Reviews
Birth of the Angel
The COVID Murders Mystery: Book One of Two
Penned by author Conal O’Brien, this gripping novel follows Artemis Bookbinder, an academic with an NYPD background, and a personal obsession for a still unsolved case: the robbery of the Gardner Museum in Boston. It’s February 2020, and a famous painting is found, along with a very dead body. Artemis, a lifelong germophobe, must navigate the COVID-19 outbreak through a dark world of cults, drugs, and an all too powerful TV news outlet. What he discovers will shatter the foundation of everything he believes. Salvation depends on a woman who is trying to free herself from a vengeful world controlled by men. The novel weaves together mystery, pandemic realities, and unexpected twists. Author Conal O’Brien has crafted an enthralling experience that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The author’s talented blending of an unsolved art robbery, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a suspenseful murder mystery created a unique and captivating narrative. The realism and characterization around Artemis Bookbinder’s quirky character, and background as an academic with an NYPD past, added depth to the story. The novel also achieved a skillful navigation of the complexities of the pandemic, using it as a backdrop to a dark and thrilling tale filled with cults, drugs, and secrets. The suspenseful twists and turns kept me guessing until the end, and the well-crafted plot highlighted the harsh realities of living during the pandemic without overdoing the drama. Overall, Birth of the Angel is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts seeking a captivating blend of crime-solving, pandemic struggles, and unexpected revelations.
This work of fiction in the murder mystery, suspense, and interpersonal drama genres, is best suited to mature readers owing to some explicit language and sexual situations.
“I think it’s important to point out that this is not a sequel, but part two. It quite literally picks up where it left off at the end of book one. Imagine a two-part TV drama with an ad break in between.
However, I soon fell into step with Artemis Bookbinder, erstwhile member of the NYPD turned FBI advisor. Book One was very prescient, as we were still in the grip of COVID and its harsh restrictions: Artemis’s character is a germophobe, so he didn’t fair too well in that climate. He’s still assisting in the hunt for a murderer, and the resurgence of evidence relating to an unsolved thirty-year-old priceless-art theft; but he’s learning to cope better in the less constrictive post-COVID world.
I was reminded how much I enjoyed the first part and, importantly, of the author’s writing talent. The conclusion was one I never saw coming, one which makes you utter ‘wow, I’d never have guessed that!’, which I always think confirms a story well written.
This was a cracking read, and I hope Artemis has many more challenging cases to solve.”
“Thrilled to get my hands on the conclusion to this series!! It did not disappoint! I can usually guess ‘who done it’ but in this case, Conal O’Brien had me till the end. I love that this was so smart, detailed, layered, and that there were no shortcuts to a satisfying ending. This real-life unsolved mystery is the basis for an imagined outcome that brings three interwoven sub plots crashing together and I could not put it down. Very excited also that there may be a third book. Yes, please!!! Absolute mystery fun!”
“I could not put this smart and layered mystery down! And I cannot wait for the conclusion in book two coming next month. I love that a real life unsolved mystery is at the heart of this fictional imagined outcome, and that the well developed characters charge forward in parallel stories to (hopefully) crash together in part two. Murder, art theft, Covid and multi generational tragedy keep you on the edge of your seat. Every delicious development was satisfying in the extreme!
Hopping from foot to foot for book Two!!!!!! As an avid mystery fan, Birth of the Angel did not disappoint!”
“This is a brilliant and sophisticated thriller. All the usual suspects feature in it: theft, murder, tragedy, drugs, deception, manipulation. There’s also a dark and seedy cult (for want of a better word: the members are really just a bit deranged), and just to make it more prescient, the wretched Covid is thrown in!
It’s perfectly crafted, with varied, excellent, well-developed characters, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I need Book 2 to be ready and available very quickly!”
ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS
It’s Finally Spring in Vermont!
That wonderful time of year is here – when mud season is forgotten, the trees are suddenly alive and green, and all things wake up! For those who’ve asked (and thank you very much!) – Book Three is coming along well! And thank you to Bridgeside Books (in Waterbury, Vermont) for hosting Indie Bookstore Day […]
...A New Review!
“ BIRTH OF THE ANGEL by Conal O’Brien is a chilling murder-mystery (based on the true-story of a Boston art heist) that speeds between the sandy dunes and docks of Eastern Long Island, and the little pockets of modern Manhattan that seem to be in a perpetual state of vanishing. Cops in tight conversations over […]
...A New Review!
“Very Engaging! So, I just finished “Death of Television”, the 2nd book in the two-book murder/mystery series by Conal O’Brien. I really liked the first book, “Birth of the Angel” but liked this second one even more. “Death of Television” will grab you and pull you in with all its twists and turns […]
...READERS FAVORITE !
Thank you K.C. Finn for the brand new, Five Star Review of BIRTH OF THE ANGEL ! I so appreciate it, Conal
...Welcome WCAX Viewers !
