Review of Mary Kay Andrews’ Road Trip: A Fun Blend of Mystery, Romance, and Irish Culture

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews is an entertaining Irish mystery featuring estranged sisters, family secrets, romance, and adventure.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

Estranged sisters Maeve and Therese Dunigan—one a rule-following pragmatist, the other a rebellious free spirit—are forced back together after their mother’s death leaves them a potentially priceless painting that could solve both their financial troubles, if it’s real. When doubts about its authenticity arise, the only way forward is a road trip to Ireland to trace their family roots, uncover the truth behind a long-ago crime, and break a lingering family curse. As simmering tensions collide with winding roads, lively villages, cozy pubs, and charming strangers, the sisters must navigate old wounds and new discoveries to solve the mystery, save their inheritance, and possibly repair their fractured bond along the way.

My Thoughts:

It’s been a couple of years since Mary Kay Andrews released a new book, and having read more than a dozen of her novels, I was eagerly anticipating Road Trip. While it wasn’t my favourite of her books, I still found it to be an enjoyable read. Marketed as both romance and women’s fiction, this story felt much more like a mystery to me. The plot follows estranged sisters Maeve and Therese Dunigan, who reunite after their mother’s death and discover they’ve inherited a painting that could be worth millions—if it’s authentic. Their search for answers takes them on a journey through Ireland, where they investigate a decades-old mystery while navigating their complicated relationship.

I enjoyed following the sisters’ adventures as they travelled through the Irish countryside, visited colourful villages, and encountered a cast of interesting characters along the way. Although the story centres on the sisters’ relationship, I was surprised by how much time they actually spent apart once they arrived in Ireland. There is also a romantic subplot that I enjoyed, but it never overshadows the mystery at the heart of the novel.

One of the highlights for me was Andrews’ vivid portrayal of Ireland, its culture, and its people. The setting added plenty of charm and atmosphere to the story. That said, I felt the novel was a little too long, and I found my interest waning somewhat during the middle sections. This is likely more a reflection of my own reading preferences, as mysteries are not typically my go-to genre. Even so, I still appreciated Andrews’ engaging writing style and the warmth she brings to her characters.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook edition, narrated by Kathleen McInerney, who did an excellent job. She handled both Irish and American accents with ease and convincingly voiced a variety of male and female characters. Her pacing and tone kept the story moving and made for an enjoyable listening experience overall.

Final Thoughts:

While Road Trip wasn’t a standout favourite for me, it was an entertaining blend of family drama, mystery, romance, and Irish adventure that I think many Mary Kay Andrews fans will enjoy.