get wrapped up in Fantasy a lot. I feel ya on the dreaded TBR, I have a ton of series that i’ve started and need to get around to finishing. Happy Reading 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
omg, you plan your spring/summer tbr? how fantastic and so organised 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol I have a list of summer reads & I just add to it as I come across books I know I’d enjoy more during that time 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
The blurb says that fans of Janet Evanovich should love this book… They better not be lying! From your awesome review, I think they could be right 😀 I’m on the “no brutal scenes or too much violence” group :$ so this sounds like the perfect cosy mystery to squeeze in between two strong psychological thrillers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
how brilliant! I’m glad this book is to your taste… It is a good read, but I believe you would get more enjoyment out of it than me 😊 I haven’t even heard of Evanovich, oops 😁
LikeLike
I am with you on mysteries. Sometimes I can’t wait to read them and other times I’m not that interested. This mystery seems to have a bit of magical realism tied in, however, so I think I might like it! Great review, Liz. I personally don’t know if I believe or not, but that’s what makes it fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂 I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s one the fence with mysteries…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s because I’ve been bored by so many. I am strangely good at predicting Whodunnit, which limits my enjoyment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh gosh, yes… mysteries are hard to get right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you found any mysteries lately which*did* surprise you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm… a clean mystery? Not that I can think of 😀
I think it’s the genre that really doesn’t do it for me unless the genre limits are blurred and have some added good elements… for example, I loved the Frank Friendship series by RG Manse but that had mystery, crime, … I mean it had everything and was so original and unique… any brilliant mysteries you could recommend?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not really! Perhaps that just shows we need to explore the genre more! When I was younger I enjoyed Agatha Christie and Mrs. Polifax, but I don’t know if adult Jackie would like them as much now…
LikeLiked by 1 person
So funny you mention A. Christie… as a teen I read quite a few books by her but now I wouldn’t anymore… it’s the setting I think.. it’s not really exciting enough, or something and at the same time I know some people really love this genre… hmm…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. They are classic, but they are predictable. Now I must be on a quest! Adult mysteries which I can’t predict, where are you?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 hahaha.. that will be a mighty quest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liked how nuanced you were throughout the review. Pointing out the things that would bother some types of people was also perfect. This sounds like a fun and easy read. Great review! 😀
– Lashaan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person