Thank you for taking a look at my website! Go to LINKS to see my recent Walkabout Podcasts. Each of the episodes is about five minutes long, with of photos and videos of the amazing NYC locations used in my books. They were lots of fun to make. Hope you enjoy, – Conal
...New Podcast Links
Go to LINKS and checkout the Bookbinder YouTube channel (that’s me!). There, you will find lots of new videos, including: NYC Walkabout: Lucy Dhegrae and I visit the famous ANSONIA (Hotel) – one of the many NYC locations used in my books, and my WDEV Radio interview on Vermont Viewpoint with Brad Ferland. I hope […]
...Great New Mystery, Very Cinematic!
“I loved part two of this murder mystery series! I finished it very quickly and was totally surprised by the ending. Loved how the author wove it all together. Can’t wait for more books in this series following the stolen objects of the Gardner Museum in Boston. Highly recommended!” “☆☆☆☆☆5 out of 5 stars – […]
...Book Signing! Saturday, Nov. 19th: eleven-to-one
at Bridgeside Books in Waterbury. This is a gem of a bookstore! And Waterbury, if you are considering coming, is a charming Vermont town with great places to eat – like The Reservoir, and Prohibition Pig; and fun, eclectic shops – like The Emporium – and Bridgeside Books. Where I’ll be on Saturday, the 19th. Hope […]
...On the shelves at BRIDGESIDE BOOKS, Waterbury, Vermont !
And I will be there for a book signing on November 19th. Please check back here for details. Thank you Katya and Jenna !
...Birth of the Angel
The sales numbers from the summer just arrived… Thank you Dear Readers for your support! And for all the great reviews and 5-star ratings (bless you!!) on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and GoodReads…. I so appreciate your taking the time and your kind words. Our weather in Vermont has turned cooler, and everywhere the trees […]
...One month in:
Birth of the Angel was released on May 20th! Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement! 11:31 tonight is the summer solstice – the longest moment of the longest day of the year. And it feels, after the year behind us, all the more to be a time for new beginnings. Book Two – […]
...Thank you Readers!
Birth of the Angel is official! The book is officially released on Thursday, May 20th! Pre-sales have been very good! Thank you all very much, Conal
...Hello New Readers
I’m pleased to report that advance sales of Birth of the Angel, Book One of Two: The COVID Murders Mystery are going really well! Thank you to everyone! We are one month away from the official release date. Here in Vermont, spring is dueling with the last snows of a northern winter- but still – […]
...Release Date Set
On February 27th the first copies of Birth of the Angel arrived here in Vermont! The cover is just what I was hoping for…. and to hold your first book in your hands is a truly wonderful feeling. A curious note about timing: The events of Book One of The COVID Murders Mystery begin on […]
...Birth of the Angel, The COVID Murders Mystery: Book One of Two, by Conal O’Brien
An update: The good news is that the book is ‘out’. If you go, for example, to amazon.com – and type in Birth of the Angel, Conal O’Brien – you will see the book cover! And can Pre-order it as an ebook. BUT (and because I am following the advice of those who know best): […]
...Birth of the Angel : The COVID Murders Mystery: Book One of Two
Pre-Sales Begin! The COVID Murders Mystery: Book One of Two From Bookbinder Books Go to: amazon, and type in: Birth of the Angel, Conal O’Brien and you’ll be able to see the final cover of the book! Pre-sales are now possible – in eBook form – But so you know: The release date is set […]
...Birth of the Angel
The COVID Murders Mystery: Book One of Two Coming to Bookshop.org soon! Conal O’Brien
...1/21/21
Okay, that’s a date that looks good in print! An update: Birth of the Angel, Book One of The COVID Murders Mystery – will be out in February – because complications of the corona-virus have impacted the Publisher’s schedule. It’s curious how these things work out. The story the book tells begins in late February […]
...Bookbinder Books Update !
A few minutes ago I sent the final version of Birth of the Angel off for formatting! We are on track for publication in January. Printed books will be available online from Bookshop, and as eBooks anywhere they are sold. So, coming soon. The COVID Murders Mystery: Book One of Two, Birth of the Angel
...Birth of the Angel
The process of publishing has been an exciting eye-opener. Each step is involved and meticulous, which I enjoy so much. By the end of this week, the final manuscript of the first book will be sent off for formatting and marketing. Birth of the Angel will soon be available as e-book and in print. And […]
...Books by Friends
You may know that B.H. Barry has won Tony, Drama Desk, and Obie awards as a famous Fight Director for stage and screen. But do you know about his books? Fights for Shakespeare is one of my favorites. He describes his amazing process of creating the action scenes in many productions of Macbeth and Hamlet […]
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Bookbinder Mysteries
Birth of the Angel
The Covid Murders Mystery
Book One of Two
Death of Television
The Covid Murders Mystery
Book Two of Two
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