The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes

“The Mystery of Mercy Close ” is the eleventh book by Irish bestseller, Marian Keyes.

Helen Walsh has lost everything and has to move back home. But just when she thinks that life can’t get any worse, her ex-boyfriend Jay Parker turns up with a missing person case. With money being tight, Helen reluctantly takes on the case.

But this isn’t any old missing person case, the missing person is celebrity Wayne Diffney, “the wacky one” from boyband Laddz. He vanished from his house in Mercy Close and it’s vital that he is found in time for their comeback gig in just five days time.

But things ended messily with Jay and Helen has moved on with her new boyfriend Artie and the sudden reappearance of Jay has stirred up old thoughts that she thought had disappeared.

Playing by her own rules and instinct, Helen delves into the dark and glamourous world of showbiz where only her head is her worst enemy and she begins to feel, the only person she has connected with is the missing, person Wayne Diffney.

I loved “The Mystery of Mercy Close”, it’s a funny and thought provoking read that had me chucking throughout.

Busting with sarcasm, wit and drama, this book will have you laughing in the aisles. AsAlthough I will admit that I think it is her darkest book to date, talking openly about depression and suicidal thoughts, that I often wondered if Helen was infact Marian. As those who know her and follow her on Twitter will know how frank she is about her battle with the illness. There were other things about Helen that reminded me of Marian, her love of You Tube videos and particularly a passion for Scandinavian crime shows. Even though the subject of depression, is of a sensitive nature, it was often handled in the light hearted style of Marian’s writing with her quirky humour and razor sharp wit.

Helen is a wonderful lead character full of cynicism, a thoughtful private investigator with a bleak attitude to life, I have to admit that it was Mammy Walsh who was my favourite, she had me laughing the most with her hilarious sayings and obsession with boy band Laddz. As the book is over 500 pages long, some people have complained that the book was a bit long, but alongside the cast of the Walsh family, Helen’s investigative moments and the has been heartthrobs of Laddz, there is never a dull moment in the story, making the pages fly by!

I am delighted to see that Marian has made a welcome return to our bookshelves and once again regained the title of Queen of Women’s Fiction. Join Helen on her dramatic adventure to reunite Ireland’s top boy band whilst battling her boyfriend’s hateful son and the disturbing thoughts that won’t leave her be, this is one journey that you will not want to miss out on! Beautifully presented with one of the nicest book covers of 2012, Marian has written another epic book that you won’t be able to put down.

Welcome back Marian!

You can buy [amazon_link id=”0718176812″ target=”_blank” ] The Mystery of Mercy Close on Amazon [/amazon_link] and other good bookshops.