I picked A Man with One of Those Faces because it was a mystery, it was set in Ireland, and it was supposed to be funny. To be honest, I didn't have super high hopes for it.

Sometimes it's really good to be wrong!

Author and television writer Caimh McDonnell writes an intriguing tale of suspense with lots of good laughs. This book is just a great ride, from the first page to the end. Although this is his first novel, I sincerely hope it's not his last.

Unemployed Paul Mulchrone does charity work to continue receiving a stipend from his late Great Aunt Fidelma. The work he chooses is to visit the old and infirm in hospitals, acting like whoever they think him to be. It's easy enough, as he has one of those faces. All is well and good, the oldsters are visited, Paul gets his paperwork signed off on, and he gets his monthly not-really-enough-to-live-on money, which is okay because he warms himself on his resentment of Great Aunt Fidelma and the hoops he has to jump through for her.

And then Nurse Brigit asks Paul to visit just one more dying man. Paul agrees for the trade-off of getting a ride home in her car instead of having to take the bus. He goes to visit the old man, who of course, recognizes him immediately. I mean, he just has one of those faces.

And then the old guy tries to kill him.

From there, a series of dangerous yet hilarious circumstances takes Paul on the run for his life. A cast of well-drawn and interesting characters join in, making the adventure a real treat for readers.

This book has so much going for it--a strong plot, a true sense of place, characters you want to get to know better, suspense, wit, and an exceptionally easy-reading style. It may not be the obvious choice, but it's definitely the out-of-left-field surprise that makes you sit up and laugh out loud.

Galleys for A Man with One of Those Faces have been provided by the publisher through NetGalley.