Ayoh - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$1.49 with 86 percent savings
Print List Price: $10.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Clare O'Beara
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Murder at Irish Mensa (Mensa Mystery Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Clare O'Beara (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.3 out of 5 stars 66 ratings
Cara Cassidy, a Dublin tree surgeon, is having a tough May weekend. Her landlady has given her notice. Cara’s in the middle of organising an international convention for the high intelligence group Irish Mensa. Visiting American tobacco heiress Laurel Cabot – who has married a Dubliner with the paper title of the Baron of Ballymun – is murdered and her priceless diamond necklace stolen. Both the Gardai and Interpol believe that the killer is among the guests.
Amid visits to the National Stud and Trinity College, Cara, newly elected Chairman of Irish Mensa, does some investigating, with the aid of Mike Fraser, a Scottish guest. The Mensa members trust her, but some people would prefer their secrets to remain hidden….
By the Amazon No. 1 Bestselling author of MURDER AGAINST THE CLOCK and SILKS AND SINS.
Clare O'Beara won the Arkady Renko short story competition held by Simon & Schuster in 2014 and judged by Martin Cruz Smith.
"Please congratulate Clare O'Beara for me for her clever short, short story 'London Calling.' I appreciate that she treated Arkady kindly, taking his age into consideration, and managed to cross the finish line with a different sort of twist."
- Martin Cruz Smith.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 5
    Mensa Mystery Series
  2. Print length
    360 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 13, 2014
  6. File size
    2.5 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 5 books in this series.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Clare O'Beara is a tree surgeon and expert witness, and a former national standard showjumper. She has been elected Chairman of Irish Mensa and Director of British Mensa Ltd. She was also appointed National Representative to Mensa International. She has served on the Royal Dublin Society Forestry And The Environment Committee. She lives in Dublin with her husband and cats. Clare is an award-winning writer of fiction and non-fiction, whose journalism work has been published in more than thirty countries. Her credits include Mensa Magazine and Mensa International Journal.
2013 - first prize for Print Journalism in Ireland's National Media Awards.
2014 - won the Arkady Renko short story contest held by Simon & Schuster and judged by Martin Cruz Smith.
2020 - Second, Dublin Business School Create Contest.
Clare contributed a story to A Pint And A Haircut (Lon Dubh, 2010), an anthology in aid of Concern's Haiti fund. Clare reads extensively and reviews books for Fresh Fiction.com.
clareobeara.ie

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00E5JMQP4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clare O'Beara
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 13, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.5 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 360 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0992638610
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Mensa Mystery Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.3 out of 5 stars 66 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Clare O'Beara

Clare O'Beara

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Clare O’Beara is a tree surgeon and expert witness, and a former national standard showjumper. She has qualified in multimedia journalism, data visualisation, media law and ecology, and writes on environmental themes. She has served on the Royal Dublin Society’s Forestry and the Environment Committee.

Clare is an award-winning writer, award-winning blogger, and award-winning photojournalist, whose journalism work has been published in more than thirty countries. Her credits include Writing ie, The Register com, Mensa Magazine and Mensa International Journal. Editor of Dublin Business School’s Inside DBS blog and Sustainable College blog.

During 2020 Clare created the Irish Lockdown series. A Pony For Quarantine was nominated for Children’s Multicultural Book Day by US educational site Wise Owl Factory; A Dog For Lockdown was chosen Best Middle Grade Book of 2020 by author/ reviewer Jemima Pett.

Clare independently publishes crime, science fiction and romance, and No.1 Best Selling Young Adult books; she works to make her books Carbon Neutral.

2022 - Winner, Journalism Relating to Health, National Student Media Awards.

2021 - Winner, Blog Of The Year, National Student Media Awards.

2021 - Nominated, EPA Award for Journalism Relating to The Environment.

2020 - Second, Dublin Business School Create Contest.

2014 - Winner, Arkady Renko Short Story Contest: Simon & Schuster. Judged by Martin Cruz Smith.

2013 - Winner, Print Journalism, Ireland's National Media Awards.

The MacGuyver for the Hugo Awards at Worldcon Dublin 2019.

Reviewer for Fresh Fiction.

Customer reviews

3.3 out of 5 stars
66 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging, with one mentioning interesting twists towards the end. The characters are delightful, and customers describe it as an entertaining read with good readability. However, the editing receives negative feedback, with one customer describing it as the worst editing they've encountered.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

7 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of this murder mystery, with one mentioning interesting twists towards the end.

