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Conor O’Shea / The Tour Books in Order

6 Books
2013 – 2020 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Order

The best way to read the Conor O’Shea / The Tour series is in publication order. While each novel tells a self-contained story with a unique group of tourists, the underlying character arcs, relationships, and Conor’s career progression evolve significantly from book to book.

  1. The Tour (2013) – The series starts here. Conor O’Shea is an experienced tour guide navigating his first major group of American tourists through Ireland's scenic routes, managing their personal drama while facing his own.
  2. Safe at the Edge of the World (2017) – Conor returns to guide another tour, this time dealing with a mysterious couple on the run from danger, blending light mystery with warm Irish charm.
  3. The Story of Grenville King (2017) – A turning point in the series. Conor contemplates a massive career change as he transitions from tour guide to managing and renovating the historic Castle Dysert resort.
  4. The Homecoming of Bubbles O'Leary (2018) – Conor now runs Castle Dysert, welcoming a lively group of friends returning to Ireland to fulfill a final wish.
  5. Finding Billie Romano (2019) – A young woman travels to Castle Dysert to uncover a family secret revealed by a DNA test, with Conor stepping in as a fixer and trusted confidant.
  6. Kayla's Trick (2020) – A devastating storm puts Castle Dysert's future in jeopardy, forcing Conor to host a chaotic reality TV show to keep the resort afloat.

The Castle Dysert Shift

Readers should note that starting with the third book, The Story of Grenville King, the series shifts from a traveling bus-tour format to a stationary resort setting at Castle Dysert on the Wild Atlantic Coast. Despite the change of setting, Conor O'Shea remains the heart of the series, helping guests find healing, love, and second chances.

Crossovers and Spin-offs

Jean Grainger’s characters often cross paths. If you love the cozy atmosphere of Castle Dysert and Conor O'Shea, you will find him crossing over into Grainger's Mags Munroe cozy mystery series. Conor teams up with Garda Sergeant Mags Munroe in the fifth book of her series, Chancing Your Arm (2024), where they investigate a missing showjumper and a celebrity hiding out at the resort.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Conor O’Shea series?

You should start with the first book, The Tour (2013). This book introduces Conor O’Shea and sets up his journey as a tour guide before he transitions to managing Castle Dysert later in the series.

QCan the books in The Tour series be read as standalones?

Yes, each book features a self-contained story focusing on a different group of visitors, making them readable as standalones. However, reading them in order is highly recommended to follow Conor's personal growth and career changes.

QWhat is Castle Dysert and when does it appear?

Castle Dysert is a luxury resort on the Wild Atlantic Coast that Conor O'Shea renovates and manages. It becomes the primary setting of the series starting with the third book, The Story of Grenville King.

QDoes Conor O’Shea appear in other Jean Grainger books?

Yes, Conor O'Shea crosses over into Jean Grainger’s Mags Munroe cozy mystery series, most notably partnering with the protagonist in the fifth book, Chancing Your Arm (2024).

QIs Kayla's Trick the final book in the series?

Yes, Kayla's Trick (2020) serves as the sixth and final book of the core Conor O'Shea / The Tour series, wrapping up the primary narrative arc at Castle Dysert.

QWhat genre are the Conor O’Shea books?

They are contemporary fiction novels blending cozy romance, humor, and drama, often compared to the heartwarming style of Maeve Binchy.