"...nefarious characters who are not the murderer, and a few interesting twists towards the end...." Read more

"...There is a nice mystery to solve, and a little romance. I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to reading others in the series." Read more

"...The premise is good, and it appears she has written more in the series...." Read more

"...But setting is only part of the package, and the story itself is interesting and flows well...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, finding them delightful.

"This is the first I've read but it won't be the last. The characters were delightful, the pace was quick enough to keep me reading...well into the..." Read more

"I really enjoyed the characters, especially the protagonist's evaluations of where they were from by their accents, speech patterns, or dress...." Read more

"...I require likable characters in a story and this one delivers...." Read more

"...The characters are quirky, in a positive way, being almost all members of MENSA. I plan to read more of this series...." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good read, with one customer noting its well-written setting and good editing.

"...I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. Well done, Clare O`Bears." Read more

"...descriptions of the convention, the other members, and the setting to be well-written. There is a nice mystery to solve, and a little romance...." Read more

"...A good read!" Read more

"This was a pleasant book, but clearly the murder took second place to the author explaining Mensa and "Mensans". It was just "okay"." Read more

4 customers mention "Enjoyment"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining.

"...They sell real estate. It’s actually fun to read and train your brain to think a bit differently...." Read more

"...different counties, and police gathering clues all make for an entertaining read...." Read more

"Enjoyed. Looks like even Mensa folks "just wanna have fun". The mystery was not easy to figure out for me, which I like." Read more

"First book in series, entertaining read..." Read more

3 customers mention "Editing"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the editing of the book to be poor.

"...I think this book suffers from poor editing and copywriting than it does from writing." Read more

"Worst editing I have ever seen. Made it near impossible to read. I have read well over 100 kindle books with no problems...." Read more

"For an author writing about Mensa, this book was very poorly written. O'Beara kept referring to Cara as a girl...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • collfar5000
    3.0 out of 5 stars Five star potential after a good editing
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Murder at the Irish Mensa

    This book has the potential to be a 5 star cozy mystery. There is no blood, gore, or gratuitous sex. There are plenty of potential murderers, a few nefarious characters who are not the murderer, and a few interesting twists towards the end. But I have to agree with those who complained about the editing. I, too, found myself rereading a page to see where I was. I think when a scene changes within a chapter there should be an extra line break between paragraphs. It’s a signal that we’ve moved on. At one point, a character is describing a chess match. In the middle of his short monologue a paragraph is inserted setting a scene. WHAT!!! (page 331 or Kindle location 4409)

    Also, the protagonist is a single woman who runs her on business and refers to a college-aged member as a little younger than herself. I suspect she is in her mid to late twenties. That said, she is constantly referred to as “the girl”, as in

    “What’s happened?” The girl could hear his concern. (page 19 or Kindle loacation 214)

    I had to stop and think, what girl, there are no girls in this story? This happens at least 2 dozen times and it drove me nuts. She’s a woman, a young woman, Cara… but not a girl.

    I read a lot of mysteries and I did figure this one out – at least the “how” and the “who” but not the “why”. I think the reason came out of the blue and I missed any clues to the reason for the murder. I don’t wish to read it again to see if they are there.

    I enjoyed the “non-American English” and it was no problem at all figuring it out. Seeing collective nouns with plural verbs may throw you but you’ll get it. Estate agents have nothing to do with the deceased and wills. They sell real estate. It’s actually fun to read and train your brain to think a bit differently.

    MINOR SPOILER ALERT: How did a hotel full of Garda let a nefarious character slip away so easily and thoroughly???
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Patricia K. Sherwood
    5.0 out of 5 stars Means series
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first I've read but it won't be the last. The characters were delightful, the pace was quick enough to keep me reading...well into the night. It has been a long time since I haven't guessed whodunit. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. Well done, Clare O`Bears.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Mavella22
    4.0 out of 5 stars First book in series, entertaining read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first in the Mensa Mystery series. Mensa is an international organization, the membership consisting of people with a very high IQ. They have local meetings, and also regional and national conventions.

    This story takes place at one of the conventions in Ireland. The organizer of this particular convention is Cara Cassidy, whose regular job is a Dublin tree surgeon.

    The convention takes place in a hotel, which also hosts other guests not a part of Mensa. During the weekend, one of the guests is killed, and a valuable necklace is missing.

    The local police want to keep everyone in place until the crime is solved, but they are unsure as to how long that will take. When some of the Mensa members become suspects, Cara feels an obligation as organizer to help solve the crime. She and a few of the other Mensans start their own investigation.

    I found the descriptions of the convention, the other members, and the setting to be well-written. There is a nice mystery to solve, and a little romance. I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to reading others in the series.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Sparkle
    2.0 out of 5 stars Would have been better as a simple travelog
    Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed the characters, especially the protagonist's evaluations of where they were from by their accents, speech patterns, or dress. I wish it had been a simple work about an event where strangers became friends at a shared event.

    But this is supposed to be a murder mystery. The police believe that "our heroine" is the most likely candidate for the murder. But then the police disappear. The tree surgeon does all the investigating and questioning. Why would other Mensa participants wish to answer her nosy questions so freely? Why weren't people clamoring to go home? A murder has taken place in their midst and they are all perfectly happy to continue sight-seeing, and tagging along with Suspect Number 1.

    The murder and its investigation made no sense to me. I hope this author will learn a lesson and do a series of British Isles travel books.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Greer
    1.0 out of 5 stars Good Premise, Needs A More Thorough Editor
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is my first time reading this author, I received a free digital copy via Amazon.

    The premise is good, and it appears she has written more in the series. I had a difficult time with the continuity and grammar and eventually put the book down as I found myself re-reading pages trying to understand where I was in the story.

    I think this book suffers from poor editing and copywriting than it does from writing.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Mary Anne Wachter
    3.0 out of 5 stars Like playing Clue
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Pretty stereotypical detective story. I bought it because it was close to St. Patricks Day and I wanted an Irish read. Too many characters who are suspects and then not. Like a game of Clue
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • D. Thompson
    5.0 out of 5 stars I have read three of the Mensa Mystery books, ...
    Reviewed in Australia on October 16, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I have read three of the Mensa Mystery books, and am hoping there are more to come. Please, Clare O'Beara?
    Report
  • Nicola Mills
    3.0 out of 5 stars Flawed but charming
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 7, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is an odd book, much more a diary of 'how I ran a Mensa weekend' than a murder mystery. There are a couple of red herrings never quite followed up, and I couldn't have cared less about the victim, and would have had trouble solving the mystery anyway given the vast cast of characters mostly identified only by their accents. The heroine, too, is a bit too perfect. Yet the result is a strangely charming book which I enjoyed despite myself, and I hope to read the next one, Murder at Scottish Mensa. Whether I can face two more on the same theme, I'm not sure.
    Report
  • Sue Bridgwater
    4.0 out of 5 stars MENSA MAYHEM
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    If you are always looking out for an original take on the standard murder story, look no further than Clare O' Beara's fast-moving tale of mystery. Here the conventions of the police procedural have to give way; the police don't seem able to proceed very far in finding the murderer of Laurel Cabot. Instead they accept the advice and deductions of the members of a Mensa convention hosted by the Dublin Mensa but featuring people of high IQ from all over the world.

    It's always good to have plenty of background interest in a crime tale, and I enjoyed learning more about Mensa, IQ testing, horse-racing, Dublin, and tree surgery along the way.

    The tale has pace and interest all through, and Cara Cassidy, the heroine of the investigation, is an engaging character who goes on to feature in the sequels to this book.

    It's also very humorous, if the portrayal is accurate then members of Mensa deeply enjoy jokes and especially puns. Who could fail to enjoy a book that features an estate agents company called 'Mycroft Homes'?

    The book is well presented, I particularly like the large font which makes it accessible to more readers. Don't miss this if you like murder and detection stories.
    Report
  • Francesca
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy intelligence
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book had everything I like: cats; an unusual, feisty female; a (subtle) romantic element; an interesting set of problems; a modicum of esoteric knowledge; gentle humour; and a realistic characterisation of the sorts of people I tend to hang out with myself. The violence was there, but not indulged in. It was the perfect weekend relaxation. I got slightly irritated by the author's referring to the heroine as 'the girl' when she was obviously a woman, however. I've already read two more in the series.
    Report
  • Jan Hawke
    4.0 out of 5 stars Intellectual thriller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book certainly nails it's colours to the mast upfront as that rarity - a murder mystery that's cerebral rather than graphic and gives as much weight to why and how 'who-dunnit' as the turbo-brained suspects and undercover cops mull over the evidence. But worry not if your IQ doesn't make the genius grade - clever people can be quite as muddled as the rest of us especially when they're all possible suspects for the deadly low-jinks that occur at the Irish Mensa knees-up which sees a mega-rich heiress viciously done in after embarassing matrimonial fisticuffs in the posh hotel bar.

    As usual I must hold my hand up to say that I'm not a big crime thriller afficianado but, despite the rather unimaginative title (which is OK in this, the first of the series I suppose, but doesn't really have me gagging to read the similar follow up titles in the rest of the British Isles), I enjoyed the ride, the gentle humour and the impeccable and quirky narrative and characters. And I will read the others I expect.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report